One step closer to gaming evolution

Graphics: 8

The graphics the DS delivers are decent, but nothing that will blow your mind away. Some of the 2-D games are well done on this system, like Castlevania, Yoshi's Touch and Go, Advance Wars Duel Strike, Sonic Rush and etc.
The 2-D games graphics are smooth as butter, especially the Squarenix games that will be future releases.

Some of the 3-D games that are on the DS are horrendous, like asphalt urban gt. Don't get me wrong, some 3-D games can be pulled of very well, like the New Mario Brothers and Animal Crossing Wild World.Solid graphics, but a little rough around the edges and polygons. Over all the graphics are just about N64's.

Sound:10

The dual speakers (to go with your order of dual screen) is pretty impressive. It's loud enough to satisfy your listening needs.The DS games music are well done. The heart-pounding and tension causing music from Trauma Center will make you feel like your starring in an episode of ER. The nice neat little tunes from Big Brain Academy are very similar to those of the Animal Crossing games.

Let's say your playing your DS on a loud bus and you want to enjoy your sound, but it's too noisy. Simple, just plug in your own headphones in the headphone jack. Wasn't that easy?

Controls:10

The DS still has a traditional D-pad, but added the x, y, l shoulder, and r shoulder, which is kind of familiar friendly for those who have used an snes controller before.

Here's when things get interesting. The touch screen brings a whole new way for playing games. You'll need to use your a stylus (a pencil-like object) to play most of the games out there. This new way of playing makes things more interactive and makes you feel more into the game. For
example, in Trauma Center:Under the knife you'll have to make incisions in a patient and your stylus will act as your scalpel. The stylus will act as your "super tool" for this game. It'll also be needed for applying antibiotics, draining, laser usage, applying bandages, and etc. The stylus is also great for writing and drawing in picto-chat mode ( a mode where you and other ds owners are able to communicate using the touchscreen).

The touch screen is very responsive, but I don't recommend forceful tapping or stabbing of the touch screen, because it just might break.

The DS also comes with a neat little extra, a built in mic. Some games require you to speak into the mic or blow into it.

Games:9

This is why I wanted to get a DS in the first place. Many great title like New Super Mario Brothers, Trauma Center : Under the knife, Big brain academy, Advance Wars DS, Feel the Magic xx/xy, Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney,Contact and many other titles. The selection of games have a nice balance of new original titles and continuation or remakes of your old favorites, such as Dig-Dug or The New Super Mario Brothers.

You may have noticed that some of the games out for the DS are about real life jobs. Games like Trauma Center where you play as a doctor, Phoenix Wright where you play as a lawyer, Cooking Mama where you play as a cook, Big Brain Academy and Brain Age where you test your brain, and a future title that will be released where you'll be able to play as a detective will may help with real life skills. A kid may be playing Trauma Center at a young age and may have interest of becoming a doctor. Actually, I'm currently playing Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney and it gave me a different perspective with lawyers and made me think that lawyers are cool. If more games of this nature are released, maybe it'll effect this generation of gamers and will motivate them to become a lawyer, doctor, detective, a scholar, chef and etc.

The learning curve for most DS games are not long. Most are easy to pick up and play, with no frustration. Speaking of no frustration, the load times are non existing, so you can pick up and play in an instant with the hassle of waiting. With the wide selection of games , everyone from little kids to adults will be able to enjoy the lineup of DS games.

Overall:9

The DS lite is priced at $129.99. The new design is sleek smooth, and sexy. The screen is much brighter than the original. There are many original titles and old favorites.
The bottom is heavy which makes it sturdy and easier to use the touch screen. The touch screen and mic innovates gameplay.