Nintendo DS Makeover

Originally I had purchased the original DS because I wanted a handheld gaming unit that could play Metroid Prime Hunters and didn't cost $250 (Sony PSP). I bought it, even though I saw the DS Lite being advertised on the horizon. I couldn't wait anymore and decided to get the old "brick" instead, figured I'd trade it in later.

The first day of the DS Lite's release, I had mine on reserve and went to trade in my old ds for it. When I brought it home I was blown away. The new DS Lite has an IPOD-like feel. The outer shell has a thin clear plastic coating over the white plastic. The placement of the buttons were much more user-friendly for my large hands. The a and b buttons no longer were dimpled, instead they are now beveled out like traditional buttons and have a frosty texture.

The mic is relocated to the center where it should have been. The screens are brilliantly lit, I didn't even need to set it to the highest brightness setting, I set it to 2nd from highest. I'm also very pleased with dust insert for the GBA slot, no longer does the DS's GBA slot function as a wildlife or pocket lint habitat.

I also noticed the DS Lite charges faster and stays on longer than its predecesor. The new feel of the unit combined with its bright screen actually improves your gaming performance, expecially so in games where some of the environments are dark like Metroid Prime Hunters.

The WIFI rocks as well, it keeps games like Tetris DS fresh. If you don't have a wireless router, don't sweat it, you can buy the Nintendo Wifi USB Adapter, although it won't give you the range a wifi router would, it will do the trick. You must have a broadband connection to use the wifi feature. If you meet the requirements, prepare to waste many hours owning (or getting owned) on the net in Mario Kart DS, Metroid Prime Hunters, or Tetris DS.

I guess if I HAD to nitpick, I would have to say the DS is a Crime Scene Investigator's wet dream, it collects finger prints better than an ink blotter. Also, what happened to the thumb strap? This unit does not come with one.

Nitpicking aside, buying a DS Lite for someone who does not yet own a DS is a no-brainer. New and improved looks, smaller/lighter package, better feel, brighter screens, faster recharge times, longer battery life, all for the same price as its predecessor. What more could one ask for? Even if you own the old "brick", you'll definitely want to put it up on e-bay and get yourself one of these babies.

Also look at the statistics, the DS Lite since its release has outsold the Sony PSP 5 to 1 if not more. Nintendo DS Lite > Sony PSP, owned!