Nintendo DS Redesign Official! Meet the DS Lite!

[Borys]

Smaller and sleeker. Straight from Nintendo's Japan (http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/news/060126.html) site:

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/news/060126.jpg


Nintendo DS Lite
Release Date: 2006-03-02
Price: 16800 Yen
Feature: 4 adjustable levels of brightness
Old DS Size: 149 x 85 x 29 = 275g
New DS Size: 133 x 74 x 22 = 218g

Oh, Nintendo, will you ever learn?

Editor - Thanks to boratika, xxBlackCrossxx, 31 Flavas, mister_slim and markster3000 for submitting the same story!

[boratika]

I love\hate Nintendo.

[Ph00p]

UGH STILL Not ergonomic!!! FUCK! If anything looks worse on the hands. I wonder when it'll be out around here? And if there will be any other small improvements?

[GrinR]

Smaller, sleeker, yet somehow retaining all of the gayness!

[Sensei-X]

Oh, Nintendo, will you ever learn?


Learn what? Nintendo already learned a very long time ago that you can redesign a portable system several times and each time they'll sell a crapload of them.

[bapenguin]

Well..if its lighter hopefully it won't be the wrist-hurter the DS is for me.

[Borys]

Some bigger pics:

http://www.joystiq.com/media/2006/01/nintendo_ds_lite2x.jpg

http://www.joystiq.com/media/2006/01/nintendo_ds_lite3.jpg

DeIMG'd!

[markster3000]

One thing that instantly pops out at me is the fact that it seems designed to match the Revolution. The cross pad and buttons are identical to those seen on the Rev controller.

So now you can get the DS Lite, the Rev, and a GBM, and you'll still fit in with all your iPod using friends!

[TheEpicOfTyler]

I think it looks really nice, I might just get a re-design instead of paying 75 to repair mine.

[Eon]

With the whole Dual Screen layout of the design the early model IS a little too big to carry around in comfort. This redesign might well make it more palletable if it brings it into the large pocket / small bag area.

[KamaItachi]

Well..if its lighter hopefully it won't be the wrist-hurter the DS is for me.

Supposedly it's some 60g lighter. Not a whole lot, but maybe enough to save a few wrists.

[31 Flavas]

Smaller, sleeker, yet somehow retaining all of the gayness!Ok, gotta ask... What, in your eye, would remove all the "gayness"? I don't see how either model DS is at all "gay".

[saneman]

Ok, gotta ask... What, in your eye, would remove all the "gayness"? I don't see how either model DS is at all "gay".

Well see the stylus is the penis, and the DS has a hole on the back that you put the stylus/penis into. That means it's gay.

If they'd only have the hole on the front, the DS would be totally hetero!

[markster3000]

If they'd only have the hole on the front, the DS would be totally hetero!
Sounds more like transexual to me...

[boratika]

Old/new comparison. (http://www.4colorrebellion.net/media/pics/06/01/ds-comparison.jpg)

Ok, gotta ask... What, in your eye, would remove all the "gayness"? I don't see how either model DS is at all "gay".

Seriously don't bother. There's never been a videogame system that is more something you can share with girls, that is to say it is literally the the least gay system of all time. I'm guessing you'd have to go back in time and have someone other than Nintendo make it to remove the "gay"ness.

[bapenguin]

Old/new comparison. (http://www.4colorrebellion.net/media/pics/06/01/ds-comparison.jpg)

Oh god. They made the buttons even smaller. I don't have the fingers of a 2 year old toddler damn it.

This thing looks very "ipod-ish"

[vivafletcher]

Looking at them side by side, it isn't much of a redesign. It's just a DS for younger children. Smaller buttons too? It should be the Nintendo Pre School (PS) edition.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

Oh god. They made the buttons even smaller. I don't have the fingers of a 2 year old toddler damn it.

This thing looks very "ipod-ish"

No they didn't, they fit exactly over the original DS's buttons.

[Dr Quincy]

I want, I want!

[GrinR]

Seriously don't bother. There's never been a videogame system that is more something you can share with girls, that is to say it is literally the the least gay system of all time. I'm guessing you'd have to go back in time and have someone other than Nintendo make it to remove the "gay"ness.

I'd have to disagree. I know at least 2 girls who have a GB or GBA in their bathrooms... for baths, I'm sure. Also, my girlfriend borrows my PSP constantly to play Lumines and don't even get me started about how excited she was to hear that Katmari is coming to PSP.

That said, the DS looked like a NES shrunk down - it screamed "HI2U I AM NERD!" whereas the PSP looked more like a wannabe black iPod (hard to beat that huge screen, btw). I gave up on taking the PSP outside, but only because I got tired of people leaning into me to watch me play. Conversely, I've seen nerds on the train playing with the DS and all I can do is pity them.

[i aint yer pa]

I'm torn. I love my blue DS, unergonomical and all, but how can I resist such a shiny, beautiful new gadget with Nintendo's name on it?

HOW?

[earthworm48]

Is the screen clearer/sharper or just brighter?

[Kelegacy]

Anyone want to trade my Awesome Red Mario Kart DS for this feminine white version when it comes out? Please?

[Dabombpizza]

That said, the DS looked like a NES shrunk down - it screamed "HI2U I AM NERD!" whereas the PSP looked more like a wannabe black iPod (hard to beat that huge screen, btw). I gave up on taking the PSP outside, but only because I got tired of people leaning into me to watch me play. Conversely, I've seen nerds on the train playing with the DS and all I can do is pity them.
Couldn't disagree more. Not only does the DS have an amazing library of games that are actually fun, it really is easily accesible to girls. I don't know why, but they just love the whole stylus thing. On my campus I get women to play the thing all the time, and my girlfriend loves it.

Looks like a Nintendo shrunk down? I can see that sorta, but it requires a lot of alcohol. I doubt many non-hardcorenerds see it as an NES. I worked with a guy that had little to no exposure to video games at all, and when I whipped out my DS and started playing it, he was amazed. He thought it looked like a professional palm pilot type of device, not a nerdy game device, which surprised me.

I think the only people that can "pity" a nerd in a public setting is a closet nerd himself; you need the information in order to judge. You should really buy a DS to help your brotha, instead of staring at people having a good time. Maybe you'll have a good time too Mr. Judgypants.

Now back to the topic of the actual post...the redesign really isn't what I was hoping for. I feel my big handed wrist hurtin' brothers out there, and it would be nice for an ergonomic-lightweight solution. Maybe we'll see that with the DS Lite SP Pro

[bapenguin]

No they didn't, they fit exactly over the original DS's buttons.

Looking at the comparison pic posted above the d-pad looks a bit smaller. The buttons might be slightly closer together.

[Yeti2005]

I like the redesign but I'd be super pissed if I just got or bought a DS over the holidays. I think it's funny Nintendo denied a DS redesign and then a few weeks later reveal it. I'm pretty sure the story of the new Zelda having special features with the Revolution's controller, which Nintendo denied, is aslo true.

[D_Reaper]

I wonder if it will still be able to play GBA games, it looks neat overall.
Since I don't have one yet I wouldnt mind waiting to get one of those.

[Lord Dongkey]

How many times, and how many fingers, will have to go numb trying to play my DS at night before sleep? How many times will we have to accidentally hit the volume button and hear Mario Kart scream through the bedroom, awakening the hibernating bear that is a sleeping wife? How many sore wrists and fingers do we have to suffer through from prolonged sessions of Castlevania... Advance wars... GBA classics...

...

How much is this new DS going to cost me when I buy it? /sigh

[Blade]

All I can say is that the redesign looks even more unergonomic than the original. I enjoy the original, I don't get many cramps.

I do on the PSP occasionally, but not so much the DS.

[31 Flavas]

That said, the DS looked like a NES shrunk down - it screamed "HI2U I AM NERD!" whereas the PSP looked more like a wannabe black iPod (hard to beat that huge screen, btw).Sorry to break the news to you man, but you play video games. So welcome to dorksville.

I gave up on taking the PSP outside, but only because I got tired of people leaning into me to watch me play. Conversely, I've seen nerds on the train playing with the DS and all I can do is pity them.Don't resent your inner dork, be happy, rejoice about it, relish it. Lemme guess you parents forced you to learn to play the piano, or violin, or flute, against your inner sense of coolness, right?

[Entropy Effect]

It looks like they have moved the power button to a harder-to-hit-accidentally location. I'm guessing it will be a switch on one of the sides like the GBASP.

[Lord Dongkey]

Hmm, on the topic of dork-dom... am I the only person on this forum that's making a decent living messing with... ahem.... I mean, administ..er...ating.... administrating computer networks? Damn that's ungainly, however it's supposed to be, but anyway... being a geek can make you money. More money than being a dumbass fuckwit jock who ends up flipping burgers or cleaning buildings (note: I do not look down on either burger flippers or janitorial staff - just the ones that were condescending shits in the past and annoyed me).

For some reason, I'm guessing I'm not the only person on these forums making money being a geek.

[Borys]

Society hates nerds/ geeks/ freaks period. There's no other way around it. Am I proud of being a geek? Hell no. Do I like it? Hell yes!

[Kelegacy]

I like Nerds. But they don't put enough red ones in the box. Plenty of greens, purples, and yellows, but not enough reds!

[jacktion]

Wow, that looks great. Very slick. My old DS works fine but I guess I will now be the proud owner of 2.
And why is "gay" used as a derogatory term? Do we have to use the hate speech?

[joruussuun]

Hmm, on the topic of dork-dom... am I the only person on this forum that's making a decent living messing with... ahem.... I mean, administ..er...ating.... administrating computer networks? Damn that's ungainly, however it's supposed to be, but anyway... being a geek can make you money. More money than being a dumbass fuckwit jock who ends up flipping burgers or cleaning buildings (note: I do not look down on either burger flippers or janitorial staff - just the ones that were condescending shits in the past and annoyed me).

For some reason, I'm guessing I'm not the only person on these forums making money being a geek.
I have noticed I generally make a lot more than my friends. I bought a house when I turned 21, have a reasonably new car ('03) and a HDTV. Of course now that I have those things, I have a lot less spendable income every month than them, since a house has all kinds of bills attached. But I think I'm doing decent! :D
(Still trying to set aside some money for a DS v2 and an Xbox 360 of course... and eventually Revolution and see what info comes out on PS3.)

[Reanimated]

Learn what? Every time they redesign something, they sell like a billion more of it.

This is not QUITE the redesign that I was hoping for, but I like it. If it's lighter and thinner, I'll pick one up.

[MaiXu]

Smaller, sleeker, yet somehow retaining all of the gayness!

Truly a mind-blowing critique!

[Odyzen]

YAY!!! They repositioned the xyba buttons are higher and they moved the select/start below. Now my thumb wont be cramped pressing the A button for sonic and mario kart. And they moved the mic to the center! Now I dont have to tilt my DS and move it slightly to the right to talk into it.

What with all this "now" talk i can't get one there's already two in the house. @!$#!%@##$%@%!#$. I can't get a third one.

Oh, reading the article in translation, it says that it's supposed to be complete with all the functions and "enjoyed the video game from the past of course"
(translation). So it should still be able to play GBA games, right?

out in japan March 2nd.

[doyama]

The redesign looks decent enough. The weight reduction is pretty significant. Also the width is now at a more managable level I think, I always thought the DS was a tad too bulky before. The new design seems to have a more sleek look and seems to be getting away from the 'toy like feel' of the DS. Though real pics would help rather than the rendered pics on the Nintendo website. But so far it looks like a nice redesign.

My concern mostly is whether they put a decent screen on the thing this time? Esp compared to my PSP, the DS always looked so muddy and unimpressive.

As a side thought, I wonder if they made the LCD screens smaller? Or is the reduction in dimensions just eliminating all the 'wasted space' that might have been in the original design?

[GrinR]

As usual, the reaction is by the numbers. Listen, the bottom line is if I'm going to be outside in society I want to look good. Call it shallow, call it self-hating, call it whatever you like. In my world (no better than yours, but certainly mine) I do not want to be percieved as a video game nerd. You can pull off geek chic, as the iPod has managed well to do, but video game nerd hasn't found it's way to the cool side of the world... yet. Not even the PSP.

[joruussuun]

1UP Confirmed (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3147494) from Nintendo that the redesign still plays GBA games and the screens are the same size.

[BabyJesus]

Wow, that looks great. Very slick. My old DS works fine but I guess I will now be the proud owner of 2.
And why is "gay" used as a derogatory term? Do we have to use the hate speech?

So now if you use a term in a derogatory way, its hate speech? Christ what has this world gone to....

[thecrazyd]

1UP Confirmed (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3147494) from Nintendo that the redesign still plays GBA games and the screens are the same size.
Fuck yeah. Brighter screen with 3 levels of brightness? I am sold if they put out a red or black one.

[Reanimated]

Anyone want to trade my Awesome Red Mario Kart DS for this feminine white version when it comes out? Please?



I'm keeping my red one. Nintendo only produced a limited amout of them :D

[joruussuun]

Fuck yeah. Brighter screen with 3 levels of brightness? I am sold if they put out a red or black one.
Yeah, I'll pick one up if it's black to match my Revolution. (Don't get me wrong, I'm planning on getting one anyway... just prefer black...)

[Kelegacy]

As usual, the reaction is by the numbers. Listen, the bottom line is if I'm going to be outside in society I want to look good. Call it shallow, call it self-hating, call it whatever you like. In my world (no better than yours, but certainly mine) I do not want to be percieved as a video game nerd. You can pull off geek chic, as the iPod has managed well to do, but video game nerd hasn't found it's way to the cool side of the world... yet. Not even the PSP.
Read a goddamn book in public--you'll get more approving glances than some idiot nerd playing videogames on a bench. No matter how well you've dressed, you're still a tool on a bench.

[CrysDark]

I am interested to see what it will look like in reality, since these look like concept drawings. If it has the sleek ipod look, then they have definitley increased the sexiness factor for me. I might actually pick one up.

Overall, I am still disapointed, I had high hopes after the GBA redisign (GBA-SP) They made the worlds most perfect handheld, sad that they couldn't do the same with the DS.

Better still be able to play GBA games

[Deadend]

Agh, remeber a few weeks ago when Nintendo said they were NOT working a redesign? Nintendo lied to us.

[thecrazyd]

Agh, remeber a few weeks ago when Nintendo said they were NOT working a redesign? Nintendo lied to us.
No, they said the redesign was, and I quote, "pure rumour and speculation." At the time, it was.

[jacktion]

So now if you use a term in a derogatory way, its hate speech? Christ what has this world gone to....

Ok, it isn't hate speech. But it is pretty homophobic. It's ok if you are afraid of gay people. It takes a big man to admit that. A big, fat, man.

But seriously, the new ds looks good. A shiny white exterior will look pretty slick. If they come out with a shiny black model it will sell like gangbusters. I hope they can overcome the PSP's problem of fingerprints showing up so easily. When you combine shininess with a black gloss coating, that equals fingerprints.

And not to beat a dead horse but it must suck for gay people to have their name associated with bad things. Just because of the way they are born, they are bad. What if we did that for other groups? Like what if we said "That is so redhead." whenever you saw something ugly or stupid. Ok, that doesn't have the same ring to it but you get the point.

[AntB]

It's Still Freakin' Ugly Dammit.

Ugh.

[aj1pso]

So much needless Nintendo hate...stop the hate, do it for the children.

[Spigot]

Well, I don't really think it's THAT much of a difference. Slightly smaller, slightly lighter. It's not the radical change that occured when they went from GBA to SP.

I'll just keep my funky red DS, thanks. I can't think of any reason why I'd trade for this one.

[GrinR]

Read a goddamn book in public--you'll get more approving glances than some idiot nerd playing videogames on a bench. No matter how well you've dressed, you're still a tool on a bench.

I do read books in public. Endless battery life and typically hours of solid fun. I'm not sure where the anger comes from, or the personal attack.

[GrinR]

Ok, it isn't hate speech. But it is pretty homophobic. It's ok if you are afraid of gay people. It takes a big man to admit that. A big, fat, man.

And not to beat a dead horse but it must suck for gay people to have their name associated with bad things. Just because of the way they are born, they are bad. What if we did that for other groups? Like what if we said "That is so redhead." whenever you saw something ugly or stupid. Ok, that doesn't have the same ring to it but you get the point.

Speaking of beating dead horses... I don't like gluttons or bums either, that doesn't make me afraid of fat people or lazy people. "Homophobic" is simply a case of terminology gone wild.

Also, since I work in SF and grew up in Greenwich Village in NYC, I don't think it's really off the mark to describe emasculated things as gay. If you think otherwise, you must be having a blonde moment...

[thecrazyd]

I do read books in public. Endless battery life and typically hours of solid fun. I'm not sure where the anger comes from, or the personal attack.
Well, you did indirectly call us gay and insulted our tastes. That is at least one way of looking at it. Not that I am angry, but I could see why others would be.

[GrinR]

Well, you did indirectly call us gay and insulted our tastes. That is at least one way of looking at it. Not that I am angry, but I could see why others would be.

I don't want to get all Mason on anyone, but since when does my opinion about a product reflect on others opinions of themselves? If I think salads are too bland, does that mean salad eaters don't have any taste in food?

I've said it before, many times - I want the DS to look more like the gameboy SP (the flip-top one) so I can play the awesome games the DS has to offer. I technically LIKE the DS on this basis. My gripe is that I think the damn thing is unattractive, and for what it's worth I don't think that other people finding it attractive makes them stupid or gay or any other damn thing. I'm talking about an object, folks.

[thecrazyd]

Speaking of beating dead horses... I don't like gluttons or bums either, that doesn't make me afraid of fat people or lazy people. "Homophobic" is simply a case of terminology gone wild.
People aren't born gluttons or bums.

[GrinR]

People aren't born gluttons or bums.

Bah! Niggler! I don't agree, I do think some are, but whatever - my point is that the notion that I have to be afraid of something to not like it (much less hate it) is silly. I don't like tapioca, I don't fear it. I don't like pink clothes, I don't fear them. I don't like the DS shape, I don't fear it.

[thecrazyd]

I don't want to get all Mason on anyone, but since when does my opinion about a product reflect on others opinions of themselves? If I think salads are too bland, does that mean salad eaters don't have any taste in food?

I've said it before, many times - I want the DS to look more like the gameboy SP (the flip-top one) so I can play the awesome games the DS has to offer. I technically LIKE the DS on this basis. My gripe is that I think the damn thing is unattractive, and for what it's worth I don't think that other people finding it attractive makes them stupid or gay or any other damn thing. I'm talking about an object, folks.
You are talking about an object making the user appear stupid or gay.

More on topic, you said you like the PSP because it looks like a black IPod. Do you not like the IPodesque stylings of this?

[BabyJesus]

Ok, it isn't hate speech. But it is pretty homophobic. It's ok if you are afraid of gay people. It takes a big man to admit that. A big, fat, man.


Don't care one way or the other about what sexual orientation someone is, but I do care that everything people say now always has to have a political angle. I also don't think you are a homophobe if you call something gay, it is a term that has been used in that sense for forever now.

[GrinR]

You are talking about an object making the user appear stupid or gay.

More on topic, you said you like the PSP because it looks like a black IPod. Do you not like the IPodesque stylings of this?

My turn to niggle. I said it still retained its gayness... but I'll give it up.

I certainly implied that I liked the PSP because it looked like a black iPod, but really I like it because it's essentially a portable screen. The movie-aspect-ratio of it is the #1 most compelling feature for me. I also like that it's relatively easy to hold and it's very very moddable.

That said, yes, I do like the new model much more than the old one. In black, it's almost a winner. BUT, ultimately I don't like the space on the sides of the top screen. I dont like the way it seems designed around the dual screens, when I think I could do without the bottom screen most of the time and would enjoy a super-powered gameboy SP a lot more. I could be wrong about this, I wouldn't know. I played with the DS at the store and it felt cheap and clunky to me - and faaar too big for what I was getting. This seems more svelte, which is a good thing, but ultimately it's a smaller thinner ugly thing. Who knows, I'll take a look at the store.

[NELS]

Not quite the redesign I was looking for, I too was looking for something like the jump from GBA to SP. But, oh well.

Any word on if this is actually coming out in over here? The only reason I ask this is back in the old GB days there was one design of the GB that never made it over (I think, Indigo or something like that), or did that get released here?

[thecrazyd]

My turn to niggle. I said it still retained its gayness... but I'll give it up.

I certainly implied that I liked the PSP because it looked like a black iPod, but really I like it because it's essentially a portable screen. The movie-aspect-ratio of it is the #1 most compelling feature for me. I also like that it's relatively easy to hold and it's very very moddable.

That said, yes, I do like the new model much more than the old one. In black, it's almost a winner. BUT, ultimately I don't like the space on the sides of the top screen. I dont like the way it seems designed around the dual screens, when I think I could do without the bottom screen most of the time and would enjoy a super-powered gameboy SP a lot more. I could be wrong about this, I wouldn't know. I played with the DS at the store and it felt cheap and clunky to me - and faaar too big for what I was getting. This seems more svelte, which is a good thing, but ultimately it's a smaller thinner ugly thing. Who knows, I'll take a look at the store.
After playing Trauma Center, any desire for a super powered SP faded away. The dual screens may look awkward at first, but I have grown to love them, like my own big, fat, ugly, gay baby.

[GrinR]

After playing Trauma Center, any desire for a super powered SP faded away. The dual screens may look awkward at first, but I have grown to love them, like my own big, fat, ugly, gay baby.

Hey! Maybe I'll get sold too. Like I said, I've been interested since day one.

[boratika]

I don't want to get all Mason on anyone, but since when does my opinion about a product reflect on others opinions of themselves? If I think salads are too bland, does that mean salad eaters don't have any taste in food?


Now he's ripping on salads! The guy doesn't stop.

[GrinR]

Now he's ripping on salads! The guy doesn't stop.

LOL ICEBERG LETTUCE LOL

[Cubfan]

What the fuck is wrong with salads?

[absolut taco]

I'm torn. I love my blue DS, unergonomical and all, but how can I resist such a shiny, beautiful new gadget with Nintendo's name on it?

HOW?
Wow, that looks great. Very slick. My old DS works fine but I guess I will now be the proud owner of 2.
And why is "gay" used as a derogatory term? Do we have to use the hate speech?
After reading this thread, I now know why Nintendo is still in business. If you people love throwing away your money without getting anything for it I should give you my PayPal account right now.

[thecrazyd]

After reading this thread, I now know why Nintendo is still in business. If you people love throwing away your money without getting anything for it I should give you my PayPal account right now.
Except... we are getting a new handheld that is smaller, cooler looking, and has brighter screens.

[Kelegacy]

I do read books in public. Endless battery life and typically hours of solid fun. I'm not sure where the anger comes from, or the personal attack.
I apologize for my rough language; it's just who I am, I guess. I didn't intend to show any anger or attack you, because I really don't mind if you like the DS or not. But I do think to dismiss the machine as "gay" or "kiddie", and instead play with a different handheld because it looks more chic in public is...unfortunate.

[agentgray]

Hmm, on the topic of dork-dom... am I the only person on this forum that's making a decent living messing with... ahem.... I mean, administ..er...ating.... administrating computer networks? Damn that's ungainly, however it's supposed to be, but anyway... being a geek can make you money. More money than being a dumbass fuckwit jock who ends up flipping burgers or cleaning buildings (note: I do not look down on either burger flippers or janitorial staff - just the ones that were condescending shits in the past and annoyed me).

For some reason, I'm guessing I'm not the only person on these forums making money being a geek.
Since this thread has gone off topic anyway, no, you're not the only one. :)

[RevGored]

I'd have to disagree. I know at least 2 girls who have a GB or GBA in their bathrooms... for baths, I'm sure. Also, my girlfriend borrows my PSP constantly to play Lumines and don't even get me started about how excited she was to hear that Katmari is coming to PSP.

That said, the DS looked like a NES shrunk down - it screamed "HI2U I AM NERD!" whereas the PSP looked more like a wannabe black iPod (hard to beat that huge screen, btw). I gave up on taking the PSP outside, but only because I got tired of people leaning into me to watch me play. Conversely, I've seen nerds on the train playing with the DS and all I can do is pity them.

But WHY? You never seem to give any reasons as to why you pity these people that enjoy playing video games on a system that you don't. It seems odd. Why not give examples? Here is an example of what I am talking about;

I, for one, pity people that still look at the PSP as a viable gaming platform, and here are the reasons for that -

a) there is a drought of games almost unheard-of in regards to a systems' lifespan

b) Sony seems to no longer be toting this as a gaming machine, but as a 'portable media device'. For further proof of this, take a look at the UMD-to-game ratio that has been released in the last year since the systems' launch

c) the load times, even for the most modern games, are atrocious. Midnight Club 3 had load times in excess of 1 minute in some cases, and that is completely unacceptable. Untold Legends had load times of 20-30 seconds whenever you left an area, which was MANDATORY at some points in the game, to access your inventory in town, do certain quests. This rendered the game unplayable for alot of folks

d) the system design itself is fine. I have no problem with it. Save for the fact that I need to keep it in a polymer case with a shammy covering the screen when I'm not using it, because it is fragile, and the screen is too high-gloss. That is the reason I don't play it outside, because I can't see the screen that well in any kind of natural light

Now, if you can provide us with a list similiar to that as to why you 'pity' people playing the Nintendo DS, other than the fact that 'it's gay', I'd greatly appreciate it. The only reason I'm holding onto my PSP is the fact that I'm awaiting ONE GAME on it, Metal Gear Acid 2, that I know I won't get to play anywhere else, because Sony is draconian about trying new things on tried-and-true platforms (thier home console line), and the fact that it was a gift, so I can't sell/trade it off. My DS, however homosexual in leaning it may be, sees almost daily play, in the fact that Nintendo has opened the floodgates on triple-a titles since the release of Nintendogs, and is only keeping it up at this point.

Sony, though? I'd like to see a playable game sometime in the first year of the systems' life. I think the fact that they were currently blowing out 12+ titles for 10-20 bucks in a national sale throughout Canada speaks to itself that they can't move thier first-party software to save thier lives.

edit - haha looks as though you've done at least some explaining as to your opinions of its' San Franciscan-stylings since I posted this, as it took me a couple minutes to type. Good show.

[thecrazyd]

Shhh... I already convinced him to give it a shot. That is just overkill.

[GrinR]

I apologize for my rough language; it's just who I am, I guess. I didn't intend to show any anger or attack you, because I really don't mind if you like the DS or not. But I do think to dismiss the machine as "gay" or "kiddie", and instead play with a different handheld because it looks more chic in public is...unfortunate.

Tell ME about it. Like I keep saying, I wish it didn't look the way it did so I could buy it and enjoy those games!!!

[Lord Dongkey]

I've had quite a few conversations with my wife about gaming and how it's misconstrued. There's a definite negative spin to the phrase "video game", versus game, board game, sports game, etc. The word "video" throws this entire... pitiable light on whatever is happening. So when the guys come over for a LAN, and we're up until 4 in the morning drinking and gaming and they crash on the couch, I get the "Don't you think it's odd to have friends sleep over?" routine... which, when phrased that way, yeah, it's odd. But Lanning leading to drunkenness and crashing on a couch? To me, for some reason, sounds fine.

The point of my rambling - video games have an obscenely negative stigma thanks to an older generation of parents/people that never took the time or effort to understand them - and tried to pass that perspective down to their children. There's a social perception in a large number of people that video games are fat italian plumbers running around smashing blocks and tetris blocks falling. Somehow, my wife included in this, they all missed the fact that "video games" have evolved out of their initial spectrum into "interactive experiences". They truly have no idea what "video games" have become, and most won't ever know if we stay in our "shells", trying to hide our DS or other gaming habits like a dirty little secret.

For a long time, I, like certain other people on this thread, was in the crowd of caring what other people thought of me and my habits and my appearance etc, since many things in life and in a social atmosphere are dictated by appearance, whether rightly or wrongly. Then I had this little chat with my wife, and I kid you not, there was a moment where I finally just stood up, and with conviction stated "I am a gamer. I've always been a gamer, and I'm always going to be a gamer. If you don't understand "video games", and you don't want to, then you don't understand me, my motivations, and something that's a large part of what I choose to do with my time. And that's bad."

Needless to say, she's far more open minded about it and wants to sit in on some silent hill sessions when the group marathons the games to prepare for the upcoming movies.

The point? Fuck other people's opinions of being a gamer. Fuck the "Dork" perception, the "Geek" perception, all that shit. The only way people's misperceptions of gamers is going to change is if we finally just stick up for ourselves, and when someone asks us "What's that thing, a PDA or blackberry?", we say "Nope. It's a nintendo DS, and right now I'm kicking Japanese people's asses in Mario Kart, all the way across the world." The reaction is surprising, when people realize there's community, and thought, and puzzles, and all the things they do for fun, just wrapped up in a nice little package with some Japanese Brick Styling(tm). You show vulnerability or weakness, though, and people naturally pounce on that like vultures on a carcass.

The point of games? To have fun. If you're at a place where you can't have fun on the DS because of its appearance, then I feel sorry for you. You're missing out on some damned great gaming.

[Bydo_Empire]

Looks good to me. More importantly, it's lighter. That's really my only beef with the DS, and the redesign addresses this. I won't be buying one anytime soon since my DS isn't even a year old yet and it works great despite the occasional hand cramp. But if I was in the market for one, I'd be glad to have an improved DS. I don't see how this is a negative at all? So they put out an improved product? Wow, what were they thinking.

[AniAko]

It looks like they have moved the power button to a harder-to-hit-accidentally location. I'm guessing it will be a switch on one of the sides like the GBASP.

I noticed I didn't see it. I've actually hit the power button by accident once, and POOF! the game was off.

[Busted_Astromech]

The point? Fuck other people's opinions of being a gamer. Fuck the "Dork" perception, the "Geek" perception, all that shit.

You could also take the other route, which is to embrace your dorkiness--play D&D, Warhammer 40K, Magic: The Gathering, and all that. Rejoice in your intellectual liberation from the mindless and style-conscious 'others'.

But, you know, I can see where worrying about wheether the DS looks 'gay' is a viable alternative, because being seen as a normal person is grossly superior than being seen as a member of an intelligent, if ostracized, social class.

Think of it this way: as a geek, you have been granted permission to look down upon all the plebs as morons. Implied within the social contract, that geeks are objects of derision, is also the notion that they are smarter than the rest. Seems like a fair trade off to me.

[amusedtoe]

I like the design, but it seems like it might have gone the SP route where the bottom's too thin completely flat and so it's uncomfortable for me to hold for long periods.

[GrinR]

The point of games? To have fun. If you're at a place where you can't have fun on the DS because of its appearance, then I feel sorry for you. You're missing out on some damned great gaming.

Nice post, btw. Still, there is balance in this. I don't miss out on the DS any more than I miss out on snowboarding or pogo-stick contests. I think it's silly and just don't do it. I also don't go to pie-eating contests or goth clubs, and I'm not missing out there either. Maybe it's best that you hold the fort for your enjoyment and I do the same for mine.

[Kyle Jones]

Nice design, but I won't be buying one, as my Mario Kart DS rocks solid. Also, being a musician and playing guitar and the likes plus working around computers all day has given me some pretty beefy hand muscles, so the cramps don't hurt much at all.

Cramping up? Take up guitar, and trust me, you'll know the true meaning of cramps and stretchs of PAAAAAAIN.

[Steele Johnson]

Oh, Nintendo, will you ever learn?


I don't understand that statement. They seem to be the only company in their market doing the right thing. The DS rocks and it's outselling everything else in its market space.

Nintendo are the innovators, everyone else are the followers. Now you can go cry me a river. :D

[Steele Johnson]

Ok, gotta ask... What, in your eye, would remove all the "gayness"? I don't see how either model DS is at all "gay".

I agree, I don't see anything that makes it look "gay". I think we've got some PSP fanboys here or something, 'cause I think it looks pretty comparable to the latest high-tech gadget trends: simple UI and white (e.g. iPod).

[amusedtoe]

Well see, they just think it's silly to be able to acctually have games to play on your system.

[Lord Dongkey]

Nice post, btw. Still, there is balance in this. I don't miss out on the DS any more than I miss out on snowboarding or pogo-stick contests. I think it's silly and just don't do it. I also don't go to pie-eating contests or goth clubs, and I'm not missing out there either. Maybe it's best that you hold the fort for your enjoyment and I do the same for mine.

Oh, absolutely, and I salute anybody for their opinions - everyone having their own makes things interesting. I just like to think there's a universality to good games. Katamari, ICO, Ninja Gaiden - from NES to Xbox - Mario Sunshine, all the Metroid games, the Final Fantasy series, all the Castlevanias, Mario Kart DS, these are games that - for many - transcend the bounds of what platform they're played on. They're classic titles that one can go back to years later and still enjoy, regardless of platform, regardless of age. Nintendo has shown a knack for producing just such titles by not only innovating in input mechanisms and gameplay, but also by sticking to their own theme. Sadly, this "theme", if you will, has been perceived as "childish" or "for kids". Same thing rolls over to the DS, and to the perception the system has even amongst gamers, not to mention non-gamers.

It's just that perception that led me to my realization that I don't give a damn what platform a game is on, whether it's a video game, board game, or pogo-stick jumping contest. If I've tried it, and it's fun, then I do it. The end. If I haven't tried it, then I give it a whirl. If I don't like it, I give it one more try, this time with whiskey. If that fails, then it's boring shit and I don't do it. :)

I'm just specifically saddened that the image issue is such that it deters people from playing specific games or specific systems... or video games at all, for that matter. If you think the DS is silly, then you'd have to think the NES and SNES are silly, since many of their titles have either made it directly to the DS/GBA or had sequals created for that platform. Now, if you think THEY'RE silly, that's your opinion, you're entitled to it, and I in no way intend to offend or assault you on that count.

Perhaps it just seems to me that, if you have the capacity to see anything as "silly", then perhaps video games aren't the right pass-time for you? To some degree or other, they're all silly.

[Rirath]

Smaller, sleeker, yet somehow retaining all of the gayness!

It's funny how many people can miss the point entirely of a simple, amusing quip like this. Funny, but not surprising. At any rate, I'll be sticking with my blue DS. Sure, it's unwieldy, but I see no real advantage to this redesign. Gameboy Pocket brought a much sharper, clearer screen over the Gameboy. Gameboy Color brought, well, color. Gameboy Advance was a new system, and the SP brought a much better design, and if I'm not mistaken, rechargeable batteries.

Right now I just don't see what this new DS offers me except for being 20% smaller around the edges, as it should have been to begin with.

Perhaps it just seems to me that, if you have the capacity to see anything as "silly", then perhaps video games aren't the right pass-time for you? To some degree or other, they're all silly.

Isn't that some sort of paradox? If they're all silly, yet one shouldn't be gaming if they see anything as silly, then doesn't that state that nobody should be gaming unless they're blissfully unaware?

I don't limit what I play by any sort of coolness factor, in public or not. Sometimes I wear game shirts and listen to J-pop. I play Magic: The Gathering regularly. I've never really seen the negative spin on gamers, myself. But there are some games I find a bit too "silly" for my tastes. Puyo Pop Fever comes to mind... just waaay too much sugar in that game's diet.

[TrackZero]

I love\hate Nintendo.

Probably one of the most honest statements about the company I've ever read. Same goes for me.

[Lord Dongkey]

... so perhaps my phrasing wasn't clear enough. To me, "silly" is the bunny-eared quotation marked.... bad silly. Like, that's "silly", it can go to hell and die its gay i hate it yatta. Or something like that.

But yeah, my phrasing was all botched up there. If you can see anything in the world as being silly in a derogatory sense, then you shouldn't be playing games, because if you see something as silly in a derogatory sense, then it's a small step to seeing most everything that's a fun pass-time that way. Games are all silly, in the sense that they have no real deep meaning... but then, nothing does - from certain perspectives.

To paraphrase the babble:

"silly" != silly

In my head.

With the rabbits.

And the bloody spikes.

[AniAko]

Smaller, sleeker, yet somehow retaining all of the gayness!


I swear some people should be required to read at least 20 dictionary entries a week. Gayness: a definition (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/gayness)

Seeing as anyone that wants to can put a derogatory spin and meaning on a word as they see fit.... this thread is so GrinR

[Shifteh]

Oh, Nintendo, will you ever learn?

Well they seem to have learned how to make money and quality games.

[carneconcarne]

when will this come out in the states?

[Zeal]

The best thing Nintendo ever made was the Power Glove.

[EternalGamer]

Don't care one way or the other about what sexual orientation someone is, but I do care that everything people say now always has to have a political angle. I also don't think you are a homophobe if you call something gay, it is a term that has been used in that sense for forever now.


If you are referring to the way people use the word "gay" anytime that want to refer to something that they think is stupid, disgusting, or that they just plain dislike, you are right, it has been in use for a long time. Using the word "nigger" to describe black people has been in use EVEN LONGER but that doesn't make it any more legitimate. As a matter of fact, there was a point in history at which nearly every white person referred to blacks as "niggers." That still doesn't make it ok because it always had a element of incredible condecension implied.

Imagine if you were a gay person and had to listen to people call everything they disliked "gay" all the time. Where do you think that use of the word originated? Do you think it is just coincidence that people decided to start calling things they disliked "gay"? It was not. We are not talking about abstract language that is not "politically correct." We are talking about an intentional coined phrase designed specifically to disparage homosexuals.

It is true that some people in gay culture now use the phrase in an attempt to invert it's hurtful meaning in the same way that blacks started using the word "nigger" as an affectionate term for one another to attempt to do the same. But try going out in public as a non-black and calling all the blacks you see "niggers" and see how well they take it. When non-blacks use the word, it very clearly still holds it's original connotation. And when heterosexuals use the word "gay" to describe something they have a negative reaction towards, it does the exact same thing.

Dan

[31 Flavas]

Tell ME about it. Like I keep saying, I wish it didn't look the way it did so I could buy it and enjoy those games!!!So get over it. You're missing out on a lot of good games.

[thecrazyd]

Probably one of the most honest statements about the company I've ever read. Same goes for me.
So I am not honest in saying that I love them?

[thecrazyd]

The best thing Nintendo ever made was the Power Glove.
And the best thing you ever made was idiotic trolls.

[bapenguin]

Well they seem to have learned how to make money and quality games.

I think he's referring to the fact of all those customers they just screwed over during the x-mas holiday season. Meanwhile they are quietly laughing in their evil tower on top of Mt Fuji eating salads made of money as 50% of those people buy this iteration of the gameboy too.

[joruussuun]

The best thing Nintendo ever made was the Power Glove.
It's my understanding that Mattel made the Power Glove... third party like Mad Catz today.

[PantherModern]

The best thing Nintendo ever made was the Power Glove.


Sigh. Mattel made the Power Glove.

From Wikipedia:

The Power Glove is a controller accessory for the Nintendo Entertainment System designed by Abrams/Gentile Entertainment, made by Mattel in the United States and PAX in Japan. The peripheral originally retailed for $100(USD).

[PantherModern]

I think he's referring to the fact of all those customers they just screwed over during the x-mas holiday season. Meanwhile they are quietly laughing in their evil tower on top of Mt Fuji eating salads made of money as 50% of those people buy this iteration of the gameboy too.


Well, one thing I haven't really seen is a feature set yet. I wonder what differences there might be. I for one, likely won't get one simply because I already own 2. But, I have, like, 5 gameboys laying around, so whatever. I think the key here is that this one isn't necessarily "better," just different. Just like the GameBoy Micro. It isn't better than the sp (apart from the smaller, crisper screen, I suppose), but appeals to a different market. For N, they already have the hardware in place and taken care of, so why not screw with the case a bit and re-release?

Sony did the same thing with the slimline PS2 (and actually took features away) and they did just fine. I'm sure there were craploads of people who bought a non-slim right before that too. It's just business.

[AversionFX]

Oh god. They made the buttons even smaller. I don't have the fingers of a 2 year old toddler damn it.


Lose some weight, then ;) Doesn't look very uncomfortable to me.

[dr_wily]

im glad for this redesign. looks great, clean, light, thin.. im glad I held out for an amazing library first before buying (100% of the reason before was its looks/size)

i was THIS close to getting a kart red combo though.. THIS close! kart is my near-life.

I think its brilliant.. if any of you are like me, we love to get new shiny toys for the sake of, well whatever floats your boat. Sony noticed that and releases updated versions of its consoles in teenier, sleeker packages too.

If you dont like it, dont buy it. Live with your version. Shut out that tiny voice that thinks its so awesome. No one is forcing you to angstfully grumble in line like a crack addict and complain to the eb guy who doesnt care that your buying it despite the fact that you have an old one.

[AkumaATR]

I'm keeping my red one. Nintendo only produced a limited amout of them :D

Everything Nintendo has ever made has been made in limited amounts. Believe it! ;)

[random johnald?]

Yep, this is all Nintendo's fault, they ruin everything by releasing smaller versions :rolleyes:

PlayStation -> PSOne
PlayStation 2 -> PS2

I am so glad that no companies other than the evil traitorous Nintendo practices this deplorable business practice.

[Chris_D]

This seems like the perfect re-design to me, I will be buying one to replace my existing DS. My main issues with the DS were size, weight, and screen brightness and they all seem to be resolved with this new iteration. NICE!

[thecrazyd]

Yep, this is all Nintendo's fault, they ruin everything by releasing smaller versions :rolleyes:

PlayStation -> PSOne
PlayStation 2 -> PS2

I am so glad that no companies other than the evil traitorous Nintendo practices this deplorable business practice.
And what about the XBox controller S? Just a ruse to get me to buy all new contolers!

[Draft]

Yep, this is all Nintendo's fault, they ruin everything by releasing smaller versions :rolleyes:

PlayStation -> PSOne
PlayStation 2 -> PS2

I am so glad that no companies other than the evil traitorous Nintendo practices this deplorable business practice.Hahaha. Ok buddy.

Gameboy Advance->Gameboy Advance SP->Gameboy Advance SP w/ improved backlight->Gameboy Advance Micro

Not to mention Gameboy to Gameboy Pocket, the NES front loader to top loader, and the of course the DS revision.

Oh yes, Nintendo knows how to make money. By milking it from their obsessive fanbase. Open up your wallets boys, Mario's coming.

[Harlan Hoyt]

I think the negative reactions to the redesign are odd. At least is says that Nintendo is paying attention to customer complaints and trying to address them. And seriously, "screwing" people who bought it over the holidays? Do you honestly expect Nintendo to make an announcement in November saying, "Don't buy our product! This time next year, we'll have a slightly different, sleeker one! So, save your money 'til then!" Please. People who got one over the holidays aren't any more "screwed" then those of us who bought one last year. They've still got a great handheld with great games. I don't think anyone can blame Nintendo for not wanting to deep six their holiday sales.

[Draft]

btw when I play my DS in public, I look like a goddamn pimp.

[CrysDark]

I think the negative reactions to the redesign are odd. At least is says that Nintendo is paying attention to customer complaints and trying to address them. And seriously, "screwing" people who bought it over the holidays? Do you honestly expect Nintendo to make an announcement in November saying, "Don't buy our product! This time next year, we'll have a slightly different, sleeker one! So, save your money 'til then!" Please. People who got one over the holidays aren't any more "screwed" then those of us who bought one last year. They've still got a great handheld with great games. I don't think anyone can blame Nintendo for not wanting to deep six their holiday sales.


For these people there is always Wal-Mart!

[boratika]

So I am not honest in saying that I love them?

Don't get me wrong, I mostly just hate them when it comes time to pay bills. Also I only just got a DS last month. Now they're making me want something I don't need.

[Nessus]

From what I can tell the redesign is smaller in every dimension than the PSP and lighter.

Yeah it sucks that I have a pristine new-ish (several months old) DS and they release this. Same thing happened when I got a GBA. I made the mistake of not trading in my GBA when the SP came out and now my GBA isn't worth anything (especially since my DS plays GBA games).

I'm thinking though I may give my old DS to my girlfriend since she fuckin' LOVES Meteos and wants to try some of the others like Nintendogs, and I'll get the new one for myself.

I also have this thing where I love when they make the portable match the home console, ie, platinum SP and platinum GameCube. So I really appreciate that the new DS matches the Rev. Hell, the PSP even seems to match the black PS3 to an extent.

I think it's fair to say the DS and the PSP are targeted towards different crowds. I know 2 people with PSPs and one of them swears by it (the other hardly touches his PSP except to play movies and plays his DS much more often). Just recently at a party we had a chance to try out eachother's preferred systems. He wasn't impressed by the DS and I wasn't impressed by the PSP. I still plan on getting a PSP, though, but I can already tell it will be used primarily to play NES and SNES roms. That and Lumines.

[amusedtoe]

Everything Nintendo has ever made has been made in limited amounts. Believe it! ;)

Well hundreds of thousands does technically qualify as a limited amount... ;)

[random johnald?]

Hahaha. Ok buddy.

Gameboy Advance->Gameboy Advance SP->Gameboy Advance SP w/ improved backlight->Gameboy Advance Micro

Not to mention Gameboy to Gameboy Pocket, the NES front loader to top loader, and the of course the DS revision.

Oh yes, Nintendo knows how to make money. By milking it from their obsessive fanbase. Open up your wallets boys, Mario's coming.

GBA -> SP: made it easier to see the screen, rechargable battery packs.
SP -> Improved SP: very little change, but this was sold IN PLACE OF the original SP. Notice that you can't go buy the original SP anymore, and that the improved one was released at the exact same price. You can't hate Nintendo for fixing something at no cost to the consumer.
SP -> Micro: made it smaller, sleeker, something that is handy in a PORTABLE system.

It seems to me that when Nintendo does this, they actually change things for the better, all the while putting it in smaller packaging. Compare that to Sony.

PlayStation -> PSOne: does absolutely nothing new, its smaller, but that's not very important in a console. Sold for tons of extra money.
PlayStation 2 -> PS2: does nothing new, loses a few features, is smaller, but that's still not important in a console. Sold for tons of extra money.

It seems to me that Nintendo's the one who's doing good PR with their re-releases, and Sony is the one with the "fuck 'em in the ass" business practices.



Don't get me wrong, I mostly just hate them when it comes time to pay bills. Also I only just got a DS last month. Now they're making me want something I don't need.

O NOES, A NEW ATI GRAPHIX KARD RELESED???? I H8 CO.s TAHT SEL THIGNS I DONT NEEED BUTT WANT!!

How about, every video game console/portable ever? They make money off selling things that you want, but don't particularly need. This is no different.

[mister_slim]

Nintendo's really surprising me with their industrial design recently. I didn't think they had the skills. It's nice to see good use of empty space for balance.

[Chris_D]

I don't mind spending more money on the new ds, well worth it. Great move by nintendo to give DS fans what they want, and potentially attract a few people who are currently put off by the bulky look.

Well done.

[Dracula-X]

Hrm... Very Game&Watch-like (Ninty 80's handheld lcd games, for the yung'uns), moreso than the original design at least, I think. I like it.

[Chris_D]

I gave up on taking the PSP outside, but only because I got tired of people leaning into me to watch me play. Conversely, I've seen nerds on the train playing with the DS and all I can do is pity them.

That must be why I own a DS, I crave pity ;).

[jakie_chon]

ahh this is a damn long thread. All i'll say is that if nintendo releases a black one, i'll buy it. I've been holding out on buying a ds for a good while, but a black ds would change that.

[TrackZero]

So I am not honest in saying that I love them?

Anyone who's been with Nintendo down the years has a love/hate relationship with the company. Nintendo has made stupid mistakes in the past, where people questioned what they were thinking (because they haven't always been a shining star, let's put it that way). If you can't admit that to yourself, well then, it's not my problem. But his statement was more true than I expect most will be able to admit.

[random johnald?]

When I see people playing a PSP at all, I pity them :p

Seriously though, if you play a PSP in public, everyone just wants to stare over your shoulder. If you're playing a DS, people start asking questions about it, I let them play a bit if they want, we exchange friend codes for certain games, ask about other games that are good, ect. The DS is a pretty big conversation piece. The PSP, it just looks pretty. I've talked to one of my friend who played his PSP in public, and he said he never started a conversation over it, people just peeked at his screen and looked away if he looked at them.

Conversely, when reading in public, I also have started conversations with strangers over books. Most of these conversations have been with attractive ladies. Let that influence what you want to do in public to pass the time.

[Chris_D]

New nintendo advertising line 'Play your DS and pull chicks' ;)

[random johnald?]

Shit, those three groups of chicks are all patrolling together. I'll set up my DS trap, see if you can get your longbow and just pull a few of 'em.

[Lord Dongkey]

btw when I play my DS in public, I look like a goddamn pimp.

Hells yes.

Perhaps the DS should be sold with a pimp-hat?

[thecrazyd]

Anyone who's been with Nintendo down the years has a love/hate relationship with the company. Nintendo has made stupid mistakes in the past, where people questioned what they were thinking (because they haven't always been a shining star, let's put it that way). If you can't admit that to yourself, well then, it's not my problem. But his statement was more true than I expect most will be able to admit.
The GameCube was my first Nintendo console, and they have never let me down. I love the cube and it's game selection so much I bought a SP, and eventually a DS. Granted, I was not a fan of the N64, but only because I was raised a Sega kid. I am sure they have made some mistakes in the past, but not recently, and in my opinion, not this generation.