DS Lite going tri-color

  • By Hirohiko Niizumi, GameSpot
  • Posted Feb 10, 2006 8:18 am PT

Slimmed-down version of Nintendo's handheld will come in ice and navy blue as well as white; GBA compatibility confirmed.

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TOKYO--Nintendo today announced that the DS Lite will be released in three color models on its Japanese debut on March 2. The handheld will be available in "Crystal White," "Ice Blue," and "Enamel Navy," and it will sell for 16,800 yen ($142)--1,800 yen ($15) more than the original DS.

Together with the announcement, Nintendo revealed additional details about the DS Lite. First and foremost, it confirmed once and for all DS Lite can play Game Boy Advance games, and its cartridge slot will be located at the same bottom rim of the handheld, as on the original DS. However, Nintendo notes that GBA cartridges will stick out by one centimeter when they're inserted into the DS Lite, due to the smaller form factor. The DS's card slot and power cord socket will be located in the same places as before, while the power switch and stylus holder have been relocated to the right edge of the handheld.

The DS Lite will come with four adjustable levels of screen brightness, with the maximum setting being five times as luminous as the original DS's. Battery life has also been improved. The original DS ran 6 to 10 hours on a full recharge, and the DS Lite runs for about the same number of hours on its maximum brightness. The new model can run 15 to 19 hours on its lowest brightness, 10 to 15 hours on its second level of brightness, 7 to 11 hours on its third level, and 5 to 8 hours on the maximum level. What's more, the DS Lite's battery recharges in three hours, which is an hour less than the original DS.

As previously reported, the DS Lite's body thickness has been reduced by a third (when folded), and it features a 20 percent weight reduction, from 275 grams to 218 grams. The screen size remains unaffected, and both the top and bottom panels use 3-inch LCDs. The original DS used semitransmissive LCDs for its two panels, but the DS Lite will use transmissive LCDs, which allows for higher levels of brightness.

The DS Lite will come with a new AC adapter that is not compatible with other Nintendo handhelds, including both the original DS and Game Boy Micro. There will be two styluses bundled with the DS Lite, and they'll come in the same body color as the handheld. The styluses will be one centimeter longer and one millimeter thicker than those included with the original DS. The DS Lite will also be bundled with a carrying strap and a plastic dust cover that can snap into the GBA slot when empty.

DS LITE SPECS

Model code:
DS Lite: USG-001
Original DS: NTR-001(JPN)

Body Size:
DS Lite: 133.0x73.9x21.5mm (when folded)
Original DS: 148.7x84.7x28.9mm (when folded)

Weight (including battery and stylus):
DS Lite: 218g
Original DS: 275g

Stylus Size:
DS Lite: 87.55x4.99mm
Original DS: 75.0x4.0mm

Upper Display:
DS Lite:
3-inch transparent TFT color LCD with backlight featuring four adjustable levels of brightness, 192x256 pixel resolution, 0.24mm dot pitch, 260,000 colors
Original DS:
3-inch semitransparent TFT color LCD with backlight, 192x256 pixel resolution, 0.24mm dot pitch, 260,000 colors

Bottom Display:
DS Lite:
3-inch transmissive TFT color LCD with backlight featuring four adjustable levels of brightness, 192x256 pixel resolution, 0.24mm dot pitch, 260,000 colors, transparent resistive touch screen
Original DS:
3-inch semitransmissive TFT color LCD with backlight, 192x256 pixel resolution, 0.24mm dot pitch, 260,000 colors, transparent resistive touch screen

Power and Battery
Original DS:
6-10 hours
Full Battery Recharge time: four hours

DS Lite:
Lowest Luminosity: 15-19 hours
Low Luminosity: 10-15 hours
High Luminosity: 7-11 hours
Highest Luminosity: 5-8 hours
Full Battery Recharge time: 3 hours

*Playable hours change depending on game

209 Comments

  • rynmls

    Posted May 27, 2008 3:04 am PT

    i already have a psp and i'm thinking to get one... what do you think people?

  • gigabrowser12

    Posted Feb 14, 2007 2:07 pm PT

    Gba is too small!!! don't use it to play!

  • jasongm

    Posted Dec 30, 2006 2:33 pm PT

    To those that complain the GBA game sticks out by 1 centimetre... big deal... Its mostly to play DS games, if you want to play a GBA game, use the GBA SP system.. frankly i dont own any GBA games...so this doesnt bother me.

  • curty_flurty

    Posted Dec 28, 2006 6:54 pm PT

    the ds lite is waaaaaaay better then the old-skool ds, i used to have one and i compared it, and the ds lite is waaaaaaayyyyy sexxier then any hand held console,,... TAKE THAT PSP!!!!

    p.s, dslite is sexxy

  • AnGrYpHiL

    Posted Oct 14, 2006 10:06 pm PT

    hmm there is only one flaw that i hate on the ds lite
    it isnt as loud as teh first one!!!

  • BloodWerewolf

    Posted Aug 24, 2006 7:11 am PT

    About the DS Lite, is it compatable with the 20 and 30 dollar starter kits that are sold at places like Fry's and Sam's?

  • Cronicas

    Posted Aug 16, 2006 12:53 pm PT

    i want it...but the price...in www.amazon.com the fare for one is $130...i will buy it.

  • Ruin7

    Posted Aug 11, 2006 7:21 pm PT

    Look very cool!!
    wait for nice game and buy one

  • Catmanmatt

    Posted Aug 5, 2006 8:26 am PT

    nintendo is evil! right after I get the original they come out with a better one!

  • orangetrucks

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 5:31 pm PT

    I have a Nintendo ds and it's great except it's huge. Compare it to all the other hand-held systems and I think it's biggest. I mean who wants to carry that around? I'm thinking about trading. I'll wait if any more colors come out.
    I think blue is nice though.

  • dragonsword66

    Posted Jun 27, 2006 4:47 pm PT

    i just got a ds lite for my birthday, and my friends have the regular one at school. I did not see a difference at first but when i compared them, i saw that the lite was like 10 times better. The only downfall of the lite is that when playing a gba game, the cartridge sticks out a little. Thats all

  • mousetooth

    Posted Jun 11, 2006 1:41 pm PT

    I READ ALMOST EVERYONE COMMENT HUH...... I HAVE TO THINK FOR A FEW MONTH'S BEFORE i CHOSE TO GET IT..... BECAUSE i STILL GOT THE FIRST DS, THE THING THAT GET'S ME IS THE BRIGHTNESS.

    BUT i GOT TO SELL MY ORIGINAL FIRST, SOMEONE PLZ TELL ME HOW I CAN SELL MY ORIGINAL DS ?????????

    SOME PRICE AROUND $90.00 - 100.00

  • Mrs_Sesshomaru

    Posted Jun 6, 2006 3:24 pm PT

    Nice i reserved mine now i have to wait 5 days from now for it to come in.

  • snoxxx13

    Posted Jun 4, 2006 11:49 am PT

    the i liiike

  • tej-c

    Posted May 30, 2006 6:40 am PT

    Get the lite; its the same price as the original ($130) and you can hardly see the screens on the old one. You'll need the brighter screen.

  • roan23

    Posted May 16, 2006 9:33 am PT

    I want buy DS lite because it smaller and it look cool too.

  • dazzzilla

    Posted May 16, 2006 4:09 am PT

    im fine with the old 1

  • AManCalledDan

    Posted May 13, 2006 7:25 pm PT

    no yourgamer you CANNOT PLAY GAME BOY GAMES not even on the old one either sorry but if you want to play those get out that old sp hidden in your closet

  • godoo

    Posted May 12, 2006 10:19 pm PT

    that one dude is right

    it looks sexy like a mother !!!!

    they should make it in red....or green tho...

  • yourgamer

    Posted Apr 30, 2006 10:11 am PT

    I'm definitely getting one, but can someone PLEASE tell me if the sound quality is the same as the original DS or not?!!!!
    Can U play classic retro GAMEBOY games??????

  • wynter72

    Posted Apr 29, 2006 3:14 pm PT

    I'm getting one to keep my old one company.....

  • zacazaca520

    Posted Apr 26, 2006 5:18 pm PT

    good bye old ds. hellooooooo shiny

  • RyuLee

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 10:07 pm PT

    hello nimrods im gonna get it too yay

  • imnotwhite

    Posted Apr 20, 2006 5:21 pm PT

    I think i might get it if i can trade my old one!

  • labloverryan

    Posted Apr 16, 2006 1:12 pm PT

    i got a normal ds, and carring it round in my pocket is annoying, i like this 1 coz its soooooooo kool lookin

    ryan!!!

  • vatterott

    Posted Apr 14, 2006 2:56 pm PT

    Man...I'm gonna ask for one for Christmas this year......

  • xxRyuxx1

    Posted Apr 13, 2006 11:34 am PT

    Hmmm. Sexy

  • nickroxxs500

    Posted Mar 28, 2006 9:25 pm PT

    it kinda has that ipod glosy look you know? i think they did that so people will buy it because i cant go one day without seeing an ipod if u know wut i mean-_- but yeah the ds light looks lik the best ds ever im buying the white one!!!!!lol

  • snaretrap745

    Posted Mar 22, 2006 8:23 pm PT

    screw psp. i'm getting this.

  • bolwerk

    Posted Mar 21, 2006 4:16 am PT

    It will be worth it for the smaller size. The original wasn't quite pocket sized. Looks slick in white too...

  • Gamecuber28

    Posted Mar 19, 2006 5:37 pm PT

    The DS Lite is definitely an upgrade, but the thought of having an awsome looking system with a GBA game sticking out a centimeter at the bottom just takes away all of the new design feeling, but it did say that it is coming with a dust cover to put over the GBA slot when not in use so that would be a good thing to do and i could just play my GBA games on my SP like it should be.

  • Gamecuber28

    Posted Mar 19, 2006 5:34 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • panosl

    Posted Mar 19, 2006 12:19 pm PT

    it's way more cool!!i'm just waiting for it!!

  • cY2b

    Posted Mar 17, 2006 12:23 am PT

    Nintendo is always trying to make people buy their stuff than after a while they release a much better one! Im not buying the new one after spending my money on the original DS 3 months ago!!!! Those selfesh bastards just want money...

  • GameFOOL1027

    Posted Mar 15, 2006 7:58 am PT

    Dammit!!! I need DS Light NOW!!!!!!!! It looks cooler as well as more conviency..

  • grandma1

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 6:36 pm PT

    Sweet! I already got a Ds but I gonna get one so I can play with my brother.

  • jmegasite

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 4:55 pm PT

    I have a DS, and I really want a DS lite! I wonder if I can trade in my old DS for the new one.

  • super_smitersux

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 12:04 am PT

    I'm so getting this DS lite especialy in white. The old version is clunky and makes my hands hurt meaning i don't play as often as i want it this version looks sleek and more better looking. I find it hard to get your fingers on the right buttons without having to change your grip this Ds lite will obviously be better designed and the weight is great i have found the old Ds far too heavy and big to be portable without someone thinking your a bit excited to see them. so yeah iam going to buy this DS lite even if it means i have to pay another $200.

  • Widger5000

    Posted Mar 13, 2006 8:26 am PT

    I am so excited; I already have established a decent collection of DS titles, and once I get this new DS, my collection will be complete!! (wow, this is probably exactly what nintendo wants me to think). My DS is kinda getting old anyway. (several stratches, a dead pixel or two, and it is freakin huge!)
    This is going to be awesome! But, I'll probably wait a month or two to get it, it might be a little cheaper. I just can't wait to play AOE II on this. Or MarioKart, Mario and Luigi, Zoo Tycoon, or any of the other games I have that I can't remeber.

  • me7111

    Posted Mar 12, 2006 4:05 pm PT

    this will be a huge improvement for nintendo. and finally i can stick a good handheld in my pocket once again.

  • DarkHyruleLord

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 8:05 pm PT

    also... how much will the lite's be? same price?

  • DarkHyruleLord

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 8:04 pm PT

    i want it so bad. im selling my old DS to a kid... how much should i sell it for? i want to get some money so i can buy a "Lite". any suggestions? i gave birth to many cats in the afternoon.......

  • dsman418

    Posted Mar 8, 2006 12:45 pm PT

    it sounds good but will it pull through for nintendo. ps ant wait for metroid prime hunters

  • toby_mac_freek

    Posted Mar 8, 2006 9:59 am PT

    Hrmm...hmm...well it looks good,brightness is nice.

    But i alreddy bought a DS and my pockets have a limit.they aint bottomles

    Looks nice but I'm pretty happy with the one I got (DS lite looks sexy though)

    and on the matter of color.
    multi color options are nice but most of the time we get 2 or 3 colors and Japan gets a tona kool kolors.but it rly dosent matter to me.

    Chock another one up for Nintendo!

  • joedaddy109

    Posted Mar 7, 2006 6:34 pm PT

    sweet...I'm glad I haven't bought one yet. Wish they had a green one though...

  • k3nn3th

    Posted Mar 7, 2006 12:02 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • xt3rmin8_2005

    Posted Mar 7, 2006 7:09 am PT

    sweet...sweet... can..cancandy

  • taekwondodude7

    Posted Mar 7, 2006 12:05 am PT

    I might get one but knowing nintendo right after i buy the ds lite they will come out with an even newer, cooler version. So i think i'm gunna wait for that even newer version.

  • SuperLinkX

    Posted Mar 6, 2006 5:35 pm PT

    IF IT COMES OUT IN U.S. I AM DEFINITLY BUYING IT!

  • smallville206

    Posted Mar 6, 2006 9:49 am PT

    I am looking forward to this, I hope they come out soon. I like the design much better and the longer battery life was a clincher.

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