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E3 06: DS Lite hits US June 11 for $129.99

Nintendo's redesigned portable finally coming to North America; "polar white" color available at launch, others may follow.

Nintendo's DS Lite has been hot property in Japan. The second iteration of the dual-screened handheld was released in Nintendo's home country in early March, and immediately sold out. Nintendo has struggled to meet consumer demand for the portable, which is a lighter, brighter version of its mega-successful DS.

American gamers have long wondered when they too will be able to endure long lines and wait for hours on end to get their hands on the new portable, and the struggles to make enough DS Lites for Japan has done nothing to get their hopes up. However, with production of the portable recently ramped up, Nintendo fans can finally let out a collective sigh of relief.

The DS Lite will make its debut in North America on June 11. [UPDATE] The unit will be priced at $129.99, the same price as the current DS, not $149 as previously reported. (GameSpot regrets the error.) Though the DS Lite has been released in white and two shades of blue in Japan, the handheld will only be available in "polar white" for the US launch. This doesn't necessarily mean it will be long until DS Lite owners get the blues--Japan's DS Lite launch was also restricted to one color, with the blue hues following one week later.

Many gamers had speculated that the DS Lite would be released alongside a high-profile DS game. Some targeted the launch of New Super Mario Bros., now scheduled for May 15, as a good opportunity for Nintendo to spur sales of the handheld and the game, but that isn't the case. In fact, no DS games are presently scheduled for release during the week. However, the DS Lite launch will occur one week after two potentially big sellers are released--THQ's Cars and Nintendo's Big Brain Academy.

Nintendo UK would not comment on release dates for the DS Lite outside the US.

Nintendo has not yet revealed the fate of the current DS model. But, like previous Nintendo handhelds, collectors should take note that it will likely be phased out in the near future.

Those who can't decide whether to wait or not can get some advice from GameSpot's Buyer's Guide on the DS versus the DS Lite.

406 Comments

  • masterchief411

    Posted Jun 3, 2006 12:06 pm GMT

    Its gonna be sweet, I'm geting one next week

  • MyButt123

    Posted May 30, 2006 6:31 pm GMT

    Awasome, but i was hoping $120.

  • videogames45678

    Posted May 28, 2006 9:06 am GMT

    Finally every one can shut up and buy a Lite

    Not like I'm going to.

  • volumesoxxs

    Posted May 23, 2006 8:45 pm GMT

    i wish it came out with black instead

  • uber1337ness

    Posted May 23, 2006 10:46 am GMT

    im goin with mr puzzlez i want it in red too dusanyone know wen it mite b released in other colors and if red will be one?

  • MrPuzzlez

    Posted May 22, 2006 11:51 am GMT

    I WANT RED, I WANT RED, I WANT RED!!!!!

  • ogretroll123

    Posted May 15, 2006 5:35 pm GMT

    I assume this is gonna be out in Canada on the same day?

  • JaJaWa

    Posted May 12, 2006 1:55 pm GMT

    When's it coming to the UK

  • TJF588

    Posted May 9, 2006 9:19 pm GMT

    With FFIII and FF:CC on the way, I finally have good enough reason to get a DS-- and what a time! When I heard about this, I was glad I didn't shell out for the original. WarioWare Touched, here comes me!

  • soadnick947

    Posted May 9, 2006 3:54 pm GMT

    OMG ONE DAY EARLIER THAN MY B-DAY!!! THIS WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT PRESENT!!! THANKS NINTY!!!!!

  • metroidfanx

    Posted May 8, 2006 9:34 pm GMT

    The original DS was perfectly okay, but the new look will make the DS Lite look as cool as the PSP and other handhelds.

  • zebesian

    Posted May 8, 2006 6:03 pm GMT

    I preordered mine today. YES I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

  • cY2b

    Posted May 8, 2006 5:22 am GMT

    DS Lite adds a new sexy look just like the ipod and PSP.. Nintendo had this planned already, rob your money from the first one and make you buy the second. Buy it only if your a very big DS fan...

  • rta

    Posted May 7, 2006 11:36 pm GMT

    finally a sweet portable to run alongside my brighter sp! down with psp!!!

  • luvbug_67208

    Posted May 7, 2006 8:36 pm GMT

    WOO-HOOO!!!!

  • Alejandro206

    Posted May 7, 2006 7:00 pm GMT

    this motherf#ker is about too be, hella good

  • mana_sora

    Posted May 7, 2006 6:00 pm GMT

    yay, already reserved it ^_^

  • tony_yayo_marin

    Posted May 7, 2006 3:44 pm GMT

    HELLZ YEAH!!! I.VE BEEN WAITING FOR SO LONG!!! IT'S COMING!!!

  • microsoftmenace

    Posted May 7, 2006 2:09 pm GMT

    when does it come to the uk coz i was gonna buy one for £200 off ebay n im glad i didnt because theyll be cheaper soon ^_^

  • silverlord15

    Posted May 7, 2006 9:08 am GMT

    Good thing I waited!

  • modstark9

    Posted May 7, 2006 6:48 am GMT

    KOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! im in love with da Lite and finally will come here!

  • FuriousDolphin

    Posted May 7, 2006 5:20 am GMT

    That's great!! Now they only have to officially announce the release date over here in Europe. On the official European Nintendo site they have given a vague summer release date. No matter what, I am getting won!!

  • Crono7

    Posted May 6, 2006 11:06 pm GMT

    It has already been announced the the DS Lite is coming out on the 1st of June in Australia.

  • cmcmcm

    Posted May 6, 2006 11:01 pm GMT

    ummmm Just want to know when is DS LITE COMing to AUSTralia where gaming is big?

  • uber1337ness

    Posted May 6, 2006 9:48 pm GMT


    diminiansk8er
    ur gonna get rid of kh2 for a lite
    y get rid of brain age its 20 bucks and the sequal is commin out one week b4 the lite

  • uber1337ness

    Posted May 6, 2006 9:45 pm GMT

    my old ds looks like crap
    im sellin it and buyin a lite

  • diminiansk8er

    Posted May 6, 2006 7:38 pm GMT

    alright, time to sell stuff to get money for it! Ill be missing my old DS and kingdom hearts 2... and mabye you Meteos... deffinitely not you brain age and metroid, you two are my babies...

  • crazy590

    Posted May 6, 2006 7:21 pm GMT

    what is a ds

  • T_U_M_E_G

    Posted May 6, 2006 6:58 pm GMT

    HAAT

  • nintendoboy101

    Posted May 6, 2006 6:49 pm GMT

    awesome and it's for a good price

  • homiebo

    Posted May 6, 2006 4:26 pm GMT

    Really was wondering when it was gonna hit are shores

  • 3ternalsword207

    Posted May 6, 2006 3:22 pm GMT

    finally....

  • Darkiewonder

    Posted May 6, 2006 12:41 pm GMT

    That's awesome. I'm thinkin about selling my ds and other gameboy system so I can buy the lite!!

  • TripleDDD4

    Posted May 6, 2006 12:10 pm GMT

    Cool how much it gonna cost in canada?

  • CalvinCoolage

    Posted May 6, 2006 5:44 am GMT

    I won't get the lite either

  • danrawlings

    Posted May 6, 2006 3:16 am GMT

    its da same as the normal ds pointless no better graphics or anytng it does look cool but i aint goin to get it cause its a waist of money if u already have the normal ds

  • epic_nemesis

    Posted May 6, 2006 2:46 am GMT

    once again it comes down to the wire for my summer and a release of a major nintendo portable game or system. first the GBA, then meteos and kirby, now this

  • link_ezequiel

    Posted May 5, 2006 10:03 pm GMT

    finally i am gonna get a DS Lite

  • Creighton805

    Posted May 5, 2006 9:23 pm GMT

    shibby

  • Kravyn81

    Posted May 5, 2006 7:34 pm GMT

    Hmmm...while I was waiting for this announcement $129 is still pretty steep for what I want to pay for it. But it's good to hear that there is finally a concrete price.

  • vwgti3

    Posted May 5, 2006 7:20 pm GMT

    Man... Nintendo better not become like Sony and not make a better version at the end of the year other wise theirs going to be a collection

  • Mario562

    Posted May 5, 2006 6:43 pm GMT

    Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss. The more tuned up the better.

  • x505

    Posted May 5, 2006 5:02 pm GMT

    Eh...woop-dee-doo. Same thing, new look, doesn't justify a $120+ price tag.

  • Lil_Hazard_76

    Posted May 5, 2006 4:23 pm GMT

    I guess its good, but i wouldn't waste my money on something I already have if I were u.

  • X_CAPCOM_X

    Posted May 5, 2006 4:21 pm GMT

    Damn thats too late! But i am happy to hear that it still is releasing here... Soon.

  • lessthankris

    Posted May 5, 2006 2:37 pm GMT

    Huray!!!!!! I almost baught on one Ebay for 200$. Good thing i waited.

  • Viewtiful-GaMeR

    Posted May 5, 2006 2:33 pm GMT

    That's great news!

  • 1230567

    Posted May 5, 2006 1:49 pm GMT

    Aww, shoulda bought one while i was in Japan...

  • i_love_my_ds

    Posted May 5, 2006 1:42 pm GMT

    I kinda want one, but i dont at the same time. what a dilemma.....

  • lizarrd32801

    Posted May 5, 2006 1:26 pm GMT

    I just got mine today, I imported it form Japan. I feel so stupid, it cost me $225, if I had just waited a month, I could have saved $100.

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