Nintendo DS Vs Nintendo DS Lite

Reviewed by Leland Bonaparte
September 10, 2006

In the battle of handhelds you would have to think that the PSP would have something to say about it. But this battle is in house. When the DS first came out, it changed the way we game. Touching is good. I guess the million dollar question is, “Should I pay another $129 for this?” The answer is yes.

The advantages of the DS Lite really outweighed the disadvantages of the system. Here are some comparisons of the two systems:

Size & Screen

The size of the DS Lite is two-thirds the size of the standard DS. It has a nice block shape that feels good. The screen is probably the best feature of the system. The screen is even brighter than the GameBoy Micro and does not hog up the battery life. It also has four different lighting levels to adjust for gameplay. The enhanced visibility and additional color saturation bring DS games to life. The bottom screen even seems to have a thicker coating to resist scratching.

The standard DS is very huge compared to the DS Lite. At 5.85 inches wide, 3.33 inches long and 1.13 tall, this is a big puppy. The clamshell shape was, at first, fairly welcomed by gamers, but now I don't know. The screen is not as bright as the Lite, and one can really notice the difference. The two screens are three inches and are backlit. The bottom is very sensitive and will scratch easily.

Advantage goes to the DS Lite.

Stylus

Another feature of the DS Lite is the stylus. The stylus is 1 centimeter thick and 1 millimeter thicker and slides into a side slot. This a most welcome addition to the DS Lite that made gamers feel comfortable.

A lot of gamers complain about the stylus for the standard DS. It's too small for one and if you have big hands you're in trouble. What makes up for it is the strap. While trying to play Metroid Prime with the stylus is a chore, the thumb piece on the strap makes playing Metroid Prime a whole lot easier.

Advantage: Standard DS

Protection

A removable cover for the game slot(s) was what most gamers asked for the DS Lite. When not playing GBA games, you can keep dust from trying to get in.

When I first saw the standard DS, one of the things that I thought was missing was a cover. A lot of gamers had to improvise and use old GBA games to fill the slot.

Advantage: DS Lite

Control Pad

The control pad and buttons on the DS Lite are more defined, so no more mushy controls. The buttons are very responsive, which makes it easier to play. The shoulder buttons even fit perfectly in your grip.

On the other hand, the shoulder buttons on the standard DS feel loose and not as sensitive. It was almost like playing the GameBoy SP all over again. The control pad doesn't feel as comfortable as the Lite does.

Advantage: DS Lite

Battery Life

The DS Lite comes with an improved lithium-ion battery. Its 6-10 hours of gameplay life depends on the gameplay activity. It takes about four hours to recharge.

I don't really think that there is any difference in the battery life. I played both of them off and on and as far as I can see, the same rules apply. This is about the only thing that's equal.

Advantage: Tie

Overall, it would be worth it to get the DS Lite. With a sexier look and a more sleek design, this is the better buy. You don't really have to run out and get it right away, but you will be satisfied when you do. The Onyx and Coral Pink DS Lites are currently out with possibly more colors to come!