Redesigned console launches at $129.99; only in white for now Nintendo of America has announced its launch plans for the DS Lite handheld console, with the redesigned system set to debut in North America on June 11th, priced at $129.99. The system, which has been a massive success in Japan since it launched there in early March, is significantly smaller than its predecessor and has a screen up to four times brighter, as well as a more attractive case design. Although the DS Lite originally launched with three different colours in Japan - with light blue and navy variants appearing in stores a couple of weeks after the white version due to supply difficulties - only the white version will be available in the US at launch. Nintendo is attempting to tie in the launch of the DS Lite in North America with the launch of the hugely anticipated new Super Mario Bros game on the platform there almost a month earlier, with NoA's marketing boss Reggie Fils-Aime describing it as "a double shot of gaming excellence." As yet, no launch date or pricing information for the DS Lite has been announced for Europe. -Source Game industry.biz
Nice piece of work.Too bad I can't justify the cost for functionality, given that I already have a DS.
Well the brighter screen was the thing for me, but you can apparently hack the old ds firmward to give you control of the brightness!
I'd base my usage of the DS Lite on its fitter shape if I ever got one. The older one gives me cramps due to its boxy shape, and those corners just leave marks in my hands after long sessions.
Are we going to get any other colors later, you think? Seems we didn't get the japanese regular DS colors, I imported my black DS.
I'll wait till there's a special edition, Japanese or USA, to buy one. I'm pretty happy with my current DS, but I would like the smallness of the Lite.
I will get one. When they released a black one for $99 129,99 it's too much money (in my opinion). I still use my old normal GBA (yes, still haven't got a GBA SP).
Nice to know it will be available in the USA while i am over there. I wonder if Reggie Fils-Aime will use the same slogan for their next console release. "The time has come for a double shot of Nintendo Wii!"
Hopefully this means (train of thought whirring in the_steadsters brain) - Supply in japan is easing up so: - Prices in Japan will drop to normal retail levels so: - Prices at lik-sang/Play asia etc. will drop to 140-160 ish so: - I'll get a new shiny Navy DS Lite, and be able to (finally) do local multiplayer on the DS!
Hmm, I could have sworn it was already released here in the US, even got to test one from a friend of mine. No wonder I never saw them at WalMart or Circuit City, always thought they were sold out...
Jep 10 days earlier. I already have mine for.. one and a half month or so, and I'm very happy about it. Even though I only had my previous DS for 8 months, the changes are simply too good: -The brighter screen: I remember, after I had just bought it, when I opened up the box in my hotel room, booted my DS Lite up, and then booted my normal DS up: that was when I realised that the old DS screen was just terrible. -It holds much nicer, and the D pad is definitely an improvement. -The new stylus is great. I know you can get a replacement stylus for the original DS that's bigger and all, but this one fits inside the DS, and is about 2 times as tiick and somewhat longer too. I used to have issues with the old DS stylus, I don't have them anymore. -It's drop dead gorgeous. The console is just hot as hell, and über slick. All together I'm happy with my purchase, even though it wasn't cheap(180 euro).
My biggest complain about the original DS was the design and price. With the DS Lite, the only problem is the price.
The other problem is that both black and white are sexy colors, both for the DS and the Wii. It's gonna be hard to pick..
Used to be you'd buy a game system and a better one would come out a month later. Now you buy a game system and a better version of the same system comes out a month later. Glad I waited.
Gonna pre-order mine in 2 weeks. Sucks that I'll have to continue to use my blue DS for Mario Kart DS and Animal Crossing DS though...
