Since I gave away my old DS, I can't do a accurate size comparison, but it is about 25% smaller overall, and cuts out most of the bulk and shape of the old DS. Changes: Main Changes -Start and select buttons are at the bottom and now circular instead of rectangular. It is somewhat annoying, though. -The D-Pad and 4 main buttons cut out the slope design used in the first DS so they could fit when you close the DS. -Although the screen is brigher, it also seems to be a different quality then the old DS screen. -D pad seems a bit small, although the 4 main buttons and the L and R Triggers seem bigger. -Mic is now in the middle of the DS instead of the bottom, and the power light is now split into two (Charging, and Green/Red for power). The power light is now on the right side, near the middle. -The stylus is on the right side of the screen, and is somewhat bigger at the top. It is also harder to get out. -The Lite comes with a different charger, meaning the normal DS one won't work with it, and vice versa. -The power button is now a switch on the right side, and is somewhat annoying. -The volume button seems to be in the same place, but has a more rubbery feel. -The Headphone and square jack on the bottom are now merged side-by side. -As a sort of "screw you" from Nintendo, the Lite has the option of having strap/finger nub thing at the top like the old DS, but decided not to give you one! -The design is now more (lid like) at the top, while the bottom portion sticks out more. -The audio holes are now 6 on each side. Bigger, but the sound seems to be not as loud as it once was. -Seems to eat up battery time faster due to the brighter screen. Not as bad as the PSP, though. -*Small edit: The only major change to the dashbord of the DS Lite is the brightness gage can now go up to 4 different levels of brightness. Also interesting is the slot protector on the bottom of the Lite seems to have a cartriage-like board (Although I dare say it is only part of one so it can fit without problems). Granted, this is all common knowledge. Now for the game tests. I tried out several DS and GBA games to see if there were any major side effects of the brightness being increased. Here are some examples: Game Tests -Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow seems to be beautiful in some areas, but some areas look a bit pixilated due to the backround on the old DS being darker (Sort of what happened to older GBA games before the SP) -Animal Crossing: WW and New Super Mario Brothers seems a bit washed out due to the color choices. However, NSMB seems to get it a bit worse in spots. Still looks good, though. -Zelda: LTTP seemed to have some glitches while I was in the first Dark World dungeon while in the dark (Granted, I dare say that was always there, but not as obvious due to the DS and GBA/SP being so dark) -Mario Kart looks good with the upgraded brightness, though. Overall, it is a nice upgrade. Better then the Micro, but not as revolutionary as the SP. However, it is a decent if you have the money.
The brightness can be switched between 3 levels in the main DS menu, just as you could turn backlighting on/off on the old DS, IIRC. Overall, I love the smaller size and soft buttons on the DS Lite; I just wish GBA carts didn't stick out of the unit... and that I could play old GB games <grumble grumble>
AH! That is why. I forgot about that, and I was looking on the main options screen. Although, it seems to be 4 levels of light now.
My thoughts ... Picked mine up today and I have to say, I like it much more than the original DS. Has a very clean, almost 'Apple' design to it, and actually fits comfortably in my pocket. At the highest brightness setting it's great, making it much easier to play outside (My PSP is 100% impossible to play outdoors). My only complaint is, as mentioned above, it's pretty quiet, at least compared to my PSP. And i'm not sure if the buttons are bigger or not, but why cant we have SNES/PSP sized buttons? Beggers can't be choosers I guess, and despite my 2 (comparativly) minor complaints, I whole heartedly reccomend the DS Lite. Nintendo may have a difficult time moving 'old' DS stock without a good price drop.
This may be a one time sale, but Wal-Mart had the older DS's for $120. However, what you said is true, and I am sure it will happen. I wouldn't be surprised if they knocked the DS down to $110 or $99 around August or so to give the PSP a run for it's money and to make way for the Lite (Sort of what happened with the first GBA).
I'll be keeping my old DS. Nothing wrong with it and I haven't been giving it much love to start out wiuth.
One of the first things I noticed with my new ds is that the colors are slightly different from the new screen. Also the d-pad is similar tothe micro, but doesn't feel quite as good, with the same going for the buttons. As for the slot protector, it's just a plain board with contacts, nothing more.
They should have just made the slot protector a rumble pack. Aren't they having to make a new rumble pack for the DS Lite? At any rate, I love my DS Lite. I kinda prefer the buttons on the original DS... but the DS Lite screen is just sexy. Actually, the whole console is sexy. :thumbsup:
For America, Nintendo could probably care less about releasing a Lite version rumble. Anyone who wants to look back at the one-color-only-in-USA, but-many-colors-in-Japan GameBoy Player decision may be able to say where I'm getting at. If Nintendo does do the Lite rumble thing, it's probably only going to be through mail-order.
