DS Lite - First look!

[andrewfee]

Apologies if already mentioned - the touch screen appears to be covered under a tough, protective layer when compared to the old DS. However, I have noticed on my Lite that this appears to dip ever so slightly when compared to the edge of the screen when pressed with the stylus. This happen to anyone else?

Newer DS models have a similar screen - my launch one was replaced back around November and had a similar screen to the Lite. It also seems to add a slight green cast to the LCD, unlike the original which seemed fairly transparent. (both my DS and my Lite have a slight green cast on the lower screen)

If anyone is interested, I took brightness measurements of the screen. Now, due to the lip, I couldn't get a direct reading, but I can estimate what the loss was, so a Lite at max brightness is around 200cdm/2... compared to the original's 30. The lite's steps seem to drop it around 50cd/m2, so even at its lowest, it's brighter than the DS.

[parkinho]

Cheers for the reply. It has taken a little while adjusting to the new screen as a greater force is required before the touch is registered. On my old style jpn launch DS you barely have to brush the screen, on the Lite I have to make a conscious effort to push just that extra bit firmer.

[JimmyShimmy]

The D-pad only suffers in fully 3D games like Metroid. I have noticed the more resistant touch screen also. Not sure if I like it yet...

I am mostly looking forward to getting the New Super Mario Bros and Megaman ZX.

[andrewfee]

Cheers for the reply. It has taken a little while adjusting to the new screen as a greater force is required before the touch is registered. On my old style jpn launch DS you barely have to brush the screen, on the Lite I have to make a conscious effort to push just that extra bit firmer.

I agree, but overall, I find it nicer to write on / use. For games like mario / metroid it does seem like it's a bit worse though.

The D-pad only suffers in fully 3D games like Metroid. I have noticed the more resistant touch screen also. Not sure if I like it yet...

I am mostly looking forward to getting the New Super Mario Bros and Megaman ZX.

I agree with the D-Pad - it's just not very good compared to the old one. I always find the 2D Metroid games to be the best test for a D-Pad, because they involve a lot of quick precise movements if you're sequence breaking/ speed running, and this isn't as good as the last one. I still don't think anything has beaten the SFC pad yet though.

[themanwithapc]

A lot of people seem to dislike the new dpad. I think it's much better than the old one personally.

[Roddie]

haven't used the main buttons much, but on first impressions they don't seem as good as the original

[sj33]

Lets face it though, there hasn't been a single Nintendo console in the world with a decent D-Pad.

Quite why they don't just copy the Saturn D-Pad is beyond me, that was perfection.

[Kotatsu Neko]

Lets face it though, there hasn't been a single Nintendo console in the world with a decent D-Pad.

Quite why they don't just copy the Saturn D-Pad is beyond me, that was perfection.

I do believe that's crazy talk sir! The SNES d-pad is perfection.

I also have no problem with the d-pad on the GBA Micro and DS Lite (and I assume also the Wii, which appears to be the same design). Perhaps a touch small and spongey, but still perfectly respectable and massively superior to the mind bendingly terrible Sony d-pads, or the one Microsoft insist on using.

[Yoshimax]

Yeah I liked the new d-pad too - Glad to read it's not just me with the metroid/stylus thing - It kept jumping when I was trying to look about but probably because I'd just got it and was trying to be gentle

More pressure required it would seem. Still love it - My son loved super mario on the old ds so I gave him a shot last night and was surprised how protective I was over it Need to buy him an original bulldog-built model now.

[Nu-Eclipse]

Lets face it though, there hasn't been a single Nintendo console in the world with a decent D-Pad.

That's ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous.

Nintendo D-Pads are the standard by which all other D-Pads should be measured.

The Saturn D-Pad was OK, but it doesn't come close at all.

[andrewfee]

Lets face it though, there hasn't been a single Nintendo console in the world with a decent D-Pad.

Quite why they don't just copy the Saturn D-Pad is beyond me, that was perfection.

Depends on the game you're playing - SNES is best for platformers and most other games imo, but you can't beat the Saturn pad for shooters.

[MoFo2]

Probably old, but a pink DS Lite is out in Japan on July 20 according to LikSang.

[Len]

Will Game or Gamestation accept non UK machines in their cash deal...?

I've got an original Jpn DS and am considering a new Lite. They're universal so surely they will, has anyone done this yet...?

[Roddie]

Doubt it, they've stopped taking US games in the Gamestation here.

[Len]

B0000000000000000000000000000000000000000!!!

I'll give 'em a bell and see what they've got to say...