Electric Blue Nintendo DS Hardware review:
5 stars (another fantastic inovation...) - when this first came out i wasn't sure i wanted it. the psp seemed worth the wait but when it came out i read all the horrible reveiws and i talked to a bunch of people who owned and i actually tried it. to put it simply, it sucked. then i tried the DS, and it was awesome!!!!! the touch screen is an amazing innovation in the gaming world and i love the dual screens. the games are a not so plentiful but by december more should be out.
sorry sony and sony fans, the Nintendo DS beats you by a mile...
ps- the DS is half the cost of the psp
4 stars (A blue version of Nintendo's second most current handheld gaming machine) - Due to the release of the Game Boy Micro last October, the Nintendo DS currently stands as the company's most current portable handheld system. This system is equipped with two screens, an upper screen and a touch screen. The upper screen is a 3-inch backlit screen complete with semitransparent reflective TFT color LCD, 256 x 192 pixel resolution, and a .24 mm dot pitch. The only difference between the upper screen and the touch screen is that the latter comes with a transparent analog touch screen. In combination, these screens make it possible for users to play games on one screen while sending text messages on the other. When closed, the system measures 5.85" wide by 3.33" long by 1.13" tall. Available in five languages: English, Japanese, Spanish, French, German, and Italian, the Nintendo DS is equipped with two CPUs, an ARM9 and an ARM7, stereo speakers capable of providing virtual surround sound, and wireless communication capabilities, which allow multiple gamers to play multiplayer games from anywhere between 30 and 100 feet using only one DS card.
This system (like its predecessor) is equipped with L/R shoulder buttons and a control pad, A/B/X/Y face buttons (which closely resemble those found on the SNES), start and select buttons, the aforementioned touch screen, and an embedded microphone for voice recognition, which makes it possible for developers to create games in which one controls a character by vocally delivering commands, or chat with other gamers over a local network. The microphone takes advantage of the system's embedded PictoChat software, which not only allows up to 16 users to chat simultaneously, but also makes it possible for users to draw, write, and send messages minus the discomfort of wires. There are also ports on the system for both DS game cards and Game Boy Advance game paks (the system possesses backwards-compatibility with GBA titles, but sadly, it is limited to single-player sessions and will not function with the e-reader), as well as terminals for stereo headphones and microphone.
The Nintendo DS is capable of displaying approximately 260,000 colors. Speaking of color, the system itself is currently available in two: Titanium (a combination of silver and black) and Electric Blue (released in June), however, it is possible for owners to have their models custom painted any color of their choice (check your local game dealer for details).
There is a vast variety of accessories that DS owners can purchase to accommodate their system, some of which include an AC adapter, a stylus, a battery, a battery cover kit, and a wrist strap. All of these accessories are included within the packages of new systems, but replacements are sold separately should they wind up lost, broken, or stolen. The AC adapter is used to recharge the system's internal battery and it can also be used as a direct power source for non-portable gaming sessions. The adapter is compatible with both the Nintendo DS and the Game Boy Advance SP; it will not function, however, with the original Game Boy Advance or any of that system's predecessors. The stylus is used for games that may require direct contact with the touch screen for whatever purpose while keeping it clean. On the rear of the system is a storage slot into which the stylus snaps easily and tightly. Every system is equipped with a lithium ion rechargeable battery, which can deliver up anywhere from 6 to 10 hours of play on a four-hour charge, but this is dependant on how often one uses it. If for some reason, a battery is nonfunctional, it will have to be replaced with a new one. A small Philips screwdriver is required to open the battery compartment before one can be inserted. One can purchase these necessities in the form of a battery cover kit, which includes the cover, the screw and a small clip which bounds the screw to the cover. Finally, the wrist strap is equipped with a small plastic pad attached to it which can also be used on the touch screen.
By Kelvin.
5 stars (Fantastic system for your children! A mom's perspective!) - I purchased this Nintendo DS system last year for 2 of my sons, ages 6 & 10. The purchase was actually on impulse because I happened to be in the store when they had just received a shipment. I really knew nothing about them and had never heard of them. This actually turned out to be one of the best electronic purchases I have ever made for the boys.
They each had Game Boy Advance's but were never really into "hand held" games as much as with their full sized TV games. I am really surprised at how much these systems are actually used!
Because the systems have a clock, the boys each use them for ALARM CLOCKS in the morning! I keep the chargers plugged into the outlets behind their nightstands. This insures the systems will always find their way back to that spot at the end of the day.
I like the fact that I don't have to buy batteries or battery packs or have charger stands. You just plug the cord into any household outlet and there is a little jack on the other end that plugs into the Nintendo DS. This charges up the system so it is ready. There are also indicator lights on the DS that let you know when the unit is charged or running low.
this system has a feature that my guys enjoy and use often. It is picto chat. You do not need additional software or accessories to use this. It is built right into the system. This feature enables anyone with a DS to wirelessly hook-up to each other and talk via text messaging. There is a little keyboard that shows up on the bottom screen and you use your little stylus to type in what you want to say. It is sent to the other DS. It is like a text messaging walkie talkie. My boys LOVE this feature.
There isn't an overwhelming selection of games...at least not yet. My boys keep going back to Yoshi's Touch and Go. The recent Nintendogs are great and are another favorite.
The games are tiny little square chips that slide easily into a port on the DS. I have purchased a plastic sweater box from the dollar store to hold the game cases. I have insisted that the games go into their cases and into the box because they are very small and could be easily misplaced.
There is a port to hold the older advance games so the investments we made in these games in the past are not dependant upon the older systems. I have found that my boys are playing the older games more and more on the DS than they did on their older systems.
The overall design is good for all sized hands. The fun of the games is in the use of the stylus to play the games. I am not into games but I enjoy picking them up on occasion and playing. There is a little slot on the system to hold the stylus when it is not in use.
The top closes so the screens are not exposed when not being used. This helps to avoid scratching.
An additional feature that the boys like is that by purchasing one game, both can play at the same time, what seems to be a mini-game version. Those of us with more than one chld knows that sometimes, two of the same are necessary but, it is nice to be able to buy only ONE of something on occasion.
I didn't buy any starter packs or other accessories because I wanted to see what exactly we would need. So far we have needed nothing except cases. The boys did not want these, I did.
This system also has a wrist strap that you can detach if you don't want it.
From a mom's perspective, this has proven to be a worthwhile investment. My boys love their systems and use them all the time. I cannot comment to the more technical aspects of the game because, well...I base my opinion on if the toy is great based on how much my children love it, how easy it is for me to set-up or break down, how much it costs me in accessories and add-ons after the initial purchase, and how much "play time" it receives.
Based upon that criterion, I give this system 5 stars.
It seems as if this system has not received the attention of the PSP, and I often wonder if my boys would have even asked for it if I did not get it for them last year. I am so happy and I am sure they are too that we have discovered this little gadget.
Rosemary
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