Nintendo announces DS Lite

Nintendo likes to be a little difficult on us from time to time, but we're stoked that after they decided to redesign the DS, then reneged, that they reneged the renege and went through with it anyhow -- though honestly, knowing Nintendo, it was an inevitability given their (and everyone else's) penchant for redesigning their consoles to drive sales. Anywho, their new Nintendo DS Lite skimps on the size and weight by shaving off 1/3rd of the bulk and 20-percent of the weight, and will apparently be released in Japan on March 2nd for ¥16,800 (about $145). It's important to remember, however, that the DS Lite we see here may not be the device that you actually buy, being that these are still considered to be design mock-ups. See ya soon, DS Lite, can't wait!

Japanese release date: March 2, 2006

Weight: 218g (compare to 275g for the current Nintendo DS)

Dimensions: 133mm x 73.9mm x 21.5mm

[John, james @ Feb 11th 2006 1:43AM]

the
only reason i got the older DS is cuz i had 200 dollars burning a hole in my pocket this x-mas, and even then i wasnt too pleased with its "handheld" capavilities, the thing is HUGE, so i went and got a used micro, more for my use, i take it anywhere and whip it out without hesitation, have no holding problems, the screen is like a fricking' lighthouse and ...well i can actually put it in my pocket with ease. Veredict: i will trading in my old one and waiting for this "lite" edition.

JJ.

[zeldafreak @ Feb 11th 2006 3:00PM]

where did they put the power button?

[sohat @ Feb 12th 2006 1:17AM]

am i the only person thinking that this isnt going to be the only redesign? Look at the gba its on its third redesign and thats even with a new handheld out! I own a Ds and am really tempted to buy a lite but I might just wait incase another redesign comes out so i can buy it for cheaper. Im not sure about the thicker stylus though, i was fine with the old ones but i dont think it'll hurt. I do love the new d-pad and button layout. I just cant stop kicking myself for getting the Ds right away. dammit!

[Ds lite boy @ Jun 6th 2007 8:59PM]

your not alone.i think the two screenswill be closer together, getting more space. I hope that someday, there will be a control stick on these folding handhelds.this will fold down into a d-pad, and vis versa.

Ps:to all people, sorry my messages have gotten all over, i was only trying to reply

[Jarrett Atewart @ Feb 12th 2006 12:24PM]

http://ds.ign.com/articles/687/687783p1.html

see screenshots and colors

[Jarrett Stewart @ Feb 12th 2006 12:25PM]

http://ds.ign.com/articles/687/687783p1.html

See real screenshots and colors

[Thomas @ Feb 12th 2006 4:05PM]

When I first saw the first design for the DS like when it was first on E3... I fell in love...then I saw the even newer design (the one thats out now)...I fell in love all over again...but now..OMG I will never touch my PSP now. WHAT CAN BE BETTER?!?!?!?!?!

[Timo @ Feb 12th 2006 10:25PM]

Canned Peas scare the S*it out of me too.

[LamoLady @ Feb 13th 2006 4:23AM]

I think this new version is cool. But i dont think my parents will buy it for me, i had to buy the origanl "bulky" DS with my own money. Now when i think of it, the orignal was realy, really bulky compared to this new one.

[yoyo @ Feb 13th 2006 4:32PM]

This is crap! Man this suks! I just bought a ds! well as far as I've seen there's not really anything significantly different. So I probably won't buy it unless they do decide to let it play movies. Personally i'm all for the multi-function thing. Maybe I could trade my old one in..........

[yoyo @ Feb 13th 2006 4:53PM]

the games on the ds are so much better. The only game that's good on the PSP is grand theft auto and i'm not even allowed to play it because of all the bad media about it. the only reason to own a psp is to watch movies. So if the ds lite had that capability than I think a lot more people would buy it. I agree that nintendo is a GAME company but a handheld with games AND movies is still better than one with just games. I'm just saying....

[yoyo @ Feb 13th 2006 5:27PM]

the games on the ds are so much better. The only game that's good on the PSP is grand theft auto and i'm not even allowed to play it because of all the bad media about it. the only reason to own a psp is to watch movies. So if the ds lite had that capability than I think a lot more people would buy it. I agree that nintendo is a GAME company but a handheld with games AND movies is still better than one with just games. I'm just saying....

[Talia @ Feb 14th 2006 5:24PM]

Could somebody who knows about this more than I do PLEASE email me?! I wanna know if you can play Nintendogs on it, and when it will be released! Does anyone at all know?! PLEASE!!! email me at [e-mail] OR [e-mail]

Please and thank you!!

[I am me @ Feb 14th 2006 6:44PM]

Hey, im one of those gameboy fanboys... lol. Im having trouble just getting a micro, i have no clue how im gonna scrape the money for this thing... my parents wouldnt give me money for anything.

[Johnny @ Feb 22nd 2006 1:09PM]

Dude... I'm suffering from exhaustion and nervous breakdown because I want this DS Lite bad!!! Soo bad, in fact, that I was about to purchase the "bulky" DS to help provide me with a substitute thrill of actually holding onto the DS Lite... hurry and release it in the US so I can finally focus on my studies!!!

[Ollie the DOOOOOOOD @ Feb 22nd 2006 2:50PM]

This thing is jokes!!!! It looks soooooooo cool!

[Alex @ Feb 22nd 2006 4:05PM]

First nintendo of americia hopes to fully switch to this ds by augest or september.

Secound it will cost a little bit more then the current ds.

How do i know this? I watched this show on spike at 12:00 am sunday morning where they met with the president of NOA

Wanna see it in black? open a new word document, copy it, make it bigger then highlight it

[KKanjiAnkh @ Feb 24th 2006 1:33AM]

LET THERE BE LITE

Now if the next iteration comes as powerful as the GC with cd's like the PSP, and can still play all of the
GB games with Internet, and 2 screens as big as the PSP
screens, but still beautiful as the lite.

P.S.
When options for the Internet come up you can talk to the screen at a keyboard screen instead of typing it in. PEACE

[Danny3711 @ Feb 26th 2006 7:37PM]

Will the adapter work for US?

[that guy how playedPeter in Family Guy @ Mar 3rd 2006 10:33PM]

THIS IS COOL!PETER will love it!
!HA HA!
!HA HA!
!HA HA!
!HA HA!
!HA HA!
!HA HA!
!HA HA!

[onj @ Mar 4th 2006 11:32AM]

just got mine 2 days ago, pictures in my blog.

[onj @ Mar 4th 2006 11:40AM]

Just got one 2 days ago I have some pictures on my blog if you want to see it

[GWN @ Mar 4th 2006 1:08PM]

why does EVERYTHING look like a freakin ipod?

[Garriq @ Mar 4th 2006 8:13PM]

Attention all DS haters: Please GTFO.

[RobotAfflicition @ Mar 4th 2006 8:47PM]

All people care about is smaller, smaller, smaller.The old DS was "bulky" I love it like that because it looks like it can take some hits and drops, the DS lite is like my pod I would be scared to hold it because it looks like it will shatter on impactif i droped it, But it is friggen sexy. I just think it looks less solid but I'll be in line the night it comes out;P.

[sina @ Mar 6th 2006 9:43AM]

the nintendo ds!! wow..
nintendos just amzing im geting one on lunch day.
oh yea i also hope that nintendo ds will have a good pokemon game too!

[mat @ Dec 28th 2006 9:13PM]

2 words diemend and perl

[onj @ Mar 7th 2006 10:59AM]

Your comments: I just bought my DS 4 days ago just when it came out. I had to line up for it at 4 in the morning since people were reporting that it was going to be sold out before the doors were even opened. But it was all worth it in the end, since it got smaller and the weight changed makes a big difference, it's easier for me to play the games with my hands in the air and my neck not straining. Brain games are one thing PSP lacks of, it's entertaining just to play no brainer games but it's nice to atleast have something that is challenging to the mind. A good buy because I'm just learning japanese and I can get a japanese-english dictionary for 40 bucks when it's usually 300 bucks for a E-dictionary. On March 11th the blue one is coming out, I'm going to be lining up once again to get that one. I love my DS, and also Mario Kart it's awsome playing that with people on the net or my neighbor (damn those japanese kids, always kick my ass)=). Took some pictures of it in my blog. Request photos?

http://spaces.msn.com/japochink/

[things that ryhme with 'urple' @ Mar 11th 2006 1:36PM]

i like the new "DS lite". i guess the names kinda cheesy if u ask me but what does that even matter. i've been wanting one of these things since the start. and for the big question'will it include the GBA cartridge in spite of the shallower look?', i've got good news. the latest nintendo power magazine has a section on the "nintendo ds lite"-the ds has been thinned downto the slim sizeof the originals base.dont worry; though its shallower, the ds retains its GBA cartride slot." i sure hope its not over $145. i personally think that rediculous but i guess its worth it. i will submit the section of the ds in this next comment window

[som1 @ Mar 14th 2006 11:44PM]

I really want ot know...
I don't own a DS and I think its cool, but should I wait for the DS Lite. Because the DS now is like 129.99 everywhere and if you can find it somewhere on sale, its like 99.99. But should I get the DS Lite for 169.99?

[Mebsta @ Mar 21st 2006 11:02PM]

Yo it duz have the ability to play GBA games but the only bad thing about the system is dat the GBA games stick out a little at the bottom but it duz not affect the gameplay so its still sikk...

[Brian @ Mar 25th 2006 8:46AM]

This new design really does look great. They fixed the power button location, the MIC location and most of all the size problem. It looks sleek and will capture the wandering eye. To #49 the games are made for both left and right handers. Some games at the beginning, eg. Warioware Touched ask if you are either right or left handed. Some of the games has it in the settings eg. Metroid Prime Hunters Demo. Had the original DS and loved it but it was too big, glad they fixed it and I will get this for sure!

[Yvette @ Mar 27th 2006 2:41PM]

I finally got an email from Play Asia that my DS lite has been shipped! I'm so happy! I wonder if anyone who placed orders from Lik-Sang has gotten their DS Lite.

[NINTENDOLL @ Mar 29th 2006 5:22PM]

Played it at GDC. Love it. It's smaller. It's lighter. Super Brite, Sexy and Smart.

I'll beg & plead with NINTENDO endlessly for those added Palm capabilities someone mentioned and the ability to hold photos.
The PERFCT ensemble -for me- would be:
a
DS Lite with Brain AGE and Big Brain Academy, a Date book, organizer, that also holds my picture portfolio.

Double Happiness!!

Actually... while I'm fantasizing, I'd also like to get online, check & send email with it.
And, at this point, mightaswell be a digital camera and a phone too.
One stop shopping is my FAVORITE.
Carrying less crap around while traveling: Priceless.
I will seriously kiss the man that can make it happen.
Twice.

[Andrew @ Apr 5th 2006 9:00PM]

about how much do one of these things cost??? im to lazy to read through to see if anyones aready asked this, but i'd still like to know.

[NDS LORD @ Apr 8th 2006 11:50AM]

nintendo ds original is way better than ds light

have faith the ds lite wont sell as much as ds

this is anothers kick in the psp's arse

i would stick with original ds because the ds lite looks like an sp

[NDS LORD @ Apr 8th 2006 11:50AM]

nintendo ds original is way better than ds light

have faith the ds lite wont sell as much as ds

this is anothers kick in the psp's arse

i would stick with original ds because the ds lite looks like an sp

[Mark Zhang @ Apr 9th 2006 11:10PM]

it's too small, that's bad for your eyesight. I don't know why Nintendo's way of making things better is just by making them smaller.

[ilythia @ Apr 23rd 2006 11:41AM]

@ #58 "Looks nice but my theory is, the only way Nintendo is still in business is because they release "improved" versions of their handhelds almost every year."

I completely agree with you! Everytime I fork up the money for a new system they go and announce a "better" version making me wanna wack my head against a brick wall till' I've forgotten that I've already purchased the "older" version moments before.

When I did a search on a website for some DS Lite's I got results from stocks in Japan; saw Crystal White, Enamel Navy, and Ice Blue--all wicked colors! What amazes me still is the fact that the U.S. never gets these awesome colors to begin with. The U.S. keeps getting standard colors and then in the end when there's a new game coming out the new colors come in offering a bundle pack. I'm totally not going to upgrade my current DS and instead will just hold out for a good minute until some colors aside from the norm are available. I understand I could just buy the import but why bother when it's $199 + tax and shipping bla bla bla. Especially if something goes wrong during the shipping process and I'm totally stuck with broken goods and more time to wait to send it back. Although the new DS Lite is SOOO eye candy right now, personally I'm better off just waiting till' something better arrives; perhaps at a more reasonable price. Afterall, The Revolution (or whatever it'll be named upon it's release) will be about twice as much cost wise as the DS Lite will be and at least with that system I won't wanna bang my head against a brick wall with regret...

~*ilythia*~

[Timmy @ Aug 29th 2006 7:56PM]

i'm certainly gonna buy one. i still only have a classic GBA for the launch of it. An dfor the people wondering, i'll answer some questions.

#1. The screens are the same size

#2. It does support GBA games, they just went over the top and added a little plastic insert to keep the lines and overall look clean.

#3. The screen has 3 brightness levels, the 3rd of which can cause blindness for the awe-inspiring light

#4. You'll get a little less battery time if you use the top brightness level all the time, about 7 hours

[Ds lite boy @ Jun 6th 2007 8:39PM]

you should get it!I have one with the original so i use it as controller 2.the only bad thing isthe gba games stick out.

[Benjamin Nintendo Fanboy @ Apr 29th 2006 3:01AM]

Wow!,that's good looking! man,I have been wanting a DS forever now...but I've been holding back so I can get a Wii,but man! this thing is tempting! 9/10!

[shadowblade @ May 3rd 2006 2:41PM]

anyone want to buy my old red DS so i can upgrade to this?

[Belinda @ May 8th 2006 10:19PM]

I think it looks cool, and it will drive the prices of the OLD DS down, works for me. I like the old one and the new one. I'll take which ever I can afford! LOL!

[krazy @ May 9th 2006 8:46AM]

cool

[GolemdX @ May 21st 2006 2:30PM]

Man. So many features. I JUST got my DS YESTERDAY! and now my friend is getting a Lite right when it comes out. GOD!

[nintendo is awesome @ May 21st 2006 5:20PM]

3 more weeks to wait for this! so happy i just put one on reserve today and i cannot wait
then by the time the newness wears offa this, i'll get wii (which by the way is predicted by some magazine, cant remember which to only be $200! they say maybe less... but i saw somewhere else that it'll be $250.. which is still cheap for a nonportable system, but..) :)

[nintendo is awesome @ May 21st 2006 5:22PM]

i was gonna save up and get an "old" on over the summer but this new one looks sooooooo much cooler

[nintendo is awesoome @ May 21st 2006 5:50PM]

anyone know if twilight princess is gonna be released on ds? or is that just a rumor on ign.com?

[Zman777 @ May 23rd 2006 6:59PM]

Doesn't the JP one have internet?