Original Nintendo DS to DSappear by Fall 2006

There should be a whole lot of surprise about the fact that Nintendo's canceling the DS in favor of the DS Lite, but we gotta admit, we're gonna kinda miss that chunky little thing. Apparently the Regginator told Game Heads that DS stocks will dwindle and eventually dry up in favor of the Lite, probably between August and September of this year. We can't really expect the two to play simultaneously on the market for forever or anything, but we're not looking forward to the DS-classic eulogy we're gonna have to write some day soon.

[Via DS Fanboy]

[ipodman715 @ Feb 20th 2006 10:06AM]

Well that means the Lite will come out here before then :P

[bluetrane @ Feb 20th 2006 10:12AM]

where did this reggie guy come from and why does he get so much press time! a day dosent go buy where i dont see him mug plastered on joystiq

Regginatorzzzzzz and ds lite for teh win

[Kamalot @ Feb 20th 2006 10:47AM]

I don't understand, why would they not sell both versions?

With the GBA, I believe you can still buy the original GBA, The GBA SP and the GBA Micro.

Why bother getting rid of the old DS?

[Martin @ Feb 20th 2006 11:02AM]

I guess this means I'll keep my clunky one whenever I get around to getting a DS Lite. Enamel Navy FTW!

[Mike @ Feb 20th 2006 11:04AM]

#3, I think you're right and wrong, but mostly irrelevant. I'm pretty sure everyone knows that the PSP is more powerful, but who really cares? Obviously people are buying them. I was waiting for a redesign to make the DS a little more portable, and waiting for more games to come out. I plan on picking one up whenever the Lite hits the shelves, regardless of how it stacks up to the PSP.

[Neko Tsukimi @ Feb 20th 2006 11:06AM]

The DS may be inferior to the PSP as far as power, but as far as gaming/non-gaming enjoyment, DS is superior by a mile.

But without finging fangirlness... I do wonder how the DS lite performs in big hands. I have tiny hands, so DS lie would be perfect... But I've seen pictures of huge American hands gripping the DS lite and it looks like the poor guy has to pinch it as if he's playing a keychain game or something. But I guess if Reggie has been able to play with it comfortably and confidently say that it is not teh suck, maybe it'll be okay.

[Don Omar @ Feb 20th 2006 11:39AM]

I hope the new one looks better then this one.

[Morose @ Feb 20th 2006 12:04PM]

On DS vs PSP as better system... it depends on what you want in a handheld. The PSP plays movies and mp3s as well as games, but many of the games ont he DS have that distinctive video-game-as-intricate-toy gameply that can only be found on Nintendo titles. I'm waiting fo the Lite to come out to buy a DS, as then i'll have the advantage of A)comparing the Lite to the original in person abd B) possibly saving some money if i choose the original. from all the footage i've seen so far of the Lite, it looks like that's the one i'll be getting the Lite rather than the discontinued-model-discount.

[iband @ Feb 20th 2006 12:33PM]

We have both in our home -- 2 DS units, one PSP. The DS is great for small kids. Mine play Nintendogs and connect their games wirelessly all the time. The PSP is aimed at older kids (and dad's who think they are younger than they are!). I use the PSP, although my 6-year old wants one as well. Not happening.

[mattpace @ Feb 20th 2006 12:54PM]

Nintendo has not gone for the high tech selling point in quite awhile, N64, GCN, and NDS are all lower tech than the competition, and the Revolution will be as well.


Nintendo has one thing sony doesnt; charm. They make great games that everyone enjoys. Mario Kart, Castlevania, Nintendogs, Legend of Zelda, Metroid, the list goes on. These are all games that everyone from 5th graders to 35 year olds love.

[Sean DL @ Feb 20th 2006 2:32PM]

Bluetrane, Reggie came from the world of Viacom(MTV Networks and Comedy Central) Nintendo picked him up to be the "face" of Nintendo and give them more of a edge in the advertisement department.

You know that Ninja commercial for Nintyendo Wi-fi or the Animal Crossing commercial? Yup....

[TxdoHawk @ Feb 20th 2006 3:50PM]

I don't know how much I like this news. That smaller D-pad doesn't look so hot...on the other hand though, that screen looks great. Hrm.

[Foxeh @ Feb 20th 2006 5:39PM]

It seems if you're the type who actually would prefer the larger one, you should get them while they are still available. I don't think I'd mind that GBA games will stick out a little on the DS Lite as it fixes everything that kept me from buying a DS Original and then some.

Here are a few good live photos (and links to videos) of the Lite's amazingly bright screen and compared to a red DS.

http://www.myextralife.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=4007

[brian @ Feb 20th 2006 8:06PM]

yes, it's much brighter, but either the design or color made it look kinda flimsy or cheap.

nonetheless, i hate it whenever nintendo does this! there were two redesigns to the gameboy advance, will there be one for the DSlite?

[Lite ds @ Feb 21st 2006 1:59AM]

#13 after having more than 2 versions of GB and GBA I wouldn't be surprised to see another DS redesign in another 12 month. Like with Micro they could abandon the GBA support to make it even smaller AND cheaper. By that time we should see a new Game Boy too...

[Jamesology @ Feb 21st 2006 2:24AM]

Should I wait now for the DS Ultra Lite. I'm pretty sure Nintendo is gonna come out with another DS soon. Maybe next week! They screwed me with the GBA by coming out with GBS SP ended up buying the SP. Then they bring out the DS and the a new SP with brighter screens. WTF! Seriously, now they have DS Lite!

PSP maybe far more expensive but based on how many Gameboys and DS' ppl will keep buying to upgrade to the newer version, it seems no different at cost. So I spent $199 on the DS and $99 on Play Yan. Now I want the DS Lite so that's $149 I think, and still does the same things. Also now Play Yan wont fit nicely.

PSP, $350 when it came out, firmware upgrades free. Price drops to $299 now so I still see PSP as a better investment. It's just a shame that they don't have that many good games, but they are getting better. At least I don't have to carry my Ipod no more. Shopping with my GF, work and school ain't that bad no more. Play games, listen to music, watch Simpsons or Family guy all in one.

But still, a black DS Lite will look mighty good beside my PSP. :) Damn!

[Luke @ Feb 21st 2006 2:42PM]

They should have done that since DS is so rubbish. Atleast I might be able to sell mine for like �1,000 few years later :-)

[Everett @ Feb 21st 2006 11:28PM]

I have both the DS and PSP.
Enjoy playing Mario Kart, Metros on DS.
Enjoy Burnout Legends and Lumines on PSP.
I do enjoy watching tv shows on The PSP without distrubing others.
Both have there gaming strenghts.
Hope DS lite helps sales. Sonys UMD movie sales are hurting because PSP is only device to play them. Both companies don't get things 100% right the first time around. "nuff said