Europe to get black DS Lite

Looks like we've got some bad news for those in the US anticipating a DS Lite in black -- looks like Apple isn't the only one making the dark version of their portable a little more inaccessible than its white counterpart. So far as we know we're still slated for that June 11 launch of the "Polar White" DS Lite in the states, but unless they're gonna surprise us with some additional colors it looks like Europe will be getting black first come June 23rd. And don't be fooled by Nintendo's press shots above, we don't think there's a muddy gray / brown shade en route as well, just black and white due Europe for about £99 or €149.99 ($185 or $191, depending on your region).

[Thanks, Ant]

[Dhruv @ May 22nd 2006 9:56AM]

this is gonna look so cool . on second thought mario kart or super mario may not go with black well. only aesthetically though. first post yay!!! have a nice day

[theiloth @ May 22nd 2006 9:58AM]

I don't know, they could release three versions labelling the "muddy brown" one chocolate like that mobile/cellphone.

When closed, it does look like chocolate.

[Loban @ May 22nd 2006 10:03AM]

That is bullcrap. I want my black DS lite. I'm waiting until they put one out in the states before I buy mine. The white one will get so dirty.

[John @ May 22nd 2006 10:16AM]

Looks like the MacBook has influenced industrial design already ;)

I said this because I just know it will ruffle a few feathers......lol

[James Ison @ May 22nd 2006 10:17AM]

If you, like me, are turned off by the lack of color selection in the DS Lite, let Nintendo know. I personally will not buy a piece of electronics that is white. They look dirty and gross in no time flat and frankly Apple has done white to death. I sent them an email, you should do the same. If we flood them with requests for an additional color maybe they will listen. Why does everyone but the US get a choice?

[Justin @ May 22nd 2006 10:23AM]

People need to shut up about them getting dirty. They will all get dirty the same amount. The only difference is one of them will not show the dirt - but you'll still get diseases from it!

[LiK @ May 22nd 2006 10:23AM]

WTH? i've been waiting for the black DS and it's available only to europe? hopefully we'll get the black one too. i wouldn't mind importing it but the euro version costs more which makes it just as bad as importing the japanese versions for inflated prices.

[Okraboy @ May 22nd 2006 10:25AM]

Please excuse my ignorance, but aren't the DS handhelds region free? In which case, couldn't you just order a black one off Ebay UK or something? In some ways it would even be cooler to have one of the few black units floating around the US.

[Mike @ May 22nd 2006 10:27AM]

What are they going to call that brown DS... Sexual Chocolate?

[Tush @ May 22nd 2006 10:29AM]

True, Okraboy... but the problem is that people would to be willing to pay more money to buy them from the UK... oh wait, people will.

[semi @ May 22nd 2006 10:35AM]

how long has it been since they launched the chunky DS?

does this thing have built in HHD/flash memory?
(the thing almost everyones complains about on the PSP)

[Okraboy @ May 22nd 2006 10:42AM]

Why is that we always seem to pay more for things in black? We pay more for a black fridge, a black Mac, even a black car in some cases. The only thing that comes cheaper in black is licorice, and we all know why that is.

[Mike @ May 22nd 2006 11:12AM]

So many things used to come in beige... then it was black... then silver was popular. Apple made white the "it" color and now it's black again.

Personally, I don't want a shiny black DS. Look at the fingerprint nightmares that occurred with the black Nano and iPod Video. At least Apple was smart enough to realize that Black + Shiny + Fingers = BAD.

[Walkin @ May 22nd 2006 11:13AM]

#9. The games are region free, but the download demo stations are not. So if you go to BestBuy to download a demo with say a Japan DS it won't work.

[jimmy Deek fingurs @ May 22nd 2006 11:32AM]

I just bought a white DS Lite from japan for here in the u.k and now this, ahhhhhhh come on! But, saying that, at least in white i see fingers marks, with all dark colours your gonna see all your finger smudge marks and stuff, just like black psp.

[Fatal Fury @ May 22nd 2006 12:24PM]

me want!

[WPA_Flamer @ May 22nd 2006 12:25PM]

Will the black DS Lite have WPA support? No? Then I'm still not interested.

[TMart @ May 22nd 2006 12:35PM]

navy blue unit from lik-sang is almost as good and I've had mine over a month. to me it was worth the extra $60 (and free shipping). fingerprints are no problem btw, clean off easy and not too visible. the contrast with the screen on the darker unit is astounding. I have never once nor ever will use those stupid demo stations anyway.

[Tom @ May 22nd 2006 1:38PM]

This is presumably because Nintendo have been steadily screwing over the UK market for ages with big gaps between US and UK release dates, and the fact us Brits will have to pay about �30 more for our DS Lites.. and they want to try and make up for it a bit.

[Marc Mayor @ May 22nd 2006 2:56PM]

DS is this Citro�n car from the fifties, right?

[Ant @ May 22nd 2006 4:17PM]

yay, i was the one that submitted the story! i clicked on nintendo.co.uk just as it was updated, whoo! My greatest achievement!

[jammer @ May 22nd 2006 4:50PM]

Why do Japan and Europe get black and white DSs and PSPs while we in America just get one choice? I'm pissed.

[threefingeredlord @ May 22nd 2006 5:05PM]

SCORE! I was just about to order my japanese graphite ds from lik-sang, but £99 for a black ds lite is right up my street. YAY!

[dc @ May 22nd 2006 6:21PM]

Walkin, I have a Japanese DS Lite and I have no problems downloading demos and getting them to work at the Nintendo Store in Rockefeller Center.

[ConfusedPuppy @ May 22nd 2006 6:34PM]

So Engadet's notion of "our audience" actually excludes people from Europe?

[Ryan Block @ May 22nd 2006 11:15PM]

ConfusedPuppy: Fair point, edited!

Best, Ryan

[Ant @ May 23rd 2006 12:33AM]

SCREW OFF ANT IMPOSTER!! I SUBMITTED IT YOU MORON, MY NAME IS DAVID JOHNSON YOU LITTLE IDIOT. IT'S MY STORY, DON'T GO SAYING IT'S YOURS YOU SNOT NOSED LITTLE PUNK. ENGADGET, YOU NEED TO HAVE SOME KIND OF PROTECTION AGAINST IMPOSTERS LIKE THIS.

THIS IS THE LAST TIME I CHECK THIS SITE OR EVEN THINK ABOUT CONTRIBUTING CONTENT.

GOOD BYE AND GOOD RIDDANCE

[Ant @ May 23rd 2006 12:39AM]

k sorry I won't do it again

[Ant @ May 23rd 2006 12:43AM]

Thanks, I appreciate your apology. I'll keep submitting stories. Sorry for getting so pissed off before, I won't get mad like that again - I promise

-Dave

[[e-mail] @ May 23rd 2006 2:51AM]

Honestly, I don't have the money for a New Black DS from the UK.

But, if I did, I would get it.

[jimmy B @ May 23rd 2006 5:20AM]

unfortunatly for nintendo, keeping us in the uk at the back of the launch schedule forced me to buy an imported original DS from japan which at the time costed me £250 [$470](with mario64). so i certainly wont be buying this..... also cos i'm unemployed hahahha, engadget give me a job :/

[Quadrius @ May 23rd 2006 9:09AM]

... Lucky bastards, that thing is even more sexy in black. I just wish we'd get it. D:

[Quadrius @ May 23rd 2006 9:11AM]

Sorry for what might be double post.

"21. yay, i was the one that submitted the story! i clicked on nintendo.co.uk just as it was updated, whoo! My greatest achievement! "

... That's not Ant. That'll never BE Ant. Ant isn't a retard. GTFO my internet, poser.

[Joie @ May 23rd 2006 9:42PM]

Walkin: Not true. I imported an Ice Blue from Japan last week, and just visited a download station this past Sunday. ^^

[BlackDayz @ Jun 11th 2006 8:24AM]

A hidden perk to living in Germany. I think I'll wait 'til the 23rd now.

[John @ Jun 14th 2006 11:54AM]

I was going to import one of these to the States, but I'm worried about the power conversion. I know Europe runs on 220v. Will I be able to just plug an American/Japanese AC adapter into this to charge it?

[Ric @ Jun 14th 2006 8:52PM]

My friend just got one of these and when i opened it up my initial reaction was that it was too similar to a girl's pop open make up kit. Lil too bright and perty for my taste, i'm waiting for black.

[Eelco van Vliet @ Feb 8th 2007 11:40AM]

Unfortunately the DS lite still does not support the more secure WPA encryption on wireless, only WEP. WEP is insecure for almost 6 years now and should not be used. My accesspoint at home only accepts WPA connections, so I am unable to use the DS wireless.

It is amazing to see wireless compatible products in 2007 without WPA or WPA2 support. forunately Sony supports WPA woth their PSP.

[TrafindCom @ Feb 1st 2009 6:57AM]

i buy 1pcs replacement shell to change you console color. i beliver is look like it.