Product Details
Amazon Sales Rank: #4896 in Video GamesColor: StandardBrand: NintendoModel: 45496716141Released on: 2006-06-15Platform: Nintendo DSNumber of items: 1Dimensions: 2.25" h x 5.00" w x 8.00" l, 1.10 pounds
Features
Dual Screens open up new possibilities - use the touch screen as an inventory reference for role-playing games, to view maps for your favorite strategy game, or see racing action from two perspectives at onceNavigate menus or access inventory items simply by touching the screen with stylus or fingertip; tough film over touchscreen protects itAdvanced 3D graphics engine and 16-channel audio, for graphics and sound that are superior to other portable game systemsAll-new PictoChat feature allows DS users to write messages with an on-screen keyboard or the stylus and send them wirelesslyBuilt-in microphone port for voice control of games, or for voice chat with other DS players
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
In a surprising number of ways, the Nintendo DS is quite unlike any video game system that's come before. First, there's the two screens, one above and one below. The idea might seem like a gimmick -- the screens are far enough apart that you won't be able to see them as one long screen -- but the format works in a complementary way. Depending on the game, the DS serves action in one screen and details, maps, stats, or alternate views in the other. Switching your eyes between screens takes a little getting used to, but quickly becomes automatic, like checking a rear-view mirror while driving. Both screens are back-lit and a little larger than that of the Game Boy Advance SP, so they'll be easy to see in most conditions.
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| Players can control games using the touch-sensitive bottom screen of the DS. |
The bottom screen also functions as a PDA-style touchpad. It comes with a small stylus, as well as a stylus that attaches to your thumb. This touch screen might be both the best and worst feature of the DS. One one hand, it brings the freedom of PC-style mouse control into gaming, but using it also tends to block what's going on in that screen. For example, while playing the
Metroid Prime: Hunters, you could use the left thumb pad to move, the left shoulder button to fire, and the touch screen to look and jump. As you track foes on the bottom-screen map, however, your view will be partially obscured by your own right thumb.
The good news is that Nintendo has stressed a lot of comfort options, both in the operating system and in their games. Want to play Metroid without the touch-pad? Select a different control scheme in the game's option menu, which also includes configurations for lefties. You can even customize your DS to automatically play the inserted title or to start with the main menu, choose which screen to display your GBA games, to add a nickname for wireless play, and more.
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| Up to 16 players can connect wirelessly within a 100-foot radius. |
That's right, the DS is wireless-enabled. Say good-bye to that daisy-chain of network cables that was previously necessary for portable multiplayer gaming. Nintendo's proprietary wireless format has a radius rated at 30 to 100 feet depending on environmental interference with its signal. Surely, it's more than enough for friends to game from one end of the bus to the other. We experimented in a small, nearly empty parking lot and got great reception at the upper end of that rating. The DS network can handle up to 16 users, though you can expect the maximum number of players to vary from game to game.
Also, unlike all but the earliest video game systems, the DS comes with a built-in application. It's called PictoChat, and it allows people to write and draw pictures in a chat-room format. Since it's built in to the DS operating system, you'll always be able to interact with other DS users.
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| The built-in program PictoChat lets you write and draw with others. |
But not all is new; Nintendo has re-invested some favorite features of older platforms into the DS. It's backward compatible to the Game Boy Advance, which means that older Game Boy and Game Boy Color games won't work in this machine but GBA games will run fine (sadly, the wireless feature doesn't extend to GBA games). Like the GBA SP, the DS is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides approximately 10 hours of play on a four-hour charge. Old timers might recognize the A/B/X/Y face buttons from the Super Nintendo controller, though they're not in the same positions. The standard headphone jack and wide-body comfort of the first GBA model is back, coupled this time with the SP's screen-saving clamshell design. In terms of its ability to display graphics and sound, the DS is a little better -- and a whole lot smaller -- than the Nintendo 64.
Overall, the Nintendo DS represents a rather large leap in portable gaming. With some mystery shrouding the future abilities of its internal microphone (voice recognition) and its IEEE 802.11 wireless network, the DS may have left some surprises up its sleeve. --Porter B. Hall
Pros:
Great design marries innovative new features with great features of old systems and lots of customizable options Wireless up to 100 feet Built-in PictoChat lets you write and draw pictures with up to 15 other DS users
Cons:
Sometimes hard to see and use the touch screen at the same time Wireless multiplayer feature won't work with GBA games Can't connect to other wireless devices...yet
Customer Reviews
I Own It, It is Amazing!
I just bought one for myself over the weekend (thanks to a tip from a friend who works at a store that one would not think of shopping for games at, and they just happened to have a few left!)
This unit is great! I already own a GBA SP, but wanted to buy a DS for the following reasons:
* Advanced graphics: The 3D capabilities of this machine are AMAZING. Mario64 DS looks better on a handheld than Mario 64 looked on the Nintendo 64 and a TV!
* Great sound: You can choose between surround sound, stereo, or headphones optimized. It also includes a built-in headphone jack, something that was noticeably absent from the SP.
* Backwards compatibility: It will play all GameBoy Advance games (though not original GB or GB Color), and can hold a DS game and a GameBoy Advance game at the same time.
* Touch screen: Gimmick or revolution? I like how touch was integrated into Mario64 and the Metroid Prime:Hunters demo that is included with the DS. I think future games will bear out whether it will be a true success or just a niche idea.
As it states in the product description, it comes with two screens, the bottom one being touch-sensitive. To touch the bottom screen you can use one of the 2 styluses that comes with the product, or a thumb strap that has a plastic piece that can be used for certain types of games.
Currently, the DS library is fairly limited (fewer than 20 games at present), but there are many games announced for the future. There are literally dozens of great GBA games, so if you're buying this as a present, don't be afraid to buy a GBA game if you can't decide on a DS one.
Fantastic system for your children!
I purchased 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
a review from an actual ds OWNER
I know that a good deal of you are probably skeptical, but my girlfriend's mother does merchandising for Nintendo, and she was recently sent her very own DS. In turn, she has asked me to figure out all the particulars and report them back to her.
I have to admit that I was originally very skeptical about the system. I love my SP, and the last thing I want is to replace it (though Nintendo makes the claim that this is not a GBA replacement...ha). However, having actually sat down with it for a while and browsed through all the menus, I must admit I'm really impressed. Ah, who am I kidding? I'm thrilled.
How is it different than the SP? Its bigger, for sure (shaped like the old Game & Watch systems), and we all know about the new touch screen, but won't that system be awkward, trying to use a stylus with a portable game system? Once again, I thought so too, but it basically turns your game system into the coolest palm pilot in the history of the planet. I had a lot of fun, just surfing through menus and personalizing it (you can enter in your birthdate and your nickname). You can choose whether or not you want to keep the backlight on, should you want to save energy, and of course there's that cool pictochat function, which unfortunately I can't really use until there's another user to talk to. And I did all of this without ever putting down the stylus. In fact, the buttons on the right side became kind of unnecessary.
And it held over for the included Metroid: Hunters. Once again, there's not a whole lot I can do with the game (Hunters is mainly multiplayer, and well, there's no one else to play), but I gave the training a shot. I quickly got the hang of it. Firing with L, moving forward and strafing with my left hand, and looking around with the stylus. Brought me back to my high school days, playing Quake with four keys and a mouse. Is it perfect? No. But is it close? Oh yes.
In review, I'd have to give 4.5 stars, and only that low because I won't have a real opportunity to explore the network aspect of it until the system is officially released. Even though I already have it, I'm still looking forward to the release date, because when you all wander into multiplayer Metroid looking for a fight, I'll have been training for the past two weeks.
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