Digital Trends

Nintendo DS Lite

June 13th, 2006 | by Scott Steinberg

Previously located near the bottom of the top-facing side of the system's base, the microphone port now rests squarely, and more comfortably, in the joint where the upper and lower screens meet. Stereo speakers sit once again to either side of the viewing panel on the top half of the device too, but despite being smaller, pack the same sonic punch and audio quality as their forerunners.

The volume control switch, located on the front of the machine's lower half, now sports plastic ribbing and a larger nub, making it easier to manipulate. Start and select buttons, formerly horizontally mounted and rectangular-shaped, have also migrated from the upper right-hand side of the base, just above the four face buttons. Now, they've become easier to activate circular keys situated just below these buttons in a vertical configuration.

The power switch has additionally made the jump to the right side of the unit, a better location for it than above the d-pad, where it previously resided. You'll find the stylus has grown and lengthened, and generally feels better in your hand, as well. The storage slot for it can be found next to the power switch, where it's readily accessible, rather than on the back of the gizmo, where it was unfortunately placed beforehand. The back-mounted L and R triggers are additionally smaller and more responsive.

From Left to Right: Game Boy Micro, Nintendo DS Lite and Nintendo DS

Nevertheless, of primary import is the inclusion of four distinct screen brightness settings, which can be used to improve visibility under multiple lighting conditions.

Pump up the luminescence, and subtle, but stunning differences appear. Colors bloom, details come into view more sharply and every frame of that intricate in-game animation you'd been missing before suddenly springs to life. To quantify, it's almost like going from observing an analog signal being broadcast on a CRT television set to watching a film or newscast on a 1080p-ready plasma HDTV. Imagine our surprise upon revisiting with old favorites like The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap for Game Boy Advance and DS exclusive Advance Wars: Dual Strike. Every game we tried looked cleaner, crisper and essentially more jaw-dropping for the effort.

Nintendo DS Lite and Sony PSP Comparison

Bizarrely, there's no switch provided through which to change brightness settings, as on the recently reworked Game Boy Advance SP. (A real disappointment, as we discovered while playing World Poker Tour on the back porch when the sun suddenly broke free from the clouds). You essentially have to change the setting before loading any given title by clicking on a sun icon located at the bottom left of the touch-screen. Say it collectively with us: "WTF?!"