Tap, Poke, Stretch, and Scribble your fun!
Written: Jun 22 '06 (Updated Jun 23 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Innovative, Fun, Looks Sleek, Cross-compatibility with the GBA, headphones/headset compatible.
Cons: Takes some getting used to at first, can be a smidgen small.
The Bottom Line: The DS is a great, innovative system that is packed with cool features! Takes some getting used to.
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| musicmaster890's Full Review: Nintendo DS Console |
Abstract
The product of "Project Nitro", The Nintendo DS (either Developer's System or Dual-Screen), Nintendo's Seventh-generation hand-held system, is here. I must say that this system is a very diverse system that makes use of many cool and useful features.
Features
- The DS in Nintendo DS
The predominant feature of the DS or NDS is the two 3 inch TFT LCD 256x192 resolution screens that work in cooperation, the bottom of which is a touch screen. The touch screen is intended for use of the soft-tipped stylus, but I find your thumbnail works just as well in some cases because the stylus can get a bit unmanageable at times. The dual screen does take some getting used to, but once you do, you can have some serious fun. I have, however, realized that when I power down the DS, the screen keeps some of the image on the screen until I power the DS up again, but I think that that effect only occurs to my DS.
- Microphone
The DS comes with a built-in Microphone, that has been used in a variety of ways, but in only a handful of games. One instance of use of this function is Nintendogs' voice recognition function. Metroid: Hunters is the first game to feature use of the DS's Voice Chat (or VOIP). In my opinion, the microphone is a useful piece of equipment that could greatly affect game play if only more games made use of it.
- Wireless Use
The DS can locate other DS's in the relative location (30-100 feet), or over a WiFi connection service launched by Nintendo. WiFi connection hot spots can be found and used for free at selected McDonald's Fast Food restaurants and JiWire hot spots. Once connected, you can engage in one of two activities:
- PictoChat
You can go into PictoChat with the DS you are connected to in one of four chat rooms. PictoChat is a chat function where DS users can communicate with each other by drawing out text or an image on the touch screen. This can take some warming up to because the area where your message goes is quite small and hard to write on sometimes, but like I said you need to get used to it. There is also a library of different characters and symbols in both English and Japanese that can be inserted into the sent message, which is intended to be an alternative to those unaccustomed to writing their messages out. I find the library a bit tedious to use due to the fact that you need to tap each character/symbol out, which takes quite a while compared to old-school writing. When you exit, you need to turn off your DS, which I find quite obnoxious.
- Multiplayer
You can also use Download Play to engage in wireless multiplayer game play (for selected titles only). Yep, no wires, no fuss, no muss. The DS must first search for games posted, and this can take a while. After that, you must select the game you wish to join. Upon selecting a game, the you will need to wait once more for the data to load onto the system RAM unit. In all cases that I know of, the host gets to set the settings of the upcoming game, which vary from game to game. The host is the only person that needs a game chip in order to initialize a multiplayer game. Once more, when you exit download play, you will need to turn off the DS. Very annoying.
- GBA Compatibility
Do you have any GBA (Game Boy Advanced) games? If so, you can still play them on the DS! The DS has a special slot where you can insert your GBA games to play just as if they were DS games!
- Battery
The DS comes with a lithium ion battery pack that can be recharged with the charger included with the system. The charger can be inserted into the 5.2V port on the back of the machine, just right of Slot 1 (or DS card slot). Once inserted a light will activate in the inside of the DS denoting that the battery is charging. Do not remove the battery unless you are replacing it.
- Stereo Sound
The DS features some stunning Stereo speakers within the upper display panel. They can kick out some nice, crisp, and big sound for such small speakers.
- Buttons
The DS has a set of buttons similar to that of the GBA's;
-A d-pad (directional pad) at the left.
-A, B, X, and Y buttons at the right arranged in a four-wing pattern. (A and B are slightly lighter in color than X and Y)
-Start and Select buttons arranged in a capsule-like fashion just above the A, B, X, and Y buttons. (Different from GBA)
-Power button located just above the D-pad
-Left and Right shoulder buttons located on the back two corners of the DS.
The buttons are firm and do not become wiggly easily, but not so firm that you need to apply an uncomfortable amount of pressure in order to press them down.
- Other Physical Features
- Volume Control
There is a volume control located at the front of the DS just left of Slot 2 (or GBA Cartridge slot).
- Headphone Port
The DS supports audio headphones or headset (headphones microphone).
- Stylus Slot
You can easily lose your stylus if you aren't careful, so Nintendo has included the life-saving stylus slot built into the DS. The stylus is designed so that it will snap into the shallow indent within the slot, and wont fall out. Very nice feature!
The Games
As of now (that is June of 2006), the DS features some good games, and some not-so-good games. For example: the DS has a version of the N64's of Super Mario 64, which was an awesome game. It also has World Championship Poker Deluxe Series, quite possibly the worst poker game for any platform of the Sixth-generation and beyond, just because of its slipshod graphics and shallow game play. Other good titles include:
-Polarium (was pronounced the best puzzle game since Tetris by Nintendo Power)
-WarioWare: Touched!
-"New" Super Mario Bros.
-Nintendogs
and many others.
Construction and Appearance
The DS is very sturdy and is put together with Nintendo's recognized tri-wing screws. (with exception of the battery cover, which is a standard philips head) The upper panel of the DS is connected to the base with a hinge that snaps into an angled and flat position. The upper panel has two bumps around the top of the panel, and two like indentations on the bottom of the panel. As far as I know, they just keep the top panel from resting on the bottom panel while not in use. The DS has a nice sleek look and comes in five different colors: Titanium, Graphite Black, Grey, 'Candy' Pink, and Blue. It has four grippers on its bottom to help the DS stay put, though they usually don't work that well.
Durability
The DS is a very sturdy machine and, although I wouldn't drop it if I were you, it is quite rugged for its weight (about 275 grams or 9.7 ounces- no big whup).
Overall
Although it takes a bit of getting used to, the DS is a great handheld system that really pushes the envelope and has a lot of great, innovative, and entertaining features.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
musicmaster890
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Reviews written: 10
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