After a banner year of unprecedented sales performance in Japan, the DS had gone into the new year simultaneously "Sold Out" and the subject of heavy speculation regarding a slimmer redesign of the unit. Finally laying weeks of rumour to rest, Nintendo of Japan today made a quiet announcement on their website revealing to the world their redesigned DS portable.

Dubbed the "DS Lite", this sleek new portable sports rather Apple-inspired design cues that the company has been trending towards in their recent Gameboy Micro and their bombshell Revolution controller concept. Noticeably smaller and lighter, the system will retain every ounce of functionality (including GBA compatibility) from the original design while providing a handful of key improvements. The system's name is in fact derived from the primary enhancements: "Lite" indicating the unit's 4 levels of selectable screen brightness (think Micro) and slimmer form factor (the screens remain the same size however).

From the picture below it can also be seen that the button arrangement has gone through a change with the d-pad and face buttons becoming thicker (squishier) while the start and select buttons change shape and position. Addressing a minor concern, the power button has been moved while the microphone has been repositioned on the upper portion of the new DS (hopefully the latter will improve the DS' ability to pickup voice cues). The power button is now a flick switch on the side of the unit, much like the SP. Meanwhile, the stylus is now inserted from the side rather than the top.

As for the size comparison:

DS Lite Original DS
Length 133 mm 148.7 mm
Width 73.9 mm 84.7 mm
Height 21.5 mm 28.9 mm
Weight 218 grams 275 grams

(DS Lite approximately 60% the volume of the original at about 80% the weight.)

The DS Lite is slated for a starved Japanese market on March 2nd of this year for 16,800 yen (about $145). It will be available in three colors (though they have yet to be revealed, white would seem a pretty strong possibility.) Perhaps the DS shortages in the first weeks of 2006 are in some way related to this redesign? Hard to say...Nintendo has also confirmed that the original model will continue to sell alongside the Lite, albeit for a lower price. Whatever the answer, the foremost question on the lips of most westerners is undoubtedly when the unit is scheduled for release in their particular region. Unfortuneately, those details are forthcoming. Stay tuned portable gaming fans.


Ign.com
gamespot.com
revo-europe.com
Source: Nintendo.jp, translation from Yamakiyo

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while the changes are obviously better for the system, its clear they are trying to appeal to the audience that really likes PSP's awesome design
im probably gonna get this ebcause my DS is kind of messed up (screen wierd)

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I wonder if the price tag will be the same.

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Main: War75/Sam63/Blm71/Rng45
Sub: Nin37/Thf37/Whm37/Mnk30
Three nation: Done Zilart: Done CoP: Done

its about 150$ and considering the current ds is 130$ yea they're selling it for more

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Job 10: 20
The mikey's have a plan. Djay isn't all powerful.

That's hawt. I wouldn't having the smaller one to fit in my pockters when I wear pants that aren't baggy lol. I wouldn't mind paying another $20 for that, and it's not like I don't $425 sittng on my computer stand at home lol

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[In Yarr we trust.]

i know in japan they are still making the regular DS, but will sell for a lower price, probably the same deal here, so might be smart to wait to get a regular one until this comes out here so you can an original for cheaper

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I seriously don't think paying another $20 for that hotness is that bad lol

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[In Yarr we trust.]

I want my black one in the mail, damnit

Yeah, you still owe me money.

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[In Yarr we trust.]

i knew it, they did the same with the color, and the SP. haha i was just waiting for it

I almost bought a Nintendo DS on monday. Im happy that I didnt.


I look forward to picking this up when ever it hits stores in Canada. My birthday is in april... I can only hope lol. I also would like to see a black or silver version of this (they said it will come in three colours)


What colours would you guys want?

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COBRA KAI DOJO NEVER DIES
RIP Shiloh

DS rocks.

Lite looks cool but I'm happy with my current DS.

i want pearl pink to go with my sp!

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The lovers, the dreamers, and me.

black or red for me, i have red DS and SP, red doesnt even look all that great,
FOR DS lite there is planned 3 colors atm i think

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looks the same lol

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I got the blue DS cuz my SP was blue

But I wanted a red one


now I have a black one until Armani pays me

Idk, I'd like to have a blue lite now >.<

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[In Yarr we trust.]

ill stick with my psp

boo! get out of here :P

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[In Yarr we trust.]

what are you gonna play on it?

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I'm such a Nintendo whore, I'm considering shelling out another ninety or so (after trade-in) to pick this up...I'd love to have a system I could actually carry around in my pocket. On the downside, since Mario Kart DS Online Statistics are linked to the system/game combination, I'd lose my online record. Oh well, it'll totally be worth it. Hm.

socom, samurai champloo and the internet.

=\

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dont make that face, it makes your forehead look big

lol


and Samurai Champloo? I might have to buy a PSP =/ and I was just at walmart too lol

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[In Yarr we trust.]

they have the whole series on UMD