Nintendo DS Lite Polar White

We got this for my daughters 6th birthday and she just loves it. I was a bit surprised when she asked for the white one and not the pink, but it's what she wanted. We've found several games that are perfect for her and it keeps her entertained for those long car drives. We got an accessory pack with the car adapter and extra stylus (the ds came with 2), case for the DS, screen protectors a couple of the rubber game holders, and ear phones. It was her favorite gift and I don't think she's put it down in two weeks!

There is a war going on ...and I'm not talking about the ongoing Iraq struggle. The battle I'm talking about is a lot more fun to discuss and a whole lot easier to understand. I'm of course referring to the "War Of The Handhelds".

If you've been paying attention (which I'm sure you have because you're reading a Nintendo DS review) then you will understand that Sony and Nintendo have been at combat for quite a while. Four years into the seventh generation of video game consoles consumers are now forced to pick between two dominant choices of handheld gaming devices. The Nintendo DS and the Sony PSP.

Now at first glance it would appear, from a sales perspective, the Nintendo DS is the format of choice. After all, it is the top selling handheld video game system worldwide, as of March 2008 Nintendo has sold roughly 52 million units, Amazon (at the current time) has even put a limit on how many units can be sold to one household. Compared to Sony and their PSP sales this seems to be an easy decision for anyone in the market for a new portable gaming system, right?

Well...maybe not. True, the Nintendo DS has been selling very well. But lets not get confused here. Remember the band "New Kids On The Block"? They outsold everybody for awhile there but does that mean they were a quality band? I didn't think so.

Compared to the PSP the Nintendo DS seems more like a cheap toy for children who are desperately saving their allowance every week in the hopes of one day owning a real handheld gaming unit, such as a PSP. Not that the Nintendo DS won't appeal to everyone but after taking just a quick and honest look at the two systems it would be hard to understand why someone would purposely pass up a quality handheld like the PSP and settle for something less.

We'll start with the screen. Now this is were a lot of consumers think the Nintendo DS shines over the Sony PSP because of its dual screens and "touch screen ability". The truth is...it doesn't. After using the touch screen on the Nintendo DS it feels more like a unnecessary novelty than a real convenient feature. It doesn't really subtract from the unit itself but bells and whistles aren't going to score you any real points in the world of series gamers. The Nintendo DS comes with two 3-inch screens and a 256 x 192 pixel resolution which again, doesn't say much. Compared to the PSP's beautiful 4.3 inch widescreen display and 480 x 272 pixel count there is really no contest between the two. The PSP is the clear and obvious winner here.

While we're on the subject of system hardware it should be noted that several people have had major problems with the hinge on the Nintendo DS. It seems after just some moderate use the joint becomes weak and breaks, rendering the top screen of the Nintendo DS inoperable, resulting in a blank white screen. I guess adding moving parts to a handheld unit is proving as questionable as it sounds. Also, and again compared to the PSP, the general feel of the DS feels cheaply thrown together. Some reviewers have commented the PSP feels and looks a lot more expensive than it is, with comments from engadget reviewers like:

"...We're sure Sony is losing a few hundred bucks off each unit sold as the PSP easily feels like it's worth $400 of gadgetry, when compared to portable video and audio players and the DS"

Graphics is another subject worth tackling here. Even the most diehard Nintendo DS fans have nothing to say when asked between the graphics on a DS compared to a PSP. If you're looking to play sports, action, or combat games (in other words anything meaningful) then you'll be sorry you own a DS. The PSP delivers stunning graphics, comparable to PS2 style gameplay. The DS, on the other hand, very dull.

One of Nintendo's biggest problems is not with the unit itself but what is played on it. It seems like kiddie games are the games of choice for the Nintendo DS. Now, it is true the DS can play some more teen-oriented games but these a few and far between.. For the most part Nintendo seems to think that a seemingly endless supply of Mario-related games will keep DS owners occupied, and for the most part...they're right. The children who play the DS seem to enjoy these games, but if you ever get tired of Mario Kart (and you will...faster than you think) and want to play some real games like Grand Theft Auto you'll need to upgrade to a more advanced handheld, for example (you know where this is going) the PSP.

The lack of a web browser (without starting in with the add-ons) is also a problem for the DS. Also no music of video storage makes the DS a simple gaming device that lacks anything innovative and this stage in the electronic world it is almost standard to have some multimedia capabilities. The PSP again succeeds were the DS fails.

At a time of war the battlefield is no place for children and their toys. Although the Nintendo DS appeals to the kiddies it will never be taken seriously by real gamers. Its lack of multimedia features condemn it to a simple, uninspiring, cheaply made children's gaming unit with dull graphics. It may continue to outsell the PSP because of its cheap price tag...but in the end you get what you pay for.

I'm not a hardcore gamer at all; I did not have any handheld gaming console before, but this is absolutely fun to play, to learn, to read at a appealing price!

I bought this for my Mom for Mother's day, but I tested it out first and I know she'd going to love it. She already has a Wii and she loves that. I bought two games and the sound quality is great, the picture is amazing. Just like the Wii, certain games will not allow you to play anymore, which is cool. Nintendo is doing a bang up job with their game stations. I'm getting one for myself and one for my Dad, he needs the Brain Age games.

The Nintendo DS is the best portable gaming system thus far. Plays both Nintendo DS games as well as the older Nintendo Game Boy Advance games. The touch screen is what makes this a great. Also Nintendo has a large selection of games. Thats always a plus.