Buy Nintendo

Review by Nite:

Pros:

+Bigger and slightly brighter screen

+New interface is easy to navigate

+DSi Ware is a nice implementation

+Digital camera to take photos with

+Internal memory and SD card slot are nice for storing data

+Downloaded games are inexpensive and the service has a lot of potential

Cons:

-Photos taken on camera only really look good on the DSi screen

-Shorter battery life

-Web browser isn’t the greatest

-The lack of a GBA slot means you can’t play GBA games, use some of the DS Lite’s accessories (such as a rumble pack) and makes some games like Guitar Hero World Tour virtually unplayable

In 2004, Nintendo released the original Nintendo DS. Just two years later, the Nintendo DS Lite debuted and was better than the original by far. Since its original release, the Nintendo DS has gone on to sell more than 100 million units worldwide. With sales numbers like that, why would Nintendo need to release another revamp of their prized handheld? More than that, are the new features worth picking up if you have a DS Lite or if you still have an original DS? Well, it can be, but if you’re perfectly content with your original DS or your DS Lite there’s nothing wrong with that, and you don’t have to buy it. That’s not to say it would be a bad investment. For some it might be worth it.

Certainly if you still have the original DS, it is worth investing in this newer update. There are quite a few new things about the Nintendo DSi that can make it worth buying. One of the first changes that is obvious from the moment you see it is that it’s slightly smaller and designed a little differently. The power button has been moved and now doubles as a reset button. The screen is also slightly bigger and brighter than the DS Lite. When turning it on, there is also a notable difference in the interface which has been completely reworked all together. It’s been made a bit easier to use.

Perhaps the biggest and most notable difference is that the DSi no longer has a slot to play Gameboy Advance games. If you’re still playing your GBA games a lot, this is probably a pretty big subtraction when it comes to the DSi, no matter how much it includes. If you’re someone who hasn’t used your DS for playing GBA games in a while, it’s probably not a big deal, but I would’ve gladly taken a slightly thicker handheld just to maintain the GBA slot. There is, however, a slot for an SD card to store more data. The first of these is the wi-fi service which you can get on and download some downloadable games for the DSi. Much like the Wii, you’ll spend points (100 points is equal to one dollar) to buy games. There’s also the built in web browser, but this is not something to jump up and down over really, as it isn’t a very good web browser.

The camera is a nice addition, allowing you to customize and mess around with the pictures you take. They don’t look good on anything but the DSi screen, however, but you can store them on an SD card or the DSi’s internal memory. You can take quite a bit of photos, and mess around with them in interesting ways, such as drawing on them or manipulating faces. It can be fun to mess around with.

While the new additions are nice the more expensive price is a bit much for those who are already carrying a DS Lite. There are some new features but there isn’t too much done here to enhance the gaming experience itself outside of a larger screen. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t worthwhile. The download service in particular can be very worthwhile in the future. The games on the download service also aren’t too expensive. In short, even DS Lite owners might find it worth the extra money after a while.

Another big hit to the DSi is that the battery life just isn’t as long as the previous incarnations. For those wanting to use it primarily for gaming, it might surprise you that the DSi will need to be charged a lot more frequently, as the battery last five hours shorter than that of the DS Lite. It takes a bit shorter to charge as a result, but you’ll find yourself charging it quite a bit, especially if you play with the screen on the brightest settings.

In the end some may wonder if the upgrade is worth it. It’s a bit more expensive than the DS Lite and doesn’t have a GBA slot and a shorter battery life. However, you are getting some nice extra features, and with Nintendo planning to implement them in some of their games in the future, it’s at least worth consideration. DS Lite owners may not need to upgrade immediately, but in the future it might be worth considering. If you don’t own a DS at all, the DSi is probably the best bet.

The Nintendo DSi is a nice step in the evolution of Nintendo’s handheld. It has a lot of new features that can go a long way. Even DS Lite owners might want to consider updating at some point, but it still stands: if you’re content with your DS Lite or original DS you don’t have to get it. It’s certainly worth considering, though.

Review by A. Stagg:

Overall, I really like the DSi and think it is a huge improvement over the DS & DS Lite, however, I wish they had released the device with more games and applications that take into account the new camera system. We also own a DS Lite and my kids are playing with the new version more than they ever did with the older version.

First, the device feels great to hold. I bought the black version and the brushed surface gives the DSi a textured feel that is very comfortable to hold and makes you feel confident you won’t drop it.

Setup could not have been easier. The DSi connected with my wireless network on the first try, upgraded the software with no problems, and then downloaded the Opera browser and the WarioWare Snapped game immediately. No problems using my 1 GB SD card (I will be installing a larger SD card soon).

The screen on the DSi is .25 inches bigger than the DS lite. Overall the colors on the screen seem a bit crisper to me and “pop” a little more on the DSi.

The Opera Browser works great, though the screen is pretty cramped and they don’t appear to have released a flash player for it yet, so forget streaming YouTube or similar video at this time. The Wii also did not have the Flash Player when it was released, so we can hope that flash will be arriving soon for the DSi as it did for the Wii.

I only wish they had released the game with more titles that take advantage of the camera system. The WarioWare: Snapped is a nice game, but a bit cantankerous. Make certain you use it against a high contrast wall. It’s a simple game, but entertaining. Still, I would have hoped for a couple more games that used the camera system to better effect. Hopefully soon.

The applications for the camera and the recording applications are great fun and my son is having a great time playing with them. Still, I wish they had released the device with more overlays and templates; I am guessing more will released in the near future. Nevertheless, my kids really like playing with the sound and video gadgets and have had a great time with them…need to remember to get them headphones…

So, overall, I highly recommend this game system, but advise patience while Nintendo releases more games and applications for it. There are still plenty of DS Lites on the shelves, but I’d advise getting this system unless you really want to be able to play your older GBA titles which do not play on the new system.

I also highly recommend getting the Dsi Nerf Armor – Blue/Black to protect the system. Works great if you can find it, otherwise try Nintendo DSi Thrustmaster Metal Case-Ocean Blue which fits nicely, but is PLASTIC not metal as advertised.

Week of 13 April Update: Nintendo released two more titles to the DSi shop that are available for download. Have to admit some disappointment so far in this aspect of the game system. So far, nothing available that evokes much excitement. Still, I’m optimistic that the game titles will follow soon.

To date (04 JAN 2010), the following downloads are available:

1. DSi Opera Browser -Free

2. Birds & Beans – 200pts

3. Brain Age Express: Math – 800pts

4. Master of Illusion: Funny Face – 200pts

5. Maters of Illusion: Shuffle Games -500 pts

6. Aquia – 500pts

7. Warioware: Snapped – 500 pts

8. Mixed Messages – 500 pts

9. Dr Mario Express – 500 pts

10. Master of Illusion Express: Deep Psyche – 200 pts

11. Clubhouse Games Express: Card Classics – 500pts

12. Paper Airplane Chase – 200 pts

13. Animal Crossing Clock (not a game) – 200 pts

14. Animal Crossing Calculator (not a game) – 200 pts

15. Real Soccer 2009 – 800 pts {looks like a good one/ 1-4 players, customize aspects of the game using the DSi camera.

16. Art Style(tm): PiCTOBiTS(tm) -500 pts (looks like another good one)

17. Photo Clock -200 points

18. American Popstar: Road to Celebrity – 800 pts

19. Mighty Flip Champs! – 800 DSi Points {this looks like fun!!)

20. Mario vs. Donkey Kong(tm): Minis March Again! – 800 pts

21. Mario Calculator – 200 pts

22. Mario Clock – 200 pts

23. BOXLIFE – 500 pts

24. SUDOKU MASTER – 500 pts

25. Art Style: BASE 10 – 500 pts

26. Brain Challenge (48 mini-games) – 800 pts

27. ZENGAGE (a puzzle game) – 500 pts

28. Sudoku Student – 200 pts

29. Art Style: precipice(tm) – 500 pts

30. Facebook Connect — FREE!!! {Facebook integration}

31. Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters – 800 pts

32. Brain Age Express: Sudoku – 500 pts

33. Guitar Rock Tour – 500 pts

34. Pop Solo -500 pts

35. Puzzle League Express – 500 pts

36. Clubhouse Games Express: Family Favorites – 500pts

37. Art Academy(tm): First Semester – 800pts

38. Oscar in Toyland – 800pts

39. MySims Camera – 200 pts

40. Clubhouse Games Express: Strategy Pack – 500 pts

41. Art Academy: Second Semester – 800 pts

42. Dragon Quest Wars – 500 pts

43. Thorium Wars – 1000 pts

44. Pinball Pulse: The Ancients Beckon(tm) – 500pts

(October 19 – DOMO EXTRAVAGANZA WEEK!!)

45. Crash-Course Domo – 200 pts

46. Hard-Hat Domo – 200 pts

47. Pro-Putt Domo – 200 pts

48. Rock-N-Roll Domo – 200 pts

49. White Water Domo – 200 pts

50. The Royal Bluff – 500 pts

51. Sudoku – 200 pts

52. Sparkle Snaphots – 500 pts (uses camera)

53. Viking Invasion – 800 pts

54. Battle of Giants: Dragons – Bronze Edition – 800 pts

(NOVEMBER 9, 2009)

55. Electroplankton – Trapy, Hanenbow, Red-Rec, Nanocarp, and Beatnes – 200 pts each

56. Bomberman Blitz – 500 pts

(NOVEMBER 16, 2009)

57. Art Style(tm): DIGIDRIVE – 500 pts

58. Arcade Bowling – 200 pts

59. Robot Rescue – 200 pts

(NOVEMBER 23, 2009)

60. Castle Of Magic – 500 pts

61. myNotebook: Blue – 200 pts

62. Electroplankton Luminarrow – 200 pts

63. Electroplankton Sun-Animalcule – 200 pts

64. Electroplankton Lumiloop – 200 pts

65. Electroplankton Marine-Crystals – 200 pts

66. Electroplankton Varvoice – 200 pts

(1 December)

67. EA’s Foto Face: The Face Stealer Strikes – 800 pts (uses camera!!)

68. Master of Illusion Express: Mind Probe – 200 pts

69. Sudoku Challenge! – 500 pts

70. Bookworm – 500 pts

(7 December)

71. Rayman – 800pts (hooray!!)

72. Ball Fighter – 500 pts

73. Pop Island – 500 pts

74. Army Defender – 200 pts

75. myNotebook: Red – 200 pts

(14 December)

76. Littlest Pet Shop – 800 pts

77. Miami Nights – 800 pts

78. Bejeweled Twist(tm) – 500 pts

79. Yummy Yummy Cooking Jam – 500 pts

80. Master of Illusion(tm) Express: Matchmaker – 200 pts

(21 December)

81. UNO – 800 pts

82. Dragon’s Lair – 800 pts

83. Hot and Cold: A 3D Hidden Object Adventure – 800 pts

84. High Stakes: Texas Hold’Em – 500 pts

85. myNotebook: Green(tm) – 200 pts

(28 December)

86. The Oregon Trail – 800 pts

87. SUDOKU SENSEI – 500 pts

88. Glow Artisan – 500 pts

89. Master of Illusion(tm) Express: Psychic Camera – 200 pts

90. Arcade Hoops Basketball – 200 pts

(04 Jan 2010)

91. Trajectile – 500 pts

92. Animal Puzzle Adventure – 500 pts

93. Hell’s Kitchen Vs – 800 pts

Review by M. Frisk:

Very cute!! The slippers were of decent construction and look good. These are also licensed Nintendo imports, so there is some collectible value. The material they are covered with is VERY soft, although the padding is a bit reminiscent of bus seat-cushions. A definite fashion-statement for old-school gamers.

Review by J. Thomas:

These were pretty comfy 1 size fits all slippers, they’re a little tight on the feet, but I suppose some people prefer that. Don’t recommend them in homes with pets, they get eaten quick.

Review by Nite:

People will no doubt find the Nintendo DS Lite to be a way for Nintendo to sucker people out of their money. It can be that way, if you think of yourself as a sucker, but for me the DS lite is a little better. Simply put, if you’re content with your original DS, then don’t even waste time to buy this one. If you don’t have a DS period, the DS Lite is a much better investment than the original bulky one.

With the DS Lite, gameplay is made a little simplar. The button placement and brighter screen make the gameplay a little better. For one, the start and select buttons have been moved to resemble where they were on the original Gameboy Advance. This makes handling some of the functions (especially for GBA games) a lot easier. The buttons, sadly, are a still a little small for guys with big hands like myself.

The DS Lite also comes with a phony GBA cartridge (called a “cap”). If you don’t have a GBA game plugged into the system, you can put in the phony cartridge to keep it from collecting dust in there. However, when you do stick in a GBA game, it sticks out by about a centimeter. It just looks weird. The cap does, at least, keep the system looking good.

Perhaps the most welcome change to the DS Lite is the screen. The original DS screen was not exactly bright. In fact, it was, in comparison the DS Lite, rather dark. Games like Metroid Prime Hunters were darker than they had to be. On this new screen, the difference in how bright the games appear really shows. Not only that but, you can adjust the brightness if need be. It doesn’t really affect the battery life, either. You can play the DS Lite for as long as you played the original. And also like the original, it charges while you play.

Another welcome difference is the touch screen itself. These screens last a lot longer than the original DS. Those who have an original DS no doubt experienced a lot of scratches on their screen from their stylus. To the point where it was noticeable. You could still see the screen, but it was apparent that the stylus was doing a number on it. The screen is more protected here. The stylus doesn’t scratch the screen quite as easily. In other words, the touch screen lasts a lot longer.

The DS Lite also looks better, and fits in your pocket better. It also performs all the tasks of a regular DS. For example, if you’re playing a game and you suddenly have to go, just flip it closed and it sleeps. There’s also a place to store the stylus, and the stylus is better too. It’s a little bigger and thicker, so it’s not quite as easy to lose.

Some problems with the original DS still plague the DS Lite however. You still can’t play Gameboy Color or regular Gameboy games on the DS Lite. Also, you still can’t configure the controls to play a GBA game much easier. In other words you can’t configure “X” and “Y” when you play a GBA game. This probably won’t bother you in the long run, however. Also, the touch screen still has its sensitivity. Touching the touch screen with your bare hands is more dangerous than the stylus scratching the screen. The oils from your fingers might damage the screen and therefore, it won’t respond to the touch of even your stylus.

When the original DS launched, owners will note that there were not very many good games availible. About the only good game during its launch in 2004 was Super Mario 64 DS. Now there are plenty of games out there (and not all of them are ports), so if you do want a DS, this is a great time to get one, and the DS Lite is a better investment than the original one by far.

The DS may not play movies, or MP3 players, but to be honest, that almost defeats the purpose of a gaming system. Am I looking to buy a portable entertainment center? Of course not, I’m looking to find a system to play some of my games on, and the Nintendo DS delivers. Real gamers know it’s about the games, not about the bells and whistles of a system. For the casual gamer, the Nintendo DS delivers, and the DS Lite is a fine improvement.

The Good

+Vastly superior to the original DS

+It fits in your pocket easier

+The Screen is much brighter

+Touch screen is more durable

+The placement of the Start and Select buttons is easier

+A better stylus

+The battery life is unchanged

The Bad

-Those with an original DS, who want a DS Lite will have to spend more money for yet another DS

-Some of the cons of the original DS are still here

Review by Mark:

Nintendo’s newest DS Lite adds a cool new color scheme and some subtle improvements.

Pros

+ Awesome cobalt-blue and black color scheme – looks almost royal blue or purple!

+ Black base is a more grip-able matte finish that doesn’t smudge and holds well in your hand

+ Nice design – thin DS Lite form factor you know and love

+ Brighter screen with better contrast than previous generation

+ Less than two-thirds the size of the original Nintendo DS and 20 percent lighter

+ Well placed microphone in the center of the unit

+ Well placed LED lights visible when the unit is open or closed, indicating power on and low battery

+ Wi-fi connectivity allows for DS Download Play and Muli-card play

+ Works with original DS games and GameBoy Advance games

+ Lower price point than competing portables like the PSP (0 versus 0)

+ Great selection of low priced games to add to your collection!

+ Great game selection for adults, particularly learning and puzzle games

+ Multi-player wireless game play for games like MarioParty and New Super Mario offers great fun!!

+ Convenient stylus storage slot on the right underside of the unit

+ Awesome battery life that only requires recharging after many days of use!!!

+ Cool (though seldom used) novelty app called PictoChat for DS to DS chatting

+ Availability of add-on programs for wireless web surfing and other apps

+ Great accessories market, but beware low quality providers such as Switch&Carry (BD&A)

Cons

- GameBoy Advance game slot leaves cartridges sticking out and not flush

- Shiny cobalt top still attracts smudges – no biggie

- Reports of common issues with hinge cracking from regular use; time will tell if it’s been fixed

- Somewhat slow start-up with DS Download play

- Some cheapo accessories are Nintendo certified: AVOID Switch&Carry (BD&A), stick with Pelican!!!!

- Limited built-in configuration settings (only military time format????)

- Need to exit games to access key configuration settings like brightness, etc.

- Colors produced in limited quantities and sell out too quickly!!!!

Looks and Form Factor

I’ve owned several DS lites, including the Onyx Black model. I chose the DS over the PSP for the games. PSP 2000 Console – Piano Black

This is by far the best looking DS Lite!! The cobalt blue on black color scheme shines a hue that’s closer to royal blue or deep purple! The top is still a shiny smudge magnet, but it looks so cool anyway! Just wipe it down.

The decision to make the base a matte black is both great for looks and function. The unit is easier to hold, doesn’t smudge on the matte black part, and won’t slip out of your hand as much as previous models. This feature started in the new BrainAge2 bundle with the red top. You can kind of see this from the pictures but it’s not really highlighted in the descriptions. Considering this is the 1 biggest improvement, that surprised me.

I’ve also heard that the hinge was improved for durability, but I can’t visually see a difference and I’m not going to dismantle it to find out. It’s a common known problem that hinge cracking has been the only common defect, so just handle with care. I personally haven’t had a single DS falter on me in any way.

Other than that, same DS Lite form factor that you know and love. The only real gripe is that every version of the DS Lite is produced in very limited numbers and sells out in a few months. So if you like a color, you have to act fast before they disappear from retail!

Game Play and Functions

This handheld is very well designed for game play. The speakers and microphone built in to the unit are more than adequate, and you can attach peripherals or headphones to the included port.

Nintendo has done a great job of very targeted well designed games. Kids games like MarioParty Mario Party DS and the New Super Mario Brothers New Super Mario Bros. are fun and engaging! Get a group of friends together and play each other with only 1 game cartridge using DS Download play and versus modes!

Similarly, plenty of games for adults including the cult favorite BrainAge Brain Age, the new BrainAge 2 Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day and my personal favorite Big Brain AcademyBig Brain Academy!

Plus now language games like MyWordCoach My Word Coach

and MySpanishCoach My Spanish Coach offer more edutainment options to a growing list of games!

Nintendo has decided that fun game play and great design is more important than high-end graphics in a handheld, and I think they’re right!

Features

The most notable DS Lite features are based on the Wireless connectivity. Some add-on applications even allow you to wirelessly surf the net. There are even apps that allow you to do other stuff like play MP3s with it!

Many games offer multi-card play (each player needs a card) or download play (1 card needed for 2-8 players) that both use the wireless connection.

The device has awesome battery life, and I’ve gone a week of light use without having to recharge. The heavier the use, the more you will need to charge it.

The configuration screen lets you set one of 4 brightness modes, which will also allow you to make your charge last. Some options aren’t easily set . It seems to default to military time. Also, you can’t change your brightness while in a game. Still those things are minor in context.

Your game scores and profiles are saved on memory stored on the game cartridges. That means you don’t have to worry about transferring your info from one DS to the other.

Hopefully the next version includes a faster wireless. Loading those games just seems to take too long. Still, it works and once again, this is a minor gripe.

Conclusion

Overall this device is an improvement. Nintendo’s DS will continue to attract fans. Just make more of them guys!!! These colors sell out too fast!

You will want to buy a nice case and screen protectors to protect your DS! Avoid all Switch&Carry accessories!

Here’s some of the ones I like!

Nintendo DS Lite Invisi Shields

Nintendo DS Black Nerf Armor

Enjoy!!!!!

Review by Mike London:

Arguably the single most important console in video game history, Nintendo Entertainment System (hereafter referred to as the NES), along with SUPER MARIO BROTHERS, singlehandedly resurrected the video game industry after the historic crash of 1983-1984. Rather than reviewing the system itself, which has been done many times, I think many people may find the history how of this revolutionary console came to the videogame industry’s rescue very interesting; I know I do. I draw much of this information from various websites, one very good one in particular; unfortunately, I can’t really plug them due to Amazon’s policies. Email me if you want the websites.

By 1983, the gaming industry, in existence for a mere twelve years, had risen to an astonishing 3.2 billion dollar industry. Atari spearheaded the industry, which introduced its first console in 1977 (Atari Video Computer System), and since had grown to hold two thirds of the entire market. However, in 1984 all this would end with a thunderous crash. This concise overview will show you the history of the home consol crash and how the NES came to the rescue.

In 1976, Warner Communications bought Atari for million from the company’s founder, Nolan Bushnell. Over the next two years, Atari, suffering major production problems and Bushnell’s bizarre management, lost Warner millions. Bushnell and Warner’s CEO fought, and in 1978 Bushnell was forced to leave. Warner totally revamped the working style, and in 1979-1980, produced twelve new titles. However, Atari was still dragging down Warner’s stock. Struggling to gain the market share, Atari made the smartest move they possible could have; in 1980, they began licensing arcade games, the first being SPACE INVADERS. Over the next two years, Atari overtook the market, bringing in over half of Warner’s overall profits.

However, very significant problems would totally destroy the infant industry. In 1981, Atari released PAC MAN on the VCS, and, because it was such a huge arcade hit, quickly became a bestseller. Unfortunately, the quality was very low. This was a major blow to the company’s image, with fans and critics alike extremely disappointed.

Another major stumble was one of video games’ most infamous games, ET. Warner bought the rights from Spielberg for twenty one million dollars. Atari, expecting the game to be as big a hit as the movie, which was the highest grossing film at that point, purportedly made more ET cartridges than there were consoles themselves. ET proved to be a huge flop, nearly breaking Atari.

By 1983, Atari was in serious trouble. Suing Activision (which was disgruntled Atari employees who broke off and formed their own company) and Imagic, the two leading third party developers, Atari tried to gain control over its software catalogue. Atari lost the suits. Third party developers began popping up overnight, and the industry becomes saturated with very low-quality products. (One of the most controversial is CUSTER’S REVENGE by Mystique, where the goal is to rape a Native American woman while avoiding being shot by arrows.) The third-party developers went bankrupt; these cartridges were heavily discounted, and the major companies couldn’t compete. Another factor is the home computer market, that was just starting to come alive in 1984. With an increasing amount of computer games and low prices, people started buying these over the consoles.

All these factors lead to the crash of 1984. In 1983 alone, Atari lost 6 million ( million daily). Warner sold Atari to Jack Tramiel, former head of Commodore. The video game industry died, with no major American corporation coming anywhere near it. Enter Nintendo.

A little history here will be highly illuminating as well. What many people don’t realise is Nintendo is a very old company, founded in 1889 (yes, you read that right) as a playing card company. It became Japan’s largest playing card company, and was very successful. In the 1960s, they moved away from the cards and got into the game and toy markets. (A very interesting sidenote: during that same decade, Nintendo’s president opened up a `special hotel’ rented `by the hour.’ Supposedly, the married president was one of the hotel’s top customers). In the 1970s and early 1980s, the company scored significant points with big arcade hits and the Game and Watch product line. In 1983, Nintendo released the Famicom (Family Computer). It was a massive hit in Japan. In 1983, Nintendo went to Atari because they wanted to release the Famicon to the American market. Do to complications I won’t go into, the deal fail through. In 1984 they were looking to broaden their market share.

1985, Nintendo announced the release of the Nintendo Entertainment System. They release SUPER MARIO BROTHERS in Japan, scoring a huge hit. In 1986, the NES comes full throttle into the American market, quickly becoming the biggest selling console ever, largely because of that title. The NES owes much of its success to SUPER MARIO BROTHERS. Coming prepacked with the console, there are an estimated 40 million copies of SMB in existence, making it the highest selling video game ever.

Unparalleled, SMB blew open the doors to the videogaming world. With rich palettes of colour, eight four level worlds, spot-on play control, and expert level design, SMB was a much longer game than most of Atari’s products and was a game unlike any other at that time. SMB also had the benefit of being very simple to grasp; run, jump, and fire. It was also the first side-sroller as we know it, though Atari’s PITFALL set up the concept. Also, it’s one of the best. Without SMB, NES wouldn’t have been nearly as big a hit in the beginning.

In the end, Nintendo came at the industry’s key moment. With a powerful new console (for that time) and a very well-designed game, Nintendo resurrected video gaming. With its phenomenal success of the NES and SMB, the video game industry once again took off, becoming one of the world’s most significant economical contributors.

And we very largely have the NES to thank for it.

Review by Arcade Extreme:

Some sellers think they can fool you into buying the “Yobo” Famicom clone. This is an imported system, that is not even allowed in the USA. These units are knock-off’s like a fake purse or watch you buy on the streets, cheaply made and they cost very little on the wholesale market. While these units do play Nintendo software, they are not Nintendo systems, and can actually wreck your games. They have no collectors value, and Nintendo has made legal battles to try and stop the import of these units. Don’t get stuck with one of these stink bombs. The bad sellers try to fool you, calling it a top loader. Don’t be fooled, make sure you only buy from sellers offering “Genuine Nintendo” hardware. This review gives 1 star to the Yobo Famicom. But ***** FIVE STARS for the Real “Genuine Nintendo” NES!

Review by Ashitaka:

Let’s face it, Monopoly is undoubtedly the king of all board games. Long and yet hopelessly addicting, there’s no better way for a group of friends of family members to spend the hours of a rainy day together then gathered around the Monopoly board. One of the most special aspects of the brand is of course the way that nearly all kinds of franchises and ideas can fit into one of the specialty Monopoly boxes, and Nintendo is apparently no different.

Upon seeing it in a recent issue of Nintendo Power I knew I had to have it. After all I am a huge Monopoly fan as well as a huge Nintendo fan; it seemed to be a match made in heaven. All of your favorite characters make appearances; from Kirby to Yoshi, Link to Fox McCloud, the gang’s all here. Each major game series has it’s own property set, and I’ll list them in order starting at cheapest and going all the way up to boardwalk; Waluigi and Wario; Slippy Toad, Falco Lombardi and Fox McCloud; Meta Knight, King Dedede and Kirby; Metroid, Ridley and Samus Aran; Toad, Princess Peach and Yoshi; Dixie Kong, Diddy Kong and Donkey Kong; Ganondorf, Princess Zelda and Link; finally, who else but Luigi and Mario.

Mario Kart, the Blue Falcon, Kirby’s Warpstar and an Airwing replace the traditional four railroads, although fans might be upset that Epona isn’t anywhere to be seen in this regard. A 1-Up Mushroom space takes over the Income Tax spot and a Treasure Chest Deposit replaces the Luxury Tax space while a Piranha Plant and Warp Pipe replace the Electric Company and Water Works respectivly. ? Blocks replace the traditional Chance space while Coin Block spaces take the place of Community Chest areas. Finally the pewter tokens are different; Mario’s Cap, Link’s Shield, Link’s Iron Boots, a DK Barrel, a Koopa Shell and a classic NES controller.

Diving a bit deeper, some of the parts could honestly be improved. Aside from the property spaces the other franchises are almost non-existent, so after a while you feel like you’re playing Mariopoly with a little dash of other Nintendo franchises. Instead of Coin Block spaces, why not Legend of Zelda treasure chests? How about do away with the Koopa Shell and Iron Boots in favor of tokens from other series, like Kirby’s Star Rod or Samus in Morph Ball form? The different denominations of money and Coin Block and ? Block cards ALL have nothing but Mario on them, which is sad as this Monopoly should be a celebration of all of Nintendo’s franchises. And although they aren’t truly Nintendo franchises, I know many fans will be disappointed with the lack of Nintendo staples like the Earthbound and Fire Emblem series’. This isn’t to mention that a Piranha Plant as the Electric Company makes no sense at all; where’s Pikachu?

These, overall, are minor complaints and let me make it clear that I am still very happy with the game and would still buy it over again knowing all this, but my point is that for die-hard Nintendo fans like myself something comes to mind upon inspecting the game: a little more creativity could go along way into making this truly NINTENDOPOLY and not Mariopoly.

The Bottom Line: If you are a Nintendo fan and like Monopoly, this is for you without a doubt. Monopoly game collectors shouldn’t miss this opportunity either.

Review by N. Davis:

I purchased this Nintendo Monpoly game for my son who is a video game freak. He loved this board game almost as much as his video games. We spent many hours as a family playing this game together. It is also a very educational game because you use math and stratigies to win. I would recommed this game to anyone who likes both board games and video games.

Review by Doc Savage:

First lets get one thing out of the way, if you are the type of person that is a “Diehard Nintendo Purist” and need everything perfect when it comes to playing all your favorite NES games, then you need to have, and stay with, an Official Original NES system.

The Generation NEX is built around the Nintendo-on-a-chip technology or NOAC as it is commonly called. This is an attempt to fabricate the original NES hardware on a single computer chip. The technology is not perfect in that it does not fully imitate the hardware perfectly. But the method is cheap to make and mass produce. Some, or many, manufacturers have taken advantage of that. Over the years there have been literally hundreds of NES clone systems built around the NOAC. I am led to believe that in recent years NES patents have ran out and this is the reason we are beginning to see many NES clones hitting the US market place and being legal. Before you had to import things that were a bit on the shady side and illegal. And a lot of times of a very cheaply low quality build.

The NOAC technology not being perfect results in some NES games playing less than perfect and there are some games that do not play at all. The main problems are, colors being off, sound not right, or garbled graphics, which could pertain to sprites or background. There seems to be different levels of success with the NOAC. Some clones work better than others in different areas. That may depend on the manufacturer. But all share the common problems. That being the situation, there are still loads of games in the giant NES library that are not hindered by any of the problems in being able to play the games. But as I said before, if you are the type of person that stops and says, “Wait a minute that color is a shade darker!” or “There is a crisp sharp twang there that I don’t remember!” Then you need to stay with that old NES original hardware.

First impressions:

The box says “Classy.” Very nice attractive packaging. The total design of the unit is almost a tribute to the original 8-bit NES system. It looks like a miniature version of that first big bulky gray NES system. The system itself is of a very nice sturdy quality build. Having purchased a few imported gaming stuff, I am impressed. This particular clone is produced or marketed, maybe both, by Messiah Entertainment Inc. This system was originally released in 2005.

My original interest that drew me toward this particular system clone is its ability to play both the NES and the Famicom games. They are both the same system, one was in Japan and the other here in the US. The main difference between the two is the pin-out that is used on the game carts. The NES used 72 pins and the Famicom used 60, making them non-interchangeable. An adapter would have to be used on the Original NES to play the Japanese games. This comes prepared for both by way of having two game cart slots, one on top for the Famicom games and one in front (like the old NES) for the NES games. You cannot have a game cart in both slots at the same time. You are warned not to. I take it that it could damage the system, which is very understandable.

The controller that comes with the system is of a nice quality and feels nice, responsive, handles very well, and comfortable when playing, though, for some, it is not the original. The buttons are arranged very differently. The start and select are located above the A and B buttons, odd. There is also a turbo and slow motion feature built in. If this pad is a problem, no fear you can use all of the original NES controllers, light guns, etc. The system also has a built in wireless feature that accommodates the wireless controllers that are available, for purchase, from the Messiah Entertainment Inc.

And how are the games? They are the original Nintendo game carts. Messiah Entertainment Inc. has a list of compatible games on their web site. There are over 700 NES games that they have tested and found working and playable. All of my games, that I have, play great. I have no problem with any of them. The system has prompted me to look for more games to purchase. At this point flea markets, garage sales, video game store bargain bins, [...] become your best friend. Also all my Famicom games play with no problems. I would still advise cleaning all of your games very good before inserting them into the NEX, especially if they have been stored away for a while. I had no problems with getting anything to boot up and run. I have read that some say that the game carts fit tight and are troublesome to remove. But I had no problem, what so ever, even close to that type of experience. My game carts seem to fit like they do in the Original top loading NES that my daughter has.

Final thoughts:

When Messiah Entertainment first announced the Generation NEX, they gave the impression that it was a replacement for the aging NES. They did not, up front, reveal that the system was built around the NOAC. I think they paid dearly for that with all the negative feedback and reviews that are still floating around the net. If they had been more open, I think there would have been a more positive atmosphere around the NEX.

It is a high quality clone system. And it is up to the individual, whether or not, they deem that it is worth the price. You can get cheaper clones for much less, but from what I have seen from honest thorough comparative reviews, the NEX has a better performance with the NOAC when playing NES games. I got my NEX for a total of $[...] shipped to my door. You can purchase the original NES that has a new 72 pin replacement for less or about the same price as the NEX. You are then guaranteed full compatibility with all NES games. But to play Famicom games you will need a converter. For me, I feel that I got what I wanted and it satisfies my need. I like the very convenient size and the ability to play Famicom games without a converter. None of the games that I am interested in are incompatible with the NEX. At 53 years old, I am having a fun retro gaming experience.

Review by Samson Wick:

A friend of mine talked me into buying this a couple of years ago so I could shelve my NES to save it any more wear and tear but still play the games if I wanted to. For about 3 years it sat unopened on a shelf. This week I decided to try to use it for my Famicom Disk system because the company (who appears to be defunct now) claimed that it was compatible. I’ve even seen You Tube video of people using it with the Famicom Disk system.

So I finally unboxed the thing and now I have some impressions to share.

Positive:

Of all of the NES/Famicom knockoffs I’ve seen (and owned) this is by far the most elaborate.

It is styled after the old NES and that gives it a very distinct look.

It is the only “famiclone” I am aware of that has ports for the original controllers. I haven’t tried the controllers that came with it, but most famiclone controllers are junk. The fact that you can use real Nintendo controllers with it is a definite plus.

NES games seemed to play with very few issues – it replicated the play experience pretty well – right down to the slowdown when too many sprites enter the screen at once. Again, I wasn’t using the provided controllers, I was using an NES MAX controller.

Negative

The color pallet is definitely wrong. You may not notice this unless you are really familiar with what a particular game should look like or if you compare it side by side with a real NES, so it is up to you whether this is really a problem. All of the colors are brighter and tinted differently than they are supposed to be.

The sounds for NES games seem like the console is using the wrong MIDI library or something. Many of the sounds are just wrong.

I think these things must have had very poor quality control. I have heard a lot of people saying that it worked flawlessly for them, and a lot of people saying quite the opposite. Unfortunately I appear to have obtained a bad one, and the fact that it is so old – though I just unsealed it this week – and that the makers – Messiah Entertainment – appears to have gone out of business means that I have little in the way of recourse or troubleshooting.

When I insert the Famicom Disk RAM Adapter and turn the console on, the sound is very low and very distorted. The game I did most of my testing with: Yumei Koujou: Doki Doki Panic! (the game that would later be made into the U.S. version of Super Mario Bros. 2) uses a rare feature called the Famicom Disk System Sound Channel. Ironically the Generation NEX seems to decode that sound channel perfectly, but the standard sound for the games comes out muffled, scratchy and stuttering. It makes for quite an odd effect – some sounds are muffled and scratchy, and others are very loud and clear. No amount of troubleshooting has corrected the problem. As I stated earlier, I know this problem does not affect all of these consoles because I’ve seen YouTube footage of people playing games on the FDS with a NEX and there are no sound issues. I know this problem is not with my RAM adapter because it works fine in a proper Famicom.

Lastly, they should have included some sort of eject mechanism for the NES slot. The games are extremely difficult to remove once they have been inserted.

Summary:

The Generation NEX has some unique features that make it attractive – the ports for real Nintendo controllers and the neat retro styling. But the colors are all off and there is no way to adjust them. The quality control seems pretty terrible so it’s a crap shoot whether you’re going to get a good one or a buggy one.

Review by Nite:

People will no doubt find the Nintendo DS Lite to be a way for Nintendo to sucker people out of their money. It can be that way, if you think of yourself as a sucker, but for me the DS lite is a little better. Simply put, if you’re content with your original DS, then don’t even waste time to buy this one. If you don’t have a DS period, the DS Lite is a much better investment than the original bulky one.

With the DS Lite, gameplay is made a little simplar. The button placement and brighter screen make the gameplay a little better. For one, the start and select buttons have been moved to resemble where they were on the original Gameboy Advance. This makes handling some of the functions (especially for GBA games) a lot easier. The buttons, sadly, are a still a little small for guys with big hands like myself.

The DS Lite also comes with a phony GBA cartridge (called a “cap”). If you don’t have a GBA game plugged into the system, you can put in the phony cartridge to keep it from collecting dust in there. However, when you do stick in a GBA game, it sticks out by about a centimeter. It just looks weird. The cap does, at least, keep the system looking good.

Perhaps the most welcome change to the DS Lite is the screen. The original DS screen was not exactly bright. In fact, it was, in comparison the DS Lite, rather dark. Games like Metroid Prime Hunters were darker than they had to be. On this new screen, the difference in how bright the games appear really shows. Not only that but, you can adjust the brightness if need be. It doesn’t really affect the battery life, either. You can play the DS Lite for as long as you played the original. And also like the original, it charges while you play.

Another welcome difference is the touch screen itself. These screens last a lot longer than the original DS. Those who have an original DS no doubt experienced a lot of scratches on their screen from their stylus. To the point where it was noticeable. You could still see the screen, but it was apparent that the stylus was doing a number on it. The screen is more protected here. The stylus doesn’t scratch the screen quite as easily. In other words, the touch screen lasts a lot longer.

The DS Lite also looks better, and fits in your pocket better. It also performs all the tasks of a regular DS. For example, if you’re playing a game and you suddenly have to go, just flip it closed and it sleeps. There’s also a place to store the stylus, and the stylus is better too. It’s a little bigger and thicker, so it’s not quite as easy to lose.

Some problems with the original DS still plague the DS Lite however. You still can’t play Gameboy Color or regular Gameboy games on the DS Lite. Also, you still can’t configure the controls to play a GBA game much easier. In other words you can’t configure “X” and “Y” when you play a GBA game. This probably won’t bother you in the long run, however. Also, the touch screen still has its sensitivity. Touching the touch screen with your bare hands is more dangerous than the stylus scratching the screen. The oils from your fingers might damage the screen and therefore, it won’t respond to the touch of even your stylus.

When the original DS launched, owners will note that there were not very many good games availible. About the only good game during its launch in 2004 was Super Mario 64 DS. Now there are plenty of games out there (and not all of them are ports), so if you do want a DS, this is a great time to get one, and the DS Lite is a better investment than the original one by far.

The DS may not play movies, or MP3 players, but to be honest, that almost defeats the purpose of a gaming system. Am I looking to buy a portable entertainment center? Of course not, I’m looking to find a system to play some of my games on, and the Nintendo DS delivers. Real gamers know it’s about the games, not about the bells and whistles of a system. For the casual gamer, the Nintendo DS delivers, and the DS Lite is a fine improvement.

The Good

+Vastly superior to the original DS

+It fits in your pocket easier

+The Screen is much brighter

+Touch screen is more durable

+The placement of the Start and Select buttons is easier

+A better stylus

+The battery life is unchanged

The Bad

-Those with an original DS, who want a DS Lite will have to spend more money for yet another DS

-Some of the cons of the original DS are still here

Review by Mark:

Nintendo’s newest DS Lite adds a cool new color scheme and some subtle improvements.

Pros

+ Awesome cobalt-blue and black color scheme – looks almost royal blue or purple!

+ Black base is a more grip-able matte finish that doesn’t smudge and holds well in your hand

+ Nice design – thin DS Lite form factor you know and love

+ Brighter screen with better contrast than previous generation

+ Less than two-thirds the size of the original Nintendo DS and 20 percent lighter

+ Well placed microphone in the center of the unit

+ Well placed LED lights visible when the unit is open or closed, indicating power on and low battery

+ Wi-fi connectivity allows for DS Download Play and Muli-card play

+ Works with original DS games and GameBoy Advance games

+ Lower price point than competing portables like the PSP (0 versus 0)

+ Great selection of low priced games to add to your collection!

+ Great game selection for adults, particularly learning and puzzle games

+ Multi-player wireless game play for games like MarioParty and New Super Mario offers great fun!!

+ Convenient stylus storage slot on the right underside of the unit

+ Awesome battery life that only requires recharging after many days of use!!!

+ Cool (though seldom used) novelty app called PictoChat for DS to DS chatting

+ Availability of add-on programs for wireless web surfing and other apps

+ Great accessories market, but beware low quality providers such as Switch&Carry (BD&A)

Cons

- GameBoy Advance game slot leaves cartridges sticking out and not flush

- Shiny cobalt top still attracts smudges – no biggie

- Reports of common issues with hinge cracking from regular use; time will tell if it’s been fixed

- Somewhat slow start-up with DS Download play

- Some cheapo accessories are Nintendo certified: AVOID Switch&Carry (BD&A), stick with Pelican!!!!

- Limited built-in configuration settings (only military time format????)

- Need to exit games to access key configuration settings like brightness, etc.

- Colors produced in limited quantities and sell out too quickly!!!!

Looks and Form Factor

I’ve owned several DS lites, including the Onyx Black model. I chose the DS over the PSP for the games. PSP 2000 Console – Piano Black

This is by far the best looking DS Lite!! The cobalt blue on black color scheme shines a hue that’s closer to royal blue or deep purple! The top is still a shiny smudge magnet, but it looks so cool anyway! Just wipe it down.

The decision to make the base a matte black is both great for looks and function. The unit is easier to hold, doesn’t smudge on the matte black part, and won’t slip out of your hand as much as previous models. This feature started in the new BrainAge2 bundle with the red top. You can kind of see this from the pictures but it’s not really highlighted in the descriptions. Considering this is the 1 biggest improvement, that surprised me.

I’ve also heard that the hinge was improved for durability, but I can’t visually see a difference and I’m not going to dismantle it to find out. It’s a common known problem that hinge cracking has been the only common defect, so just handle with care. I personally haven’t had a single DS falter on me in any way.

Other than that, same DS Lite form factor that you know and love. The only real gripe is that every version of the DS Lite is produced in very limited numbers and sells out in a few months. So if you like a color, you have to act fast before they disappear from retail!

Game Play and Functions

This handheld is very well designed for game play. The speakers and microphone built in to the unit are more than adequate, and you can attach peripherals or headphones to the included port.

Nintendo has done a great job of very targeted well designed games. Kids games like MarioParty Mario Party DS and the New Super Mario Brothers New Super Mario Bros. are fun and engaging! Get a group of friends together and play each other with only 1 game cartridge using DS Download play and versus modes!

Similarly, plenty of games for adults including the cult favorite BrainAge Brain Age, the new BrainAge 2 Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day and my personal favorite Big Brain AcademyBig Brain Academy!

Plus now language games like MyWordCoach My Word Coach

and MySpanishCoach My Spanish Coach offer more edutainment options to a growing list of games!

Nintendo has decided that fun game play and great design is more important than high-end graphics in a handheld, and I think they’re right!

Features

The most notable DS Lite features are based on the Wireless connectivity. Some add-on applications even allow you to wirelessly surf the net. There are even apps that allow you to do other stuff like play MP3s with it!

Many games offer multi-card play (each player needs a card) or download play (1 card needed for 2-8 players) that both use the wireless connection.

The device has awesome battery life, and I’ve gone a week of light use without having to recharge. The heavier the use, the more you will need to charge it.

The configuration screen lets you set one of 4 brightness modes, which will also allow you to make your charge last. Some options aren’t easily set . It seems to default to military time. Also, you can’t change your brightness while in a game. Still those things are minor in context.

Your game scores and profiles are saved on memory stored on the game cartridges. That means you don’t have to worry about transferring your info from one DS to the other.

Hopefully the next version includes a faster wireless. Loading those games just seems to take too long. Still, it works and once again, this is a minor gripe.

Conclusion

Overall this device is an improvement. Nintendo’s DS will continue to attract fans. Just make more of them guys!!! These colors sell out too fast!

You will want to buy a nice case and screen protectors to protect your DS! Avoid all Switch&Carry accessories!

Here’s some of the ones I like!

Nintendo DS Lite Invisi Shields

Nintendo DS Black Nerf Armor

Enjoy!!!!!

Review by Gi:

Looking at Pedro Games reviews – seem all positive.

But don’t try to contact him for any reason – he is very nasty. All I did was question why he charged .99 for shipping vs .99. Felt it was way too steep compared to the others. His childish, sarcastic remarks were every uncalled for. If I am going to buy a product it will be from someone I can converse with if I need to – definitely not him!

Review by D’ANGELO A. HUTCHINSON:

all i got was the gun &4 games…no controller no console….i was very dissappointed. because they explained the console remote control and other items were in wat the product featured!VERY DISAPPOINTED!!:o(