DS Lite

Released March 2006

Nintendo's smaller DS with brighter screens and a Game Boy Advance slot, for collectors and anyone comparing the original dual-screen handhelds with the 3DS or PSP.

Model history · 2 models, 2005–2006

2005DS Compare
2006DS Lite

Type: Handheld
Output: –
Memory: –
Storage: –
Weight: 218 g

Plays handheld

What reviewers say

Reviewers praise the brighter screens, smaller body and more convenient portability while retaining the DS game library and Game Boy Advance compatibility. Ars Technica finds the closely spaced buttons cramped and dislikes protruding GBA cartridges and movement in the lower screen. PC Watch welcomes the improved viewing angles and firmer button feel.

From arstechnica.com, stuff.tv and pc.watch.impress.co.jp

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Performance

Type: Handheld
CPU: ARM9 CPU and ARM7 CPU
Disc drive: No
Storage detail: Games on Nintendo DS cards or Game Boy Advance cartridges; no built-in game storage
Storage expansion: Game Boy Advance cartridge slot

Display and video

Built-in screen: 3″ LCD, 256 × 192
Built-in screen: Two 3-inch backlit TFT LCDs, 256 × 192 each, approximately 260,000 colours; four brightness levels and a resistive touch screen on the lower display (Nintendo Japan)
Audio: Built-in stereo speakers and microphone; virtual surround in supported games; stereo headphone and microphone connector

Design and power

Battery life (maker's claim): Up to 19 hours
Weight: 218 g
Battery life detail: Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery; approximately 15–19 hours at lowest brightness, 10–15 at low, 7–11 at high and 5–8 at highest, varying by software; full charge approximately 3 hours (Nintendo Japan)
Size: 133 × 73.9 × 21.5 mm when folded (width × depth × thickness)
Colours: Crystal White, Ice Blue, Enamel Navy, Noble Pink, Jet Black, Gloss Silver, Metallic Rose and Crimson/Black (Nintendo Japan's series page; regional ranges vary)

Connections

Ports: Nintendo DS card slot, Game Boy Advance cartridge slot and stereo headphone/microphone connector
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: IEEE 802.11 and Nintendo's own wireless protocol; nominal range 10–30 m depending on surroundings; supported games allow several consoles to share one DS card
Controller: Built-in D-pad, A/B/X/Y, L/R, Start and Select buttons; touch screen and stylus; built-in microphone with voice recognition in supported games
Backward compatibility: Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance games; no Game Boy or Game Boy Color cartridges. Game Boy Advance communication functions, link cable, Wireless Adapter, e-Reader+ and GameCube–GBA cable are unsupported

Pros and cons

Pros

Two 3-inch screens, with a resistive touch screen and stylus on the lower one
Plays Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance cartridges
Four brightness levels, with a maker claim of 15–19 hours at the lowest setting

Cons

Both screens have a 256 × 192 resolution
Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges are unsupported
Game Boy Advance link cables, wireless adapters and communication features are unsupported

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Output	Memory	Storage	Weight	Released
SonyPSP	Handheld	–	36 MB	–	280 g	Sept 2005
SonyPSP-2000	Handheld	–	64 MB	–	189 g	Sept 2007
NintendoDS	Handheld	–	4 MB	–	275 g	Mar 2005

Previous model: DS. Newer model: DSi.

Sources

Photo: Nintendo official Nintendo DS Lite product image, white finish, open console; complete supplied canvas retained.

Nintendo DS Lite in Crimson/Black, closed three-quarter view with matching stylus and the supplied Japanese colour/date caption: Nintendo official Japanese product/colour or launch-release image; complete supplied canvas, background and catalogue captions retained.
Nintendo DS Lite in Metallic Rose, closed three-quarter view with matching stylus and the supplied Japanese colour/date caption: Nintendo official Japanese product/colour or launch-release image; complete supplied canvas, background and catalogue captions retained.
Nintendo DS Lite in Gloss Silver, closed three-quarter view with matching stylus and the supplied Japanese colour/date caption: Nintendo official Japanese product/colour or launch-release image; complete supplied canvas, background and catalogue captions retained.
Nintendo DS Lite in Jet Black, closed three-quarter view with matching stylus and the supplied Japanese colour/date caption: Nintendo official Japanese product/colour or launch-release image; complete supplied canvas, background and catalogue captions retained.
Nintendo DS Lite in Noble Pink, closed three-quarter view with matching stylus and the supplied Japanese colour/date caption: Nintendo official Japanese product/colour or launch-release image; complete supplied canvas, background and catalogue captions retained.
Nintendo DS Lite in Ice Blue, closed three-quarter view with matching stylus and the supplied Japanese colour/date caption: Nintendo official Japanese product/colour or launch-release image; complete supplied canvas, background and catalogue captions retained.
Nintendo DS Lite in Enamel Navy, closed three-quarter view with matching stylus and the supplied Japanese colour/date caption: Nintendo official Japanese product/colour or launch-release image; complete supplied canvas, background and catalogue captions retained.
Nintendo DS Lite in Crystal White, closed three-quarter view with matching stylus and the supplied Japanese colour/date caption: Nintendo official Japanese product/colour or launch-release image; complete supplied canvas, background and catalogue captions retained.

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