Nintendo DS! (Nintendo DS)

Member Name: heekeer

Product:	Nintendo DS
Date:	23/08/09 (8 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Two screens are better than one, right?! Touch screen, microphone, works with GBA games

Disadvantages: Doesnt look that great.

The DS (or Dual Screens) is a handheld made by Nintendo to followup from the Gameboy.

The DS handheld has changed quite dramatically from the Gameboy, most notably it has gained a second screen. The design isn't the most visually appealing especially compared to the later releases. The console comes in a matt silver colour with the back of it being black. The plastic doesn't look very good and the unit itself is quite bulky .

In the box with your Nintendo DS comes the handheld console itself, 2 Nintendo DS stylus, the power adaptor, instruction manuals and a code to register the console and gain some Nintendo Stars. Everything you need to get started apart from your first DS game!

The big new feature with the DS is it comes two screens with one of them being a touch screen, this allows you to more directly interact with your games, by stroking your puppy in Nintendogs by rubbing the touch screen. In more traditional games it can simply be used as a handy map or inventory for example.

The Nintendo DS has full backward compatibility with all exisiting Gameboy Advance games (sadly no support for the original Gameboy and Gameboy Colour) which you can choose to play either on the upper or lower of the dual screens. Playback is smooth and works with no issues, if you were using the original Gameboy Advance console your experience may even be enhanced by the backlit screens that the DS has.

The Nintendo DS now has a very strong lineup of titles from Nintendo, from New Super Mario Brothers a remake of the classic series, Pokemon Diamond the next instalment in the Pokemon franchise. The console also has very strong support from third parties with games like Final Fantasy being remade exclusively for the system.

The Nintendo DS handheld is an excellent piece of technology which offers exciting new ways to play your games.

Summary: A good handheld.