PSA: E3 06: DS Lite hits US June 11 for $129.99...

[Zim Hosein]

Nintendo's DS Lite has been hot property in Japan. The second iteration of the dual-screened handheld was released in Nintendo's home country in early March, and immediately sold out. Nintendo has struggled to meet consumer demand for the portable, which is a lighter, brighter version of its mega-successful DS.

American gamers have long wondered when they too will be able to endure long lines and wait for hours on end to get their hands on the new portable, and the struggles to make enough DS Lites for Japan has done nothing to get their hopes up. However, with production of the portable recently ramped up, Nintendo fans can finally let out a collective sigh of relief.

The DS Lite will make its debut in North America on June 11. [UPDATE] The unit will be priced at $129.99, the same price as the current DS, not $149 as previously reported. (GameSpot regrets the error.) Though the DS Lite has been released in white and two shades of blue in Japan, the handheld will only be available in "polar white" for the US launch. This doesn't necessarily mean it will be long until DS Lite owners get the blues--Japan's DS Lite launch was also restricted to one color, with the blue hues following one week later.

Many gamers had speculated that the DS Lite would be released alongside a high-profile DS game. Some targeted the launch of New Super Mario Bros., now scheduled for May 15, as a good opportunity for Nintendo to spur sales of the handheld and the game, but that isn't the case. In fact, no DS games are presently scheduled for release during the week. However, the DS Lite launch will occur one week after two potentially big sellers are released--THQ's Cars and Nintendo's Big Brain Academy.

Nintendo UK would not comment on release dates for the DS Lite outside the US.

Nintendo has not yet revealed the fate of the current DS model. But, like previous Nintendo handhelds, collectors should take note that it will likely be phased out in the near future.

Those who can't decide whether to wait or not can get some advice from GameSpot's Buyer's Guide on the DS versus the DS Lite.

DS Lite hits US June 11 for $129.99 😎

 

[LinuxIdiot]

I am seriously considering getting one. However, I havent really even touched the DS. So I am not too sure if I will end up liking the DS Lite 🙁 I do want to play New Super Mario Bros. on it though!

Wish I could go read "GameSpot's Buyer's Guide" mentioned in the article

 

[DivideBYZero]

I've seen and played on one and it IS a very nice little redisign. The screen is so much brighter than my 1st Gen. The GBA port has a nice flap, rather than you having to buy a GBA game to plug the hole and the buttons are in better positions for larger hands (but not much..!).

 

[LinuxIdiot]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
the buttons are in better positions for larger hands (but not much..!).

<-- Has large hands! Yea, the brighter screen and the ability to play GBA games + DS newer games was a plus to sell me on. Not to mention I am not spending the money ($$$) on alot of the newer gaming systems. I may even buy the Wii depending on the price when it is released.

 

[fustercluck]

DS's success has really surprised me, i've never been into handhelds so i didn't pay much attention to it, but there's a lot of games out i want to play on it. The DS lite looks nice, I don't have any cash though.

*waits for DS emulation* 😉

 

[LinuxIdiot]

Originally posted by: jacktackle
DS's success has really surprised me, i've never been into handhelds so i didn't pay much attention to it, but there's a lot of games out i want to play on it. The DS lite looks nice, I don't have any cash though.

*waits for DS emulation* 😉

Yea, it also surprised me, back when PSP and the DS were being argued about I thought the PSP would be the winner due to the fact it was a PS product. After its release I was checking it out and was not overly pleased with its "features". UMD and the price tag is what pushed me away from caring to have the PSP.

The wi-fi gameplay (Even though I do not know any friends who have a DS to play with online), price tag, and choice of games and the new re-designed look is what is selling me on the DS 🙁 damn I need to make more money!

I do wish the navy blue one was being released also