Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Should You Buy A Sony PSP Or A Nintendo DS

And the battle for gaming handheld supremacy rages on. Gamers on the go are in a quandary as to what system they should purchase: the Nintendo DS from a company with a solid record when it comes to portable gaming consoles, or the Sony Playstation Portable (PSP) from a company with a solid history in the field of home video game consoles?

Let us tackle the merits of both the Sony PSP and the Nintendo DS based on some points that are important for the avid video gamer.

1. Which handheld console has a bigger game library? More third party developers are signed up for the Nintendo DS, given the fact that it’s easier to design games for the said portable. Also, Nintendo’s image as a company for kids gives the impression that it can tap into a greater audience, something that developer gravitate to. The Sony PSP doesn’t have such luxuries. They have a limited number of developers committed to the system, and their in-house development teams are working overtime to provide the games that PSP owners wants. However, the Sony PSP does have the more prolific developers in its lineup. For this round, we have to choose quantity though.

WINNER: Nintendo DS.

2. Which handheld console has more exclusives? Nintendo is a company that’s built on exclusive properties: Mario, Luigi, Donkey Kong, Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, Pokemon, Metroid, and the likes are just some of the titles that can only be found on Nintendo gaming systems. The Sony PSP has its own exclusives as well: God of War, Resistance, Patapon, Pixel Junkie, Dax, Ratchet and Clank, and others. Unfortunately, they do not have the same pull as Nintendo’s cast of merry characters.

WINNER: Nintendo DS.

3. Which handheld console can boast of more functionality? The Nintendo DS has touch screen functionality. The new Nintendo DSi has dual cam. But the Sony PSP is a multimedia monster. It can store and play all sorts of audio and video files. It can display pictures easily and conveniently. With the addition of some peripherals, the Sony PSP can even become a digital camera, a portable television set, and an AM/FM radio. Plus, you can surf the net with a Sony PSP, something which you cannot conveniently do with the DS.

WINNER: Sony PSP.

4. Which handheld console is more powerful? The Sony PSP is the runaway winner in this category. When it comes to processing power, onboard RAM, and graphic capabilities, the Sony PSP simply owns the Nintendo DS.

WINNER: Sony PSP.

5. Which handheld console has better connectivity with its “big brother.” The Sony PSP can control the Playstation 3 remotely for as long as both systems are connected to the net. The Nintendo DS can, well, enhance the features of a handful of games.

WINNER: Sony PSP.

6. Which handheld console is poised for the future? The Sony PSP is the most powerful handheld ever created. Experts even admit that the Sony PSP is more powerful than most state-of-the-art PDAs in the market today. The Nintendo DS, however, has recently updated itself by releasing a new model, the Nintendo DSi, which incorporates higher RAM, dual cam, an external storage device, and better audio playback.

WINNER: Tie.

As of this writing, and with regards to the points tackled above, the Sony PSP appears to be the better purchase with a score of 4-3.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

The Nintendo DS Games Arent Just For Kids 5 Titles That Adults Will Enjoy

Nintendo – and by association, its consoles included its handheld system, the Nintendo DS – has always suffered from one big weakness: the public perception that it is a company that exclusively caters to children.

With original properties and company mascots like Mario, Luigi, Kirby, Pikachu and Donkey Kong, it is easy to determine why the non-gaming population thinks of Nintendo DS games are just for kids.

Being kid-friendly has its perks, of course. But it also narrows down one’s audience.

Well, since the first incarnation of Resident Evil 4 made its way to the Nintendo Gamecube, the company has made a conscious effort to destroy such perception and build a reputation that its systems are for gamers of all ages, of all orientation, and of all preferences.

The Nintendo DS is at the forefront of the company’s drive to debunk the common misconception.

With the 5 Nintendo DS games listed below, the company is hoping that people will start to see the Nintendo DS as a viable platform for all types of games made for all types of gamers.

1. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars.
The Grand Theft Auto series is the poster boy of mature games. Now that it has invaded the Nintendo DS courtesy of the fantastically designed Chinatown Wars, the portable system has been marked as an “All Ages” gaming console.

2. The New York Times Crosswords.
The New York Times is known for 3 things: hard hitting articles, well-written pieces, and frustratingly difficult but amazingly fulfilling crossword puzzles. The last part can now be played as one of the newer Nintendo DS games, but only kid geniuses will be able to guess most of the words required by the puzzles.

3. Metroid Prime: Hunters.
The FPS Metroid that debuted on the Gamecube has made its way to the library of Nintendo DS games. Though not as bloody nor as gory as other first person shooters in the market, the rather difficult puzzles and the dependence on realistic weapons make this Nintendo DS game more ideal for grownups.

4. Final Fantasy IV.
This remake may carry the name of the all-ages series, Final Fantasy, but don’t let that fool you. Considered as the installment with the best storyline in the series, this Nintendo DS remake tells the tale of a fall from grace and a redemption, of betrayal of people close to your heart and the loss of people who don’t deserve to suffer, of sacrifice and of failure, and of love that shines brighter than everything else. This is not a story for children. Indeed, FFIV is one of the few Nintendo DS games that can solicit a tear or two from your eye.

5. Phoenix Wright series.
These Nintendo DS games are about crimes and investigations and the ensuing courtroom battles to prosecute (or defend) the accused. Though the comical presentation of these Nintendo DS hits may make them seem like kid games, they are hardly meant for children. Situations involving murder and a variety of sexual innuendos (cleverly concealed) classify the Phoenix Wright series as Nintendo DS games that adults will appreciate.

The Pros And Cons Of The Nintendo DSi

The Nintendo DSi appears to be a fantastic portable machine that any gamer-on-the-go is sure to cherish and enjoy.

It is being marketed as such: the ultimate handheld gaming system that is all you’ll ever need during those idle parts of the say when time seems to slow down to a crawl, or when you get stuck in a deserted island in the middle of nowhere which, heaven forbid, hopefully won’t happen.
However, is the Nintendo DSi the supreme portable gaming machine that it is being hyped up to be?
In this article, we will explore the positives and negatives of the Nintendo DSi and answer the question of whether or not it is worth the purchase.

The Pros Of The Nintendo DSi

The Nintendo DSi is a significant upgrade to the previous two iterations of the portable console. It packs enough features to warrant a new model.

These features include:

- Dual cam, with each camera having 0.3 megapixels. Not only do these cameras add more functionality for the Nintendo DS, they also allow for more game play possibilities that are sure to be integrated in future titles that will be designed specifically for the Nintendo DSi.

- Lighter design. The Nintendo DSi is 12% lighter than the DS Lite.

- Better audio playback. Gone are the days when the DS was always criticized for having the softest sounds in all of gaming. The Nintendo DSi’s audio features are said to rival the best MP3 players in the market today.

- External storage device. More memory space, more files can be used.
- Faster processing, courtesy of a 16MB RAM which is 4 times faster than the DS and the DS Lite.

- Better online features like improved WiFi connectivity and a DSi store where gamers can download new titles as well as old games from the consoles of yore.

The Cons Of The Nintendo DSi

All is not a bed of roses for the Nintendo DSi, however. There are a number of negatives plaguing the newest iteration of Nintendo’s flagship handheld system. These are:

- The absence of the GBA cartridge slot. Such effectively puts an end to Gameboy and Gameboy Advance backwards compatibility – at least via physical storage – as well as peripherals that rely on the same.

- The two cameras have very low resolutions. A badly lot environment will only render useless pictures.

- It is, in essence, not really that much different from the DS and the DS Lite.

The Verdict

So, should you or should you not buy a Nintendo DSi?

In a nutshell, the DSi is an evolution rather than a revolution. It doesn’t intend to change the basic engineering of the DS and the DS Lite. If it’s not broke, why fix it, right? The DSi is merely meant to improve on the DS and the DS Lite, and this purpose it does well.

So, if you already have Nintendo DS or a Nintendo DS Lite, stick with them and save your money for the next big handheld console a couple of years down the road.

Bottom line
If you don’t have a Nintendo handheld, then the DSi is the best choice you can ever make.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

5 Nintendo DSi Games To Look Forward To In 2009

The Nintendo DSi – the logical evolution to the DS and the DS Lite – is finally here.

This means brighter screens, a lighter and sleeker design, dual cam, better audio playback, an external storage space and faster processing courtesy of a bigger RAM for Nintendo’s flagship handheld.
But do these features matter if the company cannot publish Nintendo DSi games that people will love to get their hands on?
2009 is a pivotal year for video game consoles – handhelds or otherwise. It’s the chance for that last giant push to be associated with dominance over this decade and for that great head start going to the next.

Hence, there are some big Nintendo DSi games lined up towards the latter part of this year, Nintendo DSi games which the company hopes will capture people’s imagination and gaming dollars.

Here are the 5 Nintendo DSi games that will help define the legacy of the handheld for the decade that’s about to end:

1. Legend of Zelda:
Spirit Links. Indeed, a new Legend of Zelda game is coming to the Nintendo DSi. Announced during the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2009, the new Zelda is a direct sequel to the highly acclaimed Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. This time, however, Link will be riding trains instead of ships.



2. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days.
Dubbed as a “midquel” to the Kingdom Hearts games, this Nintendo DSi entry promises to connect the first PS2 Kingdom Hearts title with its sequel on the same platform and Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories for the Gameboy Advance. It’s Disney characters plus Square-Enix characters. This is one of the few Nintendo DSi games that are sure to be guaranteed hits even before they are released.



3. Front Mission 2089:
Border of Madness. Liked Advance Wars? It’s time to embrace the newest incarnation of the game’s inspiration. Front Mission is the pioneer of the sci-fi/military-themed turn-based strategy games this side of Final Fantasy Tactics. And it’s making a comeback – a big one at that! The new Front Mission is one of the most eagerly anticipated Nintendo DSi games for this year (or early 2010, if translation takes a little bit longer). If it’s as good as the SNES entries, then this game is going to be one for the ages!

4. Dragon Quest IX.
The release of Final Fantasy XIII for the Sony PS3 and the Microsoft Xbox 360 is being delayed pending the release of the 9th installment of the game that introduced console RPGs to the world. Indeed, the newest installment of Dragon Quest is coming to – of all places – the Nintendo DSi! Such is a testament to how much Square-Enix believes in the Nintendo DSi as a viable and trustworthy gaming platform. Dragon Quest IX is truly one of the Nintendo DSi games that will define the handheld for many years to come.

5. Guitar Hero 2: Modern Hits.
The first Guitar Hero Mobile has been made incompatible with the new Nintendo DSi, because the upgraded system has done away with the Gamboy cartridge slow which is where the game’s peripheral is inserted. The sequel promises absolute compatibility with the Nintendo DSi, with the guitar-like add-on to be plugged “somewhere else” on the DSi unit.


Excited about these Nintendo DSi games? We know we are!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Where To Find Free PSP Downloads Which You Can Legally Own

Have you ever tried to find free PSP downloads on the net, yet, your search for applications for your Sony Playstation Portable ended up becoming an exercise in futility?

There are thousands of free PSP downloads on the web. However, most of them are of the illegal variety. They involve the download of game copies that you save straight to your memory card which can be played by your PSP unit if it is updated with Dark_Alex’s latest custom firmware. Some of these free PSP downloads also involve illegal copies of movies converted into MPEG-4 format which can be uploaded to a memory stick for play on a Sony PSP which should also be updated with a custom firmware. Of course, a great number of these free PSP downloads involve MP3s of popular songs.

Unless their publishers have declared them free game, these free PSP downloads are hardly legal. They violate existing intellectual property rights, and as such, they violate laws which protect copyrights. Such samuelpiracy can have a chain effect on the video game industry. Game developers will start to lose money. They will go bankrupt. And you will have fewer games to enjoy.

There are many free PSP downloads which are legal. Here are some places where you can get them:

- The Playstation Store. The Playstation Store releases demos, trailers and freewares every Thursday. These are free PSP downloads you can acquire via your PSP or via your PC with the option of uploading the file to your Sony PSP at a latter time.

- Homebrew websites. Most homebrew websites host free PSP downloads which are legal. Apps, themes and abadonware games are just some of the goodies that are shared in these community sites. However, you will need to update your Sony PSP to use any of these homebrew programs. Sony has warned PSP users that their units’ warranty will be voided if custom firmware is installed on the same.

- Music websites. Most legal MP3s can be downloaded from big music websites. Singles released by popular artists to promote their albums can be downloaded legally and for free. Such would make great free PSP downloads. Also, budding artists often release MP3 versions of their songs to promote themselves. Social networking giant MySpace.com is home to many such artists who can provide free PSP downloads for your unit.

There will always be the temptation of giving in to piracy. Free PSP downloads of licensed products, after all, are everywhere. Torrent sites are filled with such files. Rapidshare and Megashare are populated with uploads of the same.

However, keeping it legit is the better way to go. Piracy, after all, is a form of theft, and you wouldn’t want to be called a fraud, right? Free PSP downloads which are legal abound. It’s just a matter of looking for them in the right places

Friday, July 24, 2009

Gauging The Performance Of The Nintendo DS Lite UK Version, So Far

In 2007, there were rumors that the Queen’s most favorite pastime whenever she’s in her solitude and away from the madding crowd was her then new found fascination for the Nintendo DS Lite UK version.

Whether such was a fact that managed to crawl out of the royal house of secrets or a fabricated piece of news concocted by “professionals” who have been doing such a thing for years remain to be seen.

However – fact or fiction, reality of rumor – such a report cannot diminish the huge impact of Nintendo’s flagship handheld system on the British populace.

Indeed, Nintendo DS Lite UK version has taken the nation by storm. In fact, England has become one of the primary markets for the company, thanks in large part to the success garnered by the Nintendo DS Lite UK in these shores.

How well, exactly, has the Nintendo DS Lite UK version performed?

Amazingly well, if we may say so.

First released in the country in 2006, the Nintendo DS Lite UK version sold almost 200,000 copies on its first week alone. This is a fantastic number that immediately established Old Blighty as a major market for the portable gaming system. The series, as a whole, has sold almost 80 million units worldwide as of March, 2009.

Of these, more than 2 million were sold in Great Britain.

The bestselling game for the system has been Nintendogs, a title that has sold more than 23 million copies all over the world.
Almost 1.5 million of these copies were sold in Great Britain. What does this mean?
Well, we can safely assume that almost every Nintendo DS Lite UK version owner also bought a Nintendogs game. This should be perfectly understandable. Nintendogs is a dog keeping simulation game after all. It fills a need that most Englanders in urban areas have been deprived of.

Check this the most popular Nintendogs games:

Nintendogs Labrador
Retriever& Friends

Nintendo DS Nintendogs
Dachshund & Friends



Nintendogs
Chihuahua
& Friends


Nintendogs Dalmatian & Friends



The next highest selling games in the list?

New Super Mario Bros., Animal Crossing and Brain Age all sold more than a million copies each in the UK market. New Super Mario Bros. was quite a success mainly because of the strength of its name.

The people of England have yet to forget the magical moments made possible by the NES original. Animal Crossing is a hit for the younger generation because of its hybrid game play that mixes elements of the Sims with elements of Pokemon.

And what about "Brain Age"?

It’s the perfect casual game that you see most adults play while waiting for the train.

The most popular color for the Queen’s people? The black Nintendo DS Lite UK version has always sold out since its release in December, 2006.

The Nintendo DS Lite UK version, of course, isn’t the only Nintendo product that’s experiencing a lot of success in the country. The Nintendo WII’s sales have been nothing short of spectacular in England.



The console is reporting sellouts across the country, from West Ham to Chelsea to Manchester to Liverpool.

A Nintendo DS Lite Review For The Sony PSP Owner

Most Nintendo DS Lite reviews will be quite generic as they are meant for readers who are planning to buy a Nintendo DS Lite and for readers who are actually choosing between a Nintendo DS Lite and a Sony PSP.

Most of these Nintendo DS Lite reviews aren’t for people who already own a Sony PSP and are considering whether or not the additional purchase of a Nintendo DS Lite unit will be good for them.
Well, this Nintendo DS Lite review is different.
So, let’s lay down our thesis: if you already own a Sony PSP, is the Nintendo DS Lite still worth a purchase?

Let’s take a look at the facts:

The Sony PSP is a powerful piece of portable gaming goodness. It’s dubbed as the Playstation 1.5 because it is more powerful than the original Playstation and almost as powerful as the PS2. To think that all that processing power and graphic rendering capability is packed in such a small machine is indeed superbly amazing.

Now, here’s a reality that will be presented by this Nintendo DS Lite review: the Nintendo DS Lite is nowhere as powerful as the Sony PSP.

In fact, many believe that the Nintendo DS Lite merely possesses a third of the processing and graphic rendering prowess of the Sony PSP, though such a claim remains unsubstantiated by verifiable performance tests.

Because of the higher processing power, the Sony PSP is capable of playing better audio as well. What, then, are the reasons that will make a Sony PSP owner buy a Nintendo DS Lite?

Alas, we come to crucial points of this Nintendo DS Lite review. Let’s take a look at things that the Nintendo DS Lite has that the Sony PSP critically lacks:

- A deeper game library. Nintendo DS Lite games outnumber their Sony PSP counterparts by a ratio of 4:1. Software developers have favored the Nintendo DS system because of the bigger installed user base and the lower development fees associated with a project for the handheld console. The result are a slew of new games released each and every week for the Nintendo DS Lite, compared to a handful of games released per month for the Sony PSP.

- A lineup of highly acclaimed exclusives. Sure, the Sony PSP has Resistance, God of War and even offbeat titles like Patapon, which can only be found under the Sony label. But the Nintendo DS Lite boasts of genre-defining franchises like Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong, Legend of Zelda, Metroid, and so many more.

- Potentials for astoundingly innovative gameplay. Innovation is the Nintendo DS Lite’s middle name, what with a dual screen feature, touch screen functionality, a built-in microphone, and even a system that is developed to accommodate add-ons to introduce newer game play mechanics. The Sony PSP is only good for straightforward games.

So, for the conclusion of this Nintendo DS Lite review: is the Nintendo DS Lite a worthy purchase for people who already own a Sony PSP?

The short answer: "You bet!"

Ranking The Top 5 Nintendo DS Lite Packages In The Market Today

Planning to buy a Nintendo DS Lite? The best route is to purchase one of the many Nintendo DS Lite packages available in the market today. These Nintendo DS Lite packages, also called as Nintendo DS Lite bundles, offer the unit as well as a game for the finest straight-from-the-box experience you can ever receive from a handheld gaming system.

Furthermore, these bundles often come with amazing exclusives: accessories you can never purchase from anywhere else and Nintendo DS Lite colors that truly stand out.

Imagine playing a Legend of Zelda game while on the train with your metallic pink Nintendo DS Lite unit while other players are stick with the usual colors often seen in store shelves all over the world.

As previously mentioned, there are many Nintendo DS Lite packages out there. What are the best ones? Here are the top 5 bundles you should be considering:

1. Nintendo DS Lite Green Spring Bundle includes Personal Trainer: Cooking and Carrying Case. This bundle is one of the few Nintendo DS Lite packages that prove that the handheld console is more than just a gaming system. It’s the perfect gift for people who aren’t that much into games but are fascinated with the idea of new technology teaching them some arts and crafts.


2. Nintendo DS Lite Limited Edition Red Mario with New Super Mario Bros. This is one of the best Nintendo DS Lite packages ever released and you’re sure to love it… if you manage to find one. This bundle is pretty rare nowadays, considering the fact that it had a limited print run to begin with also. Also, it was packaged with a wonderful game and it came with a distinct Nintendo DS Lite color.


3. Nintendo DS Lite Limited Edition Ice Blue with Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day! And Carrying Case Bundle. Yet another one of the Nintendo DS Lite packages that target casual gamers. This bundle is actually the bestselling Nintendo DS Lite package that was ever released, a testament to the accessible nature of the game. A sequel, Brain Age 2, was subsequently released as a bundle as well, as it was packaged with a splendidly looking crimson and black Nintendo DS Lite unit.


4. Nintendo DS Lite Metallic Rose Value Bundle with 2 Games/Nintendo DS Lite Cobalt Blue Value Bundle with 2 Games. Tired of Nintendo DS Lite packages that come with only a single game? These two types of bundles come with two, namely Spyro: a New Beginning and Bomberman.


5. Nintendo DS Lite Metallic Rose with Nintendogs Best Friends. With almost 23 million copies sold worldwide, Nintendogs is the highest selling title for the system. In fact, no other game sold more Nintendo DS units than Nintendogs. Hence, this is one of those Nintendo DS Lite packages that we can truly say is a match made in (dog) heaven.

3 Places Where You Can Find Nintendo DS Lite On Sale

Why are many people always on the lookout for stores that offer Nintendo DS Lite on sale?
The Nintendo DS Lite is a fantastic piece of portable gaming machinery.

With its innovative features that allow for some unique game play mechanics, its adorable design, and its deep library of games, the Nintendo DS Lite is THE handheld console for this generation.

Its closest rival, the Sony Playstation Portable (PSP), doesn’t even come close to the Nintendo DS Lite in terms of sales, and rightfully so.

The Nintendo DS Lite offers a more complete and distinct experience than a handheld built for conventional gaming.

Again, the Nintendo DS Lite is THE portable gaming system to get for this generation.

There’s just one thing that’s stopping people from owning this handheld unit: its price.

At $130 SRP, the Nintendo DS Lite isn’t what we can consider as cheap. In fact, its price is quite prohibitive and will keep the system away from the reach of the masses.

But the masses won’t be easily dissuaded.

There is a constant demand for places offering Nintendo DS Lite on sale.

Trying to find an online establishment where you can buy a Nintendo DS Lite on sale so that you can enjoy monumental savings?

Here are 3 online destinations you should seriously consider for the best prices for the best handheld console available today.

1 -- Ebay.com.
Talk about a place that perennially offers Nintendo DS Lite on sale. Ebay.com has emerged as one of the biggest trading centers – online and offline – in the history of the world. Here, you can find the best deals possible, as many sellers who offer Nintendo DS Lite on sale can do so because they can get their supplies at wholesale prices.


2 -- Bestbuy.com.
Bestbuy.com is designed as a cyber-version of a mall. Brick and mortar malls often conduct sales – BIG sales that offer items at prices as much as 70% off. There is no reason why the online counterpart of these malls won’t be able to offer a Nintendo DS Lite on sale for the same astronomic discounts, right?


3 -- Playasia.com. Just because their headquarters is located in Asia – Hong Kong to be exact – doesn’t mean that their prices will be higher as the goods will be shipped across the Pacific into the Western Hemisphere. The fact is, Playasia.com is one of the most popular sources for Nintendo DS Lite on sale. Other online retail shops have a hard time competing with Playasia.com based on price, even if these retail shops are physically located in your neighborhood. This is a testament to the bargains you can find by browsing Playasia.com’s web pages – Nintendo DS Lite on sale, included.

7 Reasons Why The Nintendo DS Lite Game System Rocks!

Still on the fence on whether or not you should buy a Nintendo DS Lite game system?

Here are 7 reasons that will help you make up your mind:

1. The Nintendo DS Lite game system offers innovative features that pave the way for innovative game play mechanics that can be developed by software publishers. Because of the revolutionary addition of a dual screen feature, touch screen functionality, and a built-in microphone, the Nintendo DS Lite is able to allow the development of titles that are more than just games. Nowadays, there are titles that train people how to maintain proper fitness. There are titles that teach people how to cook. And there are titles that guide people how to perform yoga exercises.

2. Nintendo has a long line of highly acclaimed exclusives. Super Mario Bros. and the Legend of Zelda head the pack, of course. But there are other exclusives that has caught the imagination of the entire world: Metroid, Donkey Kong, Kirby, and most recently, Pokemon.

3. Nintendo has the top gaming minds in the world developing games for their consoles, the Nintendo DS Lite game system included. The most popular of these developers is, of course, the person who many believe is the god of gaming, Shigeru Miyamoto. Miyamoto has created and designed titles like Super Mario Bros., the Legend of Zelda and Donkey King.
4. The Nintendo DS Lite game system boasts of backwards compatibility courtesy of the Gameboy slot, which allows the enjoyment of games from previous Gameboy consoles. The Nintendo DS Lite is not only a gaming system for the here and now, it is also a heritage console.

5. Excellent Wi Fi connectivity results to fantastic multiplayer gaming experience. Games like Mario Kart DS take on a whole new dimension when played with – and against – living, breathing gamers who don’t act based on a set of predetermined algorithms.
6. The Nintendo DS Lite gaming system has a very deep gaming library. In fact, the Nintendo DS Lite’s titles outnumber the Sony PSP’s titles by a ratio of 4:1. A deeper gaming library means more choices for players. Additionally, the aforementioned backwards compatibility of the console even expands this already substantive gaming library. One thing’s for certain, a Nintendo DS Lite owner will never run out of games to play.

7. The Nintendo DS Lite enjoys the support of the company that defined video games. Nintendo is heralded as the company responsible for the birth of electronic entertainment. Though it’s true that Atari introduced home gaming consoles first, it was Nintendo that transformed the field into the billion dollar industry that it is today. And from the Game & Watch to the Gameboy to the Gameboy Color to the Gameboy Advance to the Nintendo DS Lite gaming system, Nintendo has since controlled the portable gaming industry that it invented.

The Best Nintendo DS Lite Bundles For Different Genders And Different Age Groups

Planning to buy a Nintendo DS Lite for yourself or for a loved one?

Your best option is to buy one of the Nintendo DS Lite bundles in the market, instead. Not only will you get the unit itself, you will also get a game as well. Additionally, some Nintendo DS Lite bundles offer free accessories exclusive to the package.

And for many collectors, the appeal of these Nintendo DS Lite bundles lie in the fact that particular color of a console is only available via these special packages.

Take for example the red Nintendo DS, which also came with decal racing stickers, which was exclusive to the Mario Kart DS bundle released in 2006.

A more recent example is the crimson and black unit – which is absolutely stunning – that was exclusive to the Brain Age 2 Nintendo DS Lite combo.

By purchasing these Nintendo DS Lite bundles, you will also be able to save some cash. These bundles are offered for a lower price compared to the sum of their individual components.
Such savings may not be huge, but as they say in these times of economic uncertainty: a dollar (or a euro) saved is a dollar (or a euro) saved.
So what’s the best among the many Nintendo DS Lite bundles can you buy?

Well, it all depends on who the recipient will be.

Naturally, if you’re going to buy one of these Nintendo DS Lite bundles for yourself, there wouldn’t be any problems because you will know what you’ll want.

But if you’re going to buy one of these Nintendo DS Lite bundles for someone else, alas, such can be quite confounding indeed!

Below is guide on what Nintendo DS Lite bundle will best be suited for particular recipients.

- Planning to buy a bundle for a young boy, 6 to 12 years of age?
The best Nintendo DS Lite package in the market for him is the Nintendo DS Lite Metallic Rose Value Bundle. The package comes with 2 games, namely Spyro: a New Beginning and Bomberman – both of which are easy-to-pick-up titles that are perfect for his age.

- Planning to buy a bundle for a young lad, 12 to 18 years of age?
Your best bet is the Nintendo DS Lite Gold with Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. Legend of Zelda is an all time classic, and this iteration of the series is a title that has captured the hearts and minds of many gamers all over the world.

- Planning to buy a Nintendo DS Lite bundle for a young girl, 6 to 12 years of age?
You’ll never go wrong with the Nintendo DS Lite Metallic Rose with Nintendogs Best Friends. Aside from the exclusive color of the console, the title is one of the best simulation-type god games in the market today.

- Planning to buy a bundle for a young girl, 12 to 18 years of age?
Help her discover the joys of cooking with Nintendo DS Lite Green Spring Bundle includes Personal Trainer: Cooking and Carrying Case.

- Planning to buy a bundle for a young male adult?
Rock his world with Nintendo DS Lite Guitar Hero: On Tour Bundle , which comes with either a black or a silver console.

- Planning to buy one of these Nintendo DS Lite bundles for a young female adult?
Give her some casual gaming fun with the aforementioned Nintendo DS Lite Crimson & Black with Brain Age 2.

Should You Or Should You Not Buy A Nintendo DS Lite White?

Sure, its library of games is nothing short of fantastic. Sure, its innovative features allow for an amazing number of innovative game play mechanics.

Sure, its dual screen feature is something that will catch anyone’s attention. Sure, its touch screen control scheme isn’t something that people have seen in gaming consoles before.

There’s so much to love about the Nintendo DS Lite, but one thing that people immediately adore about this portable gaming system is the fact that it comes in a variety of colors to suit anyone’s preference and personality.

The Nintendo DS Lite White is one of them.

The distinct appeal of the Nintendo DS Lite White is perfectly understandable, if not expected. White is the new black, so many people say. Some of the most popular gadgets today come in all shades of white.

The original iPod iterations, the Xbox 360, the original PlayStation 3, most iBooks, many MP3 players, and even the Nintendo DS Lite’s bigger cousin, the Nintendo Wii, all come in white.

White is a softer, more feminine color as well. Most females would prefer a gadget to come in white.

The fascination for black in the post-modern world also contributes to the growing popularity for its direct antithesis, white.

And the Nintendo DS Lite White is the perfect avenue to display the amazing qualities of the color.
We are all aware of the positives of a gadget that comes in white.
But do these make the Nintendo DS Lite White a “must buy?

Indeed, there are many cons to choosing a Nintendo DS Lite White, as well. Let’s take a look at these negatives:

  • The Nintendo DS Lite White is more prone to the accumulation of unsightly dirt on its surface, given the purity of the color. This can be a problem given the fact that the DS Lite unit, being a portable gaming console, will be more exposed to conditions that will dirty it up.
  • The Nintendo DS Lite White won’t be able to conceal scratches – no matter how small or seemingly insignificant they are – compared to units with exteriors of darker tones. This can be a problem given the fact that the DS Lite unit, being a portable gaming console, will be more exposed to wear and tear.
  • The Nintendo DS Lite White will require constant cleaning, more than what is needed by units of darker shades.
These being said, the Nintendo DS Lite White truly stands out in a crowd of Nintendo handhelds.

Is it worth the purchase?

Indeed it is, but the buyer should commit herself to the sacrifices that such an ownership will naturally entail.

Is A Nintendo DS Lite Video Playback Possible?

Most of the new gadgets being released in the market today are dubbed as multimedia beasts, meaning, aside from their primary functions, they also have additional features that allow the user to enjoy different kinds of experiences with different kinds of file formats.

Cellular phones, for example, are more than just electronic devices used for sending and receiving calls and messages. They also include built-in cameras, audio playback systems, video recording and video playing functionalities, PDA-type scheduling, and the likes. The same is true for MP3 players, GPS systems, and even some calculators these days.

Should the Nintendo DS Lite be any different? After all, its closest competitor, the Sony Playstation Portable (PSP), is already being marketed as a handheld multimedia hub.

The Nintendo DS Lite can play games, indeed. It can also play music in the popular MP3 format. It can connect to the net via Wi-Fi. And it can be used to browse through many websites.

But can it play DS Lite videos?

Alas, such is the biggest failing of the portable gaming system, at least in the eyes of many folks: its inability to play DS Lite videos.

However, this doesn’t mean that the system cannot play any DS Lite videos at all. This only means that the Nintendo DS Lite cannot play videos in popular file types. Formats like .avi. .mov. .mpeg, .rm and the likes are out of the picture. The Nintendo DS Lite cannot play them.

The Nintendo DS Lite cannot even play videos in .mp4, the format used by the highly popular iPod video and iPhone systems, and the format adopted by the Sony PSP.

What Nintendo’s handheld can play is the highly compressed and highly specialized .dpg file format. All video types can be converted to .dpg and there are many freeware, shareware and commercial programs in the market that will allow users to do this.

This DS Lite video format, however, is not without its shortcomings:
  • This DS Lite video format is, as mentioned earlier, highly compressed, resulting in pixelation and very low resolution. Movies can’t be enjoyed fully because of the limited range of their rendition as .dpg files.
  • This DS Lite video format, though already compressed, will still take up considerable storage. Even if you’re using an SD card, you will still find it difficult to save a full movie.
  • Playing this DS Lite video format consume the system’s battery by four times more than usual.
  • This DS Lite video format cannot be played straight from the box. You will need a homebrew program installed on a custom-made SD card to be able to play .dpg files.
With all these limitations, we have no recourse but to accept the fact that the Nintendo DS Lite is not meant as a portable video player.

The Nintendo DS Lite is only meant as a handheld gaming machine – the best one in the market today – and it’s best that it remains that way.
As many people say, a jack of all trades can be a master of none.

Nintendo DS Lite Deals We Can Only Dream Of


The Nintendo DS Lite is the definitive handheld gaming system of this generation. Hence, it is one of the most desired piece of gadgetry in the market today. Many people clamor for a Nintendo DS Lite. However, its rather prohibitive price - $130 SRP – has kept out of reach of many people’s budget. But hey, we can always dream, can’t we?

And we can always dream about the ideal Nintendo DS Lite deals that hopefully – HOPEFULLY – would hit the market soon enough.

What are these Nintendo DS Lite deals that will surely make our day?

The First Of Our Dream Nintendo DS Lite Deals: the Nintendo DS Lite at 50% off. This, of course, is not impossible. Surely, a retail establishment somewhere in the world has offered such a Nintendo DS Lite deal before. Sales, after all, are a common events for online and offline shops, and the Nintendo DS Lite may have become the subject of a gigantic sale in the previous years.

At 50% off, more people will be able to afford a Nintendo DS Lite.

The Second Of Our Dream Nintendo DS Lite Deals: the Nintendo DS Lite bundled with two bestselling games.

We already have the 2-game bundle that includes Spyro:
  1. a New Beginning and
  2. Bomberman in the package.
Those games are wonderful, but they’re not really the games that define the system.

We want a Nintendo DS Lite deal that will include two industry-shaking games!

  • How about a bundle that will have a Nintendo DS Lite unit together with New Super Mario Bros. and Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass?
  • How about an urban-themed bundle that will include Grand Theft Auto: Chi-Town Wars and the World Ends With You?
  • Perhaps even an RPG Nintendo DS Lite deal that will include the Final Fantasy I to V remakes for the handheld?
We want multi-game bundles, Nintendo!

The Third Of Our Dream Nintendo DS Lite Deals: a “jazz up your DS Lite” package.

Many people customize their gadgets these days to make them look truly unique and distinctive. Gadgets are adorned with stickers, faceplates, and even paint to make them stand out from similar items.

Why not a Nintendo DS Lite package that will come with a DIY kit for such customization options? This kind of Nintendo DS Lite deal has never been done before, and with the growing demand for customization choices, it will be a guaranteed blockbuster.
Make it happen, Nintendo!
The Fourth Of Our Dream Nintendo DS Lite Deals: trade your Nintendo Gameboy for a Nintendo DS Lite. This is a practice in some establishments: trade your old games for new ones, or trade your old console for a newer model. Of course, you will have to shoulder the monetary difference, but the savings can still be immense.

The Fifth Of Our Dream Nintendo DS Lite Deals: trade your Nintendo DS for a Nintendo DS Lite. This would be the perfect Nintendo DS Lite deal for people who already own the original DS and who would want to upgrade to the newer Nintendo DS Lite.

How To Find A Cheap Nintendo DS Lite

The Nintendo DS Lite, without a doubt, is the number one portable gaming system of this generation – at least in terms of sales. The handheld console doesn’t come cheap, however. At $130 SRP, not everyone can afford the Nintendo DS Lite.

Hence, there is a great demand for sources where people can buy cheap Nintendo DS Lite units.

Do these sources exist? Can one actually buy a cheap Nintendo DS Lite?

The answer to these questions, of course, is a yes. Below are 5 ways which you can resort to in your quest to find a cheap Nintendo DS Lite.

1. Ebay.com.
Many eBay.com sellers are what we call as dropshippers. Dropshippers are like middlemen who connect sellers with the manufacturers themselves. As such, these dropshippers can sell retail items at wholesale prices. You can get a cheap Nintendo DS Lite at 10% to 15% off the suggested retail price.

2. Buy second hand.
Here’s the deal, the Nintendo DS Lite is a sturdy piece of gaming machine. It can withstand the wear and tear of constant use and transport. As such, a used Nintendo DS Lite unit is more likely to be in better condition than another used gadget, with all things being equal. Hence, trying to find a cheap Nintendo DS Lite unit in the secondary market isn’t a bad idea at all.

3. Coupons FTW.
Many establishments that sell gaming system offer a variety of discount coupons. Most people merely neglect these coupons, thinking that the savings that can be derived from them is miniscule at best. However, some of these coupons are absolute gems, offering as much as 30% discounts at times. Such coupons can be your ticket –literally speaking – to scoring a cheap Nintendo DS Lite.

4. Swap for it.
Despite the amazing nature of the Nintendo DS Lite, some people simply outgrow video games in general. Some people advertently or inadvertently purchase an extra unit for themselves. And some just want something else better than their Nintendo DS Lite consoles. There will always be people who will want to swap their Nintendo DS Lite units for something that they can actually use. Try to find such people. You will end up with the best deal for a cheap Nintendo DS Lite possible: a free one!

5. Join affiliate programs.
Here’s another way to snag a free Nintendo DS Lite, which is always better than a cheap Nintendo DS Lite – join affiliate programs. Many gaming stores offer affiliate programs that reward people with store credits every time they successfully refer a customer. Enough store credits may even allow you to redeem them for a Nintendo DS Lite. With the power of the internet, sourcing out potential customers and inviting them to check out the affiliate store would be easy.