Nintendo DS Lite:
The Nintendo DS is a handheld game console which was released to the North American market as well as Japan in November of 2004. Made in a similar manner to the Nintendo Gameboy Advance, the Nintendo DS included 2 small LCD screens in a clamshell design. The top screen was used for display purposes while the bottom display is used as a touchscreen for use in games. The touchscreen can be operated with a stylus, similar to a PDA and traditional buttons are also included on the sides of the bottom screen, similar to the button system used in the Super NES of the 1990s.
The Nintendo DS comes with a microphone and stereo speakers built in that can provide a virtual surround sound environment, which is incredible for a device of this size. The microphone is used for some games that require a voice recognition system like Nintendogs, Brain Age or can be used for chatting online during an online gaming session.
Weighing just 300 grams, the Nintendo DS is small and portable and for many parents, it has become a great way to keep their children entertained during long trips in the car. For those that like to play their games online against other players, the Nintendo DS is a favorite as it offers and 802.11 wireless connection. With this internet connection you can also use the built in chat feature, PictoChat which allows up to 16 people to chat with one another in a local setting. The battery on the DS lasts an impressive 10 hours of game play and takes just 3 hours to fully charge, which is why it is so popular.
While many game consoles are targeted toward teens and children, the Nintendo DS has fans of every age. Recognizing this, games for adults have been developed that can help with memory function. This has been popular with those that are aging and its a great way to exercise your brain. The game series is called Brain Age and includes a number of activities that can help in keeping your brain active. Not only can you play games that help your brain, but you can also play games that are fun at the same time. Games like Memory Sprint, Clock Spin, Number Memory, Math Recall and Piano Player cannot only help your brain to stay sharp, but can also be fun for adults to play just about anywhere.
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After a successful run with the DS, Nintendo Introduced the Nintendo DS Lite, which is very similar but with a few differences. The Nintendo DS Lite is smaller and lighter and the battery lasts longer. On a full 3 hour charge, the battery can go for 15-19 hours if the screen is set to a dim level. The screen is generally brighter and the stylus is larger and easier to hold and 12 colors are available to purchase. A few other design changes are noted as well, rearranging the buttons and the microphone was also moved. A number of limited edition models were also created including the Final Fantasy III edition, Pokeman edition and Pirates of the Caribbean edition, to name just a few. Overall between the Nintendo DS and the DS lite, almost 175 million units have been sold worldwide.
For those who already have a Game Boy Advance, you will love that the games from your GBA will work in the Nintendo DS and recently Nintendo introduced a browser for the Nintendo DS which allows for web surfing using the wireless internet connection. Based on the Opera browser, the Nintendo DS is more than just a video game console. A whole host of accessories can also be purchased for the Nintendo DS including: a headset, Rumble Pak and a Wi-Fi USB connector.