(Credit:
Nintendo)
Gamers and geeks, step aside. It's Mom's turn to jump on the gaming bandwagon. On Monday, Nintendo announced a new DS Lite bundle, clearly tailored to the interests of middle-aged women.
At the usual $149.99, the bundle includes a lime green console, a matching carrying case, and Personal Trainer: Cooking. Those who tend to buy into gender stereotypes can already preorder the bundle just in time for Mother's Day on Amazon. Don't forget to add on My Weight Loss Coach and Imagine: Babyz while you're at it.
In the past couple of years we've seen a Nintendogs bundle for kids, a Brain Age bundle for the old timers, and other age-specific packages in between. As with all tech toys, every newly designed DS makes the last seem so passe. The lime green console itself has "geek chic" written all over it and--though I'm not a mom--I may just have to grab one for myself.
The bundle will be available at all retail locations on May 3.
The Nintendo DSi
Now that Nintendo has released the DSi, every portable gaming system now supports--in one way or another--downloadable content. Whether you're downloading apps from the Apple App Store or transferring PSP games from the PlayStation Network, it's clear digital distribution is the future of entertainment.
With all of these options, you may ask yourself "which portable gaming device is right for me?" If you're the casual gamer who wants everything in one device, you may want to check out an iPhone or an iPod Touch.
More serious gamers can get their fixes with a much more gamer-centric experience with a PSP or DSi. Not ready for the world of downloadable games? The DS Lite is still your most affordable option at $130.
Let our portable gaming product comparison feature help you out in your decision-making process. Based on games alone, what is your pick for the best portable gaming experience?
With estimated unit sales approaching 100 million worldwide, Nintendo has proven itself time and time again as the industry ruler of the portable console market. With the DSi--the second refresh of the Nintendo DS--we're starting to see the company move in an evolutionary direction with its flagship handheld.
The DSi takes with it most of the features the DS Lite had to offer, but adds new multimedia capabilities. The DSi has been on sale in Japan since November 1 of last year and has already sold well over an astonishing 1 million units. Now that Nintendo has announced that the DSi will go on sale April 5 in North America, it certainly leaves everyone asking one big question, "Should I buy one?"
First, let's look at what exactly separates the new DSi from the DS Lite. In terms of actual form-factor, the difference between the two portables is negligible. The DSi is slightly slimmer, but you're not going to see the massive change in size like we saw when Nintendo upgraded the original DS to the DS Lite. What you may notice is that both screens are a quarter of an inch larger. The DSi hardware also actually eliminates the Game Boy Advance slot found on the Lite, so you won't be able to play older Game Boy Advance games or DS titles that make use of the port, such as "Guitar Hero: On Tour."
... Read more
On Sale Now: $169.99
View the latest prices for Nintendo DSi (black)
On Sale Now: $169.99
View the latest prices for Nintendo DSi (blue)
I love this DS carrying case--I'm just not sure who makes it.
(Credit: John Falcone, CNET)Recently, I had a chance to check out the Logitech PlayGear Pocket Lite, a carrying case for the Nintendo DS Lite. Basically, it's a perfectly good case made of durable hard plastic with space for carrying four additional DS games. It even allows you to add customized skins (protected on the inside of the clear shell). But the whole thing seemed somewhat superfluous to me, mostly because the DS Lite is already so well-designed: the clamshell enclosure keeps the unit's dual screens safe (unlike the PSP, which really does need a protective case). ... Read more
(Credit:
Logitech)
Logitech has updated its line of PlayGear Pocket game cases for the current generation of Sony and Nintendo portable gaming rigs. The PlayGear Pocket Slim is a version of the original PlayGear Pocket that has been slightly downsized to more snugly accommodate the current, skinnier version of the Sony PSP.
The company is also debuting the PlayGear Pocket for the Nintendo DS Lite as well. The similarly styled hard case also includes space for up to four DS cartridges.
Both cases will be available immediately--the PlayGear Pocket Slim will cost $15 and the PlayGear Pocket DS will cost $20.
On Sale Now: $7.14 - $19.44
View the latest prices for Logitech PlayGear Pocket Slim (PSP)
On Sale Now: $14.99 - $24.06
View the latest prices for Logitech PlayGear Pocket Lite (DS)
(Credit:
Crave Asia)
Though I don't commute, and thus don't see the need for toting a portable console along to entertain myself on the journey, I must confess that it's tempting to own one, given the endlessly fascinating accessories the Japanese are coughing up for the DS Lite. Since March 6, the handheld has been getting its own official movie download service called DSvision.
A collaboration of Nintendo, print firm DNP, and digital media distributor am3 (the makers of GBA Movie Player), the service requires a kit that costs 3,890 yen (about $37) to kickstart the downloading experience, which includes certain books, movies, comics, and music. This hardware includes a USB dongle for a PC, a 512MB microSD card, and an adapter for slotting the media into the console's game port, according to Japan Today.
If what's been reported holds true, DSvision aims to release 10,000 titles for download after three years, with plans to enable this eventually over the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The DSvision service is for Japan only at present but, as always, we can trust the pirates to do something about that.
(Source: Crave Asia)
(Credit:
Newlaunches)
If cobalt blue represents one end of the fashion spectrum for the DS Lite, then this snakeskin version is definitely at the other.
Another victim of the designer trend run amok, this Diamond Python by Japanese artist Mayumi Hasegawa is designed to fit the poor handheld gamer, according to Newlanches, hopefully not too snugly as to squeeze the life out of it. Then again, that might be preferable than having to wear something as hideous as this.
If you're really a glutton for punishment--or simply have horrible taste--you can get skins that cover both the top and bottom for a truly eye-gouging effect. Our only hope is that Paris Hilton doesn't decide to customize one of these with her own unique sense of style.
(Credit:
Nintendo)
If you're one of the seven people who still do not own a Nintendo DS lite, this Sunday is your big chance to be one of the first to own a brand new color scheme being released.
The black and blue DS lite (or Cobalt/Black as Nintendo has dubbed it) features a black base, blue folding top, and black stylus. It joins the current available colors Polar White, Onyx Black, Coral Pink, and Red/Black.
Not sure what to play with your new DS lite? Check out our top games list.
On Sale Now: $129.00 - $129.99
View the latest prices for Nintendo DS Lite (polar cobalt blue)
(Credit:
Nintendo)
Given how often Nintendo introduces different colors for the DS Lite, it's hardly remarkable that the handheld gamer is getting yet another new look. This one, according to Mobile Magazine, is a two-toned model in colbalt blue and black.
What does seem surprising, however, is that Nintendo isn't doing a special edition for Valentine's Day. (So far as we know, anyway.) Maybe that's because it already comes in red and pink, the two standard colors for the holiday. But even if they do decide to play the Cupid game, remember, it can always be worse.
(Credit:
Crave Asia)
Ever wanted to stick some of your old Nintendo Famicom cartridges into your portable gaming console? No? Neither have we, actually. But surely there are some out there who would, and for them there's the "Cyber Famireta Lite" (name translated by Google) Nintendo DS Lite add-on from Japanese company CyberGadget.
In addition to letting you plug in Famicom games, this contraption even has a few extras. On its back is a TV-out jack so you can play those titles on your spanking new LCD TV--8-bit games on a HD panel, a match made in retro geek heaven.
There's no price yet, but it will be available in early December. So ask a mate in Japan to look out for it if you want to fire up that old copy of Twin Bee.
(Source: Crave Asia)
