Nintendo DS Lite: Info & Hi-Res Images

First details, hi-res images and official line from Nintendo on the company's latest ill-kept secret, the DS Lite.

After weeks of swearing that it didn't have a new Nintendo DS in the works, Nintendo has announced a redesign of its increasingly popular portable. The new DS has a more refined look, no doubt part of Nintendo's strategy to get it into the hands of non-gamers and gamers alike.

During its makeover, the DS Lite, as it'll be known, has become more slender, losing fractionally in all three dimensions and taking on a angular yet still sleek look to complement its new white colour scheme.

It's also lost about a third of its weight, which should go a way to satisfying those that baulked at the idea of carrying the clunky machine around.

The already-excellent screens of the DS have been given a once-over. They're brighter and now feature a brightness control, allowing you to set it to four levels.

So far, Nintendo has only announced the Japanese version, which will be in stores on 2 March for ¥16,800 ($138, £81) - slightly more than the ¥15,000 ($129, £72) the DS sells for now.

Some are wondering aloud whether the DS Lite will replace the existing model, but Nintendo has shot down that speculation.

"We have no plans to phase out any of our handheld products," Nintendo's Rob Saunders told Kikizo. "With the launch of Nintendo DS Lite, we are growing our portfolio to provide a choice of products to appeal to everyone."

The specifics surrounding the DS Lite are less certain in the UK, where Nintendo is still trying to decide on specifics.

"We cannot confirm the exact launch date or launch price of Nintendo DS Lite in the UK at this time," Saunders said.

These details will probably be announced within the coming weeks.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games