Nintendo Turns On the Lite

The company's new DS Lite comes to Europe at last.

The DS may have a raft of very playable games but its tank-like proportions have done little to attract people concerned with aesthetics. The DS Lite, which went on sale today across Europe, changes that.

The differences between the two versions of the DS are immediately visible. The DS Lite does away with the clunky design of the original. It is built with Apple-esque care and comes with smooth lines and a slick finish - in either white or oh-so-desirable black. The real shocker comes once you open it up and see how much brighter the new screens are.

The console has already been a huge hit around the world. It's been the top-selling game system in Japan since launch and in America it sold over 130,000 units in just two days - putting it on track to outsell the Game Boy Advance SP.

Even though there were no official launch parties, some retailers in London opened early today to let gamers pick up a DS Lite on the way to work.

Nintendo is also making sure that it has the games to back up its slick new hardware.

Dr Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain? is the company's (already successful in Japan) attempt at bringing in those not comfortable with traditional games. At the other end of the spectrum is New Super Mario Bros, which seems built to attract fans of the plumber's original adventures on the NES.

If, somehow, you're more attracted to the rough lines and all-around tankness of the original DS, you'll be glad to hear that Nintendo will be keep making them as long as there is demand.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games