The Nintendo DS Lite was a streamlined, smaller, and lighter redesign of the original Nintendo DS handheld console. Released in 2006, the Lite model was aesthetically sleeker and featured brighter, more vivid screens, a significant improvement over the original DS. It was an enormous commercial success, contributing heavily to the DS family’s record-breaking sales.
Key features and improvements
- Brighter screens: The DS Lite’s most lauded feature was its improved backlit screens. It offered four brightness settings, with the brightest being far superior to the original DS and clearly visible in various lighting conditions.
- Sleek design: The DS Lite was about one-third smaller and 20% lighter than the original, featuring a more modern and elegant design that aligned with the look of the Nintendo Wii.
- Longer battery life: Improved screen efficiency and a larger battery allowed for significantly longer playtimes, lasting up to 19 hours on the lowest brightness setting.
- Redesigned stylus: The included stylus was redesigned to be longer and thicker, making it more comfortable to hold.
- Repositioned hardware: The microphone was moved to the center of the hinge, and the power switch was changed to a more secure sliding mechanism to prevent accidental power-offs.
Backwards compatibility
Like the original DS, the
DS Lite was backward compatible with Game Boy Advance (GBA) games via a dedicated slot. However, the redesign meant the GBA cartridge no longer sat flush with the console, protruding slightly from the bottom. The
DS Lite was the final model in the DS family to retain GBA support, as the later DSi removed this feature.
Legacy and discontinuation
- Market dominance: The DS Lite became the best-selling model in the DS family, which collectively sold over 154 million units worldwide.
- Popularity: Its improved design made it incredibly popular with both casual players and experienced gamers, solidifying the DS family’s status as a must-have handheld.
- Phased out: The DS Lite’s production was gradually wound down as Nintendo shifted focus to the DSi and then the 3DS family. It was officially discontinued worldwide in 2014.
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