DS Lite versus DS & PSP backlight

8 March 2006

Posted by:Ferry

Here’s a great video review of the original DS versus the new DS Lite and it’s features. Since you’re probably most interested in the improved backlight, here’s the movie*:

* click on the screen to play if it doesn’t load after pressing play button

Besides now looking very easy on the eyes, it’s also equally slick looking and about twice as bright on the maximum light level as the PSP’s backlight. Check it out yourself:
ds lite vs psp backlight

Categories: News, Videos

supadupagama

dsliterulz, the DS Lite will be less than two-thirds the size of the original Nintendo DS and more than 20% lighter. The new design is thinner, weighs less (from 275 grams to 218), has 4 levels of brightness control (much brighter screens, twice that of the PSP), as well as different button placement. The microphone & power button have moved, and the GBA slot remains, but now has a cap to close it off.

PS: Take a look at our Nintendo DS section in the left-hand menu for more info.
Isaac

Wow, am I really stuck between the two because I want a PSP but I have a tight budget but the PSP has a nice browser and nice RPG and action games. It can also do a lot of multimedia things (I already have an iPod so I don’t need it for music and I won’t be using it for viewing pictures or movies). All I really care about are the games, wi-fi, and broswer. I understand there is a basic PSP system which comes with less stuff than the Value Pack. The DS Lite is cheaper, the games a lot cheaper, sleeker than before, wi-fi gaming, sweet games, and brighter! In the DS Lite all I really care about are the games, wi-fi gaming and browser. Tell me which one would benefit my budget better and my gaming experience. (I am comparing the Basic PSP system with the DS Lite). Tell me what you think!
supadupagama

Isaac, that’s a toughy. Since you seem mainly interested in the games and online gaming, I’d advise you to make a list of DS & PSP games you’d like to buy now and what future releases you’re interested in. Take a look at the bottom of our DS & PSP pages in the left-hand menu to see what games have been popular so far. Whichever list ends up being longer with the most games you want, maybe that’s your choice?
http://www.thefrizzle.com thefrizzle

DS Lite owns PSP. In terms of quality and price. It’s almost a MUST to buy a protective case for the PSP as soon as you get it.. With the NDS Lite you just close it and put it in your pocket.
http://www.videogamesblogger.com Brad

i have a PSP and ive seen the DS Lite and what it can do…yes the PSP does have a lot of import games from the PS2, but they are still fun. And now they have the good games from launch down to $20 now, so thats a very good price…ill say this if you really wanna a portable system get a psp, ive read alot of the forums and stuff about people dising PSP but in the end the PSP will sweep you off your feet, play monster hunter freedom for PSP and you’ll see what true graphics, game play, and fun is. and besides psp could take a price drop when ps3 comes out so always be on the look out…i love sony they are good designers and im not bored of my PSP so id like to know why every says they suck??? oh well let them think that they’ll be sorry
http://www.videogamesblogger.com Brad

This is a follow up for someone who said you MUST buy a protector for PSP’s screen, ive had my PSP since launch and mine has very few scratches on the screen, Sony put a protective layer of something on the PSP that way it dont scratch, Sony rules in my opinion, sorry guys
http://idk larry

man i dont care what the ds lite throws out man i want good graphics touch screen…humph who needs a stupid touch screen? -_- come on people! is everyone getting younger! its childish! ooo look i can poke and play. if i am going to be seen playing any hand held game device i want a psp (grand theft auto).now i am not a ds hater….i bought the ds for my YOUNGER KIDS but if you want nice games that will suit an older audience get the psp folks. and another thing i dont really give a **** about the brighness!
nick

the psp is better by a long shot and hey when you compare brightness make them both with screens they have the same brightness but who cares psp has better graphx better games movies music and pictures also the internet browser ds is for little kids and the only game it has is mario who cars about a fat plumer that jumps for the mushroom oh wow mario kart WTF its sooooo why dont you just get need for speed carbon nintendo all they make is mario i bet there going to make a mario first person shotter
Mighty Mitch

the DS lite is better than the psp, hands down.

all the psp offers is dumbed down titles from what you can already get on a non portable platform and long… long… loading times

however the DS lite offers a unique gameplay, great and instant fun, at a suitable price – unlike some i.e.psp

soo many people i know have bought psps and lived to regret it as they watch in shame at the glorious DS owners

so don’t fall into the same expensive trap and get a DS!
http://www.pimpyourself.com psp+ds lite owner

They are different systems. Yes the PSP backlighting sucks. Try playing it on the train with the sun glaring in and you will know what I mean.
And what is with games like tony hawk UG2 having day and night lighting! Keep it on day you asses! I’ll be playing thinking the brightness is adequate and then all of a sudden it goes dark as night time comes. That is a poor choice of effects for a portable game. It looks nice when I play it on my PC/PS2, but keep it off the PSP please people!

A classic example that showcases the difference between the two systems is Star Trek: Tactical Assault. The game is hard on both systems, but looks and plays differently.
The PSP version is beautiful, with really impressive lighting effects (without being dark like tony) and 360 camera rotation for a real cinematic feel.
The DS version recreates the starship controls on the touchscreen and puts you in the drivers seat, but the battles and the graphics are not as impressive.

I like them both… And I like games that consider the capabilities of the console like they did.

Nintendo seems to have a history of appealing to a younger audience with very cutesy games. It comes from their origin as a trading cards/ board game company. Sony seems to have much more adult games eg the need for speed /GTA series. I can’t imagine GTA on nintendo, it would just be a bit seedy.

There is also the Japanese cultural influence. I see Nintendo games have a very Japanese feel about them where many Sony games have a very western appeal. I appreciate that Japan is one of the only places that helps reduce the impact of US culural domination over the rest of the world.
I would rather dress like yu gi oh and have funky coloured hair and be cute than be some kind of wannabe Gangsta who thinks he is from south central LA. That may be an oversimplification but its all McDonalds and Sushi bars… Yes I know Sony and Nintendo are both Japanese.

What would I buy for my Kids? Definately nintendo, how creative is the Wii!! I love that nunchuku controller innovation.

But I love my PSP, and laugh at people with video ipods trying to watch movies on their postage stamp screens.

What I don’t like is $ony’s greed. I can’t buy new games at the rate I go, starting at Australian$89.00 (~US$60) how could anyone afford to play games?
The price difference between the consoles is vast, and the choice of disk over rom cartridges is crazy. PSP pirates are all over the net as those umd discs are so easy to copy. Nintendo’s games (while still being copied out there) are not so rampantly pirated.

And why release magic gate and memory stick technology if you are not supposed to use other brands in the PSP. Every shop I see with much cheaper sandisk memory sticks but people advise me to buy the sony ones for the PSP. Sony seems to keep making the proprietary hardware mistakes – eg beta video cassettes, minidisc, while usually technologically superior, no-one cares if its not a universal standard.

Clearly Nintendo are in it for creativity and passion for games where Sony has interests in disc media and movie and music labels etc. There tends to be blockbuster games on ps3/xbox360/PC where there are risky and innovative games on the wii. At least nintendo are taking the lead in new directions in gaming.

I guess now microsoft has their xboxes and now Zen iPod challenger they will think about coming in late to try and dominate yet another market, the game handhelds.

The unfortunate thing for all these systems is that nothing beats a mouse and keyboard for playing FPS, RTS and practically most other games.
The PSP tries with the thumb joystick but its not the same sort of precision you get with a mouse.
The DS does better with the touchscreen pen, but the two screens make RTS games weird. Its perfect for RPG though, or any game where you need stats/ menu control at the ready.

Buy both! They will be collectors items one day.