Nintendo DS Black

Nintendo DS Lite

A portable gaming system, the Nintendo DS Lite is the next step up from the Game Boy Advance SP, which has been phased out. The DS Lite has two vertically tiered screens just as the original DS had, but comes in a sleek design with brighter screens.

Of the dual screens, the bottom comes with touch screen technology, giving the user the option of using touch technology to control the game, including selecting options and moving characters around throughout the game. The Nintendo DS is also equipped a standard keypad control for those users who feel more comfortable using the traditional key controls.

The Nintendo DS plays cartridges that are made specifically for this portable game system, along with many of the game cartridges for the Game Boy Advance SP. An advantage of the DS is that the games load fast when compared to Sony's PSP.

Aside from the dual screens, some of the other differences from the Game Boy Advance SP include a clearer screen, that simply looks better, but another difference is in size. The Nintendo DS is bigger than the Game Boy Advance SP, so is not quite as easy to carry around with you.

One major improvement is in sound; its stereo speakers work extremely well, which is evident in some of the improved sound effects.

Some other extras you'll find with the Nintendo DS include PictoChat, which uses both the DS's wireless and touch screen capabilities. The program will give the user a list of chat rooms that are available, and if someone's within range, they can join your chat room. Typing is done with the Stylus virtual keyboard on the bottom.

By combining the wireless capabilities of the DS, along with touch screen, Nintendo has a portable game system that helps them to promote exclusive games that cannot be played on any other system.

In another comparison to the PSP, the Nintendo DS has a battery life of about 50% longer. Also, some gamers really do prefer the DS over the PSP fore the simple fact that it is a system that does focus almost exclusively on gaming.

Despite the fact that the Nintendo DS does not have the same advanced graphic, or multimedia capabilities as can be found with the PSP, it is still a very fun portable system, with lots of exclusive games.

For those in the market for a portable game system, a new Nintendo DS is definitely worth looking into. If you are searching for a system that offers more multimedia, the DS may not be for you, though there has been some mention of the system having Web browsing and TV tuner added in the near future.

Additional advantages of the Nintendo DS, include the long list of great games, and a stylish design, as well as affordability. This portable game system sells for a good deal less than the PSP.