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Ergonomics: DS vs DS Lite

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  • Marty81Marty81 Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    also, why are the Polar White DS Lites and DS Phats costing so much on Amazon? How much does a regular DS cost? Is it any less than the Lite?

    Because DS's are sold out all over the fucking country right now. We need to wait a few weeks before Nintendo ships some more and the price returns to normal. Price should be $130 for a lite and $120-130 for a phat (new).

    I think blue phats are still being made.

    Marty81 on
  • cooljammer00cooljammer00 Hey Small Christmas-Man!Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    bruin wrote:
    Darmak wrote:
    Get the original DS Phat. I think it looks nicer and if you have large hands it fits better than the Lite (for me at any rate). The Lite does have a better screen, however, so if that's a major factor for you then I think that would be the one to get. It really doesn't matter either way, since you'll be playing awesome games on it no matter which one you choose. I don't think that you'll be disappointed with whichever you decide to purchase.
    You think
    i_5486.jpg
    looks better than
    ds-lite-11.jpg
    ?
    :?

    yeah wow, not that i agree/disagree, but i've never had anyone say "get the phat over the lite".

    i've always heard "they're both good in their own way!". Though he has a point, since the Lite is smaller and if you are a big handed person, even the Phat might be too small. I've noticed that the Phat is not boxy enough and the corners poke my hands.

    cooljammer00 on
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  • NailbunnyPDNailbunnyPD Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Lunker wrote:
    leaf wrote:
    Doesn't the GBA port on the lite stick out when you have a game in it though? I prefer my phat over the lite for that, plus mine is red.
    Well, yes, but I'm not willing to sacrifice the better battery life, smaller form factor, brighter screens and general improved comfort for the sake of one-quarter of a GBA game. :P

    I keep a GBA game in my lite at all times. <3

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  • DarmakDarmak RAGE vympyvvhyc vyctyvyRegistered User regular
    edited January 2007
    bruin wrote:
    Darmak wrote:
    Get the original DS Phat. I think it looks nicer and if you have large hands it fits better than the Lite (for me at any rate). The Lite does have a better screen, however, so if that's a major factor for you then I think that would be the one to get. It really doesn't matter either way, since you'll be playing awesome games on it no matter which one you choose. I don't think that you'll be disappointed with whichever you decide to purchase.
    You think
    snip
    looks better than
    snip
    ?
    :?

    Yes I do think it looks better. You wanna fight over the internet about it? :D

    Darmak on
    JtgVX0H.png
  • DarlanDarlan Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Darmak wrote:
    bruin wrote:
    Darmak wrote:
    Get the original DS Phat. I think it looks nicer and if you have large hands it fits better than the Lite (for me at any rate). The Lite does have a better screen, however, so if that's a major factor for you then I think that would be the one to get. It really doesn't matter either way, since you'll be playing awesome games on it no matter which one you choose. I don't think that you'll be disappointed with whichever you decide to purchase.
    You think
    snip
    looks better than
    snip
    ?
    :?

    Yes I do think it looks better. You wanna fight over the internet about it? :D
    I've never seen a Lite in person, but based on those pics I have to agree-the Lite, at least there, gives me a cheapo plastic McDonald's kid's Meal Toy feeling.

    Darlan on
  • xzzyxzzy Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Darlan wrote:
    I've never seen a Lite in person, but based on those pics I have to agree-the Lite, at least there, gives me a cheapo plastic McDonald's kid's Meal Toy feeling.

    How? Have you not walked into a game store in the past year? Or even a store with games?

    xzzy on
  • DarlanDarlan Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    xzzy wrote:
    Darlan wrote:
    I've never seen a Lite in person, but based on those pics I have to agree-the Lite, at least there, gives me a cheapo plastic McDonald's kid's Meal Toy feeling.

    How? Have you not walked into a game store in the past year? Or even a store with games?
    It don't walk down the aisle for the system I do not own or, at this time, have any wish to. Also, I'm not sure that my normal store has them on display, when I went in checking for Wiis the other day all they had up was GH2, Lost Planet and some PS3 sports game. Edit: And one of those Wii kiosks that has the system, but only a video playing. *shrug*

    Darlan on
  • JasconiusJasconius sword criminal mad onlineRegistered User regular
    edited January 2007
    I have a "phat" DS, it is excruciating to my hands after 30 minutes of play, but that is because I have long fingers, and I have to make this claw shape to use the D-pad, etc.

    I imagine a Lite would only make it worse.

    Jasconius on
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  • RohaqRohaq UKRegistered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Having owned both, DS Lite all the way. Better screen, nicer in my pocket, and it closes shut more snugly; I was always annoyed that the two sections of the Phat didn't seem to close cleanly.

    Also, Lite is shiny. Mmmmmmm.

    Rohaq on
  • littwentythreelittwentythree Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Unless you can find a major price cut on the DS, pick up a Lite; Even if you don't play it, it's sexy as hell.

    littwentythree on
    newsig.png
  • InquisitorInquisitor Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Ah, this is slightly off topic. But I don't feel that it's worthy to create it's own thread about. I ordered a skin for my DS phat from decalgirls and decided to get the screen protector too. Now, I was assuming that means they would send me a screen protector compatible with the DS phat.

    Well, they sent me the hori screen protector kit. However, it says Fits only on DS lite on it. This seems odd to me because I don't recall the screens of the two systems being any different. And, doing a quick online search I couldn't find any Hori protectors specifically for the DS phat. So, does this one actually work for both? Anyone know before I do something dumb?

    Inquisitor on
  • YesNoMuYesNoMu Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Inquisitor wrote:
    Ah, this is slightly off topic. But I don't feel that it's worthy to create it's own thread about. I ordered a skin for my DS phat from decalgirls and decided to get the screen protector too. Now, I was assuming that means they would send me a screen protector compatible with the DS phat.

    Well, they sent me the hori screen protector kit. However, it says Fits only on DS lite on it. This seems odd to me because I don't recall the screens of the two systems being any different. And, doing a quick online search I couldn't find any Hori protectors specifically for the DS phat. So, does this one actually work for both? Anyone know before I do something dumb?
    The important one, the bottom screen, should work either way. The top protector will be too small for the Phat, but it will cover the actual screen area, so you'll just have to center well. (the margin is larger on the Phat) Should work fine.

    YesNoMu on
    camo_sig2.png
  • InquisitorInquisitor Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    YesNoMu wrote:
    Inquisitor wrote:
    Ah, this is slightly off topic. But I don't feel that it's worthy to create it's own thread about. I ordered a skin for my DS phat from decalgirls and decided to get the screen protector too. Now, I was assuming that means they would send me a screen protector compatible with the DS phat.

    Well, they sent me the hori screen protector kit. However, it says Fits only on DS lite on it. This seems odd to me because I don't recall the screens of the two systems being any different. And, doing a quick online search I couldn't find any Hori protectors specifically for the DS phat. So, does this one actually work for both? Anyone know before I do something dumb?
    The important one, the bottom screen, should work either way. The top protector will be too small for the Phat, but it will cover the actual screen area, so you'll just have to center well. (the margin is larger on the Phat) Should work fine.

    Thanks a-bunch for the info man.

    Edit: Status update, the Hori protectors went on like a charm. I can hardly notice that the things are on. I am very pleased. As for the decal itself, not so much. I have a blue DS so I thought the digital sky camo pattern might looks nice. It doesn't really mesh up well with the buttons, the material is stretchy so it's hard to make it fit flush and not get creases. It just looked kinda tacky so I took it off. I am pleased to report that their claims of leaving no marks behind on the DS is true. In fact, my DS looks cleaner then ever. It's almost like I used some of thos pore strip things on my DS.

    Inquisitor on
  • GiganticusGiganticus Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    As someone who prefers the original Duke for the Xbox, I can safely say that I also prefer the DS Lite to the DS Phat. It's not just a controller issue (which isn't an issue at all really), it's that the screen, battery life, weight and just plain good looks make it an instant winner compared to the Phat.

    My 2 pennys.

    Giganticus on
  • molokomoloko Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    I have both. I like the light better. Besides being a little smaller I notice no difference in buttons. and that screen is even better than the fat one.

    moloko on
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  • Mai-KeroMai-Kero Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    So I haven't played my DS lite in like a month, and then I picked it up really quick last night to start a new animal crossing town.

    I forgot how awesome it was. It really is the best thing ever.

    Mai-Kero on
  • ZarcathZarcath Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    A corner on my DS lite's plastic chipped off :| I don't know how it happened but now where my right palm rests is a little jagged edge where the clear hard plastic used to be.

    Zarcath on
  • beanobeano Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    I have both and like both. I used to hate the look of the phat but I've learned to appreciate it. It has a more retro kind of look that grew on me. The Ipod-look of the Lite is very much the fashion these days, but I don't like it's less durable feel. The issue with cracked hinge on the lite makes me wonder if reliability hasn't taken a backseat to style when they designed this thing. The phat feels much less vulnerable and also suits my somewhat bigger hands a bit better. When it comes to ergonomics I'd say that the phat is the better version because of all this.

    beano on
  • Dodge AspenDodge Aspen Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    It's all about the screen quality. Unbelievable.

    The only drawback to the lite is the way the GBA games stick out, but that's so minor it's barely worth mentioning, especially next to the incredible SCREEN QUALITY!

    When I first got my Lite, I hated the d-pad, as it was really tough to go diagonally in Animal Crossing, but it quickly loosened up, and now my clicky Phat pad feels cheap.

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  • earthwormadamearthwormadam ancient crust Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    A handheld is only as good as its screen. Forget that it looks 10 times sleeker, it's brighter, and so much easier to play in outdoor enviornments. Take it from someone who bought both, only a fool would get the old version over the lite. I used to hate on the old DS when dust and junk got into that area where the screen hits the plastic. Not a problem on the Lite, it is completely flush and lovely.

    Lite > Old clunky

    earthwormadam on
  • apotheosapotheos Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited January 2007
    I've always thought that the Lite was much nicer than the original model, but I'd also always held the opinion that the difference was negligible enough that upgrading was a bit of a waste of cash.

    Until I got my kid a DS Lite for Christmas. Playing it for a bit it is *so* much nicer to play than the original that I'm almost ready to shell out the $150.

    You know, if anyone had one in stock, that is.

    apotheos on


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  • RohaqRohaq UKRegistered User regular
    edited January 2007
    apotheos wrote:
    I've always thought that the Lite was much nicer than the original model, but I'd also always held the opinion that the difference was negligible enough that upgrading was a bit of a waste of cash.

    Until I got my kid a DS Lite for Christmas. Playing it for a bit it is *so* much nicer to play than the original that I'm almost ready to shell out the $150.

    You know, if anyone had one in stock, that is.
    I traded my Phat in to get a Lite at half price, after playing Janson's Lite. Definitely worth it.

    In other news, I got Tetris DS today, excellent :^:

    Rohaq on
  • slash000slash000 Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    apotheos wrote:
    Playing it for a bit it is *so* much nicer to play than the original that I'm almost ready to shell out the $150.

    You know, if anyone had one in stock, that is.


    $150? They're $130. Unless you live somewhere other than I.




    Anyway, I thought that since I got such a good deal on my DSPhat back when Mario Kart came out ($150 for the DSPhat, Mario Kart, and Bomberman DS), that I didn't think I'd need to bother when the lite came out.


    Sure enough, after reading about impressions and seeing a Lite demo instore, I was sold on it.


    I sold my DSPhat on Craig'sList 2 days after DSLites came out in stores for $100 bucks (I sold it perfect condition with box/manual/extra stylus). I promptly went to Fry's and bought the last DSLite they had in stock.


    I was amazed by its brightness and clarity. Even GBA games seem to pop when you first put them in. It's bright, sleek, sexy, and has a great battery life and comfy stylus. DSLite ftw.

    slash000 on
  • StregoneStregone VA, USARegistered User regular
    edited January 2007
    For me the only thing better about the DS phat is the speakers. They are WAY louder than the DS lite speakers. I can't play games like ouendan or elite beat agents in even a slightly noisy place with my DS lite.

    Stregone on
  • StormwatcherStormwatcher Blegh BlughRegistered User regular
    edited January 2007
    I had a Blue Phat for about a year, then got me a black lite.

    I have to say that the lite is absurdly superior to the Phat in everything but the speakers. It's more confortable, it looks gorgeous, the buttons and pad work really better than the phat, the screen is not only brighter, but has more color...

    and if I plug in headphones, the weaker speakers don't even matter.

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  • BursarBursar Hee Noooo! PDX areaRegistered User regular
    edited January 2007
    I actually prefer the phat's D-pad to the lite's. It just feels more comfortable to me, and it isn't as pointy. I noticed that my thumb hurt a lot after playing Portrait of Ruin on my DS Lite because of all the gouging those corners were doing to me.

    I like the fact that the Phat DS's GBA games fit flush in there, as well. But other than those two issues, the Lite has tops in vitrually every category. Except that after playing my Lite for an hour or so it looked like I'd dropped it in a tub of Crisco or something. Smears all over it.

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  • B:LB:L I've done worse. Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    GAME & WATCH IS SUPERIOR

    It just feels right when you're holding it. The d-pad is great, the speakers aren't muted, GBA games don't stick out, the power switch isn't in a stupid location, and it comes with it's own anti-theft system. :wink:

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  • apotheosapotheos Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited January 2007
    Uh. Yeah. I'm Canadian. Thats why I said $150.

    apotheos on


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  • powersurgepowersurge Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Any of you guys have the Nyko charger grips for the DS lite? Wondering if they are as good as the DS phat ones.

    Without the DS phat charger grips certain games kill my hands for some reason. (Like Castlevania) With the grips it doesn't bother me at all.

    powersurge on
  • METAzraeLMETAzraeL Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    The DS Lite dpad is a little strange after using the phat, but I say the biggest difference lies in the edge design. The phat has an over-hanging lip that digs into your hands after a bit of playing, whereas the Lite spoons deliciously into your loving embrace. Games like MPH and MKDS (if you're a snaker :P) are gonna give you cramps no matter what until you find your personal playstyle.

    METAzraeL on

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  • StormwatcherStormwatcher Blegh BlughRegistered User regular
    edited January 2007
    B:L wrote:
    GAME & WATCH IS SUPERIOR

    It just feels right when you're holding it. The d-pad is great, the speakers aren't muted, GBA games don't stick out, the power switch isn't in a stupid location, and it comes with it's own anti-theft system. :wink:

    I pity you. I'll pray for you tonight.

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  • guidedbyvicesguidedbyvices Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    So how weak are the DS Lite speakers in comparison to the Phatty?
    I dig how I can REALLY crank up the music for a pivotal boss fight (FF3)

    And I actually found a decent trade-in deal for my DS Tank, and keep thinking I should pick up a sexy black DS Lite... For its black... er.. Sexiness.

    But my Phatty has a metric fuckton of good memories behind it. The only problem it ever gave me was that -- sometimes -- my hands would go numb after 30 minutes because I'd end up having most of its "weight" balanced on my palms (when sitting upright e.g.). But it wasn't a dealbreaker.

    And isn't there some issue with having to tranfer some Game-specific Wifi data between DS's first? Obviously, I'd have to trade-in my old one before I could get a Lite so I wouldn't be able to do the deed.

    guidedbyvices on
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  • LunkerLunker Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    So how weak are the DS Lite speakers in comparison to the Phatty?
    I dig how I can REALLY crank up the music for a pivotal boss fight (FF3)

    And I actually found a decent trade-in deal for my DS Tank, and keep thinking I should pick up a sexy black DS Lite... For its black... er.. Sexiness.

    But my Phatty has a metric fuckton of good memories behind it. The only problem it ever gave me was that -- sometimes -- my hands would go numb after 30 minutes because I'd end up having most of its "weight" balanced on my palms (when sitting upright e.g.). But it wasn't a dealbreaker.

    And isn't there some issue with having to tranfer some Game-specific Wifi data between DS's first? Obviously, I'd have to trade-in my old one before I could get a Lite so I wouldn't be able to do the deed.
    Personally, I've found both of the DS models' speaker to be woefully inadequate. Games like Advance Wars and Meteos demand headphones because the audio is so delicious.

    And yes, I believe that if you want to keep your existing WFC ID and data, you have to have both DSes available at once. Perhaps if you're trading it in at an EBStop, you can ask the dude really, really nicely to let you do it at the store.

    Lunker on
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  • RohaqRohaq UKRegistered User regular
    edited January 2007
    Lunker wrote:
    So how weak are the DS Lite speakers in comparison to the Phatty?
    I dig how I can REALLY crank up the music for a pivotal boss fight (FF3)

    And I actually found a decent trade-in deal for my DS Tank, and keep thinking I should pick up a sexy black DS Lite... For its black... er.. Sexiness.

    But my Phatty has a metric fuckton of good memories behind it. The only problem it ever gave me was that -- sometimes -- my hands would go numb after 30 minutes because I'd end up having most of its "weight" balanced on my palms (when sitting upright e.g.). But it wasn't a dealbreaker.

    And isn't there some issue with having to tranfer some Game-specific Wifi data between DS's first? Obviously, I'd have to trade-in my old one before I could get a Lite so I wouldn't be able to do the deed.
    Personally, I've found both of the DS models' speaker to be woefully inadequate. Games like Advance Wars and Meteos demand headphones because the audio is so delicious.

    And yes, I believe that if you want to keep your existing WFC ID and data, you have to have both DSes available at once. Perhaps if you're trading it in at an EBStop, you can ask the dude really, really nicely to let you do it at the store.
    Wait, you could transfer that? Damn.

    Rohaq on
  • wasted lifewasted life Registered User regular
    edited January 2007
    As someone with Xbox controller sized hands(PS2 controller cramps my hands something fierce), I find the DS lite to be far more comfortable than the Phat. Anyone that complains about hand cramping is probably holding it too close. If you loosen up your hands and hold it at a bit of a distance it is very comfortable. The base should rest on your fingertips and not your palms. This got me through many looooong Castlevania: PoR sessions with nearly no discomfort. I found the Phat to be a little too heavy and unbalanced to do this comfortably. Also, there are like 4 levels of brightness adjustments so you can adjust it to your preferences. The Phat has no brightness adjustments, just off and on.

    On the other hand, there are a few flaws with the DS lite that may or may not affect your purchase. My biggest complaint is the speakers, which are weaker and a bit tinny compared to the Phat. Get some nice headphones for musical games such as Castlevania, Meteos, Ouendan, Elite Beat Agents, and Electroplankton. Also, the face buttons and D-Pad feel a bit less responsive. Finally, the outside collects fingerprints pretty noticeably, and is worst on the black version.

    So, they both have their ups and down, but overall I prefer and recommend the Lite.


    EDIT: I just realized our DS collection(addiction) has reached 26 games. D:

    wasted life on
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