Nintendo DS Lite review: specs and price
Nintendo fans looking for a more portable version of the famous Nintendo DS will enjoy the Nintendo DS Lite’s sleek, lightweight nature. Offering a longer-lasting rechargeable battery, brighter screen, and larger stylus than the original Nintendo DS, the DS Lite retains the impressive wireless connectivity and gameplay features you’d expect out of any DS.
Despite being discontinued a few years back, you can still find reasonably-priced Nintendo DS Lites on various online marketplaces if you enjoy playing Nintendo games but don’t want to spring for something like the new Nintendo Switch. Sure, there’s a noticeable difference between the battery power, computing power, and even available games, but it’s a top-tier gaming device.
On the DS Lite, you can play over 1,800 games, including classics such as Mario Kart DS, Nintendogs, and Pokemon Pearl. Aching to play those classic Game Boy Advance games? You can with the DS Lite; it’s got a Game Boy slot on the bottom and dual screens to enjoy amplified gameplay.
Nintendo DS Lite
Why is Nintendo DS Lite better than the average?
- Number of games?
1823vs1217.6 - Thickness?
21.83 mmvs59.35 mm - Width?
133 mmvs207.98 mm - Height?
73.9 mmvs96.02 mm - Volume?
214.56 cm³vs1108.97 cm³ - Weight?
218 gvs789.83 g
Price comparison
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User reviews
Overall rating
Features
Quality of exclusive games
9.3/10
3 votes
Backwards compatibility
8.0/10
3 votes
Controller
8.7/10
3 votes
Non-gaming apps
6.7/10
3 votes
Quiet operation
10.0/10
3 votes
Performance
CPU speed
1 x 0.1 GHz
The CPU speed indicates how many processing cycles per second can be executed by a CPU, considering all of its cores (processing units). It is calculated by adding the clock rates of each core or, in the case of multi-core processors employing different microarchitectures, of each group of cores.
floating-point performance
Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value.
Floating-point performance is a measurement of the raw processing power of the GPU.
RAM
3.91MB
Random-access memory (RAM) is a form of memory used to store working data and machine code. Having more RAM is particularly useful for multitasking, allowing you to run more programs at once or have more tabs open in your browser.
GPU clock speed
Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value.
The clock speed of the graphics processing unit (GPU).
supports ray tracing
✖Nintendo DS Lite
Ray tracing is an advanced light rendering technique that provides more realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections in games.
I/O throughput
Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value.
I/O throughput refers to the bandwidth of the internal storage. Storage that supports faster data transmission speeds results in quicker load times.
GDDR version
Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value.
Newer versions of GDDR memory offer improvements such as higher transfer rates that give increased performance.
Is an NVMe SSD
✖Nintendo DS Lite
NVMe SSDs use the PCIe interface, which has a higher bandwidth than the SATA interface. This results in much faster read/write speeds compared to SSDs which use the SATA interface.
memory bandwidth
Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value.
A higher memory bandwidth means the memory can be accessed faster and therefore data can be retrieved quicker, having a positive effect on the performance.
General info
Type
Portable
The type of game console.
display resolution
Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value.
The display resolution represents the amount of pixels that make up the image. It is a key indicator of image quality, with higher resolutions providing sharper and more detailed images.
Hard drive is replaceable
✖Nintendo DS Lite
The internal hard drive can be replaced by the user, for example if you wish to upgrade to a larger storage capacity.
Has an internal power supply
✔Nintendo DS Lite
Devices with an internal power supply are desirable as they don't require a large external "power brick" on the cable. It’s more aesthetically pleasing and an advantage if you have limited space.
Display type
LCD
The type of technology used in the display.
internal storage
0.26MB
The internal storage refers to the built-in storage space available in a device for system data, apps, and user-generated data. With a large amount of internal storage, you can save more files and apps on your device.
battery power
1000 mAh
Battery power, or battery capacity, represents the amount of electrical energy that a battery can store. More battery power can be an indication of longer battery life.
Is region free
✖Nintendo DS Lite
Region free devices allow you to play games from different continents. This enables you to collect a larger game library, and you could play games before they are released in your region.
thickness
21.83 mm
The thickness (or depth) of the product.
Connectivity
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
✔Nintendo DS Lite
With a standard mini jack socket, you can use the device with most headphones.
supports Wi-Fi
✔Nintendo DS Lite
The device can connect to Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
The Wi-Fi versions supported by the device.
is DLNA-certified
✖Nintendo DS Lite
All DLNA-certified products are compatible with one another. When different devices are connected to the same network, data can be transferred easily between them.
With more USB ports, you are able to connect more devices.
has an HDMI output
✖Nintendo DS Lite
Devices with a HDMI or mini HDMI port can transfer high definition video and audio to a display.
has an external memory slot
✖Nintendo DS Lite
The device has a standard memory slot (such as an SD or micro SD card slot) that enables you to extend the built-in internal storage with affordable memory modules, or easily retrieve data, such as photographs, from the memory card.
Supports connectivity between home and portable devices
✔Nintendo DS Lite
A portable device (e.g., handheld console, smartphone) can be connected to a home console and used as a gamepad.
Has USB Type-C
✖Nintendo DS Lite
The USB Type-C features reversible plug orientation and cable direction.
Features
number of games
1823
Consoles which have more games offer more choice to the user. It is also an indicator of how popular a console is.
number of exclusive games
Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value.
Exclusive games are only available to that game console producer.
has voice commands
✖Nintendo DS Lite
You can use your voice to control key functions of the device and you can easily access your device without pushing any button.
backwards compatibility
✖Nintendo DS Lite
With backwards compatibility, you can play games from the previous generation (or several generations) of console.
pixel density
103 ppi
Pixel density is a measurement of a screen's resolution, expressed as the number of pixels per inch (PPI) on the screen. A higher pixel density translates into more clarity and sharpness for the images rendered on the screen, thus improving the quality of the viewing experience.
Can play games while they download
✖Nintendo DS Lite
This means you don’t have to wait for the entire game to download first, as the later stages of the game download while you are playing.
supports quick resume
✖Nintendo DS Lite
Quick resume is a feature that allows you to switch between several running games with practically zero loading times.
supports Discord voice chat
✖Nintendo DS Lite
It supports Discord Voice, allowing you to chat with people on other platforms such as PC and mobile.
Supports 3D audio
✖Nintendo DS Lite
3D audio provides a more immersive soundscape than traditional surround sound technologies, allowing you to pinpoint the exact direction that sounds are coming from.
Controllers
More controllers allows you to have more people playing at a time.
has adaptive triggers
✖Nintendo DS Lite
Special motors in the controller can adjust the tension of the trigger buttons, adding to the feeling of immersion. For example, the triggers can become harder to press down as a player’s character sprints and becomes fatigued.
Compatible with a motion-sensing controller(s)
✖Nintendo DS Lite
A motion controller is a type of game controller that utilizes sensors (such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and other types of sensors) to track motion and provide input.
Has a wireless controller
✖Nintendo DS Lite
The device controllers connect to the console wirelessly, allowing for a tangle free gaming experience.
The more analog sticks, the more complex the input can be.
has an integrated touchpad
✖Nintendo DS Lite
With a touchpad, users can control the device by moving their finger on a touch-sensitive surface.
Has dual force feedback
✖Nintendo DS Lite
With dual force feedback the controller has realistic vibrations, allowing you to feel the direction from which the impact is coming.
The more buttons the device has, the more complex the input can be.
Price comparison
Professionally Refurbished NDSL For Nintendo DS Lite Game Console DSL Palm game With R4 card and TF memor...Professionally Refurbished NDSL For Nintendo DS Lite Game Console DSL Palm game With R4 card and TF memory card
eXtremeRate Replacement Full Housing Shell for Nintendo DS Lite, Case Cover with Buttons, Screen Lens for...eXtremeRate Replacement Full Housing Shell for Nintendo DS Lite, Case Cover with Buttons, Screen Lens for NDSL - Monster Index
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Comments
Jace
2 years ago
8 / 10
very solid, still holds up to this day
Jace
2 years ago
8 / 10
very good but I wish this could play Gameboy and Gameboy color games.
Pros
Cons
Deaven
5 months ago
8 / 10
The DS Lite
Deaven
5 months ago
8 / 10
The DS Lite is an amazing device that allows you to play all the classic games the bigger DS also could, it also allows for GBA games to be played on it, allowing for a wider range of games to be accessed through it. For its small rein it had, and the ERA it was released in, it was the best handheld device. There are limitations of course, it’s not too powerful, it’s game selection is filled with shovelware, and it doesn’t have access to the few things the DS does, but overall, solid device, even capable of emulation (to an extent).
Aaron
1 month ago
8 / 10
Worth Buying in 2024
Aaron
1 month ago
8 / 10
Still worth playing today. Quality games
Pros
Cons