Nintendo DS

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Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS

The Nintendo DS is the third newest handheld game system from Nintendo. Their newest handheld game system is the Nintendo DS Lite. The DS is a small, nearly pocket-size fold up machine that allows you to play video games. The games for the Nintendo DS are like a memory card chip from a digital camera which is small and may be easy to lose. However, they are quite stable if you drop them because of their solid design and the exposed parts are designed for long-term usage. New games such as Super Mario 64 DS came out on the release date and it comes free with the blue DS in North America.

The quality of the games graphics is slightly better than the Nintendo 64. For most of Nintendo's systems there have been no load times (except for the GameCube). With the DS a level in the game loads up quickly just like the Game Boy systems.

The DS also has many new features. It has a new surround sound system. It allows play for both games designed for the DS and games designed for the Game Boy Advance. The DS, however, can not play the really old Game Boy games or Game Boy Color games. It does also features a "touch screen" which is the most obvious marketing strategy used (everywhere demonstrate the touch screen). The touch screen is a screen which, when touched with the included stylus, will cause something to happen in the game (like a PDA). There are two styluses with it but more can be bought if they get lost. It is not a Game Boy.

[edit] Competiton

The Nintendo DS is a competitor (going against) the PlayStation Portable and Gizmondo (a UK-made handheld console). However, Nintendo and Sony said they were aimed at different people so there is no competition. At this time the DS is doing quite well and has sold more units than the PSP has but this may change as the PSP has been released in Europe last September 1.

[edit] Accessories

Many accessories are available for the Nintendo DS, including different coloured styluses and protection cases. Most consoles come with a screen protector and a car adaptor that allows the battery to be charged with a car's cigarette lighter.