A couple of years ago I was on a flight to visit friends in Florida and was sitting near a couple of kids (probably age 12 or so?), brothers, who were travelling with their family but due to seating were in the seats next to me (parents in front with younger sister). During the flight the parents were concerned that the boys might be a nuisance but instead I found them very entertaining. Each had a Nintend DS Lite and were playing a "duel" with some game. During a meal-break I took the opportunity to ask all about this little hand-held entertainment centre and was surprised to find that both kids rated it very highly.
At this time I had comparatively recently had a form of parkinsonism triggered by generael anaesthesia and I was concerned, among a lot of other things, that my mind was becoming sluggish and slow (the neuros call it "cognitive deficit") so I was fascinated by the Nintendo DS. I had, of course, seen adverts for it on TV but it was quite pricey and before seing one in action had had doubts as to its durability or value for money.
My trip in Florida was, as ever, great fun and very busy (its great when friends just accommodate to disability without making a fuss!) and I mentioned thinking of buying a Nintendo DS to work the Brain Training program. Obviously, due to the exchange rate, prices in the USA are cheaper than UK/Europe so we took ourselves off to an electronics superstore where I bought myself a Nintendo DS Lite, carry case (pale blue) and the first Brain Training "game".
My major concern was how to charge/rechage this handheld as mine was a US model so a quick trip to Radio Shack produced an appropriate transformer (the voltage in UK is different) and I already had an international socket/plug so... not only can I charge my Nintendo in the USA but also in UK.
Starting to use the Nintendo, as an adult who hasn't played many computer games, let alone used a handheld device (apart from a basic cell phone) was a great adventure. I have always liked gadgets anyway and I do always read user manuals to make sure how things work.
The controls are very easy. The on/off switch is a regular click to/from posiion one on the side of the unit and the stylus/pointer is in a recess alongside this. Because I keep my Nintendo in its carry case I don't always totally shut away the stylus so it is more easily accessed.
When you first turn the unit on and after touching the lower screen the top screen shows the time and a calendar for the current month. On the top of the top screen are a couple of icons showing battery charge level, screen mode etc. The bottom screen shows whether or not there is a DS game installed, a GamePak installed and offers options for Pictochat (never done this) and DS Download play (not sure about this either!).
Tapping on the section containing the game (Brain Training) then opens the software and you just follow the instructions from there.
To the left of the bottom screen is a four-pointed button used in regular games for moving up/down, left/right. To the right of the bottom screen are four buttons, Y, X, A and B also used in gaming and below these are two buttons "Start" and "Select" which you are prompted to use in different games/applications.
I have tried playing a Mario game on this but as i am very new to gaming I am rather bad ... age and parky means, too, that I am now light-years slower than I used to be!! But I have fun.
The battery life is amazing. I use the Nintendo several times a week and, if I am on a roll, may use it for up to an hour at a time and it only ever seems to need a charge every couple of weeks.
I just wish games for the Nintendo DS Lite were a little cheaper but then I can see myself becoming addicted to it!
The portability of the unit (see the manufacturer's spec for full detals) is perfect - the size exactly right for any commuter journey or flight and because there is a volume control you can even use it while waiting for appointments at the Drs office etc.
All in all I would definitely recommend the Nintend DS Lite to anyone who wants to play games on the move or even train their brain - it is definitely not just a one-hit wonder, i.e. "not just for Christmas", but something you will use over and over again!!
More details
Graphics Capability
Excellent
Sound Capability
Good
Range of Features
Good
Ease of Use
Very easy
Value for Money
Good value for money
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