Kotaku: DS Lite

Limited Premium DS Lites For Japan

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 MDT

Chalk up yet another reason to hate Japan's Club Nintendo. From July 1st to August 31st, a limited number of "Premium" DS Lites will be made available to lucky folks. How limited? There are only 3,000 of these outside cover plated "Premium" DS Lites, Here's the breakdown: 1,000 Premium Silver; 1,000 Premium Black; 1,000 Premium Rose. As website Gpara explains, these are actually the standard-in-Japan "Gloss Silver", "Jet Black" and "Metallic Rose" DS Lites treated with a special metallic plating cover. Club Nintendo members interested in snagging one of these need to enter the serial numbers of two purchased DS titles that went on sale after August 2006 into the Club Nintendo online application. There's a limit of five entries per member! From that, 3,000 winners will be selected at random. Click through the gallery to get a look at the "Premium" DS Lites.

Premium DS [Club Nintendo via Famitsu]

Get A Closer Look At Europe's Classy DS Lites

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 03:30:00 MDT

Long given the royal shaft by Nintendo, it's heart-warming to see an instance where Europe gets something nice from the Kyoto-based company. And it doesn't come nicer than those new DS Lite colours announced for the region the other week. For your viewing pleasure today, then, some intimate shots of the new handhelds, which not only give you a good, proper look at them, but should get you close enough to the gorgeous lime one to let you taste its citrus, taste its zest.

Nintendo Handing Out Free DS at UK Teaching Conference

Brian Crecente — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:00:00 MDT

Nintendo plans to hand out free DS Lites and copies of Brain Training to the teachers attending an upcoming Handheld Learning Conference in London later this year.

The conference, supported by Nintendo, will explore how technology can be used for learning.

Graham Brown-Martin, founder of Handheld Learning, said: “Providing teachers with free Nintendo DS Lites is not intended to be a gimmick, we expect our delegates to use them during the conference and experience an environment that would typically not be allowed in a classroom.”

I think it's a great idea. In fact in my recent conversation with Nintendo's Cammie Dunaway I was telling her that Nintendo should work to get some WiiWare educational games out and then provide the Wii to schools around the country. It worked for Apple, so why not Nintendo? Personally, I think all three hardware companies are obligated, as good corporate citizens, to create educational games for their download services. They may not make money, but I can't imagine it would cost them that much and think of the good will, both to the company and the industry.

Nintendo to hand out free DS consoles [Digital Spy]

Hudson Gets DS Lite Hinge Cracks, Too

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 26 May 2008 04:00:00 MDT

Arrrrrrgh! DS Lite hinge cracks know no bounds!! Even Hudson's human mascot and human turbo switch Takahashi Meijin has been hit with crackage. He blogs:

Well, well, the other day my DS Lite got a hinge crack.

Didn't the white DS Lite go on sale in Fall 2006? I've used this for the past two years, and then like that, a mysterious crack.

Well, Takahashi Meijin was carting around a DS from the faulty batch. Nintendo's long since fixed that crack problem. Correct?
Master Higgins DS Problem [16Shot via my game news flash]

Nintendo "Clearly Denies" New DS Rumor

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:00:18 MDT

Since Nintendo absolutely loves releasing an endless stream of its hardware, Enterbrain (Famitsu's parent company) honcho Hirokazu Hamamura hinting that this year's E3 will bring a new DS seems, well, believable. Nintendo says that it's just not so! According to a Nintendo Co., Ltd. mouthpiece:

We cannot comment on the specifics of what will be announced at E3, but at the very least there won't be anything like what Mr. Hamamura suggested, so would like to clearly deny this. We're having a hard time understanding what kind of evidence [Mr. Hamamura] had for saying this.

Hey, this is just like when Nintendo denied the DS Lite and then announced the DS Lite! Lying is bad, kids. No matter what Nintendo does, always tell the truth.
Nintendo Denies [IGN via Go Nintendo]

New DS Coming To E3 2008?

Mark Wilson — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:40:00 MDT

According to Bloomberg Japan, Enterbrain (Famitsu's parent company) honcho Hirokazu Hamamura has said that Nintendo might unveil a new DS model at E3 2008. While Ash is asleep and our Google Translate only takes us so far, there doesn't appear to be any other information of note other than Nintendo declining to comment on the rumor.

Since it took about two years for the DS to become the DS Lite, the timeline for the DS Lite to become the DS Liter seems right on track. What would you like to see in the updated handheld if Hamamura's prediction comes to fruition?

Nintendo DS possibility of a new version [Bloomberg via NeoGAF]

Pricey Japanese Girl DS Bling

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 02:00:03 MDT

Just look! That's some seriously Japanese girl DS bling. Up top is a &4,830 (US $47.45) custom flower DS jacket. Below? That's a ¥12,810 ($125.85) "love dot" decoration job. Both are featured in the current issue of Koakuma ageha. You can learn all about it here, sparkles and all!
DS Lites in ageha [Patrick Macias]

Men, Women All Love The Nintendo DS

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:00:59 MDT

Which handheld is the most popular in Japan? Which one is most popular with men? With women? Questions! Endless!! Net Asia Co., Ltd. polled 401 mobile phone users ranging from 15 to 29 years old. Here's the breakdown by sex:

Males
Nintendo DS Lite: 30.3 percent
Nintendo DS: 16.8 percent
PSP: 42 percent
Game Boy Advance: 6.7 percent
Game Boy: 3.4 percent
Game Boy Advance SP: 0.8 percent

Females
Nintendo DS Lite: 52.2 percent
Nintendo DS: 27.4 percent
PSP: 8.8 percent
Game Boy Advance: 6.2 percent
Game Boy: 5.3 percent

Simple math tells us that 47.1 percent of men and 79.6 of women play the DS platform. Most popular place to play is at home, followed by the train or a friend's house. Our question: Who are these people still playing Game Boys?

Men and Women Portable Habits [Nikkei Business via Dtoid]　[Pic]

Undiscouraged, Mini Bash Creates Seven Origami Lites

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:00:00 MDT

After SOME ADULT upstaged four-year old Mini Bash, he spent the rest of the evening, trying to perfect his origami DS Lite. He noticed mistakes in his design — like the lack of a Dpad. What's more, he selected pink paper to match our pink DS Lite. He made seven total, not including the sheet of paper he tried to color black so he could have a black DS Lite, but then gave up. Not sure why he made seven. Perhaps he thinks if he looks at them all quickly, they'll move. Check back next week when SOME ADULT reads more books than Mini Bash and kicks his ass in counting to ten.

How Much Punishment Can a DS Lite Take?

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:00:45 MDT

Hinge cracks aside, things the DS Lite can survive: Being put in a bag with keys and shaken, being dropped on the floor, being tossed from a motorbike, being thrown down the stairs, getting hot tea poured on it, falling two floors. Things the DS Lite cannot survive: Falling three stories, being thrown against the wall and being ripped to pieces. Website Broken Reivew put the DS Lite through a battery of tests, coming to this conclusion: TK. So, remember, it's okay to chuck your DS Lite from a moving vehicle, but don't try ripping it apart. That fucks 'em up.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=185030

DS Lite Test [Broken Review via DS Fanboy]

This DS Lite Is Rare, Beautiful

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 01:30:00 MST

Super-influential streetwear designer Hiroshi Fujiwara and Japanese fashion mag Honeyee have teamed up on this very, very limited edition DS Lite. It's got a classy matte black exterior with white body and hinges, and as you can see, kicks the ass of every colour scheme Nintendo currently have on the market. Before you get excited, however, it needs to be repeated that this is limited. How limited? Don't know, further info is forthcoming. It might even just be this one. Needless to say, you'll never own one.

これ、やっと形になりました。詳しくは次のhoneyee.mag で[Honeyee, via Hypebeast]

The Pink Lite DS Lite Bento

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 01:00:49 MST

Remember when Japan went bonkers over the DS? Everywhere the handheld was sold out, and if you wanted one, that meant lining up early on a Saturday morning when the new shipments arrived. It got so bad that American DSes had to be re-imported back into to Japan just to satisfy the demand. Let's take a moment and reflect on those madcap crazy days with food! Here's a Noble Pink DS Lite bento. It even says "Sold Out" in Japanese on it. Delicious.
Nintendo DS Bento [Alafista]

DS Lite Cover Made of SNAKE Skin

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 07:00:37 MST

Plastic DS Lite covers are so pedestrian. Boring, even! Here's a snake skin DS Lite cover. Yes, SNAKE SKIN. And you can even buy it for ¥12,800 (US $120). They really should've called this the DSssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss.
Snake Skin [Mayumi Hasegawa via Gizmodo Japan]

It's Official. Nintendo Announces Cobalt/Black DS Lite

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:30:01 MST

Well, those rumors were true. Today Nintendo announced the Cobalt/Black DS Lite, which hits American stores on February 10th. It's the seventh color for the DS Lite has release thus far for the US market, and we are sure it's not the last. Oh yes, there will be more. Many more. Until then, hit the jump for press reading fun! Mmm press releases.

Nintendo DS Gets a Fashion-Forward New Color Scheme: Cobalt/Black
The best-selling video game system in the world is adding a cool new color scheme to its wardrobe on Feb. 10. Like a black T-shirt with a splash of color, the new Cobalt/Black version of the portable Nintendo DS™ grabs your attention. It looks good whether it's toted in your school backpack, pulled from your purse or riding with you on a family trip.

Cobalt/Black marks the seventh color in the Nintendo DS Lite palette. It joins Polar White, Coral Pink, Onyx, Crimson/Black and the limited-edition Gold and Metallic Rose. Now there's a Nintendo DS color to complement any outfit.

Nintendo DS just finished 2007 as the best-selling video game system in the United States, with more than 8.5 million sold last year alone. Since it launched in November 2004, Nintendo DS has sold more than 17.6 million in the United States. Its smart looks, innovative touch screen and voice recognition features, and remarkable software have reinvented the way people think about video games while attracting girls, women, baby boomers and seniors to the world of video games in record numbers.

Insider Dishes on Cobalt Blue DS Lite

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:40:59 MST

Here's some confirmation for that Cobalt Blue DS Lite rumor. According to a Nintendo insider, warehouse workers just began putting the Cobalt Blue clamshells on within the last day or so. The insider described the color as a "purplish blue" and added that they look "awesome." The unit is the same as the red and black DS Lite (and it does have a power switch!). Our insider didn't have an exact release date, but pointed out that once the packing begins, it's usually somewhere between two weeks and a month before the product hits store shelves. Guess that means mid to late February for the Cobalt Blue DS Lites.

Cobalt Blue and Black DS Lite On the Way?

fdemarco — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 15:00:00 MST

Rumors have been flying about for some time that we here in the US would be getting a cobalt blue DS and it looks like they might well turn out to be true. GoNintendo reported seeing a pre-order page on CircuitCity.com displaying a cobalt and black DS Lite similar in style to the red and black that came out not too long ago. The listing has since been removed but the memory of it has DS color junkies champing at the bit. Word on the tubes is that the new color will be landing in the US sometime in the first part of February. Rumor? Fact? Cruel joke? Only time will tell!

Wha, People Still Get DS Lite Hinge Cracks?!

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:00:32 MST

DS hinge cracks? That's so 2006. Or is it? In the last day or so, we've gotten emails from readers stating that it is still apparently a problem. Kotaku reader John/RickD39 sent us the above pic, while another reader named Kai had his DS Lite crack for the third time. According to Kai, Nintendo told him it will replace Lite cracks once and have corrected its manufacturing process. We're not sure if these are isolated incidents. Perhaps they are, perhaps they aren't. So! Time for a quick show of hands. Anyone else recently get hinge cracks on newly purchased or fixed DS Lites?

Utada Hikaru Gets Uncouth, Bites DS

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 21:00:14 MST

Here's the deal: We like Japanese singer Utada Hikaru (a lot). And she likes the Nintendo DS (a lot). Here's the former NDS campaign girl showing her "true, uncouth nature" and munching on her metallic pink DS Lite. Not much else to add, other than love the hat. That, and let's keep the comments clean, 'mkay? Or else.
Utada Hikaru's Bites DS [U3MUSIC INC, Thanks RB!]

Slimlining as Corporate Phenomenon

Maggie Greene — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 15:00:42 MST

This week's Escapist has an interesting little piece on the phenomenon of slimlining - something that Nintendo does with gleeful abandon, Sony has dabbled in, and Microsoft apparently doesn't see the need for. I've never really seen the need to upgrade to the slim versions even when they're offered - I do have one of the slim PS2s, since my original clunky PS2 was abandoned in Taipei, and I'd like a DS Lite, but the old one works fine .... In any case, it's an interesting look at the cycles of slimlining and what it may herald for the future of consoles and handhelds:

What future slimlining of our current-generation consoles will signify, only time will tell. But paying attention to the changing shape of a game system provides consumers with a wealth of body language and an inside glance at the intentions and deliberations of the big companies. Slimlining is corporate psychology laid out on the consumer couch, cryptically conveying a truth the company fears to speak out loud. So keep an eye peeled for warning signs before parting with your hard-earned cash.

It's a quick read, a trip down memory lane, and worth a look.

Slimlining [the Escapist]

DS Lite or PSP - Which Does Japan Want?

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:00:16 MST

　The holidays are coming up fast, and people need to think about presents! So, people of Japan, which portable game machine do you want: PSP or DS Lite? A year ago, it was really hard to get the DS Lite in Japan. So hard that DS Lites had to be re-imported from America to meet the demand. But now, things have cooled off considerably. The PSP has experienced an upsurge of late thanks to a much overdue redesign. So which one do most Japanese folks want? Cross Marketing poled 300 people to find out. Know: 20 percent were in their teens, 20 percent in their twenties, 20 percent in their thirties, 20 percent in their forties and 20 percent in their fifties. The results:

Nintendo DS 6.7%
Nintendo DS Lite 23.3%
PSP 22.3%
Other 1.7%
Don't want any 46.0%

Adding the regular DS and the Lite gives Nintendo a more sizable lead over Sony. Still nothing like the craziness of last year! Though, impressive showing for the PSP. There is one rational explanation for this dip in demand, you know: Everyone already has a DS.
PSP Challenging [What Japan Thinks] [Image]

Truly, The Ugliest DS Lite Customized Art

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 23:00:02 MST

What do you do when you want a Rozen Maiden DS Lite and there is no Rozen Maiden DS Lite? You draw one. That's exactly what this Yahoo Auction seller has done just that. Usually we don't like to post auction items, because we don't want to drive the price up. But, we're pretty confident this post will have no effect whatsoever.
Rozen DS Lite [Yahoo! Auction via Canned Dogs]

20 Million DSes Sold in Japan (The Breakdown)

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 02:00:22 MST

Holy crap, Nintendo has sold a lot of DSes in Japan. How many? A lot. For those of you into frivolous things like numbers, "a lot" comes to the tune of 20 million DS portables according to Famitsu publisher Enterbrain. That's since the handheld went on sale way back in December 2004. Sure, we've heard this before, but Entertain has done the number crunching: The actual breakdown is 6,449,206 original DSes and 13,602,806 DS Lites sold for a grand total of 20,052,012 aka A LOT. The top five games sold are all first party Nintendo titles: Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl (5,337,424), New Super Mario Bros. (4,894,287), Brain Age 2 (4,731,990), Animal Crossing: Wild World (4,443,340) and Brain Age (3,571,030). So, yeah, the DS it prints money. A LOT.
DS Sales Japan [Famitsu]

Nintendo Announces Two New DS Lite Bundles

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 06:00:31 MST

A while back, crummy Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass DS Lite retailer scans did the internet rounds. The quality was bad, and it was hard to decipher if the hardware was real or not. It is. It's just one of the new DS Lite bundles Nintendo is releasing on November 23rd, Black Friday. The other is a metallic pink version that will come with Nintendogs. Go figure. Nintendo's Perrin Kaplan explains:

We chose a couple of the products (games) we know are so loved ... and picked colors we know appeal to consumers right now... It's already this incredible cake and we just want to put more icing on it.

Nintendo is letting retailers set their own price, but a DS Lite and one game runs about US $160. Though, we'd expect Nintendogs to be less as the game is a couple years old.
New Bundles [Reuters]

Club Nintendo's DS Lite Looking DS Game Holder

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 22:00:35 MST

While others order the coolest stuff on Club Nintendo, my wife always orders the most useful. Her logic: It's free and useful. Our latest Club Nintendo loot? We got this nifty DS game cartridge holder. We think it's leather, but aren't sure. (Might be pleather!) Just love that it looks and folds like, well, a DS. There are even little magnets in it that make the case snap shut!

Kelly Rowland is Making Made DS Kissy Face

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:00:27 MST

Singer Kelly Rowland is a successful recording artist. She's rich, attractive and has big muscles. She should so have the pick of the litter! Who's she dating. Rowland says:

The only thing I'm dating is my Nintendo DS. We have an amazing relationship and it's a great boyfriend.

OH BOY. Cue the mini-games and touching jokes!
Rowland Talks DS [The London Paper via Absolute Gadget via Go Nintendo
AP Picture [BBC]

Guide Gives Gamer Girls Handholding

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 06:40:31 MDT

Book time! British publisher Black Dog Media is releasing The Girl's Guide to Gaming, which is apparently a girl's guide to gaming. And because the book is a girl's guide, it is pink! Didn't you know that girls like pink? They do! And the DS Lite on the cover? So pink. Black Dog's James Gale explains:

Nintendo didn't want to fight over the same demographic as Sony, so they created a complete new one, a market in which it wasn't only boys that played games... It's hats off to Nintendo. Without their bravery to push the market away from the old boys' club, I doubt we would now be part of a fresh marketplace, where female gamers have been given a long overdue voice.

Yeah, because before the DS, girls just sat around, stared at the wall and ate rocks, too. No way they could play something as complex as the PS2! Good thing there's this guide — otherwise, we're sure they'd be totally at a loss. Hey, we haven't read this book and don't want judge this literary work by its cover. But damn, it's sure as shit hard not to.
Girl's Guide to Gaming [Digital Spy, Thanks shu!]

Has the DS Situation Normalized in Japan? (Not Really.)

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 02:00:14 MDT

Earlier this year, Japan was DS crazy. Getting your hands on a DS was hard at best, requiring customers to line-up for the latest shipments. And last year? Last year, Japan was BANANAS for the DS. Things got so bad that retailers began reimporting American DSes and selling them to hungry Japanese customers. The demand seem to have cooled off considerably. When the Crimson/Black DS Lite went on sale last week, there was little fanfare, and it was possible to walk into almost any store and pick one up. Folks didn't line up either! All the other colors are apparently available at most stores in Den-Den Town — though, I did notice the Enamel Navy and the Jet Black DS Lites sold out at couple Akihabara shops on Friday. Does everyone who wants a DS in Japan finally have one? Or is Nintendo finally meeting the demand?
Crimson on Sale [Ota Road Blog]

Crimson Onyx DS Now on Sale Solo

Brian Crecente — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:00:12 MDT

Initially only available as part of a Brain Age 2 bundle, Nintendo today announced that their snazzy two-tone Crimson and Onyx DS Lite is now available in stores on its own for $130.

I had a chance to check out one of these bad boys at Toys R Us over the weekend when I ran into a Kotaku reader looking to scratch his Pokemon itch. The thing is really quite nice. The red has a nice shine to it and the black, at least the back of the DS, was a sort of matte black that you can't really see in photos. Initially I thought the two-tone was a bit ugly, but having seen it in person, it would probably be my first choice if I didn't have a DS Lite already.

Has anyone else noticed that Nintendo has stopped called the DS Lite the DS Lite and now refer to it as just the DS?

Nintendo DS - Over 50 Million Served

Mike Fahey — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 08:20:16 MDT

I remember back when Nintendo first announced the DS. How we laughed and jeered. Two screens? What a stupid idea! Well now that stupid idea has been proven not so stupid over 50 million times. Selling a hundred times better than your average hotcake, Nintendo's handheld gamble has paid off big time. In contrast, it took them 11 years to sell 100 million Gameboys, so as PC World points out, the DS should easily surpass that if momentum continues. Huge numbers, but it still means that only .07% of the world population owns a Nintendo DS, so pick up the pace, slackers! Bossangoa needs their Pokemon!

Nintendo DS Sales Pass 50 Million [PC World]

The Legend of Zelda Phantom Hourglass

Brian Crecente — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 13:29:20 MDT

Alrighty, I'm going to try liveblogging some Legend of Zelda Phantom Hourglass play on my DS Lite. No clue how well this is going to work since it's such a tiny screen and I haven't landed a capture device from Nintendo yet.

OK, I'm going to get started now. Hit the jump to comment and ask questions, I'll try to keep an eye on the site and the comments to see what questions you might be asking. As always, don't watch if you don't want spoilers. This is my first time playing this part of the game, so I have no idea if there will be plot spoilers.

All done, but you can go back to Justin TV and watch the recording of my gameplay.

Nintendo's Llewelyn Hangs Up Her Hat

Brian Crecente — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:13:07 MDT

The rumors have been fluttering about for quite a time now: Word had it that Nintendo was going to lose a trio of experienced management types when they moved part of their offices from Washington State to the Bay Area.

Looks like the rumors continue to be true. Beth Llewelyn, senior director of corporate communications, emailed today to bid adieu saying that her decision was prompted by the need to relocate to the Bay Area, something that she and her family decided wasn't the right thing to do.

This news comes just months after Llewelyn told me at E3 that she was still trying to work things out. It's too bad that Nintendo appears to be taking such a hard-nosed approach to this move. They've already lost marketing chief George Harrison for the same reason and I can't imagine that Veep Perrin Kaplan won't be far behind, unless she's down with the move.

Llewelyn, a mother of two, will be going from the world of Nintendo to the world of full-time Mom (talk about hard, but rewarding jobs) on Friday, ending her 12 year career with the company and pushing one more female exec out of Nintendo's doors and the gaming industry. Too bad, I really liked her.

Ninja Gaiden: The Best Damn Swag on the Planet

Brian Crecente — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 10:00:02 MDT

The Tecmo press party enticed us with the promise of maid waitresses in a pirate-themed bar, but made us happy by slapping these amazing DS styluses in our hands as we walked out the door.

And the Ninja Gaiden stylus doesn't just look cool, it's also serious deadly. Check, for instance, the "usage notice" on the back of the pack:

This stylus tool is only to be used for touching screens.
Do not pole or swing this stylus tool when near other people.
Do not use this stylus tool if the tip is broken or becomes dirty.
Do no over-stretch the strap.
Please close tightly after using this stylus tool.

I am so ignoring every one of those rules, well except for the dirty one.

Exploded Consoles

Brian Crecente — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 01:40:09 MDT

There's a little "museum" located just inside the hall, near the exit that leads to the press room, that has "exploded" consoles on display under a glass case. They've got a dismantled Xbox 360, PS3, DS Lite and PSP. While it's kinda cool to check out, I think I would have preferred to see someone smash open the consoles like eggs.

PowerPod Rocks PSP, DS, GBA

Brian Crecente — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 17:00:15 MDT

I had arrived in Vegas to meet with Bill Gates at CES earlier this year only to discover that I had forgotten to pack my cell phone charger and that it was nearly dead. In a panic I hit up one of the stores in the airport and picked up a really nifty charger called the PowerPod. The thing comes with interchangeable tips so you can charge a bunch of different cell phones and small electronics, but more importantly it can draw power from a wall socket, a car cigarette lighter socket, a USB or a 9V battery.

Recently the tip for my Treo snapped in half so I called the company about getting a replacement. While on the phone with them I discovered that they now sell tips for the PSP, the DS and the GBA and next month they should be getting a DS Lite tip in. Better still, once they have the DS Lite tip they're going to start selling a Gaming PowerPod for $25 that will come with the three tips. Sounds like the perfect solution for multiplatform gamers like myself.

PowerPod [Ear Hugger]

Publisher Giving Away Crichton Book... And DS Lite?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 02:00:22 MDT

Nothing says new Michael Crichton book like, err, a DS Lite? In a truly bizarre contest, Harper Collins is giving away a DS Lite and a copy of his new book Next to one lucky individual and just copies of the novel to two other folks as well. And what does the Nintendo DS have to do with the Michael Crichton book? Absolutely nothing, apparently! Like I said, bizarre.
Enter the Contest [Bucks Free Press via DS Fanboy]

Sass Up Your DS Hello Kitty Style

fdemarco — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 15:00:00 MDT

Whenever I take out my shiny pink DS in public it never fails to elicit stares of wonder, desire and in some cases, utter confusion. Why is this tattooed, big sideburned guy playing with this thing that looks like a girl's compact? If you get these same looks when you whip yours out, here's a way to confuse them even more!

DreamKitty.com is offering this oh-so-too-cutesy three piece vinyl sticker set so you can give that old DS Lite a Hello Kitty makeover, much to the delight of passers by. This pink fantasy can be yours for $16.49 plus shipping. Go for it! You're sure to be the envy of every 10 year old girl on the block.

Hello Kitty Deco Seal for DS Lite [DreamKitty]
[via GoNintendo]

Homemade DS Rumble

Brian Crecente — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 17:00:52 MDT

Personally, I hate that the rumble pack for the DS Lite sticks out of the thing when you're using it. Actually I hate that all GBA carts stick out when you're using them, but that's another story.

Enter Xyzzy, an Instructable user that came up with a bit of a homebrew mod that jams a rumble pack into the DS Lite's dust cover. The mod uses an old Pokemon cart, and the motor from a Nokia 5100 phone, meaning more than likely you won't be doing this one on your own. But it's still worth checking out how he did it.

DUY RumblePak for Nintendo DS Lite [Instructables, via Nintendo Gal]

It's A Wonderful DS Case

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 07:00:25 MDT

Worst part about limited edition DS Lites? You're stuck with it long after the game is out, pigeon holing yourself. Good thing Square Enix's non-Square-Enix-looking game Subarashiki Kono Sekai is getting a custom DS Lite case. This is a very good idea! Peripheral maker Hori is releasing the casing for ¥1,449 (US $12) when the game drops on July 27. Hori's also got a Subarashiki Kono Sekai extendable touch pen if you're into that sorta thing.

In related Subarashiki Kono Sekai, Square Enix still hasn't secured the US rights to the title "It's A Wonderful World," the game's English language moniker. Though, apparently Square Enix's Tetsuya Nomura is dead set on getting that English title so watch as his minions make it happen.
Hori Case [Famitsu]

"No Plans to Localize Doki Doki Majo Shinpan"

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 06:40:37 MDT

Want to play SNK's sleeper hit Doki Doki Majo Shinpan? Start learning Japanese. Even though it's rated 15 years-old and up, the witch toucher has the distinction of being the DS's first "adult" title — complete with boob flicking. An SNK spokesperson told me today:

...this title is only for Japanese market. We do not have any plan for localize to the other versions.

A damn shame! I was looking forward to seeing how SNK would slip this one under the radar and get this on Western store shelves. Like I said, a damn shame.

Wii Hits 3 Million, DS Racks Up 18 Million

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 03:00:50 MDT

The Wii is a juggernaut. While the PS3 has broken a million in sales since launch, the Wii has done that — thrice over in Japan. Between its December launch and July 15, over three million Wii consoles were sold in The Land of the Rising Sun. In related It-Prints-Money news, the grand total for DS sales is just north of 18 million. Here's the breakdown since going on sale: 11,648,652 Nintendo DS units sold and 6,447,428 Nintendo DS Lites sold. Yup, Nintendo's no longer the underdog.
Wii Cracks 3 Million, DS Hits 18 [Famitsu]