DS Lite will make it out in North America on June 11th

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Press Release:

REDMOND, Wash., May 4, 2006 - Millions of people around the world already enjoy playing Nintendo DS™, and the system's future looks even brighter. On June 11, Nintendo DS™ Lite joins Nintendo's video game family when it launches in the Americas. The lighter, brighter version of the hot-selling Nintendo DS is expected to be priced as low as $129.99 at retailers throughout the United States. The inaugural color is an elegant Polar White with a raised DS logo on the cover.

Nintendo DS Lite arrives just in time for players to pop in the latest version of one of the most storied franchises in video game history. New Super Mario Bros.®, launching May 15, updates classic Mushroom Kingdom action with new features and fun.

"DS Lite and New Super Mario Bros. represent a double shot of gaming excellence," says Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of sales & marketing. "We've got something for both lovers of beautiful, new gadgets and fans of old-school gaming."

Nintendo DS Lite comes with a variety of distinctive changes that set it apart from the original - and from all other hand-held video game systems:

- It's less than two-thirds the size of the original Nintendo DS and more than 20 percent lighter.
- Its two bright screens can be adjusted to four levels to adapt to different lighting conditions and to extend battery power.
- The microphone sits in the center of the unit, and the LED lights are clearly visible whether the unit is open or closed.
- The stylus is 1 centimeter longer and 1 millimeter thicker than the stylus of the original, and slides into a side storage slot.
- The Start and Select buttons were repositioned for easier access.
- A removable cover keeps the Game Boy® Advance cartridge slot clear from dust and debris when it's not in use.

New Super Mario Bros. is just one of the many Nintendo DS games that look great on Nintendo DS Lite. Players set off on a side-scrolling platform adventure bursting with the style and superb game play that got many people hooked on video games in the first place. The Mushroom Kingdom is populated with friends and foes, both new and old, and tons of power-ups, including mushrooms that make Mario mega- and micro-sized. The Super Mario franchise has sold more than 184 million games worldwide, which makes it one of the top-selling video game franchises of all time.

Ever since its November 2004 launch, the original Nintendo DS has helped to redefine perceptions of what constitutes a video game. Many systems have been sold to people who are discovering video games for the first time. Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo's wireless gaming service, has seen more than 1 million connections worldwide. Thousands of people every day log on to battle one another in Metroid® Prime Hunters or see who has all their Tetriminos (falling blocks) in a row in Tetris® DS.

Nintendo DS continues to broaden the market for video games. Nintendo DS has software that appeals to older gamers, hard-core gamers and even lapsed gamers. Brain Age™: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day went on sale in the United States on April 17 after encountering massive success in Japan. Nintendo will continue that momentum by introducing two upcoming titles that require more brain power than firepower. On June 5, Big Brain Academy™ arrives to challenge users with a variety of mental tests designed to evaluate various skills. Then on June 26, Sudoku Gridmaster will keep number crunchers busy with more than 400 sudoku puzzles, each one sanctioned by the original creators of sudoku.

I'm liking the price. :-D

 

[Nekusagi]

Looks a bit flimsy, though.

 

[Dogasu]

It's a Nintendo product. You can probably set dynamite to that thing and it'll be alright.

 

[Adamant]

I've tried it. It feels very good, the buttons are more... firm, and the screen i pure awesomeness. It makes an old DS look like a non-backlit GBA.

Still, I wont spend that much money on an upgraded version of something already have. I can get 3 games for that price, and I'd rather have them, thank you.

 

[Ratochu]

I will buy one, althought I have bought a blue DS last year...
What colors will be available on June 11th?

 

[Doctor Oak]

Only the white version will be available from the launch - to try and keep supply up with demand.

It probably wont be too long before the other colours hit the US though. Septeberish is where I'd place my bets.

 

[Dogasu]

I expect most video game stores will have some sort of deal where you can trade in your old DS and get credit toward the purchase of a new one. Hopefully they'll allow you to transfer all your online data from your old DS to your new one before you leave the store.

 

[Marill]

A store in the Metro Centre (Gateshead/Newcastle) seems to be selling Japanese imports of this - apart from the plug would there be any compatibility issues with English/US games? I know, dumb question, I'll probably not get a DS until Diamond/Pearl's released (or imported from the US to the UK via the same store).