Nintendo DS

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The Nintendo DS is Nintendo's current generation high-end handheld. It features dual screens arranged vertically, a touch-sensitive screen for input, 3D graphics approximately on par with the Nintendo 64, and backwards compatibility with Game Boy Advance games.

Nintendo DS Technical Specs:

  1. Size (closed): 5.85" wide / 3.33" long / 1.13" tall
  2. Upper Screen: Backlit, 3-inch, semitransparent reflective TFT color LCD with 256x192 pixel resolution and .24 mm dot pitch
  3. Touch Screen: Same as upper screen, but with transparent analog touch screen
  4. Color: Capable of displaying 260,000 colors
  5. Wireless Communication: IEEE 802.11 and Nintendo's proprietary format; wireless range is 30 to 100 feet, depending on circumstances; multiple users can play multiplayer games using just one DS game card
  6. Controls: Touch screen, embedded microphone for voice recognition, A/B/X/Y face buttons, plus control pad, L/R shoulder buttons, Start and Select buttons
  7. Input/Output: Ports for both Nintendo DS game cards and Game Boy Advance Game Paks, terminals for stereo headphones and microphone
  8. Other Features: Embedded PictoChat software that allows up to 16 users to chat at once; embedded real-time clock; date, time and alarm; touch-screen calibration
  9. CPUs: One ARM9 and one ARM7
  10. Sound: Stereo speakers providing virtual surround sound, depending on the software
  11. Battery: Lithium ion battery delivering six to 10 hours of play on a four-hour charge, depending on use; power-saving sleep mode; AC adapter
  12. Languages: English, Japanese, Spanish, French, German, Italian
  13. Color: Titanium, Electric Blue, Hot Rod Red, Black (Japan)

For a list of Nintendo DS game guides, see the Nintendo DS category.

Hardware

The Nintendo DS is powered by two processors, an ARM7 at 33MHz and an ARM9 at 66MHz. Each of the screens has a 256x192 resolution, and can disaplay approximately 260,000 colors. The system has 4MB of main memory, with an additional 665KB of video memory.

While the system is backwards compatible with the Game Boy Advance, it does not include the further backwards compatability that the GBA provided to Game Boy and Game Boy Color games. This is due to the fact that the DS does not contain the Z80 processor that the GBA used for GB/GBC emulation as well as GameCube connectivity and wired Game Boy connectivity for multiplayer games. These features are therefore not included with the DS.

The DS game cartridges are much smaller than GBA cartridges, with a stated maximum size exceeding 1 gigabit (128MByte). Games are packaged in cases that look like half-height DVD cases, with a snug pocket for the DS cartridge and another for a GBA cartridges.

In addition to the two cartridge slots, the DS has a power adapter port, a headphone port, and a port for an external microphone, as well as the built-in mic. Input methods include the D-Pad, four face buttons, two shoulder buttons, and the touchscreen. A mini stylus (and one spare) is included with the system and slides into a slot on the back of the console.

The system can connect wirelessly with other devices in two ways. DS-to-DS connectivity uses Nintendo's proprietary wireless protocol for short range connections. Many games have what is called "download play" where only one cartridge is required for several players within DS-to-DS range. Additionally, with the introduction of Mario Kart DS, Animal Crossing: Wild World and Tony Hawk's American Sk8land the Nintendo Wi-Fi system has been launched. Using these games (and others in the future) players can connect to many 802.11b access points and play with other users worldwide. For those who do not have a compatible Wi-Fi access point, Nintendo sells a USB device that will allow any Windows computer with an internet connection to provide wireless connectivity.


Nitendo DS Lite

The Redesign, as of January 2006

The Nintendo DS Lite was anounced January 26th 2006. Many people complained that the Nintendo DS was too bulky, Nintendo fixed this problem with the Nintendo DS Lite and made it much sleaker. There is much controversy over the new design not being a big improvement and not having any new features. It is expected to be released in Japan on March 2nd of 2006, no American release date yet.

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