The DS Lite Arrives

GameCore is CBSNews.com's video game column. This article was written by Chad Chamberlain

Since the launch of the Nintendo DS, game enthusiasts and non-gamers alike flocked to the handheld device. At first, the dual screen aspect of the Nintendo DS was met with much skepticism. However, as the number of titles available increased and proved that the dual screen could actually be used in interesting ways, its inclusion was appreciated.

But the innovations didn't stop there. Along with the microphone component (all you Nintendogs and Brain Age fans really dig this one); the touch screen soon became a great new way to experience gaming, albeit one that took some practice.

A few things still bothered even the staunchest Nintendo fans: the unit is bulky and its screen can strain the eyes. I believe the original GameBoy, of course, had a similar issue until they released the light attachment and then soon after that the backlight.

2006 might be Nintendo's year.

It started with the opening of the Nintendo World Store in the heart of Rockefeller Center, in Manhattan, New York. Now we have the midnight launch of the newly revamped Nintendo DS Lite on June 11th. Soon, we shall have the Wii.

Gamers began lining up on 48th street along the front of the store as early as noon the day before. They gathered in droves and waited patiently for the doors to be opened to the public at midnight. In line were people playing their favorite GameBoy Advanced SP, or DS game. Costumed fans mingled with the masses.

Julian, a young teenage boy who came with his mother, was dressed in an impressive homemade Link costume from the popular Zelda games.

As midnight drew closer, and the line extended further down the street, onlookers drawn by the screaming fans and the DJ's from Hot 97 began to gather as well. One of them left a wedding to join the line in order to purchase his DS Lite. Thankfully, he was neither the groom nor the best man, so his position in the wedding reception taking place near by was much secured.

When the doors opened, the first sets of fans were welcomed into the massive Nintendo store by non other than Mario himself.

The DS Lite itself is a much-improved sibling to its predecessor. It's less than two-thirds the size of the original, 20 percent lighter and most importantly has a much brighter screen that has four levels of brightness, which does affect your battery life. At the highest level you'll get between 5 to 8 hours, while at it's lowest you'll get 15 to 19 hours of continuous play.

The buttons have been revamped a bit and other features include embedded PictoChat software. It allows up to 16 users within local range to chat at once.

I could go and on and on about the technical features but what really caught my eye was the revamped look, especially the color. The polar white scheme of the DS Lite matches the Nintendo Wii system perfectly, of course.

The DS Lite is sure to be a success here in the states. The line and the midnight madness at the Nintendo World Store is a testament to that.
By Chad Chamberlain