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What Is a DS Lite?

The Nintendo DS Lite is a portable video gaming system released in 2006. It is slightly smaller than the DSi, introduced two years later, and while many of the DS Lite's features are not as impressive as those of the DSi, some are better. As of 2011, the DS Lite's suggested retail price is $100, while the DSi begins at $150.

Size
- The Lite's two color screens each measure 3 inches diagonally, while the DSi's screens are 3.25 inches. At a size of 5.2-by-2.9-by-0.8 inches, the DS Lite is scarcely different than the DSi. The DS Lite and DSi are nearly identical in weight; the DS Lite weighs 218 grams, which is 4 more grams than the DSi.
Battery
- The DS Lite's battery life is superior to the DSi's. Each device's battery life depends largely on the gamer's screen settings, but a DS Lite battery should last between five and 19 hours, compared with three and 14 for the DSi. The DS Lite's battery takes three hours to charge, half an hour longer than that of the DSi.
Games
- An array of games is available for both devices. The DSi's games are different than those of the DS Lite, however. The DS Lite will run any Nintendo DS or GameBoy Advance game, but will not run games designed for specific use with the DSi. With the DS Lite, gamers can play games over the Internet while in a Wi-Fi zone and play with up to 16 friends in a local area wireless network.
Design
- The DS Lite uses the same style as other models of Nintendo's DS gaming systems. It folds horizontally in the middle, has two screens, a four-direction pad on the left side of the lower screen and "A," "B," "X" and "Y" buttons on the right side of the screen. The right side also includes "Select" and "Start" buttons. The gaming system's speakers are mounted internally on each side of the upper screen. It has slots for DS cards and GameBoy Advance cards.

Nintendo DS