Nintendo DS Red - Expert Reviews

Pros: The Nintendo DS employs innovative dual-screen and microphone-enabled gameplay without load times on a higher-resolution display than Game Boy Advance SP while remaining backward compatible with older GBA games. The inclusion of Wi-Fi multiplayer ...

Cons: Third-party support for the system hasn't matched the originality and ingenuity of Nintendo's games, and multimedia potential remains exclusive to Japan. The system is quite bulky. The much more stylish and comfortable DS Lite is available for the ...

Verdict: While it lacks the multimedia and graphical finesse of the Sony PSP, the feature-packed Nintendo DS is a worthy successor to the Game Boy Advance--but the new and improved DS Lite is available for the same price.

Award: Editor's Choice!

Review summary: Get ready to enter a new generation of portable gaming: The Nintendo DS and its two screens, one with touch sensitivity, expand the possibilities exponentially. When closed, the clamshell shaped unit (available in silver or black) is 5.9 inches wide, ...

Pros: Two beautiful screens (the bottom one is touch-sensitive) and stereo simulated surround sound give the Nintendo DS the most immersive portable gaming experience around. Built-in wireless connectivity so you can play against or communicate with friends.

Cons: Larger and heavier than the GBA SP. Battery life could be longer, as it may not last an entire school day.

Verdict: The Nintendo DS is an excellent portable gaming platform. The clamshell design protects the two high-quality displays and the unit itself is well constructed. Backward compatibility with GBA cartridges is a plus.

Review summary: Nintendo's innovative DS is the next must-have portable gaming console

Pros: Dual-screen design ; backlit screen ; higher resolution display than Game Boy Advance SP ; backward-compatible with older GBA games ; built-in support for wireless gaming ; standard-size headphone jack

Cons: Somewhat bulky

Review summary: Sometimes my friends, the gods smile upon you. We hadn't even gotten around to asking for one to review, but just a few minutes ago the FedEx guy showed up with a little something for us: the new Nintendo DS! (They also went to the trouble of ...

Review summary: We take Nintendo's newly announced portable for a test drive.