A few questions for you lucky DS owners

[Anthony1]

Hey, early adopters, how you guys doing?


Must be nice.


Actually, I've always been an early adopter myself, although, much more a fan of the home console systems rather than the portables, so I was able to pass on the DS. The $149.99 price also made it easy for me to pass on that.


Anyways, I would love to ask you guys a few questions about your DS.


1. Do Flash Cards for the GBA work on the DS? I have a flash card with Pocket NES and 100's of NES roms. It's like my little portable NES system, so I would love to be able to play those on the DS. So basically, I'm curious as to what happens when playing old GBA Flash Card stuff.

2. How are the screens? I guess I should know the specs on the DS, but I don't, in terms of screen size. How do the screens compare to the GBA SP screen? Mainly I'm talking about the main screen that one views during game play. How is that screen? Is it bigger, is it clearer, crisper, or basically the same?

3. What games did you get, and what is your take so far on the experience?

4. How is the sound? Especially through headphones.


Thanks for any and all comments that hopefully will be provided to my inquiry.

[NintendoMan]

Well even though I have a couple handhelds, I LOVE home based consoles so much more than handhelds. It doens't even compare how much more I like consoles.
But the DS is really what I have been waiting for. It's the close's thing to home consoleing that is out! I really LOVE mine, A LOT!!!!! I can't put it down.

I bought the DS System and Mario 64. The sound is completely awesome! It sounds almost like what comes out of your TV. Havne't tried the headphone jack yet. (Don't have any headphones that work) Looking forward to that.

The screens I think are a little bit bigger than the GBA'S. The picture of GBA games are so much better on the DS as well, due to the fact that DS games are backlit. GBA's are frontlit.

I highly recommend this system though. It does need more games at the current moment, but LOVE THIS. And as I said before, I am not a big handheld guy. I play my GB Player on my GC, 10 times more than my GBA SP.

[Raedon]

If someone baught a new system here, not used or "new" at a Pawn/ flea/ Ebay I'm going to ask you one question.

Do you own a 2600?

[Anthony1]

If someone baught a new system here, not used or "new" at a Pawn/ flea/ Ebay I'm going to ask you one question.

Do you own a 2600?


Huh?

Can you please explain this question? I don't understand what you mean?

[NintendoMan]

If someone baught a new system here, not used or "new" at a Pawn/ flea/ Ebay I'm going to ask you one question.

Do you own a 2600?


Huh?

Can you please explain this question? I don't understand what you mean?

Hey Raedon, I don't get what the heck you are saying either.

[TheRedEye]

If someone baught a new system here, not used or "new" at a Pawn/ flea/ Ebay I'm going to ask you one question.

Do you own a 2600?

I bought a new DS at Wal Mart last night, and indeed own a 2600. How are these things related?

[zmweasel]

1. Do Flash Cards for the GBA work on the DS? I have a flash card with Pocket NES and 100's of NES roms. It's like my little portable NES system, so I would love to be able to play those on the DS. So basically, I'm curious as to what happens when playing old GBA Flash Card stuff.

Yep, GBA flash cards work.


2. How are the screens? I guess I should know the specs on the DS, but I don't, in terms of screen size. How do the screens compare to the GBA SP screen? Mainly I'm talking about the main screen that one views during game play. How is that screen? Is it bigger, is it clearer, crisper, or basically the same?

The DS screens are the same size, although the upper screen has a small black border around it, and the lower touch-screen doesn't.

Each of the DS screens is about 3" diagonal. The SP is about 2 7/8" diagonal.

The lower screen isn't as sharp as the gorgeous upper screen because it's a touch-screen. It looks like it's covered with a very thin layer of dust. Both screens are VERY bright. The backlights are sensational. GBA games on the DS are significantly sharper and brighter than on the SP.

-- Z.

[goatdan]

To add another question...

I screwed with one in the store for a while the other day. I saw the time / calendar features for a few seconds, but didn't look too deeply. I want something to replace my current PDA that I rarely use as a calendar, preferably something that I'll walk around with which means other reasons that it just being a calendar (I have to do a park-n-ride at work... ;)).

Does the DS allow for the creation and saving of a personal calendar and / or to do list? If not, is there anything known to be in development for it that would allow it to function as one?

[zmweasel]

Does the DS allow for the creation and saving of a personal calendar and / or to do list? If not, is there anything known to be in development for it that would allow it to function as one?

Nope on PDA features. You can use it as an alarm (?!), but that's it. I don't personally know of any PDA apps under development, but it seems like a no-brainer.

-- Z.

[Jasoco]

The sound is SURROUND! I am shocked, it really IS SURROUND! You can hear an enemy sneaking up behind you. Or from the side. It's so kick ass. (Stereo, Headphone and Surround)

The screens are ULTRA BRIGHT! 100x better than the GBA SP.

Mario 64 is an awesome experience that tops the original in every way. (Well, except the lack of Control Stick control.)

I laid down my $177 today and so far it was worth it just for Mario. Tomorrow I will be getting Feel the Magic and will give my view then.

[Ed Oscuro]

Surround? Jesus. On the system's speakers?!

[Zubiac666]

Surround? Jesus. On the system's speakers?!

I think he meant "Virtual" surround cause no real surround-sound can be done with only 2 speakers.
however....my TV has also "virtual"-surround sound with 2 speakers and it sounds really good.

[EnemyZero]

yeah the souind is awesome, me and my friend went out 2 hours before the store opened accompanied by quite a few kids and older games...and all i can say is its so worth the wait, and then some....mario 64 is truely amazing, i love the 64 bit version and they totally took it and made it better in EVERYWAY...well except the lack of the analog stick, but im used to the controlls already :P, the wirless multiplayer is awesome, the system has more storage ram than the gba so the majority of games u only need 1 cart :P

[thehistorian]

To add another question...

I screwed with one in the store for a while the other day. I saw the time / calendar features for a few seconds, but didn't look too deeply. I want something to replace my current PDA that I rarely use as a calendar, preferably something that I'll walk around with which means other reasons that it just being a calendar (I have to do a park-n-ride at work... ;)).

Does the DS allow for the creation and saving of a personal calendar and / or to do list? If not, is there anything known to be in development for it that would allow it to function as one?

SummitSoft is developing an "Organizer Plus" title. No word on any of the features though.

[Jasoco]

Surround? Jesus. On the system's speakers?!

I think he meant "Virtual" surround cause no real surround-sound can be done with only 2 speakers.And it sounds terrific!

[jonjandran]

Ok just a comments about the "ultra super bright " screens.

Do any of you guys have a Tapwave Zodiac or a newer PDA , like a Tungsten ?

If you did you really wouldn't be bragging about the DS screens. I mean don't get me wrong. Compared to the GBA SP they are terrific .

But compare them to almost any modern PDA and you will be dissappointed. The DS screens aren't very bright compared to them. :/

[Maddrox]

I also have a question before laying down 150 for this... I am a clumsy person, so does this thing handle well when it falls? :P

[Jive3D]

I also have a question before laying down 150 for this... I am a clumsy person, so does this thing handle well when it falls? :P

Hold on a sec, let me just go test that and drop my DS on some concrete. 8-)

[Maddrox]

Thanks:).. Maybe I should be a little clearer. HAS anyone drop their yet on a hard floor or that?

[Jasoco]

Ok just a comments about the "ulte super bright " screens.

Do any of you guys have a Tapwave Zodiac or a newer PDA , like a Tungsten ?

If you did you really wouldn't be bragging about the DS screens. I mean don't get me wrong. Compared to the GBA SP they are terrific .

But compare them to almost any modern PDA and you will be dissappointed. The DS screens aren't very bright compared to them. :/I don't notice any problem, so shut the hell up. The DS screen is the best I could ask for. Kudos to Nintendo.

[Bratwurst]

I don't notice any problem, so shut the hell up. The DS screen is the best I could ask for. Kudos to Nintendo.

Your rudeness is uncalled for and indicative of the foolishness that regularly spills out of your mouth. Mr. Jandran has a fair bit of experience with numerous kinds of hardware and was graciously dispensing his observation.

[Jasoco]

Why, thank you.

[Maddrox]

I heard sarcasam and coolness in jas post tho 8-)

[XxMe2NiKxX]

I've got a Zodiac. It's too bright.

DURABILITY: Dropping it when it's open is not a good idea. Dropping it when its closed is like dropping a penny off the CN tower-- I pity what lands on it.

All of life's problems will be resolved after buying a DS... or, at least until you beat super mario 64 DS.

[Jasoco]

I'm addicted to Mario 64's mini-games. Must find last 5 rabbits! Two more Luigi and three more Wario. Then 7 more white ones. I need more games!

I notice it seems they appear as you progress. So I guess I'll have to just keep getting stars. Wish they made a way to tell which ones were caught already. It's hell having to catch them just to find out you already caught them before.

[postulio]

the screens are a bit too bright, they make my eyes hurt, and they seem a bit bigger than gba's

sound is freaking spectacular, crisp, clear, loud, and SURROUND GODDAMNIT!

mario64ds is superior to any mario game ive ever played, well tied with smw.

i dropped down 194 for it with mario and tax and i dont regret it the least bit. mario alone is worth price of admission

i have FLASH ADVANCE PRO 256M and it works perfectly on the DS, saving and all.

my only complaint is how the buttons are placed, the A B buttons are too close to the side and arent as comfortable than on the gba.

[Jasoco]

Actually, the DS screens ARE bigger than the GBA's. They're actually higher resolution. Not too much bigger, but still bigger.