DS: Got it...hate it! My short hardware/software review.

[maxlords]

Well...I don't hate the system...yet. But I do intensely hate Metroid Prime: Hunters! I played through the whole demo tonight on my spankin new DS and holy crap do I hate it. Here's why.

It turns out the DS is VERY designed for the majority of you that happen to be conveniently right handed. Now...you wouldn't think it's a problem....until you try and use the A/B/X/Y buttons as a D-pad. I can't use the D-pad cause I have to use the stylus with my left hand. You'd think "Well...why not try right handed mode and use the stylus or thumbstrap on the right hand? Two problems. First...being left handed...I'm virtually incapable of using the stylus with my right hand. Same goes for the thumbstrap...I don't have the coordination. And...my thumb is big enough that it obscures half the touch screen..virtually eliminating the use of touch fire mode....can't even SEE the screen when I use my thumb.

So you'd think that'd be the end of my problems. Well...that's not all! Turns out the stylus is about half the size it needs to be to be ergonomic for my hand. After about 5 minutes I was getting instant hand cramps. I can barely use regular ball point pens anymore as they're pretty much too small...and Nintendo expects me to use THAT?? I might as well be using a toothpick. Sheesh.

So in short...

Metroid Prime: Hunters - Every control scheme is deficient for my particular needs in some way. And not for lack of trying. Heck, when I tried the button only configuration (since all the others sucked for me), they reversed up and down...and you can't change it! No mappable buttons. I can't hold the DS in my hands and play it...I HAVE to set it on a flat surface...or balance it on my leg.

DS system - Stylus is WAY too small for the average person. System is inherently difficult to control for left handed people, especially ones required to use the stylus and D-pad...buttons don't cut it as a D-Pad. Also, while I had no burnt pixels, I DO have a pesky piece of dirt stuck under my top screen...in the EXACT center. And it won't move. Honestly...that's as bad or worse than a burnt pixel...poor QC.

Total rating.... 6/10. Nice unit, great sound, nice LOOKING...but semi-unfeasible from a technical standpoint for left handed people. If it's a struggle to play a game...I have a problem. Also...the screen angle is slightly wrong for me....if I adjust it differently, I get a cleaner picture...but there's no spot for it to adjust anywhere but the one position. Oh yeah...and Pictochat is neat...but I have no one to test it with.

Overall - Bah.

[joshnickerson]

Dude. In stylus mode you can use the ABXY buttons as a D pad. :roll:

[Jive3D]

I agree with the stylus issue. That thing is way too short.

[maxlords]

Dude. In stylus mode you can use the ABXY buttons as a D pad. :roll:


System is inherently difficult to control for left handed people, especially ones required to use the stylus and D-pad...buttons don't cut it as a D-Pad.

Addressed that. It doesn't work well. REALLY doesn't. Buttons do not a D-Pad make. And the ONLY way I was able to even complete the main part of the demo was to do it that way...I was unable to properly play in any other mode. Plus, maybe IF I could hold the thing while playing it would be easier...but I have to lay it down on a flat surface (i.e. table, couch, etc) to play. I balanced it on my leg some too.

Helps if you read for comprehension instead of skimming.

[Daria]

I DO have a pesky piece of dirt stuck under my top screen...in the EXACT center.

Return it or exchange it. That's just unacceptable. :/

[Raedon]

crap.. I forgot how much the world hates us left handers.. :(

[Nez]

crap.. I forgot how much the world hates us left handers.. :(


I hear ya brother, were screwd when it comes to this thing.

[CitizenWhite]

Ill agree that the stylus is short as shit. I grabbed a sharpie and was using that. But what's this about a thumbstrap... mine didn't come with one.

[maxlords]

It should have. It's in a small blue bag in mine...looks like a camera strap with a small piece of plastic glued to it so you can use your thumb (or index finger if your thumb doesn't work well) as a more accurate stylus.
http://www.weblogsinc.com/common/images/9413187096574064.jpg?0.11435133529584351

[Raedon]

damn.. that doesn't look like fun.. it's like becoming a Borg or something.

[GobopopRevisited]

I wouldn't doubt if Nintendo (or some third party company) releasd, some adapter like thing to fit over the Buttons in the shape of a D-Pad...

[Promophile]

Eh I'm left handed and have no problem playing it. I can't write with my right hand but I can at least hold a pen and touch things with it.

[maxlords]

I wouldn't doubt if Nintendo (or some third party company) releasd, some adapter like thing to fit over the Buttons in the shape of a D-Pad...

But then you're adding even more bulkiness....it seems like kind of a lost cause to me. I hate peripherals like that personally...and have YOU tried using your right hand to control a D-Pad AND fire recently while steering a camera with your left? Even left handed...it's a pain in the ass.


Eh I'm left handed and have no problem playing it. I can't write with my right hand but I can at least hold a pen and touch things with it.

Different people have different levels of functionality with their off hands. I personally have very little detailed tactile use of my right. I can't write with it...I can type fast...through years of practice...but I rarely do ANYTHING with my right hand. just stuff like mouse use on the thumb.

I just retried playing the MP: Hunters demo with my right hand holding the stylus....incredibly ineffectual. I simply don't have the control necessary to play properly. And I'm GOOD at normal FPSs. I assume that this will be the case for at least some other lefties.

[goatdan]

I'm just curious -- for anyone complaining about the size of the stylus, have you ever owned or used a PDA?

When I got started with mine, I hated it because of the same thing (hard to use, cramped hands and on top of that, you have to learn some screwed up alphabet shorthand) but after a while with it, I really fell in love with it. Now I can write about as fast on my PDA as I do on a sheet of paper and it's accurate about 99% of the time.

I haven't used my PDA as much lately because of the size in my pocket. I'm actually really surprised to see that Nintendo didn't put a little more PDA functionality in it from the start, as the two screen thing would work EXTREMELY well as a PDA date planner interface. I would have probably bought one already if it worked that way. Because it doesn't, I'll probably be holding off getting one for a while, if I ever do get one.

[zmweasel]

I'm just curious -- for anyone complaining about the size of the stylus, have you ever owned or used a PDA?

I don't think the complaints are as much about the stylus as a concept; it's that the DS's stylus is VERY small. My Palm stylus is 4 1/8" long, and has both thickness and metallic heft; the DS stylus is not quite 3" long, and made of thin, cheap plastic.

-- Z.

[maxlords]

Dan...no, I've personally never used a PDA. I also have trouble even writing with regular pens...I tend to get bad hand cramps. For people with the beginnings of carpal tunnel...not good. Ergonomics is important for me.

[Flack]

It's not the size of the stylus as much as how you click with it.

[Raedon]

It's not the size of the stylus as much as how you click with it.

I knew someone had to go there.. it was only a matter of time.. :D though "click" should be replaced with "poke"

[goatdan]

Zach,

I'll check the size of my PDA's stylus tomorrow (also a Palm). It's at work. I haven't been able to convince myself to use it lately, although I'm getting close. I thought mine was about the same as the DS when I used it though, but I am probably wrong here as I haven't been using my Palm much lately... Sadly, my PDA is so cheap that I was impressed by how sturdy the DS styluses seemed to me. Then again, my PDA is *old*.

And I wasn't thinking that the complaints were about the concept, but I did think it was nearly the same size. There are a couple Dell PDAs floating around our office, so I'll check those out too.

I'm guessing you either own a DS or have had some lengthy experience with it -- did you slip into the control easily? If so, would you consider it part of the fact that you were using a PDA before?


Dan...no, I've personally never used a PDA. I also have trouble even writing with regular pens...I tend to get bad hand cramps. For people with the beginnings of carpal tunnel...not good. Ergonomics is important for me.

Oddly enough, I get horrible cramps while writing with a pen for too long, but I haven't got them from using my PDA, even the rare times that I used it for taking a lot of notes. I never even realized this until just now. I wonder if I hold the stylus differently...

Another thing to check out tomorrow at work.

[zmweasel]

I'm guessing you either own a DS or have had some lengthy experience with it -- did you slip into the control easily? If so, would you consider it part of the fact that you were using a PDA before?

I first played the DS at E3, like everyone else, and got to play a few things before it shipped, although none of them at length, as I was on-site at publisher/developer offices (and I'm still under NDA about those visits).

I'm fine with the "Touch Screen," as Nintendo deems it. No hand cramps when using the tiny stylus. I do have lots of PDA experience, undoubtedly a factor.

-- Z.

[classicb]

yet another reason the Atari Lynx is better than the DS ;)

[Emily]

yet another reason the Atari Lynx is better than the DS ;)

Yeah right, screen blur bothers me horribly x_x

[Captain Wrong]

crap.. I forgot how much the world hates us left handers.. :(

Or how much Nintendo hates anyone with hands larger than a five year old's.

[Jasoco]

Metroid is one game. You have to give some of the other games a chance. The DS kicks fucking ass. My GOD I'm hooked to Mario 64! Outlook very good. I eagerly await more kick ass titles.

[Pedro Lambrini]

Aren't all controllers for consoles essentially designed for right-hand use? How do you get on with other consoles' controllers? Maybe after some more practice with other games and as the control methods for games are refined you'll find it a little easier?

[Ed Oscuro]

Aren't all controllers for consoles essentially designed for right-hand use? How do you get on with other consoles' controllers? Maybe after some more practice with other games and as the control methods for games are refined you'll find it a little easier?
I did think about this. It's much easier to train your hand to use a d-pad though...it's just like four butons glued together so you can press four at once. I don't see myself having any trouble with the DS, but I definitely can see how people would.

Hmm...things really are looking good for the PSP, that's what.

[Lemmy Kilmister]

crap.. I forgot how much the world hates us left handers.. :(

I to I'm a lefty, but so far I haven't had a single problem with my DS.

[Zubiac666]

.buttons don't cut it as a D-Pad.

agreed
but why the hell do people say that the playstion controller is the "the best controller ever"?

let's go back to your review:
Sorry, but I think it's pretty naive to buy(especially as a left-handed) a handheld(WITH a stylus) without testing it in a store.

maybe later software is better for you?Did you try Mario else well?Have you got the same probs with mario or not?

Forming a "overall-BAH!"-opinion about a handheld by playing one demo-game is a little bit :hmm: , u know?

[pixelsnpolygons]

To be honest, I had trouble with the controls and I'm right handed. It just doesn't feel intuitive, no matter how I configured it, It is quite surprising, actually - because Nintendo is usually synominous with top rate controls ESPECIALLY with first-party software.

[le geek]

crap.. I forgot how much the world hates us left handers.. :(

Or how much Nintendo hates anyone with hands larger than a five year old's.

I play both SM64DS and Feel the Magic with my left hand using the stylus no problem. I think the standard control scheme in SM64DS is actually better for lefties.

I do have small hands though, Nintendo or a third party really should release a larger stylus stat.

Ben

[chadtower]

I'm lefthanded and had NO problem with that aspect of the controls in the time I used the demo. What I did have problems with is the flimsy touch screen. Enthusiastic play is going to kill that screen quickly, no doubt about it. Even if it manages to stand up to a reasonable playload, the stylus will scratch it to hell eventually. The demo kiosk actually convinced me NOT to buy one, not at that price. It's not built to last given its purpose. I actually looked at the NGage next to it as a viable platform, I was so disappointed with the DS.

[jonjandran]

Metroid is one game. You have to give some of the other games a chance. The DS kicks fucking ass. My GOD I'm hooked to Mario 64! Outlook very good. I eagerly await more kick ass titles.

I agree. :D

But the stylus is rather small.

But the system itself is much bigger and easier to use for people with big hands than the GBASP.

[downfall]

I am also left handed.

I tried it first using the D-Pad with my left and the stylus with my right. No dice. I could operate it that way, just not that well - I'm like you, I can't really do much with my right hand aside from typing and operating a mouse.

I eventually flipped through the settings, and the one I finally decided that I liked was set up like this:

Top screen: Action - where you're actually moving around.
Bottom screen: Map, turning and jumping (double tap to jump).
D-Pad: Move character
L button: Fire

That worked out great. I held the system like a GBA or whatever, used my left hand for the d-pad and to fire, and used my right thumb instead of the stylus. Because the map was on the bottom screen, it didn't obscure my view at all - had full range of motion, and it felt comfortable to hold that way.

Did you get to try that option out? If not, give it a shot. It really changed my opinion. I thought it was fun before (using the abxy buttons as a d-pad and the stylus in my left hand), but there was something that was just holding me back a little bit. Once I ended up on that setting (I can't remember the name), then I was good to go - I had a lot more fun that way.

[Mayhem]

I'm left handed as well... though mainly for just writing and holding stylus type objects. And throwing. Everything else is pretty much right sided. So I've learned to adapt to either way of playing videogames (stick/control in the left or right side) over the years. Not had any real problems with the DS so far, just getting used to how the stylus and touch screen works properly, and my right hand flicking over the buttons on the right for Metroid (with the stylus on the left). Still, it's back to GOLDENEYE days there, where the same applied to using the four yellow C buttons for actions now ;)

[chadtower]

Just curious... why do left handed people usually mouse righty? I don't... I could, but don't, but have observed that most lefties still mouse righty.

I know I've observed a billion times righty people get flustered when they sit at one of my machines and the mouse is on the other side... they sit all crooked, or don't find the mouse at all since they can't come to grips with it not being on the right. LOL

[le geek]

Just curious... why do left handed people usually mouse righty? I don't... I could, but don't, but have observed that most lefties still mouse righty.

I know I've observed a billion times righty people get flustered when they sit at one of my machines and the mouse is on the other side... they sit all crooked, or don't find the mouse at all since they can't come to grips with it not being on the right. LOL

I just learned to play games and use the mouse with my right hand. It's strange using the mouse with my left hand actually feels weird. Everything else I use my left hand...

Ben

[chadtower]

I just learned to play games and use the mouse with my right hand. It's strange using the mouse with my left hand actually feels weird. Everything else I use my left hand...


Right... for some reason, I've just always turned things around when possible. I mouse with the left hand when it's my machine, with right when it's not mine. I used to turn controllers around so I could use them in reverse too. People would always look at me funny when I was playing NES with the controller upside down as a kid... obviously modern controllers don't allow that.

[downfall]

Just curious... why do left handed people usually mouse righty? I don't... I could, but don't, but have observed that most lefties still mouse righty.

I know I've observed a billion times righty people get flustered when they sit at one of my machines and the mouse is on the other side... they sit all crooked, or don't find the mouse at all since they can't come to grips with it not being on the right. LOL

I think it's because the average mouse is designed for a right handed person, that is to say that it's designed to better fit in a right hand than a left hand. I don't even think I ever tried to use it with my left hand. I know there are mice designed for either hand - I have one at home that would work with either. I'm glad I learned it right-handed though - I have a Wacom tablet in addition to my mouse, so I can use the Wacom stylus with my left hand and use the mouse with my right at the same time - that saves an unbelievable amount of time when you do graphics work like I do.

[chadtower]

so I can use the Wacom stylus with my left hand and use the mouse with my right at the same time - that saves an unbelievable amount of time when you do graphics work like I do.

You're absolutely right about that. That's why I tend to mouse left handed, I think... I can mouse or write with either hand, but tend to mouse lefty and write righty and found the ability to do both at the same time. THAT makes people wig out, though I never saw it as that big a deal... it does save a huge amount of time.

[maxlords]

Aren't all controllers for consoles essentially designed for right-hand use? How do you get on with other consoles' controllers? Maybe after some more practice with other games and as the control methods for games are refined you'll find it a little easier?

I've been using those D-pads for 15 years. Also...D-pads don't require you to hold something and make detailed movements in the same way a pen or stylus does. All you do is push one of eight directions...much simpler. And you control buttons with you off (right) hand. It's REALLY easy to press buttons, even with an off hand. It's when you start trying to do complex things like writing or watch repair or soldering that the right hand (at least for me) can't cut it.

[maxlords]

but why the hell do people say that the playstion controller is the "the best controller ever"?

I don't know...it hurts my thumb personally...hate it.



let's go back to your review:
Sorry, but I think it's pretty naive to buy(especially as a left-handed) a handheld(WITH a stylus) without testing it in a store.

No demo kiosks in this area. The ONE I saw in town (20 miles away while I was shopping)...the system was down (either for a charge or broken). Where the heck could I test it? Plus...most of the places around here sold out the first morning...if I was gonna get one, I had to get it release day. I went by all the reviews from DPers who played it in-store. Didn't even think of the left handed problem until I tried using it as no one REALLY mentioned it.


maybe later software is better for you?Did you try Mario else well?Have you got the same probs with mario or not?

Forming a "overall-BAH!"-opinion about a handheld by playing one demo-game is a little bit :hmm: , u know?

Yeah, but at the same time, Prime is kind of a tech demo of what the DS can do and what more than a few good games will probably be like. I haven't played Mario cause I can't afford it...I had to put the DS on my credit card as it was. Unless they have a much more limited use of the touch screen in most games (i.e. not for camera control and instead for stuff like unlocking keypads and other integrated functions) then I can't see a LOT of improvement. You just KNOW 3D games are coming. A good chunk of em. And really...it's not JUST that but also the way I have to hold the damned thing to be able to use the stylus, being forced to use buttons as a D-Pad, etc etc. It's everything that I'm noticing right out of the box combined. If I have to struggle to play a game, especially a game I'd normally WANT to play badly, it's a bad sign IMO. I'm returning mine for the dirt under the screen (somehow...) but I probably won't get another unit at this time. I'm gonna wait until it's closer to Animal Crossing's release...and get a DS for that for my wife.

And for the record...though it appears designed better for lefties...I have NO plans to buy a PSP.

[maxlords]

I am also left handed.

I tried it first using the D-Pad with my left and the stylus with my right. No dice. I could operate it that way, just not that well - I'm like you, I can't really do much with my right hand aside from typing and operating a mouse.

I eventually flipped through the settings, and the one I finally decided that I liked was set up like this:

Top screen: Action - where you're actually moving around.
Bottom screen: Map, turning and jumping (double tap to jump).
D-Pad: Move character
L button: Fire

That worked out great. I held the system like a GBA or whatever, used my left hand for the d-pad and to fire, and used my right thumb instead of the stylus. Because the map was on the bottom screen, it didn't obscure my view at all - had full range of motion, and it felt comfortable to hold that way.

Did you get to try that option out? If not, give it a shot. It really changed my opinion. I thought it was fun before (using the abxy buttons as a d-pad and the stylus in my left hand), but there was something that was just holding me back a little bit. Once I ended up on that setting (I can't remember the name), then I was good to go - I had a lot more fun that way.

Yeah, I tried that mode. I had trouble using the thumbstrap that way too. It kept loosening while I played. I'm not a gentle gamer and it's just too jury-rigged for me. I kept bumping my thumb against the right side of the screen because I'm trying to hold the system up with my right fingers to give it some balance, and trying to balance firing and d-pad movement at the same time. Then the strap would come loose and I'd have to adjust it and try and straighten out the camera. Very uncomfortable for me. Also...I had trouble making those detailed aiming movements wiht my right thumb...it's no good for detail work.

[maxlords]

Just curious... why do left handed people usually mouse righty? I don't... I could, but don't, but have observed that most lefties still mouse righty.

I know I've observed a billion times righty people get flustered when they sit at one of my machines and the mouse is on the other side... they sit all crooked, or don't find the mouse at all since they can't come to grips with it not being on the right. LOL
Sorry for my flurry of posts in this thread people...wanted to try and respond.

chadtower....I use a mouse in my right hand because I've learned to over 15 years. Strangely...I don't even USE a mouse at home...I use a right handed trackball. However...it's one of th ose Logitech trackman+ laser trackballs and it's very ergonomic...I barely have to move my thumb at all to do detail work. Contraty to my use of my thumb on the DS controller, I'm able to use the right handed trackball easily. I suspect this has a lot to do with the way it fits my hand and the fact that I have the sensitivity on my mouse turned ALL the way up to compensate for my lack of detail skill with my right hand.

I don't use a mouse in my left due to the fact that I've learned to map most essential keyboard buttons to my left hand and when I try to mouse with it, I then have trouble using the keyboard properly. In school and at jobs, I've always been forced to use right handed mice. As that's the way it is...I do the same at home and have adjusted to it over the years. Let me tell you though...it was weird when I first started using computers....and I really hated using the mouse at all until I got a laser trackball.

http://impressive.net/people/gerald/2000/04/28/02-40-51.jpg

That's the one I use...it fits my hand perfectly...my fingers don't hang over or struggle to reach and my thumb rests comfprtably on it. I never get hand cramps either. I used to have a lot of trouble using mice because I was constantly lifting the damned things up to move back onto the mousepads. The design of this thing is flawless for me...instead of lifting, I give the ball a flick and let it spin to do the work for me. Way easier on the hand. In short...I'd say I use the right handed mouse by necessity and training because MOST mice are that way. You'd think that would make my using the DS thumbstrap easier...but it doesn't for me. Holding the system doesn't fit my hands properly and I can't adjust sensitivity of the screen to compensate for my lack of detail skill.

[goatdan]

I don't know if anyone else has thought of this being strange, but it is something that I think about every once in a while:

Why do we use precision control of video games (d-pad, analog joystick) with our left hands, but use mice for the most part with our right hands. I am right handed, but I sometimes with that I could put the mouse on the left side because I usually slide my left had waaaaay over to use the numerical pad when I'm using the mouse.

[downfall]

Yeah, I tried that mode. I had trouble using the thumbstrap that way too. It kept loosening while I played. I'm not a gentle gamer and it's just too jury-rigged for me. I kept bumping my thumb against the right side of the screen because I'm trying to hold the system up with my right fingers to give it some balance, and trying to balance firing and d-pad movement at the same time. Then the strap would come loose and I'd have to adjust it and try and straighten out the camera. Very uncomfortable for me. Also...I had trouble making those detailed aiming movements wiht my right thumb...it's no good for detail work.

I've yet to use the thumb strap. It seems overly clunky and distracting to me. I just slide my thumb around on the screen. Have you tried it in that setup without the thumb strap? That's what is the most comfortable and natural for me, and after about 5 minutes of fooling around, I didn't have that somewhat strange feeling that I had with every other control scheme that I tried.

Not to keep bugging you about it - I just find it genuinely interesting how people are adapting to the control schemes.

[maxlords]

I tried using my thumb...but I have to press really hard on the screen...I can't just lightly touch it, it's not sensitive enough. so then I'm pressing too hard with the right thumb and overbalancing the system while I try to play...that's why I went to the thumbstrap in the first place...the harder surface makes a firmer contact with the screen. Even when tapping the "Touch to Begin" icon...I found that half the time when I tapped it with my bare thumb, the unit didn't respond. I had to hit a lot of things 2 or 3 times to get a hard enough pressure.

I'm actually returning my unit today. I don't plan to buy another one for quite some time either. I will when Animal Crossing comes out because my wife will want to play it...but in the meantime...I won't miss the unit at all.

[downfall]

Hmm.

Is there a possibility of bad (speaking of sensitivity) touchscreens in some of these systems then?

Like I mentioned in one of my other posts in a different topic, some punk at Target had torn the stylus off the cable, leaving the sharp, frayed metal cable exposed. Some other kid then proceeded to use the frayed metal wire as a stylus, and put *deep* gashes and big scratches all over the touch screen (to the point where you could only see about half the screen). I figured it was shot, but I tried it out anyway. Touch screen was just as sensitive as ever, and since there was no stylus, I had to use my thumb, and had no trouble at all.

[goatdan]

I don't think the complaints are as much about the stylus as a concept; it's that the DS's stylus is VERY small. My Palm stylus is 4 1/8" long, and has both thickness and metallic heft; the DS stylus is not quite 3" long, and made of thin, cheap plastic.

Turns out MY stylus is bigger than YOUR stylus... well, not yours Zach, but the Nintendo DS one yes.

Mine is also approximately 4 1/8" long.

It does make me wonder why Nintendo went with such a shorter one.

[Querjek]

Eh I'm left handed and have no problem playing it. I can't write with my right hand but I can at least hold a pen and touch things with it.

Different people have different levels of functionality with their off hands. I personally have very little detailed tactile use of my right. I can't write with it...I can type fast...through years of practice...but I rarely do ANYTHING with my right hand. just stuff like mouse use on the thumb.

I just retried playing the MP: Hunters demo with my right hand holding the stylus....incredibly ineffectual. I simply don't have the control necessary to play properly. And I'm GOOD at normal FPSs. I assume that this will be the case for at least some other lefties.
You want to know something especially strange regarding this? I write left-handed but do most other things with my right... on Mario 64's mini-games, I use the stylus in my left hand, but for Metorid, the stylus feels more comfortable in my right hand!

[Overbite]

I was playing with my bro's DS today (mario) and i thought everything was fine. I'm right handed though.

I have big hands as well and I can hold the pen fine. Don't try holding it like you would a pencil trying to write something. I hold it between my thumb and finger and just poke with it.

But using the pen for mario is bad. I had to use the thumb pad. It took a little while to get used to, but it works pretty well. Also, I could press lightly and it responded, so maybe your unit is damaged. I had no problem holding the unit up and playing it at the same time either.

It sounds like your complaints are more your fault than the unit itself, except for the dirt in the screen.

[maxlords]

*hangs head in shame cause he's a bad person that's not compatible with the DS*

[Jasoco]

I think the Stylus works fine for what I need it for. I'd prefer it not be bigger. It's just fine. Especially for all the kick-ass mini-games in Mario 64. (Luigi found his dream job. A dealer at a casino.) The card games are the best. Pair-a-Gone and Pair-a-Gone And On are my two faves so far.