Why do people like the Nintendo DS?

[bobmus]

Since its release to the present day, I still fail to see the draw of a DS, other than as a system to play the latest Nintendo portable releases.

In what way is its awkward touchscreen-stylus design a good thing? What makes it better than say, a PSP's design, or an HD Gameboy Advance? Does anyone prefer its shape, and if so, why?

Basically, do you prefer this design:
<spoiler=Nintendo DSi>http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/videogames/detail-page/B001T8W2LW.04.lg.jpg
Pictured: Sharp edges, lack of hand grips. Oh, and a Stylus.
Or this design?
<spoiler=Gameboy Advance>http://www.retrogamingworld.co.uk/sectionimages/305_main.jpg
Give me an HD screen, 2 extra buttons and maybe a joystick.

 

[Hazy992]

I liked my DS, there were some great games on it. Only thing is because I'm left handed a lot of the games are pretty much unplayable for me :/ That's one of the reasons I'd rather get a Vita than a 3DS because I know I won't be able to play a lot of the games.

I always find it's better when it's just for menus or something rather than a major aspect of gameplay

 

[WinstonJEC]

I really like my DS, there were a lot of challenging games that I found really fun that utilized the stylus. One particular was The World Ends With You. It had an awesome mix of button mash ups and stylus skills that made the game fun and challenging. But for most of the games now don't utilize the stylus like they should, so I can see where you're coming from.

 

[CrimsonBlaze]

I just got the DS for the games. There are certain games that work well with the touch screen (such as The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, Henry Hatsworth and the Puzzling Adventure, Summon Night Twin Age, etc.), but I mostly just got it for the games that were exclusive to the handheld. Also, to play multiplayer with my siblings.

 

[Ectoplasmicz]

While the DS's shape may be odd, I still enjoy playing mine because some of the games are a lot of fun. Regardless of the design, they are still fun to play. It's not a completely awful, unplayable design. I can still comfortably play games on it.

Why do people like anything? It's like anything, people like different things for different reasons.

 

[Terramax]

I owned the DS at launch, and of the many games I bought for it, I've only kept 5 of them - Worms Open Warefare 2, Bleach, Mario Kart DS, Metroid Pinball and Nanostray 2. Sadly, the rest of the games pretty much fail. There are a few others will like, but the ratio of good to bad is very unbalanced.

As for the machine itself - the duel screen works for several games (i.e. Metroid Pinball uses both to give full scope of the table, which is a good idea), otherwise the touchscreen has always felt a tad awkward, and the 3D capabilities look very limited and have an awkward resolution.

I own a 3DS and, tbh, since buying a Vita, it's getting very little love. I'm only playing Ridge Racer as there isn't a decent RR on the Vita (hopefully Namco will release a version 2.0 with all the tracks added on in future), and Dead or Alive as there isn't a decent equivalent on the Vita as of yet. Otherwise, the 8 or so other games I've borrowed for the consoles just aren't that fun to play to invest money in.

I bought it for Mario Kart 7, as my friends and I played the DS version at the pub fairly often, and assumed we'd all be upgrading, but funnily enough, some of them are more interested in getting a Vita instead. Waste of £35.

The 3D is ultimately just pointless and really does stand to prove Nintendo are in the business of relying on a gimmick to sell their consoles. Some gimmicks work (Wii), but some don't.

As for which I prefer, I hated the GBA design. I didn, however, love the SP design. Folding to protect the screen is genius, and it's the only feature about the PSP and Vita I'm annoyed it doesn't have.

 

[wintercoat]

Yeah, the design for the DS Lite and after is horrible.

Look at those sexy smooth edges. Who cares if it weighs a ton, it fits in your hands comfortably!

I love my DS. There are a ton of games on it that I've spent hundreds of hours playing. It is my second most used video game platform behind the PS2, with the N64 not far behind.

 

[Zouriz]

Come on, the DS has one of the best libraries EVAR!

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 1 and 2
Dragon Quest 4,5,6 and 5 is the best Dragon Quest game ever in my opinion
Dragon Quest Monsters Joker
New Super Mario Bros.
Sonic Rush
Mario Kart DS
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin.
Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver
Pokemon Platnium(The best version of the three)
Pokemon Black and White
Jump Ultimate Stars
Kirby's Canvas Curse
The World Ends with You
Contra 4
999
Final Fantasy 3 and 4 remakes.
Kingdom Hearts 358/2
Phoenix Wright
Phoenix Wright: Justice for All
Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations
Investigations: Miles Edgeworth
Contact
Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
Warioware D.I.Y.
Warioware Touched
Megaman Star Force 1,2, and 3
Elite Beat Agents

Just to name a few. And that isn't counting the good DSiware games.

 

[bobmus]

SNIP

The point ->

You <-

It may have a good library, but what makes its design better than the design of any of the gameboys?

 

[General Twinkletoes]

Sure the design is weird, doesn't mean it's not worth it. The games are awesome!

 

[The Madman]

I love my DS lite. Looks sleek, feels nice, is heavy and sturdy enough to be used as an improvised weapon if need be, and it's got a load of great games for it. The touch screen is also surprisingly responsive and durable.

Honestly I've no complaints whatsoever with the device.

 

[GrimHeaper]

SNIP

The point ->

You <-

It may have a good library, but what makes its design better than the design of any of the gameboys?

A game that wouldn't work on the new vita,psp or HD gameboy you say?
This is one of those games that shows you why if you aren't a clumsy oaf.
Also I could play it for 8 hours straight with no cramps because of the DS's design.
There was no need for grip when it's small and the edges never really touch you.

 

[bobmus]

Also I could play it for 8 hours straight with no cramps because of the DS's design.
There was no need for grip when it's small and the edges never really touch you.

As someone with big hands, the few DS variants I've used have been exceptionally uncomfortable to hold. And even more so to use the stylus at the same time.

 

[Dryk]

I never had a problem using it, it's definitely not the most ergonomic shape ever but it's not bad.

 

[BernardoOne]

I like it because it has one of the best game catalog ever, with great exclusives. I have the XL version so it is pretty comfortable.

 

[Llil]

Because it has a huge library of great games, many of which make good use of the "awkward touchscreen-stylus design". Really, what makes a console great is the games, and since the DS plays both GBA and DS games, it's pretty hard to top. Not only does it have some of the best portable games, it has some of the best games, full stop.

People like the DS because it's a great system with great games, just like the Wii. Even better, it's not region locked, which means you can play games like Ouedan and Jump Ultimate Stars.

The 3DS is unfortunately, fuck Nintendo. There was no need for that.

And that's exactly why I won't be buying one. When Etrian Odyssey 4 was announced, I really wanted to get a 3DS almost just for that, but since EO2 and 3 were never released in Europe, I don't see any reason why 4 would be. The region locking cost them at least my money.

ARE YOU HAPPY NOW, NINTENDO?

 

[TsunamiWombat]

Because it's small, inexpensive, and has a shit-ton of good games for it?

Hardware design is secondary to content. And Hardware Design has always been Nintendo's weak point (see Gamecube, Wii Remote before it's controller fixin's, the 3DS) which is odd because they are supposedly working on it all the time.

 

[Angry Camel]

Never been big on portable gaming, but I've tried my sister's DS. I can't really give a fair opinion due to her very small library, but at the time, I think it was the innovative value of the touchscreen. It wore thin quick for me though and having larger hands didn't help.