Why do people like the Nintendo DS?

[Lunar Templar]

SNIP

The point ->

You <-

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

pretty sure the software is the draw, not the design.

it has a crap ton of good games and really, only the DS like was a 'hard to hold' on a count of being to small, the DS, DSi and 3DS all fit comfortably on hand

My point is that I don't know anyone who thinks the DS has a better design than a PSP. If you could play all your DS games on a PSP-shaped device, which design would you pick?

doesn't really matter to me, i don't see any issue with the DS design, cept when the shrank it, then it kind sucked, but *shrugs* the DS is over all fine in my book, and since this is really the only time i've heard any one complain about it, i'm gonna go ahead and say, i'm far from the only one that thinks that

 

[Razoack]

Personally, i felt that the GBA was clunkier than the DSi and beyond, while the DS felt more natural using.
The DS as a concept was great, however it just let down by a lack of innovative gameplay ideas.
The only games that really used the touch pad well that spring to mind was Scribblenauts and The World Ends With You.

 

[Faladorian]

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.

This.

The DS's library is very ambitious, especially for a handheld.

Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

This is a god among not only handheld titles, not only RPGs, but all mario games. Love love love this game, coming from somebody who has always hated turn-based games until i played this game and found my respect for them.

 

[Revolutionary]

I have a second hand DS lite for one reason.
Poke'mon.

 

[geK0]

I like the touch screens for moving in some games and in RPGs, it's somehow easier than button pressing I find. Also, it gives a lot of leverage for developers to make certain mechanics that wouldn't be possible otherwise; but mostly it just makes a nice menu screen.

 

[sextus the crazy]

I thought the DS was pretty ergonomical; I'd choose it over the PSP if only because the PSP gets smudges n' shit more noticeably.

But to repeat what everyone else has said, software is much more important than hardware.