Why do people like the Nintendo DS?

[Elementary - Dear Watson]

As I will admit that I have a handgrip attachment, I don't think it is that bad!

I love the game library for the DS, and am always playing JRPGs and SRPGs whilst on the move! Public transport just isn't the same without my 3DS!

I don't often play games online, mostly due to how much I move from place to place, and therefore don't have internet, so I will just play alone when I am travelling. I also take it with me when I go on courses (1-2 weeks all over the country) and it was a major feature when I went to the middle east for 6 months, where my phone wasn't allowed, (Also a 3G Vita wouldn't be allowed. Or a 3G iPad!)

The touch screen I have never had a problem with, and games like Scribblenauts have given me endless fun! The amount of times I have redesigned my hero's in the most rediculous ways is astronomical! Also some games have some great uses for the hardware, in particular the Zelda games have been very innovative!

It may not have the graphics of the Vita or PSP (although I think it is comparable to the latter now) but it does what I want. Slower paced, fun gaming for journeys and when away. I have my XBox for the action and adventure games at home!

EDIT: Apologies, missed the point!

I do have a handgrip, but that was only because as it was so light I kept nearly dropping it on the train! :S

The edges may be sharp, but the way it is held that isn't a factor...

The problem both the DS and the gameboy is that they are so small... they are too small to be held properly, but they wouldn't fit in the pocket is they were bigger, and they wouldn't be as good if you shrank the screens for a better grip, so I guess we just have to live with it! :/

 

[The Wykydtron]

I'm not one for portable consoles really. The Phoenix Wright games are the only thing that validates the DS' existance for me ^^

Well Trials and Tribulations is my second favourite game of all time. The DS is pretty damn cool

It's not uncomfortable to hold personally, being the lanky bastard that I am it's not surprising. It double screens has pretty badass potential if nothing else.

The World Ends With You shows that off easily if nothing else. Might go back and finish that game at some point...

 

[OrpheusTelos]

...because it had FANTASTIC games?

IDK, that MIGHT have something to do with it.

 

[Suicidejim]

I've never had a problem with the design of the DS (the one exception being any FPS, because I just can't get the hang of using a stylus to aim accurately). It had a library full of fantastic games, the dual-screen concept worked anywhere from 'pretty good' to 'damn amazing' (I still can't get back into the habit of actually pressing a button on home consoles to see a map or stats or something that could easily be displayed permanently on another screen), it allowed for all kinds of gameplay mechanics and designs not possible on another console, and I've never had a problem with it ergonomically.

But it's mostly the fantastic library of games that either don't or couldn't exist on another console. That's my biggest issue with my 3DS, the one truly excellent game I've played for it has been a remake of a DS game (SMT Devil Survivor: Overclocked).

 

[Furioso]

I don't care much for the whole 2 screen thing, but I do love the games, at the moment I've been switching between Advance Wars, Pokemon Black, Chrono Trigger, and more

Also trying to finish The World Ends With You, which tries to take advantage of the 2 screens in a very unique way, but I can't make my brain split like they seem to want it to

 

[templar1138a]

I bought a large version of the DS a few months back so I could play Pokémon White and Soul Silver. The large one is actually a lot more comfortable to hold than my Gameboy Color or Gameboy Advance ever were (especially now that I have man-sized hands rather than the hands of a ten-year-old). The edges aren't a problem and provide a good grip.

The large stylus that comes with the bigger DS is uncomfortable to hold, but the standard slides-into-a-slot stylus is pretty handy and fits nicely between my thumb and forefinger when I'm not using it at the moment. I've had more enjoyment out of Soul Silver and White than previous Pokémon games partially because I can use the stylus to select attacks in only a couple of screen touches (rather than using the d-pad to in addition, effectively doubling the button presses) and I can more easily scroll through lists.

Plus the DS has wireless access. I don't use it that often, but half the reason I bought White was because of a promotion back in February where Nintendo was giving away Mewtwo. That made me very happy.

My only problem with the DS is that it's fairly uncomfortable to play when I'm lying in bed, but that was a problem I also had with my previous Gameboys.

All in all, I see the DS as nothing more than a glorified Gameboy (in fact, when not comparing it to previous Nintendo handhelds, I call it a Gameboy), but it's still pretty good for what it is. Even though I only have a few games and I don't play them often, I feel it was worth the money.

 

[Clearing the Eye]

Behold! The greatest portable gaming device ever!

 

[Eric the Orange]

Well I'd say the games, but you seem to be referring to the actual design. Which I don't really care for. Touch screen isn't really my thing and I don't care about two screens.

But that being said 95% of the games I play on it don't require the use of anything but the buttons. and the extra stuff doesn't actually make the system worse as long as they aren't shoehorned into a game that doesn't need them.

 

[Smeatza]

I have very little to add here besides DSI-XL's are awesome.
Biiiiig screens.

 

[ultrabiome]

i bought a blue original DS early and i still play it. my hands aren't that big, but i found that holding it and using the stylus at the same time wasn't very comfortable (metroid prime hunters - still a good game though). mario kart was the worst offender though. action games weren't too bad, if you weren't forced to use L and R too much... which i guess is the problem with metroid and mario kart too.

its a really great little system, the dual screens have been put to good use in many games for it (final fantasy tactics A2 comes to mind), and has survived tons of abuse by me and still going strong.

final fantasy tactics A2
final fantasy 3
final fantasy 4
mario 64
new mario bros
brain age
zelda: phantom hourglass
mega man zero collection
castlevania: dawn of sorrow
castlevania: portrait of ruin
pokemon pearl
mario kart
metroid prime hunters
tetris
mega man zx
bleach: blade of fate
+ a dozen GBA games

having so many of FF games available between the DS and GBA slot make it hard to give it up, or upgrade to the 3DS, although that mario game looks really fun. if anything i'll wait til my DS dies, but knowing nintendo that might be forever.

 

[TehCookie]

I've never had an issue with it but I like Japanese things, they make me feel normal. I can comfortably hold a DS or a PS3 controller while the 360 feels like it was made for gorilla hands and I can't even grab it.

 

[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

 

[Innegativeion]

I really like the extra screen space for menus, maps, additional input methods, etc.

And as people have pointed out some it's greatest games, including World Ends with You, made extensive and creative use of the dual screens.

(It is for those reasons that I doubt asymetric games using the wiiu gamepad will be nearly as intrusive as some people think)

I never had a problem holding it, either. It felt like a flattened gameboy SP, which was, btw, a HUGE improvement over the original GBA's design.

 

[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?

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?

 

[noble cookie]

I used to own a DS lite which never got much use so I sold it.

However after reading about the 3DS and seeing videos of it and the games available and up-coming for it, I really want to get one xD

My nephews got one and I had a little go on that. It only made me want one more

 

[baddude1337]

Never had a DS but I do have a 3DS. I thought it would be awkward to handle and all that but it's fine. The only games the rely heavily on the touch-screen are those that are gimmicky and not very good anyway. The sheer number of DS games means there is a good back catalogue of games for everyone. And the 3DS is pretty damn cheap now. I got mine with 2 games and a starter pack for £135.

And the games are FANTASTIC. Mario Kart 7 is my favourite non-sim racer ever and looks amazing. And then there is Resident Evil: Revelations, the best game in the series IMO with graphics on par with some current gen console games. And while the amount of must own 3DS games is relatively small right now, it's still a fairly young console, and has a lot coming out soon, Luigi Mansion 2 is one I'm really looking forward too.

Basically, if you want a portable system, get the 3DS

 

[malestrithe]

SNIP

The point ->

You <-

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

You choose a system for the software and not the hardware.

It seems like you are too into nostalgia for your own good.