DS Lite Accessories

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2006-07-06 03:29pm

As of yesterday, I am now a DS Lite (in shiny, shiny goodness black) owner, though it took me long enough to find a good deal in 30+ degree heat within Manchester.

I originally found the things gimmicky, but given the latest handheld I've had was a GB Color, I demanded a new one, so a 180 later and I'm a fan.

Looking at the nice selection of innovative games, all of which the PSP lacks (though I'd love Loco Roco), I'm wondering what add-ons are worth getting. Is the Rumble Pak worth bothering with? I'd hoped that stuff would be internal, but alas, not to be. I also caught sight of the CF card reader that can let you play movies, music and look at pictures or run homegrown code. Anyone else tried these yet? A similar device is a 4 gig flash drive fitted into a media adaptor by Datel, which comes out here this week I think. But at £130, it's more than I paid for the DS Lite, case and Metroid Prime: Hunters. Though having media playback, like the PSP, and potentially using DSLinux would be cool.

Additionally, I love how Wi-Fi is more abundant than I realised. For Ninty users here, the BT Openzone network (7,500 points around the UK, compared to 4,000 points in the whole of the US(!)) is free as well! Nice, especially when that Opera browser add-on comes out here.

Ryoga · Post by **Ryoga** » 2006-07-06 07:13pm

You can get some pretty amusing styluses (like the one that looks like you're drawing with Mew's penis), but other than that I haven't been tempted by any of the DS accessories. Even the carrying cases seem a little excessive since the thing is a darn flip-top.

I'd be careful of getting one of those memory devices. Check and make sure it doesn't entail any altering of the system's code, or it may not work properly online. Also be careful because the primary use for those things is to play ROMs. I don't think you could get into legal trouble for it, but...

Darth Yoshi · Post by **Darth Yoshi** » 2006-07-06 07:17pm

If you don't mind the concept of a pinball game based on Metroid, Metroid Prime Pinball includes the Rumble Pak. But other than that, I can't think of any accessories that are worth getting.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2006-07-06 08:47pm

Ninty were meant to have brought out a media adaptor of their own brand, but it's never been released outside of Japan, sadly.

Well, I have a sock like case from GAME anyway, so no need for anything more protective. Guess I'll put that money towards Phoenix Wright or Trauma Centre or possibly the new Mario game.

Ypoknons · Post by **Ypoknons** » 2006-07-06 09:00pm

Phoenix Wright had me addicted for days like no other game has done for a while, but it's good only if you like charatcters and almost soap opera like stories. Kirby Canvas Curse is a lot of fun, has beautiful artwork and will last you a while. I'm currently using a miniSD media adaptor with a 1GB card; personally I don't feel the DS is a good video platform due to its small screen size and limited memory, but it goes okay.

Praxis · Post by **Praxis** » 2006-07-06 09:10pm

I use the M3 Adapter- it's an unsupported CF card adapter. I used to use a PassKey to trick it in to booting it in DS mode, but now I've hacked the firmware to not need it anymore.

Video playback isn't the best- low framerate. But there is a LOT of cool homebrew. I use my DS as an organizer. And DSLinux is my ubergeek badge.

Ninty were meant to have brought out a media adaptor of their own brand, but it's never been released outside of Japan, sadly.

It also only runs in GBA mode- one screen, with a black border, on the DS.

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2006-07-06 09:12pm

Are there cardreaders that don't stick out an inch from the GBA port? When I had a DS, all the readers were quite physically large.

Ypoknons · Post by **Ypoknons** » 2006-07-06 10:54pm

Stark wrote:Are there cardreaders that don't stick out an inch from the GBA port? When I had a DS, all the readers were quite physically large.

The mini-SD readers stick out the least at 0.8cm from the DS Lite, probably not at all from the DS. Mind you, both full sized SD cards and mini-SDs are quite affordable these days at capacities <2GB.

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2006-07-06 11:48pm

That's much better than the ones I saw more than a year ago: the had the entire length of the SD chip sticking out the bottom of the DS, so more like an inch.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2006-07-08 05:14pm

Ypoknons wrote:Phoenix Wright had me addicted for days like no other game has done for a while, but it's good only if you like charatcters and almost soap opera like stories. Kirby Canvas Curse is a lot of fun, has beautiful artwork and will last you a while. I'm currently using a miniSD media adaptor with a 1GB card; personally I don't feel the DS is a good video platform due to its small screen size and limited memory, but it goes okay.

I have to say that I neglected to get either of my above choices. I managed to get a copy of Advance Wars: Dual Strike which I recall a few going on about here, so assumed was good. Plus, a strategy game that isn't chess I can take around anywhere and play online, wins big time. I'll save up for those other titles.

Guess I'll pass on the media player for now, or at least, wait for the Datel one to become cheaper (or I get a job finally). £130 is a wee bit much for just playing media, and I have a flash digital music player anyway.