Customer Reviews

Nintendo DS Lite Metallic Rose with Nintendogs Best Friends (NDS Pink Bundle)

5 star:		(198)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Okay, I'm not a gamer. I don't have kids. I've never owned a Nintendo or any other game system aside from the Atari 5600 (which tells you how old *I* am!) although I played other game systems here and there. However, deep down I kind of wanted a DS because it looked like a fun way to pass time at the airport, while commuting, on lunch breaks, etc., but the other versions didn't appeal to me. They looked too kiddy-like and plastic (aka cheap). I also didn't know there were any "adult" games out there. And then.... Nintendo came out with this package. A new color scheme, packaged with Brain Age 2, a stylish case and the system suddenly appeals to ALL those people who may have felt foolish buying the other ones. I admit it, I was sold. Love at first sight. A GENIUS move on Nintendo's part. (To even further prove their point, I also purchased two games along with this set so I'd have plenty to do- Sega Casino and Mario Kart.) I have to say, I'm loving this thing. It's loads of fun, easy to use, very portable, no complicated learning curve, no difficult setup or anything. Just pop in a game and go. Brain Age 2 is great (I want to get the first one now); I discovered there's a lot I don't know! Sega Casino is entertaining and Mario Kart is just plain fun :) I plan on trying out many more games and enjoying this for a long time... at least until they come out with another Limited Edition version that I have to have, LOL
Definitely a good way to get into the DS if you've been on the fence about it, as I was. Or even if you just want one, it's a great package. It would also make a great gift for just about anyone, young or old. Heck, I'm thinking of getting my parents one for Christmas!

First and foremost, if you are considering buying this DS bundle... DO IT! This bundle is very limited. The older DS, better known as the "DS Phat" was once sold in a Mario Kart bundle, and every since it sold out, none have been produced. This bundle is the same case: once it's gone, eBay will be the only place you can find them -- for 3 times the price.

Anyways, the bundle as it is, is very good, both in terms of value and appeal. The Crimson/Black color scheme is very original. The only Crimson part of the DS is the top shell that you see in the picture: the rest is the a matte black. The DS you get functions like any other DS lite, so there's no need to worry about compatibility.

The case that comes with the DS is very nice. The DS lite, unlike the PSP, is a system that will withstand a LOT of abuse. For instance, I have dropped my Onyx DS from a height of 5ft+ MULTIPLE times, and the screen and body still is intact (AND it still works). Anyways, the case's outside is black, with red stitching. The inside is red, and has the DS logo (the two squares representing the screens) printed repeatedly in a diagonal pattern. To keep the DS in the case, there are three elastic bands, that are very well placed. One annoyance that I have is that there's a pretty big Nintendo tag hanging from the side of the case (like you would find on a t-shirt), but with a small pair of scissors, you can easily remove it. The top panel of the case has a slot for 3 game carts; these holders are black. I think the case gives a little more protection in case one should drop it, but it's more scratch protection and appeal.

Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day! is a great game. If you have played the first, you will greatly enjoy the second. Not only are there more mini games for you to play, but some of the features from the previous game have been implemented: the drawing competitions and Sudoku puzzles. I'm pretty sure that you are able to save up to an years worth of records, so after the save file reaches a year, you won't be able to do more than view the calender and your progress. The game list is as follows:
* Missing Symbols
* Masterpiece Recital
* Word Scramble
* Correct Change
* Word Blend
* Memory Addition
* Days and Dates
* Finishing Position
* Determine the Time
* Calculate the Height
* Rock, Paper, Scissors
* Continuous Countdown
* Speedy Symbols
* Memory Addition
* Memorize 5x5
* Highest Number

In terms of value, this bundle is perfect. Here's a summary of what you get:
* Limited Edition DS Lite ($129.99+ retail; expect prices to skyrocket when the bundle is discontinued)
* Brain Age 2 ($19.99)
* DS Lite Case (~$9.99)

TOTAL = $159.97
$159.97 x 7.75% tax = $172.38
$172.38 + $10.00 shipping elsewhere = $182.38

You currently save $32.39; if you wait, the money you save will only rise, since the limited edition DS becomes more valuable.

You get this all for $149.99: no tax; no shipping. Whether you get this for the fun, or to scalp the system for more money on eBay or somewhere else, this is worth buying.

Thanks for reading my review.

This is our household's FOURTH DS lite...now every single member owns their own! Nintendo outdoes themselves time and time again. The Metallic Rose color is so much better than the pink they've had out for a while now and Nintendogs is a game both of my boys (9 and 4) enjoy playing. This bundle worked out really well for our family!

Here is the review I wrote for the game after it launched. I hope some of you looking at this bundle find it helpful. It truly is an amazing game. Enjoy!

***Note: Some spoilers within***

It's been a while since I enjoyed a Zelda title on a handheld. This selection doesn't disappoint.

I'm only a few hours in and I'm hooked. The story line, graphics, music and the characters are all excellent. This title, like Wind Waker, uses the cartoonish/younger set of characters versus the young adult set from Twilight Princess.

For now, here is what I like and don't like. Of course, I'll update the review as I get deeper into the game.

Pros:

- Picks up where Wind Waker left off. A great story!
- Having the map on the second screen is brilliant. Being able to jot down notes on it is even better. This is by far the most useful tool in the game.
- You can save at any point in the game.
- Puzzle mix is pretty balanced. Nothing too simple and nothing aggravating to the point I want to put the game down. I really dig some of the creative elements they've added to the dungeons. That's all I'm saying; I don't want to give away any spoilers. :)
- The boomerang. I love drawing the path out on the screen. Not only is it used to complete certain actions/puzzles, it's a vital tool in fights. Tip #1: Go slow when drawing the path. If you hit walls or obstacles, the throw is not completed. Tip #2: You can hold down the left shoulder button to instantly switch to the boomerang. This is a great way to quickly arm it.

Cons:

- I feel like I'm always running out of "screen". This just boils down to the stylus control and limited real estate of the DS.
- Getting Link to "roll" is quite difficult for me. Others may have this move down. I'm still struggling.
- You can "fall" into water (you lose a heart piece) and off of cliffs. One stylus touch too far and Link can be sent flying off a cliff forcing you to start a map from where you landed. For me, that always seems to be the beginning. :)
- Other than accessing menus and flipping the screens, the direction pad is pretty much unused. In similar games, I prefer to use it for "moving" characters on screen. It was a little disappointing to see this left out. Not a deal-breaker, just nice to have.
- Using the microphone. I don't think you need to incorporate this into every game. It's great for its intended purpose, but frankly, I don't want to have to blow on my DS to make candles go out as part of a puzzle. Is there a button that will do the same? If there is, I haven't found it yet. I'm still blowing. Just a minor annoyance.

So far this game is a lot of fun; more to come soon, if I ever put this thing down.

***UPDATE 10/08/07***

The game continues to rock. The story is getting deeper and I've very into it. I also like how the ocean-going portion of the game is panning out. (E.g. Upgrading the ship, plotting courses, ocean battles, etc.) The addition of "treasure hunting" or "salvaging" is like a mini-game in itself.

The versatility of the items you acquire continues to impress.

Examples:

- The bombs (oh, how I love the bombs) can obviously be used to blow up enemies, but they are equally useful in blowing up crates and walls so you can gain access to new areas and treasure.
- The bow and arrow (my new favorite) is not only a fast and accurate weapon, but a vital tool fot activating dungeon "eyeball" switches.

***UPDATE 10/14/07***

More great items, more great adventure.

Here are some highlights from the last week (hopefully I don't spoil anything).

- Fishing is great. I found myself a fishing rod. Well, I was actually given it. It is little hard to control at first, but once getting the hang of it, provides a lot of fun and there is a nice surprise waiting for you if you "catch 'em all".
- I'm hooked on the Grappling Hook! Like the boomerang, it's a vital tool and is used for much more than just grappling. One great example, think "Human Slingshot."
- I finally died (fire and ice dragons were tough until I figured out what to do). It was nice that all I had to do was walk back through the blue portal and I was right back to the boss fight again. Thank goodness I didn't have to do the entire dungeon again.

***UPDATE 10/28/07***

I finished the game on a flight to LA this weekend.

- The storyline continued to develop and really kept me interested; all the way to the end.
- The new items (especially the hammer) were perfect additions to the already creative arsenal. (Hint: Be sure to hold down the stylus for a second or two and the hammer doubles in size and punch)
- A couple of the boss-fights were actually in 3D-mode versus top-down 3rd person. The graphics during these sequences looked great.
- There were even some really funny moments towards the end. When G'Pa snatched the hourglass from Link mid-spin, I cracked up.
- Lastly, the final boss fight was excellent. Not too hard, multi-leveled (literally) and actually really fun. No frustration.

Kudos to Nintendo for making one of the best games I've ever played on the DS. Thank you!

NOTE: The review is no different from the Nintendo DS review I have posted under the Nintendo DS. But I will talk a little about The Legend of Zelda as well.

People will no doubt find the Nintendo DS Lite to be a way for Nintendo to sucker people out of their money. It can be that way, if you think of yourself as a sucker, but for me the DS lite is a little better. Simply put, if you're content with your original DS, then don't even waste time to buy this one. If you don't have a DS period, the DS Lite is a much better investment than the original bulky one.

With the DS Lite, gameplay is made a little simplar. The button placement and brighter screen make the gameplay a little better. For one, the start and select buttons have been moved to resemble where they were on the original Gameboy Advance. This makes handling some of the functions (especially for GBA games) a lot easier. The buttons, sadly, are a still a little small for guys with big hands like myself.

The DS Lite also comes with a phony GBA cartridge (called a "cap"). If you don't have a GBA game plugged into the system, you can put in the phony cartridge to keep it from collecting dust in there. However, when you do stick in a GBA game, it sticks out by about a centimeter. It just looks weird. The cap does, at least, keep the system looking good.

Perhaps the most welcome change to the DS Lite is the screen. The original DS screen was not exactly bright. In fact, it was, in comparison the DS Lite, rather dark. Games like Metroid Prime Hunters were darker than they had to be. On this new screen, the difference in how bright the games appear really shows. Not only that but, you can adjust the brightness if need be. It doesn't really affect the battery life, either. You can play the DS Lite for as long as you played the original. And also like the original, it charges while you play.

Another welcome difference is the touch screen itself. These screens last a lot longer than the original DS. Those who have an original DS no doubt experienced a lot of scratches on their screen from their stylus. To the point where it was noticeable. You could still see the screen, but it was apparent that the stylus was doing a number on it. The screen is more protected here. The stylus doesn't scratch the screen quite as easily. In other words, the touch screen lasts a lot longer.

The DS Lite also looks better, and fits in your pocket better. It also performs all the tasks of a regular DS. For example, if you're playing a game and you suddenly have to go, just flip it closed and it sleeps. There's also a place to store the stylus, and the stylus is better too. It's a little bigger and thicker, so it's not quite as easy to lose.

Some problems with the original DS still plague the DS Lite however. You still can't play Gameboy Color or regular Gameboy games on the DS Lite. Also, you still can't configure the controls to play a GBA game much easier. In other words you can't configure "X" and "Y" when you play a GBA game. This probably won't bother you in the long run, however. Also, the touch screen still has its sensitivity. Touching the touch screen with your bare hands is more dangerous than the stylus scratching the screen. The oils from your fingers might damage the screen and therefore, it won't respond to the touch of even your stylus.

When the original DS launched, owners will note that there were not very many good games availible. About the only good game during its launch in 2004 was Super Mario 64 DS. Now there are plenty of games out there (and not all of them are ports), so if you do want a DS, this is a great time to get one, and the DS Lite is a better investment than the original one by far.

The DS may not play movies, or MP3 players, but to be honest, that almost defeats the purpose of a gaming system. Am I looking to buy a portable entertainment center? Of course not, I'm looking to find a system to play some of my games on, and the Nintendo DS delivers. Real gamers know it's about the games, not about the bells and whistles of a system. For the casual gamer, the Nintendo DS delivers, and the DS Lite is a fine improvement.

In addition, the Gold DS comes with a copy of The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, which is a very good outing for the Zelda series. The Gold DS itself includes the Tri-Force on it. For a collector this is pretty nice. The only real problem is that if you want this DS and you've got The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, you'll end up with two copies. Then again, its not so hard to just trade it in or give it to a friend as a gift.

The Good
+Vastly superior to the original DS
+It fits in your pocket easier
+The Screen is much brighter
+Touch screen is more durable
+The placement of the Start and Select buttons is easier
+A better stylus
+The battery life is unchanged
+Includes The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

The Bad
-Some of the cons of the original DS are still here

Since the Nintendo DS was originally released a few years ago, many gamers rejoyced at a new and exciting video game system that changed the way people play video games. Undoubtingly, the Nintendo DS has delivered to gamers young and old, with games like Brain Age. Last year, the Nintendo DS was redesigned into the DS Lite, which has delivered a crisper and sharper picture and delivers even better to DS gamers who've missed out before. Nevertheless, there haven't been any video games bundled with the DS Lite until right now, with one of the most mind twisting games around.

The new Nintendo DS Lite Brain Age 2 bundle pack contains a limited edition DS Lite, in a seductive and bold, crimson red. The graphics are very sleek and look even better than they did before from the original DS, and that is shown in the latest sequel for the Nintendo DS, Brain Age 2, the sequel to last year's popular mind-bender. The gameplay here tests your mind as you go through many puzzles that test your mind and speed in games like word wheel, where you have to fill in a secret word one letter at a time, and piano player, where you practice reading sheet music and playing piano through the stylus. You also have great puzzle games like Su Doku, and many other great games.

Also included with this package, is a sleek and convient DS game holder, where you can store 3 different Nintendo DS game cartridges for your system. On top of that, you can also use the DS Lite, to play your Game Boy Advance games like Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Brothers 3 and Wario Ware: Twisted. It is also easy and convient to recharge for simple and fun gameplay, at a affordable price.

All in all, the Nintendo DS Lite Brain Age 2 bundle pack is the first time a DS game has been bundled with the DS Lite, and it absolutely delivers in the price and the gameplay. If you haven't yet bought the Nintendo DS, you have a opportunity to buy one of the best video game systems on the market today, and I absolutely recommend it a whole lot.

Graphics: A

Sound: A-

Control: A

Fun & Enjoyment: A-

Brain Age 2: B+

Price: A-

Overall: A 1/2-

I was dissapointed when I could not get one while I was in Japan then a year later here they are. It is much prettier out of the box. Pictures do not do justice to the art on the front. The gold and silver arn't just metallic, they have a glittery glimmer that you cannot see in the picture. I'm very satisfied with mine, even more so now that I have seen one outside the box.

After long deliberation (actually short since I knew this deal wouldn't last long) I broke down and bought this bundle. The console is great so far and the metallic color is fantastic - a really nice, soft pink. The Nintendogs game is really fun and quite amusing at times - I own a Miniature Dachshund who is just over a year old and the first time I started playing this he went wild. He couldn't figure out where the barking and whistling was coming from! The only negative thing I can say is that the bundle didn't include a case of some sort. Overall, this is a really great gaming system and I'm really looking forward to playing the wide variety of games available.

I already have the Silver DS and absolutely love it.... unfortunately, so does my Wife. So when I saw this on amazon.com I realized there was no more perfect gift for her! She needed her own and how cool to have a limited edition DS with a Pink Ribbon in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

The DS looks absolutely fantastic. I am not sure exactly what process Nintendo used to apply the Ribbon logo, but it appears to be under the outer enamel, so it won't scratch off. White is such a classic color already, then you put this Pink Ribbon on it and the entire system really looks neat.

If you have been looking for a good gift or simply have not jumped on to the DS bandwagon yet, I reccomend you do so before this limited edition is gone.

DS is the perfect thing for taking a few minutes to simply relax. The touch screen functionality is so inituitive and there are so many fun games to play --- Buy it!

I want to put this package into perspective. The DS retails for $130. Zelda retails for about $28. That is a total of $158 if bought separately. That means this bundle is saving you about $18 over buying these items alone. That's more of a savings than the Nintendogs bundle, as Nintendogs is typically $5 cheaper than Zelda. In addition, you get a really awesome triforce edition DS, which is sure to be a collector's item in the future.

Aside from the sheer value of this bundle, you are getting a really awesome handheld console. I play this thing so much: on the train, on flights, before class and meetings, etc. I'm more of a casual gamer, and this system is perfect for that type of person. The games are easy to pick up and not time-consuming. I think they're also perfect for keeping the attention span of kids.

The system has some really great games on top of that. Zelda is one of those, a must have for the DS. The Phantom Hourglass reminds me of the old Zeldas, in a good way.

This is the must-have Christmas toy of 2007, and I think whoever you get it for will be extremely happy.