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Johnny Minkley is a games expert for BBC Radio 1, editor of Eurogamer TV and former editor of the industry trade weekly MCV. He's played games for more than 20 years and has been writing about them for more than seven. Here he picks the top games consoles. Click to view Top 5 Video Game Consoles.
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Best Handheld (Nintendo DS Lite) |
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 It may lack the multimedia prowess of Sony’s dazzling PlayStation Portable, but if gaming is your priority, the dual-screen DS Lite is unmatched in imagination, innovation, scope and raw fun factor. Mix in sexy iPod stylings and a sub-£100 price and you have the ultimate portable games machine. |
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The torch-carrier for Nintendo’s crusade to broaden the appeal of gaming, it’s no exaggeration to say that DS changed the face of handheld gaming when it appeared in late 2004.
The ingenious design and functionality, which delivered a dual-screen display, touch-sensitive gameplay using a dedicated stylus, and voice recognition via an in-built microphone ripped up the rulebook on control and interaction while literally offering a fresh perspective on gaming. “Nintendo remains the king of the hand-held gaming market with its acclaimed Nintendo DS device,” proclaims CNN.
There was just one major downside: for all its bubbly, adorable personality, the original DS was one thick-set, chunky-thighed minger of a console. Gamers loved it, but it was the kind of ugly fun that the fashion conscious consumer wouldn’t be caught dead with in public. Enter DS Lite. Released in summer 2006, an extreme makeover unveiled a smaller, sleeker, lighter unit with the iPod-generation firmly in mind. In addition to the flagship white model, DS Lite is also available in black and pink – which has done a roaring trade with girls.
But changes weren’t solely cosmetic, with adjustable screen brightness, a sensibly repositioned mic and a bulkier, more comfortable stylus have been added. Meanwhile battery life has improved to around eight hours on full brightness, and up to 18 hours on the lowest setting. Such brains and beauty have proved an irresistible combination. “With a slick new design, brighter screens, and a growing library of fun and innovative games, the Nintendo DS Lite is an impressive improvement over the original DS,” offers FHM.
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Games for all |
A console is only as good as its games. Equally, a console also gets the games it deserves. With DS, Nintendo has led by example with its Touch Generations range, producing some truly groundbreaking titles which not only appeal to veteran gamers, but have ensnared brand new audiences who previously wouldn’t have touched a video game with a barge pole, let alone a stylus.
A couple of examples: Nintendogs is essentially a virtual pet simulator, the best of breed in an evolutionary chain that stretches back to Tamagotchi. But thanks to the DS’s unique features, you can interact with your digital mutt as never before. Using the stylus, you can actively tickle and stroke your pooch, throw frisbees for it to chase and much more.
And voice recognition means you can call him over with a shout of “Rover!” – or whatever name you choose - and teach him to obey commands and perform tricks by speaking directly into the console. It’s an unnervingly lifelike experience and one which simply isn’t possible on other systems. Nintendogs has proved an astounding success with consumers and the industry, picking up reader-voted Bliss Girls and The Sun Family gongs at the Golden Joystick Awards, and bagging the best New Games Brand prize at UK industry weekly MCV’s annual awards.
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 In Dr Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain? you take part in a wide range of number- and word-based challenges against the clock. Based on an analysis of your performance, the game then calculates your brain age and offers a regime for self-improvement. Again, it’s the interactivity that makes this such fun, and you’ll be scribbling down words memorised from lists, shouting out colours and much more. Thanks to its effortless ease of use, Brain Training is a game that’s proved just as popular among the young as it has with OAPs.
The DS software catalogue is expanding at a terrific rate. But it’s worth noting that an in-built cartridge slot provides full compatibility with the entire back catalogue of Game Boy Advance games – perfect for retro heads.
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Making a connection |
DS Lite sports wireless connectivity that’s a breeze to use. You can hook up to other DS units within range (up to roughly 65 feet) and enjoy multiplayer gaming. The bundled Pictochat programme also allows you to write messages, draw pictures and send them to your friends, which is great for kids.
Broadband subscribers can connect to the Internet via Nintendo’s Wi-Fi Connection service, where they can enjoy free online gaming with people from all corners of the planet as well as your mates on the other side of town. Outdoors, this service is also available for free via selected Wi-Fi hotspots.
In an attempt to boost functionality, the release of the Opera Browser lets you surf the web. It’s a nice additional feature if you want to invest in it, though it does prove very fiddly and slow in practice.
Furthermore, the release of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl on DS later in 2007, followed by Pokemon Battle Revolution for Nintendo Wii, will enable for the first time full wireless connectivity between DS and Wii. The potential is huge.
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Market leader |
 In a straight comparison of power, DS Lite falls short of Sony’s beefy PSP. But critics agree that DS’s software library is far superior to that of the Sony machine. And consumers appear to concur, with DS currently trouncing its rival in hardware and software sales. Three million DS systems have already been sold in the UK, with official Chart-Track figures giving Nintendo a 68 per cent share of the handheld market for the first three months of 2007. Sony’s PSP isn’t just playing catch up; DS is pulling clear.
Simply put, for fun, variety, innovation, imagination and true portability (Lite is far more pocket-friendly than the hefty PSP), DS Lite is perfect for boys and girls of all ages. And at a penny under £100, it’s tremendous value for money. When it comes to gaming, two screens really are better than one.
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Typical price: £99/$129
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