Nintendo DS: Comfort VS Innovation

[VIAN]

It may not have been a primary concern, but playing game using the DS special functionality, stylus and touchscreen, isn't the most comfortable thing to do. You can observe this in the games that are mostly played with the stylus, but even more so with Metroid Prime. After 1 hour of playing on even the DS lite, your knuckles and wrists feel like their ready to fall off. Only 1 hour! Forget battery life! And those long trips to grama's house... bring a book as well.

It's fault may lie mostly with Metroid Prime, because this is one freakin KICK ASS game. It's atmospheric and can get your tense with suspense, making your hand tense, pressing harder on the screen than normal, something that Nintendo says can rapidly cause fatigue. Are these not the games we are supposed to be playing, or expect to find on the DS. Apparently, the DS's touchscreen isn't made for thrilling games. Damn, FPS's looked so promising on this system.

But it does bring up the question, did Nintendo not think much on comfort when they "innovated" the DS. Wouldn't the innovation be better off in the software than in the way we control it. To me the best controller is the one with the most comfort and functionality... say the Xbox 360 controller. Not even the mouse and keyboard combo is as comfortable as (certain) control pads. 8 hours on a control pad is less painful.

 

[VIAN]

I'm almost halfway done with Metroid Prime. And this game, with acceptable issues, would have been one of the greatest games on the DS if not for it's controls. The DS's controls are too painful for me. So I'm giving up. After one half hour, the joint that joins my thumb to my hand on my left hand, that holds the DS, starts to hurt. If I continue, it will be even more painful to more joints in my hands. That... is unfortunate.

 

[ubercaffeinated]

Just a question... how big are your hands? I don't mean to be presumptious or any way in my questioning, but maybe it is a factor?

 

[Miklebud]

I agree. It wasn't the most comfortable handheld to work. So I bought a grip attachment, which made things 10times more comfortable. It also had a built in battery! The two things you just complained about, can be fixed with a single $30 kit. I picked one up at EbGames. Even comes with screen protectors, to compensate for the added pressure on teh screen during Metroid gaming.
The new battery adds like 4 hours onto the DS's life. Best investment I made for the DS.

 

[pontifex]

i was going to get one this weekend until i found out how small it was. i played the demo mdoel they had out and it didn't feel comfortable in my hands. also, the buttons were too small and too close together.

this was the ds lite, not the regular ds

 

[Ika]

Miklebud's got the right idea, get a grip attachment. It makes it innovation + comfort!

though, $30 is a lot for me... I need all the money i can get!

 

[VIAN]

BTW, just a little offtopic thing. The DS lite is the bomb. if you enjoy the DS, the screen on the DS lite are just phenominal and worth the upgrade. Brighter, more colorful and have better veiwing angles. The difference is very pronounced - even without a side by side comparison.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

I wasn't too excited about the DS upon its initial release. Now that I know of several games I either want, or will want, and the fact that DS Lite has come out (I made the "mistake" of jumping on GBA before GBA:SP came out) - it might just be time to look into getting a DS Lite...

 

[Eddieo]

How is the DS lite playing outdoors, do you strain in the shade or is it fine? I'm still enjoying my GBA.

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: Eddieo
How is the DS lite playing outdoors, do you strain in the shade or is it fine? I'm still enjoying my GBA.

it's actually excellent, since there are four brightness options. The fourth and final brightness is enough to light a 12'x14' room to be able to navigate. and my room is NOT easy to navigate, even in daytime...

 

[KB]

You should give your eyes a rest every 30 minutes too. So this is a feature reminding you to stop.. not a bug.