Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
David Carnoy Executive Editor / Reviews
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Kobo e-books and audiobooks.
Expertise Headphones, Bluetooth speakers, mobile accessories, Apple, Sony, Bose, e-readers, Amazon, glasses, ski gear, iPhone cases, gaming accessories, sports tech, portable audio, interviews, audiophile gear, PC speakers Credentials
- Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer
The wait for the next-generation Game Boy is almost over. Due out on November 21, Nintendo's new handheld gaming console, known simply as the DS, is a dual-screen affair with wireless gaming capabilities. It's backward-compatible with existing Game Boy Advance titles and will have a slot for new DS games that take advantage of the device's second display--a touch screen that can be operated with a stylus or a finger. The DS will retail for $149.
Upside: The unit's wireless capabilities work for short-range head-to-head gameplay as well as Internet gaming via a Wi-Fi access point for up to 16 players. Also, it boasts a 3D processor that's as formidable as the one on Nintendo's pre-GameCube N64 console.
Downside: The Nintendo DS has a larger form factor than the Game Boy Advance. Also, the extra screen and the wireless technology, especially Wi-Fi, may be a drain on battery life.
Outlook: Unlike Sony's forthcoming PSP and Tapwave's current Zodiac models, which double as portable media players, the Nintendo DS is just a gaming device. But considering its comfortable $149 price tag, we're not complaining. However, until we see more DS-enhanced titles in action, we'll withhold judgment as to whether the DS is worth nearly double the Game Boy Advance's bargain-bin $80 price tag.
Upside: The unit's wireless capabilities work for short-range head-to-head gameplay as well as Internet gaming via a Wi-Fi access point for up to 16 players. Also, it boasts a 3D processor that's as formidable as the one on Nintendo's pre-GameCube N64 console.
Downside: The Nintendo DS has a larger form factor than the Game Boy Advance. Also, the extra screen and the wireless technology, especially Wi-Fi, may be a drain on battery life.
Outlook: Unlike Sony's forthcoming PSP and Tapwave's current Zodiac models, which double as portable media players, the Nintendo DS is just a gaming device. But considering its comfortable $149 price tag, we're not complaining. However, until we see more DS-enhanced titles in action, we'll withhold judgment as to whether the DS is worth nearly double the Game Boy Advance's bargain-bin $80 price tag.