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8 Things Every DS Owner Should Know
- August 03, 2009 16:19 PM PST
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With its dual screens, touch screen, and embedded microphone, the DS is a portable powerhouse. But do you know all of its secrets?
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Nintendo's DS is the most popular handheld gaming system of all time. Before splurging on this affordable handheld gaming system, read on for valuable tips that every new DS owner should know.
- Conserve battery life! The DS can support up to 10 hours of battery life thanks to its internal lithium-ion battery. When you don't have your DS with you, make sure it stays plugged in to its charger to ensure you'll always have enough juice. To conserve power while playing, don't crank up the screen brightness or the speaker volume too high. Try using headphones or iPod ear buds to conserve extra energy.
- It's region free! That's right - games from all over the world work perfectly fine on a North American Nintendo DS with no region restrictions at all. With a myriad of import gaming sites on the net, you'll never have to miss out on the latest and greatest Japanese RPG. Just keep in mind: just because your DS is in English doesn't mean the game's text will be.
- It's got Wi-Fi! The Nintendo DS is one of the first handheld systems to offer an integrated Wi-Fi antenna for wireless multiplayer games and other functions. If you're not using Wi-Fi, flip off the switch on the side of the unit to conserve your battery power.
- Download demos for free! These handy stations are located in shops such as GameStop, EB Games, and Best Buy. DS Download Stations allow you to download game demos, giving you a sample of the full game before you decide to drop full retail price.
- It play GBA games! The Nintendo DS has a separate port, located on the bottom of the handheld, that accommodates GameBoy Advance games. GBA compatibility is handy because you can play GBA classics while waiting for hot upcoming DS games. Be warned, however: the DS is not compatible with original GameBoy or GameBoy Color cartridges.
- Download Play! When a DS game states that it's compatible with the system's Download Play option, you only need one copy of the game to play a multiplayer round with friends. Your friends will need to bring their own DSes, though.
- Put it to Sleep! When you quit playing, you don't have to lose your progress. The DS is equipped with a sleep mode that kicks in when you close the system, allowing you to pick up from wherever you last paused at any time. Started a Pokemon battle on the bus, but got to your stop before you could deliver that finishing blow? Put your DS to sleep, and the next time you flip it open, gameplay will resume seamlessly! Sleep mode does take up a bit of battery life, but it's a sacrifice worth making.
- Give it a break! We've all spent hours upon hours grinding away at The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass or Elite Beat Agents, but keep in mind that the firmware health warning isn't just for show. Be sure to take a break every now and then, and give your eyes a rest. Your Nintendog will be there when you get back!
