DS Lite engineers speak

  • By Dan Tochen, GameSpot
  • Posted Apr 4, 2006 10:36 pm GMT

Weight versus strength, brightness versus battery life--the makers of Nintendo's new handheld talk about updating the popular portable.

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The April edition of Nintendo's Japanese online magazine ran a long interview with Kazuo Yoneyama and Tomoyuki Sakiyama, two of the Nintendo engineers who worked on developing the DS Lite. The interview provides an interesting look at the development process and how the developers tried to balance the conflicting requirements of a portable console.

Kazuo Yoneyama and Tomoyuki Sakiyama work in a department whose name loosely translates as "Technology Development Department." This is the department within Nintendo that's in charge of taking artist concepts for new hardware and turning them into working devices: positioning the buttons, selecting components, and ensuring that moving parts work smoothly.

Yoneyama is an old-school Nintendo employee, who cut his teeth designing Donkey Kong arcade machines with legendary developer Shigeru Miyamoto, and has been working on portables since the Game Boy Color. Sakiyama is comparatively new to the division, but everything's relative: he already has both the original DS and the Game Boy Micro under his belt.

Yoneyama starts off the interview by commenting on some of the subtle factors influencing the design of the DS. "It's not just a matter of making sure all the components can fit in the case, we also have to think about the total weight and how the machine balances from front to back and left to right when the user is holding it."

The goal of reducing size can be at odds with enhancing usability, Yoneyama pointed out. "We knew that we couldn't make it so small that we sacrificed functionality. Of course, we wanted to keep the display the same size, and it wouldn't have worked to change the button positions much either. To reduce the size within those constraints, we worked together with component makers, and now we're using some custom-designed parts."

Sakiyama explains, "For instance, the DS Lite uses two different LCD displays. The bottom one is the same as the display in the DS, but the top one is different. The lid tends to get bumped, so we were looking for an LCD module that was both stronger and slimmer than the one in the DS. We had trouble finding a pre-existing part that met all our requirements, so we worked with an LCD manufacturer in a process of trial and error to create a customized part. Rather than shoehorning an existing LCD module into the slimmest case that it would fit in, we designed and built an LCD module that fits a slim case and is also exceptionally durable."

At this point in the interview, Yoneyama pointed out that the same concerns of space and durability led them to use customized speakers in the DS. However, all these custom parts have their drawbacks as well, he notes, "We have to be very careful about adding cost to the finished product, and we're also aware of the possibility that some factories may have trouble producing our parts. Taking these issues into account, working out where it makes sense to use custom parts is something that we lose a lot of sleep over."

One of the high points of the DS Lite is the brighter displays, compared to the DS. At the same time, the battery life is the same as the DS--an impressive piece of engineering magic. When asked how they pulled it off, Yoneyama said "the battery looks the same as the DS, but it actually has 20 percent more storage capacity...The DS Lite screen is so bright that it might be a little uncomfortable to play in a dark room. To address that, and to offer some power savings, we've added four selectable brightness levels to the DS display."

Sakiyama followed up by noting that they also scrimped in other areas to feed the screen more juice: "while the display is power-hungry, we were able to wring a lot of power savings from the surrounding circuitry."

They briefly discussed the new stylus (longer and wider to accommodate older users--a group they hadn't considered when designing the original DS) and the updated buttons and D pad, which offer a feel that's close to the GameCube controller. Then Yoneyama summed up his thoughts on portable development. "For a portable console, you can't afford to neglect durability. Rather than having our users pay several thousand yen to fix the console if they drop it, we'd rather that they be able to spend that money on buying games instead. With that in mind, we've beefed up the internal structure and layout, and we've spent a lot of time doing strength testing. Of course, when you strengthen the device, you also struggle with weight and size...that's a conflict that's been with us since the time of the Game Boy."

87 Comments

  • LsTr_Of_SmG

    Posted Jul 10, 2006 1:26 pm GMT

    I love my DS Lite but I don't like the new D pad, its more spongey than the original DS one. I personally prefer clicky, but most games use the touch screen more predominately so it doesn't really matter. Plus I still have my old DS for those games that do use the dpad extensively...

  • strife22

    Posted Jun 5, 2006 3:27 pm GMT

    woooooow 18 days till i get my ds lite and i have the summer to play it with my new games yeeeaaah, also i wont feel a bit childish playing my ds lite out and about. nintendo u got to love how they come up with these things, it goes to show that they are not a money hungry co butthey actually do care about how their fans and customers get the best of quality. full stop

  • N-DAWG88

    Posted May 4, 2006 11:25 am GMT

    I am sooo pumped for the DS lite, it just sounds like a vast improvement over regular DS. June 11!!!

  • linmukai

    Posted May 2, 2006 8:07 am GMT

    By the way, I never owned a hand-held before and I was truly amazed by this thing. I played a little Metroid Prime in the store and was sold. I am a night nurse and often have a couple hours to kill in the middle of the night if its quiet and thought now wouldn't one of these be fun? hehe...

  • linmukai

    Posted May 2, 2006 8:05 am GMT

    Hmmm... I just bought a new DS bundle with Mario Kart and also picked up the DS Resident Evil game and of course I HAD to get Metroid Prime Hunters. Now, the question is, do I return my DS and wait for this thing or say the hell with it and just play? The demo DS that sold me on this seemed really nice to me. It's not like I think there's anything wrong with it but then I read about brighter screens and a bigger stylus for old timers like me and think, maybe I should bring it back today and wait....

  • kod7765

    Posted Apr 13, 2006 3:54 pm GMT

    yeah, i want a ds lite...how much do u think i would be able to get for my psp and 2 games?...i thought the psp would be better then DS but the psp just got boring

  • hotsuma95517344

    Posted Apr 10, 2006 10:45 pm GMT

    Yeah, my bro got one from Japan.......Pretty cool but battery still dies fast if u use the screen too much.

  • PhoenixSoft

    Posted Apr 8, 2006 6:16 am GMT

    A rough translation of the full interview has been posted at BSG, if anyone's interested:

    http://www.bytesizedgaming.com/index.php?topic=292

  • Bearnicity

    Posted Apr 7, 2006 7:41 am GMT

    I want a classic NES edition like the SP had. That would ROCK!

  • Gage_Blackwood

    Posted Apr 6, 2006 4:10 pm GMT

    In the interview the engineer says the DS Lite has the same bottom display as the DS. If I'm not mistaken only the top display of the Nintendo Lite will exist of the new engineered LCD display, why can't they also add a new LCD display at the bottom? I was interested in buying a new DS Lite only for its expanded LCD capacity, why not updating both LCD screens? It's rather confusing for me.

  • siddif1988

    Posted Apr 6, 2006 2:00 pm GMT

    Nintendo never fail to amaze me, i still have a fully functionable GameBoy Classic thats been passed down 3 brothers if thats not durable what is. as for the light function that rocks pity i bought a DS the day it came out so i wont have the chance to use this unless i trade it in to get a Lite which im really considering. p.s got anmal crossing the other day it totally rocks now to get my wifi set up for that and mario kart lol (damn AOL)

  • spira12

    Posted Apr 6, 2006 12:10 pm GMT

    I might get one if something happens to my normal DS or I'm high on money.

  • spira12

    Posted Apr 6, 2006 12:10 pm GMT

    I might get one if something happens to my normal DS or I'm high on money.

  • wordlife28

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 3:56 pm GMT

    does gamespot reveal lite's release date?

  • 007christmas007

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 3:25 pm GMT

    haha..whoever said x-boy, that was hilarious!

  • 3ternalsword207

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 2:32 pm GMT

    i'm pretty sure the ds lite is very sturdy (compared to a certain other handheld) now i rly dont know whether to get a ds lite or a psp.....

  • Sparda177

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 1:53 pm GMT

    awsome! hope its "lite" cause i didnt like the original DS desing

  • z_sword

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 1:35 pm GMT

    The DS lite looks sweet but the older one is probally more durable and less expensive but i still would take the lite over the original

  • Kefkamania05

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 12:41 pm GMT

    I look forward to getting a DS lite

  • Xmega_dethX

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 12:39 pm GMT

    the ds just looked a little better

  • artofhearts_36O

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 11:53 am GMT

    nintendo is pretty good....but xbox portable is gonna be awesum

  • frontier49

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 10:20 am GMT

    Finally got a DS Lite imported...FREAKIN' SWEEEEEET!!!

  • Merl57

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 10:14 am GMT

    I'm not sure if I should get this but the more information like this I read the more I am tempted.

  • thisissami

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 10:03 am GMT

    PSP ALL THE WAY!!!! i dunno, i personally prefer a PSP... none of the DS games really appeal to me...and probably cuz i don't really have time to play them... there aren't any really good platformers, like Daxter for the PSP, and i like the puzzles like Lumines, Loco Roco, or Mercury that are on the PSP.... i think PSP is the master of good, modern, hand-held puzzles...

  • ZERO-UNIT

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 9:15 am GMT

    heard that the lite might cost the same as the regular in EGM. when i found out i hi-fived my roomate the hardest i've ever hi-fived

  • pacers7isback

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 9:02 am GMT

    it'll be about $150 here i've heard

  • T_U_M_E_G

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 8:15 am GMT

    How much does this baby go for?

  • thechosenone827

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 7:56 am GMT

    I'll be trading in my DS to get a DS Lite

  • dwmorrow

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 7:11 am GMT

    Very good read. When the DS Lite was first announced, I swore I wouldn't buy one til the price dropped or my current imported DS kicked the bucket...but the more I read or see about the Lite, the more I want one. I'll probably end up preordering one so I can have it as soon as it's released in the U.S. I have no willpower when it comes to Nintendo gadgets.

  • Kwiksilva

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 6:59 am GMT

    the new ds lite will be great

  • azieser

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 6:25 am GMT

    I will of course have to own one as soon as it comes out here in the US. I still have all of my Nintendo handhelds and have enjoyed each and every one of them. I only wish that other manufacturers would take note of Nintendo's success in this area and develop their own low cost dependable handhelds.

    I have a PSP but I do not care for it as much as I do my Nintendo Handheld systems.

    Kudos Nintendo!

  • mr_squibble

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 6:20 am GMT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • mr_squibble

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 6:20 am GMT

    I think I'll wait for the DS Razor - even slimmer and lighter than the DS Lite.

    Seriously, the DS Lite looks great, but I'll probably get one when it's price drops, or if my original DS gets broken or stolen. $150 for a handheld gaming system is totally reasonable. $150 for an update of a handheld gaming system I already have is too much money, even if it's a vast improvement over the previous version.

  • geckosprouch

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 4:47 am GMT

    I think the DS Lite might actually be worth buying. Still waiting for better games to come out though.

  • KiLLer_ba

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 12:38 am GMT

    Cool, Im still waiting to for it to come to the states. I've been missing some great games since I sold my old Ds.

  • MrPuzzlez

    Posted Apr 5, 2006 12:18 am GMT

    The ONLY thing that broke down on me was the original NES and that's because I didn't know that you were supposed to clean the cartridge and system with special cleaners. I just blew in the carts... like millions of others... Other than that, I still have my original Super NES after 14 years and still play it from time to time. I'm glad that the big N thinks about durability along with everything else... unlike some OTHER people (coughs sony).

  • cdogg06

    Posted Apr 4, 2006 11:42 pm GMT

    its good for nintendo but not me , i already got a DS.

  • John_of_Fire

    Posted Apr 4, 2006 11:13 pm GMT

    Nintendo is good at making quality hardware. I like that they do great revamps of already great products. (NES, SNES, GB Pocket, SP)

    It is a far cry from Sony’s model building a system with a diagonal button intentionally. (If you don't know what I am talking about please do the research)
    And for the record Sony does system (PS1 + 2) revamps all the time to stop modding and reduce the amount of chips needed when newer ones come out but it has never been to the consumer’s advantage. I'm not mad at Sony just disappointed. When companies like Nintendo go to so much work to make things right and Sony disappoints me with their hardware all the time.

  • Kravyn81

    Posted Apr 4, 2006 10:09 pm GMT

    Wow. Sounds like a lot of work. But I'm confused. If they're able to make a lighter version now, how come they didn't do it the FIRST time?

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted Apr 4, 2006 10:06 pm GMT

    A "durable LCD module". That is so cool! Nintendo always makes durability a key factor on all of their hardware. I never had a Nintendo break down on me once.

  • rbarahona

    Posted Apr 4, 2006 9:35 pm GMT

    Nice article. It's really hard to design these kind of devices, and it's very interesting to read the commentaries from the people who built these incredible version of the Nintendo DS. I hope that we can see more of these articles.

  • geysiki

    Posted Apr 4, 2006 9:20 pm GMT

    Guys!!!!!!!!!Listen!!!!

    gameboy advance - gameboy SP - gameboy Micro

    nintendo DS - nintendo DS LITE - nintendo ULTRA LITE

    wait more year for super ultra ds with bigger screen and
    better system.
    Nintendo is really really good at making money!!!!!!
    Don't just follow their action!!!

  • meimnobody

    Posted Apr 4, 2006 8:42 pm GMT

    It's funny to hear sony fanboys slam Nintendo for brining out the DS lite yet neglect to mention their sad PSP phase 2 that is planned. They add things to it to make people buy it.

    But people were going crazy for the DS before they even heard the lite. The lite doesn't have any added features it's the same system just refined.

  • meimnobody

    Posted Apr 4, 2006 8:41 pm GMT

    The enamel blue is so blue it's almost pitch black.

  • NeO10102525

    Posted Apr 4, 2006 8:37 pm GMT

    I hope they make Black DS Lite's ...then i could match my ipod nano and psp and the whole shabang.. black gamecube.. black ps2.. Mm mMmm yummeh, Please nintendo a nice glossy black one please!!!

  • eourgh

    Posted Apr 4, 2006 8:28 pm GMT

    Can't wait to have a DS LITE

  • ssj4

    Posted Apr 4, 2006 8:26 pm GMT

    Well, here in Singapore, the DS lite can be bought for SGD$329. Around USD$200. They come in two colors, white and metallic blue. I must admit though, DS lite is looking pretty nice but I shall resist the temptation of buying it for the time being... The DS I've got is only about a year old, much too soon to replace it plus the fact that it is still working!

  • linkup90

    Posted Apr 4, 2006 8:21 pm GMT

    I wish we got more stuff lot this more often and of course more in depth. Nintendo has always had amazing engineers and it's good to see them being noticed.

  • i_love_my_ds

    Posted Apr 4, 2006 7:12 pm GMT

    damn it why did they do this to me?!?!!?!?! i wasnt gonna buy a DS cuz i knew theyd make a new version.......i just didnt think it was gonna be this early. well great article anyways.

  • liugeaux

    Posted Apr 4, 2006 7:07 pm GMT

    I don't want to see anymore news until we see a US release date. Screw all this interview crap and give us a release date.....drools.

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