DS Lites experiencing a crack epidemic?

  • By TimSpot, GameSpot
  • Posted Jul 17, 2006 10:56 pm GMT

Source: Internet wildfire, stoked by Kotaku.com, Maxconsole.net, and others.The official story: See below. What we heard: Sleek, stylish gadgets elicit "oohs" and "aahs" from consumers and make them part with their hard-earned money, not only because of what they can do, but how they look doing...

Source: Internet wildfire, stoked by Kotaku.com, Maxconsole.net, and others.

The official story: See below.

What we heard: Sleek, stylish gadgets elicit "oohs" and "aahs" from consumers and make them part with their hard-earned money, not only because of what they can do, but how they look doing it. This year's must-have toy is the redesigned DS Lite, which is basically the bulkier DS after the electronics equivalent of a tummy tuck.

Unfortunately, much like the Botox injected into the various flaps of skin of Hollywood celebs, some of the cosmetics of the DS Lite appear to not be holding up too well over time. According to several Internet-savvy DS Lite owners, the left hinge that connects the unit's two screens is prone to cracking.

Photographic evidence of the small crack, which is a few centimeters in length, has turned up on several Internet sites, with users explaining that their dual-screened darlings just aren't what they used to be. It should be noted that the crack is merely aesthetic and does not affect the unit or gameplay.

Of course it's the loudest voices that are heard on the Internet, and they usually belong to those with gripes, so the extent of the crack epidemic isn't clear. A quick poll of DS Lite-owning GameSpot employees yielded no such broken units, but reports of more cracks are popping up on message boards.

As to what causes the alleged cracks, handheld abuse has been ruled out by forum users. Several gamers with pristine DS Lites have reported dropping their units multiple times with no damages, and several who have become the victim of the crackage report that they have treated their DS Lites like a newborn baby.

One theory is that opening the handheld all the way at a full 180 degrees puts extra pressure on the hinge, causing the plastic to crack. A brave GameSpot editor opened his DS Lite all the way, and the hinge remained intact, and while he said he has done it before, he admits that it doesn't happen too often.

GameSpot contacted Nintendo customer support, who explained that this malady doesn't seem to be what the company calls a "known issue" and appears to affect less than 1 percent of DS Lites. However, unless the broken hinge impairs the opening and closing of the clamshell portable or the overall stability of the top screen, it does not fall under warranty. A damaged unit could be fixed for $50, down from the normal rate of $75.

Gamers are no strangers to defective gadgets, with a few consoles released in the past few years also experiencing some problems. After the Xbox 360 was released, many gamers were stopped by red lights on the "ring of light," but Microsoft announced that only 3 percent of units were broken, less than the average rate for newly released electronic gadgets. The PlayStation Portable was stricken by the "dead pixel syndrome" on its LCD screens, and consumers were given the option to exchange units still under warranty.

Though Nintendo customer support had plenty to say on the matter, the rest of the company hasn't been so loose-lipped. Attempts to reach Nintendo PR for comment on the matter were unsuccessful as of press time.

Bogus or not bogus?: There's plenty of photographic evidence and Internet testimonials, so not bogus that it has happened. However, there's still not enough evidence to call this an epidemic--yet.

239 Comments

  • mjc0961

    Posted Aug 27, 2006 6:29 am GMT

    OH NOEZ I HAVE FOUND TEH CRACK ON MY DS LITE THE EPIDEMIC GOT ME!!! *dies*

    But seriously, I don't give a ****. Wouldn't have even known it was there if it hadn't been pointed out to me.

  • wynter_myst

    Posted Aug 12, 2006 1:29 am GMT

    I've known about the crack since it first started getting blogged about and at that time my own was still perfectly fine. And then today I happened to notice a crack... Even though I know it doesn't affect gameplay, it's still really annoying because I've been treating it so well...

  • jem_gal

    Posted Jul 24, 2006 11:04 am GMT

    omg i checked my ds lite and it has a small hairline crack on the right hinge!! frick what should i do?

  • Echo35

    Posted Jul 23, 2006 8:02 pm GMT

    I just noticed the crack on my DS Lite as well, which I thought odd since I treat mine like my first born child. It still works fine, and if I clean the crack with a toothbrush and water to remove dirt, you can't even see it. Now that "Scratch resistant coating" is something else. I have tons of small scratches, but again, can't really see them and it still works fine.

  • lancerex6

    Posted Jul 23, 2006 7:48 pm GMT

    come on, i cant just leave me ds lite with a crack, and wait until the top screen acually falls out for nintendo to fix it!

    btw, i have 2 ds lite, one has a crack and the other one doesn't, and i've treated both my ds lite with care...

  • _TheJoker_

    Posted Jul 23, 2006 1:28 pm GMT

    I'd like to see how they "use" their ds lite.

  • tushioh

    Posted Jul 23, 2006 12:02 pm GMT

    I don't care about cracks....i can play my Phat DS and it is SCRATCHED EVERYWHERE WITH BITE MARKS (thanks to my dog)...its everywhere and ONE is on my touch screen, it doesn't affect it so i don't care! I'm also gonna buy the DS Lite soon!

  • Rev06

    Posted Jul 22, 2006 6:22 pm GMT

    Anyone worried about finding one with it shouldn't. It will only be found in 1 of 500 DS Lites. Even if you found one, it doesn't affect gameplay.

  • Edward1211

    Posted Jul 22, 2006 4:17 pm GMT

    i hope it dosent happen to me!!!

  • KrnDuDe

    Posted Jul 22, 2006 1:47 pm GMT

    less than 1% my ass. im on my 4th dsl and it all had crack on the left hinge.
    i thought nintendo makes durable systems...

  • taisui

    Posted Jul 21, 2006 10:52 pm GMT

    just found out that mine cracked....

  • Mindgame_1

    Posted Jul 21, 2006 9:47 pm GMT

    im sick of the people saying to just get over it. yeah it isnt a big deal and it doesnt affect gameplay. but if you spend money on a car, im sure you would want the company to cover it if the paint started to peal randomly. it doesnt directly impact anything else but the look of the car, but it is the fact you made a significant investment on something that is having problems because of a manufacturing problem. my friend's Lite has a crack in it, and mine also does. i am obnoxiously careful with my gaming systems sometimes and the DS lite is one of them. i think this is a bigger problem than nintendo is making it out to be. im very happy with the DS lite, but part of the reason it is so popular is because it is well, pretty. i really get annoyed when people post just to say "glad it didnt happen to me, get over it."

    oh well. im done with my ranting. im not going to spend $50 to fix a crack. im just annoyed that i happen to be in the ".02%." i think my friend and i are just incredibly lucky (or unlucky depending on how you look at it) to have 2 cracked DS Lites.

  • jordanaxnli

    Posted Jul 21, 2006 8:00 pm GMT

    Almost makes me glad that I bought the ds phat

  • joespimpin

    Posted Jul 21, 2006 4:39 pm GMT

    "virtua_dave
    I never would have noticed it otherwise, but the crack was right there when I checked the left hinge. Since the warranty is a year, there really is no need to worry unless the thing pops off over the course of the warranty. I can't see that happening with just regular use. I would like to know that the Nintendo reps have to say about this, though."

    The only problem I have with this comment is the fact that you are willing to except a damaged product just because it doesn't affect functinality. Does that mean if you buy a new car and it has a big scrach on it you wouldn't want to get it fixed because it doesn't affect the performance of the car.

    I think almost anyone would say NO to that. Beside that when you buy a new product you shouldn't settle for anything less than a perfect functional unit. That is after all what you pay for.

  • fegg

    Posted Jul 21, 2006 4:30 pm GMT

    After reading the article, I checked my DS Lite and it's fine, but my son's DS Lite has a hinge crack.

  • virtua_dave

    Posted Jul 21, 2006 4:28 pm GMT

    I never would have noticed it otherwise, but the crack was right there when I checked the left hinge. Since the warranty is a year, there really is no need to worry unless the thing pops off over the course of the warranty. I can't see that happening with just regular use. I would like to know that the Nintendo reps have to say about this, though.

  • joespimpin

    Posted Jul 21, 2006 3:10 pm GMT

    I called Nintendo Customer Service today because I have a crack in the system that this article refers to.

    Not only will they fix the damage for free, but theyy will also take care of shipping too. Its about a 3 week process, but well worth it to get rid of this eyesore.

    On top of all that the nintendo rep was very nice, didn't argue with me one bit and explained things clearly. I have to hand it to nintendo for taking care of this in a distinguished way. Anyone should know that defects happen on mass production items. Its not this that should turn you away from buying a product. Its how the company handles the problem that should be a deciding factor.

    Nintendo has given me more confidence in their DS Lite product do to the fact they back it up. Call Nintendo if you have this problem, they will take care of you.

  • Bunker900

    Posted Jul 21, 2006 12:04 pm GMT

    I bought my DS Lite about 10 days ago and yesterday I read the article. I checked and sure enough there was a crack. I am really pissed cause I took care of it really good and this whole "pay fifty bucks and we will fix it for you," is a giant load of crap. I am not so pissed about the crack being there I am pissed at the possiblility of it worsening. Now I have to make a decision. Pay fifty bucks to fix my DS now and avoid the chance of this problem get really bad. Or don't do anything and may or may not encounter a problem with it. This is so aggravating!

  • ShenSaul

    Posted Jul 20, 2006 2:15 pm GMT

    I have like 1 month and a 1/2 with my DS Lite and now that I read this I'm gonna treat it like a goddess
    maybe those whose hinges are broken it's because they treat their DS Lite like their nemesis, don't treat it like if you were a wild animal lolz!

  • KevComesRipping

    Posted Jul 20, 2006 1:49 pm GMT

    Hmm, doesn't seem that bad, but I guess I should put it into my mental pile of reasons I shouldn't buy something I already have, I like the big DS d-pad better anyhow.

  • tekkenlaw

    Posted Jul 20, 2006 1:31 pm GMT

    I haven't dropped it, but I have a crack. I didn't notice it until I heard about this though.

  • Ubawalla

    Posted Jul 20, 2006 1:16 pm GMT

    well i was going to buy one but i guess ill wait until they fix this

  • nathanfist

    Posted Jul 20, 2006 11:14 am GMT

    I wonder why only some crack and some don't. I guess some people just had bad luck.

  • Cloud14356

    Posted Jul 20, 2006 6:26 am GMT

    Well i guess it's okay if its only happening to less than 1% of Lites.

  • juarezmj

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 11:58 pm GMT

    WTF? I just checked my DS and there it is the CRACK. WTF. Well it plays the games so I don't give a ****!

  • jon1233

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 10:13 pm GMT

    This is funny, because my friend's Lite broke, except for on the right. Mine, is still in great shape though.

  • tequilasunriser

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 9:46 pm GMT

    Heres and idea.

    "Super glue"

    Problem solved.

  • volumesoxxs

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 9:16 pm GMT

    Oh well ill still get one

  • BirdBoy_CM_HB

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 8:11 pm GMT

    by the time i buy one they woulda made newer models

  • SGTNAPALM

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 2:38 pm GMT

    its not as bad as having an lcd crack down the middle of the screen.

  • geo888

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 1:49 pm GMT

    it this happens to mine im going to fix it with duct tape.

  • NextGenAdam

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 1:28 pm GMT

    It's not really an epidemic at all. An epidemic is a focused, large problem. Which it's not... Hmm.

  • chgallen

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 10:28 am GMT

    Nintendo must repair them.

  • deepdreamer256

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 9:34 am GMT

    Opening it the full 180 degrees practically is abuse.

  • wilie

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 8:38 am GMT

    i dont have one

  • Mr_Nihilism

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 8:21 am GMT

    My DS has the crack, but I don't really consider it a big deal. And yes, I've taken very good care of it.

  • janco15

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 8:08 am GMT

    everything can't be bullet proof

  • Wewillbeback06

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 7:28 am GMT

    I noticed the Crack on my DS lite last week! ...:/

  • voyager007

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 6:59 am GMT

    Yes that rumor is true. It has happened to my Lite! And unfortunately i have only put it in the 180 degree postition once. I wonder if you can get it repaired by Nintendo for free?

  • chgallen

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 6:35 am GMT

    I think that the people on here wining that those with cracks should learn to take care of their stuff really ought to pay more attention.

    I got my DS on launch day in the UK and have never even put it on a hard surface: it is always rapped in a soft cloth. But lo and behold, having read this article I checked and there was indeed a crack on the hinge. Now I wouldn't have noticed if I were not looking... but it worries me as this kind of crack could deffinately weaken the hinge and result in MASSIVE DAMAGE.

    If Nintendo are indeed not willing to replace said defective models, then I am sorely disappointed after switching my alleigence to them from Sony.

  • doogi05

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 6:25 am GMT

    NO, There are NO MORE COLORS ON THE WAY TO THE U.S. Only in Japan and Europe! They get Black, Pink, light blue and Polar White!

  • doogi05

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 6:21 am GMT

    Unknown_Legend, Is ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!!! Stop being babies and GET OVER IT!!! Just sit down and enjoy your DS Lite's for God's sake! I know I enjoy my DS Lite, so everyone else should enjoy there's too, without worrying!!!

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 5:00 am GMT

    i think i would cry if i had a cracked ds lite.

  • 00Rambol00

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 3:58 am GMT

    oh dear.... must be too rough with it

  • philiplts

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 3:37 am GMT

    eww...that's bad..

    By the way, is there any other color of DS Lite schedule to release in US?

  • crimsonazure12

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 2:23 am GMT

    Hi I've dropped my DS Lite at least about 10 times from hand height since I've had it. The worst was outside onto the kirb where it bounced while open and then hit the road... and not a single crack... although it is pretty badly scuffed now but thats my fault for being clumsy.

    But yeah it seems really well built for what it is.

  • boo_dat

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 12:09 am GMT

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

  • Erbac

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 10:21 pm GMT

    Interesting. That's not good to happen.

  • aznsmarti

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 9:16 pm GMT

    awwww mannn.... when i checked this article out i just had to check if my ds lite had one, and unfortunately it does.... i would have never noticed if i never saw this article. i value my ds, and i dont want my ds looking scratched or with any cracks, but then again, it wouldnt really be considered a big deal if i didnt notice it until now...

  • BoarderKid

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 8:15 pm GMT

    They are not lying.

    I got a DS Lite for my birthday and loved it. It goes wherever I go. After a week or two of use, I noticed a crack in the left hinge. I was definitely disappointed but it still worked fine. About a week later, a plastic chip came off of the hinge... I can kinda see a few wires inside of it too.

    I do not mistreat my Lite at all. I love it very much and am most sad. But I'm going to return it for a new one since it is way more than just a crack. Not only that, but my friend got a DS Lite and after I showed him my damaged Lite he told me his Lite ALSO had a crack in the left hinge. The same day I logged onto Gamespot and saw this article.

    I'm bummed that this awesome Nintendo product is already messing up. I have also had a few issues w/my game cartridges not being read a few times but it's nothing too big.

    Still love the Lite tho!

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