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[bastard666]

NDS LITE ~ Gorgeous Screens, vibrant colors, very stylish look, but I think this unit has problems on D-PAD:

The "DEAD" (neutral) ZONE in this D-PAD is too large (red circle), btw diagonals are very difficult to do (blue lines on the picture posted) because dead zone "cuts" sensible zone on D-PAD so you have troubles with games who need precision of control.

With games who require very minimal adjustement on the movements

as Kuru Kuru Kururin GBA

or full 3D games as Animal Crossing Wild World or Another Code who need 360° controls

I find very difficult to make continuous diagonal movements or to control them with precision! :'(

Any GAFer who want share his thoughts about this "disappointing" D-PAD?

 

[Christoff Yurievich]

that would explain why it is so difficult to maneuver Lakitu's Cloud in NSMB in a diagonal direction. I thought it was just me.

 

[The Main Event]

I find the d-pad to be extremely good.

First thing I did (when I got my Lite) was to boot up SFA3: Upper to test out fireballs and dragon punches ...works fine to me.

 

[LakeEarth]

I find the d-pad to be extremely good.

First thing I did (when I got my Lite) was to boot up SFA3: Upper to test out fireballs and dragon punches ...works fine to me.

That's also a good game to find dead pixels with, since a lot of the screen is black during the select screen.

 

[Ranger X]

Wait...
Another Code is the name for Trace Memory outside US ???
Or did i miss a version of Trace Memory or something?

 

[The Main Event]

Wait...
Another Code is the name for Trace Memory outside US ???

Yup.

 

[GhostSeed]

I just noticed this on Animal Crossing this morning.

But I haven't really noticed it on any other titles.

 

[Spiritreaver]

Thank god, I thought this was just me. I ****ing hate trying to run in a diagonal in ACWW. I either have to press down really hard or deal with seeing my character jerk around like a freak. Luckily precision in AC is not all that important.

I mean, the d-pad feels great, but it has so many hidden issues that annoy the hell out of me.

 

[Christopher]

It may be just me but I have no problem working the D Pad at all.

 

[bastard666]

@ The Main Event:

Why don't you try with games who need millimetric movements a la Kuru Kuru Kururin or puzzle games who require diagonal movements.... Lite D-PAD it's a pain for these games!

 

[Meier]

Stylus ftw on Animal Crossing.

 

[Baker]

Call me crazy, but I haven't noticed any dpad problem while playing AC (or any other game for that matter).

Guess it could depend on how you hold the DSL, finger size, bad batch, who knows...

 

[jooey]

it ****ing sucks with resident evil. that is all.

 

[Kabuki Waq]

the new Dpad is way better for Bleach DS.

 

[bastard666]

the new Dpad is way better for Bleach DS.

It doesn't require continuous diagonal movements!

 

[bastard666]

double post ... sorry ...

 

[The Main Event]

@ The Main Event:

Why don't you try with games who need millimetric movements a la Kuru Kuru Kururin or puzzle games who require diagonal movements.... Lite D-PAD it's a pain for these games!

Since you're not the only one who's having problem than I guess I'll test it out intensively later on.

 

[jj984jj]

It doesn't require continuous diagonal movements!

It's so much better for most games then.

 

[Mac the KNife]

ehhh, I'll live


Maybe...

 

[Jade Knight 08]

I can't comments on the DS games cuz i don't have one yet. I just got this system last Thrusday (6-22-'o6).




I have no problem with FF II (Dawn of Souls). But I know the D-pad small but I'm starting to get used to it. And the select and start buttons too dang tiny.

I had to use my fingernails to push the select/start buttons to get the gba games started.

 

[MrDaravon]

I think it's great. I don't play AC but my fiance does and she says she's noticed no problems.

I can't comments on the DS games cuz i don't have one yet. I just got this system last Thrusday (6-22-'o6).

I have no problem with FF II (Dawn of Souls). But I know the D-pad small but I'm starting to get used to it. And the select and start buttons too dang tiny.

I had to use my fingernails to push the select/start buttons to get the gba games started.

Ironically I haven't played any DS games on it besides a little Big Brain Academy, I've been playing FF 1/2 on it too ^^. Yeah, the my only complaint about the lite is the start/select buttons suck.

 

[Naked Snake]

I was going to start a thread about the things that I don't like in the DS Lite, and the D-Pad was definitely one of them... I can't seem to play Street Fighter on it as well I do on the GB Micro... I definitely prefer the D-Pad on the micro.

Another thing, the main buttons are a bit too small, although they look the same size as on the original DS, I just wish they were a bit bigger and further apart.

And finally, I hate Nintendo for making a new charger for almost every handled... I have to use a different charger for my GB micro, DS, and DS Lite... I use of those handhelds regulary, which means I have to deal with THREE charger units.

Other than that, I love the thing... Only had it for a day so far though, and didn't get much playtime on it, will see if my opinion about those issues changes at all with time.

 

[Jado]

:lol What's the story behind this?

General question: Is the DS Lite sold out in most places? I'm about to go buy one today but already ran into one EB where it was sold out.

 

[Christopher]

loookkk harddder

No serioulsy dude their everywhere, your EB must have been in a very populated gamer place because my EB always has everything.

 

[SpokkX]

Diagonal movement is difficult on the DS Lite

The Pad is quite a bit worse that the original D-Pad

You do get kind of used to it (playing Metroid Prime Hunters myself) but you have to press harder than you should to get diagonal movement

The screens, weight and small form factor make the Lite worth it though in the end

 

[valkillmore]

Used to hate it, now I love it. I actually returned my Gameboy Advance SP and traded it in for an original DS back in the day - I eventually traded the DS for the PSP in March of 2005, then traded in the PSP for credit for a 360, sold that on eBay, and now I've bough my DS Lite.

The above has next to no relevance to what is being discussed in this thread.

 

[gimz]

yea i'm kinda disappoint for the d-pad when i play animal crossing too..

 

[flipping_heck]

D-pad is one of the DSL's failings, Bleach DS diagonal jumping was a pain for me, sometimes i just jump straight upwards, which can cost me some air combo damage.

 

[dyls]

The difference between the lite's dpad and the fatty's is definitely noticeable in AC:WW. It's hard to describe but if you are holding 'up', you can no longer just lean your thumb slightly left to get a diagonal. Lean too little you keep going up, lean too much you go left. The space in between is quite small. Not so bad for 2D (except overhead) but very annoying for 3D. Expect COM and Mario Hoops to be a real problem.

 

[Naked Snake]

Why does something have to be ****edup every time? I want a perfect handheld

 

[Kroole]

The difference between the lite's dpad and the fatty's is definitely noticeable in AC:WW. It's hard to describe but if you are holding 'up', you can no longer just lean your thumb slightly left to get a diagonal. Lean too little you keep going up, lean too much you go left. The space in between is quite small. Not so bad for 2D (except overhead) but very annoying for 3D. Expect COM and Mario Hoops to be a real problem.

That's exactly how I felt playing AC. Almost thought I had a defect DS or something.

 

[Jado]

Wow, shit. I have money to spare. I think I'll buy the Lite but keep my fat DS. Besides, my friend hasn't invested in any of the new handhelds. When I visit I can let him use Fatty for multiplayer purposes.

 

[bumpkin]

I noticed it at first with Metroid Hunters... As where on the standard DS, I'd have my thumb centralized and lean it whatever direction I wanted to move, I have to actually move my thumb around. It's a minor inconvenience, really. I did notice it though.

 

[Jonnyboy117]

On the bright side, no more blisters from powersliding in Mario Kart DS.

 

[Neo Child]

Try defeating the final Bowser in Super Mario 64DS. Swinging around is hard as hell.

 

[brandonh83]

Well, I haven't really played a D-pad heavy title on it yet, as all I have right now is Nintendogs...but from what I played of Zelda: Four Swords on it, it wasn't too bad to me. Not perfect, but hopefully it'll break in after a while. Just have to break 'em in sometimes.

 

[Mode]

Glad to know I wasn't the only one who noticed this. Best dpad since Saturn it aint.

 

[Skilotonn]

I noticed this right away when trying Bleach DS on my friend's DS Lite - it takes extra effort to jump forward...

Getting to the Start and Select buttons bugged me a bit too - all in all, it helps me not feel bad for not upgrading to the Lite like the rest of my friends are doing...










...the humongous change in screen quality still makes me sad though...

 

[BooJoh]

I definitely noticed the problem while playing Animal Crossing. I don't get why they changed from the micro's perfect d-pad.

I just hope the Wii doesn't have the same crappy d-pad as Lite.

 

[EternalDarko]

I find it a little harder to do turbo boosts in Mario Kart especially when trying to pull them off in really tight corners that weren't a problem with the original DS.....but getting more used to and wearing the d-pad in a bit more seems to be helping somewhat. Other than that I love everything else about the Lite.

 

[Deku]

use the stylus for AC.

 

[cvxfreak]

I actually prefer the Lite pad for AC. It's a bit closer to the GC game's feel that way.

 

[knoo]

Damn it, I thought they used the same D-Pad as with the GB Micro, which I think is perfect...

 

[mollipen]

Diagonals are indeed more of a pain in Lost in Blue on the DSL.

 

[The Main Event]

Just noticed it in Mario 64.

Diagonals are indeed a little bit less responsive than the standard up/down/left/right directions, but it isn't as alarming as some of you stated. It needs to be pressed just a little harder, something that I can easily adjust to.

 

[Captain N]

I haven't noticed any problems with the D pad, but I haven't used it much. I've been playing a lot of warioware Touched!( trying to get all the gold crowns)

 

[SantaC]

i just tried M64, works nicer now imo.

 

[cvxfreak]

Damn it, I thought they used the same D-Pad as with the GB Micro, which I think is perfect...

It does. It's just that the GBM doesn't have 3D games like the DS does, so no one noticed the flaws until now.

 

[P90]

I love the new d-pad.

 

[Nintendo Ate My Children]

This reminds me of all the problems some people were having with the GBA SP+ d-pads:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66900&highlight=gba+sp+pad

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=75752&highlight=gba+sp+pad

Thankfully, that issue was resolved.

Anyway, I'm definitely someone who would notice a problem with the DS Lite d-pad, and so far mine is perfect. If it seems like your system is defective, it probably is.