The DS's greatest asset is also going to be its downfall

Yodd · Jan 5, 2005

Okay, we all know that Nintendo tends to market its game stuff towards the younger crowd, especially the handheld systems.

There is no denying that the Gameboy series has always been targeted at children and the DS looks to be no different. Yeah, we can enjoy it too, but lets face it...its a kids portable system.

Now that the system has been out for a while, I see the biggest potential longevity issue that will plague the system and might be its eventual downfall.

The Touchscreen.

Head to any local Walmart, Toys R US or any other store that has a demo unit out. What do you see? The screens are all fucking carved up like someone took a fucking knife to them. I have seen this at several stores in my area and its just fucking pathetic. Now, this makes me wonder how well these things are going to actually hold up under regular usage, especially since Nintendo appears to be pushing for game devs to try and integrate Touch screen usage in their games.

This isn't a flame or a Pro PSP rant, cause its gots its own problems (like that shitty sliding analog nub and piss poor battery performance), but merely an observation.

My opinion: Nintendo should have designed it with more durable screen protection or some type of easily removable and replaceable shield.

Thoughts?

BIG · Jan 5, 2005

Wait until you see the PSP....

Talk about delicate..

BIG-

Ghost-Dog · Jan 5, 2005

Store demo units take way more abuse than any normal handheld would. They're left on 10-12 hours a day, and little kids beat the shit out of them, probably trying to damage them on purpose. I've been using my DS nonstop for a month now, and it doesn't even have a hint of a scratch on either screen. I do baby my consoles/handhelds though..

I don't think the screen will be a problem for the average user.

lithy · Jan 5, 2005

How sure are you that the ones in your stores aren't damaged from (like you say) a knife? The ones in stores around me are literally carved up probably with an actual knife, key, etc. The one around me had a broken demo stylus being used on it so it was scratched but nothing like others I have seen that a plastic stylus could not possibly do.

Damage is not only on the touch screen for these but the shell, the top screen. Just everything is gouged.

To me, if you're using a Nintendo stylus, not broken, then the screens appear as if they will hold up just fine. Of course I can see slight wear on my screen, but I don't expect it to get worse largely because I don't think the plastic stylus effects it enough if you're not intentionally trying to damage the DS.

dark penguin · Jan 5, 2005

I wonder...is the age demographic playing Nintendo products in Japan the same as Europe/North America?

rarehero · Jan 5, 2005

mine seems to be holding up fine,
though i haven't logged that many hours on it.
i got a warranty though, so if there are problems i ll get another.
the psp though, i ll have to baby that one i guess.

Unknown · Jan 5, 2005

if you think ds screens can get badly fucked up just wait till the psp comes out the screens on that are going to be way worse, and of course im gettin one yea i guess im considered a "fanboy" but i dun care? well anywaz when i get it ima put some protable liquid filter wut ever the hell it may look like.....

http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-9e-70-fd6.html

Mr.Nemoperson · Jan 5, 2005

Some third partys do have screen protectors for the DS. If they work or not I do not know. Mine seems alright after a fair amount of use. I do notice that the touch screen will get streaks on it after its touched with the stylus or thumb pad. But if you wipe it with soft cloth they do come out.

Off topic. Does anyones DS have a brighter top screen then the touch screen. As in the white levels on the top screen seem much higher? I have also noticed that gba games seem kinda washed out on the top screen.

Tung Fu ru · Jan 5, 2005

I've had no problems with mine. Also, you must admit that most of those demo DS's, if not all, have actually been cut with a knife. Also, I saw screen protectors that you can buy for those who are afraid of their screens getting scratched......Me, I bought my DS from Best Buy and payed the extra $20 for the warranty (Not knowing how well the touch screen will hold up) But only time will tell how durable the system is.

Dallas_Five · Jan 5, 2005

http://zip.4channel.org/v/imgboard.php?res=28249

not sonic · Jan 5, 2005

i bought these shitty screen protectors

theyre only shitty because i had no patience when applying them. i couldnt be arsed to set up my vaccum sealed clean environment

they were from pelican, $5 come with two pos styluses and a nice cloth.

i do notice that the temp of the whites are slightly different on my screens, but not so much that its any kind of bother

jethrek · Jan 5, 2005

Thoughts,: as I stated before, we set our DS's down at 4-year old reach (this is because the initial batch of DS displays was slat-wall only, and we didn't want to wait for the stand-alones to come out)

The top screen of the DS is scratched quite a bit, while the touch screens still look fine.

I can't imagine what people would allow customers to do that would actually damage it badly. It's like how we've had kids BEATING on Donkey Konga bongo drums to the point we can't unscrew them right anymore, yet they still work great.

It'll be standing up next to PSP units...if the top screens on the DS are that scratched- given what we know about the PSP's coating, I don't think the DS's display units will be its downfall.

Sorwah · Jan 5, 2005

In my store someone actually broke off one of my DS' stylus and took a knife or key to the touch screen or both.

I would assume the screen on the top would be kids thinking they could touch the top screen as well.

Also, EBGames wanted to make sure this past christmas season that anyone looking for DS for a 9-year old or younger should be advised to get a SP instead since the DS will be catering to 10 and up.

Mark of the Wolves · Jan 5, 2005

I'm worried about the same thing, but since I hate it I probably won't even bother buying games where you have to use it. All the units I have seen the touch screen was screwed up also.

jethrek · Jan 5, 2005

Sorwah said:
In my store someone actually broke off one of my DS' stylus and took a knife or key to the touch screen or both.

I would assume the screen on the top would be kids thinking they could touch the top screen as well.

Also, EBGames wanted to make sure this past christmas season that anyone looking for DS for a 9-year old or younger should be advised to get a SP instead since the DS will be catering to 10 and up.

Actually, the stylus on the slat-wall display seems to be poorly secured. Someone broke ours loose (not off)

As for EB Games...Gamestop and Wal Mart is selling it gladly to anyone that wants one...so meh. They probably only did that to free up supply.

IoriYagami n8 · Jan 6, 2005

Two important things to remember.

1. Touch screen support doesn't make the game, there can be a long of truly great games that don't use it for jack shit. That doesn't make the DS any more shitty. However, with the touchscreen there, the potential for quirky and unique games such as Feel the Magic is always there, and I'm sure there will be several gems of the sort.

2. The vast majority of retail displays do not have proper setups. They don't use the actual system stylus, they don't include the thumb-strap. People will try to find more comfortable ways to play the system when they can't hold it freely to their liking and use the proper things for controling it. I've seen a few people at Wal-Mart using their car keys.

abasuto · Jan 6, 2005

I love the touchscreen feature. Using it to look around on the Metroid demo impressed the hell out of me. Mine's still scratch free, just alot of thumb prints from playing MarioDS ( camera movement )

I just make sure my thumbnails don't get long. The other day I realized my left thumbnail had gotten long enough where the nail itself touched the screen. I can see that being the source of scratches.

gamejunkie · Jan 6, 2005

To let everyone know I've been as careful as possible with my ds, yet I still have tons of microscopic scratches. They are only visable outside with the unit turned to a slight angle. It in no way affects gameplay. These scratches are due to me playing the shit outta WarioWare.

kernow · Jan 6, 2005

Abasuto said:
I love the touchscreen feature. Using it to look around on the Metroid demo impressed the hell out of me. Mine's still scratch free, just alot of thumb prints from playing MarioDS ( camera movement )

change your control method so that X/Y are camera, and the touchscreen is just used for zoom.

I have miniscule scratches after 2 days or so of not cleaning it, then I give it a once over with my tshirt and its good as new.

TonK · Jan 6, 2005

kernow said:
then I give it a once over with my tshirt and its good as new.

LOL, try that with a PSP...

Spiderweb scratches all over the POS...

syringe · Jan 6, 2005

After observing my younger brother handle his DS I'm frightened as hell. He's had it for like a week and honestly he's rough as living hell with it.

kernow · Jan 6, 2005

TonK said:
LOL, try that with a PSP...

Spiderweb scratches all over the POS...

I did hesitate when doing it actually, hah, then I thought, holdup this isn't made by sony, it wont break when I touch it with my tshirt, and lo-and-behold.. it was fine!

I do it all the time now, my DS has a few scratches on the top lid due to shipping, so maybe thats my lack of care shining through.

I don't know - nintendo stuff is always built to last, my friend literally kicked my cube off a 2foot high table by 'accident' and it flew off and hit the floor quite hard.. I'm not even sure the game stopped playing, but the video cable came out, it was connected to a LAN at the time too, ouch..

anyway , I guess a psx wouldn't do that as it would be upside down most of the time attempting to load games!

Yodd · Jan 6, 2005

The Mint brigade =! Joe Average consumer.

C'mon guys, I bet some of you people also store your AES games in plastic baggies as well.

We are talking your Average consumer here. Not us. I keep everything I own virtually scratch free, yet look at the way kids can't seem to treat something as basic as a CD in a decent manner.

These fuckers are going to get scratched up and I bet its going to get parents pissed off when Johnnys little DS doesn't work right because of it.

gamejunkie · Jan 6, 2005

kernow said:
I don't know - nintendo stuff is always built to last, my friend literally kicked my cube off a 2foot high table by 'accident' and it flew off and hit the floor quite hard.. I'm not even sure the game stopped playing, but the video cable came out, it was connected to a LAN at the time too, ouch..

Reminds me of Xplay's console demolition skit.

kernow · Jan 6, 2005

broken said:
The Mint brigade =! Joe Average consumer.

C'mon guys, I bet some of you people also store your AES games in plastic baggies as well.

We are talking your Average consumer here. Not us. I keep everything I own virtually scratch free, yet look at the way kids can't seem to treat something as basic as a CD in a decent manner.

These fuckers are going to get scratched up and I bet its going to get parents pissed off when Johnnys little DS doesn't work right because of it.

no plastic AES bags here, but I'm not so sure..

surely they KNOW its for kids
surely they KNOW its going to be dangerous having a touchscreen for a youngster
surely they have thought about this .. about a .. year.. before you.. ? (R&D .. anyone?)

:spock:

I'm sure it will hold up fine, anyway, what did Johnnys little three PSX systems stopped loading games and had to be placed on its side or upside down? and thats not a 'touch based loading system is it'

what about johnnys little psp?

thats just crap design.

The DS's greatest asset is also going to be its downfall

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