bit-tech Shopping: Nintendo DS Lite Game System w/ Brain Age 2

Rating: 8

Time with product: 10 Days

Strengths: Has a great color combination with the crimson and black, very easy to use at all ages.

Weaknesses: The case it comes with isn't anything to write home about.

Summary: The Nintendo DS lite crimson/black is a fantastic portable gaming system. The battery life, at least as the unit is new, seems to be great allowing for continuous gameplay. As stated above the case isn't so great though. The system tends to slide around inside the case since it isn't a real tight fit. It does help keep scratches off but that's about it. The brain age 2 game is pretty good, but not quite as entertaining as other titles on the DS. Still in all it's a great bundle for the price of $149 because you're getting a good starter game and a scratch protective case for $20 more than just the system alone. If Nintendo would have bundled this system and game with a better case I would have given it 5 stars.

Rating: 10

Time with product:

Strengths: Includes free case, new color

Weaknesses: None

Summary: This bundle gives the DS in a new color, a game and a case. The case is a bonus for the cost of the DS and game. The new color is nice. The case is nice and the DS can be played when in the case itself. The bundled game Brain Age 2 is also good.

Rating: 2

Time with product:

Strengths: Reminds you why doing two colors NEVER works; internals still the same

Weaknesses: Inconsistent SCREEN build quality; case recycled from 4th world rubber scraps; stop hurting the American public - bring the nice ICE blues, the nice Dark blues, the silvers

Summary: We all know the colors red and black. In fact, the DS has a gorgeous glossy black in its portfolio. Obviously, someone OK this garish color because the focus group was limited to dogs, cats, and other ravenous predators in the African Sahara.Two tone colors never work on ANY system. The incentive to toss in the crappiest case on the planet earth probably made this marketing idea either a marriage of convenience (overstocked gamecube accessories) or the offspring of statisticians (people like black + people like red = product). Unfortunately, the IDEA itself is bereft of the simplest case studies of past Nintendo two tone Gameboy systems. Thankfully, the color doesn't harm performance and most importantly, doesn't make it compatible with the great DS game library.Smattering reports about the inconsistent screen qualities doesn't add to its already less than sterling start. I would adamantly suggest you open the DS to make sure the screen is as bright as the polar white and black DS lites on sale.When Nintendo of Japan has VERY GORGEOUS colors, the American Nintendo fans gets treated like garbage with this creation. Bundling brain age 2 helps but the funny thing is, it DOESNT save you money if bought separately. The case was suppose to be the incentive for that tiebreaker but when the DS is so elegant and the case just came from the Jurassic era, all pretense of buying this DS just disappears. Avoid buying crap like this so that Nintendo of America can abort half baked products like this.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 30 Days

Strengths: This DS is much better than the original. The screen is an improvement on the other as it is much brighter and easier to see the images.

Weaknesses: Touch pen is little dull, comparing to original DS.

Summary: I really like colour and design of Crimson Model. It is good deal with nice case and Brain Age2 bundled. DS software is amazing and it is not limited games, but you always find something new.

Rating: 6

Time with product: 7 Days

Strengths: Package comes with bous leather carrying case and a game to play with, Brain Age 2

Weaknesses: Comes only crimson/black two tone color with no other color choice. Leather case looks nice but not practical for carrying functionality.

Summary: Unless you want to only but Brain Age 2 and a Nintendo DS, it is better to buy them all separately at discount/sale prices. This package is good for those only wanted these products or games like Brain Academy and Brain Age. Other than that you are better off buying your own carrying case for you Nintendo DS if you want to buy this product because of the extra bonus and the game.