Nintendo's redesigned DS handheld console, the DS Lite is coming to North America - the company announced Thursday plans to release it on June 11, 2006. The device will cost $129.99.
Nintendo's DS handheld video game system first debuted in November, 2004. The system features a clamshell case design and a two-screen design - one screen is used to control the action, along with a stylus and buttons. Built in Wi-Fi wireless networking capabilities allow players to participate in online gaming through Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connection service. What's more, the DS Lite is backward-compatible with games for older Game Boy systems.
Nintendo has been the dominant gaming company on the mobile platform with its Game Boy line. The Nintendo DS Lite is available in three colors in Japan where it is
available since March. Although the DS has been widely successful and has even outsold competitor Sony's PSP system.
The company is also hoping to spur DS Lite sales, which were brisk in Japan earlier this year, with the "New Super Mario Bros.," an update to "Mushroom Kingdom" that is set to launch May 15. Other upcoming releases include Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day went on sale in the United States on April 17 after encountering success in Japan. On June 5, Big Brain Academy arrives to challenge users with a variety of mental tests . Then on June 26, Sudoku Gridmaster will keep number crunchers busy with more than 400 sudoku puzzles, each one sanctioned by the original creators of sudoku.