I've got rather large hands (roughly 8 inches from tip of the finger to the base of the palm) and I have never had a problem with any handheld, except for holding it in my hand for prolonged periods of time. But that can happen with anything you hold for an extended period of time with your hand in one position.

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I've always thought the triggers would be comfortable if they were on the "back" of the system (where the battery is) rather than on the "top" of the system. That way you can reach them easier.

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Sleek clamshell design with that duel-screen logo on top of the closed system. About as big, when closed, as the original iPod. Pocket-friendly.

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I have large hands and even the larger DS hurts my hands after a while. I would never trade mine in for a Lite.

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On marathon sessions of Mario Kart I had a bit of trouble at first, but I eventually settled on a set of hand positions that work well for me. I think the important thing is switching up occasionally. On the trade off between the external size/design, and the playability, I think it's in a good spot. I wouldn't change it.

Oh, and...
We're MEN! Manly MEN! We're men in tights!

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you know, I read that article too and I just don't get it at all... there was a picture of what looked like a a palm of a hand with a DS lite pressed into it so hard that it left a mark, but when you actually hold the lite, you can press the shoulder buttons with any segment of your finger, not just the tip like the original did.

I say this is just to draw in readers with a controversial topic. The blog is always in favor of the PSP and i think this is to downplay the enhancements the lite offers users as far as upgrading.

i have big hands and i thought the original DS cramped my hands way more, and I am playing animal crossing for hours on the train and at home very often. I think the lite being lighter is easier on the hands and wrists, and the button placement is a dream.

I the only complaints i have is that it is herder to hold a diagonal angle for running in animal crossing and for the original, I didn't like the weight of the system, thats all.

I think larger hands work better on the lite because its way easier to hold, for me

.ed
Ed Palumbo
Daily Reader
8 inch hands

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I might be the only one who will say this, but I prefer my ds phat because the screen on the lite is too bright. It looks like a TV when you push the brightness control too far over to me.

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Evilned,

the lite has 4 brightness settings, the lowest of which is identincal to the original DS. Should be worth upgrading, especially with the enhanced play time youll get too.

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#4

I also have large hands. I have a DS Lite and it's never given me cramps. Though, when I borrowed my frinds regular DS to play Super Mario 64 DS (because I was to lazy to just take the game cart), my hands cramped up quite a few times. It suprised me, because I thought the DS Lite would be the one to give me hand cramps.

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I understand where the author is coming from. I also have 8" long hands from the base of my palm to the tip of my middle finger.

What I have found is with the DS phat the corners after sometime of playing would almost feel sharp like it was digging into my hand. At some points I even felt pain for a few minutes after I stopped playing.

One of the major improvements with the DS lite for me is how smooth the corners are. I never feel like its digging into my hand and don’t ever really feel pain.

Since getting my light my only concern has been when my big'ol hand cramps up playing stylus heavy games (i.e.: Trauma Center).

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Metroid Hunters hurts my left hand something aful, especially when doning a lot of shooting with the left trigger.

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Strange that Joystiq has a different version of this story

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Both have their advantages. The Phat is bigger, and it has far more precise inputs. The Lite has a smoother feel on everything, and for people who use the thumb stylus it's easier to reach the screen.

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lites were made to fit little japanese hands :D

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I'm just glad that, apparent PSP bias or not, somebody is finally taking the controversial position that it's okay not to buy a new DS to replace your virtually-identical one.

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accually i have small hand... :( And I find it easier to play Mario Kart on the phat. What it seems to be is that you have to press the buttons hard/deep into the handle to get a response.

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This is completely opposite for me.

I didn't buy a DS until they released the DS Lite in Japan, because the shoulder buttons were too uncomfortable for me on the DS Chunky.

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I found the DS Phat's corners rather sharp in my hands, but the Lite is pretty good. At first I was feeling like the Lite was a bit small, but I've taken to letting it rest on my fingers, instead of double ham fisting it like it was a go-cart stearing wheel during a sharp corner. Relax your hands, and the cramping goes away.

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I still tool around with my ds phat and I've noticed at times a slight numbness creep through my hands. This is usually around the time I look up at the clock and realize that I've been playng for much longer than I thought.

The word here should be moderation. Everything should be enjoyed in moderation: video games, weed, and even exercise believe it or not.
Don't do drugs kids.

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i agree with everyone here. i played alot of jump superstar when it came out and it was fine at first. then when it came to the massive long consecutive combos that you couldnt leave your fingers and thumbs off the DS phat for a second (lots of the good combos require you to press not just the R,X,Y,B&A, but the screen to call certain characters as well). the edges starts to hurt like a sharp pain and my hands cramp up as well.

for metriod hunters was the same thing but only on the left hand since the right hand was using the stylus.

mario kart........after MANY hours of playing hand the cramp effect where i couldnt reach the trigger buttons in time.

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