When you play DS games, do you usually listen to the music and sound effects if they're not essential to gameplay? The DS has many fine features, but its speaker is really not one of them. Still, some games manage some great music that really enhances the gaming experience ... and some don't. Give us the aural rundown -- sound, yea or nay? If yea, then do you rely on the speaker, or do you employ headphones?
DS Daily: Volume up or volume down?
When you play DS games, do you usually listen to the music and sound effects if they're not essential to gameplay? The DS has many fine features, but its speaker is really not one of them. Still, some games manage some great music that really enhances the gaming experience ... and some don't. Give us the aural rundown -- sound, yea or nay? If yea, then do you rely on the speaker, or do you employ headphones?







Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
6-10-2007 @ 10:28AM
Fortyseven said...
Maybe I'm just crazy, but I almost get the impression that my DS Lite speaker is starting to get quieter as time goes on. It's a black DS, so it's about as old as when those first came out. (I can't remember exactly when.)
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6-10-2007 @ 10:51AM
Service_Games said...
It really all depends on the game, where I am in the game, where I am (different parts of my house or out and about), and what mood I'm in.
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6-10-2007 @ 10:54AM
ssuk said...
I have grown up around chip-synth music, so I dont see why I would start neglecting the DS' sound capabilities.
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6-10-2007 @ 10:55AM
imtraum said...
It all depends on the game and where I'm playing it. If I'm in public, the speakers are always off (maybe have my headphones on if I really like the music). Things like Puzzle Quest always have their music turned off, but something like Final Fantasy III I'll have the music on if I'm at home. I've never found the DS speakers to be horrible--not great, but they don't make my ears bleed.
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6-10-2007 @ 11:04AM
jesminya said...
If I am able to, I will almost always have the volume turned up, maybe not all the way. Sometimes I might turn on some other music or have the TV on as well. If it's Ouendan I have to use headphones. If I'm out in public where I should be quiet I either have the volume down or use headphones. Ouendan is the only game that really needs headphones, but I've done it for Trauma Center. For me, half the game is hearing the beeps and heartbeat sounds making you go crazy. I really have no problem with the DS speakers, but hearing the same Pokemon music for the thousandth time can be a nuisance.
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6-10-2007 @ 11:33AM
The_Wind_Waker8 said...
Is it me or is the Lite speakers a bit softer than the Phat speaers?
Ether way, I always have sound on. Unless I'm infront of my PC rocking to some sweet tunes.
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6-10-2007 @ 11:52AM
pas said...
Nothing goes about Headphones + DS (especially Brothers in Arms !)
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6-10-2007 @ 12:29PM
Abel said...
Music is part of the experience, so I leave it on unless I'm on the subway and I think it could bother others (and sometimes even in such situations). You gotta love the music in Castlevania or when your on a trial in Phoenix Wright.
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6-10-2007 @ 12:56PM
strangemusic said...
It depends on the game!For certain games the music is just repetitive/annoying/distracting but for others it's just necessary: who wouldn't want to hear the victory tune after battles in FF3?
As for headphones vs. speaker: the speaker is not bad but I usually slap on headphones for better quality and privacy.
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6-10-2007 @ 1:08PM
Greg said...
Almost always, I turn it down all the way. The only exceptions are Elite Beat Agents (always up all the way, of course) and sometimes Puzzle Quest, which has an adorably classic RPG-style music. Most annoying soundtrack (especially or the amount of time spent in the game) is Poke Pearl.
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6-10-2007 @ 1:29PM
nixy said...
I've always enjoyed the DS speakers. If at all possible, I will play with the sound partially up, if not all the way up. I'm a bit of a Nazi about it, really. I'll be sitting in a room full of people playing DS and I'll be the only one with sound on, playing PPL or Jump Ultimate Stars or something full blast.
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6-10-2007 @ 2:00PM
Covarr said...
I wear headphones and then put the volume about halfway up. Uses the battery less quickly than full volume with or without headphones, but still sounds louder.
The only games I can comfortably play without sound are Ace Attorney and Hotel Dusk (the presence of music can serve as a distraction if I'm trying to game and do something else at the same time), but I still play with sound whenever possible.
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6-10-2007 @ 2:19PM
Crass said...
Growing up on early systems like the Commodore 64, Intellivision, and the original NES, I have learned to embrace, and even love crappy-quality video game music. I just love that cold-heartless electronic buzz my DS lite emits. Although I think the speakers are quiet loud so I geneally play with the volume at about 50%
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6-10-2007 @ 2:46PM
dreamparacite said...
I listen to the music whenever I can, I don't think it's really that bad, and most games can pull off some great sounds. If I'm in school or something, yeah, I'll use headphones or turn the sound off, but if it's an important part of the game, I will STOP playing until I get to a place where I can properly enjoy the scene.
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6-10-2007 @ 2:53PM
+grooveARMY said...
I generally use my iPod headphones, because of the fact that the DS speakers are not that loud, although that depends on where you are I suppose.
Here is a quick test...
Play your DS in a shopping mall without headphones and the sound right up. Hear anything? Probably not...
But Play your DS in bed next to your girlfriend who has to get up at 5am for work, with the sound right up... Hear anything? Probably the sound of your DS spontaneously snapping in half after being told to 'Shut Up!'.
It all depends on the situation, but I stick to headphones.
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6-10-2007 @ 3:38PM
reef said...
Elite Beat is the only game that I actually listen to the music.
I love Mario Kart's music, and I keep the Hunters sounds up so that I can hear where people are shooting, but the other games I don't really use sound.
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6-10-2007 @ 3:57PM
Fredrik said...
I use earphones allmost all of the time...
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6-10-2007 @ 5:45PM
Hirsbrunner said...
I love almost everything about my DS Lite. There's one exception...the volume control. I wish the DSL had the PSP's button control, as opposed to the sliding style.
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6-10-2007 @ 6:11PM
hvnlysoldr said...
It hit me while I got frustrated from trying to connect with the DS browser in my room at the New Yorker Hotel and popped in EBA. I usually turn down the volume until I just hear it, but I crank it up when I wear earphones.
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6-10-2007 @ 9:04PM
Richie said...
Usually I'm listening to other music while I play games... it's why I
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