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Even Hudson has hinge problems

Posted May 26th 2008 12:45PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News

Having had our own Polar White DS Lite since its first day of release here in the United States, we consider ourselves incredibly lucky that we aren't reporting on our own DS Lite being busted right now. Who's DS Lite is this, exactly? Hudson's own Takahashi Meijin.

For almost 2 years has he had his DS Lite. While we're sure his status means he could just call up Nintendo and get a new handheld sent over (probably delivered in a decadent wooden box by a dancing pixie), we'd suggest upgrading. Perhaps to a dual-toned model?

[Via Kotaku]

All of the news DS Fanboy saw fit to print in 2007

Posted Dec 20th 2007 4:00PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: Features

Well, not all of it. This is more about the highlights, the big news of the year. The kind of stuff that we should look back to and highlight as being memorable in 2007. It's been one hell of a year; a roller coaster ride of hits and misses. So, grab your admission ticket, buckle yourself in and join us for this look back at the news of 2007.

Continue reading All of the news DS Fanboy saw fit to print in 2007

Is the DS really this fragile?

Posted Dec 19th 2007 3:00PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News

Over at flickr, user yatta has had a most unfortunate incident occur. His DS lite has been busted all to crap. It was only dropped about two feet, he claims, but since it fell right on its hinge, it pretty much exploded. Talk about your weak points for massive damage, eh? Maybe this gentleman could use a handy guide to help him fix it? Or, maybe just the phone number to Nintendo customer service.

Any of you out there have horror stories about broken DSes?

Become the Dr. Frankenstein of the DS world

Posted Dec 18th 2007 12:00PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: How-tos

Nintendo replaces DS Lite, asks no questions

Posted Nov 19th 2007 2:50PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News

What's that line from Batman Begins, something like "theatricality and deception are powerful agents" or something? Well, Consumerist reader Mike might not have been deceptive, but he certainly didn't do anything to stop the Nintendo rep from sending him a brand new DS Lite to replace his existing one that was rendered inoperable due to negligence.

Nintendo ended up sending his new DS Lite out by 2-day UPS Air, asking that he only send back the damaged DS Lite to them. All of this, considering it was a friend that spilled beer (he wouldn't be our friend after that, as we can't abide by wasted beer) on the DS Lite. Kudos to Nintendo customer service, we suppose, for not inquiring how the unit became damaged and leaping to the rescue, no questions asked.

[Thanks, Tracy!]

Ten reasons to stick with your Phat

Posted Jul 20th 2007 10:40AM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: Features

Are you still waffling over whether or not you should hug your big ol' original DS goodbye and pick up a DS Lite? We know some of you are still clinging to the old ways, but never fear -- we're here to help! This week, we're going to look at ten reasons to make the switch ... and ten reasons to stick with what you've got. Oh, we never said we'd make the decision easy.

Of course, the minute we convince you, Nintendo's apt to completely redesign the hardware all over again! But don't worry -- you'll be armed with a list of reasons to wait on anything new ... at least, until we decide to start convincing you to upgrade again. It's the circle of Nintenfandom; you know you're used to it by now.

Continue reading Ten reasons to stick with your Phat

Battered DS Lite makes baby Jesus cry

Posted May 1st 2007 11:40AM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: Fan stuff

When it comes to adding troops to the DS Fanboy regiment, we make sure to fill our ranks with only the manliest of men. (Uh, and womanliest of women.). As far as bloggers go, we're as Ford tough as they get. Even in birth, we exited our mothers' wombs uncomplaining, ready for the hardship ahead.

Still, our eyes welled up when we saw this broken and battered Nintendo DS Lite. According to an employee at Best Buy, the handheld was returned after its owner claimed that it had just "stopped working." Customer service must have neglected to give the DS a good look, because we can't imagine any store taking back a product in this condition. The right hinge has been knocked out of place, every recess is filled and marked with grime, and one of its corners bares the teeth marks of a childish fit.

The two VeggieTales stickers marring the Crystal White's once-glossy finish are the worst offenses. Is there any hell that this DS Lite wasn't put through? Head past the post break for more unsettling photos of this portable's mistreatment.

[Via Digg]

Continue reading Battered DS Lite makes baby Jesus cry

Nintendo: no love for Phat crack

Posted Sep 11th 2006 4:24PM by Alisha Karabinus
Filed under: News

Reader Kirk Winters has a problem. His DS Phat has succumbed to crack. As we previously reported, those of us who were still clinging to our Phats lost the high ground when they began to suffer the slings and arrows of cracked hinges, but we never thought it would come to this. Nintendo, it seems, is not repairing the Phats for free, as they are with the DS Lite.

Ninty, where's the love? We thought we had something special.

Kirk was heartbroken when his DS developed the same crack that raised such a stink with the Lites, but when he called Nintendo, he expected to get the same deal. No dice -- they'll haggle, but it's still not going to be a free ride if you end up in the same boat. But there's a light at the end of the tunnel. At first, Nintendo planned to charge for Lite repair, so maybe if we raise enough stink, we'll get the same treatment for the Phat.

[Thanks for tipping us off, Kirk!]

DS Phat hooked on crack [Update 1]

Posted Sep 6th 2006 11:55AM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News

When the big scare of hinge damage on a massive scale to shipments of DS Lites in America hit, we were all going over our units with a magnifying glass. We were all thankful that Nintendo was so kind as to offer free repairs for damaged handhelds. Turns out the issue might not only be Lite-exclusive.

During the latest podcast from VGM Daily, it's revealed that a DS Phat developed a rather large crack at the hinge. If you're one of the few who didn't trade up for their DS Lite and kept your old unit, you might want to go check at the bottom of that dusty old box out in the garage that currently houses your DS Phat and make sure it's without crack.

We've contacted our Nintendo rep and will update you as to how Nintendo will handle your broken DS Phat. Keep an eye on DS Fanboy for further updates.

[Update 1: Cleaned up the wording a bit.]

Nintendo gives in, offers free repair

Posted Jul 21st 2006 2:00PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News

While we reported that Nintendo did indeed recognize the problem, we weren't sure if they would repair the issue for free or continue charging the $50 US fee to repair the unit. Word is, they'll do it for free, with both American and UK spokespersons verifying the statement as truth. And why not, their release even states its such a freak problem that it wouldn't even cost them that much to repair them.

So, got a crack in the hinge? Call 'em up!

[Thanks Patrick!]

Nintendo answers hinge claims

Posted Jul 20th 2006 5:00PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News

Being a part of the Joystiq network, we here at DS Fanboy feel humbled every day, to have both incredible readers like yourself, and to be in charge of finding and reporting on all things Nintendo DS. However, when we reported on problems of the hinge sort, we knew we would not be able to command the presence that Papa J does and contact Nintendo for answers, so we left the task of sending an appropriately-titled WTF Nintendo?! email up to them. Nintendo's response reads:

"In the U.S., the reported number of small cosmetic cracks in the plastic hinge of DS Lite systems represents less than 0.02 percent of the total units sold. This cosmetic issue in no way impacts the gameplay or integrity of the DS Lite. Nintendo stands behind the quality of our products and encourages DS Lite owners to contact our Customer Service Department if they are not happy with the functionality of their systems."

Honestly, Nintendo may have fudged up the numbers a bit. That percentile deals with only the reported cases of "hinge crackage" and not the actual ratio of unharmed-to-cracked DS Lites. While I cannot speak for the other bloggers here, my DS is without harm. Whether this is due to how I open it (see: like a book) is unknown, but I do treat it very well. Regardless, we feel that the warranty should cover this issue and collectively wag our finger at Nintendo.

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