Conclusion
To sum it up, I'm impressed.
The hardware is a very able 3D platform, the touch screen is pure Nintendo, and has some really fun uses in games. If the monocycle scene in Feel the Magic doesn't have you grinning ear to ear you have no soul, and should give up gaming. The built in wireless makes for some interesting multiplayer possibilities, and the microphone is just icing on the cake. The stereo sound adds a lot more than you'd think over a one speaker arrangement, and the unit fakes surround sound pretty convincingly.
It's also nice to see Nintendo give you so much stuff with the hardware purchase. The extra stylus as well as the thumb stylus and Metroid demo really round out the package, and the Metroid missions show off the hardware in some really interesting ways. It's the perfect demo for people coming to grips with the system.
The only downsides I've found so far have been a slight buzz and crackle when you crank the speakers up, and I do wish you could adjust the brightness of the screen. Some parts of Metroid, even with the backlighting, were hard to see. I'm also scared we'll see too many developers not know what to do with the unique features of the system and go back to making cookie cutter action games instead of branching out with the gameplay as Nintendo and Sega have so ably done with their launch titles. The rest of the launch line up is mediocre at best.
At US$150 this is a great value, a really fun system, and proof that there are new things to try with video game hardware. I can only hope that Nintendo's next proper console is as well put together and thought out as the DS.
The Good:
Solid, attractive hardware
Innovative features such as touch screen, wireless play, and a built in microphone
Surprisingly well rounded retail package with the hardware. The extra styli and game demo are a welcome addition
Thumb stylus emulates mouse/keyboard control closer than anything else we've seen outside of the PC
The Bad:
Mediocre Launch Library
Possibility for lukewarm software if developers become confused with what to do with the touch screen
The ugly:
Trying to explain to someone why you're rubbing a silver screen that's emitting the sounds of vomiting while playing Feel the Magic.
). Looking forward to Mr.Driller and seeing some top down shooters using both screens. The lack of any great games coming soon has me a bit worried but it cant be worse then the Sega CD and 32X I ran out and bought. 