| Nintendo DS Lite Pro Battle Stylus Review - DS Database -10-16-2007 |
Special thanks to PDA Panache for the review sample.
- Introduction - Nintendo DS styluses have become a sort of obsession. There are very few users that can say that they have only used the ones that came originally with the DS Lite. With the increase of types of styluses, and a huge decrease in price, it is only understandable that some gamers might opt for the cute collectable ones with figurines up top, or, like the stylus that this review deals with, for comfort reasons. PDA Panache is a company that started in 1994 dedicated to the creation of high-end styluses. They have been making styluses for Palms and Pocket PCs for quite some time. A rather new release is PDA Panache Battle Stylus for the Nintendo DS, and the Nintendo DS Lite Pro Battle Stylus. They are both full metal styluses that are fairly well known for their quality and comfort.
The most highly advertised feature of the Nintendo DS Lite Pro Battle Stylus is the extreme high quality of the stylus, featuring a full brass body with a chrome finish, and a lifetime-guaranteed tip, this stylus has it all.
The weight of the Nintendo DS Lite Pro Stylus is heavier than any metal stylus I have ever used for the DS or DS Lite. It is quite a few times heavier than the originals. Thankfully the weight is balanced quite well, and it feels very comfortable. The overall weight adds a different dimension to playing on the DS. The weight allows the stylus to slide smoothly across the screen, as well, it allows for better accuracy. Another part of the stylus that PDA Panache seems quite proud of is the tip. According to their website, it is made from the highest quality, DuPont Delrin brand acetal plastic resin. Apparently this material is strong and stable, with natural lubricity. I can honestly say that I agree with them. Using the old official Nintendo styluses will never be the same for me. It almost seems that they are of cheap quality. The Nintendo DS Lite Pro Battle Stylus slides across the screen so smoothly, I could have sworn that it was almost frictionless. When using an older stylus, it feels a bit grainy or bumpy in comparison to the Nintendo DS Lite Pro Battle Stylus.
I would also like to add that I have been using the Nintendo DS
Lite Pro Battle Stylus quite a bit. I have dropped it a few
times on solid ground, and I have yet to see a single dent or
scratch on the body or the tip. The Nintendo DS Lite Pro Battle Stylus is truly a stylus designed for gaming on the DS Lite. At first, it may seem to slow you down because of the added weight. However, over the course of a few hours of gaming, you will notice the extreme speeds you are able to play at. The combination of the smooth tip and the heavy shaft allows the stylus to be moved far faster than normal.
As well, the Nintendo DS Lite Pro Battle Stylus is quite
comfortable to hold. Near the tip, there is a very slight
groove, and a bit of grip for your fingers to hold on to, which
is very well designed. As well, just having a bit of extra
weight makes the stylus almost feel like a pen of some sort. Normally, there wouldn’t be much to say about a stylus. You simply put it into your DS Lite or remove it for storage. And when you want to use it, just take it out and drag the tip across the screen.
However, in a way, the Nintendo DS Lite Pro Battle Stylus is far
easier to use than the other styluses. It is easier to drag
across the screen, it is easier to hold, and it even slides into
the DS Lite better than any of the competitors. You can test it
a thousand different ways, and the result will always be the
same, the Nintendo DS Lite Pro Battle Stylus by PDA Panache is
the best stylus you can buy. As mentioned before the Nintendo DS Lite Pro Battle Stylus is a high quality stylus. I would love to ramble on about how perfect it is, because, all in all, the stylus is almost perfect in every way. Unfortunately, the Nintendo DS Lite Pro Battle Stylus is not perfect. There was one minor problem that I had. As mentioned before, I dropped my stylus quite a few times. I am one of those people who try and treat all my belongings with care. However, the Nintendo DS Lite Pro Battle Stylus made it somewhat hard to do so. The stylus doesn’t grip onto the slot designed for the stylus very well. It isn’t a major problem because it can still lock into the slot, and when you shake it, it doesn’t come out. However, with a slight touch of a finger, the stylus is unlocked from the slot, and because of the extra weight, it slides out quite fast.
The bad news is that this stylus has a large price tag. Users are probably used to seeing styluses that come in a pack of two or three at about $10. The Nintendo DS Lite Pro Battle Stylus comes in a pack of one, at a price of $16. With that said, I am recommending this stylus to everyone. If you have money to spare, this stylus can bring you to the next level with your DS. It is quite expensive, but it is worth every dollar. I wish I found out about this stylus earlier, because frankly, I can’t imagine how I could play games with those other styluses after using this one.
Build Quality – 5/5 Overall – 24.5/25 |
