Best Screen NDS: DS Lite? DSi? DSi XL? 3DS? or 2DS?

[Logan Jones]

Which model DS has the best screen? Is it the Lite or the DSi with the brightest screen for extra light? Which screen has the best refresh rate for reducing blur? Which screen has the sharpest picture?

Whatever the answers are, please include as much information on the topic as possible. My mission is to get the best picture quality out of my DS games.

[AndehX]

After the DS lite, there's very little difference between them until you get to the 3DS. If you want the best screen, go with the 3DS XL

[Lawfer]

Then either get a DSi or DSi XL (if you would prefer the bigger screen).

[Ikaruga11]

Original Phat DS (2004): The advantage of this screen is that you can turn the backlight off, much like how the GBA SP AGS-001's frontlight screen can be turned off. This makes it the best option for playing outdoors in the sunlight. No other Nintendo handheld can turn their light off, be it frontlight or backlight. However, the original Phat DS only has one brightness setting, and be turned off. Indoors, the screen is good but not nearly as colorful or bright as the later DS/3DS models. Less ghosting for GBA games on this screen than the DS Lite. Bonus: Only one of two models that can play GBA cartridges (the other being the DS Lite) out of the entre DS and 3DS family of handhelds. Unlike the DS Lite however, the GBA cartridge does not stick out. A lot of DS games used GBA games for in-game bonus content, such as Pokemon. Also has the best D-Pad.

DS Lite (2006): The screen is much brighter and more colorful than the original phat DS, with 4 brightness settings. From this model on, you cannot turn off the backlight. Has a bit of ghosting in GBA games much like the GBA SP AGS-101. Much better for indoor play, but worse for outside play in the sun. The last model in the DS and 3DS family to play GBA cartridges. GBA cartridges stick out a bit.

NOTE: According to some shmups users on here, later DS Lite models have horrible screens and ghosting issues.

DSi (2008 JP / 2009 NA):
The DSi has slightly larger screens than the DS and DS Lite, and comes with 5 brightness settings. A lot of DSi screens have quality control issues such as different color temperatures and defects.

DSi XL (2009):
The DSi XL has much larger screens than the DS, DS Lite and DSi. It also has 5 brightness settings like the DSi. Not only is the DSi XL the first Nintendo system to use IPS screens, they are 100% guaranteed and have great quality control. The DSi XL also has better speakers and a much longer battery life than previous models. This is the largest display you can play DS games on at 1:1. Playing DS games on a[New] 2/3DS XL at full size is horribly blurry and pixelated. 1:1 mode isn't sharp and clean, but not as big as the DSi XL and doesn't fill the entire screen.

Nintendo DS PPI (Pixels Per Inch) 256x192:
DS: 106.67 PPI (3.00")
DS Lite: 106.67 PPI (3.00")
DSi - 98.46 PPI (3.25")
DSi XL - 76.19 PPI (4.20")

Nintendo 3DS PPI (Pixels Per Inch) 400x240:
O2DS: 132.15 PPI (3.53") | 132.45 PPI (3.02" 320x240)
O3DS: 132.15 PPI (3.53") | 132.45 PPI (3.02" 320x240)
O3DS XL: 95.59 PPI (4.88") | 95.69 PPI (4.18" 320x240)
N2DS X: 95.59 PPI (4.88") | 95.69 PPI (4.18" 320x240)
N3DS XL: 95.59 PPI (4.88") | 95.69 PPI (4.18" 320x240)
N3DS: 120.23 PPI (3.88") | 120.12 PPI (03.33" 320x240p)





Sources:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=53823
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_DS_family
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_3DS_family
https://gbatemp.net/threads/ds-with-best-screen.330180/
https://gbatemp.net/threads/n3ds-vs-n3d ... pi.379337/
https://www.reddit.com/r/3DS/comments/2 ... _on_an_xl/
https://www.giantbomb.com/nintendo-ds/3 ... -489452/#1

tl;dr In my opinion, these are the best models for playing DS games:

Most Versatility: New 3DS (can play GBA, DS, DSi, 3DS and N3DS games with native hardware, along with great emulation and HomeBrew support)
For GBA-enhanced DS games: Original Phat DS and DS Lite
DSi-enhanced DS games: DSi XL, O3DS, or New 3DS (Dual IPS screens)
Pixel Density / Sharpest Image: Original 3DS in 1:1 mode
Biggest 1:1 Screen Size: DSi XL
Colors and viewing angles: DSi XL or New 3DS (Dual IPS screens)
Overall: DSi XL

[Logan Jones]

Incredible! Thank you very much! So I should certainly look into buying a DSi XL for the best screen?

[Lawfer]

Incredible! Thank you very much! So I should certainly look into buying a DSi XL for the best screen?

DSi XL if you want a bigger screen, if not DSi since it is sharper than DSi XL. But overall the DSi screen is freaking small, so if you don't mind a not as sharp picture then DSi XL would be better.

[Hoagtech]

Dsi XL would be my recommendation.

The dsi has a great screen too.

Phat sucks stay away

[Logan Jones]

Dsi XL would be my recommendation.

The dsi has a great screen too.

Phat sucks stay away

I used to have a fat, but I got rid of it after I got a Lite.

[Lawfer]

Phat sucks stay away

Still nothing can be beat the original GBA screen in terms of suckiness.

[Hoagtech]

Here’s my thoughts on my personal collection from a similar thread:



I would like to compare my personal collection of the 3Ds XL {default ds mode}, Dsi XL, Ds Phat, & Ds Lite,

I lined up all consoles together with full screen brightness options on each system.

One thing off the bat I noticed was the terrible viewing angles on the Ds Phat's bottom screen (2nd to the right)


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Now the racers are: |-- Pink Shy Guy: 3Ds XL --| Mario: Dsi XL| -- White Shy Guy Ds Phat |-- Green Shy Guy Ds Lite --|
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What I am seeing is that the 3ds xl is a blurry mess and should be disqualified and before you ask the black bars are terrible in 1:1 mode making both modes sub par on the 3Ds XL


The Dsi XL has a moire pattern in the photo that is not evident by the naked eye, It looks almost the richest of colors and vibrancy with minimal polygon aliasing 2nd only to the Ds Lite


The Original Ds variant looks washed out possibly from my years of use and age of the unit but it is bad and as far as ghosting goes it is the worst


The Ds lite has the most vibrancy and color of all screens and the best definition. The aliasing seemed equal to the dsi XL but the white point was more noticeable as were the black colors and overall contrast ratio.



----------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Comparison Pics
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3DS XL (default):


Dsi XL


Ds Phat OG: I can see the back light shining through, Bad corner lighting too.


Ds Lite:


From these pics the Ds lite looks better as well: In person the Dsi XL looked better than the photo but even so the Ds lite took the cake

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Ds Lite VS Dsi XL
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The Ds Lite and the Dsi XL were very close contenders. The colors were vibrant on both models. I spead up the chararacters on both consoles and spinned around to get a sense of the ghosting but neither models exhibited as much as the 3ds XL or the Phat systems so they are both solid

I will say the black levels and contrast ratio were better overall on the Ds lite.



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WINNER: Ds Lite

The Best Screen Award goes to the Ds lite for its excellent vibrant colors and smooth scrolling> Followed by a close second (Dsi XL)




BONUS

Here is a top view Front left to right: Dsi XL -- Ds Lite

Rear Left to right: 3Ds XL -- Ds Phat




Disclaimer: This test is subjective to my personal used equipment. The screens could be worn out on my older consoles but these are my opinions.

[Logan Jones]

Ah, so the DS Lite Screen is (subjectively) better than the DSi Xl's screen? Would that mean the screen is better than a normal DSi?

[Ikaruga11]

It depends.

The DS Lite uses a 3.0" TN TFT LCD screen, while the DSi XL uses a 4.2" IPS TFT LCD screen. The former has comparatively duller colors and worse viewing angles, while the latter has more vibrant colors and much better viewing angles. It should also be noted that the DSi XL seems to have much better quality control in the quality and calibration of their screens.

For 3DS games, I feel like smaller screens are superior since most 3DS games are 3D and thus bigger screens show more aliasing and pixelation on 3D models.
For DS games however, I feel like big or small screens are a good choice since DS games are a mixture of 2D and 3D. (And the 3D models in DS games will look like ass no matter what screen you play it on.)

It really boils down to your preferences and needs.

Want to turn the backlight off and/or have GBA content in your DS games? Get the original DS.
Want a bright colorful screen that still gives you GBA content in your DS games? Get the DS Lite.
Want to play DSi-enhanced games without black bars on the screen and don't like the DSi XL? Get the DSi.
Want to play DS and DSi-enhanced games on the biggest screen, while also having no black bars? Get the DSi XL.
Want to have the sharpest looking DS and 3DS games? Get the original 3DS and play in 1:1 mode. (Hold Start on bootup of a DS game)
2DS, 3DS XL and the New 2DS XL are all outclassed in some way by the other models for DS, 3DS, GBA, etc. games.
Want to have amazing picture quality and tons of versatility? Get a Dual IPS New 3DS.
Want to have great picture quality with tons of versaility on a big screen? Get a Dual IPS New 3DS XL.

[Logan Jones]

So the DSi's screen is essentially the same as the DSi XL's aside from the XL's being bigger?

[Ikaruga11]

So the DSi's screen is essentially the same as the DSi XL's aside from the XL's being bigger?

No. The DSi uses a TN (Twisted Nematic) LCD screen. The DSi XL uses an IPS (In-Plane Switching) LCD screen.

Original DS Phat: TN
DS Lite: TN
DSi: TN
DSi XL : IPS
O3DS: TN
3DS XL: TN
2DS: TN
New 3DS XL: TN or IPS
New 3DS: TN or IPS
New 2DS XL: TN

[Logan Jones]

What's the difference between IPS and TN? And what are the advantages of each?

[Lawfer]

What's the difference between IPS and TN? And what are the advantages of each?

IPS will have better vieweing angles and colors, while TN is faster.

[Logan Jones]

By TN being faster, do you mean better screen response time? Does that mean TN screens have less ghosting?

[AndehX]

not necessarily less ghosting, but yes, faster response time.

[Ikaruga11]

not necessarily less ghosting, but yes, faster response time.

Another thing to note is that response time is completely different from input lag.

IPS screens aren't any laggier than TN screens are.

[Logan Jones]

Okay. Here's what I want to find out: Between the DS Lite, DSi, and DSi XL, I want you guys to rate which ones you can tell look the best in two categories: Screen vibrancy and minimal ghosting.

Rate the three models like this:

"DS Lite: vibrant screen, moderate ghosting
DSi: less vibrant screen, minimal ghosting
DSiXL: blah blah screen, blah blah ghosting, (you get the idea)

Then state your favored opinion for which model you think has the best screen, because I first want facts, then I want your opinions.

[Lawfer]

The DS Lite has already been mentioned as having washed out colors, plus it has bad angles due to it being TN. DSi XL is better due to having a bigger screen, best colors and best angle views due to IPS screen, the only downside is that it won't be as sharp as DSi, but overall the XL is the better choice. It's possible that washed out colors/poor colors is an inherent thing to TN screens for the DS/3DS as my DSi and New 3DS XL all have TN screens and the colors ain't so hot on any of them, they all lack color vibrancy and are just too washed out/white-ish/light-ish, plus there is the issue that you have to keep the screen aligned to yourself for best colors accuracy and you have to keep yourself steady like a statue, because if you move even a little and/or you tilt your console even slightly, the colors will shift, either they will become darker or lighter depending on your position and the position of the screen, all of this due to it being TN.

[Logan Jones]

The DS Lite has already been mentioned as having washed out colors, plus it has bad angles due to it being TN. DSi XL is better due to having a bigger screen, best colors and best angle views due to IPS screen, the only downside is that it won't be as sharp as DSi, but overall the XL is the better choice. It's possible that washed out colors/poor colors is an inherent thing to TN screens for the DS/3DS as my DSi and New 3DS XL all have TN screens and the colors ain't so hot on any of them, they all lack color vibrancy and are just too washed out/white-ish/light-ish, plus there is the issue that you have to keep the screen aligned to yourself for best colors accuracy and you have to keep yourself steady like a statue, because if you move even a little and/or you tilt your console even slightly, the colors will shift, either they will become darker or lighter depending on your position and the position of the screen, all of this due to it being TN.

But what about screen ghosting? Is it more or less pronounced on the DSi XL?

[Ikaruga11]

Okay. Here's what I want to find out: Between the DS Lite, DSi, and DSi XL, I want you guys to rate which ones you can tell look the best in two categories: Screen vibrancy and minimal ghosting.

Rate the three models like this:

"DS Lite: vibrant screen, moderate ghosting
DSi: less vibrant screen, minimal ghosting
DSiXL: blah blah screen, blah blah ghosting, (you get the idea)

Then state your favored opinion for which model you think has the best screen, because I first want facts, then I want your opinions.

Out of those three, here's my rankings.

DS Lite: Least vibrant screen, most ghosting
DSi: Moderately vibrant screen, moderate ghosting
DSi XL: Most vibrant screen, least ghosting

The DS Lite has already been mentioned as having washed out colors, plus it has bad angles due to it being TN. DSi XL is better due to having a bigger screen, best colors and best angle views due to IPS screen, the only downside is that it won't be as sharp as DSi, but overall the XL is the better choice. It's possible that washed out colors/poor colors is an inherent thing to TN screens for the DS/3DS as my DSi and New 3DS XL all have TN screens and the colors ain't so hot on any of them, they all lack color vibrancy and are just too washed out/white-ish/light-ish, plus there is the issue that you have to keep the screen aligned to yourself for best colors accuracy and you have to keep yourself steady like a statue, because if you move even a little and/or you tilt your console even slightly, the colors will shift, either they will become darker or lighter depending on your position and the position of the screen, all of this due to it being TN.

In my opinion, a large screen is nowhere near as deterimental for DS games as it is for 3DS games. Most DS games use 2D sprites and pixel-art, so larger screens will simply give you bigger, more defined pixels. Which a lot of videophiles on this forum, including myself, prefer. 99% of 3DS games on the other hand use 3D models and more detailed textures on a measly 240p screen, so a larger screen will make the aliasing/pixelation in the polygons and textures much more unpleasantly noticeable. It even appears more blurry, in fact.

So

DS games: DSi XL (has Dual IPS screens)
3DS games: New 3DS (with Dual IPS screens), or Original 3DS for maximum sharpness

[Hoagtech]

The DS Lite has already been mentioned as having washed out colors, plus it has bad angles due to it being TN. DSi XL is better due to having a bigger screen, best colors and best angle views due to IPS screen, the only downside is that it won't be as sharp as DSi, but overall the XL is the better choice. It's possible that washed out colors/poor colors is an inherent thing to TN screens for the DS/3DS as my DSi and New 3DS XL all have TN screens and the colors ain't so hot on any of them, they all lack color vibrancy and are just too washed out/white-ish/light-ish, plus there is the issue that you have to keep the screen aligned to yourself for best colors accuracy and you have to keep yourself steady like a statue, because if you move even a little and/or you tilt your console even slightly, the colors will shift, either they will become darker or lighter depending on your position and the position of the screen, all of this due to it being TN.

I agree with the preference for IPS over TN and I Do prefer the Dsi XL over the Ds lite for gameplay,

But I fired up six different dsi XL models at my game shop to find the one with the most vibrant screen and even after choosing, The Dsi XL was not as vibrant as the DS lite.

If the TN panel was the same size as the IPS panel, the Ips panel MAY beat it in vibrancy, But from the models I saw the Ds Lite beat it by a margin probably due to its small size.

[Chocograph]

I own two new 3ds's. One TN and one IPS. I was obsessed to get one with IPS and paid like 400 dollars at the time. Now it's sitting in my drawer because when playing retroarch the image stutters slightly and it has some other flaws. About the screens though, I was surprised to find there's not a whole lot of difference between the TN and IPS new 3ds. The viewing angles are slightly better but that too was way overexaggerated the way I see it. I thought it would be so much better. I own a perfect DS lite with no scratches whatsoever and no dead pixels and the screen is great but I got a flashcart to play DS games on my 3ds too so I'll use both. Boot9strap hack is a given of course.

If you own a new 3ds with a TN screen, don't bother with IPS. Color VIBRANCY is really great on my TN one. Consider it if you've got a 3ds XL, those are washed out.

[ZellSF]

I wouldn't buy a 3DS XL from anywhere without a good return policy. I've had a 3DS XL, 5 New 3DS XL and 1 2DS XL, all with QA issues that had more of an impact on image quality to me than TN vs IPS.

And if you're going to go for a IPS, you're probably not going to find one in a place with good return policy. Comparing my IPS New 3DS XL to my TN ones, the image quality difference is also pretty minimal.

I just would recommend entirely against trying to go for a IPS New 3DS XL. It's a good way to turn into a crazy person. I'm not sure how the regular models compare. Less chance of dirt/dust under the smaller screens I suppose.

Not that I would use the 3DS or 3DS XL for DS games anyway. Terrible scaling or huge black bars? Uh no thanks. I can't comment too much on the DS comparison. I've only had a DS Lite and DSi XL. Ghosting was terrible on the DS Lite. DSi XL I just have no problems with image quality at all, it just looks perfect. There's nothing in the DSi XL's image that distracts me from the games I'm playing.

[ZellSF]

The New 2DS also uses an 800x240 top screen despite lacking 3D support, unlike the regular 2DS, which has a pixel perfect 400x240 top screen. For those reasons, you should probably avoid the New 2DS altogether, if you were even considering it.

If he doesn't intend to use 3D, then that just puts the New 2DS XL in a similar position to all other 3DS models except the 2DS. I'm not saying to get the New 2DS XL, but that's a really weird way to rule it out. Unless you're trying to say the 2DS is much better in every way... In which case no. Smaller screen, no "New" features and no clamshell to protect the screens.

The New 2DS XL should IMO be considered because of the XL models it easily has the best ergonomics. As long as you don't need 3D and good quality speakers, it's the 3DS model I would recommend people get. I've only had one, but screen quality wise it looked about equal to my New 3DS TN systems.

It's the system I would get for myself, but you know, there's limits to how much I want to abuse return policies of stores I want to shop with again in the future because of Nintendo's shitty QA.

[Lawfer]

The New 2DS XL is not a good product, I can't recommend it, it's probably the junkiest "3DS" out there, Nintendo really cheapened out on this one.

The New 2DS also uses an 800x240 top screen despite lacking 3D support, unlike the regular 2DS, which has a pixel perfect 400x240 top screen. For those reasons, you should probably avoid the New 2DS altogether, if you were even considering it.

That too, the games are 400x240 which would display at 800x240 on the New 2DS XL.

[ZellSF]

The New 2DS XL is not a good product, I can't recommend it, it's probably the junkiest "3DS" out there, Nintendo really cheapened out on this one.

The New 2DS also uses an 800x240 top screen despite lacking 3D support, unlike the regular 2DS, which has a pixel perfect 400x240 top screen. For those reasons, you should probably avoid the New 2DS altogether, if you were even considering it.

That too, the games are 400x240 which would display at 800x240 on the New 2DS XL.

And every other 3DS not running in 3D mode... I'm not saying buy a New 2DS XL if you want 3D (duh), but if you don't want to enable 3D, I think it's the best choice.

Not sure why you'd completely avoid 3D even on the lowest setting. Games were designed with these square pixels in mind, apart from a very small few which utilise the full 800x240 canvas in 2D, and the 3D really isn't that harmless at its lowest setting

Lots of people do avoid 3D entirely on the 3DS. I'm not one of them, but when making recommendations you definitely can't ignore them. And on the lowest 3D setting you just get a weird ugly looking effect over the screen with none of the benefits of 3D. It just doesn't look good, if you're enabling 3D I would always have it at at least 25%.

you can get IPS screens with the New 3DS (XL), which also feels better in the hand than the New 2DS XL

Besides the obvious "good luck winning that lottery" on the IPS screens, feels better in the hand? I really doubt many people who tried the New 2DS XL would agree with you on that.

you get the same VA panels as on the New 2DS XL

The New 2DS XL, like most 3DS models have TN panels.

[Lawfer]

but if you don't want to enable 3D, I think it's the best choice.

It's not for reasons explained above by both me and ross. Basically because of the low build quality not on par with the rest of the other versions and incorrect screen resolution of 800x240 for games displaying in 400x240.

The only way to get a proper 2D output for 3DS games would be with the 2DS, the New 2DS XL fails on all front.