Here a DS FAQ, answered by a Nintendo rep...
Screens:
Q) If you press on the touch screen, will it flex?
A) The touch screen doesn't flex. It's solid.
Q) How badly does the screen's visibility suffer with an external light source, e.g. sunlight?
A) I don't have any real experience in sunlight, but playing around in the EB's (which are pretty bright, as is any other retail store) they looked fine. There is a slightly smaller viewing area because of the reflection and stuff, but one person trying it out did mention that the screens handled the reflection of the lights pretty **** good.
Q) The touch screen, is it made of a different material (not the usual plastic)? I?ve heard that it is...
A) Its still plastic, just a much much harder plastic. There's almost no flex when you touch the screen, it's very nice.
Q) Does the screen seem big enough?
A) The screens are a little taller than the GBA screens and you can see fine. There's a lot of screen space up for grabs here.
Q) When you rub the thumb against the touch screen, does it feel smooth and sort of slides? Or is it rough?
A) It's just a piece of plastic like I said, so it's smooth. When you write with the stylus it feels a little stiffer because there's more friction.
Q) Are the thumb markings noticeable at all or did Nintendo do something to prevent that?
A) Fingerprints will be noticeable. There's really not much you can do about that.
Q) Can each screen's backlight be turned off independently?
A) Nope, either you can turn it all off or all on. however, when you do play GBA games, the other light does switch off.
Q) What seems to be the best position for the screens?
A) Easily the first "Snap" location. It's great and allows a really good viewing angle. The screens are really friggin bright and they look crystal clear.
Q) Is the touch screen very responsive? If you touch it, will it automatically recognize the pen/whatever?
A) The touch screen is VERY responsive and accurate. There's not lag whatsoever
Q) How bright were the backlights when in the dark?
A) They are completely viewable in the dark. There's no little "light lines" that run across the screen like front lit screens.
Q) Can you set the brightness of the screens or is it just a strict light on/light off setting?
A) It?s either on or off.
Q) With some games that are coming, it?s easier to use your fingers than the stylus, but then will the touch screen get finger prints all over? And can you wash it of easily?
A) Fingerprints can just be wiped off, but Nintendo still recommends using the stylus. What I do with my PDA if I'm feeling lazy is just use the back of the tip of your fingernail. It works great since it's kind of pointy, and doesn't leave any oil on the screen.
Q) What is the viewing angle of the screens like?
A) The viewing angle is excellent everywhere.
Q) How harsh is the backlight on the eyes after a couple hours of play?
A) Stop worrying about the screens guys. They're AMAZING. You won't get burned retinas or what ever, they're very nice.
Sound:
Q) How loud do the speakers get?
A) The speakers aren't very loud unfortunately, but they do get the job done very well. The stereo sound is really nice.
Q) Is there a built-in microphone?
A) Yes there IS a built in microphone, you can clearly see it.
Q) Can the speakers play as loud as the GBA's speakers?
A) They're louder, and sound much better.
Wireless:
Q) There is a theory going around the net that the DS can communicate with other DS's by sending data through intermediary DS systems, thus allowing transmission of data well beyond 100 Ft, is this true?
A) I don't think that the signal can "piggyback", but I haven't really done any testing with something like this.
Q) Does the DS notify you when you receive a message or do you have to join the chartroom manually?
A) I have yet to test this. I know that it wouldn't work if his DS is turned OFF, not sure what would happen if his is in sleep mode.
Q) Is there a wireless test option to see if you have good connection with your modem?
A) There's nothing like this in the menu, no WiFi options
Q) What is multiplayer like? How does the multiplayer compare to console shooters in terms of control, aim, fairness?
A) It plays great. Real smooth and you can't even tell you're playing multiplayer because it's so slick. No lag, no nothing and no slowdown either. It plays very much like the single player except that obviously, you're playing against a person now instead of a computer controlled character.
Q) Do you have to be in receive mode to be summoned to play multiplayer or can you be playing a game and it notifies you?
A) I haven't tried out the multiplayer yet, but I don't think the DS is in constant receiving mode, so you've got to put the DS into that mode yourself.
EDIT: Here's more~
About Pictochat:
Q) Can you explain, in-depth, the features of Pictochat?
A) Ok, Pictochat is pretty basic as all it is, is a messaging program.
So you start it up, and you can choose from 4 rooms, each can hold 16 people.
Now once you're in a chat room, you have the virtual keyboard on the bottom of the screen and the rest of the screen to draw where ever you want. The entire 'text' area is free for you to write. You can type some stuff, draw over it, there's no where in the text box you can't doodle on. There's a whole bunch of different character maps (i.e.: hiragana, symbols, etc). Now when you send a message, it appears on the top screen. You can use the L and R buttons to scroll either up or down through this. Now you also have the option of "stealing" the last posted message. Then you can proceed to erase it, edit it, and do w/e you want with it.
So you can choose between two different pen widths, and eraser or writing mode. There ARE NO DIFFERENT COLOURS to write in.
Q) Can you write in different colors in Pictochat?
A) No
Q) Does Pictochat have handwriting to text conversion system for people with crap handwriting?
A) No, but you can drag characters from the map at the bottom and paste them around the text area.
Q) Who can read your messages in Pictochat?
A) There is no private messaging. Either everyone sees it or no one does.
Q) Does Pictochat have WiFi capabilities?
A) No
Q) Is there something more with Pictochat then only typing or writing?
A) There's nothing more with Pictochat as far as I can tell.
About First Hunt:
Q) Does MPH:FH have a mode for left-handed?
A) Yes
Q) How many single play levels and multi play levels are in that Metroid demo?
A) There are 3 single player modes: Regulator, survival and Morph Ball. There are three multiplayer levels.
Q) What about the load times?
A) There ARE no load times, all cinematics can be skipped instantly
Q) Is there any interesting text in that Metroid manual?
A) No interesting text. Just the basics of how to play the game.
Q) Is the map on the other screen with Metroid Prime really useful or is it just easier to pause the game and look at the map?
A) With the control method using the stylus, it's a little hard using the map and playing at the same time as your hand is pretty much just hovering over the screen. It is useful though if you ever get disoriented which is a good thing. And also, you don't get the map when you pause.
Q) In the Metroid demo do you hold for rapid fire with stylus controls or do you rapidly tap it?
A) You can't have rapid fire I think. You just got to keep on tapping.
Q) Is the demo entertaining enough take us till Christmas when better games come out?
A) No. The demo will hold you over for about a week I think. You WILL need to buy a game.
Q) How long is Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt (the demo)?
A) It's pretty short, with a 10 minute time limit on the single player demo (Regulator). You can easily finish it around 5. The Survival mode will last you probably another 10 minutes/session. The morph ball race is a one minute time limit and you're pretty rushed at the end of it.
Q) Do both players need to have a First Hunt Pack to play multiplayer or dose it, have send function?
A) Everyone needs a game card.
Q) Is there an option in the game that will let you switch to the E3 mode? (fps view on bottom, map on top)
A) Yes
Q) Is there a control mode in Metroid that doesn?t require the stylus?
A) There is one, where you use the D pad to move around, and then the other buttons turn you. It's a little hard to get used to, but apparently it was used for the Turok games.
Q) Were you able to test out the multiplayer? Is it as good as Nintendo states it is?
A) Yes, I did today. It is friggin' AWESOME. Seriously, you can't tell you're playing wireless. It honestly feels perfect. No slowdown. No lag. No NEGATIVES. It Rocks. Period.
Q) The multiplayer for Hunters, can it be used with WiFi also?
A) Nope, sorry
Q) Now, I have heard that playing Metroid is a lot like a PC setup, with a mouse and a keyboard. Can you explain how it is like this?
A) It really is very PC like. You're stylus is exactly like a mouse so it feels VERY natural.
Q) How are the First Hunt cutscenes? Are they up to par with Gamecubes?
A) There are a couple FMV's on the demo, very VERY nice looking. It's pretty much normal video quality as it's not actually the game engine. Similar to how you can watch normal TV shows on the GBA and they look fine, it's pretty much the same on the DS. The way that the camera positions are used, and how there's different angles on either one is amazing. When Samus stands up to reveal her full posture over two screens, prepare to crack a little smile.
Q) In some screenshots MP looks a little pixilated, but in videos it looked better. When you actually play it do you notice any blockiness or anything like that?
A) It looks fine. Seriously, we had the Prime 2 demo running next to it, and they were pretty close in comparison, because the screen is smaller and the graphics are pretty amazing, the game looks awesome. You'll see when you get it, still pictures do not do the DS justice, especially blown up ones.
Q) How does it feel holding the DS and playing Metroid with the stylus? Is it too awkward or is it easy to get the hang of?
A) It feels alright I guess. You'll get used to it. Doing what the NST guy does works. You hook your stylus hand pinky under the base and use it as a support. That seemed to work fine too.
Other:
Q) I read somewhere that Nintendo is very close to totally selling out their initial launch shipments of the DS. Will there be enough for people to buy them off the shelves?
A) I'm not really the greatest to ask about this stuff but I have been trying to keep up with news. It's a well known fact now that Gamestop in the US has stopped taking pre-orders. From talking to the guys at EB's during work, they also said that they're nearing their pre-order capacity, but I haven't heard anything about the Wal-Mart?s or Futureshops or anything like that. I'm sure that everyone who wants a DS will get a DS.
Q) Will it be easy to lose the cards, considering they are so small?
A) I really don't know how to answer this. If you take care of your belongings, you won't lose them, but I guess just on the principle that smaller things are harder to find, then yes.
Q) How is it holding the DS is it easy to hit all the buttons and not get a cramp in your hands?
A) What I find, and what I suggest to people, is to just hook your stylus hand pinky under the system. That way, both hands take a little weight. But the unit itself is pretty light and a cramp would come when you get a cramp for any other system. Just take a break.
Q) How do the DS games save, with or without battery? (EEPROM/FLASH/FRAM or SRAM).
A)Not sure about the battery question, but the cards are so tiny I don't see how there could be one in them. Maybe I'm wrong.
Q) How many and where are all the screws for the DS.
A) There are five on the back of the DS and I can't see any other exposed ones.
Q) Being a lefty I will be using the abxy buttons as a d-pad on a regular basis, could you tell me how well they work as a d-pad. They seem to be too far apart from each other to properly use two buttons at the same time, as you so often do with the d-pad.
A) Don't worry about that. You're thumb is big enough that you won't notice it. A few south paws played on it today and they were doing just as well as the righties.
Q) Does the DS fit in your pocket?
A) It's a little bulky, but if you've got deeper pockets it would fit easily. Maybe just a little thicker than the original GBA
Q) Does it feel like you're holding a GBA in your hand?
A) Yes, it does. Slightly bigger maybe, but still comfy.
Q) How smooth are the games?
A) The Hunters Demo played through fine. Only when there were about 7 mocktroids flying around me and me firing wildly was there a SLIGHT hiccup that lasted about half a second. It never happened again though.
Q) What is the DS download play?
A) That basically sets the DS into a receive mode. It's what you would do when you're playing multiplayer games with one cart.
Q) Does the DS come with one stylus or two?
A) I believe it comes with one. But I didn't actually get the box, so I'm not totally sure.
Q) Does it get warm while you're using it?
A) Hasn't warmed up as far as I can tell.
Q) How much larger is the DS screen compared to the SP's and what are the exact measurements isn?t it 3 inches from top left to bottom right?
A) I don't know the exact measurements, but you can tell that the GBA screen is a little shrunken when played on the DS.
