Nintendo repairs DS Lite casing cracks for free

- Admits rare problem with hinge casing on new handheld console

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=18478

Nintendo of America has issued a press release acknowledging that a small number of DS Lite consoles are showing cracks in their plastic casing on the left hand side of the hinge on the console, just above the power connector.

While claiming that the flaw is extremely rare - Nintendo cites a figure of 0.02 per cent of shipped units as having the defect - the firm has invited customers whose units have the problem to contact them for a free repair.

The response mirrors the firm's swift reaction to the problem of dead pixels on the LCD screens of the DS at launch, which Nintendo solved by sending a replacement unit to any customer whose system had a dead pixel.

"This cosmetic issue in no way impacts the gameplay or integrity of the DS Lite." Nintendo's press release today explains. "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."

UPDATE: Nintendo of Europe has told GamesIndustry.biz that it will also repair any faulty DS Lite units for free, stating: "If someone experiences a problem with their DS Lite they should contact their local customer services department."

"The DS Lite carries a one year warranty for manufacturing defects. If the fault is covered under the warranty it will be repaired free of charge; if not, then customer services will provide a cost for repairing the product."

Based on all the pictures I've seen so far, this problem seems to mostly be affecting Lame Trendy White systems (wait, that's not the official name?  oh well).  My sexy navy one is doing just fine!

...except that the fingerprints make it look worse than if it had tiny cracks on the hinges.  :\

After getting to experience all of the current DS colors (including Black), I'm actually liking Lame Trendy White the best.  That is, until I can get a gander at the newly-released Noble Pink in person.  ^_^

The crack is evident on my import L.T.W., but is really only noticeable when the power is on, and there's a hairline sliver of the green power light emanating from it.  And since it's only obvious when viewing the system's backside, it's not bothering me in the least.

I just finally convinced a friend of mine here to take the DS plunge and he went with light blue, despite my attempts to get him to buy a pink system.  Apparently he felt that after leaving Japan, he wouldn't be caught dead with it.  Oh well. 

For the record, I'm not a big fan of the new pink model, though.  I rather liked the white/pink color combo on the old model DS, but the pure pink is kinda ugly, I think.  The one color that might convince me to get yet another lite would be if they released one that blue-ish green color they released a GBA SP in for Sword of Mana in Japan.

Yes, Seiken Densetsu blue/green would be soooo cool.  Unfortunetly, I don't think I want to wait any longer to purchase a DS!