Nintendo DS Lite armor for the klutziest of us!

After somehow getting a crack on the spine of my Nintendo DS Lite, and the power light subsequently falling off, I decided it was high time that I invest in a sturdier way of transporting my DS Lite. I read online that Nerf had just released DS Lite Armor, and ran to my local video game store to take a look.

First of all, the color selection is great--in theory. There are several colors to choose from--black, gray, pink, green, blue--but not all stores carry all colors. Also, the UPC code for the Armor itself is the same exact number for all colors, so if you order it online, you get a randomly selected color. Your best bet is to shop around at stores until you find the color you want.

I chose the first one I saw, which is a pretty shade of blue. The Armor is clamshell in design, with a top half and a bottom half which join at a hinge at each end of the spine. The skeleton of the Armor is a hard plastic (mine is a lighter shade of blue) which is covered in a layer of firm Nerf foam approximately 1/3 an inch thick. The DS Lite snaps inside for a snug fit.

The Armor allows for access of all the ports, slots, switches and the stylus holder on the unit. However, due to the thickness of the foam, the volume switch is a bit hard to work with. Also, the L and R buttons at the back of the DS are also a bit difficult to hit.

I feel very safe traveling with my DS in the Nerf Armor. The Nerf foam provides good protection from bumps and falls. It's easy to play games with the Armor on, however it does make the DS significantly heavier and more cumbersome. I would imagine players with larger hands may appreciate the larger size of the DS in the Armor, for it would make the unit easier to hold.

Finally, as this item carries the Nintendo Seal of Approval, I feel confident that it will work well with my DS.

My only complaint about the Nerf Armor is that I have difficulty removing my DS from it. There were no instructions included in the packaging, so I find the safest way to remove the DS is to unhinge the Armor at the back and then snap off the top and bottom pieces separately. As the fit is so snug against the DS, some yanking is necessary--and sometimes it feels like I could damage my DS in the process.

Overall, the Pelican Nerf Armor is a cute, if clunky, way to transport and protect your Nintendo DS Lite.