DS Hardware Review: PDA Panache DS Lite Pro Stylus

For those discerning gamers out there who simply aren’t satisfied with the bog standard Nintendo-issue DS stylus, there are a range of replacement solutions on the market. With the outstanding popularity (and accompanying wear-and-tear) of the Nintendo DS Lite, many third-party accessories have flooded the market; some quality products are worth the price, while others are a complete waste of money and could even damage your system. Screen protectors, carry pouches, chargers and adapters, styli, you name it — even a DS Lite Play Stand, similar to those found in stores, is available. With so many accessories out there, it is important to accessorize well; looking for the best deal isn’t always the way to go — quality is the real deal. PDA Panache, an accessory company with many years of experience, has produced the DS Lite Pro Stylus and it is, without a doubt, the best stylus a DS player could find.

The DS Lite Pro Stylus is exactly the same size as the standard DS Lite stylus included with the system. It is made out of solid brass with a chrome finish, giving it a shiny silvery look and a very durable feel. The Pro Stylus has grip grooves that make it much easier to hold than the original DS Lite stylus. Also, the tip is a bit larger than the original, and it’s available in two colors; black and ‘easy-view’ orange. The tip is made out of a special material that prevents it from scratching the touch screen, and it’s very durable.

The DS Lite Pro Stylus fits perfectly into the DS Lite stylus holder. It’s not extremely tight, but it’s tight enough for you not to worry about it falling. It is not as easy to take it out as it was with the original DS Lite stylus, but this isn’t a major issue. The stylus, being a bit heavier, takes a while getting used to; at first you will find yourself tapping the touch screen with extra force, but after a few hours with it you’ll learn to use it gently. It’s easy to realize the increase in control and accuracy. It is hard to imagine, really, how a metal stylus could improve gameplay so much, especially for fast-paced games like Star Fox Command, Metroid Prime Hunters, and others, but you won’t go back to regular plastic styli after you try the Pro Stylus.

Many DS games nowadays rely heavily on touch screen controls, and a good stylus is highly recommended. The DS Lite Pro Stylus is, in our opinion and that of many other sites, the best stylus available for the DS Lite so far. It looks good, it’s very easy to control and play with after you master it, and it won’t scratch the touch screen as much as other styli. It is available for $15.95 + shipping, a total of $20.20 with standard First Class shipping (3-5 business days delivery time), and Express shipping available for a little more. The price is a bit high, but if you are an avid DS Lite user, it’s worth it; what you pay is what you get, a high-quality stylus that will improve your skill without damaging your system.

You can find the DS Lite Pro Stylus here. Another version made for the original DS can be found here, with the same features but DS ‘Phat’ friendly. PDA Panache offers a life time tip repair warranty; if in any way you manage to damage the stylus’ tip, they will fix it for free.

Things we liked:

Things we didn’t like:

Final Score: 9/10