A cheaper, quieter Rumble Pak

by Eric Caoili { Mar 19th 2007 at 6:00PM }

The Nintendo DS Rumble Pak didn't show up on most people's radar back when it was first released with Metroid Prime Pinball a year and a half ago, but with over a dozen titles now using the force feedback cartridge, more and more people are looking to buy one for their compatible games. DS Lite owners, however, will be annoyed to hear that the only Rumble Paks sitting on North American shelves are the original, GBA-sized carts.

Though they've been available in Japan since last May, Nintendo hasn't yet brought the smaller DS Lite Rumble Paks to the states. If you're looking to purchase a cartridge that won't stick out of the GBA slot, buying Nintendo's DS Lite Rumble Pak would set you back about $24 (plus international s/h) at an import site.

eWin, a company known for manufacturing high-quality carts for the homebrew market, has produced a third-party alternative that puts the official Rumble Pak to shame. Available online for approximately $10, this new DS Lite Rumble Pak already has the advantage with its bargain price. Being cheap doesn't necessarily mean it's a second-rate product. According to GBAtemp's review, eWin's force feedback was more enjoyable than the "buzzing" from Nintendo's cart, and noticeably quieter too.

Unlike with Nintendo's product, you can match eWin's Rumble Paks with your own DS Lite, choosing from white, black or pink carts.

Tags: dslite, ewin, hardware, japan, metroidprimepinball, nintendods, nintendodslite, rumble, rumblepak

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Crazed Geek @ Mar 19th 2007 7:11PM

Isn't 6.90 GBP = ~$13? Just making sure Google isn't lying.

Eric Caoili @ Mar 19th 2007 7:20PM

I'm basing the price on the $13AU sale at Bamboo Gaming:

http://www.bamboogaming.com/flash-cards/ewin-rumble-pak/prod_103.html

Crazed Geek @ Mar 19th 2007 7:22PM

Ah, I was going by the price at the store in the review. *smacks self*

heliomass @ Mar 19th 2007 8:19PM

I ordered one of these off eBay, and it is in fact cheap and quiet (at least, when compared to the original).

theLoneYoshi @ Mar 19th 2007 9:40PM

And here I am, trying to stay away from online shopping until Easter... it feels so FAR AWAY!!

I've been meaning to get my hands on a rumble pak for a while, but the original price has been keeping me away... Now, when I'm trying to cut down on online spending, you guys announce this...