Nintendo announced yesterday that black and pink DS Lite handhelds will be released in North America on September 13.

I lust for a black DS Lite, and will probably buy one as soon as it is available in this part of the world.

Even though I bought a white DS Lite in June.

I don't like white products. I buy them only when there are no color alternatives. Since the DS Lite was (and will continue to be until September 13) available only in white in North America, I bought a white DS Lite.

And while I was sure DS Lites in colors that were not white would be available in North America sooner or later, there were several DS games I "needed" to play as soon as possible, which meant buying a white DS Lite.

This will not be the first time I replace video game hardware with video game hardware that does the same thing. Last year I traded in my original PlayStation 2 for a slim PS2.

But there are differences between my PS2 repurchase and my upcoming DS Lite repurchase.

There were four years and multiple price cuts in-between my PlayStation 2 purchases. I am about to buy a new DS Lite just three months after my first one, and at the same price.

Not to mention my slim PlayStation 2 offers advantages over my old model. The new model is smaller, lighter, quieter, has built-in networking and can be turned on and off with a remote control.

All a black DS Lite will give me a over my white DS Lite is a color I like.

There ought to be an alternative. Xbox 360 owners can replace their faceplates with ones in different colors or patterns. Portable game systems, which by nature owners want to better claim as their own, should have similar options.