Nintendo has today confirmed a release date of June 11th 2006 for the launch of Nintendo DS Lite, the latest version of the company's next-gen handheld, in North America. Priced at $129 (£70), the device, which is a third smaller and a fifth lighter than the original DS, will also include a number of further design changes with the built-in mic re-situated to the centre and the Start/Select buttons also moved to a better position.

In addition, four brightness levels will be available, together with a stylus 1cm longer and 1mm wider than before.

The release of the new version will come less than a month after the launch of New Super Mario Bros, the first original 2D Super Mario title since Super Mario World on the SNES back in the early-1990s.

"DS Lite and New Super Mario Bros. represent a double shot of gaming excellence," says Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing. "We've got something for both lovers of beautiful, new gadgets and fans of old-school gaming."

A release date for the DS Lite in Europe is yet to be announced as of yet, although it would be nice to think that the latest addition to Nintendo's family of handhelds won't take too long to get here.

We'll have more news shortly...