Go ahead, we dare you to say the word "NERF" outloud without a smirk creeping across your face.

Indeed, like Twinkies, LEGOs, and Donkey Kong, there's something magical about this soft, synthetic material that always puts us in a good mood. See something made out of NERF? You have to touch it. Squeeze it. And maybe get a little game of catch going with someone nearby.

With that in mind, we road-tested the latest NERF gaming-related product from Pelican. The company is calling this NERF "armor," and while it does offer some armor-like protection for your Nintendo DS Lite, it's effect is ultimately more cosmetic than protective.

That means we wouldn't recommend dropping it from a height of more than two or three feet. It'll protect your DS from exterior damage—case-cracking, screen smashing, etc.—but the insides of the DS Lite probably won't hold up. Remember, these are still very sophisticated, and therefore very delicate, pieces of technology.

But, boy, what a superb slipcase. The NERF material fits snugly around your DS Lite, and manages to make the already handsome handheld look even cooler. In fact, adding the colorful NERF armor makes the DS Lite look less like a Blackberry/Palm Pilot/handheld computer gizmo, and more like a fun gaming machine.

The bendable NERF material improves your grip on the DS Lite-, decreasing the chances that the device will slip out of your hands and fall. It also makes the DS Lite more comfortable to hold. The soft NERF material molds with the contours of your palms and fingers, making the DS Lite feel less "edge-y" and more organic. Which leads to the most important point: You'll likely be able to log more playtime with the NERF Armor on.

Our only gripe is that the lighter colors can get smudged and grime-y. Otherwise, this is a fun accessory for any self-respecting DS Lite owner.

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