Nintendo DSi

Today at Nintendo's Oct 2nd conference, they announced a new variation of the DS called the DSi. All kinds of rumours have been flying around about the new DS for a few days now and now we finally get to hear the true details and see what it looks like... so here it is.


Firstly, there was a rumour that the DSi would feature two touch screens instead of one... this rumour is untrue...

What's new

- Bigger screen (3.25" intead of 3") but same resolution... the pixels are just biger to make it easier to view and easier to tap the right point with the stylus.
- Better speakers, probably comparible to the DS phat, the DS lite speakser didn't go as loud.
- Two cameras, one pointing toward you which is located where the mic was for the DS lite (the mic is located next to the camera now), the other pointing outward which you can see clearly on the outside case of the DSi. The outward camera is VGA resolution (640x480) while the one pointing inward isn't.
- Capable of playing MP3s and also features a photo editor simiar to the Photo Channel on Wii. Also has a dedicated music player application.
- Also features a browser application.
- Nintendo has announced that it will launch a DS shop which will act much like the Wii Shop Channel... I suspect the DSi will probably feature a channel menu much like Wii. I also theorise that we're going to be able to download Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advanced games directly to the DS to play... that's just what I think though, they haven't announced anything officially but it makes sense.
- Wii points renamed to Nintendo Points. Download content for the DSi will cost cost free/200/500/800 points.
- SD card slot, but in exchange they had to sacrifice the GBA slot.
- An unknown amount of on-board storage...

Here's a comparison chart between the DSi and DS...


Seems the DSi is a little bit bigger vertically and horizontally than the DS lite but thinner at the same time. Also, the battery life isn't as good which is very disappointing... but with the many features added, it looks like a pretty good upgrade to me, I'd still keep my DS lite around though, and maybe I can sell off my DS phat now.


Here's the official site, I suggest you check it out to see better images of the Dsi: ƒjƒ“ƒeƒ“ƒh�[‚c‚r‚‰

Any idea on retail cost?

Sounds pretty cool, glad to see it was announced. While understandable, the lack of the GBA slot kind of sucks because now I won't want to sell my DS lite for one of these, since I don't have a GBA, the DS is the only way I have to play GBA games. And the battery life is pretty disappointing from what that chart says. Overall though I do like the new features, and how it is just a little larger but still thinner than the lite.

The price is... 18900 yen = $179.99 US

So it's going to be a premium model DS with the DS lite being the standard budget model.

Oh and here's some more pics: Wii @ Everyday: Nintendo DS i

Notice how there is no sign of branding or logo's on the DSi. It's completely bare... well except for the small print on the underside, of course.

Oh and I also heard that the DSi will come with 1000 Nintendo points until 2010.

EDIT: Oh! And it's not an MP3 player... it's an AAC player....

Is it me or is there no point to the DS having a camera? And why two? With different resolutions! And whats with the power button being there? Other than that, I don't think there's anything special about the DSi.

Actually there is a real point, especially for Japanese people. Two things Japanese people love, their camera phones and their Nintendo DS... so combining the two in some way is a VERY good decision.

Also, the point of having two is so you can use it easily. The camera pointing at you is primarily used to take a picture or video of the user playing the Nintendo DS, this person will obviously be close to the screen and the resolution doesn't need to be as high. Basically. The camera pointing outward is for taking general pictures and therefore needs to be higher resolution.

Also, don't think of the camera as JUST a standard camera. There are many ways to use it creatively with DSi specific games

Okay then, but I still don't like the position of the new power button. Looks like it could be pressed easily. By me anyway. And also, I was wondering why they moved to SD cards.

Its interesting to see how many things the DSi won't be compatible with by losing the GBA slot: Bye Bye GBA Slot

@ Wolf: Actually the power button is depressed into the plastic. You'll have to push it down to turn it off. Also, if you have a DS or DS lite, take ahold of it an look where your hands fall. They don't actually go over the power button at all and even if you were to, you wouldn't be able to apply enough direct pressure to turn the systems off while playing. I think it's a lot better than the DS and DS lite power buttons.

@ Jeff It does suck... but when you think about it, everyon should already have a DS or DS lite by now LOL.

Haha that is true, I just wish I'd be able to sell my lite to get this, but because of the GBA slot I probably won't.

If it didn't happen with the new DS, it would've happened with the next Nintendo handheld and the people would've baawwed over that.

Better to get it over and done with now so that people can enjoy the next one without worrying about the lack of the GBA port.

Kinda like what they did by announcing Wii's name before E3 instead of during.

Yeah that is true. It is not a big enough deal to me to baww over it, just a slight annoyance.

I've seen a lot of Nintendo fans threatening to boycott the DSi altogether just because of the lack of GBA port. But I'm like "you guys are so gonna buy it once Nintendo announces the Virtual Handheld Console games for the DSi"

XD

If i were a big Nintendo fan and i wanted to play GBA games i would just keep a console that could play GBA games and get a DSi XD

Which reminds me, damn I wish I had a GBA player for my GameCube... then I'd have an excuse to have it plugged in rather than it just sitting in a dark corner doing nothing...

Oh, look at this: See the Nintendo DSi in action - Joystiq

Looks good and all, but I need more monies first...

Even more footage: Gamekyo : Nintendo DSi one more video

Even if you're not interest, at least there are Japanese chicks too keep your attention on.

So the launch dates have been announced for this in North America (April 5), Europe (April 3) and Australia (April 2). Seems a little backwards to me. >.> Europe and Australia will be getting matte black and white models, while the US does not get white and instead gets blue and black. Who's planning on getting it?

Also the blue is not gay. As long as I have enough money I plan on getting it around the time it is released.

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I'd get one if I had the money... a black one

I want a white one, but knowing Ninty they're probably region locked so I can't import it. I may or may not get it, most likely wont get it at launch.