Nintendo of America will launch the Nintendo DSi, its third and newest DS model, in the U.S. on April 5th, priced at $169.99. Unlike the Japanese launch, which introduced the handheld with White and Black versions, the stateside release will offer Blue and Black editions.
The updated portable has a number of new hardware features and improvements, such as a 0.3 megapixel camera on the external body and another camera on the internal hinge, larger screens (3.25" versus 3"), a 12 percent slimmer body, an SD card slot for storage, an additional brightness setting, louder speakers, and more.
With the new changes however, battery life has been reduced, and the system no longer has a GBA slot, which was useful in previous models for several reasons -- playing GBA games, transferring data from GBA carts, playing DS titles that require the slot (Guitar Hero DS series), using a Rumble Pak, etc.
On the software side, the Nintendo DSi will include DSi Camera, for image manipulation; DSi Sound, for listening to music on the SD card or recording/adjusting audio; and DSi Shop, an online service allowing users to purchase and download games and applications through the handheld, similar to Wii's Shopping Channel.
Nintendo notes that the system will be able to play most previously released Nintendo DS titles, as well as "games made specifically for the system." The company did not reveal whether those DSi-exclusive games would be limited to its DSi Shop or if they would be released at retail.
Nintendo will accompany the DSi's launch with the same-day release of Rhythm Heaven for DS and DSi. The title is a localized version of Rhythm Tengoku Gold, which has gone on to sell over 1.6 million copies in Japan.
Developed by the same internal studio behind the WarioWare series, Rhythm Heaven has players tapping and sliding their stylus on the touch screen in time with catchy music created by prolific Japanese pop-star producer Tsunku.
"Ever since the arrival of the first Game Boy, consumers worldwide have turned to Nintendo for their portable gaming,” says Nintendo of America's EVP of sales and marketing Cammie Dunaway.
"Nintendo DSi builds on Nintendo’s commitment to bringing fun and creative entertainment to everyone, and will allow consumers to personalize and share their very own experiences."
Sounds great. I need a new DS, so I made the decision a while back to wait for the DSi. I've got a Micro for GBA games, or I can simply use my DS Phatty for just that.
I have three faatys and im more than willing to trade two in towards a purchase of a DSi, but taking out the GBa slot is a big boo for me. I play pokemon and guitar hero alot and other things through the slot and its going to be a pian in the *** but whatever, i need a new DS and its been years. I wonder when preorders start.
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this went through perfectly! didn't think it would happen.
What're the big improvements? I noticed it has a camera on the back, but any other major selling points?
It has music playback, a completely new menu, and you can download DSiWare. I have a feeling that "games made specifically for the system" will utilize its cameras and music functions.
I've already reserved the DSi, the blue to be exact. As for the GBA slot missing, who cares? That is why I own a GBA. But yeah for those who don't have it, it sucks. Just buy a GBA, they are cheap. ;)
Sounds like Nintendo is trying really hard to compete with Sony's PSP to me.
as many features Sony has taken and used on its gaming consoles/handhelds it doesn't even make sense to make those arguments anymore. Whats a better argument is will nintendo do it better. Which it most likely will. Just being able to take a brake from chrono trigger and surf the web is going to be a blast, and with the SD card functionality (which works way better and is more universal than those retarded Pro duos) brings almost endless possibilities to a handheld that was shunned by some for not having anything to do but play games. Now theres one less thing for those people to complian about.
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this went through perfectly! didn't think it would happen.
Last edited by strictlystyles; 03-18-2009 at 03:58 AM.
dont do that with me, i will argue you down. just a warning.
But now that i think about it, ever since day one, its been the PSP trying really hard to compete with the DS. A loosing uphill battle, but has done better than most
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this went through perfectly! didn't think it would happen.
Excuse my ignorance, but was the DS even on the scene when the PSP originally debuted?
no the ds came out months before the PSP. Well at least in america. In Japan the DS and PSP came out at the same time, but even that didnt help them.
Im getting two DSi's a black and blue, and trading in 2 of my fatties for 60 bucks and an extra copy of resident evil i got with the RE 360 for 30$, so after tax should be alittle under 230 with tax and 20% trade in credit. now i just need to buy two more 4 gig sd cards.
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this went through perfectly! didn't think it would happen.
Last edited by strictlystyles; 03-19-2009 at 12:39 PM.
