Nintendo DSi coming out on 4/05

[sadude]

For lack of a good article, the following is from Wikipedia.

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The DSi will be released in North America on April 5, 2009 and will be available in matte black and matte blue, for US$169.99 in the United States and CAD$199.95 in Canada. Gaming blog Kotaku reported Nintendo Australia stating the DSi will be released in Australia on April 2, 2009 for AUD$299.95. In Europe the handheld will be released on April 3, 2009 for £149.99.



The Nintendo DSi is about 12% thinner (2.6 mm) than the Nintendo DS Lite. The new handheld has two VGA (0.3 megapixel) digital cameras; one on the internal hinge pointed towards the user and the second one in the outer shell. It also has larger screens (3.25 inches, instead of the previous 3 inches) and improved speakers. The power switch has been replaced with a power button, as the original DS had, now located next to the bottom left side of the touchscreen. The DSi has five brightness settings compared to the DS Lite's four; however, battery life is reduced to 14 hours on the lowest brightness setting compared to the 19 hours of its predecessor.



A new SD card slot is used for external storage of pictures and downloaded software and to play AAC audio.



Nintendo stated in order to improve the portability without sacrificing durability, the front slot for Game Boy Advance (GBA) cartridges has been removed. Thus removing the unit's backward compatibility and its compatibility with accessories that require the GBA slot, such as the Nintendo DS Rumble Pak; as well as the Guitar Hero: On Tour and Guitar Hero: On Tour Decades grip, which is required for those games. The removal of backward compatibility prevents games such as Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and Pokémon Platinum from accessing saved data stored on GBA cartridges. Photos taken using the DSi can be synced to the Wii's Photo Channel.



Similar to its competitor, the PlayStation Portable, and Nintendo's own Wii console, the DSi has upgradable firmware; a first for a Nintendo handheld system. All existing homebrew flash cards for the Nintendo DS and DS Lite are incompatible with the DSi, but DSi compatible flashcards are now being produced - the first one was created by Acekard.



It has been reported that the DSi uses region locking for DSi-specific software, since it provides Internet services tailored individually for each region, but the DSi itself does not have region lock-outs, so Nintendo DS games from any region can be played. In addition, the DSi uses rating-based parental controls, which differ by country. The WPA and WPA2 support is not backward compatible with original DS games. Only DSi services can use WPA.



Technical specifications:

Nintendo has also improved some of the DSi's hardware (compared to the DS Lite), such as the main CPU and the RAM.

* CPUs: Two ARM processors. The main processor is an ARM9 clocked at 132MHz, a significant upgrade from the original 67MHz ARM9 processor that was in the DS and DS Lite. The co-processor is the same as the previous generations, a 33MHz ARM7 processor.

* RAM: 16 MB of RAM (four times more than previous models)

* Storage: 256 MB of internal Flash memory

* Wireless: 802.11 internal wireless connectivity



DSi Shop:

The Nintendo DSi is able to connect to an online store similar to the Wii Shop Channel, called the DSi Shop. Here, using Nintendo Points (previously known as Wii Points), users will be able to download DSiWare games and applications to the internal memory or the SD card of the user's DSi system. Each DSi that accesses the DSi Shop prior to March 2010 will receive 1,000 Nintendo Points. The applications will either be free, or cost 200, 500, or 800+ (marked with a 'Premium' tag) Nintendo Points.



The DSi Shop was launched with the DSi Browser, a web browser available for free download.

[neshcom]

I don't like the matte finish on the outside couple with the sharper edges. Yeah, my DS lite gather more fingerprints than an episode of CSI: Miami, but damn if it isn't pretty. Also, I already have, like, three cameras of various quality that make the DSi cameras redundant. Ooh, you can use them on the new WarioWare. Woop. Plus, I've already invested in a DS flashcart; I don't need to pay that much to play on a system that, IIRC, has some compatibility issues with slot-1-only DS games (I believe a few developers reported this a while ago, but I haven't heard anything contrary...).

[ostrich]

I'm interested in what kind of games they create for this system, not because of the new camera (I foresee only mini-games or EyeToy-type games at best), but because of what developers can do with the improved hardware.



Until something interesting appears, though, I'll stick with the DS Lite. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':crazy:' />

[Ap2000]

I've never been a handheld-fan, though for whatever reason I once thought I'd have to buy the GBA, which I rarely used.

[Tsuki]

I love my DS lite, and I have yet to see little reason to be getting this. Less battery time, no backwards compatibility, just for "internet", a "camera", a faster processor, and shelling out over 170 bucks for it?



Unless I'm missing something here, I'm going to say no thanks Nintendo, I think you've attempted to gouge me quite enough. I've already fallen out of favor with console games, handhelds are my last vestige of gaming outside of PCs these days, but things aren't looking good for me. It's such a shame, really.

[vanillacat]

*rubs chin* I'm not so sure what to make of it. While the internet and camera is cool, no backwards compatibility?

Plus, I mean, it still isn't cool to be using a Nintendo DS in public if you're over the age of 14 - I know, I know, I shouldn't care what other people think and play my DS on the metro regardless, but I look like a retard furiously scratching my screen and blowing into the mic during The World Ends With You battles. As a result, I mostly play my DS at home - where, gee, I already have a camera and a computer with internet.



Probably won't be getting this one - plus, it's not available in pink! <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /noway.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':o' />



I do predict GameStop and other gaming stores will have a trade-in option like they usually do, for those worried about the cost. It won't be free, but it'll be less.

[Shoujo Q]

I might get one of these, more and more my mother keeps stealing my DS lite because she likes the brighter screen compared to my old normal clunky DS. It would be nice to be able to play my games again. Or I might just wait till there's more colors besides black and blue. We'll see, I know I don't have the money for it now, maybe after my Taxes are in. xD

[BeForJess]

No GBA slot?? LAME. Not buying. I will stick with my bubblegum DS Lite.

[ShinUkyo]

Is the lack of GBA slot really a game-ender for so many people? I never liked playing my GBA games on my DS anyhow, thanks to the different button positioning. The A&B buttons on the DS are lined up diagonally now, and operate like on modern consoles. Unlike on GBA, where they were almost lined up side-by-side. For series like Castlevania and Metroid, the vast majority of what I played on GBA, the button layout on the DS makes the games almost unplayable (and kills your thumb). Because of this, I ended up buying one of the brighter-screen GBA-SP models they released in 2005. They were $80 brand new, and had the new super-bright backlit screens like from the DS. That and, they can play all GB and GBC games, of course. One stop shopping for all your GameBoy needs.



If color choices are an issue, going by precedent, I'll bet that Japan has about 15 colors for the DSi within the first year. America will get more, too, depending on how it sells. Just not nearly as many, nor nearly as fast. So you could always import. And wait, wasn't this thing supposed to sport TWO touch-screens instead of one? I kept hearing this from people, in the past, but see no mention of it in the article you pasted. That would be a major feature, assuming they decided to keep it in there. Not that it's gonna sell me, mind you, and I definitely won't be getting one of these anytime soon. For one thing, I have no money to my name whatsoever. And secondly, hell, I never even got a DS Lite. I still have my original style DS, teal finish, bought on the same day that Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow came out.

[BeForJess]

I'm a huge dork and play Pokemon all the time. But you can't access a lot of features of the Pokemon DS games unless you have the advance games in the GBA slot. Depending on the cartridge inserted you encounter different monsters and you can transfer from the GBA games to the DS. Removing the GBA slot takes away all those fun features, not to mention it would mean that I would need to dig out my GBA to play GBA games, which I still use fairly frequently.



Basically, to "upgrade" to a DSi would actually be a downgrade for anyone who uses it for GBA games or for anyone who uses DS games that use the slot. Of course, if you don't like any GBA games or play games that need that slot it wouldn't make so much of a difference

[Melon]

MEH. I like Nintendo, I'll be honest. I wanted them to succeed. But they have gone off the deep end. There is no need to add a camera. Next generation of handhelds are probably going to include some sort of "cell phone" feature the way things are going. XP I know Apple is trying to push the games on the ipod/iphone but they aren't robbing any customers from the big two.



GBA isn't that big of a deal, though I did play GBA games on my DS because the screens were better. The camera just bugs me to no end. I'm sick of crappy digital cameras making their way into every electronic. FIX THE FREAKING D-PAD BEFORE UPDATING THE DAMN SYSTEM WITH A STUPID CAMERA.



As for colors, lime green, hot pink, and deep blue were just announced for Japan. USA got the short end of the stick, as usual. That blue is ugly.

[AEUGNewtype]

[quote name='Petit Melon' post='60890' date='Feb 25 2009, 06:00 PM']MEH. I like Nintendo, I'll be honest. I wanted them to succeed. But they have gone off the deep end. There is no need to add a camera. Next generation of handhelds are probably going to include some sort of "cell phone" feature the way things are going. XP I know Apple is trying to push the games on the ipod/iphone but they aren't robbing any customers from the big two.[/quote]

Yup. People seriously consider this an upgrade? And a useful one, at that? Maybe Nintendo's fans are just as far off the deep end as the company. You basically said everything I was getting at, so I don't feel the need to post much here, besides that I'm the exact opposite of the type of consumer that Nintendo targets. I have relatively NO free time away from home to be playing portables and don't enjoy casual or novelty games to begin with.



Who's in for bets on how much they don't actually implement the "new" technology they put in here for anything productive?



Who also wants to bet that the availability of this will be exactly like the Wii and DS Lite were when they came out? I talked to the manager of one of the biggest GameStop stores in this area the other day and he said they were getting 8 of them in their launch shipment. 8, guys. What a joke.

[Sabaku Ika]

I will be interested only once really good DSi exclusive games are revealed. I've heard speculation that Dragon Quest 9, which was just delayed, could be one of them. Something like that might be worth the upgrade. If they just start making camera-related minigames, I'll pass.

[EmEl]

Nah, I don't think there's any way DQ9 will be a DSi exclusive. Dragon Quest games always go to the system with the biggest installed base for maximum sales. That was the whole reason the series was announced for DS in the first place. I'm taking the delay as a standard DQ delay, as delays are just what that series does. I'd be extremely surprised if Square Enix would take chances with their most conservative and profitable series. I guess they might be adding some features that only show up when playing on the DSi. That might make the hardcore fans upgrade to get the "complete" experience.

[Pucchi-Mo]

[quote name='Petit Melon' post='60890' date='Feb 25 2009, 06:00 PM']MEH. I like Nintendo, I'll be honest. I wanted them to succeed. But they have gone off the deep end. There is no need to add a camera.



As for colors, lime green, hot pink, and deep blue were just announced for Japan. USA got the short end of the stick, as usual. That blue is ugly.[/quote] They made a Warioware Dsi ware game that uses the camera in the mini games, so it will have a use other than upskirts on the subway. Utsusu! Made in Wario



I'm curious about how the blue will look beyond photos, because it looks different on certain sites.



as for the use of the camera... DSi demo <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D/' />



I didn't get a DS lite (because I was waiting for this), and my DS is ancient, so I'll be getting one of these sometime this year.

[surasshu]

Most people seem to forget that the DSi will include DSi (downloadable) games, that won't work on the old system. It's mentioned in the opening post but it doesn't seem like it penetrates a lot of people's skulls. Basically this downloadable format can be considered a new format.



Having said that I'm not interested in it for now. I like my ancient DS. I'll use that 170 bucks to buy Patapon 2 and a couple of other PSP games! <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... umbsup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':crazy:' />

[sadude]

So did anyone pick one up yet?

[AEUGNewtype]

Hopefully not.

[surasshu]

So I guess my ranting post about this didn't make it to the forum, so here goes again. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /words.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':dammit:' /> warning!



I think this is the worst possible marketing angle ever conceived in the history of consoles. That's saying a lot, of course. Here's why:



The Nintendo DSi is a new generation handheld. It's basically twice as powerful as the DS, so you can't really say that it's an upgrade or a new version in the same sense that the DS lite was (or GBA vs. GBA SP). This is a new platform, with much more potential than the DS. Like every Nintendo handheld ever made, it's backwards compatible one generation: to the DS.



The thing is: nobody knows that this is a new handheld. And for good reason: Nintendo is pretty much keeping it a secret. I lost count of how many times I read comments along the line of "I don't really see the use of a DS with a camera". That's like saying "Oh I don't need a GBA because it's just a GBC with shoulder buttons". But I don't blame them, honestly for a while I thought it was like that. This just illustrates how poorly Nintendo has communicated this product to the target market. They should've made a big deal about the changes in this handheld, as well as launched with several DSi-only titles. I think it's too soon for a next generation handheld but putting that aside, if nobody knows that it's a next generation, why would anyone that already owns a DS (and that's a lot of people) want to buy one?



Perhaps Nintendo doesn't want to alienate their DS userbase, but then why release a new handheld at all? If people aren't buying the DSi because they don't think it makes a difference, developers aren't going to be inclined to work on DSi games. Then you have a next generation console with no games for it, way to go.



Of course in Japan it launched with way more downloadable games and is selling well, but fuck it, it's insanity. If they come out on top with this selling angle, it'll be purely because it's Nintendo. They did everything in their power to sabotage this product.

[neshcom]

[quote name='///' post='63567' date='Apr 10 2009, 08:04 AM']So I guess my ranting post about this didn't make it to the forum, so here goes again. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /words.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':dammit:' /> warning!



I think this is the worst possible marketing angle ever conceived in the history of consoles. That's saying a lot, of course. Here's why:



The Nintendo DSi is a new generation handheld. It's basically twice as powerful as the DS, so you can't really say that it's an upgrade or a new version in the same sense that the DS lite was (or GBA vs. GBA SP). This is a new platform, with much more potential than the DS. Like every Nintendo handheld ever made, it's backwards compatible one generation: to the DS.



The thing is: nobody knows that this is a new handheld. And for good reason: Nintendo is pretty much keeping it a secret. I lost count of how many times I read comments along the line of "I don't really see the use of a DS with a camera". That's like saying "Oh I don't need a GBA because it's just a GBC with shoulder buttons". But I don't blame them, honestly for a while I thought it was like that. This just illustrates how poorly Nintendo has communicated this product to the target market. They should've made a big deal about the changes in this handheld, as well as launched with several DSi-only titles. I think it's too soon for a next generation handheld but putting that aside, if nobody knows that it's a next generation, why would anyone that already owns a DS (and that's a lot of people) want to buy one?



Perhaps Nintendo doesn't want to alienate their DS userbase, but then why release a new handheld at all? If people aren't buying the DSi because they don't think it makes a difference, developers aren't going to be inclined to work on DSi games. Then you have a next generation console with no games for it, way to go.



Of course in Japan it launched with way more downloadable games and is selling well, but fuck it, it's insanity. If they come out on top with this selling angle, it'll be purely because it's Nintendo. They did everything in their power to sabotage this product.[/quote]

But is it an entirely new generation of Nintendo handhelds? Is the technology inside that much stronger? It's still made to play DS games which are still being produced (though, without the GBA slot, it now plays less games than either of the other DS versions). Downloadable gaming, to me, doesn't seem like something a kid or young'un would be interested in, which is who a large portion of their fanbase is. Yeah, I know that peoples' moms are playing and their grandparents, but are they any more inclined to go for DLC? I, someone who I like to think is a "core" gamer (because that means something maybe?) don't bother with DLC. I've heard of DS games that are being developed with possible DSi capable settings (example: Animal Crossing could have an option to use higher-res textures on DSi's), but I don't think the DSi will be developed into having it's own, physical "DSi-only" games. Because of that, I can't see the DSi being more than a DS with cameras and a broken leg.

[Vikitty]

I'm content with my Nintendo DS Lite for several reasons:



- I don't use wifi, or have access to it, so the downloading/points system does not interest me

- I don't need a camera on my DS for the reasons above

- I spent money on an R4 which allegedly will not work with the DSi.

[surasshu]

But is it an entirely new generation of Nintendo handhelds? Is the technology inside that much stronger? It's still made to play DS games which are still being produced (though, without the GBA slot, it now plays less games than either of the other DS versions)

Yeah, it's got four times the RAM and twice the CPU power. Now if somebody developed some actual games for it... Whenever a new handheld generation of Nintendo comes out, it's backwards compatible one generation, and companies continue to develop for the previous platform for up to several years after the new one came out. That's basically what should be happening here, but Nintendo doesn't want to commit to the DSi or something, I don't know.



Your response does illustrate my point though <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... iggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':dammit:' />

[neshcom]

But is it an entirely new generation of Nintendo handhelds? Is the technology inside that much stronger? It's still made to play DS games which are still being produced (though, without the GBA slot, it now plays less games than either of the other DS versions)

Yeah, it's got four times the RAM and twice the CPU power. Now if somebody developed some actual games for it... Whenever a new handheld generation of Nintendo comes out, it's backwards compatible one generation, and companies continue to develop for the previous platform for up to several years after the new one came out. That's basically what should be happening here, but Nintendo doesn't want to commit to the DSi or something, I don't know.



Your response does illustrate my point though <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... iggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':note:' />

I think it's also because the DS/DSL aren't very old. The big DS is 4, 5 years old and the DSL is even earlier. Plus I just got my DSL <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... pyeyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':dammit:' /> I don't want them to move on already....

[Melon]

[quote name='///' post='63584' date='Apr 11 2009, 06:08 AM']That's basically what should be happening here, but Nintendo doesn't want to commit to the DSi or something, I don't know.[/quote]



That's because the DSL is still selling like hotcakes. It'd be stupid to promote a new unit (really I think they shouldn't have released it at all, but that's just me) when the current model is selling like hotcakes ESPECIALLY to people who would not upgrade to a new unit like the grandparents, parents, ect. But look on the bright side, they won't completely abandon it like they did with the Gameboy Micro.

[Pucchi-Mo]

Ok, so by the time my DS Large&LOVELY™ has a heart attack, I'll pick this one up.

She already has circulation problems in her LEFT shoulder. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... ryalot.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':dammit:' />



By then, a ton of stuff I want should be out ...and maybe some good color choices.

[surasshu]

[quote name='neshcom' post='63586' date='Apr 11 2009, 06:31 PM']I think it's also because the DS/DSL aren't very old. The big DS is 4, 5 years old and the DSL is even earlier. Plus I just got my DSL <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... pyeyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':sigh:' /> I don't want them to move on already....[/quote]

I agree that it's quite soon for a new generation... It's all craziness. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... nfused.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[Prinny Squad]

My fat DS broke, so I caved in and bought one. I really like the interface improvements Nintendo made, and I'm anxiously awaiting when they're going to start tapping the huge power / / / / mentioned.



PLUS IT DOES PRINT CLUB, OH MY GOD <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /suika.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':pouty:' />







LOOK AT THAT AND TELL ME YOU DO NOT WANT A PIECE OF THAT PRINT CLUBBIN' ACTION once it becomes more supported by Nintendo and fiscally available <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... omgwtf.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[aine]

Newsflash - apparently by the end of this year Nintendo will release an updated DSi with a 4" screens. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... prised.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';/' /> I don't know what to think of it, but any such news is exciting! 4" is pretty huge and I'm worried 256x192 will start showing its 256x192-ness there... Unless in an unlikely development they will again smuggle in improved tech specs that will allow for higher resolution. We'll see, I suppose?









And if not for anything else, lolbump for Prinny's face above. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... epatch.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' />

[Storm121693]

yea my cousin bought the DSi and i can't believe it has internet on it! though they took away the gba part of the DSi.