DSi is the new DS just announced by Nintendo at a press conference in Japan. Not exactly the DS 2, the DSi IS a new version of the beloved and mad-selling Nintendo handheld that will include a ton of new features, although the fundamental design of the system hasn’t changed and it looks nearly identical. Even if it isn’t.
Here are all the details on the new Nintendo DSi:
* Larger Screens: The size of the DSi’s two screens have increased by 17% to 3.25 inches
* 12% thinner (by 2.6 millimeters) and 12% lighter for easier portability
* GBA slot removed: Yup, as some suspected the new DS will not include the GBA slot. Which is very sad, but expected. This also means that you will not want to get rid of your DS phat (the original DS) or DS Lite, or else you won’t be able to play your GBA library. So don’t throw that DS away just yet!
* Two built-in cameras: One camera is 3MP the other is 0.3 Megapixel (640×480).
* Includes an SD Card Slot in addition to an internal storage increase: This will allow you to save things from the Internet onto your DS with ease, and increase it’s multimedia capabilities to better compete with the PSP and other handhelds like the iPhone.
* Built in Opera Browser for surfing the Internet.
* Enhanced audio capabilities including better speakers.
* Built-in music player: It resembles the Play-Yan and allows for adjustment of pitch and playback. It supports AAC files but no word yet on mp3 support. Though that would be incredibly stupid if it didn’t have mp3 support.
* DSi Shop will allow for downloadable games via the dubbed DSiWare. The portable download service will launch with retooled versions of Brain Age 1 and 2.
* DSiWare can be bought via “Nintendo Points”: Pricing ranges include: Free Downloads, 200 points, 500 points and “Premium” or 800 points. And through March 2010, people who purchase a DSi will get 1000 free points included with the system.
* Japanese release date is November 1st, 2008! Release dates elsewhere are Spring 2009 in Europe and late in 2009 for America.
* Japanese price will be 18,900 Yen or $180.
* Japanese colors include black and white.
Nintendo also stated that the DSi is a “third pillar” or third system that won’t compete with the DS. Which is laughable, you may recall they said the same thing about the DS itself when it was first announced. They swore that the DS would not replace the “Game Boy” brand. But as we all know, that’s exactly what happened.
But now that downloadable content has been revealed for the DS, I wonder if that includes Game Boy Virtual Console games in addition to unique games. The “DSiWare” name suggests that the content will be unique just like on WiiWare, but in my opinion classic Game Boy downloadable games would be HUGE, given that games like Super Mario Land 1, Metroid 2: Return of Samus, Super Mario Land 2, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening and Super Mario Land 3 haven’t been seen either since their inception or, in the case of Link’s Awakening, haven’t seen an update in over a decade.
I am also very sad to see the GBA slot go. That means you better start buying up GBA games while they are still available in stores, cause pretty soon stores will stop selling them, if they haven’t already. I do think it’s cool that they added an SD slot, as it will allow you to take pictures with the camera and then view them on your Wii via the Wii’s SD Slot.
I also wonder what watching videos on the DSi will be like, having bigger screens will definitely be a plus in that area. That is, if they allow you to view video and other files that are on your SD Card with the DSi, I assume they will.
So now that the new DSi system has been revealed, what do you think of it? Did Nintendo add enough additions? Was this the right choice of additions? And was it the right time to reveal a new system?