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Introducing Nintendo DSi
Written by Chris Buffa on Monday, October 6, 2008
Funky cameras, an SD card slot and a shop feature make DS Lite soooooo two years ago.
Nintendo's DS Lite is a little more than two years old, and the company has already decided it needs to release a new version of its popular handheld. Enter DSi, a revamped edition with some interesting tweaks, most notably larger screens, an SD card slot and two cameras. Don't lie. We know you want it.
Announced last week at Nintendo's Japanese and U.S. media events, the DSi will release in Japan for 18,900 yen (about $180) on November 1st and come in both white and matte black. Here are its most notable features:
Two cameras: DSi features two .3 mega pixel cameras (300,000 pixels at 640X480 resolution), one on top of the system and the other directly between its dual screens. Although Nintendo has yet to reveal a game that makes use of them, the DSi comes with software that allows you to edit your photos and possibly upload them in PictoChat. No, that doesn't mean we need to see your private parts.
Built-in Internet Browser: Each DSi comes with an enhanced version of the Opera web browser that you can access at Wi-Fi hotspots.
SD card slot: You'll use SD cards to store your pictures and other media, including MP3s (you can adjust speed and pitch of these files) and downloadable video games, which leads us to the next feature.
DSWare Shop: Similar to Wii, DSi has a built in shop channel that lets you access demos and purchase full versions of games. It uses a point system similar to Wii, and although Nintendo has yet to confirm this, you'll probably be able to use Wii points cards. Just locate a Wi-Fi connection and get downloading.
Bigger screens: It's a small difference, but the DSi's screens are 3.25 inches, as opposed to DS Lite's three.
Thin, yet fat: Surprisingly, DSi is wider and longer than DS Lite, at 137.0mm wide by 74.9mm long, as opposed to DS Lite's 133.0mm wide and 73.9mm long. That said, its 18.9mm thickness is smaller than DS Lite's 21.5mm. Scandalous.
Longer stylus: Everyone loves a longer stylus. DSi's is 92mm long compared to DS Lite's paltry 87.5mm. Just remember it's not the about the size of your stylus, but how you use it. Now get poking.
No GBA slot: You read right. No longer will you be able to play Guitar Hero: World Tour or any Game Boy Advance game, for that matter. So much for dusting off our copy of It's Mr. Pants.
Weaker battery life: Better keep your DSi charger (it won't work with DS Lite) handy. On the brightest setting (of five), DSi's exclusive battery lasts between three and four hours. At the lowest, you get nine to 14.
So there you have it, your inside peek at Nintendo DSi. Before the announcement, we didn't think we needed a new DS, but we're sure that when it drops next year, we'll be among the first in line to buy one. If Nintendo is smart, it'll release it alongside Pokemon Platinum. If that happens, prepare to call out of work/school to enjoy your shiny new system. We'll have more on it as soon as we get our hands on one.
posted November 4, 2008