Though the GBA slot has been removed, the DSi boasts a number of new features over its DS Lite predecessor. Being a DS revision, the system will also retain the same unique features made available in the DS and DS Lite. The DSi will include a camera (with editing suite), a sound studio for recording and playing sound/music, an SD Card slot, as well as access to the DSi shop. Similar to the Wii Shop Channel, the DSi shop will offer unique downloadable games for purchase. Furthermore, the DSi will also have a unique lineup of titles that cannot be played on older DS models.
Nintendo also revealed that their popular Japanese title Rhythm Heaven will release alongside the DSi system on April 5.
NINTENDO DSI LAUNCHES APRIL 5 IN THE UNITED STATES
New Portable System Offers Customized Gaming Experiences
REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 18, 2009 Nintendo pioneered hand-held entertainment in the '80s and made it fully mobile with the Game Boy video game system. Now, Nintendo is transforming the way people access, experience, create and share content with the new Nintendo DSi system, the third iteration of the world's best-selling portable video game system. Nintendo DSi launches in the United States on April 5, 2009, at an MSRP of $169.99. The colors available at launch will be Blue and Black.
"Ever since the arrival of the first Game Boy, consumers worldwide have turned to Nintendo for their portable gaming," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "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."
Some features that will be built into the system and ready to enjoy upon purchase include the Nintendo DSi Camera, Nintendo DSi Sound and Nintendo DSi Shop. The most noticeable feature of the slim Nintendo DSi system is its two cameras one camera is on the external body, and the second one points at the user when the device is flipped open. As the first truly interactive digital camera in a video game system with 10 different interactive "lenses" that can manipulate your photos, the Nintendo DSi Camera offers an easy way to take and share your photos with family and friends. The cameras also present people with unprecedented ways to interact with their games while giving developers a new tool to devise creative games and experiences. If the touch screen gave Nintendo DS a sense of feel and the microphone allowed it to hear, the two cameras give Nintendo DSi the sense of sight.
Another enhanced feature is the Nintendo DSi Sound application, which serves as both an interactive voice recorder and music player that allows users to play with their music while they listen to it. Users can access different audio filters or control the pitch and speed of recorded voice or music files to alter voices or change the tempo of a song. The mic is located between the two screens when the device is flipped open, and there is also a stereo headphone output that lets users listen to music saved on an SD card, even with the screen shut.
In the world of software, Nintendo DSi will be the platform for the most relevant and fun on-the-go games and applications. The Nintendo DSiWare application will populate Nintendo DSi with software that can be downloaded using Nintendo DSi Points directly to the portable system, just as WiiWare has with Nintendo's Wii console. Developers big and small are invited to create software that makes use of the properties and functions of the hardware. Nintendo DSiWare games and applications will be available at a range of values, starting at 200 points.
In addition to downloadable games, Nintendo DSi is able to play games made specifically for the system and sold at retail. The system can also play most Nintendo DS games, and will have access to a library of more than 850 titles originally made for that system.
Also on April 5, a new Nintendo DS game, Rhythm Heaven, will join this roster of games available for both Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DS owners in the United States. Having sold more than 1.6 million copies since its July 2008 launch in Japan and still increasing sales today, this infectious game challenges players to tap and slide the stylus on the touch screen in time to original music created by legendary Japanese pop-star producer TSUNKU?. Simple gestures with the stylus combined with fun music and quirky visuals make Rhythm Heaven a completely unique musical experience for players of all ages.
Additional features and news of Nintendo DSi will be revealed as April 5 approaches.
For more information about Nintendo DSi, visit www.nintendodsi.com.
As the first truly interactive digital camera in a video game system with 10 different interactive "lenses" that can manipulate your photos, the Nintendo DSi Camera offers an easy way to take and share your photos with family and friends.
In addition to downloadable games, Nintendo DSi is able to play games made specifically for the system and sold at retail.
Let me play DS games on TV, how bout that?
Let me play DS games on TV, how bout that?
How exactly would DS games work on Wii? Especialy those that utilize the touchscreen. Not to mention the dual screen problem.
There'd be no Wii, just a display cable like what Nintendo does during tradeshows. It makes sense for console-friendly games like Castlevania.
How exactly would DS games work on Wii? Especialy those that utilize the touchscreen. Not to mention the dual screen problem.
If Lindy ever confirms that we're getting a review copy, I intend to travel around the country and kill off my fellow editors until I am the only staffer left, and the system will HAVE to come my way.
I think the editors should have some kind of battle royale involving Mario Kart (the only reliable online Wii game) to see who gets the DSi. :-)
Either way, I'm totally getting one. My DS Lite is scratched to hell, the joint is cracked, and I regret slapping all those Guitar Hero stickers on it. I could care less that the GBA slot is gone--I still have a GBA SP, and I never play On Tour. It'll be sad to see the Rumble Pack go, though, because I think it really added to games like Space Invaders Extreme...
What's the price of the DS lite over there?
I think the key word there is "in". This is the first videogame system to have a camera included in the hardware and not as an optional accessory. That's our Nintendo, they always try to find ways in which they're the first to do everything.QuoteAs the first truly interactive digital camera in a video game system with 10 different interactive "lenses" that can manipulate your photos, the Nintendo DSi Camera offers an easy way to take and share your photos with family and friends.Yeah, never mind the EyeToy, or even your own Game Boy Camera that this clearly builds upon.
I don't think there are gonna be any DSi only games (outside of DSiWare of coarse).
You expected it to be $200? The system is about $186 in Japan, and game systems are usually cheaper here than in Japan.I didn't know what it was in Japan, I was basing my assumption on import prices, of which I saw it selling for $250-300.
I just check Wikipedia and saw that the DSi launched in Japan for ¥18,900 (including tax), which is about $192.What a coincidence, that's my lucky number! I wonder if this means I should buy one...?
my fear is that all the casual gamers will jump on board and sell the DS Lite they have for this. Nintendo will view it as a huge success and they will continue with baby steps and never release a real successor.
Realistically, what would the DS successor feature besides better graphics?It would feature all of the additions that this DSi has as well as a hardware upgrade. It shouldn't be released now, it should come out after the DS has run its course. It would also have backwards compatibility of course so people could still play their existing DS libraries. The GBA slot would still be axed, but at that point I doubt very many people would care.
I really thought the failure of the Game Boy Micro taught them a lesson, well casual gamers are different beasts lets hope they don't help drive nintendo into foolish hardware updates for the sake of soft sales.
Realistically, what would the DS successor feature besides better graphics?
I blame the weak dollar.
In fact, I'd argue Nintendo has had this mentality for a very long time in the portable spectrum, and has finally been able to reproduce the micro-evolution success in the console realm.
If Lindy ever confirms that we're getting a review copy, I intend to travel around the country and kill off my fellow editors until I am the only staffer left, and the system will HAVE to come my way.
Here's a thought - depending on how early you get it.
Every site staff member who's willing to pay overnight shipping to ship it to the next staff member can have it for two days (or one, again, depending on how early you get it), then give us your individual impressions of it and ship it out (overnight) to the next staff member on the list...
