Topic: Nintendo Announces Official North American DSi Release Date

[Nick DiMola]

With a price point of $169.99, the DSi is launching alongside Rhythm Heaven sooner than anticipated.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=17783

 This morning Nintendo announced the official release date of their upcoming DS revision, the DSi. The unit will be available in North American stores April 5 with a MSRP of $169.99. The system will launch in two colors, Matte Black, a color already available in Japan, and a brand new Matte Blue color unique to North America.    

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">www.nintendodsi.com.

[Nick DiMola]

170 bucks!? Man, that's a bit too pricey for me...

[TheYoungerPlumber]

Wow, this DSi Press Release has some real B.S. in it:

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.

Yeah, never mind the EyeToy, or even your own Game Boy Camera that this clearly builds upon.

$170 is steep, but not surprising given the Japanese sticker price and the weak dollar. The lack of a GBA slot really is an issue for me, but it sounds like we can look forward to some games in store that require a DSi.  The DSi is sounding more and more like the GBC. One of the processors is more powerful, and it has four times the RAM, so there likely will be a few developers interested in retail games, regardless of the camera's practicality. If the DSi has truly killer apps like the GBC did, I'll have to pick one up.

[BwrJim!]

dont want, dont need, no old pokemon and castlevania and its a 170 dollars???

so that means a few things..

If this is the true successor, then new pokemon games will be coming soon that are remakes again that will allow people to get the old critters.
If this is not a true successor, then it will go away.. (considering japanese popularity though, its here to stay)
ect.. ect.

[Luigi Dude]

Who cares about the DSi, Rythem Tengoku finally has a US release date.

 

Seriously, that's the only important thing everyone needs to know.

[Morari]

The lack of a GBA slot is quickly remedied with that SD Card slot and an internet full of ROMs!

[Jonnyboy117]

I don't have a problem with the GBA slot going away (still have an SP), but the price is way out of control.  I'm not paying a huge premium for a system whose main appeal is that I can spend even more money for downloadable games.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

THIS JUST IN

Wii Systems with a Pikachu sticker to go on sale for $380 on April 1!

THAT'S RIGHT, Wiis will now come with a PIKACHU STICKER applied to bottom!

It's Ridge Racer! RIIIDDDGE RACERRRRRRRRR!

I rate this 5 Pikachu Clocks -- FIVE PIKACHU CLOCCCCCKKKKKSSSS

[UltimatePartyBear]

I really didn't think Nintendo would allow non-DSiWare games to use the new features, so that's a surprise.  I bet we'll mostly see games that use the extra power if it's there but still run on older models, like what happened with the RAM expansion on the N64.

Any more word yet on whether it supports WPA?  If I can take the DSi online without screwing around with router settings or that horrid USB adapter, it might be worth buying.

[NWR_Lindy]

I pre-ordered one of these to be safe.  Hopefully we'll get a review version from Nintendo, though.

[Ian Sane]

In addition to downloadable games, Nintendo DSi is able to play games made specifically for the system and sold at retail.

Well this would make it exactly like the GBC then.  You could more or less consider it a new system.

But because of the way Nintendo handled the GBC I'm very reluctant in buying one of these even if a major game I felt I must own was released exclusively for it.  When it came out I assumed the GBC was the next Gameboy and offered backwards compatibility as a cool feature.  I never bought one because I was just a high school kid with no money at the time.  But I'm glad I didn't because the GBA came out only a few years later.  The GBC had a very short shelf life and had I bought one I would have felt a little ripped off.  So let's say Nintendo releases some 2D Metroid for the DSi.  On one hand that's a game that would clearly make me want to buy a DSi.  But on the other hand I would be afraid that six months later Nintendo would announce the real successor to the DS.

I wish Nintendo would just release a full-on successor and not jerk us around with this stop-gap.  I'd like to be wrong here but I'm pretty sure this is going to be just like the GBC and that Nintendo is fully aware of that and is doing it on purpose.  They've put me in a situation where I can't buy a DSi.

[Jonnyboy117]

GBC was perfect for people who didn't already have a Game Boy (like me).  In the same way, DSi is perfect for people who have somehow made it this long without a DS.  I would say it may even be a good choice for people still playing DS Phats.  Then again, if the price on DS Lite comes down, that might be an even better upgrade value.

By the way, I'm not saying that I will never ever buy the DSi... but it would take one, maybe multiple killer apps to convince me.

[NWR_pap64]

I'm honestly looking for ward to this, mainly because the top screen of my DS Lite flickers on and off and it bugs me, especially during important scenes.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Yeah, i'm never buying a DS.

For myself.

[TheFleece]

I'm mixed about it- on one end I'm happy about the DSi coming so soon, but I am not sure that getting one immediately will offer any benefits. If the DSiWare isn't going to be impressive until much later than why rush to get it?
While I have a few GBA games I am excited to see how the SD slot will be used, but that takes some time. I just got a new DS in Sept and I may not get a DSi until then unless something really amazing comes out for it. Or I'm bored.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Let me play DS games on TV, how bout that?

[TheFleece]

Let me play DS games on TV, how bout that?

Pffft. Nintendo's gonna dance around that one until the universe collapses.

[TJ Spyke]

It's cheaper than the rumored price ($180), but still way to expensive. At $150 I would buy it with no problem, at $170 I am a little hesitant. It would help if Nintendo gave some free Nintendo points to use on DSiWare like they did for Japanese DSi's (I think it was 1000 points).

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

If it's as expensive as iPhone, it'd have more perceived value!  YES

[Ian Sane]

Let me play DS games on TV, how bout that?

This would make me consider getting a DSi.  I don't play my DS nearly as much as I would like because I hate playing on a portable.  When I play games I don't tend to hold the controller very still.  Moving it around is fine on a console but when the screen is on the controller it can make games harder to focus on.  My GBA library got much more playtime once the GB Player came out and I really want something like this for the DS.

I think such a feature should be routine for portables.  They should just come with A/V cables.

[GoldenPhoenix]

How exactly would DS games work on Wii? Especialy those that utilize the touchscreen. Not to mention the dual screen problem.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

There'd be no Wii, just a display cable like what Nintendo does during tradeshows.  It makes sense for console-friendly games like Castlevania.

[vudu]

How exactly would DS games work on Wii? Especialy those that utilize the touchscreen. Not to mention the dual screen problem.

Psh ... these are details that people who request outrageous features need not worry about!

[Luigi Dude]

There'd be no Wii, just a display cable like what Nintendo does during tradeshows.  It makes sense for console-friendly games like Castlevania.

You know, I wouldn't doubt it if Nintendo releases something like that someday.  I mean both the Super Gameboy and GBA Player did really well for them, so I wouldn't doubt it if they have plans for something like that.

I mean, wasn't the GBA Player just an extension of the kits they used at those trade shows as well, so I'd imagine making an extension of what they use for the DS would be very reasonable.

[Halbred]

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...