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Nintendo's Media Summit has just thrown us its first juicy bone of the night, and it's a big one. As was previously rumored, Satoru Iwata has revealed the Nintendo DSi, the direct successor to the DS Lite which comes absolutely jam-packed with new features and trinkets, including two cameras, music playback functions, expanded screens, an SD card slot, and a whole new, DS-specific download service. Hit the break for the full list of improvements and adjustments, as well as the Japanese launch date and price!
- Overall size has been reduced -- DSi is 12% or 2.6 millimeters slimmer than the Lite.
- Comes with an external 0.3 Megapixel camera (for 640 x 480 pixel pictures) and a VGA camera located on the hinge, directed towards the user. You'll be able to edit pictures using the touchscreen.
- Full music playback functionality, including adjustable pitch and playback speed.
- Both screens have been expanded to 3.25 inches.
- SD memory card slot is included, and there'll be on-board memory also.
- Will ship with an built-in Nintendo DS web browser.
- DSi will allow users to download games from DSWare, a new service that operates with Wii Points -- or, as they are now known, Nintendo Points.
- Logging onto DSWare for the first time will grant users 1,000 free Nintendo Points.
- DSWare comes in four pricing categories: free (!), 200 Nintendo Points, 500 Nintendo Points, and 800 Nintendo Points.
- Will come in lovely matte white and matte black. Begone, foul fingerprints that have taunted us so!
- And finally, it launches on November 1st in Japan, and will cost ¥18,900, or roughly $179. Check out the official site at the "Source" link below!
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 6)
10-02-2008 @ 1:18AM
Sokkratez said...
I just wonder what measures are being taken to stifle homebrew. Not many, I hope. On board storage may mean there will now be a software solution.
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10-02-2008 @ 3:11AM
iofthestorm said...
I have a feeling they added some checks for piracy/homebrew devices, but since there's a built in SD slot someone will probably crack it sooner or later. Until then I will probably hang on to my DS since I've already got an MP3 player and web browser through homebrew. But I'm fairly certain I will get this eventually, since it is actually a major upgrade and my DS has the shoulder button problem, and is generally well worn (and well loved). Matte finish is really nice too.
10-02-2008 @ 9:26PM
Macha88 said...
Hopefully they will provide an SDK so that people can homebrew for the DSware stuff and release it for free. :D
10-02-2008 @ 1:19AM
NickT said...
There are some nice updates there...
I just hope someone had the sense to add WPA & WPA2 as wifi security options.
I won't change my network security for a DS.
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10-02-2008 @ 1:20AM
guessmysn said...
i wonder if ds flash carts will still work ...
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10-02-2008 @ 1:22AM
KeegdnaB said...
Well I was gonna ask for an iPod touch for Christmas....
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10-02-2008 @ 1:51AM
GetTheMonkey said...
You still can as we won't be getting the DSi until next year.
10-02-2008 @ 1:23AM
RandomUsername said...
If i buy this, it will be my 4th DS
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10-02-2008 @ 1:29AM
SephFinale said...
This is kind of cool. Now guess how much more easier homebrew might get?
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10-02-2008 @ 3:13AM
iofthestorm said...
It might get harder before it gets easier though...
10-02-2008 @ 1:33AM
Rika said...
Third correction: Famitsu says one external 3 megapixel camera and one VGA camera on the hinge pointing towards the user.
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10-02-2008 @ 1:38AM
Chris Greenhough said...
Ah, thank you! I updated the post.
10-02-2008 @ 1:36AM
Charizard said...
Crap, and here I finally went out and bought a new DS Lite JUST LAST WEEK!
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10-02-2008 @ 1:41AM
bombchu said...
Immense amounts of want. It'll only be DS number 3~ Teal phat, teal lite... I would love a teal DSi. How lovely...
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10-02-2008 @ 1:42AM
mahmud said...
aw man... with allll the ds games out right now that don't use two touch screens or a camera, who really would upgrade to this if you already have a lite. I'm really disappointed they didn't announce a new handheld system with better graphics. I'm just gonna rought it out and wait for that to drop, whenever it does. if it ever does. i will wait patiently playing my ds lite, without an i. give me banjo kazooie or the zelda that was on gamecube on a handheld system. come on nintendo. i grew up with you. you took me through the worst of times. the ds got me through college. but now, you've disappointed me. we need counseling.
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10-02-2008 @ 1:55AM
unholyassassin said...
Interesting, but not worth spending my money.
1) No GBA slot.
2) Same basic design, but just reduced slighty. Expected a more different design, especially that hinge! It's the same exact hinge except instead of a mic, it's a camera.
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10-02-2008 @ 1:55AM
ChibiKawase said...
So apparently Nintendo's trying to cozy up to the net so badly, they're totally tossing away the nigh-limitless potential of the GBA slot(rumble, memory card potential for massive games, tilt functionality, etc.). It's like getting a longer member but getting one or both of the buddies removed.
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10-02-2008 @ 2:24AM
hvnlysoldr said...
It will have memory for MMOs now:
Update 3: There's an SD slot also, built-in memory, an on-board browser, and game downloads that use Wii Points! The DSi will come with 1,000 free Wii Points.
10-02-2008 @ 2:03AM
Lalo Martins said...
no word on screen(s) resolution?
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10-02-2008 @ 2:15AM
ViRGE said...
So much for getting a new hardware generation. The DS's 3D abilities were underpowered at launch, it only gets worse as time goes on. It really needs a hardware upgrade to break the endless cycle of stale RPGs, minigames, and shovelware. The software ratio is so screwed up that developers aren't even taking it seriously any more, largely because the hardware is so limiting for the kinds of games you can make.
The Nintendo DSi: The same underpowered handheld device you love, with a new lease on life until at least 2010.
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