New Nintedo DS model

Murph · Post by **Murph** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 12:54 pm

http://kotaku.com/5057870/nintendo-anno ... ntendo-dsi

During their Fall Press Conference today, Nintendo have - as expected - announced a new version of the Nintendo DS. Called the Nintendo DSi, it eschews the GBA slot (boo!) in favour of a slight downsizing (it's a little thinner) and a range of improvements. The handheld's screens have been enlarged, and will now be 17% bigger (at 3.25 inches) than those found on the DS Lite. As for the rumoured additions, both have proven to be correct, with "audio enhancements" made to the handheld, while it will also now include a .3 megapixel (640x480) camera. And that's just the start of it.

The DSi also features an SD memory card slot, making it possible to take pictures with the DSi and then view them on the Nintendo Wii. The DSi features a built-in browser, and it's possible to download games and keep them on the DSi.

For digital delivery purchases, there is a DSi Shop, from which users can download DSiWare from. Pricing categories for the DSiWare are: Free, 200 points, 500 points and "Premium" or 800 points. Customers will get 1000 free points to spend at the DSi Shop that are good until March 2010.

The DSi will be released in Japan on November 1. It will retail for ￥18,900 (USD$180), and will be available in two colours, white and black. It will be released in other markets sometime "next year".

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 1:08 pm

Not worth the upgrade in my opinion, especially at the $180 price tag.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 1:30 pm

No thanks.

Btw, who are these people that want things like .3 MP camera? It's one thing to have a shitty camera on a phone because you always have it with you, but on a video game system? Totally pointless.

Gamecocks625 · Post by **Gamecocks625** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 5:55 pm

I'm definitely trading in my Lite for a DSi next year, especially since I don't have a need for the GBA slot and the DS is my only system. The bigger screens, new menu system, DSiWare, etc., are reasons to upgrade in my opinion. However, I don't see it taking the industry by storm like the Lite did.

Here's a cool 3-part series on Youtube about the DSi:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX73cIuo1UI

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 8:39 pm

The re-release of Chrono Trigger comes out today on the DS:) I'm pretty stoked about that but not enough to upgrade my Lite to this new version. Gamespot had a decent overview of all the new features and after checking through all that I'm still pretty happy with my little Lite. Although having that SD card slot might come in handy for storing "copies" of games for play without the cartridges.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 8:56 pm

macsomjrr wrote:Although having that SD card slot might come in handy for storing "copies" of games for play without the cartridges.

You already can:
http://www.realhotstuff.com/cyclods-evo ... p-213.html

As for the new DS is concerned, no thank you. My hands already cramp up holding it because of it's size I don't need a smaller, in this case thinner, version. Of course if it comes with free carpal tunnel surgery I'd consider it.

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 10:29 pm

ScoopBrady wrote:
macsomjrr wrote:Although having that SD card slot might come in handy for storing "copies" of games for play without the cartridges.
You already can:
http://www.realhotstuff.com/cyclods-evo ... p-213.html

I actually had the M3 DS Real for awhile with 100+ games on it but after only 2-3 months the mini-SD slot on the cartridge broke and I was never inclined to replace it. Having a dedicated SD slot on the new DSi saves an extra step and also frees up the slot for a "real" game.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 10:41 am

$180 for a handheld? That's madness.

Take care,
PK

grtwhtsk · Post by **grtwhtsk** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 12:31 pm

I'm going to pass...quite happy with my DSLite.

Murph · Post by **Murph** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 1:47 pm

I will probably get one. Sadly, there are so few games coming out for PSP, for some reason. I guess it's best days are behind it.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 5:38 pm

Murph wrote:I will probably get one. Sadly, there are so few games coming out for PSP, for some reason. I guess it's best days are behind it.

What about GT Mobile?:lol:

Actually, speculation has begun on PSP2, because there's some work being done on more capable chips for portable devices.

And then there's this possibility:

http://venturebeat.com/2008/11/20/bewar ... sr=hotnews

I don't think Nintendo has anything to fear in the near future. But when you price a portable game system which only plays games at $200, then you're going to compete for the wallets of people who are interested in buying a multifunction phone.

The gaming may not be as good (mainly because the best developers, namely the first-party teams, will still be on Nintendo) but for $200, you get other features besides gaming.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:48 am

wco81 wrote:The gaming may not be as good (mainly because the best developers, namely the first-party teams, will still be on Nintendo) but for $200, you get other features besides gaming.

Exactly.

Take care,
PK