Nintendo Dsi Coming Soon!

[Phillyman]

Nintendo have unveiled a new DS model called the Nintendo DSi. It features features larger screens, an SD card slot for digital downloads and AAC audio playback, a .3 megapixel camera (640x480 resolution), is about 12% thinner than the current DSL, no GBA cartridge slot, has less battery life than a normal DS. It will hit Japan on November 1 in white and black versions for 18,900 yen and Nintendo are aiming for a Spring 2009 release in Europe. The trailer for the DSi can be seen below.

Specs from IGN:

Screen Size

DSi: 3.25 inch

DS Lite: 3.0 inch

Screen

Both TFT LCD with 260,000 colors

System Size

DSi: 137 x 74.9 x 18.9mm

DS Lite: 133 x 73.9 x 21.5mm

Touch pen

DSi: 92mm length

DS Lite: 87.5mm length

Power source

DSi: DSi AC adapter and special battery pack

DS Lite: DS Lite AC adapter and special battery pack

Weight

DSi: 214g (battery pack and touch pen included)

DS Lite: 218g (battery pack, touch pen, GBA connector cover included)

Charge time

DSi: 2 hours 30 minutes

DS Lite: 3 hours

Battery life

** listed by screen brightness, lowest to highest

DSi: 9-14 hours, 8-12, 6-9, 4-6, 3-4

DS Lite: 15-19 hours, 10-15, 7-11, 5-8

Compatible software

DSi: DS software, DSi software

DS Lite: Game Boy Advance software, DS software

Input method

DSi: DS card slot, SD memory card slot, AC adapter connector, stereo head phone/mic connector

DSLite: DS card slot, GBA card slot, AC adapter connector, stereo head phone/mic connector

In addition to the physical changes, Nintendo has updated the system's interface menu to reflect some newly included software. You'll initially be able to access the following programs from the main menu: DSi Camera, DSi Sound, DSi Shop, Picto Chat, and download play. The menu also has icons for starting up a game off cartridge and accessing system settings.

The DSi's menu is akin to the Wii Channel interface in that new programs can be downloaded and added to the interface. It's unclear how many programs can be downloaded, but the interface does provide an "all view" button allowing you to view all included software at a glance.

Select DSi Camera from the menu, and you'll quickly transform your system into a digital camera. Pics that you've taken can be transferred via SD card to your PC and cell phone. You can also send snaps between two DSi systems wirelessly.

In typical Nintendo fashion, the camera will include some game elements. Among the fun features are a facial blending tool, a method for changing facial expressions, and a means of measuring similarity between two faces. The camera itself can be set to take pics in a variety of modes, including normal mode, "trick" mode, and frame mode.

Select the DSi Sound option from the menu, and you'll have yourself a mini music player, complete with a variety of visualizers and audio tools. The system can remove vocals, allowing you to sing along for yourself. Nintendo also appears to have included a built in Band Bros. of sorts, as you can tap buttons along with the rhythm in order to overlay sounds. You can also record 10 second audio samples through the system's microphone for use in your music sessions.

Unfortunately, those looking for MP3 support here are out of luck. The DSi Sound program will only support AAC format.

Finally, there's the DSi Shop, a program that serves as the DS version of the Wii Shopping Channel. You'll be able to download free and paid programs from this under the "Nintendo DSiWare" label. Two free programs have been mentioned by Nintendo, an internet browser and a digital notebook that lets you create moving comics.

IGN

[Phillyman]

I am sooo getting one of these on launch day

[meppi]

For some reason I'm not excited about this, but I'll probably get one when it comes out anyway.

[Phillyman]

For some reason I'm not excited about this, but I'll probably get one when it comes out anyway.

My DS has disappeared into my girls hands, She is addicted to Picross.....I caught her playing Picross at 6am one night

[meppi]

My DS has disappeared into my girls hands, She is addicted to Picross.....I caught her playing Picross at 6am one night

Hehe, then it all makes sense.

Told you Picross is worse than any drug you can think of. Lately I've been able to put it aside for the last couple of weeks, mainly thanks to Dragon Quest IV, but I know it's only a matter of time before I go back to my secret lover.

If we exchange friend codes for Picross, I can upload some Super Famicom 20x20 puzzles to my account so you can use them on your US copy.

Here's a page that does really get me excited though.

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20081002/wiiss.htm

[meppi]

Oh and here's a movie you shouldn't miss. Lots of new games:

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/conference20...ov/wii.html?n10

[meppi]

Half an hour before the US Nintendo conference and I'm calling it now.

Excitetruck 2 and Kid Icarus.

[modgeezer]

I'm not really excited about the camera but i will probably pick one up for the bigger screen and the fact my wife has taken over my DS (Uno addiction)

[E-Day]

IT has two cameras. a 3 megapixel one on the outside and a smaller one on the hinge beside the mic.

I am not excited about it either. the fact the GBA compatibility is removed is a major reason I don't want one. I would only get one if they release an absolute must-play game (like New Super Mario Bros.) that is only DSi compatible. I am hoping that doesn't happen as the DS Lite I have now does what I need it to, and that is play awesome games