By: Sarju Shah - Posted on April 3, 2008

Nintendo DSi

The Nintendo DSi will finally hit American soil. Japanese gamers got to play with the DSi last November, and they've been gobbling it up since. The DSi marks the third incarnation of the DS and is probably the most drastic change to date. Nintendo's upcoming handheld system includes new hardware functionality, new software, and an updated menu system, in addition to several physical design changes. The Nintendo DSi will arrive in black and blue flavors on April 5 with an MSRP of $169.99.

DS Lite (top) and DSi (bottom)       Stacked bottom       Stacked right       Stacked top       Stacked left      

We'll start with the DSi's cosmetic changes, because that's what everyone will see before cracking the clamshell open. One significant change that doesn't pop out in photographs is the system's new paint job. Our matte black DSi has a grainy textured surface far different from the slick plastic exterior on the DS Lite. The material feels similar to the inside surface surrounding each screen on the DS Lite, but it's grittier.

The DSi is thinner than the DS Lite, but the new portable is also slightly longer and wider, so don't expect it to slide into your front pocket any easier. The top edge of the system reveals redesigned shoulder buttons and a new AC power adapter port shape, which instantly makes all of your backup power adapters obsolete. The DS Lite's shoulder buttons sit flush with the top of the system, but the DSi's buttons protrude out, making them easier to press.

DSi D pad       DS Lite D pad       DSi buttons       DS Lite buttons      

We noticed that the directional pad and buttons on our DSi sit lower compared to the controls on the DS Lite. We haven't spent enough time with the system to decide whether this is a good thing or a bad thing yet, but we did notice that the change made powersliding easier in Mario Kart because you don't need to press the D pad down as much while rocking left and right.

You'll find the new SD memory card slot on the right-hand side of the portable where the power slider used to be located. The SD card will be used to store pictures, AAC music files, and software downloaded from the online DSi Shop--basically anything that can't fit on the system's 256MB internal memory. Both SD and SDHC memory cards work on the DSi. The power button is now located inside the DSi near the lower-left area of the touch screen. The button is fairly stiff, so there's little risk of accidentally turning off the system midgame. Tapping the power button will take you back to the home menu, and holding it down will shut down the unit.

859 Comments

  • ale_gamr

    Posted Oct 28, 2009 6:57 pm PT

    decided to get this for my birthday, I've never tried a ds, always had a psp so yah.
    December seems to be sooooo far. =[

  • zarro360

    Posted Sep 6, 2009 5:49 am PT

    dsi is great but would be better if they had miis

  • DancingBanana03

    Posted Aug 27, 2009 7:51 pm PT

    the dsi is awesome

  • Grimmson2

    Posted Aug 11, 2009 3:06 pm PT

    I'm going to be going to college soon, and I was wondering if anyone knew wether or not you can set a password so no one can ascess your DSi? Please answer!!!

  • coolicolo

    Posted Aug 10, 2009 2:58 pm PT

    to moonlightbass it helps to go this link http://www.askvg.com/how-to-convert-mp3-wav-and-other-media-files-into-aac-or-m4a-formats-using-itunes/ it will tell you how to use itunes to turn your library of music from mp3 to AAC, hope it helps.

    p.s Just got my dsi it really is a cool system that I can see myself playing for a while.

  • MoonLightBASS

    Posted Aug 6, 2009 11:16 am PT

    how do I put music on my DSI or how do i convert my mp3 to aac to play on my DSI?..

  • coolicolo

    Posted Jul 9, 2009 1:38 pm PT

    This looks like it rocks, I just have to wait for my birthday (so far away I feel so cold......so.....col...d)

  • afrodudeman123

    Posted Jul 4, 2009 8:53 pm PT

    I still have the first ds

  • izdan

    Posted Jun 30, 2009 7:07 pm PT

    dsi points are not interchangeable with wii points

  • f4t4lfury

    Posted Jun 7, 2009 7:56 pm PT

    Does anyone know if DSi Points a separate thing from Wii Points or if they are interchangeable like Microsoft Points (Xbox/Zune)?

  • indstrlmunky

    Posted Jun 5, 2009 7:59 pm PT

    I have a DS Lite, and have loved playing it. I think, however, I would enjoy the DSi more because all the new functions, as well as, being able to switch cartridges while on. The DSiWare feature seems really cool. I want one!

  • trw534

    Posted Jun 3, 2009 6:20 pm PT

    i still have the orginal ds, but if it breaks then i will definitly consider getting a dsi.

  • ojeaca

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 2:35 pm PT

    you should buy it if you dont have dslite

  • horgen123

    Posted May 26, 2009 1:07 pm PT

    Imo it would be perfect if it still had the GBA slot

  • Pipluplikeslink

    Posted May 23, 2009 8:43 am PT

    dsi rulez!!

  • Linkman0714

    Posted May 9, 2009 11:07 am PT

    i have a DSlite and my girlfriend bought a DSI. Sorry Nintendo but these cosmetic changes dont justify me spending another \$170 on ANOTHER DS. Besides ill just play my girlfriend's.

  • victorsalvana

    Posted May 8, 2009 1:58 pm PT

    maybe i should buy one

  • LithuanianGamer

    Posted May 6, 2009 9:04 am PT

    I should get a ds

  • PSgamer99

    Posted May 4, 2009 6:40 pm PT

    i love it more than my PSP, which is a feat, as you can probably tell by my screen name

    btw, i would like to see a world of goo port go to the DSi store, that would be awesome

  • jashwin

    Posted May 2, 2009 9:28 am PT

    iam quite happy with my psp.

  • Asuran_Oberoth

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 12:43 pm PT

    I'm happy with my DSi, it feels much easier to hold for me and the different screen brightness settings are great. I'm a little disappointed about the fact that current DS games don't work with the WPA2 encryption which means I'm still using the USB adapter.

  • RocketZ99

    Posted Apr 20, 2009 3:43 am PT

    I'm honestly happy with the original DS. I know the Lite has a brighter screen and longer battery life, and the DSi has all these brand-new updated features, but when you think about it, the Lite is too small for some people (like myself), and the DSi's battery won't last nearly as long. Add to that the fact that the DSi removes the GBA slot (what will happen to Guitar Hero?), and I've concluded that neither are worth buying to me right now.

  • VXLbeast

    Posted Apr 19, 2009 7:29 pm PT

    At first I thought it wasn't enough difference than my original DS to invest in, but how wrong I was!

  • Mr_Pepworth

    Posted Apr 19, 2009 5:02 pm PT

    Cool - i know short but sweet

  • DarKnite32

    Posted Apr 19, 2009 4:30 pm PT

    dsi vs. ds lite/orginal ds? i had my hands-on feel and look and experience on the dsi from my cousin, who owns it, and i was a tid bit impressed. i looked all around, and felt the dsi. i think this system has no change other than the new apps. there are some good things about the dsi. one of those things are the new features added on the dsi such as the two cameras, voice recognition/music, nintendo ds shop.im especially impressed with the ds shop. now, in my opinion, there may not be anymore R-4's to redistribute. the camera. another thing is that the screen is much bigger and wider.many people can not see the good quality it has now. the last good thing is the power button is not a slider anymore and is located at the lower left of the touch screen. i never liked those sliders. anything can happen. the bad thing is the power button is too small, is no gba slot. most of the good games are on the gba.... why take that out nintendo. now pokemon fans cannot get magby or elekid anymore since the gba slot is gone, unless you could buy leafgreen and firered on the ds store. and for the power button, its too small my fingers cant turn it on. its like for small handed people. all in all, i think that the dsi is for people who do not have a wii and not planning to buy one because of the ds store.... thats what i think.

  • mada362005

    Posted Apr 13, 2009 11:07 am PT

    i didnt buy any of the ds or ds lites, so today i desided to get a dsi and man im really happy with it
    definitly not knocking the old ones but if you dont have any def get the DSi

  • eternalblade

    Posted Apr 13, 2009 5:22 am PT

    The only reason I may consider buying a DSi would be for the new games that incorporate the "fancy" camera(s). Other than that, it just looks like another money making brick for Nintendo.

    If it could boast a processing power and graphical capabilities equal to a PSP then by all means buy it. Otherwise, fanboys should just be happy with their Lite, or Chunky DS.

  • fabz_95

    Posted Apr 13, 2009 3:59 am PT

    The DSI looks like an interesting console but I think most people will be just as happy with their DS Lite.

  • meowww

    Posted Apr 12, 2009 8:34 pm PT

    I m happy with my original DS

  • trw534

    Posted Apr 12, 2009 7:38 pm PT

    i still have the orginal ds when it first came out. but the new one looks cool

  • ausgamer529

    Posted Apr 12, 2009 12:56 pm PT

    i love the dsi

  • v8_m8 posted Apr 12, 2009 12:33 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    v8_m8

    Posted Apr 12, 2009 12:33 am PT (hide)

    These new features suck really, the only good thing about the DSi is the screens.

  • circile

    Posted Apr 11, 2009 12:15 pm PT

    Now that I'm looking at the DSi I'm starting to like it. A lot.

  • freakbabyblues- posted Apr 10, 2009 2:42 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    freakbabyblues-

    Posted Apr 10, 2009 2:42 pm PT (hide)

    The DSi can receive software updates, an upgrade won't be necessary for a LONG time.

  • Cradleofbodom

    Posted Apr 10, 2009 10:02 am PT

    the only thing that im going to worry about is teh boosted ram and processor, because that means it will be able to handle more in gaming. people are already saying they are going to put zelda OoT and zelda MM on the line and it should be able to with 16mb ram. the only reason i would really even bother getting this is to mod the hell out of it xD but im happy with my crimson black lite and my original silver i got first release, i think i can wait awhile before ill need to bother getting this and by that time teh price will fall and a new ds will be out fixign the things this one should of fixed and added but they always need something for the next release to make it at least APPEAL to be more - Camra: pfft, who doesnt have a cell, and it goes higher res - wii shop thinger?: cool but you've been able to do that with certain cards for years on normal ds's, and they play mp3's not just those crappy itune formats. just doesnt seem like i should bother because theres just going to be another one in a year or two, might as well wait for the better and hope its BETTER

  • mookiegamer1220

    Posted Apr 10, 2009 8:16 am PT

    I think the new DS has improve and is cool of how they upgrade the DS to the [DSI] which is great.

  • ducky386

    Posted Apr 10, 2009 4:11 am PT

    OK, I see everyone's point. To the cell phone comment, you will pay 300 to 400 for a cell plus the fees pre month to the cell company. So this is a cheaper alternative to that. Yes, it freezing but every new system has it bugs. You can surf the internet, for quick thing. I'm going on a trip i really don't want to lug my laptop around to be just checking email and surfing the internet. I upgraded from the old (fat ds) to this one and i'm very happy.

  • Roa33

    Posted Apr 9, 2009 9:03 pm PT

    Generally I consider Nintendo innovative, but with this I would have to say it's nothing amazing. Most cell phones have internet, camera, and/or music playability. The small modifications you can do to media is limited and really isn't worth the \\\$170 dollars it costs in the United States. Maybe the shop will show some enlightenment for me, but as it stands its not worth upgrading if a DS I already have lasts longer in battery life and still plays DS games (which is what you buy a gaming system for)

    freakbabyblues-- "So far I've yet to see an unsatisfied customer"

    thedragon99-- "i agree with MasterKarl i mean i got mine yesterday and its like a rubish pc that keeps freezing i can play games but use the internet i dont think so come on nintendo the DS was better than this"

    I would have to say that you didn't read lower freakbabyblues.

  • J-man45

    Posted Apr 9, 2009 8:02 pm PT

    I will pass on this one. I am happy with my fancy crimson-and-black DS Lite.

  • StanleyL GameSpot staff member

    Posted Apr 9, 2009 10:51 am PT

    @vincentga
    Wow, did you just call Bill Gates miserly? The man quit his job at Microsoft to do philanthropy work full time. He's given half his net worth (\$28 bil) to charity according to Business Week.

    http://bwnt.businessweek.com/interactive_reports/philanthropy_individual/

  • b3yondstupidity

    Posted Apr 9, 2009 8:11 am PT

    Ain't it like £130?? That's a huge bump, you might as well just buy a Next-Gen console.

  • Raven1504

    Posted Apr 9, 2009 5:31 am PT

    @KieranCottrell: the worst part is that many people will be fool enough to buy this

  • thedragon99

    Posted Apr 9, 2009 3:23 am PT

    i agree with MasterKarl i mean i got mine yesterday and its like a rubish pc that keepsa freezing i can play games but use the internet i dont think so come on nintendo the DS was better than this

  • GDI_SOLDIER_94

    Posted Apr 9, 2009 3:01 am PT

    haha guys youv gtta watch this its called the "hardcore gamer song" it sums up a gamer completely i swear to god lol! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQctcg9_--U Watch! its awsome!

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