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WarioWare: Snapped leads DSi Shop launch lineup

Brain Age Express: Math, Master of Illusion, Bird & Beans, Art Style: Aquia all available day one through newly redesigned handheld's online store.

As part of the 2009 Game Developers Conference last week, DSi project lead Masato Kuwahara offered an in-depth look at the second revision of Nintendo's best-selling handheld. One area the developer addressed was the DSi Shop, an online service that features downloadable games and other applications in a manner similar to its Wii Shop equivalent.

Today, Nintendo confirmed just what gamers can expect to find on the DSi Shop when it launches in the US on April 5. WarioWare: Snapped, which GameSpot previewed during this year's GDC, is perhaps the highest profile of the five games that will be available on day one. Nintendo will also have on offer a new Brain Age title--Brain Age Express: Math--which focuses on the arithmetic portion of the gray-matter-growing franchise.

Of the lesser-known titles, Nintendo announced Bird & Beans, where players will use "an elastic tongue" to collect falling beans of varying point totals. Master of Illusion Express: Funny Face serves as a portable magician; players can draw a face on the DSi's touch screen that can perform card tricks. Lastly, Art Style: Aquia is a minigame compilation that features a variety of underwater-themed puzzles.

Nintendo did not reveal pricing information for any of the launch-day titles. However, as previously announced, the publisher did say that anyone who connects to the DSi Shop before October 5 will automatically receive 1,000 Nintendo DSi points ($10) on the house. Also previously mentioned, DSiWare purchases, along with music, photos, and other content, are stored in the new device's new SD Card slot.

Along with the premium content, the DSi Shop will offer an Internet browser application as a free download. Similar to the Web browser released for the DS Lite in 2007, the DSi Browser will be powered by Opera. It offers a variety of display options, with either an entire Web page shown on the lower screen and a zoomed-in version appearing on the top, or a widescreen mode, in which pages are displayed to match the screen size.

89 Comments

  • Mega_Loser

    Posted Apr 13, 2009 2:10 am GMT

    nice gui functions.
    the camera & music functions seem and feel (to me) like gimmicks.
    if they are selling a multifunction gadget, what the package offers feels too little (unlike say, a mobile phone that has so many capabilities and uses).
    Thanks for reading, please share your thoughts.

  • SSBFan12

    Posted Apr 11, 2009 8:11 pm GMT

    I heard the game really wasn't the good of a game.

  • todd19662

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 12:52 pm GMT

    If you want to want to put music on your dsi sd card all you have to do is download the free program(spesoft audio converter 1.5) from cnet it will convert your songs to mp4/aac in a matter of seconds, you can play with the songs in some pretty cool ways . so before people gripe about how hard it is to put music or any audio files on the system give it a try.

  • Subacetylene

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 12:52 pm GMT

    One feature I would LOVE to see would be the ability to export your current virtual console games onto the DSi through the sdcard. I payed good money for Donkey Kong Country and want to play it on my DSi wherever I please.

  • atopp399

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 8:19 am GMT

    @leavitt-josh

    I admit, reluctantly, if that is what happens I will get a DSi. I would also get one if a Virtual Console service appears and offers old Zelda games. I just didn't want to buy a 3rd DS. I was hoping my next Nintendo system would be a completely new one

  • leavitt-josh

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 8:10 am GMT

    @atopp399:

    I don't disagree that publishers will stick with the DS/DS Lite specs for games, but that will only last until the DSi takes over the installed user base. Once the older platform is sufficiently extinct, the publishers will move on to the newer, more popular -- and thus more profitable -- designs.

    That being said, it may never happen. If the DSi doesn't catch on that well before Nintendo's next handheld, we may not have to worry that much about DSi-specific games.

  • GatCloudX

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 5:24 pm GMT

    i like it so far! just the fact that you can now download games is a reason to buy one!!!!

  • jedidave

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 1:15 pm GMT

    It's funny the guy at gamestop said that not only are there going to be game just for the dsi, some of the new games that come out for the ds will have extras built in if played on the dsi... So that sounds like that the processor/RAM upgrade might be also used for games doesn't it...hummmmmmmmmmm

  • tastycasey27

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 10:10 am GMT

    i like the way people say that they no whats going to happen with the dsi and its hardware. to be honest you dont no. to argue that the extra power isnt for games and that the new bigger screens are rubbish just makes people verry fanboyish of another system. like ive said a thousand times before, if you dont like it dont buy it. simple yes.

  • atopp399

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 6:27 am GMT

    The RAM and processor speed is for the internet and DSi specific features, not for games. Games will be designed around DS/DS Lite specs other than the DSi Shop exclusive "mini" games(like the games released at launch , for example) or the "special" features in retail games which require the camera. The main playable part of any game is still going to play just as well with an old DS. It takes more processor and RAM power to edit stupid 0.3 megapixel photos and music files than the DS Lite has.

    In other words, no good hardcore(if you want to use that term) game is going to be designed around the DSi hardware. Game companies will not give up the profit of millions of DS/DS Lite users simply to make a game only playable on the DSi. DSi specific features and games will be just like all the shovelware titles on the Wii. The good Mario/Zelda type games will only use DSi features as a "bonus". They will not be needed to play...just fluff. Nintendo rarely mentions how much more powerful the DSi is compared to the DS/DS Lite and there is a reason.

    BTW, the bigger screens are the same resolution as the DS Lite. They will not make the games look any better, only zoomed in slightly. It is a marketing gimmick that works very well.

  • linkyshinks

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 5:05 am GMT

    Got mine. I'm very happy with it.

  • DefHalan

    Posted Apr 5, 2009 3:08 pm GMT

    to gameking5000 does that mean the PSP isnt a gaming system? I hate sony but the PSP is still kinda a gaming system

  • gameking5000

    Posted Apr 5, 2009 2:31 am GMT

    I don't think the DSi can be classifield a pure gaming console with all of these features

  • nate1222

    Posted Apr 4, 2009 10:02 pm GMT

    @Gamewako

    Dude, I'm 33 and in the military. And there are TONS of people here (male and female) whom own DSs and play them. PSP skids in a close 2nd. Do we play them together? Not much. But handhelds are big because we do alotta 'field-work' where lugging around a console won't work. note: We're in Korea. 360 is the main console out here because grunts/jarheads love shooters. But back stateside, PS2 still rules the roost. I still play and love mine.

  • nate1222

    Posted Apr 4, 2009 9:56 pm GMT

    I love my DS Lite! But this (DSi) might actually be worth an upgrade. If it uses SD cards, like the Wii, and allows downloads..... Hell, I do that with my Wii and PSP more than purchasing retail. I'd gladly get the DSi as long as the prices of downloads stay reasonable. On PSP most of my downloads have been $6, $10 for real goodies (Castlevania SotN). On my Wii, downloads avaerage $5-$8. If Nintendo can keep it hovering in those whereabouts I'm in! Like with my Wii, I'll load my SD card to the gills with good ****!

  • Gamewako

    Posted Apr 4, 2009 11:18 am GMT

    Love the rip-off MGMT song in the background!

    This is pretty stupid. I thought Nintendo would have learned by now that web-cam products just aren't needed or wanted by the average gamer! Newsflash: We play games to escape reality, not take pictures of ourselfves...that's what cameras are for. Also, 30-40 year olds DO NOT play DS games together in public...all around this is one rediculious commercial! Fire that advertising team ASAP!

  • MorbidToaster

    Posted Apr 4, 2009 8:01 am GMT

    This system is a complete fad. I think Nintendo should re-focus their energy on creating one that has better hardware in terms of gaming so that they can move on and actually do something different. The lack of backwards compatibility is also a killer.
    -------------
    You obviously haven't been paying attention. This upgrade DOUBLES the power they get to use for games RAM, and Speed. I'd say that's...a HARDWARE UPGRADE. No?

    DSi exclusive and enchanced carts because of these new HARDWARE upgrades. Nah, they aren't moving on or anything...OH WAIT--

  • polodoro

    Posted Apr 4, 2009 5:38 am GMT

    Goodbye PSP.

  • tastycasey27

    Posted Apr 4, 2009 4:58 am GMT

    i cant see why people here say its not worth the extra £50 or $70. first of it has 16MB RAM instead of the lites 4MB, and a 133MHz processor instead of the lites 67MHz. plus the bigger screen and a sd card slot and the internet browser and downloadable games add to it all. Then there is the 2 cameras, which are pretty good. ohh almost forgot the music player, and before people moan that you have to use AAC, so what its not hard to change mp3 into AAC on itunes. plus there is the advantage of having far better sound than the lite.

    There are alot of other small quirky things on it, but i think its well worth the extra £50 or $70. so if you feel you need to upgrade then id say do it, its worth it. if not then just wait for a price drop or the next ds console its no biggie.

    i just cant stand moaners, moaning about something they are not going to buy.

  • KJsmashdude

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 2:40 pm GMT

    Im getting it on the saturday at midnight!

  • hassy94

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 1:18 pm GMT

    "was actually asking a genuine question in my last comment lol. Why would someone thumb up/down a question?"

    I'm guessing because it was a yes/no question, so thumbs up if they think you should, it's not the correct way of answering it, but it is one way. I don't think you should, I think even if you don't have a DS at all, get a DS lite, not DSi, the £50/$70 is not worth it. And I didn't vote by the way.

  • Hillsy_

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 12:40 pm GMT

    It wouldn't surprise me if Nintendo annouce a new Zelda or Mario game exclusive for the DSi. In turn annoy DS Lite and the original DS owners. It will probably use the camera in the game so there can't be a DS Lite version. Nintendo are all about the money now.

  • why9090909090

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 12:07 pm GMT

    Are you going to be able to like buy GBA games over the internet and save it on the sd card slot? i think that would be one positive for getting rid of the gba slot. I'm just throwing it out there, someone tell me if this cannot happen and why it can't. I don't have a DS and i might consider getting my hands on one

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 11:45 am GMT

    I was actually asking a genuine question in my last comment lol. Why would someone thumb up/down a question?

  • necronaux

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 11:03 am GMT

    Bet you won't be able to use the downloadable games (assumed saved on a memory card) on other DSi unit. Are the memory cards exclusive to the DSi or can any memory card suffice?

  • THA-TODD-BEAST

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 10:37 am GMT

    Atopp: Exactly.

    Just don't be surprised when you're thumbs-downed by Nintendo fanboys who are too afraid to speak their piece and would rather click a small icon instead.

  • atopp399

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 10:32 am GMT

    Imagine how long until a new Nintendo hand held is released now? I am guessing there will be at least one update to the DSi before that ever happens so probably 2 years to the update and another 2 for a new system? They certainly can't abandon the DSi shop or the other new features of the DSi in only two years for a new system.

    That sucks...

  • THA-TODD-BEAST

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 10:21 am GMT

    This system is a complete fad. I think Nintendo should re-focus their energy on creating one that has better hardware in terms of gaming so that they can move on and actually do something different. The lack of backwards compatibility is also a killer.

  • MRBIG1234

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 9:50 am GMT

    im glad i stuck with my DS Phat, now :-)

  • Tylendal

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 7:57 am GMT

    Can't wait. Getting it on Sunday.

  • Bigcol1611

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 7:55 am GMT

    Im just gonna enter every competition that has one as a prize! Thats the only way i want to get hold of one!!!

  • wahyudil

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 7:39 am GMT

    I'll buy it when the price is cut down .... which will happen about ... 2 years later ....

  • Inconnux

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 6:51 am GMT

    The biggest hit to the new DS is the lack of backwards compatibility with the GBA. Why would I replace my current DS with one that won't play all my games???

  • zomglolcats

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 6:48 am GMT

    The main reason I'm not getting the DSi is because they didn't add any more network security options other than WEP. I'm not reconfiguring my home wifi just to use my DSi online.

  • todd19662

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 5:55 am GMT

    I have read a lot of negative feedback on this new ds and quite frankly i think it all boils down to the fact that a lot of people cant afford it so they are trying to make themselves feel better by dogging it out . ive had a ds for a long time and will get this one as well because it has some new features not mentioned that much , such as the relocated volumn button (it was in the way on the lite) and the new power button. Its not a lot of new features or even smaller but if you have played a ds for any time at all , you would buy this without hesitation if money was not a problem , that being said if money is tight (it is for all of us these days) save your spare change its amazing how much you can accumulate and if you are happy with your lite maybe you dont need this one.

  • 02sfraser

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 2:09 am GMT

    i just bought myself Warioware big fan of the series. actually has just finished downloading.... going to play

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 1:51 am GMT

    I already have a DS Lite. Do the rest of you think it makes sense for me to pay 150 quid to buy a DSi?

  • JoePiervincenti

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 1:02 am GMT

    cjasko, if you don't like the DSi, then say so, but don't just focus on the fact that it can take pics, it's a HUGE improvement with MANY features added and not just a cosmetic change like the DS Lite was. Why focus on the picture taking when you could focus on the built in web browser, built in store to download games, built in system memory, capacity of bigger SD cards for full games, music, etc.. not saying you have to like these features, but it's silly to focus on the most meaningless of the new features as a reason not to upgrade for the most substantial hardware upgrade in handheld gaming history!

  • AlphaCommando

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 12:07 am GMT

    Wow. Could they have said Nintendo DSi any more times?

  • 1425678786655

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 11:34 pm GMT

    i want the DSi

    sooooooooo bad

    need to upgrade my ds phat already

  • cjasko94 posted Apr 2, 2009 11:01 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    cjasko94

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 11:01 pm GMT (hide)

    Why the he!! would I want a new ds that can take pics??

    waste of money..

  • Justinge3

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 10:58 pm GMT

    So little new feature to justify a new purchase. I have an ipod for music. I have a phone for a camera. No need for a crappy dsi camera. All thats really new is no gba slot and a new shop function. GAH!!!

  • cayne_phoenix

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 10:25 pm GMT

    wat abt video files? is that available?

  • HappyBB

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 10:08 pm GMT

    Sigh..., I am a Nintendo hater, but I am strangely attracted to the new DSi!? What the...!?

  • whosgotthe311

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 8:45 pm GMT

    Im really hoping that some of the NES, SNES, and Sega games make their way over to the DSi shop. Or even better...the ability to transfer games from the Wii shop to your DSi via SD card. Either way, got mine pre-ordered.

  • Imaginative

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 8:31 pm GMT

    I might have a reason to buy a ds....sold my first one.

  • im_really_rich

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 8:21 pm GMT

    The only game of those 5 that sounded interesting is the warioware one.

    I'm sick of all these DS puzzles. Give us a REAL good game, not lame crap.

  • GatCloudX

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 8:19 pm GMT

    iphone type games will probably flood the shop

  • japanesegoth

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 8:10 pm GMT

    once i find a job...maybe i'll get one. i've had the same old DS since it first came out

  • MADDjoe

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 6:44 pm GMT

    gimmy, gimmy...I can't wait. Going to gamestop tomorrow to turn in DS lite to put towards new DSi. Maybe i should camp hmmmm. I love getting new systems. Makes feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

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