Nintendo DSi coming April 5th

  • By SarjuS, GameSpot
  • Posted Feb 18, 2009 11:22 am PT

The Nintendo DSi will finally hit American soil. Japan 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 probably the most drastic change to date. Nintendo's upcoming handheld system includes new hardware...

The Nintendo DSi will finally hit American soil. Japan 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 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. We detailed the upgrades and changes in a feature during the Japanese launch. Expect to find blue and black colored DSi's in stores on April 5th with an MSRP $169.99.

Nintendo representatives recently showed up to trot out the US version of the DSi. It's basically identical to the Japanese version except it has an English menu system. Unlike the last time around, we could actually read and explore the menu and options. In particular, we got a better look at the main menu, camera, and sound options.

Nintendo went well out of its way to make the dual camera system interesting to use. Using either the internal or external camera, you can take pictures and manipulate them on the fly using ten different software based lenses with options like: distort, mirror, color swap, frame and more. We actually had a decent bit of fun fiddling with live shots by pulling noses out like Pinnochio or enlarging eyes like anime characters. A built-in slide show feature lets you display your shots, and you have the option of moving the shots off the DSi via the SD card. Picture files will save as the ubiquitous jpg format and should be accessible by all computers.

The DSi's mirror lens lets you take kaleidoscopic pictures. Hippy time!

Bland looking fruit is considerably more satisfying. When we played around with the color swap setting, we found it worked well on strong colors like bright green or red.

Satisfy those furry urges by using the mischief lens. You might remember that my counterpart James Yu took pictures of himself in a similar getup for our previous DSi feature. He liked the look so much he comes to work with whiskers on daily basis.

The sound recorder function lets you record up to 18 ten-second clips, and lets you play around with them using a stylus. Moving up and down the colored arrows lets you raise and lower the pitch. Traveling along the horizontal axis slows down and speeds up the playback. You can also loop the sound and A-B loop a specific part of it.

A separate section of the audio program lets you modify sounds with filters that make you sound like you've sucked the helium out of a balloon, turned into a parrot, or stood in front of a fan. Each one of the options has multiple underlying settings you can choose from. We found the options easy to navigate and entertaining to use.

The DSi also includes support for music playback, although you can only use AAC files(you'll have to convert MP3s). The top screen has a few audio visualizers you can choose from, and the bottom half gives you the option to tweak playback using a variety of filters. Like the sound clips, you can also speed up, slow down, and raise and lower the pitch. Music playback works with the console shut closed, but you'll need to have a headset plugged in, otherwise the DSi goes to sleep.

The DSi's new menu system considerably improves upon the original. By default you'll boot into the menu screen, from there you'll initially be able to choose between Settings, DS card, Camera, Music, DSiShop, Network, and PictoChat. More icons will appear once you pop in games or download applications from the DSiShop. You can also rearrange the layout by dragging around the icons with the stylus. For all those folks that forget to recharge their consoles - you'll also be able to change brightness settings to increase battery life without having to reset the console anymore.

The new DSi costs a bit more than the DS Lite, but it certainly comes with its fair share of new features. Nintendo also mentioned that we should be on the lookout for even more features as we get closer to the console's launch.

76 Comments

  • beymod

    Posted Jun 6, 2009 5:38 am PT

    thanks....
    http://www.beymod.com.tr

  • Me_GrimLoc

    Posted Apr 5, 2009 7:22 am PT

    Looks nice just not much of a DS fan but wouldn't mind playing Metroid Prime or The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass or ones along those lines.

  • alien100000

    Posted Apr 4, 2009 5:35 pm PT

    looks pretty good, not sure if i'll get one though.

  • Mateo247

    Posted Apr 4, 2009 11:55 am PT

    Oh haha, my bad. I just looked at the pictures and heard that there were gonna be downloads, I was just wondering, thanks for making me feel stupid lol.

  • orcmonkey3000

    Posted Apr 4, 2009 11:44 am PT

    Mateo247: Does anyone know what type of things we will be able to download? I know we won't be able to download games because we would need to put a credit card in or whatever but what are we gonna be able to download?

    Ummm...I don't know where you got the idea that we won't be downloading games, but instead of asking questions like that here, read the other articles in this section, or better yet, read gamespot's review of one of the first DSiWare games to be released, WarioWare: Snapped.

  • Mateo247

    Posted Apr 4, 2009 11:15 am PT

    Does anyone know what type of things we will be able to download? I know we won't be able to download games because we would need to put a credit card in or whatever but what are we gonna be able to download?

  • xdeiri

    Posted Apr 4, 2009 7:37 am PT

    enavri you should take it easy , being a sony fanboy

  • EnaVRi

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 8:30 pm PT

    I'll wait for the PSP slide... But I might end up buying both... LOL

  • zakkess

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 8:05 pm PT

    PSP 2 will blow this away in my opinion. its basically a ds with SD slot, new format (AAC) and camera. It would have been a better idea on a new system. not the ds system.

  • sonicrocks96

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 4:50 pm PT

    Cool!!! Now I'm gonna save my money up for one! But I know it'll be a while.

  • Aang007

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 4:08 pm PT

    i have a ds fat and i sorda would like to get this but idk if its worth it. What megapixel is this camera? O and if i have a gba game can i download it onto the SD card?

  • circile

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 11:02 am PT

    this is ok

  • neilwilliams

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 5:11 am PT

    @hongkong. I found out that they are making a wario ware dsi. in the game, you move you hands in front of the camera to grab coins, and do other silly minigames. you can see a review of it on youtube. type in wario ware dsi

  • Coolyfett

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 3:10 pm PT

    Being that I love playing music on my PSP, I need to explain to you gamers about the AAC format. AAC is better than MP3. It is like going from cassatte to cd. AAC & MP3 are both digital audio, MP3 is the older version AAC is the latest greatest technology. AAC sounds better and takes up less space. Example lets say you have a WMA or WAV file.....if you convert the same file to AAC and MP3 the AAC version will take up less space on your device, which leaves more space for more music and files. Converting is easy, Eventually the MP3 format will totally go away, just like the Phonograph and cassatte tape did, Hope that helps everyone, Peace & Love

  • riariases

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 2:26 pm PT

    Ace0006, you're wrong. iPod's aren't MP3 players. They're MP4 players.

  • gregjblair

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 1:48 pm PT

    Why are graphics always the major issue for people. i personally dont give a crap and i think there are still some N64 games and even some SNES games that are better then the best looking next gen games. As for the music, well this system was originally designed for gaming not listening to music so you guys can shut up about which format it does or doesnt play.

  • danielmbg

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 10:39 am PT

    Well it´s good, it has a Camera, music, things to download. But I think it should have better graphics, like PSP. The DS have already 5 years, the DS lifetime is already over. It is time for a DS with wonderful graphics, imagine all the DSi have with graphics better than the PSP and a larger screen, who won´t buy it?

  • Ace0006

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 10:36 am PT

    LAWL @ togo2828, what a joke. iPod's are mp3 players.

  • madglee

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 3:42 am PT

    Ooh, fruit and you can't even play MP3s. Sign me up!

  • towelie892

    Posted Apr 1, 2009 7:22 pm PT

    @togo2828: iPods are mp3 players. The best-selling music player brand is an mp3 player. Music you buy from iTunes is in AAC, but iPods play mp3s (and iTunes even lets you easily convert to said format). All of my music (ca. 2000 songs) is in mp3 format, so recognizing that format would certainly be nice.

  • togo2828

    Posted Apr 1, 2009 3:51 pm PT

    Why do people keep saying MP3 players, who really has a MP3 player, I'm pretty sure most people have Ipods of some type ((same format of music that the DSi uses))

  • HushRong

    Posted Apr 1, 2009 3:43 pm PT

    @ togo2828: intersting, the thing even has a network now. i seemed to have missed that tibit of info, most stuff i have read is about the cameras really.

    -i remember once there was a discussion about using blank cartridges an downloading games onto them to play on the DS. that would have been cool too, of course...those were fans wet dreams

  • togo2828

    Posted Apr 1, 2009 3:26 pm PT

    @HushRong
    There is exclusive DSi Games, Made available from the DSi Network, just to let you know.

  • squarejp

    Posted Apr 1, 2009 1:36 pm PT

    Go to slickdeals and bensbargains.net and start checking out Cheap Cheap SD cards. The deal nowadays should be 4GB for $9.99.

  • HushRong

    Posted Apr 1, 2009 12:46 pm PT

    i dont think there are going to be any DSi only games games...its just a super DS so the same stuff works(same deal like the fat DS then they made a Lite). but what kind of game could you make using the camera? an new pokemon snap? thats the only thing really that could be "DSi Exclusive"

    other than that, i do like the tadbit bigger screen an its smaller size as well.

  • talkinsquirrel

    Posted Mar 31, 2009 8:38 pm PT

    Ya except video games come out for it tyco_ex =p

  • DJjoey

    Posted Mar 31, 2009 11:16 am PT

    Nehine, i live in Denmark, and i can get a 1-2 GB SD card over the net for about $6, and things are usually a whole lot more expensive over here than most of the world.

  • tyco_ex posted Mar 31, 2009 12:51 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    tyco_ex

    Posted Mar 31, 2009 12:51 am PT (hide)

    So basically a stripped down wannabe psp?

  • halokila

    Posted Mar 30, 2009 10:46 pm PT

    i dont mean to nit pick Nehine but sd cards are hella cheap right know

  • MasterOfSprites

    Posted Mar 30, 2009 6:18 pm PT

    So awesome I may just sell my DS and by a PSP instead!

  • Nehine

    Posted Mar 29, 2009 11:55 pm PT

    I don't think that it's worth upgrading. If you don't already own a DS then get this one. When all is said and done, and you get bored with the camera and music player- it's just a normal DSL until they make DSi-only games. Think about this, you aren't going to carry this big lunky thing around when you want to listen to music or take pictures. And if you do, and you go to school... be prepared for it to be stolen. You will still use a camera in your phone for quick pictures, and a normal mp3 player for music. For those of you who think it is worth it though- by all means, it is your money spend it as you please. SD cards can sometimes be expensive, and the store is useful only if you have a wireless internet. I might consider it when it goes down in price, but at the moment... not worth it for me.

  • starduke

    Posted Mar 29, 2009 6:51 pm PT

    Hmm, downloadable GBA games, you say? I wonder how much of the selection of games will be available and for how much. It'd be nice to see some of the hard to find classics. Still, you have to pay to download them and put them on SD cards, which you have to buy, which could get pretty pricey. Also, its not exactly confirmed that they'll have the downloadable GBA games for the USA. I may get the DSi, eventually. Just not right now. I want to know more about the kind of games they'll be making for it. I mean, having cameras on the DSi is all well and good, but it's a game system! What kind of games, that are good, would use the cameras?

  • Skithien

    Posted Mar 29, 2009 12:28 pm PT

    Here is the link telling about the DSi shop

    http://ds.kombo.com/article.php?artid=7007

  • Skithien

    Posted Mar 29, 2009 12:28 pm PT

    Ok, why complain about a lack of a GBA slot when Nintendo announced that on the DSi shop you will be able to purchase GB, GBC, and GBA games. Thats like a billion times better!!! About the AAC format, first off its better quality, secondly its so easy to convert. Nintendo made this to a multifunctional device. The cameras are way better than any cell phone camera. Bottom line, the DSi is a great upgrade and well worth the purchase.

  • DarkMaster7991

    Posted Mar 29, 2009 9:54 am PT

    Wow. The only thing that really appeals to me is the Shop feature. You could download diffrent features and games. Thats cool. The GBA slot doesn't bother me becuase I have a GBA micro and since my DS broke I will be getting this one..(I also heard when you get it you will get 1000 Nintendo points!)

  • StaggeredDagger

    Posted Mar 29, 2009 8:37 am PT

    *opens itunes*

    *right clicks song*

    *click "create AAC version*

    *renames song to Distance - Long shot party "AAC vers for DS*

    ?????

    profit. there you go.

  • xXDante666Xx

    Posted Mar 28, 2009 9:04 pm PT

    Listen Mike 885 the real problem isn't that he doesn't know what an AAC format is. The only real problem I see is that his icon has the Dreamcast spiral. Just kidding guys. But really I would LOVE to get this on release (in the blue) but sadly I have very little money plus the fact that my practical wife "needs" to go to Prom. BUT she is great and hopefully she will be getting me one for my bday!

  • rsnow7

    Posted Mar 28, 2009 7:56 pm PT

    This device's details changed my mind about how many people it could appeal to; now, it's a worthwhile investment. However, GBA games mean more to me than those features. I have a laptop, mp3 player, etc. to do the rest, anyway.

  • Gmaster01

    Posted Mar 28, 2009 9:42 am PT

    whats up with that blue...

  • Mike885

    Posted Mar 27, 2009 11:51 pm PT

    kkevguy47k it mentions on the trailer for the dsi you can share pictures with your friends, including the ones you've edited which you can't do with a phone.

  • Mike885

    Posted Mar 27, 2009 11:47 pm PT

    kardon16 they said on their website they put low quality camera's so you will have tons of memory left if you take lots of pictures. To all of you whining about the camera sucking, the point is that you were given the option to take pictures while taking around your ds which will have other extra things to entertain you, also it can be edited. With a regular camera all you can do is take pictures but that's it, then you can edit it on your computer but that just isn't as fun.

  • Mike885

    Posted Mar 27, 2009 11:44 pm PT

    Batman_Venence the camera is just as useful as any other camera, and it can be used for games, not many people care about the GBA slot now and we'd have to move along sometime so they're doing it now, it's been tested and is just as sturdy as the old DS's, the fact that you don't know what an AAC file is your own problem, and it's your loss.

  • gue2

    Posted Mar 27, 2009 11:35 pm PT

    many features and more to come but, no gaming experience improvement? and the screens has the same size and resolution?

  • GatCloudX

    Posted Mar 27, 2009 10:53 pm PT

    awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Batman_Vengence

    Posted Mar 27, 2009 8:22 pm PT

    Camera's useless.The fact they removed the GBA slot is sickening.I bet the thing will break as soon as you drop it by accident,too.And wtf is up with the fact that is doesn't support .mp3 files?!I don't even know what an AAC file is?!Nintendo has in no way convinced me to get a DSi.

  • comkaz

    Posted Mar 27, 2009 7:14 am PT

    calendar/scheduler or no deal here

    I cant believe they have a stylus and even more fru-fru useless apps, yet I still can't use such functionality on the unit, and I cant buy a ds/gba cart that has it either

    Would make total sense to include, more-so than a lot of these other apps
    Just a little smart PDA-like use would make it a lot more interesting, IMO

  • kardon16

    Posted Mar 27, 2009 12:41 am PT

    i think the put those low quiality cameras to save battery life

  • Adam_the_Nerd

    Posted Mar 26, 2009 8:58 pm PT

    A 0.3 megapixel camera is a little useless. No MP3 playback; utter garbage! And then a bunch of pointless gimmicky features that anyone of any age will get bored of after awhile: very pointless. And to add space for extra memory, they removed the GBA slot. This shouldn't even be considered if you already own a DS.

  • nakasa5

    Posted Mar 26, 2009 6:02 pm PT

    I would consider getting it if they announced they are going to release classic games to download (Mega Man 2, Super Mario Bros, etc.) Until then, there is nothing here that makes me want to upgrade from my DS Lite.

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