Introducing the Nintendo DSi

By: Water Pokémon Master · Posted Posted onOct 1, 2008 at 3:28 PM · 0 Comments

UPDATE #6: The blog “Wii @ Everyday” has photos of the new DSi in comparison to the DS Lite. You can check them out by clicking here.

UPDATE #5: More details. / UPDATE #4: Added many more details, thanks to Bangiras. / UPDATE #3: Added new information, fixed some mistakes. / UPDATE #2: Nintendo has opened two new pages: one that shows-off the Nintendo DSi’s features, and one that shows video of new games that will be coming out soon. No new Pokemon games have been announced. Bangiras is translating the websites to see if there is any more information. / UPDATE: Added picture of the white model.

A Nintendo of Japan press conference is taking place live as I am writing this news story, and the new Nintendo DS model was JUST revealed. Below are its new features:

Nintendo DSi

Nintendo DSi

  • It will be released in Japan on November 1st for 18900 yen ($179) and in 2009 in the United States and other countries.
  • Larger screens, now 3.25 inches diagonally each (the DS Lite’s screens were 3 inches). Five brightness settings (previously four).
  • Two built-in cameras (one on the outside of the DS when closed, one on the inside when opened). The one on the outside is 3.0 megapixels, while the one on the inside is 0.3 megapixels (640×480 resolution). You can edit and distort the photos you take on the DSi.
  • Music playback capabilities. Your music files will need to be in the AAC format for the DSi to be able to play them. The DSi will allow you to “play with them,” such as being able to change the music to 8 bit, remove vocals, change the speed it plays, change the pitch, make it sound like trumpets as with a synthesizer, etc.
  • There is now a SanDisk card slot. You can save photos you take with the 3.0 megapixel camera to an SD Card.
  • The GBA slot has been removed.
  • Better-quality speakers.
  • Built-in flash memory.
  • Software-based web browser.
  • It can sync photos with the Wii Photo Channel.
  • Available in two colors: white and matte black (instead of a shiny black, which means your fingerprints don’t show).
  • There is considerably less battery life than the DS Lite. The DSi takes 2.5 hours to charge, gets 9-14 hours on brightness 1, 8-12 hours on brightness 2, 6-9 on 3, 4-6 on 4, and 3-4 on 5. The charging time is 30 minutes faster than the DS Lite, though.
  • The overall unit is taller, wider, and thinner (137.0mm x 74.9mm x 18.9mm, stylus 92mm long) than the DS Lite (133.0mm x 73.9mm x 21.5mm, stylus 87.5mm long). Overall, it is 12% smaller than the DS Lite. It also weighs less. The DSi’s weight is 214g while the Lite’s is 218g.
  • “Nintendo Points” will be used to download new software and games directly to the DSi (there will now be an online DSi store, similar to the Wii Shop Channel). The new software is not compatible with the previous DS models. Each piece of software will either be free, 200, 500, or 800 Nintendo Points. The “Nintendo Points” are probably exactly the same as the “Wii Points” we have now, but renamed since the points will probably apply to both the DSi and Wii.
  • You will be able to download the DSi Web Browser and a new program called “Moving Memo” for free. Moving Memo might be a sort of “Pictochat.”
  • If you connect to the internet on the DSi, you will receive 1000 Nintendo Points for free.
  • DS Stations in Japan will be upgraded to accommodate the new system.
  • The “status” lights on the new model are in this order: Wireless, Charger, Power.
  • The “Power” switch has been removed and is now a button under the D-Pad.
  • The L and R buttons have been redesigned and are smaller on the DSi than the DS Lite.