Nintendo DSi - 12th Oct 2008 7:58pm
The next version of Nintendo’s popular DS hand-held gaming console. After months of rumours, details have finally been confirmed about this update. The DSi will be only marginally trimmer than the existing model but will boast two slightly larger screens. It will also feature two cameras, where the current DS has none. One is a decent snapper, the second is a low-res webcam. It will have built-in memory to store downloadable games, pictures or music, whereas the present DS can store only music and needs an accessory to do so. The DSi forgoes Nintendo’s proprietory GameBoy Advance (GBA) slot in favour of a more useful SD memory-card slot. This will make it easier to play songs or view snaps, but the trade-off is that the DSi will no longer play GBA titles. It goes on sale in Japan from December, and in the UK from next spring.
- Overall size has been reduced -- DSi is 12% or 2.6 millimeters slimmer than the Lite.
- Comes with an external 0.3 Megapixel camera (for 640 x 480 pixel pictures) and a VGA camera located on the hinge, directed towards the user. You'll be able to edit pictures using the touchscreen.
- Full music playback functionality, including adjustable pitch and playback speed.
- Both screens have been expanded to 3.25 inches.
SD memory card slot is included, and there'll be on-board memory also. - Will ship with an built-in Nintendo DS web browser.
- DSi will allow users to download games from DSWare, a new service that operates with Wii Points -- or, as they are now known, Nintendo Points.
- Logging onto DSWare for the first time will grant users 1,000 free Nintendo Points.
- DSWare comes in four pricing categories: free (!), 200 Nintendo Points, 500 Nintendo Points, and 800 Nintendo Points.
- Will come in lovely matte white and matte black. Begone, foul fingerprints that have taunted us so!