Nintendo DSi (iDS :V) (2008 in Japan, well into 2009 for everyone else)

[Irock]

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/dsi.html

Reggie: "Our event today is all about games. That will occupy the bulk of our presentation today. But there are a couple of hardware related issues to discuss as well. In Tokyo last night, Mr. Iwata unveiled a third iteration of DS, called DSi. And here it is." [Reggie lifts up the handheld.]

Built-in Flash memory. Downloadable games are now possible and they can be saved permanently to the DSi. New DS Shop will launch. Among the first games available on the service will be redesigned versions of the two Brain Age games.

DSi also includes a camera and music functionality. To appreciate these functions, "you have to understand that we didn't set out to create the world's best camera or the world's best music player," says Reggie. Plenty of other players in the "red ocean" market. Want to create new types of games using these devices.

On the camera front, the DSi has not one, but two different cameras. One faces forward from the hardware. The other points back at the user. This allows a full range of unique functionality. These cameras work hand-in-hand with image editing software. You can share your edited photos with other DSi users.

Songs will be stored on an SD card. DSi will use the AAC format so you "can easily move songs from your computer to your SD card to play on your DSi." DSI has built-in software enabling users to control attributes like pitch, playback speed, audio filters, etc. "You may have a piece of music where you don't want to listen to vocals -- only instrumentals. The audio filter will allow you to do that." You can fast forward through podcasts, etc. You can record your voice through the built-in microphone and change your playback speed.

System will lose the GBA slot, but is fully compatible with the 600-plus DS games available.

Built-in Opera Nintendo DSi web browser that will run faster than the previous web browser, "and so will the WI-Fi connections," adds Reggie.

As far as 2008 is concerned, the DSi is strictly for Japan. "We will not see the product here in North America until well into calendar 2009," says Reggie. He notes this is because the DS Lite continues to sell at a phenomenal rate in America. In August alone, DS sold more hardware than had ever been sold in that calendar month.

Nintendo has sold a total of 22 million DS units in America.

Reggie talks Wii storage solution. Can now store downloads directly SD Card. And the process of storing on SD card will "become dramatically easier," says Reggie.

Reggie: We will ship more DS units into retail in the October-December quarter than we did last year. We will ship significantly more Wii systems into retail during the same period versus last year.

"Will this finally be enough to meet demand? My answer: talk to me in January."

Even before Nintendo announced it, the DSi has been the talk of the town. According to our Japanese correspondent, the DSi will be 12 percent thinner, and will get rid of the GBA slot entirely. The DSi will also include two built-in cameras (one reportedly VGA resolution) and music playback. The DSi will also add an SD slot and internal storage (we don't yet know how much) to enhance its multimedia capabilities. The screens are now slightly larger at 3.25 inches.Photos can be synced to the Wii Photo Channel.

Nintendo is also launching the "DSi Shop" to sell content directly over WiFi. The DSi will include a free browser application. Prices for the store, which are also tied into the Wii Nintendo Points, will use 0, 200, 500 and 800-point tiers. Until March 2010, 1000 Nintendo points will come bundled with the device.

Nintendo is calling the DSi a "third platform," implying that it's not competing with the DS -- though as a history lesson, the DS was originally a "third platform" against the now-retired Game Boy Advance.

The DSi will launch November 1 in black and white colors. It will cost ¥189,000 (approx. US $178). We won't fault you for misreading this as "iDS," given the very iPod Touch-esque additions.

[spoiler=PIX]

[/spoiler]

Discuss.

[Holkeye]

Pretty sweet, but you would think that Nintendo would be forward-thinking enough to realize that the SD slot will make it even easier to pirate games. With the old model, you had to buy a 3rd party product to insert the SD card. Now they're providing it for us.

[Irock]

Pretty sweet, but you would think that Nintendo would be forward-thinking enough to realize that the SD slot will make it even easier to pirate games. With the old model, you had to buy a 3rd party product to insert the SD card. Now they're providing it for us.

I hadn't even thought of that. =o!

I'll probably be getting this. I lost my 1st gen DS ages ago, and the last game I've bought was Animal Crossing Wild World. @___@

I suppose it's a good time to get back into handheld gaming. :]

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[Sophist]

goddamn I have to buy ANOTHER now?

[tSwitch]

that...actually looks like a worthwhile upgrade from the brick.
I'm surprized.

However, I don't think we can run home brew from the SD card.
you need to run the .nds file, and I still think that needs to be done from a cart.

the ability to store pictures and music would be nice though

[Link]

If there making it seperate from the DS/lite then i doubt it will run the .nds files :/


Though it looks nice, ill stick to my lite, and see if they can offer anything more than a camera.

[Moss.]

I will purchase this.

[strike]

I think if it didn't run .nds, it wouldn't play ds games because .nds is the game filetype.

removing the GBA slot pisses me off, i'd have to carry a gbasp and a dsi to play both, i understand they probably put the sd card slot there though. Awesome though this should drive down the old DS(not the lite) used price once it comes here.

[chewey]

Most likely replacing the GBA slot with buyable GBA games on DSi shop.

Personally, I don't see what the big issue is with the removal of the GBA slot except for screwing up pokemon. I don't know many people that play GBA games on their DS. GBA games suck =/

[Esmeralda]

oh yay yet another DS to buy

[Moss.]

Most likely replacing the GBA slot with buyable GBA games on DSi shop.

Personally, I don't see what the big issue is with the removal of the GBA slot except for screwing up pokemon. I don't know many people that play GBA games on their DS. GBA games suck =/

CASTLEVANIA ARIA OF SORROW FUCK YOU BUDDY

[Irock]

If there making it seperate from the DS/lite then i doubt it will run the .nds files :/


Though it looks nice, ill stick to my lite, and see if they can offer anything more than a camera.

DSware service for downloading games.
3.25" screens, both touchable.
MP3 playback.
SD Card slot.
Smaller.

[Holkeye]

With the SD card slot, I doubt you'll have to wait long for someone to make a GBA emulator for it, and then you won't need the GBA slot.

[Irock]

"As far as 2008 is concerned, the DSi is strictly for Japan. "We will not see the product here in North America until well into calendar 2009," says Reggie. He notes this is because the DS Lite continues to sell at a phenomenal rate in America. In August alone, DS sold more hardware than had ever been sold in that calendar month."

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

I don't give a damn about the DS Lite. Who's going to buy it when the DSi is going to be released? They did the same things with the Gameboy Micro.

"Hey guys, we have this new thing called the Gameboy Micro! It plays Gameboy games! Oh, but we also have this thing called the DS. It has a touch screen, and plays DS AND Gameboy games. Take your pick. =]"

[Kathryn]

The first thing i thought when i saw this was

WTF is this supposed to be?

but it looks cool.

[:)]

when does nintendo stop the innovation and catch up with the graphic world?

either way, looks neat.

[Sophist]

So if both screens are touchable, does that mean they will be making games only work for this and not my beautiful old DS now?

[Irock]

So if both screens are touchable, does that mean they will be making games only work for this and not my beautiful old DS now?

I think the dual touch screen thing was just a rumor. ;o;

[Kefka]

i wonder if they can make it more durable than the ds lite.
I looks cool but how long will they keep updating the same system.

[haloOfTheSun]

when does nintendo stop the innovation and catch up with the graphic world?

either way, looks neat.

When graphics actually make more of a difference than innovation.

[Irock]

when does nintendo stop the innovation and catch up with the graphic world?

either way, looks neat.

When graphics actually make more of a difference than innovation.

Both combined would make an even bigger difference.

[haloOfTheSun]

They can't do two things at once.

[tSwitch]

when does nintendo stop the innovation and catch up with the graphic world?

either way, looks neat.

When graphics actually make more of a difference than innovation.

you read my mind

[Kathryn]

Lol i just thought of the Decline of Video Gaming advert for the DS

[spoiler]LOL[/spoiler]

[strike]

With the SD card slot, I doubt you'll have to wait long for someone to make a GBA emulator for it, and then you won't need the GBA slot.

Well played holk, well played.