http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Nintendo … 35153.html

I had never heard of this before. I'm not surprised, but I think it's a pity they removed the GBA feature. On the other hand, hardly anyone places GBA games anymore, so I guess it's a fairly smart move on Nintendo's part. So, is anyone going to be picking-up this $170 handheld?

cheers,

-avatar!

We had a thread about the DSi last year:

http://www.soundtrackcentral.com/forums … hp?id=4244

I'm still not entirely sold on the thing.  Bigger screens might be nice, but the tremendous reduction in battery life is a big turn-off.  Also, I need my Slot 2 for the various accessory doo-dads that I have.

I felt trolled when my DS Lite's screen started malfunctioning right after the warranty expired. (The top screen's colors and resolution are shot to the point of being unplayable.)

I felt trolled when I finally broke down and bought a new DS Lite (in my dream color, navy blue), only to have the DSi announced a month or two later (same thing happened when I bought an original GBA. )

I felt trolled when it was revealed that the "3.0" would have features and hardware specs the previous models didn't (while also removing some, namely GBA), making it so that not all games can play on all DSes.

I felt trolled (or at least egged on) when its release date was announced to be the day before my birthday and would come in my favorite color.

But, I felt content with the fact that I am not at all tempted to get a DSi, since I'm perfectly happy with my Lite (the one that didn't break).

I will feel trolled when the next Pokemon games are DSi exclusive. And, finally, I'll feel like an idiot for finally succumbing.

To my understanding the DSi is simply an iteration of the DS. Therefore any DS game that works in the DSi should work in your lite. I think it unlikely that Nintendo would release DSi exclusive games as opposed to DS exclusive games... at least I hope they don't follow that route, in which case I too will be pissed!

I don't know, I can't remember - you can't play GBC games on a normal GB right? Still, I can't help but feel there where a few that were backwards compatiable.

GBC games came in a few flavors--black carts were essentially GB games that would play in color in a GBC (sometimes with GBC-only content, like Link's Awakening DX), and clear carts were GBC only (would not work in a GB, such as Super Mario Bros. Deluxe).

Anyhow, I would expect something similar for DSi--some games that play on a DS except for some features or minigames that utilize the DSi stuff, and then some DSi-only games (in fact, didn't they already announce a few, like "Rhythm Heaven?") And then of course there's the downloadable stuff.

Additionally and most damningly, the hardware specs are different--the main processor's speed is doubled, the RAM is quadrupled, and there's on-board memory. I can certainly see games being tailored to utilize this even if they don't require using the cameras, thus requiring a DSi to play. Eh, now I'm grouchy. :-p

Rhythm Heaven is a DS game straight up.  It'll be compatible with all versions of the DS, including the Lite and DSi.  Your confusion is understandable, though since Nintendo chose to combine both press releases into one:

"Also on April 5, a new Nintendo DS game, Rhythm Heaven, will join this roster of games available for both Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DS owners in the United States. Having sold more than 1.6 million copies since its July 2008 launch in Japan and still increasing sales today, this infectious game challenges players to tap and slide the stylus on the touch screen in time to original music created by legendary Japanese pop-star producer TSUNKU♂. Simple gestures with the stylus combined with fun music and quirky visuals make Rhythm Heaven a completely unique musical experience for players of all ages."

I am not getting one and even more now that I just seen it costs £150 which is £20 less than a Wii! Then again I love my black DS Lite and the fact its serial number even has a number that seems to follow me everywhere.

Didnt think about it from the angle that Virtual Boot mentioned about certain games using the camera and new hardware improvements! I hope it doesn't go that way as I dont really need a new console.

Actualy that new Wario game is only on DS ware right? Also a surprise to see the European rrelease as 3rd of April.

All this reminds too that I need to clean my ds lite as it's not been done for weeks.

There's nothing about the DSi that particularly interests me but I'm kind of hoping it will renew interest in the DS in general and get some more great releases out there. It just might be the catalyst for some new games.

Sequel to Hotel Dusk please.

Yeah, Nintendo has confirmed that there will be DSi-exclusive retail releases as well as the downloadable titles. From what I hear, the new WarioWare title will use the camera, so it will likely be a DSi-branded title, whether its downloadable or retail.

Also, Nintendo is taking a really slow approach to the DSi, so it won't matter if you only upgrade in 2011 or something. It's just the same as getting a DS in 2007, in that there's going to be a lot of titles available already, and you've avoided the early rush. Perhaps even a DSi2!

Seeing as I have no interest in portable gaming or in another one of Nintendo's redesigns (instead of progression), I'm going to pass on the DSi. And the DSi2. And the DSi Micro. And the limited edition gold Zelda DSi that comes packaged with a remake of The Minish Cap with a touch-screen control scheme. You laugh now, but I can see the future, and that's what it holds.

Had enough interest to click on the thread and post a reply though... I think we have a future DSi fan in the making.

Anyways, Satoru Iwata is having a keynote at the GDC in March, conspicuously close to the DSi launch, so it's possible there will be some upcoming features or games unveiled there. Nintendo should have no trouble selling through their launch shipments, but if they're going to keep DSi momentum going, they're going to need new content besides just the DS backlog and ongoing releases.

Yep, that's it. You got me. Dammit, foiled again!

I'll probably hold off on the DSi until they release something exclusive for the download store that I can't live without.  So far, everything announced for that seems to be productivity type applications, so I'm in no rush.

I'll pass, even though it pains to pass on Warioware, Hacolife and the other Artstyle DSi games. I've already invested into three different DSs, so I'd rather save my money for something else.

Well, this came out of left field.

Nintendo DSi LL/XL announced:
http://kotaku.com/5392421/nintendo-anno … screen-dsi
http://kotaku.com/5392444/how-does-the- … nd-ds-lite
http://kotaku.com/5392484/europe-gettin … arter-2010

Japan will be retailing the LL on 11/21/09 for ¥20,000 (US$220), the current cost of the DSi.  Europe's will be released during the first quarter of 2010, but at a higher price than their DSi.  No word yet on a North America release. 

While it's good to see the battery life getting a boost back up, I wonder how the resolution will fare on the (even) bigger screens.  Can anyone who's actually played on both a Lite and a DSi confirm if there's any sort of quality hit on the DSi as a result of the pixels staying the same?

EDIT: Looks like North America has been confirmed for a Q1 2010 release as well.  No word on the pricing for EU or NA yet, though.

Also, a direct comparison video between the Lite, DSi, and Dsi XL.

The DSi screens are only marginally bigger than the Lite's, and I didn't notice any major pixelation when I tried out my friend's.  Those DSi XL screens are much bigger, though.

While it doesn't make a massive difference on the DSi, the larger screen does highlight the low resolution of the system. It's especially noticable on the system menus as they haven't gone for crisp text.

I would imagine this larger screen will fare much worse. But then, I don't think this system is for the likes of us. The larger screen will only have a negative effect on the graphics and who wants more bulk? This thing is huge and more expensive.

I think it's for the older generation of gamers who Nintendo are targetting more with their Sudoku and the like, who would benefit from the larger screens as their eyesight simply isn't as good. For them, this model makes a good deal of sense but not for us.

I'm always super amused by the fact that nerds on the internet throw a fit about things that they totally don't understand.  Nintendo seems to really clearly be thinking of themselves as the producers of something like the Kindle now as far as the DS goes - not just catering to the traditional gaming crowd.  I don't think anyone who bought a DSi is SUPPOSED to "upgrade" to this new model - it's just an alternate version to attempt to hit a different demographic.

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Yeah, looking at the promo pics and such, this is obviously meant to be kept on a table/stand for longer periods of use. It's a pretty heavy handheld, and if the original DS can strain the hands of twentysomethings, this new bigger and heavier DSi can't be held up for long times by the primary buyer group, the elderly who need a larger font.

The question that keeps popping in my mind that nobody seems to have addressed anywhere is, what kind of battery life is the sucker supposed to have? DSi reportedly has less than a Lite and those screens are barely a smidge larger.

Drat it, I was sure I'd done a find-word 'battery' search. Sorry.