Nintendo announces Nintendo DSi

by Chris Greenhough { Oct 2nd 2008 at 12:52AM }

Click image to enter our DSi gallery!

Nintendo's Media Summit has just thrown us its first juicy bone of the night, and it's a big one. As was previously rumored, Satoru Iwata has revealed the Nintendo DSi, the direct successor to the DS Lite which comes absolutely jam-packed with new features and trinkets, including two cameras, music playback functions, expanded screens, an SD card slot, and a whole new, DS-specific download service. Hit the break for the full list of improvements and adjustments, as well as the Japanese launch date and price!

Gallery: Nintendo DSi

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!
And finally, it launches on November 1st in Japan, and will cost ¥18,900, or roughly $179. Check out the official site at the "Source" link below!

Commence yaaaaaying!

Tags: dsware, nintendo-dsi, nintendo-media-summit, nms, nms08, redesign, upgrade

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Joe H @ Oct 2nd 2008 12:57AM

ok sweet, I am pleased.

Maurice @ Oct 2nd 2008 12:58AM

Is this real?

Ross @ Oct 2nd 2008 2:02PM

It's real.

Simon @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:03AM

Can't wait to hear more!

Hibbles @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:03AM

You better believe it baybay!

Sonic_13 @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:07AM

I only need to know two things:

1) How much?
2) When can I get one?

bman94 @ Oct 12th 2008 11:54AM

1.Aprx. $150
2.Near Spring 2009 (America)

Sonic_13 @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:10AM

Per IGN:

" Software will be separated into four categories: Free, 200 Points, 500 Points and Premium (800 Points). If you connect even once to the Shop by March 2010, Nintendo will give you 1,000 free Points as a present"

Pardoned @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:11AM

Nintendo milks it again! They're quite genius at getting you to buy the same thing over and over again.

Ironraptor Albion @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:18AM

Uhm... PSP 3000 anyone?

Granted the PSP 3000 isn't successful, but hey, the PSP 3000 offers minor hardware tweaks as opposed to the DSi.

Pardoned @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:22AM

Has nothing to do with the PSP, as usual you're on the defensive about it. Honestly, look back at all the versions of the same handhelds Nintendo puts out with minor modifications, haha. Buy into their gimmicks, which is fine, because it looks cool at least.

NickT @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:30AM

Nice trolling comment there mate!

I agree with Ironraptors reply....

What was your reason for bagging Nintendo for 'milking' it again, when Sony do exactly the same with the PSP.

The DS is successful, they are selling boatloads of them. Why not update and add more features?

Pardoned @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:38AM

Ah yes, anybody who doesn't buy into each and every little upgrade is a troll. You fanboys are a faggy bunch. I'm not bagging on it just to be doing it, I'm just tired of such minor updates getting so much praise. It's absolutely ridiculous, but then again, most of Nintendo's fanbase is retarded and thinks Brawl is the holy grail of games. Enough said.

bug frawg @ Oct 2nd 2008 2:00AM

@pardoned: I guess calling people retarded isn't trolling at all?

and this version is at least a more significant upgrade compared to the switch from phat to lite.

NickT @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:41AM

Considering I don't actually own a DS myself, it hardly makes me a fanboy.

You obviously just don't like Nintendo, and their success. Because your initial, pointless, comment was equally applicable to the PSP, and the PSOne, and the PS2 Slim etc etc. Yet you argue with those who point this out to you.

Grow up, and save your bait for someone who gives a hoot.

ecco6t9 @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:12AM

Holy $**+

deuxem @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:16AM

Way to kick Guitar Hero On Tour in the nuts. Bye bye gba slot.

NickT @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:31AM

hahaha... good point!!

You got to wonder what Nintendo are thinking sometimes! If they ignore WPA & WPA2 for WiFi security this time round, I'll be gobsmacked.

zchry @ Oct 4th 2008 11:11AM

Ugh! I know! The first two things I thought of were GH and WPA!

ShadowPhoenix @ Oct 8th 2008 2:29PM

Haha, love the comment, but...I don't notice where it says or shows there is no GBA slot. Man, I was SOOO excited about this, and "holy $#!+" ing it up, but...it's a bit less impressive if they removed functiionality to add others. I also don't think that adding an SD slot, cameras, and onboard memory to handle more built-in software is a MINOR gimmick. That sounds like a mjor upgrade to me, way more so than the light and size change from DS to DS Lite.

Sooo....Holy $#!+, Nintendo! Now, just show me where it says "no GBA slot" and I'll lay it to rest, lol.

Myles @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:17AM

i love all the new features but one of the main reasons i was going to buy a ds is because of GH on tour. Now no GBA slot.

Dirge @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:17AM

Wow, this is freaking awesome!

Sokkratez @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:18AM

I just wonder what measures are being taken to stifle homebrew. Not many, I hope. On board storage may mean there will now be a software solution.

iofthestorm @ Oct 2nd 2008 3:11AM

I have a feeling they added some checks for piracy/homebrew devices, but since there's a built in SD slot someone will probably crack it sooner or later. Until then I will probably hang on to my DS since I've already got an MP3 player and web browser through homebrew. But I'm fairly certain I will get this eventually, since it is actually a major upgrade and my DS has the shoulder button problem, and is generally well worn (and well loved). Matte finish is really nice too.

Macha88 @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:26PM

Hopefully they will provide an SDK so that people can homebrew for the DSware stuff and release it for free. :D

NickT @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:19AM

There are some nice updates there...

I just hope someone had the sense to add WPA & WPA2 as wifi security options.

I won't change my network security for a DS.

guessmysn @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:20AM

i wonder if ds flash carts will still work ...

KeegdnaB @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:22AM

Well I was gonna ask for an iPod touch for Christmas....

GetTheMonkey @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:51AM

You still can as we won't be getting the DSi until next year.

RandomUsername @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:23AM

If i buy this, it will be my 4th DS

SephFinale @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:29AM

This is kind of cool. Now guess how much more easier homebrew might get?

iofthestorm @ Oct 2nd 2008 3:13AM

It might get harder before it gets easier though...

Rika @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:33AM

Third correction: Famitsu says one external 3 megapixel camera and one VGA camera on the hinge pointing towards the user.

Chris Greenhough @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:38AM

Ah, thank you! I updated the post.

Charizard @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:36AM

Crap, and here I finally went out and bought a new DS Lite JUST LAST WEEK!

bombchu @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:41AM

Immense amounts of want. It'll only be DS number 3~ Teal phat, teal lite... I would love a teal DSi. How lovely...

mahmud @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:42AM

aw man... with allll the ds games out right now that don't use two touch screens or a camera, who really would upgrade to this if you already have a lite. I'm really disappointed they didn't announce a new handheld system with better graphics. I'm just gonna rought it out and wait for that to drop, whenever it does. if it ever does. i will wait patiently playing my ds lite, without an i. give me banjo kazooie or the zelda that was on gamecube on a handheld system. come on nintendo. i grew up with you. you took me through the worst of times. the ds got me through college. but now, you've disappointed me. we need counseling.

unholyassassin @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:55AM

Interesting, but not worth spending my money.

1) No GBA slot.

2) Same basic design, but just reduced slighty. Expected a more different design, especially that hinge! It's the same exact hinge except instead of a mic, it's a camera.

ChibiKawase @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:55AM

So apparently Nintendo's trying to cozy up to the net so badly, they're totally tossing away the nigh-limitless potential of the GBA slot(rumble, memory card potential for massive games, tilt functionality, etc.). It's like getting a longer member but getting one or both of the buddies removed.

hvnlysoldr @ Oct 2nd 2008 2:24AM

It will have memory for MMOs now:
Update 3: There's an SD slot also, built-in memory, an on-board browser, and game downloads that use Wii Points! The DSi will come with 1,000 free Wii Points.

Lalo Martins @ Oct 2nd 2008 2:03AM

no word on screen(s) resolution?

ViRGE @ Oct 2nd 2008 2:15AM

So much for getting a new hardware generation. The DS's 3D abilities were underpowered at launch, it only gets worse as time goes on. It really needs a hardware upgrade to break the endless cycle of stale RPGs, minigames, and shovelware. The software ratio is so screwed up that developers aren't even taking it seriously any more, largely because the hardware is so limiting for the kinds of games you can make.

The Nintendo DSi: The same underpowered handheld device you love, with a new lease on life until at least 2010.

iofthestorm @ Oct 2nd 2008 3:18AM

There are a lot of good 2D games on the DS, and a few good 3D ones too, but I agree that the DS needs stronger hardware, and this doesn't look like it will have it. I'm kind of annoyed because this delays the true next gen DS.

Jetup @ Oct 2nd 2008 2:18AM

There is a full website guys...
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/dsi.html
Tells you all!!
Cant read jp though...
Then sorry..

BlackDS @ Oct 2nd 2008 2:40AM

Kotaku says it's 0.3 Megapixel (640 x 480), not 3 Megapixel.

http://kotaku.com/5057870/nintendo-announce-new-ds-the-nintendo-dsi

The bigger screens will help seniors. I know someone I gave Crosswords DS to complained about the screen being too small. So a bigger screen could help Nintendo expand their user base.

Peace.

Puddles @ Oct 2nd 2008 2:41AM

Given that there's no GBA slot, I'm happy to stick with my DS Lite.

Ershin @ Oct 2nd 2008 2:42AM

No GBA Slot, not interested

HalcyonGT @ Oct 2nd 2008 2:46AM

Okay, so whats the point of this system? Really? I love my DS and was kind of hoping Nintendo would've offered a cool new design. Furthermore, I still get a ton of play from the GBA slot...and there's no way I'm the only person who does. Hell the sheer size of the GBA library has sooo many classics that I can't understand them eliminating it altogether.

Oh well, I'll stick with my DS Lite.