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Nintendo pioneered handheld entertainment in the '80s and famously made it fully mobile and accessible to millions around the world with the Game Boy and DS video game systems. Now, Nintendo is taking things to the next level by transforming the way people access, experience, create and share content with the new Nintendo DSi system, the third iteration of the world's best-selling portable video game system.
The DSi external camera in action. View larger. |
View larger. |
The Nintendo DSi is a high-powered handheld video game system in a sleek, folding design-loaded with features designed to create a unique gaming experience. Like the DS and DS Lite before it, the DSi features Nintendo's trademark stylus-driven touchscreen technology, but determined to make portable gaming simultaneously larger and smaller in all the right places, Nintendo has also created the DSi with significantly larger screens and an even slimmer body design than its earlier cousins. Other features include the ability to snap photos with built-in cameras, edit and send them to friends, play back your music with Nintendo DSi Sound, or browse the Internet with the Nintendo DSi Browser. From playing games to just playing around, the Nintendo DSi does it all.
Features:
The DSi's Two Digital Cameras
The most noticeable feature of the slim Nintendo DSi system are its two cameras - one camera is situated on the external body pointing away from the user, and the second one points at the user when the device is flipped open. As the first truly interactive digital camera in a video game system, the DSi Cameras feature 10 different interactive "lenses" that can manipulate your photos, offering an easy way to take and share your photos with family and friends. The cameras also present people with unprecedented ways to interact with their games, and in the process provide developers with a new tool to devise creative games and experiences. If the touch screen gave Nintendo DS a sense of feel and the microphone allowed it to hear, the two cameras give Nintendo DSi the sense of sight.
DSi Sound
Another enhanced feature is the Nintendo DSi Sound application, which serves as both an interactive voice recorder and music player that allows users to play with their music while they listen to it. Users can access different audio filters or control the pitch and speed of recorded voice or music files to alter voices or change the tempo of a song. The mic is located between the two screens when the device is flipped open, and there is also a stereo headphone output that lets users listen to music saved on an SD card, even with the screen shut.
The DSiWare
In the world of software, Nintendo DSi will be the platform for the most relevant and fun on-the-go games and applications. The Nintendo DSiWare application will populate Nintendo DSi with software that can be downloaded using Nintendo DSi Points directly to the portable system, just as WiiWare has with Nintendo's Wii console. Developers big and small are invited to create software that makes use of the properties and functions of the hardware. Nintendo DSiWare games and applications will be available at a range of values, starting at 200 points.
Games and Backwards Compatibility
In addition to downloadable games, Nintendo DSi is able to play games made specifically for the system and sold at retail. The system can also play most Nintendo DS games, and will have access to a library of more than 850 titles originally made for that system. As an example of the quality of games that DSi players can expect to see both from both Nintendo and third-party game developers, at the launch of the DSi Nintendo also released Rhythm Heaven. A wildly popular rhythm game in Japan, where it has sold nearly 2 million copies since its release in mid 2008, Rhythm Heaven features catchy tunes, charming characters, and a wide variety of rhythm games as it makes maximum use of the DSi's functionality.
Facebook
Nintendo DSi owners have even more ways to share their experiences with friends and family. Using an Internet-connected Nintendo DSi system and the Nintendo DSi Camera application, Facebook members can take pictures with either of the system's two cameras and upload their photos directly to their Facebook profile. While reviewing pictures they've stored in the Nintendo DSi Camera album, which includes photos taken by users and manipulated using the built-in interactive lenses, users can simply tap the Facebook icon on the system's touch screen to instantly transmit photos to the user's Facebook profile. The user's system must be configured to a wireless broadband Internet connection for the transmission of photos.
What's in the Box
Each DSi comes complete with: one Nintendo DSi System, one Nintendo DSi stylus, one Nintendo DSi AC power adapter, an easy start guide, manuals (basic and controls) and a support booklet.
Nintendo DSi Camera
- Two cameras.
- Ten interactive lenses.
- Endless fun for you and your friends.
Nintendo DSi Sound
- Record your voice.
- Play with your voice. Play your music.
- Play with your music.
- An interactive audio player.
Nintendo DSi Shop
- Use your broadband connection to browse the Internet.
- Entertain yourself.
- Entertain your friends.
- Unleash your creativity.
- Download the apps that let you do it all.
DS Download Play
- Download demos.
- Play against friends.
- Connect to the Wii console.
- An easy way to share to the fun.
PictoChat
- Chat locally with friends.
- With pictures.
- Now including rainbows.
Nintendo DSi Technical Specs:
DSi: | |
Display: | 3.25 inches |
Overall size: | Width 137mm, Length 74.9mm, Thickness 18.9mm |
Power Supply: | AC adapter for Nintendo DSi |
Weight: | Approx. 214g (with touch pen) |
Charging time: | Approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes |
Battery life: | The lowest brightness (9-14 hrs), low brightness (8-12 hours), medium brightness (6-9 hours), high brightness (4-6 hours), highest brightness(3-4 hours) |
Software: | Software for Nintendo DS, Software for Nintendo DSi. |
Input-output: | DS card slot, SD memory card slot, AC adapter connection, stereo headphone/mic jack |
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Technical Details
- Includes: Nintendo DSi System, Nintendo DSi AC Adapter, Nintendo DSi Stylus (2), Easy Start Guide, Manuals (Basic & Controls) and Support BookletSee more technical details
By Maddely (Marietta, GA, USA)
Got the DSi for my daughter and I was reluctant at first since the DS was cheaper. I was also reluctant because I hate seeing kids (and adults) not participate when they could because they're too busy on their DS. But this has been a great purchase that I don't regret. With all the extra features, for example taking pictures or drawing-- the fact that my child only has 1 game right now is not a problem because she is entertained w/ all the other things the DSi can do. As a matter of fact, my daughter wasn't even able to afford any games for the first couple months but was able to use her DSi for other things. She is totally happy with it and so am I.
By Michelle Aguilar (San Antonio, Tx)
In my opinion, the Nintendo DSi is a major step up from it's predecessor, the Nintendo DS Lite. Even for those who don't wish to give up their Gameboy Advance slot, it can persuade you to re-think your choice upon using it, especially with one of it's new dsiware games, one that is completely free in fact. I'll get more into that in a moment...
The DSi can boast a SLIGHTLY bigger, brighter screen (though I don't care much for that, it wasn't a big pro for me to buy the DSi)and the sound is slightly louder- but the big catchers are the cameras, DSi shop, and internet browser. The cameras aren't high quality at all, but the act of taking pictures and being able to play with them makes for some simple fun. With two cameras, one on the inside, the other on the outside, you can get images of yourself or others and let hilarity ensue.
Examples of this are:
-Putting a Mario hat, nose, and mustache on the picture subject.
-Adding whatever "graffiti" you wish onto the picture.
-With the camera locking onto the subject's face, you can give them a completely different emotion than the one they originally had.
-There's even an option to take a picture of you and another person together and it telling you how closely you two look alike or are "related".
Those are simply a few out of the many different ways you can mess with the camera, all equaling to a lot of fun and A LOT of giggles.
The DSi internet browser works well as long as you're not expecting it to run as fast or as fantastic as a laptop/desktop computer... this is only an internet surfer on a handheld after all. It's very simple to use and makes things even easier by allowing you to save favorite websites so you won't have to bother typing them again and again.
However, the largest pro for buying the DSi is definitely it's DSi shop. It carries many fun games-my personal favorites being Dr.Mario and Warioware: Snapped!-and an intriguing "game" recently released, which is absolutely free: Flipnote Studio. Flipnote Studio is a little animation powerhouse that lets you create your own animations and with the ability to go online, share them with the world on Flipnote Hatena. The animated pieces you make can be drawn, be pictures you've taken on the DSi, and can even have sound added to them to make a short-cartoon, music video, etc, etc.
On Hatena Flipnote, (the website you can get on through the DSi in Flipnote Studio) it's quite like an all-animated version of Youtube. You can rate and even comment on favorite flipnotes by people all over the world. Quite frankly, Flipnote Studio could easily be the thing to persuade you to just let the missing Gameboy Advance slot go, it's honestly THAT fun. Besides, Gameboy Advances sell for just $20 at Gamestop so it wouldn't be too hard to buy one to play the Gameboy Advance games you wish to hold onto.
The only cons I can find for the DSi are:
-If you're heavy into Guitar Hero for the DS where the Gameboy Advance slot is needed OR you're really set on transferring Pokemon from your Gameboy Advance to the DS then the DSi and it's lack of Gameboy Advance slot just isn't for you.
-Personally, I wish they'd shoot out some games that implement the DSi's camera function. It seems to have so many possibilities that haven't been opened quite yet.
Beyond that, all I have is gushing compliments for the DSi and whenever Gameboy Advance lovers play it, especially after trying the Flipnote Studio, they end up dropping the old DS and upgrading for the DSi. I'm an adult gamer and absolutely love my DSi, I take it everywhere with me. If you're a Gameboy Advance fan- before you knock it: try the new one, try the camera, and try it's Flipnote Studio- if none of that makes you think twice, that's okay- but I'd be surprised if it didn't make you consider upgrading even for a second! ;)
By apples2apples (OhiO)
I have to admit, I wasn't thrilled thinking about buying a new handheld game system, but what are you going to do? A new system comes out to replace the old, with upgrades ... an obviously better system, and because of the ages of our two younger kids, I determined this would probably be a lasting investment. S0...for our older son, we bought this system for his 11th b'day. Last Christmas we bought another that our younger daughter, our younger son, and I share.
This is truly better than the older handhelds by Nintendo, and I was really glad we'd be able to play our old games on our new system. One of the biggest problems I had with the older game system was that it was SO hard to see! I didn't even bother with it because it was so dark. With the DSi, both screens are illuminated very well. I've never encountered a time when I can't see. Everyone's been happy with the battery life of the DSi - which is really important for us with 2 boys who keep misplacing the charger! When homework's not done, or if the boys misbehave, this is a great motivator. They really like to play, and the thought of being w/o their games for days or a week is just too much, so they're pretty well behaved most of the time, and usually have their homework done and ready to be checked when I ask to see their binders! That's something to cheer about! Vacations - Ahhhh! Long car trips - blah! Our boys won't go on trips w/o their DSi's! Before the DSi's our boys weren't in a panic if they couldn't find every component before we left for vacation. Now they're finding everything they need and getting everything organized days before we leave!
Long car trips have been made more bearable with the advent of handheld games, but MUCH more bearable with this one! For them and for us! They enjoy the games, and we enjoy the fact that everyone's is getting along and behaving!
The last thing I'll coment on, since the # of reviews hasn't missed much, if anything! The games for the DSi run the gamut from pre-school games to very adult games -which are inappropriate for our kids. There's really something for everyone out there, and you'll find everything from pure mind candy, to learning games, and brain agility. It really is THE handheld gaming system for families! We've all really enjoyed this system, but the boys especially, who are 6 and 12. They prefer it to the Wii, the Playstation, and the other game systems which have come before this one.
I rate this a 5 star for enjoyability - as explained above, education/learning - because there are plenty of learning-type games which are really a lot of fun, durability - because they've withstood our two boys and still in great shape, and lastly ... longetivity - because this is the LAST game system we'll buy till our youngest is at least 10!
By Anthony L. Marotta (Lisle, IL United States)
You'll see some reviews talking the DSi up, but then recommending that you not buy it if you already have a DS.
That's ridiculous!
This system is worth the money to upgrade!
The wireless internet is worth the money alone. It isn't a computer, obviously, but the interface Nintendo uses works well enough for the system. Plus, it's convenient to have if you just want to look up something quickly on the go.
The photo features are fun as well, but not as easy to use as commercials might lead you to believe. That being said, I haven't read the manual or really tried to figure it all out. However, what I have figured out is great.
The enlarged screen and better sound are a plus as well, although I haven't actually tried playing any music on my DSi.
I'm sure the USB card reader is a nice addition, although it appears to be largely for the music feature.
The other cool changes are an actual power button and a button volume control - the days of aimless sliding are over!
I definitely recommend buying this system as both a new DS(i) customer and a DS customer looking to upgrade!
By Jacquelyn Marie Valladares
I decided to buy this on a whim after seeing a review that the DSi is considerably better than the original DS. I haven't really owned a portable Nintendo system,or Wii, or Xbox, etc. since I was a kid but I loved my Gameboy when I was in grade school. I am a woman who is 26 but still loves to play computer and video games and probably always will. Since I had planned on purchasing games like My Word Coach, Brain Age 2, and My French Coach, I figured that it would be good for me and that I would be learning and that shouldn't be considered a waste of time. I saw commercials for games like Brain Age and Mario Kart and they looked like a lot of fun so after finding a discounted DSi with free shipping I figured what the heck and just ordered it. It is a blast to play and my younger siblings and niece fight over who gets to play it when they see me. It fits right in your purse or bag and it's great when you are waiting in line or bored at work and has lots of features like internet, a camera that lets you draw and distort pictures, and a voice recorder manipulator that they love to play with and find hilarious, although I just use it for the games. Only thing is that it can be very addictive and eat up hours of your day if you get too sucked in and sometimes my eyes get tired after playing for so long. Overall I'm happy with it and it can bring the younger family members together in a fun way but usually when I walk through the door they are more excited to yank it out of my purse than to see me. I plan on buying another one for my younger sister's upcoming 15th birthday, who at first wasn't too impressed when I told her I had purchased a DSi but when I went to visit her and my mother she couldn't keep her hands off of it.
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