Nintendo finally confirmed all the internet rumors about the new version of the Nintendo DS, now named the DSi.
The new device features two .3 megapixel cameras (640×480 resolution) one on the front and one on the back of the device, two 3.25 inch screens (thanks Johnny P), a SD card slot for storage expansion memory and better internet capabilities. The DSi will also play AAC audio off the SD card and allow you to record audio on the DSi using the built in microphone. The DS’s OS is totally revamped for the DSi allowing image editing, audio playback/editing and support for the enhanced internet functions on this device.
Sadly the GBA slot is no more but this allows the device to be much slimmer than the current DS Lite. Nintendo announced that a DS web store similar to the Wii’s online store will be accessible on this device with downloadable titles ranging in price from FREE to 1000 Nintendo Points. Using Nintendo points (Wii Points are no more, they are all Nintendo Points now) you’ll be able to download and store games on the device’s SD card.
Stay tuned for more info regarding the DSi as the Nintendo Press briefing is happening in San Fransisco as we type this!
[Update]
The release date on the new handheld is typical of Nintendo, November 1 for Japan, and the rest of the world waits until the new year. It will retail at ￥18,900 (180 USD) for both the black and white version. If history repeats itself, North American markets will get the device before Europe and the rest of the world. But maybe Nintendo will surprise us this time.
At the conference, Reggie Fils-Aime, announced the first games that will be available for download from the DSi store, Brain Age 1 and 2. He said that there will be extra DSi features in both games. What that may be who knows. Maybe a game where you need to take pictures of something as apart of a training game?
If you want to see a nice comparison of the new DSi to other portable gaming devices like the PSP 3000 and Ipod touch, check out this post on Joystiq. They do a good job of showing the specs of the three devices.
God damn it. I just re bought my DS… and they’ve friggin’ got me again.
You should have known Nintendo better. Same same. I knew they would make a better DS after they put the original one out so I waited until the Lite was first announced and started my DSing with that. I’m pretty sure I’ll be getting this as soon as I can, I’m down for an update.
Screen size is 3.25 not 3.5, which is still a nice increase. GBA slot missing is not as big a thing to me so long as the store will have downloadable gba games for points. What I don’t know is if both processors are still there and if there was a processor change as in speed. Also, will homebrew be able to use the SD, etc?
Didn’t pick up a DS Lite, and so my DS Fat is looking pretty pathetic nowadays. Will definitly be getting me one of those though.
@Johnny P I personally am keeping an eye out on the homebrew community to see what cool stuff they will do. But the gba slot is important to several games that utilized the gba slot. Games like Guitar Hero won’t work on the new system. Also I’m going to assume that if there is no gba slot the gba processor might be gone as well. Then, Nintendo would just emulate the gba games from the DSi store. But that’s speculation at this point in time.
they cant just “remove” the arm7 as its required by DS games. Most likely they’re keeping the crappy old 100mhz total in clock speed, but charging 180 for the 2 cams and that pathetic 10mb upgrade… hopefully theyll prove me wrong and put in an arm 9 at 200mhz (significant upgrade and the arm9s max speed) and the arm7 at 100mhz (i do believe the arm 7s max speed), but we all know nintendos modo “If the US fans want it, TO BAD! youre not getting it!”