Meet The Nintendo DSi [Archive]

Psykoboy2

10-02-2008, 01:20 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/Psykoboy2/ninten02-1.jpg

There it is. Your brand new DS. Or well, now DSi. Nintendo officially announced it's new "third platform" in Japan today. It's packed with lots of "grown up" type features and missing one from it's original design.

12% Thinner
No More GBA Slot
2 Cameras Built-In
Music Playback
SD Slot
Internal Storage
3.25 Inch Screens

And there you have it. The photos can be synced with the Wii Photo Channel and it'll hit stores on November 1st (in black & white...you can probably expect more colors in the spring) and it'll run you about $180.

Source - Joystiq (http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-officially-unveils-nintendo-dsi/)

Sazime

10-02-2008, 01:32 AM

I knew there was a reason I was putting off buying a DS. :D

Variable Gear

10-02-2008, 01:38 AM

Gah, I don't like that the GBA slot is gone, but I'll trade up anyway.

Whunpo

10-02-2008, 01:38 AM

The Official Site (http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/dsi.html)

Also: I read that it would be out in November for Japan, but the US would have to wait. Am I wrong?

OrangePulp

10-02-2008, 01:44 AM

Is 3.25" a bigger screen? Honestly I don't see a lot here that interests me, but then again if I got a DS I wouldn't be looking for multimedia function (already have a PSP for that). I take it the SD card slot is for music and pictures and such>

Variable Gear

10-02-2008, 01:52 AM

Here's a link to a preview reel (http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/conference2008fall/mov/ds.html?n10) of upcoming DS games.
I take it the SD card slot is for music and pictures and such>
Downloadable games also seem to be a priority.

iHap

10-02-2008, 01:53 AM

Wired has the live blog

http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/10/liveblogging-th.html

the Jack

10-02-2008, 02:27 AM

A web-browser.

If this = the ability to text, then throw away the Blackberries and iPhones.

BlackPete

10-02-2008, 02:27 AM

12% thinner seems almost impossible to believe, although the lack of GBA slot could go a long way in helping this.

It might even be as thin as the MacBook Air! :eek:

Sandman

10-02-2008, 02:28 AM

No GBA slot? They better release a Final Fantasy VI DS soon.

BlackPete

10-02-2008, 02:32 AM

No GBA slot? They better release a Final Fantasy VI DS soon.

I was actually just thinking about how cool it'd be to have a FFVI DS 3D upgrade. I'm just about done with FFIII and I'll soon need a portable FF game...

Etrian Odyssey II and Disgaea will have to do for now I guess :)

Sandman

10-02-2008, 02:33 AM

Also, this makes Guitar Hero unplayable.....and anything else that uses the GBA slot.

WOOT Post #100

Deadend

10-02-2008, 02:34 AM

A web-browser.

If this = the ability to text, then throw away the Blackberries and iPhones.

I am guessing it will be the Opera for DS browser that is on the market, but on the firmware... which is kinda shit.

I am more interested in how games can use the camera, and the downloadable games. As I would love to have the option to load a 2gb SD card up with games that I download onto my Wii, and pop them onto my DS.. as it would not be hard to do at this point for Nintendo.

But the emphasis on making it more multimedia... I don't like. If I want a Web browser/camera in my pocket... I'd get an iphone.

pomeroy

10-02-2008, 02:46 AM

Um...not that impressed.

Bring on the new Gameboy!

Ghost Rider

10-02-2008, 02:58 AM

Yeah, without a GBA slot it's not as exciting for me. Kind of similar to my PS3 situation I guess, except there really isn't a point in getting it if I want to keep playing GBA games on the go.

Sazime

10-02-2008, 03:02 AM

Yeah, without a GBA slot it's not as exciting for me. Kind of similar to my PS3 situation I guess, except there really isn't a point in getting it if I want to keep playing GBA games on the go.
But it also means the already cheap DS will be even cheaper. :)

Xerxes

10-02-2008, 03:05 AM

Not loving the lack of GBA slot at all.

Whunpo

10-02-2008, 03:24 AM

But it also means the already cheap DS will be even cheaper. :)

Doubt it. They introduced the DSi not as a replacement to the DS, but as a 3rd option. That way they can charge more for the DSi without having to reduce the price of the DS.

HALO 32

10-02-2008, 03:43 AM

Damn it! I just bought my new DS 2 months ago!

Still I don't like the fact that it doesn't have a GBA slot...I guess that means no more Guitar Hero for me.

Still sounds cool though.

Ondo

10-02-2008, 04:54 AM

Personally, I'm hoping they'll have Virtual Console games be freely transferable between this and the Wii, and add GBA games to the service (and, of course, GBC and GB games).

Camel

10-02-2008, 05:00 AM

The lack of a GBA spot is a pretty big deal to me, IF I was planning on buying a new DS. Much like the PS2, I have a bunch of GBA games sitting around that I'll probably never get around to playing, but I like keeping my options open.

I love my Lite, though, so I don't see any reason to upgrade for now.

Purple Santa

10-02-2008, 05:02 AM

Nothing making me run out and buy this (if it's coming to the US yet). I might wait for the color versions...until they release some game I HAVE to have...then i'm a raving loon to have one. But I waited with the original phat DS...

Ancalagon

10-02-2008, 05:04 AM

It would have to do multimedia stuff really well to be worth sacrificing the GBA slot.

So it better come with a decent media player, support for WPA wifi, and a decent browser to even be worth considering.

Iron Past

10-02-2008, 05:36 AM

Meh. Mothing I really care about and a loss of backwards compatability for thousands of games. The original DSes should be cheaper now.

Mastergeo7

10-02-2008, 05:48 AM

How many times did they say: We don't have a redesign in mind... ?
Looks cool, but I don't really see how useful it will be, that thing it's starting to look like a 3G cellphone.

JediSanf

10-02-2008, 06:30 AM

I may well pick this up. The camera and whatnot aren't a big deal but the slim size and bigger screen are great.

NoName

10-02-2008, 06:57 AM

As someone who's never used the GBA slot in his DS, I'm fine with them getting rid of it to make the design slimmer :).

iHap

10-02-2008, 07:01 AM

As someone who's never used the GBA slot in his DS, I'm fine with them getting rid of it to make the design slimmer :).
It's nice do have when you have quite a few GBA games laying around. I use it from time to time whenever I'm not playing Animal Crossing. The only sucky thing about the GBA slot is that you can't use GBC games in it. I still own the original GBC Harvest Moon that I would love to go back and play but I have to use my actual GBA.

itchyeyes

10-02-2008, 07:03 AM

The news post missed the equally big announcement that they're going to enable launching games from SD cards (up to 2GB) on the Wii.

Cupelix

10-02-2008, 07:14 AM

I can't remember how much I paid for my DS; is $180 up or down from the original price of the DS?

itchyeyes

10-02-2008, 07:18 AM

I can't remember how much I paid for my DS; is $180 up or down from the original price of the DS?
It was originally $149 and dropped to $129 about 9 months after launch.

Mdot

10-02-2008, 07:26 AM

Lack of GBA slot isn't too big for me but I can see how many would be pissed. The SD slot is a welcome addition, especially if downloadable games become a bigger force on the DS.

Gorvi

10-02-2008, 07:32 AM

Personally, I'm hoping they'll have Virtual Console games be freely transferable between this and the Wii, and add GBA games to the service (and, of course, GBC and GB games).
This.

The new stuff is kinda nice, but not enough to get me to upgrade from my DS Lite. Pretty much everything they added I can already do with my PSP.

iHap

10-02-2008, 07:37 AM

Lack of GBA slot isn't too big for me but I can see how many would be pissed. The SD slot is a welcome addition, especially if downloadable games become a bigger force on the DS.
I can't understand how people would be pissed off about the DSi not having a GBA slot. I mean the DS (Tank+Lite) has sold almost 80 million. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_DS#Marketing_and_sales) No way anybody could righteously be made at Nintendo for not adding a GBA slot. Just grab your actual GBA or your DS if you really wanted to play games that most likely aren't going to get played ever again. I haven't really played any of my non DS games ever since I first got my DS Lite.

Deimos

10-02-2008, 07:37 AM

The lack of a GBA slot isn't really a deal breaker for me but none of the new features are must-have either. Of course if original downloadable games become a big deal on the DS I may have to reconsider. If this comes down a bit in price I might replace my wife's DS Phat with one but otherwise I'm a bit disappointed.

That demo reel for upcoming Wii games would have really helped Nintendo make a good showing at E3 though. It looks like there are some good games coming down the pipe.

I can't understand how people would be pissed off about the DSi not having a GBA slot.

I think part of the reason, aside from those who actually do have a few classics they like to play frequently, is that the GBA slot is utilized by a couple of accessories. Although Guitar Hero DS didn't do it for me its a fairly new peripheral that's now going to be useless. There's also the paddle controller which is also relatively new. I think Nintendo would have been better off leaving in the GBA slot even if it meant not shaving off that 12%.

Telefrog

10-02-2008, 07:50 AM

The news post missed the equally big announcement that they're going to enable launching games from SD cards (up to 2GB) on the Wii.

I'm also surprised by the lack of enthusiasm for that portion of the release. :confused:

Mdot

10-02-2008, 07:50 AM

I can't understand how people would be pissed off about the DSi not having a GBA slot. I mean the DS (Tank+Lite) has sold almost 80 million. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_DS#Marketing_and_sales) No way anybody could righteously be made at Nintendo for not adding a GBA slot. Just grab your actual GBA or your DS if you really wanted to play games that most likely aren't going to get played ever again. I haven't really played any of my non DS games ever since I first got my DS Lite.

Right, I don't play any GBA games on my DS now, so I won't miss it, but some people want everything. It's not like every current system has a slot for old media. I could understand backwards compatibility with a software fix or whatever, but a slot for different types of physical media is unnecessary imo. The use of accessories that use the slot is also a factor for some gamers.

rein

10-02-2008, 08:00 AM

iHap

10-02-2008, 08:02 AM

Unless they can give me a compelling reason to use the camera, no thanks! I'm a bit tired of Ninitendo re-releasing every hand held as often as they do. Give me a new handheld or don't bother. YMMV on that philosophy.

I'm going to wait to see what new hardware they are using. it would be nice to get something better than the Arm7/9 I think that's what is in the DS.

Ancalagon

10-02-2008, 08:11 AM

I'm going to wait to see what new hardware they are using. it would be nice to get something better than the Arm7/9 I think that's what is in the DS.

Theres a 67 Mhz ARM9 and a 33MHz ARM7 (the GBA had a 16MHz ARM7 I think).

On the hand, they are the reason it has such great battery life. On the other, they dont pack too much of a punch. I wonder what the next Nintendo handheld will pack?

Deadend

10-02-2008, 08:19 AM

What the fuck does the i at the end stand for?

As it's supposed to be at the start! iMac, iPhone, iPod. Not Maci, or DSi.

Someone at Nintendo thinks they are Steve Jobs.

J3DI

10-02-2008, 08:26 AM

I'm with many others; the lack of GBA slot puts me off of this item. I'll probably end up getting a used DS since the price will... should drop on it pretty good. DSi, no thanks.

Edit: Hey, Deadend I work in Detroit! I thought I was the only Detroit area Ev....errr "gamer" in this "group."

itchyeyes

10-02-2008, 08:30 AM

I don't really mind the lack of a GBA slot, but I don't really see this as a very compelling device. It's certainly not enough to justify the 40% price premium over the DS light. The cameras in particular seem pretty worthless, since nobody is going to make a DS game that only takes advantage of a small portion of the hardware out there. The most interesting addition here is the internal storage and the online store, but it will take several months for the online store to fill up with enough content to make it a compelling feature, by which time we'll likely see a price drop.

agentgray

10-02-2008, 08:41 AM

I don't understand all the crying foul for the lack of the GBA slot. a few sites I've read state that it's not replacing the DS Lite.

The device features a dual touchscreen layout almost identical to the DS Lite, though the company is calling it a "third platform," which means it's complementing the existing system, not necessarily replacing it.
I don't think it's too much of a deal for a couple of reasons:

It plays games off of the SD card (emulation anyone?)
Almost everyone has a DS anyway.

I imagine eventually, they'll phase out the DS Lite. Yes, this means good-bye GBA games. It happens. Anybody play games from the original GBA gray brick?

astranoir

10-02-2008, 08:42 AM

Though I am not interested in the camera and photo capabilities, I may be interested in getting one. I really like the internal storage, that's what I've been frustrated about with mine. I finished one playthrough of TWEWY, but had to sell it back for money reasons, and of course lost my whole game! :(

Sl1pstream

10-02-2008, 08:43 AM

What the fuck does the i at the end stand for?

As it's supposed to be at the start! iMac, iPhone, iPod. Not Maci, or DSi.

Someone at Nintendo thinks they are Steve Jobs.

It's been done before. Most cellphones use "i" at the back and then there's the CDi.

Doctor Setebos

10-02-2008, 08:47 AM

Heretic Machine

10-02-2008, 09:16 AM

This is what I like to hear:

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

quidmonkey

10-02-2008, 09:28 AM

It's been done before. Most cellphones use "i" at the back and then there's the CDi.

And then there's the infamous third party dev DSI...

total

10-02-2008, 09:44 AM

I like the sound of these features. I don't mind the loss of the GBA slot since I don't have any GBA games anymore. We're getting a family DS this Christmas, so this news won't sway my decision to go ahead with that. But maybe next year I'll have to ask for a DSi for my birthday. :D

I can't imagine I will have use for a camera (how many MP are these cameras anyway?) and I have never had any problems with the current DS screen size. I haven't used the GBA slot in my current DS yet so I am not really missing anything there. I already have a web browser on my PSP and my phone (that can be used anywhere I have a cell connection mind you) so there really isn't much enticing me with this gadget.

I'm going to have to wait and see how the online store shakes out before I put any money down on one of these. It just doesn't seem different enough from the DS I already own to warrant a new hardware purchase.

chameleo

10-02-2008, 09:48 AM

kotaku is reporting that the battery life has been cut from between 1 to 6 hours.

that really sucks for a portable device.

i hope nintendo comes up with some kind of solution

LongStepMantis

10-02-2008, 09:50 AM

Gah, I don't like that the GBA slot is gone, but I'll trade up anyway.

That's awful in my case. I was planning on getting a DS soon, but I have a ton of GBA games...guess I'm settling for the older DS.

At this point, I can understand why they'd dump GBA support though. It just sucks for me.

astranoir

10-02-2008, 09:56 AM

kotaku is reporting that the battery life has been cut from between 1 to 6 hours.

that really sucks for a portable device.

i hope nintendo comes up with some kind of solution

That would be lame! I already run out of battery on my DS far too often :(

Deimos

10-02-2008, 10:04 AM

Is Nintendo really calling it a "third platform" again? I remember when the DS Phat came out and Nintendo said it was a "third platform" not meant to replace the GBA. I'm not upset about them moving on, I just don't get why Nintendo can't be honest about stuff like that. The DSi is replacing the DS. It's not going to happen overnight but this is obviously where Nintendo is heading.

KSmitty

10-02-2008, 10:10 AM

Once I hear about them adding features that utilize the SD slot then I'll consider buying one. Otherwise 'meh'. I don't really want a camera or mp3 player. I however would LOVE to be able to download VC titles to my DS or even *gasp* Wiiware support of bite size DS games. So I'll probably be picking one up when(if) those features make it to the US. I don't mind the loss/lack of the GBA slot as I still have my GBA and SP and I would more than likely keep my initial DSlite.

Wraith

10-02-2008, 10:49 AM

Okay, maybe this is a stupid question, but...

Is the DSi:

A successor to the DS (regardless of what Nintendo says about that)
- We will start seeing DSi games that play on DSi, not on DS.

A sibling of the DS / upper-level SKU?
- The two will be sold alongside each other, essentially as two SKUs like we see with consoles, but both play the same games.

A new revision of the DS?
- Essentially the next step from DS Lite. They play all the same games, but the Lite will be phased out just as the Phat was.

I looked through this thread, and read the Joystiq post, but didn't see this answered.

Whimbrel

10-02-2008, 11:24 AM

Christ, I knew it. I just bought my first DS last Wednesday. Oh well.

GrenMag

10-02-2008, 11:29 AM

Personally, I'm hoping they'll have Virtual Console games be freely transferable between this and the Wii, and add GBA games to the service (and, of course, GBC and GB games).

I think you hit the nail on the head here -- no slot, you could still play the games, and Nintendo gets new revenue off of games published ten years ago.

I know I keep a clamshell GBA around just to play the original GB Tetris and a couple of other games. It'd be nice to just throw them on an SD card and have them when I liked without toting around extra hardware and without the legal grey area of the homebrew scene.

Kagger

10-02-2008, 02:57 PM

Ondo

10-02-2008, 05:56 PM

So the official translation of Iwata's speech is now up on Nintendo's website here (http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/conference2008fall/presen/e/index.html).

Variable Gear

10-02-2008, 05:57 PM

What the fuck does the i at the end stand for?
I think the "i" in the new moniker is referencing the camera eye.
This is what I want to know. Is it like them keeping using the Gameboy name from Gameboy to Gameboy Advance, or is just the DS with some extra features
I would guess the latter. However, based on popularity of the DSi, the Lite could be phased out, just like the original DS was.

mister slim

10-02-2008, 07:05 PM

This is what I want to know. Is it like them keeping using the Gameboy name from Gameboy to Gameboy Advance, or is just the DS with some extra features

It's basically the DS Elite. The luxury version I suppose.
I think the "i" in the new moniker is referencing the camera eye.
And it probably references 'internet' as well. I may pick one up, simply because I'm still using the Phat and it would be nice to have a convenient internet browser.

chameleo

10-02-2008, 09:21 PM

hmm i guess i'll have a 3rd DS. i have the original and the lite ... actually 2 lites. ... wow, this'll be my 4th DS.

VerseD

10-02-2008, 11:36 PM

I was waiting on getting a DS, and this might be the best time to do so. I was always pissed that my original GBA looked like ass next to the SP. The cut GBA slot is really the only thing missing from the DSi, but I can just keep my old Game Boy for that.

quidmonkey

10-03-2008, 11:03 AM

So the official translation of Iwata's speech is now up on Nintendo's website here (http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/conference2008fall/presen/e/index.html).

MTV Multiplayer has a few tidbits (http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/10/02/revealing-highlights-of-iwatas-nintendo-dsi-presentation-now-in-english/#more-10669) of the talk, plus a link to some of the new apps, which look great.

Xerxes

10-03-2008, 02:31 PM

http://www.castle-vidcons.com/comics/2008/10/cv0065.jpg

Gorvi

10-03-2008, 02:36 PM

Those are some truly awful "comics".

Xerxes

10-03-2008, 02:46 PM

Those are some truly awful "comics".
Awfully good?

Troggles

10-03-2008, 02:49 PM

With the removal of the GBA slot, I am actually quite confident that Nintendo will soon throw up GBA (and even GB/C) games on the Virtual Console. Playable from the DSi's SD card slot too, of course.

Xerxes

10-03-2008, 02:50 PM

With the removal of the GBA slot, I am actually quite confident that Nintendo will soon throw up GBA (and even GB/C) games on the Virtual Console. Playable from the DSi's SD card slot too, of course.

Yay! Buying games again. :(

Only way I could get into that is Bundles(like all the gba super mario worlds in one download) or piracy. Please don't make me pirate.

Well I have and love my black DS so I mostly won't bother.

Troggles

10-03-2008, 04:46 PM

Xerxes

10-03-2008, 04:59 PM

I never said I supported buying all the same crap over again. I was just making a prediction. There are some GBA and GB/C games I never got to play because I just didn't have the money for them at the time and now they are impossible to find.

I know you wouldn't supporting it. I think what you said might be the fucking truth and it's fucked up you might be right.

Ravenlock

10-04-2008, 10:22 AM

I'm torn on this, like many people seem to be. The idea of an embedded SD slot, extra onboard memory, and the ability to download stuff from the online store (and theoretically from some version of the virtual console) is all awesome. The homebrew scene on the DS is already very lively, and hopefully once they figure out how to use these new features it would get even better.

But I couldn't possibly care less about the camera, and would miss the GBA slot. There are plenty of GBA games worth playing and I do still play some of them. Maybe I can find a used GBA SP or Micro for that, though. Will see what people think of it when it comes out - I certainly don't see a reason to pick it up on day 1.

On a totally unrelated note, does COG have a RSS feed running yet for front page news posts? I'd like to add it to Google Reader if it exists. :)