[Rumor] DSi Available in US "March 2009"

[Evil Avnovice]

This was taken from IGN (http://ds.ign.com/articles/936/936935p7.html):

The biggest is obviously the launch of the Nintendo DSi platform. The system is already available in Japan, but Nintendo of America has openly revealed that the company isn't interested in pushing the new system in the US prior to Christmas. Instead, it will wait until at least March of 2009 before giving the system the US push it deserves.

[violent]

Not to sound like an asshole but, if I worked for Nintendo, I would have thought up the DSi revision just to ensure more cash-flow.

[Variable Gear]

Looking forward to this, since I hate my fingerprint covered DS.

[Generation ABXY]

I'm looking forward to this, as well. Not sure why, really (apart from the built-in browser), but I think it may be part of an addiction - I've owned both DS models, and a large chunk of the colors (silver, blue, red, white, black and red...and it took every bit of resolve I had to to nab the gold LoZ bundle).


I wonder if there is a Nintendo Consumers Anonymous?

[Wellscha]

Could someone clarify the whole "region locking" thing with the DSi?

[Chris_D]

Sounds like the browser won't perform particularly better than the already available Opera browser so I suspect it still won't be particularly useful especially when compared to those browsers on modern mobile platforms like the iPhone.

[mister slim]

I'm interested. Though solely because I'm still using an original DS. Battery life is now about an hour.

[Disgustipated]

The DSi doesn't interest me at all. My DS Lite is perfect.

[Variable Gear]

Could someone clarify the whole "region locking" thing with the DSi?
DSi-only software is region locked (http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/dsi-only-software-is-region-locked/). That means that DSi Ware (downloadable games) and DSi game carts can be locked to different regions. However, your DS games from different regions should be alright. :)

[Purple Santa]

I've owned multiple forms of various Nintendo handhelds, including the various colors of the same system they like to churn out. However, i'm not excited yet for this. Unless they are making a game(s) that will only for the DSI i'm not interested. Until they put a DSI exclusive on that then i'll be lured into buying one. But if I can play it on my DS...i'm fine.

[Gorvi]

I'm good with the Lite I should be getting for xmas. If they included the GBA port still I'd be inclined to wait (hey, it matters to me), but that being taken out is enough for me to pass.

[Variable Gear]

I'm good with the Lite I should be getting for xmas. If they included the GBA port still I'd be inclined to wait (hey, it matters to me), but that being taken out is enough for me to pass.
This would be a big deal to me a well if I didn't own a Game Boy Micro. :)

Have fun with your DS Lite!

[Gorvi]

This would be a big deal to me a well if I didn't own a Game Boy Micro. :)

Have fun with your DS Lite!
I still need to get one of those damn things, if only because I own at least one of every other iteration of Nintendo portable hardware aside from the brighter screen GBA SPs (part of the reason I use the Lite for GBA games).

This will be a replacement for the Lite I got at launch that my wife has stolen from me. It'll be nice to play some DS games again, I'm really looking forward to digging into Chrono Trigger. :)

[Purple Santa]

This would be a big deal to me a well if I didn't own a Game Boy Micro. :)

Have fun with your DS Lite!

I wish I had bought one of those. No other reason than to have in my collection. Although they are neat due their size and design.

I believe Gorvi is getting another DS lite for xmas because his wife stole his first one :).

[Variable Gear]

You have to kind of get used to the size factor with the Micro, if you are actually going to use it to play GBA games. However, as a piece of art, it's just a joy to have. Especially if you've got a Famicom version (http://www.bermuda.ch/balduin/blog/famicom.jpg).

[Purple Santa]

You have to kind of get used to the size factor with the Micro, if you are actually going to use it to play GBA games. However, as a piece of art, it's just a joy to have. Especially if you've got a Famicom version (http://www.bermuda.ch/balduin/blog/famicom.jpg).

I am going to make believe I never saw that because I would want one. Then it would cost way more than I can spend...so there was no pic there :p. But damn that did look really cool...for an imaginary pic and all...

[mister slim]

I am going to make believe I never saw that because I would want one. Then it would cost way more than I can spend...so there was no pic there :p. But damn that did look really cool...for an imaginary pic and all...

They're like $60 now. I keep meaning to pick one up. Actually the DSi is an incentive to do so, that way I can still play GBA games.

[Variable Gear]

They're like $60 now. I keep meaning to pick one up. Actually the DSi is an incentive to do so, that way I can still play GBA games.
Yeah, the US version Micros are fairly inexpensive now, and the Ebay prices for the Famicom version (http://video-games.shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38.l1313&_nkw=famicom+version+micro&_sacat=1249) aren't bad.

[Purple Santa]

Yeah, the US version Micros are fairly inexpensive now, and the Ebay prices for the Famicom version (http://video-games.shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38.l1313&_nkw=famicom+version+micro&_sacat=1249) aren't bad.

No! No! It's imaginary :p. That isn't a bad price at all. Just at the moment watching my budget...maybe next month...then ADD will ask why am I buying a gaming hand held that is x amount years old...

[mister slim]

Yeah, the US version Micros are fairly inexpensive now, and the Ebay prices for the Famicom version (http://video-games.shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38.l1313&_nkw=famicom+version+micro&_sacat=1249) aren't bad.

Yeah, Amazon has about the same price.

[Evil Avnovice]

Looks like IGN doubled back on their statement. (Kotaku (http://kotaku.com/5109755/dsi-wont-launch-in-us-before-march))

Now, we've got IGN's end-of-year review for the DS, in which they first said Nintendo of America had confirmed a March 2009 launch, before later correcting the story to state NoA "will wait until at least March of 2009 before giving the system the US push it deserves".

[TrackZero]

Could someone clarify the whole "region locking" thing with the DSi?

It would seem Nintendo doesn't like Altus games being imported by North Americans.

[Wellscha]

It would seem Nintendo doesn't like Altus games being imported by North Americans.

I won't be surprised if Nintendo invented Region Locking..

or did they...? because I'll be going WTFW00000T!! if they did:eek:

[Restlessavenger]

I won't be surprised if Nintendo invented Region Locking..


According to Wikipedia... they did. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Region_locking)
In the video game industry, Nintendo was the originator of regional lockout. Regional lockout in video games is when a piece of hardware is designed such that only software for that region is compatible. Most video games have region encoding.

[Wellscha]

According to Wikipedia... they did. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Region_locking)

A shame really. I just lost a bit of my respect for Nintendo for doing one of the worst thing ever done to video games.

[Rock Bandit]

I have the Famicom Micro and it's awesome. Gunstar Super Heroes while on the can FTW.

[Urizen]

It would be a dumb ass move by Nintendo to put the DSi out in the West before September/October. It's doing a million units a week in PAL regions and the Americas right now. Why not ride that out....

Unless the DSi is significantly cheaper to produce and offers a much better margin per unit.