Nintendo Announces NEW DSi Redesign (Pics)

[Reinhart]

Nintendo released a ton of details today on its new DSi — a smaller sysem with two cameras, an SD slot, digital audio player capabilities, a content download shop, and no GBA slot. But with new hardware, comes new questions, 20 of which we’ve posed below.

• Can we access the DSi Camera or DSi Sound features while playing a game?

There are separate options on the DSi startup menu for accessing these features, but it would be nice to also be able to suspend a game, take photos and listen to music, then return to the suspended game.

• What DSi Camera games can we expect?

Bring on some sort of Eye of Judgment-styled game!

• Can we transfer photos wirelessly to our computers?

Apparently, Nintendo will be limiting DS-to-PC image transfers via SD card only, whereas DS-to-DS image transfers work wirelessly. Hopefully a firmware upgrade will make this less clunky in the future, but it’s doubtful. Wireless music transfers also would have been nice!

• Why no MP3 support?

Like the Wii Photo Channel, the DSi’s new music capabilities only support AAC audio files, not MP3. This is likely due to cheaper licensing costs.

• Will we able to listen to music with the DS closed?

Homebrew media player Moonshell allows users to do this, utilizing the shoulder buttons for basic playback functions. Having to leave your DS lid open would be very inelegant for a digital audio portable.

• Why didn’t Nintendo go all the way with the system’s media features, adding in video support?

Moonshell has already proven that video works well on the DS, and it would be great to take advantage of that fact with the DSi’s bigger 3.25” screens (compared to the old 3” screens). Perhaps Nintendo didn’t want to compete with its newly launched DSVision.

• Will DS Lite/Phat systems be able to access the new DSi Shop content store?

It seems unlkely that Nintendo will release a firmware upgrade for the older systems, but you never know.

• Will the DSi Shop allow us to play games from old home consoles, similar to the Wii’s Virtual console?

We already know that the DS can play Neo Geo games — why not let the portable’s new downloadable software channel sell NES, Genesis, SNES, TG16, etc. games

• No Guitar Hero: On Tour with the DSi?

Though it’s a new series for the portable, it’s a big franchise for Nintendo and Activision — not to mention for gamers. With the GBA slot now gone, there will also be no more Guitar Grip attachment for the system. This also means the end for the Pedometer, Paddle Controller (vader_nooooooo.gif), and Slide Controller, and …

• Rumble Pak?

Here’s a partial list of Nintendo DS games that use rumble. Furthermore, DS games can no longer unlock content based on related games left in the GBA slot. The DSi will also be no country for Slot-2 flashcarts (EZ 3-in-1).

• Will Slot-1 flashcarts (piracy/homebrew) be affected?

Has Nintendo come up with a way to block unauthorized code from running on the DS? How long will it take “the scene” and cart manufacturers to develop a workaround? Will Nintendo be more aggressive with guarding the system, employing frequent firmware updates?

• Will SD cards become the new flashcarts?

It would be nice to not bother with buying new flashcart hardware whenever a new and fancier ones comes out. Instead, you can just download new updates from several software options (that will hopefully be free).

• Why is Pictochat still not online?

This chat application is near useless unless you’re at a of gamer convention. Nintendo must not feel that the feature is worth exposing children to the vulgarities of the world. Which just goes to show you that children ruin everything.

• Will we get a better directional pad?

The current D-pad isn’t so great with diagonals.

• Why is the battery life worse?

While the DS Lite upgrade brought improved battery life 15-19 hours on the lowest brightness setting, the DSi will have 14-15 hours on the same setting. Then again, that battery will need to power significantly larger screens.

• Why are the LED status indicators on to the left?

Perhaps, with the smaller space and the SD slot now on the left, internal geegaws were moved around, and the LEDs were repositioned.

• Will the DS Lite see a price cut?

Considering the DSi will be more expensive ($180 vs $160 in Japan), it would be nice if the DS Lite was a little cheaper. Also, can we expect a $150 tag for the DSi in North America, $20 more expensive than the DS Lite?

• Why no glossy shell?

Perhaps this is a cheaper solution for Nintendo. I, for one, will be happy to see the glossy shell replaced with the matte look/feel. I was never a fan of smudges all over my DS.

• When will the DSi launch in the States?

We may hear about this along with answers to several of our questions with Nintendo of America’s press meeting later today. Thins aren’t looking so good for Europe, though, what with a release planned for spring 2009.


From: TC

- 12%, 2.6 millimeters lighter, no more GBA slot
- bigger screens, better speakers
- Camera: two cameras - one inside and one out - 640×480 resolution
- screens are 3.25 inches
- camera and audio functions
- only one touch screen according to Nintendo UK spokesperson (more on that below)
- pictures taken should be able to be manipulated via touch screens
- pitch and sound playback speed can be adjusted
- SD card slot
- store then view pics on Wii Photo Channel
- internal memory for apps
- built-in web browser
- download DSi Ware with Nintendo Points (Wii points renamed
- apps will cost free/200/500/800 points.
- download via the Nintendo DSi Shop.
- owners that connect by March, 2010 will receive 1000 Points as a gift. (Japan)
- Hits Japan on Nov 1st for 18900 yen…2009 release for rest of the world
- DS Station will go into its second phase, becoming the Nintendo Zone service.
- service once again available at McDonalds
- Nintendo Zone Viewer included, no setup needed
- colors: white and frosted black

- Mii on DS in Lifestyle Rhythm Calculator software.
- Pedometer shown.
Games due out around launch: Valk Profile DS, Kirby (most likely SSU), Kyotaro, Rockman (most likely MMSF3), World Food, Phantasy Star Zero, Momotaro Dentetsu, Mario and Luigi 3
- DSi presentation over
- DS and Wii connectivity title FFCC is being introduced.
- AAC playback for DSi
- DS browser will be Opera
- new Dragon Quest IX media being shown
- Wii storage solution: WiiWare/software download to SD card
- more DS games and dates
3D Picross
Gyakuten Kenji next spring
Infinite Line next spring
- a demo movie will come pre-installed on new Wiis called “What You Can Do With the Wii”. It will help new users to get online
- more talk of previously announced wifi adapter
- in Japan, a campaign will kick off that gives Wii users 500 Wii Points when they help a non-connected user get online
- Animal Crossing: City Folk presentation. More DS data/Mii talk
- ACCF with Wii Speak bundle hits Japan on November 20th.
-
- Nintendo will re-release Cube classics in a new ‘Enjoy with Wii selection’ lineup

DSi to DS Lite comparison chart

Punch-Out Wii screen grab

DSi photo editing

video here and here

DSi official website - new user interface


From GoNintendo

[MakGonz]

Does anyone know how many megapixels the DSi camera will have?

[LinkToTheRescue]

That looks really good!

[Gurrah]

It's looking like it will be really good, but spring!!!! I don't want to wait that long!

[Shazy]

They really upgraded the DS

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by MakGonz

Does anyone know how many megapixels the DSi camera will have?

By the looks of the resoloution, its gonna be about 0.3 mp


EDIT : After reviewing the link Reinhart posted, I can confirm that the Camera WILL be a 0.3MP

[Ninman]

Originally Posted by MakGonz

Does anyone know how many megapixels the DSi camera will have?

I heard both cameras are 3 Megapixal.

I'm liking the upgrade...a lot. Seems to me that this is a DS 1.5 rather than a brand new console all together...like a test console sort of thing.

I love all of the new features, bigger screens, longer stylus, camera, internet browser, SD slot, Downloadable content via a new store...getting excited now xD

Internet, 2 cameras and a microphone...I smell Internet phone deal.

I don't mind the loss of the GBA slot...I hardly ever played GBA games on my DS Lite anyway...and besides I'll still have my DS and DS Lite for GBA games.

Another thing I'm glad they got rid of, that glossy shell. All it did was get dirty and let dirt sit between it and the DS Lite making it look forever filthy >_>

I don't like how it has shorter battery life...or where the power button is...and compared to the DS Lite in the looks section, is kinda ugly (no DS logo on the top D: why?!)

I bet the store/points will be region locked like the Wii. That's the only thing stopping me clicking on the pre-order button right now.

All in all, nice little make over.

[Subaru-Kun]

Well this is nice. I was hoping to get some news more like this... Either way, its about time, i cant wait to get this next year... Plus with all the games finally going to be available for the US, Nintendo will be printing money!

Thanks for the nice find Reinhart!

Subaru

[MakGonz]

I see you edited to some new pics.

Whoa, a new punch-out game? How exciting

[Nintendo-Guy]

Yeah I saw this on facepunchstudios. It looks smexy! So getting one now that both my other ds's is broken.

[Xander]

Wait....what's an AAC music file? Will Nintendo have music to download or will they have their own version of itunes or something?