The DSi: Reinventing Success

On October 2nd at their fall conference, Nintendo announced a brand new member to the Nintendo DS family, the DSi. Reinventing existing systems seems to be the trend with the current generation. Does that mean the DSi is something to overlook? You be the judge.

New Feature #1: Cameras!

Yes, not one, but two cameras are included as a feature on the DSi. Already confirmed to be used in games, there is the .03 megapixel camera on the inside of the DSi in between the two screens. How this will be used in future games has yet to be fully explained, however, I’m getting some Game Boy Camera flashbacks. On the other hand, the outer, 3-megapixel camera seems like a less useless addition. Expect to see people taking pictures with their DSi’s next E3!

New Feature #2: SD Card Slot and Media Player!

This is what has me the most excited about the DSi, and could very well be the reason a lot of current DS and DS Lite owners switch to the new version. Downloadable games, music playback, and picture storage are the main additions that go along with the SD card slot. Don’t worry though; the DSi also has 512MB of internal memory as well. So going over the limit on your card won’t cause a state of panic. The drawback is the DSi will no longer be backwards compatible.

New Feature #3: Internet Browser!

It seems everything these days can get you connected to the World Wide Web, why should the DSi be any different? Featuring a built in Opera internet browser, you will be able to fully utilize the DSi’s Wi-Fi functionality by checking your email wherever you go. Not exactly revolutionary, but it’s a free addition, and who can argue with a price like that.

New Feature #4: Smaller Package, Bigger Presentation!

The DS seemed small, then they brought out the shrunken DS Lite, and now they have made the tiny system 2.6mm thinner. With the system getting smaller, Nintendo upped their game and made the screens even bigger. Now a whopping 3.25 inches, that’s a .25-inch increase! While this may not seem like a lot, a side-by-side comparison shows that even a little bit more can make a world of difference. As previously stated, with the DSi being thinner, the GBA slot was removed in favor of the SD card slot.

Becoming a media player, camera, internet browser, and offering downloadable games, the DSi is shaping up to be even better than its siblings are. While there are some problems with the system, like the fact that downloadable games, content, and applications will be region locked, it may be time for current DS and DS Lite owners to get an upgrade. Sony, on the other hand, says it is not impressed by the new version of the DS and it “won’t be enough to entice users beyond (the) ‘12 year-old male’ demographic.” Yet the world waits patiently for its chance to play with the new device. Unfortunately, North America, Europe, and Australia, (pretty much everywhere except Japan), won’t get a chance until 2009, bummer.