Nintendo’s much-awaited DSi handheld will arrive in US stores on April 5. This new version of Nintendo’s mega-successful DS may look a lot like its predecessor on the outside, but it has changed a lot on the inside. The main thing is that it’s got more multimedia features than the DS, with two cameras, a voice recorder and music player, and downloadable games, among other features.
The DSi has two sweet cameras – one is right on the cover so you can aim it at subjects while the unit is open, while the other is inside, under the screen so you can take pictures of yourself. Although these cameras are only 0.3-megapixel ones that take 640 x 480 images, the DSi comes with 10 interactive image manipulation tools that Nintendo calls “lenses”. These include coloring pictures, putting different backgrounds on images, and picture distortion.
The multimedia features extend to sound as well. The DSi has a built-in voice recorder and music player with sound manipulators. It will let you use audio filters, and tinker with your voice or music files.
Nintendo is finally introducing downloadable games and applications with the DSi. Content can be downloaded straight to the DSi through the built-in browser and the DSiWare application with Nintendo DSi Points, which can be bought from the Nintendo DSi Shop Channel.
Unlike the DS, the DSi doesn’t have a slot for old Gameboy Advance cartridges, but it does have a slot for DS cartridges. Also, it’s now easy to switch games with the DSi. On the DS, the unit had to be turned off then on to change to a new game, but the DSi only requires a light press of the power button to return to the main menu. Other features include a 3.25-inch screen that’s bigger than the 3-inch one on the DS, and a matte shell to minimize fingerprints and scratches. The DSi can take SD cards for easy access to photos and soundfiles, and the unit is a lot slimmer and lighter too.
The DSi will retail for $169.99 and will be initially available in blue and black colors. Metallic blue, lime green and pink colors will be available in Japan, but there’s no word yet on when those colors will come to the rest of the world.
Nintendo DSi
