Comments on: Nintendo DSi adds built-in cameras, SD slot, and online store

More details on the Nintendo DSi.

[Andres_A]

I have a DS Lite right now, and I am satisfied with it. This is probably a good upgrade for game-crazy people, otherwise it is just trying to keep up with the PSP.

[zhakidd532]

If you can download old GBA games, then it may be worth it, at the right price. I still have a first generation DS, this may be worth the upgrade, I'll have to get more info before I decide for sure.

[Lerianis]

Correction: if you can download old GBA games FOR FREE, it will be worth it. If the games have to be paid for a SECOND time.... no freaking way, Jose!

[rich-long]

but will they update the wifi to use WPA/WPA2?

[Galenn20K]

I Absolutely would hope so as well. Its annoying I cant use my DS on my WPA2 Encryption. I Refuse to use WEP.

[michigandude24]

I sure hope this takes SDHC cards. Then it could even be a contender to ipods.

[Firehazel]

yeah, i was going to get a Pandora, but i might get this instead. DONT SCREW US OVER NINTENDO!!!!
but that means exploits and what about those that have GBA ROM's? will they exploit this? does that mean that there will be legal roms for grabs? there are som many questions to be answered!!!!!!

[tcr071]

Not sure how a hand held that is absolutely pummeling the PSP in sales could be "trying to keep up."

[thejtrix]

Wait, if it loses the GBA card slot, where will you be able to put the Guitar Grip for Guitar Hero: On Tour?

[ubertalldude]

You will have to :

Keep your old DS

OR

Sell it.

[streamline35]

Or you could just not buy that abomination of an otherwise great series (I tried it. Awful)

[thejtrix]

Wait, if it loses the GBA card slot, where will you be able to put the Guitar Grip for Guitar Hero: On Tour?

[LWell709]

Holy cow you're right!!!!!!!!!!! I never thought of that

[archaicforest]

I think it's just Nintendo trying to keep up with Sony to stay competitive. It was about time, really. I do have concerns about the drooping the GBA slot, but since the DS doesn''t play old Game Boy games, it really doesn't hurt that much. (It's seems they could have had both the GBA slot and the SD slot. I guess maybe that would not have been price competitive.)

[onebluephish]

This is great; however, what is the battery life with the new features? What do they plan to do with the GBA slot games-digital download? Will the other screen have touch screen capability too?

I am just wondering what more would entice buyers to get the upgrade. Otherwise, it seems pointless to waste the money on the upgrade.

[zephyrjk]

They really didn't release too much spec... I'd like to know what wifi spec it's using.
At least they did say about the battery life, which is A LOT less then that of the DSLite.
You can run the DSLite for 5~8 hours on the brightest setting, and 15~19 on the lowest, whereas you can only get 3~4 and 9~14 on the DSi respectively.

[mmntech]

The DS really needed downloadable content since it is the only current generation gaming device that does not have that feature. I'd consider buying one if they started offering Virtual Console games for it. I also have to commend Nintendo for not going with a proprietary storage solution, unlike the Wii's internal storage. Fortunately, it seems like you'll be able to store purchased games on any SD card.

Still, I can't help but feel that the DSi is overpriced. It's $180 and all it adds is a 0.3mp camera and a SD slot. The system presumably doesn't come with an SD card, games, or any other accessories. With the PSP core pack selling at $170 and the bundles only $20 more than the DSi, this seems of poor value to me. I don't think the DS should be selling for any more than $120 given the price point of past Gameboy models. Seems to me they're just trying to Frankenstein the DS into a PMP because of how well the PSP is doing into Japan. Give us a price cut for the Wii and DS Lite instead.

[Philip Hatfield]

Hey mmntech, just to let you know, it's a 3 megapixel camera, not 0.3 megapixel.

[McPlot]

In Japan, they are willing to pay more for game systems then the rest of the world. The price will most likely drop before it comes out in the USA. If $180 in Japan, I would say like $150 in the US.

[Firehazel]

Yeah, McPlot. I think the would not make it cost as much or more than the PSP just for an attractive price. I would be suprised if Nintendo made it teh same as the Lite. If they did, Bill Gates would be jealous with how much money they would make. IDK if i want to upgrade from my Lite tho. They better offer it in White again!!!!!!

[Andres_A]

Well, what I mean by Nintendo keeping up with Sony is that Nintendo is just adding more features to the DS, even though it is bought more than the PSP. That will persuade more people to buy them now that they are more feature-rich, in my opinion. I have a DS Lite, and it is a really good system to play with, very enjoyable...

[adkman1956]

I have been waiting for this. The DS browser left a lot to be desired. I am not impressed by the cameras and will with hold judgment on the sound.

[TheStairMaster]

ROFL

so it's a DS lite and PSP hybrid

wow, I TOTALLY didn't see that coming...

[leoncarpenter01]

I don't think they're doing this against Sony at all. Nintendo is stomping Sony into the ground without these changes.
I think this a warning shot straight over the bow of Apple headquarters in Cupertino. They heard Steve Jobs claims of the iPod Touch being the best gaming device out there and they did not like it.
PSP is going to become obsolete unless it changes soon Sony is running out of money to keep buy itself out of losing battles.
Apple and Nintendo just may be starting an all out brawl and one things for sure - it will end up good for consumers.

[Bearishly4u]

I have a DS lite and if the DSi delivers on everything this is saying it will, I'll upgrade depending on the functionality and ui design for the media player.

[buddharage]

Shell out another $30 and you have an xbox360 or an iphone (albeit you have to pay the monthly charges). Unless you're able to call your buddies through Skype or something, I'll pass. iPhone games are picking up steam and are sneaking very quietly onto DS and PSP turf.

[BeatnikZoo]

If I want a 360, I'll buy a 360. If I want an iphone (which I don't) I'd buy an iphone. If I want a portable system that I can play anywhere, isn't fragile or made by a company with their head up their bums, I'll buy a DSi.

Comparing a 360 to a DS is comparing apples to oranges. Think of a better argument please.

[mirowe2]

I think that this is a wonderful idea. My wife has the newer DS and she loves it and when she finds out about this one she will want it, especially because of the internet and cam feature she will be begging me for this one.

[ReVeLaTeD]

Anyone who has DS Lite and buys this is just a sheep.

I cannot believe someone would consider buying a device which is NOT truly an upgrade. This is the same mistake Sony made with the PS3.

Console developers...KEEP BACKWARDS COMPATIBILITY. It needs to stay around. Not everyone wants to own 16 different consoles; I know I don't. I'll be keeping my Lite so I can play GBA games for those oddball occasions that I feel like playing one.

[BeatnikZoo]

SP for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance.

DSi for DS and/or anything older you (choose) to download.

2 =/= 16

[planblove]

Good upgrades but I don't think they're worth $180. It should be the same price as the current DS lite and when this comes out all existing DS Lites on the shelf should drop in price.

[renzenkuken]

looks pretty cool. They probably want to stop piracy so i guess no more flashcarts

[sneaksiegarrett]

That's true, no more flashcarts... But think about it. A flashcart uses a mini SD card anyway lol. Like, for example, the R4 for DS Lite is basically just a holder for the mini sd card. So, if you have a mini sd to regular size sd converter, you could just stick that into the sd card slot. Though, I'm curious how this would affect the functionality and whatnot.