The Newest DS: Nintendo's DSi
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by: ChrisHagen
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Word Count: 452
Since its release, Nintendo has been steadily riding the huge wave of DS sales. Originally released in 2004, the small handheld gaming system introduced a touchscreen, a microphone, and a vast array of games for almost every genre and player. In 2006 the Japanese-based company then released the sleeker, slimmer DS Lite.
But is the DSi just another rehash of the DS Lite?
The answer is, thankfully, no. Although the DS Lite did present gamers with a fancy new case and packaging, the product itself did not do much, component-wise, to really stand apart from its predecessor. With the DSi, however, Nintendo has already solidified several key changes and additions that will certainly separate it from the previous DS systems.
Physically the DSi has some modifications from the DS Lite. Nintendo has announced that it will be available in matte colors, as opposed to the DS Lite's glossy casing (good news for those who cursed the fingerprint smudges on their DS Lites). Also, both screens on the DSi will be increased to 3.25 inches.
Like the DS Lite, the DSi will also see a reduction in size. Nintendo has announced that the DSi will be 2.6mm thinner than its predecessor (that's a 12% reduction). The bad news for some gamers is that Nintendo sacrificed the DS' backwards compatibility; in other words, the DSi will not be able to play Game Boy Advance titles.
But perhaps the biggest cosmetic change to the system is the addition of both an external camera and a VGA camera (which is located on the hinge). Users will be able to capture 640x480 pictures, and edit them using the touchscreen.
The DSi's most exciting new feature, however, is the the inclusion of the SD-card slot in addition to the on-board memory. DSi owners will be able to listen to music (although only in AAC format; the DSi will not support MP3) with full playback functionality.
The DSi will also come with a built-in DS web browser, and DSi owners will be able to download games. Nintendo will utilize the same point system that was adopted for Wii. With these so-called Nintendo Points, games and demos can be purchased and downloaded.
The DSi is certainly chock full of new features and gadgets, making gamers and technophiles alike giddy in anticipation, myself included. Nintendo has done a terrific job garnering attention and excitement regarding the release of the new system, but will it surpass the DS Lite? I guess we'll have to wait to find out.
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