The Nintendo DSi console has got to be the most eagerly released console for 2009.
The DSi is built around evolution rather than revolution so it's backwards compatible with other Nintendo DS games (look out for the exceptions below though!) and is essentially a smaller, slicker, smarter and more feature packed Nintendo DS Lite.
Before we go any further we need to say that all information below is from the Japanese launch of the device...
Summary Table - Nintendo DSi compared to Nintendo DS Lite
Nintendo DSi
Nintendo DS Lite
Colours
2 - Black or White
Many - Pink, White, Turquoise..
Screen Size
3.25"
3"
Screen Resolution
256 x 192
256 x 192
Camera
2 x 0.3 Megapixel
None
Microphone
Yes
Yes
Battery Life
14 hours (min. setting)
19 hours (min. setting)
Audio Player
AAC on SDCard
None
Web Browser
Yes - Opera Based
No
Compatible: DS Games
Yes*
Yes
Compatible: DS Lite Games
Yes
Yes
Compatible: GBA Games
No
Yes
Processors
ARM9 132MHz, ARM7 33MHz
ARM9 67MHz, ARM7 33MHz
Memory
16MB
4MB
Downloadable Software
Yes
No
Firmware Upgradeable
Yes
No
Brightness Settings
5
4
What's Improved?
Size: Nintendo have made the device 12% thinner. Admittedly that's only 2.5mm but it still feels and looks a lot cooler because of it.
Screens are Larger: Both of the screens have also been increased in size from the DS Lite 3" to 3.25" - again that doesn't seem a massive change on paper but on the device it makes a large difference
New Cameras: Nintendo have added 2 cameras to the device. One is on the lid, the other by the hinge between the screens. Both are 0.3 megapixels and best of all you can view your photos using the Wii Photo Channel on your Wii. Also the camera includes 11 types of "special camera lenses". These allow you to take photos and apply special effects to them (in real-time). You can change the picture to black and white, colour in parts of the photo that you touch or exchange the existing colour with a new one, put the photo inside frames (either included or make your own), draw graffiti directly on to the pictures. Plus the DSi has built in technology to recognize human faces so you can put moustaches and glasses on the photo or merge two faces and take bits from each. The face recognition engine built into the DSi can even tell you about similarities between people.
Sound Improvements: the speakers have been upgraded and although they're not Hi-fi quality they sound a lot better to our ears than the Nintendo DS Lite does.
SD Card Support: You can now plug standard SD cards directly into the DSi. The card can be used to store your photos and for external software.
An Additional Brightness Setting: You now have five brightness steps to choose from instead of the 4 from the DS Lite
More Powerful CPU and Memory: Nintendo have increased the memory and improved the CPU power.
A Microphone: A microphone has been added to the DSi so you can interact with it using your voice
An Audio Player: Along with the improved sound there's an application called "Nintendo DSi Sound" that allows you to play AAC encoded files (note: that's not MP3 files - it only appears to play AAC audio files at the moment)
Buy Applications and Games Online: The DSi is getting it's own online shop. Just like the Wii Shop (viewable on the Wii Console) you'll be able to buy points and swap those for games and applications. This includes a web browser so you can read the internet from your sofa, and pretty soon a cool piece of software called "Moving Notepad" which allows you to create handwritten memos direct on your DSi, and animations - then share them with your friends
What's Not Better or has got Worse?
Battery Life: battery life has been reduced - the DSi will need recharging more often.
Gameboy Advance (GBA) Slot Removed: To make the device thinner and pack into the case the cameras and better CPU there had to be something removed - unfortunately that was the GBA slot (see below for more information)
Flash card for the DS and DS Lite won't work: Again for space reasons you can't use your old flashcards any more
What hasn't Changed?
It's still got Wi-Fi support, it plays all your old Nintendo DS games, it's got two screens..
What does it mean that the GBA Cartridge Slot has been Removed?
It means that:
You can't play your old Nintendo Gameboy Advance Titles by plugging them in (like you can on the DS Lite)
You can't use some games that need that slot for accessories
For example, you won't be able to play the Guitar Hero: On Tour game for the DS as that uses the GBA cartridge slot for its finger plate. And that applies for all the other games that currently use the GBA slot.
Summary
The Nintendo DSi is a worthy successor to the DS line - it's more powerful, looks better, feels better to use and has some new features which we're sure will make a big difference in future (especially the cameras - we can't wait to see what Nintendo do with them!). But, if you've got a lot of games for the Gameboy Advance, or you need the GBA cartridge slot because you just can't stop playing Guitar Hero or using the Rumble Pak (amongst other accessories of course) then keep your current DS or buy a Nintendo DS Lite while they're still available. Personally we love it and we're never going to give it up!!
