Nintendo DSi
Nintendo announced their new iteration of the Nintendo DS series. It’s called Nintendo DSi.
This version can no longer play Game Boy Advance games, but it has a huge list of new features:
- It’s thinner than the DS Lite.
- The screens are larger (3.25 inches).
- A 0.3 megapixel camera and webcam (that’s 640 X 480 for all you folks from 1992).
- SD memory card slot
- Built-in Internet browser
- The DSi Shop, where you can download games for the Nintendo DSi just like you can for the Wii.
The camera could introduce some intriguing game play. Just like the microphone and the touchscreen did for the original DS. I think I would have preferred a camera that faced toward ME while I’m playing the game. With that feature, game designers could program a way for me to see my opponents when playing online. Of course, that’s probably asking a bit much from a little handheld gaming device.
Honestly, the iPhone is seriously kicking butt on the “it’s already in my pocket” front. Since I don’t carry my DS around with me everywhere, I have found myself playing games on my iPhone a little more than on my DS.
The Nintendo DSi will be available in Japan in November and the rest of us will have to wait a while until it comes here. I’m not quite ready to give up my GBA games yet, so I’ll see what they do to entice me.
Actually it has two cameras, one pointed toward you between the two screens. You can see it in the picture.
I still think it will only be used for silly novelties in games, though. (“Now wave to Professor Strange and he’ll give you the secret formula to solve puzzle!”)
Comment by Michael Moncur — October 10, 2008 @ 5:37 am
Ahh, I didn’t notice the second camera! Then EXCELLENT! You are looking at the world’s newest video conferencing device!! Can’t wait for the “games” that let me talk AND see my friends from far away!
Comment by Laura Moncur — October 10, 2008 @ 9:10 am