New DS (DSi) coming out this year!

[suppafly]

I couldnt find news about this here on DP so I hope this isnt a double...



"TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese video game maker Nintendo Co Ltd plans to launch a new model of its DS handheld machine that can take pictures and play music by the end of the year, the Nikkei business daily said on Sunday."

http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE48R09X20080928

[NytroSkull7]

That would be great, but then that would take away the fun of my CycloDS.

[Dastardly Dylan]

The DS is turning into the N-Gage now? :bawling:

[Oobgarm]

The DS is turning into the N-Gage now? :bawling:

I'd be all for that, but without side-talkin' it would be a hard sell for me.

(Which is why I've kept my original N-Gage)

[Agressivadue]

Meh.

It's not going to hurt sales though.

[joedick]

I'd still be shocked if they even announced anything for North America before Christmas.

[fpbrush]

the subtitle for the system should be:

"Return of the Game Boy Camera!" :)

[carlcarlson]

Blah, why would I want to do take pictures and play music on my DS?

[djbeatmongrel]

seeing that i use my psp for music this might give me a reason to not bring my psp at all with me

[Jorpho]

This of course means there will be another bajillion third-party accessories released for this new DS. Can't have a music player without some sort of convenient little armband-carrying-sleeve.

[Leo_A]

Bigger screens and mp3 capabilities sounds good to me, I play music off my PSP all the time.

Glad I held off upgrading to a DS lite now. :)

[Zing]

Glad I held off upgrading to a DS lite now. :)
The DS Lite was released in June 2006. Yes, your three year wait will totally pay off. ;)

[Zing]

But seriously, I don't need the blurry 2 megapixel camera and basic MP3 support this "DS" will likely have. I fully expect it to have no GBA slot, either, thanks to the electronics crammed in for the camera and SD slot.

What I would rather have is a revision like the micro. Make it lighter, more comfortable (the Lite's d-pad is so uncomfortable to use for long periods), and feel free to dump the GBA slot to do it, but don't add a bunch of extra stuff in its place!

[boatofcar]

Nintendo knows what they're doing. Adding these two features is going to be huge, especially mp3 support. It's going to turn the DS into a media device, not just a game machine. As gamers, we may not appreciate this, but the vast majority of the public is going to welcome these changes with open arms.

[Leo_A]

The DS Lite was released in June 2006. Yes, your three year wait will totally pay off. ;)

Considering my DS was only a few months oid, I think it did. Barey 2 years btw. Golng to enjoy the mp3 support, been close several times in buying an accesory to do it, no good reason exist for it not being there.

No GBA support is fine, the SP2 is the best handheld of all time and the DS's button layout sucks for many GBA games.

[Zing]

Actually, I would love to go back in time and get a new-in-box original DS. I tried one out the other day and it is infinitely more comfortable to hold for GBA games than the Lite. I didn't find the screen too dark, either.

[DigitalSpace]

/me says "meh," continues using his original model red DS

(...and browsing porn.)

[icbrkr]

W00... it looks like I can buy my 5th DS! And oddly enough, only 2 of the 4 I have now get any usage (the wife's lite and my lite).

[SpaceHarrier]

I too, held off on the lite.. I have the original DS, and am generally satisfied with it. So this is interesting news. I might pick up this 3rd gen... I'm gonna load it up with Sony BMG Music just for irony!

[jcalder8]

This must be fake.
Nintendo won't even let gamers talk to one another but taking pictures and sending them is ok?
I call bs!

[roushimsx]

If this is the DS that doesn't have a shitty dpad then count me the fuck in. Suffering through the Castlevania games on the fat DS was murder, I don't know how the hell anyone was able to beat them on the lite.

...ohh, and Order of Ecclesia is just around the corner, too. Please don't suck like Portrait of Ruin!

[DonMarco]

Two months ago Nintendo goes after the R4 makers and distributors. Now they release a DS mp3 player? Wow.

I'm still buying a Wiz.

[boatofcar]

If this is the DS that doesn't have a shitty dpad then count me the fuck in. Suffering through the Castlevania games on the fat DS was murder, I don't know how the hell anyone was able to beat them on the lite.

...ohh, and Order of Ecclesia is just around the corner, too. Please don't suck like Portrait of Ruin!

That's true. If the new DS has a better d pad, I'll drop my Lite in a heartbeat.

[Arcade_Ness]

Well I'm still happy with my DS Lite thus far, and my PSP has me covered in the music department. I'll pass unless they change the D pad.

[Sudo]

If this is the DS that doesn't have a shitty dpad then count me the fuck in. Suffering through the Castlevania games on the fat DS was murder, I don't know how the hell anyone was able to beat them on the lite.

...ohh, and Order of Ecclesia is just around the corner, too. Please don't suck like Portrait of Ruin!

I don't have any problems with the Lite's d-pad, and I thought Portrait of Ruin was better than Dawn of Sorrow. ;)

[Damaramu]

Pfft. To hell with a new d-pad. I want larger, higer res screens ala PSP!

[Leo_A]

This must be fake.
Nintendo won't even let gamers talk to one another but taking pictures and sending them is ok?
I call bs!

It doesn't say anything about sharing the pictures you've taken on your DS among other DS owners, and I doubt Nintendo cares what gamers are emailing each other off their computers and such.

[slip81]

why don't they make one with 1080p grafx and 18 spekr bose surround, sos i dont have teh carry frig xbox all place teh!?

[Damaniel]

Nintendo's officially announced the new DS (they're calling it the DSi):

http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-announces-the-dsi/

It doesn't have the GBA slot anymore, but it's thinner, has 17% larger screens, and has internal storage and a camera. They claim it's not meant to replace the DS Lite, but to 'compliment' it. I have to go buy one of these as soon as they're available... :)

[SystemFreak]

Already sent a pre-order request to my 2 favorite importers. :)

[Jorpho]

NThey claim it's not meant to replace the DS Lite, but to 'compliment' it.
Like how the DS was supposed to 'complement' the GBA SP when the DS first came out?

[Icarus Moonsight]

So dual touch screens? That shoots "compliment the DS" in the ass. Forced upgrade! That's swell...

I don't like this much (dual touch screens), but we'll see how it does. Depending on how many DSi games are going to be coming out vs single touch screen DS games for the next year or two. The rest sounds pretty good to me. Ah, who am I kidding? I'll buy one or two. :D

[Jorpho]

Depending on how many DSi games are going to be coming out vs single touch screen DS games for the next year or two.
No doubt we can look forward to enhanced dual-screen versions of "Imagine: Cubicle Monkey" or whatever.

[SpaceHarrier]

Can't wait! I'm gettin the black one for sure..

I, for one don't mind the loss of the GBA slot. The fact that the cart sticks out kinda reminds me of the Nomad -__- .. never liked carts stickin out on a handheld. Plus, don't most people already have a DS (who are going to buy one, anyway)?? Since I have the old school model, I skipped the Lite. So I welcome an even thinner, sleeker DSi with open wallet!

[Icarus Moonsight]

I'd like to see a few single unit, one game cart (or download game) 2 player games. Where each player sits across from one another and uses one touch screen. Who knows what devs will dream up when you have two touch screens? I like the possibilities, I'm just not fond of the whole 'forced upgrade' bit. I kinda understand it. How else were they going to convince people to upgrade, yet again?

I just imagine that the Imagine series doesn't exist. :) Dude from Mythbusters had it right when he said, "I reject your reality and substitute my own!" LOL

[Raedon]

http://www.dannychoo.com/fauna/userimg/large/2008Oct02005539_8479.jpg


Rumours have circled around the net for a few days now, but it seems they were true. Nintendo just announced the new DS model. The DSi.

The DSi is 12% thinner than its predecessor but at the price of the GBA slot. I has two cameras and a slightly bigger screen. One camera(outside one?) will be capable of 3megapixels.

It will have an SD slot to store photos and music; as well as storing downloadable games and swapping between the Wii.

Built in web browser (hope it's better than the old Opera version)

New DS shop will be available where you will be able to buy "DS Ware", software prices from the range of free to 800 points. If you buy one before March 2009, you will receive 1000 points for free.

A new service called "Nintendo Zone" will start similar to the free wi-fi in every McDonalds the US had a while back.

SO! People what are your thoughts? It's being retailed at the not-so-cheap-price of ￥18,900 (USD$180).

I loved replaying my old GBA games when the DS was first released but 4 years later I find myself with an empty slot all the time >.>
Will the camera will be used for any games or if it's just tobe used a simple camera...
I guess the only thing I would get excited about is the smaller size, the web browser and the new DS Store. Downloading games are so much convenient! *cought*R4*cough*, speaking of which.... will this be R4 proof? If so... how long before it's hacked?

[InsaneDavid]

It doesn't have the GBA slot anymore...

There goes the value of Slot 2 flash cartridges.

[Oobgarm]

I dunno. It looks and sounds neat, but nothing that's really "OMG MUST HAVE".

Anyone else find this redesign to be unneeded? I mean, why not hold onto some of these [basic, but intriguing] ideas for a successor? I understand that it prints money, but still...

[G-Boobie]

I dunno. It looks and sounds neat, but nothing that's really "OMG MUST HAVE".

Anyone else find this redesign to be unneeded? I mean, why not hold onto some of these ideas for a successor? [b]I understand that it prints money, but still...

That Nintendo sure does like to print that money. I'd post the gif, but we've all seen it already. :)

Fifty bucks says they drop the price of DS Lite to $99.99. The DSi goes for $200, maybe more depending on where the dollar is next year. They sell great heaping assloads of both models. Iwata paves his driveway with platinum leaf because, quite frankly, he can. He may also purchase an ocelot.

It might be unnecessary from a gaming consumers point of view, but don't think for a minute that those same consumers(..us, or people like us) won't be fighting over the right to pay $300 US each on Ebay for the first year they're available, because you sure as hell won't be able to buy one at a store.

[Icarus Moonsight]

There goes the value of Slot 2 flash cartridges.

Pin down the slot 1 device producers through litigation and negate the slot 2 devices use. Two birds, one DSi stone of pirate slaying +5. :)

[kaedesdisciple]

I will be extremely disappointed if the wifi still only works under WEP.

[Raedon]

I will be extremely disappointed if the wifi still only works under WEP.

This is one of my complaints as well. WTF do you need wifi security for? IT'S A GAMING SYSTEM.

[Jorpho]

Pin down the slot 1 device producers through litigation and negate the slot 2 devices use. Two birds, one DSi stone of pirate slaying +5. :)
It's always possible they'll succeed in putting in enough security to hold off the pirates for a while - but I guess that's pretty unlikely, especially with the SD slot. (Remember how one of the PSP revisions got borked because of a buffer overflow in the TIFF reader?)

[Andred]

I like the bigger/better screens (don't care about the other "improvements") but the reduced battery life kinda blows. Granted, it's still a longer battery life than most other handhelds but I hate recharging things.

[Raedon]

I like the bigger/better screens (don't care about the other "improvements") but the reduced battery life kinda blows. Granted, it's still a longer battery life than most other handhelds but I hate recharging things.

lol! Here comes one of those, "When I was a kid" moments.

Try having no recharging options open to you and a handheld that used 6 AA batteries in 2 hours.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Interesting to say the least.

Slot 2 cards are hardly an issue these days ... for the most part companies that make those sort of things are moving away from manufacturing those anyway.

I wonder if this version of the DS will be able to lock-out Slot 1 devices (or, at least lock them out for a while ... HK companies and hackers always find ways around protection).

I'm all for added multimedia features, so the MP3 and camera are nice, but I don't see myself making a jump to upgrade at launch.

I still have much love for my regular DS Lite.

[joedick]

A lot of people are mentioning that the camera and music playback are unnecessary. What about the storage space and downloadable games? This is what makes the system worthwhile to me.

Also, I don't think both screens are touch enabled...

[super nes]

So its coming out in november for Japan and sometime next year for everyone else... guess im gonna have to get mine imported.

[Jorpho]

So its coming out in november for Japan and sometime next year for everyone else... guess im gonna have to get mine imported.Why not just wait, for $deity's sake!?

[All Things Sega]

I too, held off on the lite.. I have the original DS, and am generally satisfied with it. So this is interesting news. I might pick up this 3rd gen... I'm gonna load it up with Sony BMG Music just for irony!

Don't you mean Sony Music...Sony BMG is no more even more ironic as Sony tries to rule the world LOL

[kainemaxwell]

Looks like a sweet little machine!

[Kaine2071]

An' you got yourself a sweet little ass!

[klausien]

Looks okay, but a 3 megapixel camera is like a damn cellphone camera, and is no replacement for a GBA slot... now running emulators off an SD card once someone cracks this baby... that could be interesting.

[retro junkie]

Lets see, does this mean no playing Guitar Hero DS and no rumble pak on the DSi? :confused:

[Dastardly Dylan]

Lets see, does this mean no playing Guitar Hero DS and no rumble pak on the DSi? :confused:
Hopefully, I'll still be able to play my copy of the game on this (EDIT: Dammit, there is no GBA slot :[ ). On Tour is a good game, but not really what I expected. The soundtrack could of been way better.

I wanna pick this new DS installment up, give it a go, or at least if a friend has it see how it is there. Besides that, having a web browser, music, and pictures all in gaming glory? I think that's awesome.

[SpaceHarrier]

An' you got yourself a sweet little ass!

..but it doesn't have the GBA slot anymore.

[walrusmonger]

It's been almost 4 years since the original, we've seen a hardware revision and lots of colors. Nintendo is going after the rest of the market the DSlite was intended for but didn't capture.

Anyone who buys this that already has a DS will most certainly not get rid of their old one, and anyone who buys it that doesn't have a ds will clearly not miss out on the gba slot. Think about it- the people who are going to just be picking up a DS either have been using a gba for these past years and can still play them, or have been playing nothing/other handheld, and will not have a GBA library to worry about.

So this is a great move on Nintendo's part- much better than their GB Micro attempt, because this actually has improved features and is not just stripped down and prettier.

[retro junkie]

I still like my Metroid Pinball with the rumble pak. I guess I will hang onto my DSphat and maybe pick up a DSlite when the prices come down. :(

Hmm.... maybe down the road a bit I may consider the DSi. I still have a lot of GBA games that I play and the "lack of backward compatiblity thing" is a big minus for me.

[Rob2600]

IGN - DSi U.S. Launch Date, Price Revealed (http://ds.ign.com/articles/944/944589p1.html)

"Multiple sources close to Nintendo tell IGN that the company is gearing up to debut the anticipated successor to its DS Lite handheld during the first half of this year in America. More specifically, the company has allegedly relayed to its partners that DSi will ship stateside in early April, most likely on April 4. Insiders assert that they have been told the system will retail for $179.99 when it launches domestically."

[CosmicMonkey]

It looks like the DSi is going to be released in the US on/around April 4th for $179.99. No word yet on European release details, but we might be lucky and get it time for Xmas.

So, when do all these wonderful online region-locked DSi games start appearing then? Have there been any Japanese games released so far that take advantage of the new machine's abilities?

[TheGam3r]

Dsi Sucks cause no more GBA Backwards compatibilty

Long Live DS/DS Lite

[PapaStu]

It looks like the DSi is going to be released in the US on/around April 4th for $179.99. No word yet on European release details, but we might be lucky and get it time for Xmas.

So, when do all these wonderful online region-locked DSi games start appearing then? Have there been any Japanese games released so far that take advantage of the new machine's abilities?


Merged with the already running DSi thread.

There are online DSi games are already out in Japan. I've seen one that uses the pictures taken by the camera and lets you mess with them.

I'll get one at launch, but then again I'm a DS whore.

[Leo_A]

As far as I know, only the downloadable WiiWare stuff will be DSi specific, so that's why we're not seeing any region locked retail games so far.

The DS's GBA compatibility sucks. Poor button layout that can't be customized to make things like the Mario Advance titles playable, and games that stick halfway out on the DS lite. Good riddance I say, the SP2 is the way to go for GBA titles, its still the best handheld I've ever used to this day.

[jupitersj]

Looks okay, but a 3 megapixel camera is like a damn cellphone camera, and is no replacement for a GBA slot... now running emulators off an SD card once someone cracks this baby... that could be interesting.

3mp camera is around 2048x1536, good enough for an 8x10 print. Most cellphones are lucky to do 640x480...

[chicnstu]

Looks okay, but a 3 megapixel camera is like a damn cellphone camera, and is no replacement for a GBA slot... now running emulators off an SD card once someone cracks this baby... that could be interesting.3mp camera is around 2048x1536, good enough for an 8x10 print. Most cellphones are lucky to do 640x480...

Yeah, 3 megapixels is very good. All of the pictures in my photobucket were taken with a 3.2 MP camera.

http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r25/Athefre/

[XRKacy]

sounds like over-kill to me!