Nintendo DSi not backwards compatibal! [Archive]

glorfindel

02-24-2009, 08:54 PM

so on a whim i reserved a nintendo dsi and i just looked up specs and its not backwards compatibal with GBA and earlier games...anybody have any idea if you can play roms on there or anyway of getting back my old games. just wondering. my last handheld i bought was the gba when it first came out so i am in need of a upgrade. thanks for any information provided

c0ldb33r

02-24-2009, 09:05 PM

I'm sure the info's already been discussed, but it's not backwards compatible because they took out the GBA slot. I would imagine that a DS card based flash solution would still work, unless they have removed that possibility with firmware upgrades.

so on a whim i reserved a nintendo dsi and i just looked up specs and its not backwards compatibal with GBA and earlier games...
I would also add that none of the DS versions are compatible with pre-GBA Gameboy carts. For certainty's sake, Gameboy and Gameboy Color carts do not work on any DS model or a GB Micro.

Cobra Commander

02-24-2009, 09:08 PM

You could just buy an ordinary DS Lite.

glorfindel

02-24-2009, 09:09 PM

yea i saw the slot has been taken out. looked a lil bit for threads about this but i didnt find any. might be cause im tired. if anybody can show me any and close this down that would be great. i might be ok without the GBA slot but i was wondering. i go a few gba games i like playing and i dont wanna carry my gba around

Oobgarm

02-24-2009, 09:42 PM

That news is terribal!

glorfindel

02-24-2009, 09:46 PM

i might be able to live without my gba games but no guitar hero? i was maybe going buy that

FxMercenary

02-24-2009, 09:49 PM

That news is terribal!

i know, this is unbelievabal! :above me:

DKTheArcadeRat

02-24-2009, 09:55 PM

i might be able to live without my gba games but no guitar hero? i was maybe going buy that

oh noes!

Sonicwolf

02-24-2009, 10:02 PM

i know, this is unbelievabal! :above me:

But this is impossibal!

Rickstilwell1

02-24-2009, 10:07 PM

Personally, I think GB. GBC and GBA looks better on PSP with emulation. The screen is bigger and brighter. But for real games, I only play GBA and GBC on my GameCube's game Boy Player most of the time. for pre GBC games, they usually seem better on the Super Nintendo's Super Game Boy.

incubus421

02-24-2009, 10:40 PM

i might be able to live without my gba games but no guitar hero? i was maybe going buy that

This still surprises me that people don't know what they're getting into when they reserve/buy a game/system/etc. (applies to any major sale too especially cars). Why even reserve a DSi if you don't know anything about it?

**rant**
I had a woman the other day buy a 360 and a few games, came back a couple weeks later with a ring around one of her discs. Then blamed us (and not Microsoft mind you) that we first sold her a defective disc, and later when she found out 360s do this, a defective system. "Well no one tells you these things when you buy one!" Yes I realize we have some obligation to fill customers in, but we honestly don't have time to hit every detail every time; some self research would be nice. Especially when you plan to drop that much money on a product.
**rant over**

Anyways, here's some info in the DSi:
- No GBA slot
- Does have a SD slot
- Built-in camera (worst then most cell phone cameras apparently)
- Can store photos and music
- Has an excellent web browser (better than cell phone/console/handheld browsers)
- R4/etc. will not work in the DSi, however, it's only a matter of time...

If you're looking for a gaming system stick to a DS Lite, if you want a personal media storage system with gaming capabilty give the DSi a try.

Daria

02-24-2009, 10:48 PM

But this is impossibal!

Inconceivabal!

c0ldb33r

02-24-2009, 10:48 PM

"Well no one tells you these things when you buy one!" Yes I realize we have some obligation to fill customers in, but we honestly don't have time to hit every detail every time; some self research would be nice.
I imagine with her that it wouldn't have mattered. She wanted her money back/return item/whatever and she would say and/or do anything to get her way. She'll blame everyone involved except herself. People like that piss me off as well.

Sonicwolf

02-24-2009, 10:49 PM

Inconceivabal!

That is certainly incontrovertibal!
Personally the lack of GBA port has hastened my plan to buy a DSlite. I would much rather have a GBA port than some dumb camera and dsware thing.

Hardcore

02-24-2009, 11:37 PM

Communicabal?

I'll stick with my regular DS. I wonder why Ninty dropped the GBA slot?

sisko

02-25-2009, 01:00 AM

Inconceivabal!

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Ed Oscuro

02-25-2009, 01:01 AM

:)

How you gon' get fresh without the Taito Paddle Controller (for Arkanoid and Space Invaders)?!

One question of interest to me: Is the d-pad better on the DSi than on the DS Lite? I hate that thing so much.

Gameguy

02-25-2009, 01:18 AM

This still surprises me that people don't know what they're getting into when they reserve/buy a game/system/etc. (applies to any major sale too especially cars). Why even reserve a DSi if you don't know anything about it?
How can you be surprised by this? People bought Pet Rocks, they're just rocks in a box. I'm not surprised, just slightly ashamed of people in general.

It really reminds me of this;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AyVh1_vWYQ

Sonicwolf

02-25-2009, 01:21 AM

How can you be surprised by this? People bought Pet Rocks, they're just rocks in a box. I'm not surprised, just slightly ashamed of people in general.

It really reminds me of this;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AyVh1_vWYQ

I think the Pet Rock had more merit than the Philips CDI and people bought hundreds of thousands of those. The human race is embarassing.

poloplayr

02-25-2009, 04:27 AM

The lack of a GBA slot has been known since day 1....

Trebuken

02-25-2009, 04:32 AM

Dropping the GBA slot lowers production costs; aslo since GBA are no longer produced (are they) Nintendo does not get a license fee. Also they can now shovel GBA games into WiiWare to sell to all the new gamers on their idiot box (Wii), thus getting their fees back.

Actually doesn't bother me too much. I am not a big fan of digital distribution of new games (STEAM for example), but I don't mind older smaller games being downloadable...

Sonicwolf

02-25-2009, 04:42 AM

Dropping the GBA slot lowers production costs.

Whats the point of worrying about that when the damned thing is already past the original DS launch price?

Ed Oscuro

02-25-2009, 04:51 AM

Whats the point of worrying about that when the damned thing is already past the original DS launch price?
Because it saves Nintendo money, in terms of percentages; not you.

heybtbm

02-25-2009, 09:29 AM

Dropping the GBA slot.....they can now shovel GBA games into WiiWare to sell to all the new gamers on their idiot box (Wii), thus getting their fees back.

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!

This is THE ONLY reason they got rid of the GBA slot. It probably cost them pennies per unit to keep it in. They want people to buy GBA games via download. Simple as that.

Personally, I don't have a problem with them trying to make (more) money. My protest will be to not participate in their "double-dip" download service. I have two GBA SP's, a GBA Micro, a DS "fat", and a DS Lite anyway. I have plenty of ways to play GBA games.

c0ldb33r

02-25-2009, 09:35 AM

One question of interest to me: Is the d-pad better on the DSi than on the DS Lite? I hate that thing so much.
Excellent question - I'm wondering this as well. The d-pad on my DS Lite is absolutely terrible. I can't even play contra 4 with it. Shooting diagonals is nearly impossible. I have to pull out my fat DS for Contra 4.

Icarus Moonsight

02-25-2009, 09:48 AM

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!

This is THE ONLY reason they got rid of the GBA slot. It probably cost them pennies per unit to keep it in. They want people to buy GBA games via download. Simple as that.

Personally, I don't have a problem with them trying to make (more) money. My protest will be to not participate in their "double-dip" download service. I have two GBA SP's, a GBA Micro, a DS "fat", and a DS Lite anyway. I have plenty of ways to play GBA games.

You guys bat that around like it's a bad thing... GBA doesn't have the retail presence that it used to. For most people this would be more than worthwhile. Doesn't open up many new gaming avenues for me either, but it's a good idea if they go that way. Besides, you'll more than likely be able to load GBA games with a flashcart through the SD slot eventually.

Leo_A

02-25-2009, 11:08 AM

Unless the GBA hardware outside of the cartridge slot was used by DS titles and is still there, you won't be able to play GBA games. The DS isn't powerful enough to emulate the GBA.

maxlords

02-25-2009, 11:27 AM

Leo_A

02-25-2009, 11:50 AM

Where did you see that? That isn't the way Nintendo is talking, though I think everyone doesn't believe they intend to leave the DS lite on the marketplace like they claim.

kaedesdisciple

02-25-2009, 12:20 PM

Hence the reason I bought a tertiary backup DS Lite yesterday. Production has already ceased on the DS Lite and the DSi is in full swing. Whatever is left in warehouses for DS Lites is all there will be. OMG A SHORTAGE! :D

I know you're kidding, but anyone who believes that there will be a DS lite shortage anytime soon needs to be slapped in the face with my industrial stapler, hard.

heybtbm

02-25-2009, 01:22 PM

I know you're kidding, but anyone who believes that there will be a DS lite shortage anytime soon needs to be slapped in the face with my industrial stapler, hard.

Try finding an Onyx DS Lite lately. Since Nintendo announced it was discontinued, they disappeared. Fast.

kaedesdisciple

02-25-2009, 03:01 PM

Try finding an Onyx DS Lite lately. Since Nintendo announced it was discontinued, they disappeared. Fast.

From here it looks like you can order it from Amazon in the following colors without issue:

Onyx
Cobalt/Black
Crimson/Black
Metallic Rose
Silver

Only the White isn't in stock.

You can also order the Onyx as it is currently in stock and shipping at other online retailers like:
Gamestop
J&R
Best Buy

My point is, there are so many flying around that I don't think we will see a new or used DS Lite hardware shortage anytime soon.

Ed Oscuro

02-25-2009, 03:32 PM

Try finding an Onyx DS Lite lately. Since Nintendo announced it was discontinued, they disappeared. Fast.
Statistics of small samples, but...I got an Onyx around the Contra 4 launch, instead of the Red/Black which I wanted. Doesn't make a real big difference but it was cheaper and what was available at the time.

c0ldb33r

02-25-2009, 04:27 PM

I got an Onyx around the Contra 4 launch, instead of the Red/Black which I wanted.
I've got the red/black one. It looks fantastic, but the d-pad makes me want to kill people. Apparently it was a real issue with the red/black one. :(

TheGam3r

02-25-2009, 06:15 PM

I've got the red/black one. It looks fantastic, but the d-pad makes me want to kill people. Apparently it was a real issue with the red/black one. :(

my friend eddy says he Hates His Red/Black DS Lite cause it looks like a virtual boy.but i gave him some Stickers from the 200th issue of nintendo power and he says its much better now.He used to have an Original blue DS and he broke it cause the fustration of contra 4 made him break it.

The D-Pad For Me Is perfect never had any problems with it

jupitersj

02-25-2009, 08:04 PM

my friend eddy says he Hates His Red/Black DS Lite cause it looks like a virtual boy.but i gave him some Stickers from the 200th issue of nintendo power and he says its much better now.He used to have an Original blue DS and he broke it cause the fustration of contra 4 made him break it.

The D-Pad For Me Is perfect never had any problems with it

I like nintendo ds do you like nintendo ds it's cool just like pie speaking of pie i like to run on and on with it down the road as I eat it while playing my nintendo ds with contra 4 in the game slot it's really cool what do you think?

:yipes::yipes::yipes:

:angel:

incubus421

02-25-2009, 09:08 PM

Try finding an Onyx DS Lite lately. Since Nintendo announced it was discontinued, they disappeared. Fast.

Ninteno has officially stopped producing the Onyx and Polar White colored versions of the DS. They can still be found for now but will dissapear at reatil stores soon. Metallic Rose, Silver, Cobalt and Crimson are all still being made and shipped to stores.

I used to have an Onyx one but ended up trading it in for the new red Mario DS that came out around the holidays.

Cobra Commander

02-25-2009, 09:28 PM

I like nintendo ds do you like nintendo ds it's cool just like pie speaking of pie i like to run on and on with it down the road as I eat it while playing my nintendo ds with contra 4 in the game slot it's really cool what do you think?

:yipes::yipes::yipes:

:angel:
Periods and commas suck.

dendawg

02-25-2009, 09:38 PM

Periods and commas suck.

So do grammar/punctuation nazis.

scooterb23

02-25-2009, 10:42 PM

Periods and commas suck.

People who don't get obvious satire / sarcasm suck.

Cobra Commander

02-25-2009, 10:48 PM

People who don't get obvious satire / sarcasm suck.
I firmly agree.
Folks, is it really that hard to get it? Do I have to add HAHAHAA Just kidding!!! after what I type?

PapaStu

02-25-2009, 10:52 PM

people who can't stay on topic about the lack of backwards compatibal-id-ness of the DSi suck!

Seriously though... The DS + DSLite have sold like gangbusters (not to mention that they arn't going out of production anytime soon), there are still a gazillion GBA and Micro's out there as well. There are no more new GBA games so this shouldn't be a horrible shock. So you'll have to keep an SP/Micro around, which you should anyways because the DS doesn't have the ability to play GB/GBC games as it is (there is little that can top the GBAsp 2 screen and D-pad as it is).

Nintendo will, i'm sure be pushing the DSiWare stuff (as well as making DS Demo's being available on the WiiWare channel for download for play on the DSi) thanks to the inclusion of the SD card slot.

Jorpho

02-25-2009, 11:04 PM

I don't have any problem with the DS Lite game pad either. Well, maybe the up arrow is a little too springy, but it's not like I notice it much.

I notice people seem to have stopped screeching about that yellowish tint on the screens of the newer DS Lites. Is the DSi still going to be using those screens?

Anyways, here's some info in the DSi:
- No GBA slot
- Does have a SD slot
- Built-in camera (worst then most cell phone cameras apparently)
- Can store photos and music
- Has an excellent web browser (better than cell phone/console/handheld browsers)
- R4/etc. will not work in the DSi, however, it's only a matter of time...Weren't they making both screens touch-sensitive as well? Or is that no longer on the table?

From here it looks like you can order it from Amazon in the following colors without issue:

Onyx
Cobalt/Black
Crimson/Black
Metallic Rose
Silver

Only the White isn't in stock.I guess people forgot about Coral Pink. OMG RARE.

It really reminds me of this;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AyVh1_vWYQHee, "time vampire". I'm going to have to use that one several times.

G-Boobie

02-26-2009, 12:12 AM

Personally, I don't have a problem with them trying to make (more) money. My protest will be to not participate in their "double-dip" download service. I have two GBA SP's, a GBA Micro, a DS "fat", and a DS Lite anyway. I have plenty of ways to play GBA games.

Hey brother, no offense, but haven't you already quintruple dipped there? :)

I myself wouldn't mind being able to load a few virtual console games on to the DSi for traveling purposes. Legally, I mean.

I notice people seem to have stopped screeching about that yellowish tint on the screens of the newer DS Lites. Is the DSi still going to be using those screens?

The screens are slightly bigger, but I'm not sure about the tint.

Weren't they making both screens touch-sensitive as well? Or is that no longer on the table?

Nope. One touch screen, slightly bigger, good sir.

Jorpho

02-26-2009, 12:17 AM

Nope. One touch screen, slightly bigger, good sir.Well, that's good news. I was concerned two touch screens would lead to too many games that functionally lacked backwards compatibility with the DS Lite.

maxlords

02-26-2009, 01:57 AM

Heh....I have 2 (or 3) SPs...can't remember how many. I now have 3 Lites....1 Polar, two Onyx. I have no plans to get the DSi at all. The functions do not interest me....nor does the DLable content. I was however under the impression that ALL DS Lites had ceased production, not just the Onyx and Polar. I know that EB has run out of stock in their warehouses on the Polar Whites already but has a lot of Onyx.

Richter Belmount

02-26-2009, 03:50 AM

I personally wouldn't want a DS-I , it just has some new useless features that nobody really needs. I just see the DS-I as a bigger push by Nintendo to create more revenue on their downloadable content and games through their planned Ds download service. I have some of the usual complaints and arguments about why I dislike downloadable content.

j_factor

02-26-2009, 05:21 AM

How insufferabal.

c0ldb33r

02-26-2009, 08:37 AM

How insufferabal.
I find all these -bal jokes just intolerabal.

heybtbm

02-26-2009, 09:40 AM

Ninteno has officially stopped producing the Onyx and Polar White colored versions of the DS. They can still be found for now but will dissapear at reatil stores soon. Metallic Rose, Silver, Cobalt and Crimson are all still being made and shipped to stores.

We know. It's the reason I used the word "discontinued" in my post.

Hey brother, no offense, but haven't you already quintruple dipped there? :)

You have a point there.

Daria

02-26-2009, 09:46 AM

I find all these -bal jokes just intolerabal.

Your aggravation is undenibal.

Icarus Moonsight

02-26-2009, 09:53 AM

I sure wish they would cease... -abal. :D

Got the wife a Coral pink when they first came out. I got her polar white unit she was using prior and I've been using it heavily since then and retired my launch DS silver fatty. I would probably get a DSi quicker if it were offered in (insert Crayola crayon color prefix knock-off here) black. She'll get the DSi before I do though, I'm sure. She can keep her pinky lite though. I'll probably get her DSi when the pink one rolls out. LOL

incubus421

02-26-2009, 10:48 AM

We know. It's the reason I used the word "discontinued" in my post.

Nothing wrong with some reinforcement from another poster. Not to mention you made no note that the White DS was "discontinued" as well.

mnbren05

02-27-2009, 02:58 PM

I enjoy my DS lite (that I won through a contest on GameGavel.com cough free plug cough thanks again DWJ) and I really have never liked the GBA port. If I need to play a GBA game which is rare I go get my GBA off my shelf. I like the idea of the camera and browsing but I think I'll hang onto my DS lite unless some earth shattering other features come with it. (Improved D pad or larger screen etc)

PapaStu

02-27-2009, 04:16 PM

I like the idea of the camera and browsing but I think I'll hang onto my DS lite unless some earth shattering other features come with it. (Improved D pad or larger screen etc)

Then you've not read about the DSi. It is coming with a bigger screen. Not that a bigger screen should be the only selling point or anything, but yeah.