How is the Nintendo DSI?

[PK ButtMan]

Sorry if this has been asked, but I searched for any DSI topics and found none.

Anyways, I've had a Lite before, but sold it. Is the DSI any good? Is it actually worth 170 dollars?

[Baloo]

No, at least not yet anyway. The browser and stuff are nice, the new menus look nice, cameras are so-so, kind of useless IMO. You can do a lot with the pictures though, which is a plus.

But no GBA slot means no rumble pack, no action replay. And The selection of stuff in the shop is absolutely horrible.

I'd wait till it goes down in price.

[kupomogli]

The original DS control pad is good. The Lite control pad is crap and the buttons feel cheap as well.

Is the DSi control pad comparable to the DS Phat where controls are concerned or is it like the regular DS and feels cheaply made? I won't pick one up regardless, but this is information that would be useful on making a decision.

[otaku]

I just picked up a micro but wouldn't mind another DS (had two lites now) I'll hold out for a price drop and more color options (I'm tired of black both my ds were black)

[meancode]

The D-pad and buttons are much better than the Lite. I am not sure if they are as good as the original fat DS, as it has been ages since I have used one.

The DSiWare in the Shop will get better as time goes on, they have a TON in the Japan store, so they will be releasing it one or two at a time. There are some DSiWare titles that are good though. PiCTOBiTS that just came out is good fun.

I never use the cameras, or the sound app, since I wrote a review for the DSi. I am past the fact that it doesn't have a GBA slot. It has a nice matte finish, is slightly smaller, and the DSiWare is only going to be getting better as time moves on. Look how long WiiWare took to mature.

I have bought 7 DSiWare titles, including 2 using the free 1000 points you get if you buy a DS before the cutoff date. I think it is November 5 but I can't remember.

[G-Boobie]

It was worth the price for four reasons.

1) Matte finish. No more goddamn finger prints. Amen and forever.
2) You no longer have to shut the stupid thing off to switch out the cart. There's an actual menu now.
3) As previously mentioned, the buttons and D pad feel MUCH nicer.
4) Eventually, good stuff will be available on the DSi Ware shop. Since there's an SD card slot, I'm holding out hope for VC compatibility(I know, I know. A man can dream, right?)

So yeah. If you have the disposable income, it's great. I don't care about GBA compatibility (I have a GBA Micro and DS Lite anyway), and I think we all know that "DSi exclusive software" is probable in the foreseeable future...

[InsaneDavid]

is slightly smaller

It's actually bigger. Try getting one into a hard DS Lite case, the DSi will be too long left to right.

[meancode]

It's actually bigger. Try getting one into a hard DS Lite case, the DSi will be too long left to right.

Yes, it is bigger one one dimension, smaller in the other two.

I mainly meant that the unit is thinner than the DS Lite, slightly.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

I have owned all three, and I am not totally impressed with the latest upgrade. The cameras seem unneccesary at this time. In the future, there will be more games that use them in some way. The "photoshop" features seemed to get old after the second day.

However, the screen is larger now. That is a definite plus, but sometimes I feel that I have to do larger strokes with the stylus during gameplay to get something to happen; since the screen is larger the sylus has to travel a longer distance.

I would say it is not worth the money. When I bought mine, I did the deal where you could trade in the older DS, but I don't think they are still doing that.

[BydoEmpire]

I upgraded from a DS Phat (and got it for $120 with trade-in), and taht's been totally worth it. The screens are great, it's lighter, slimmer and feels better. The buttons are also a little better than the DS Phat imho (I can't compare it to the DS Lite). The interface is slick. The DSiWare channel has potential even if there isn't much on it right now.
I think it's a great system. That said, I probably couldn't justify the cost if upgrading from a DS Lite, but if you have a Phat or no DS at all it's cool.

[Baloo]

I have an original Blue DS, I was thinking about it, then my friend showed me his and stuff, and I was like: OK then, guess I'll stick with my classic DS.

[maxlords]

classic DS

Wow....I didn't think I'd be seeing those words together any time soon....



Anyway, I was curious about this myself. I own 3 Lites right now (one for me, one for my wife, and a backup) and I was thinking about getting a DSi and dumping one of the Lites. The screen size is the biggest seller for me. I have fairly large hands too and the larger size would be easier.

I never thought about the size of the touch screen expanding making older games more difficult occasionally though, but I guess it makes sense. Is it a noticeable problem with some games?

I have ZERO interest in DSiWare though. Bleah. Same with the cameras. Any overall thoughts, Lite to DSi? How's the screen picture quality? Same? Do original DS games look a bit more pixellated on the new screens? I've REALLY enjoyed my Lites and I want to be sure that the DSi is gonna be the way to go before I shell out the 200 bones that they cost in Canada (+ tax).

[chrissylas]

Not much else to add except to say that I love my DSi. In my opinion, the ability to change brightness levels without resetting the system is practically worth the upgrade alone.

It's been totally worth the upgrade for me. DSiWare is still new so of course it has some growing to do but I'm pretty hopeful for the future.

I'm thinking about buying another one for my husband in order to replace his lite.

[Icarus Moonsight]

I traded in my lite and phat for the DSi. Basically got it for free with the launch week trade deal at GameCrazy. Yes, it was worth it. If I had to pony up the full cash price though, maybe not. That is, if you already have a good DS system.

The DSiWare was pretty unimpressive until PictoBits came up... That game is real fun and only cost half the free points you get with the system. Camera is neat for about 10 minutes. I think you have to be a bit younger to have a true appreciation for it's inclusion so far. Until games actually support it in a meaningful way.

Screen is actually bigger than the toated percentage would have you belive. Matte > glossy. Hot switching brightness settings, carts and making the power button a quick-press reset / held-press off are very convienient and improve the use experience quite well.

The controls are much improved over the lite IMO. Especially the LR shoulders (easily better than the phat's shoulders too). The pad and buttons could be more prefered on the phat... I like the DSi myself (not mushy like the lite, yet not too clicky like the phat) though YMMV.

[Dastardly Dylan]

I will be picking this up, but I will be sticking with my DS lite for collection reasons, ya know? It;s that gold Zelda DS lite thingy, and it's cool.

The reason I really want it is because I heard music through it on YouTube and it sounded amazing. That is what made me really wanna get it plus the other features.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Yeah, forgot about the updated sound. It's loud for a handheld and very crisp. Definite +

[Drifter 2000]

I've been thinking of picking up one of these units, although I already have a DS Lite.

Is there any way to transfer images you take with the DSi's camera over to your PC through USB? Or is it just through an SD card slot on your PC?

[chicnstu]

A DSi 2?

http://ds.ign.com/articles/103/1039028p1.html

This is going to get a lot of hate. It reminds me of the PSP Go, it's an expensive version of the DSi.

I've been considering getting a DSi to replace my dead Fat DS so I guess I'll wait for this version since, if real, it has screens about the size of the PSP.

[Ace Comics]

I'd be more inclined to pick one up if they hadn't removed the GBA slot. I find myself playing more GBA games on mine than DS.

[RPG_Fanatic]

They have a new 4" screen coming in Japan according to Gamespot.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6237980.html?tag=latestheadlines;title;1

[kupomogli]

Remember the DS Lite though? It came out only a year and a half after the original DS.

Maybe Nintendo will use the exact same excuse they used when releasing the DS Lite. "The technology wasn't there(or something worded similar.") Bullshit. It'd be nice if Nintendo just said the truth sometime, like, "We just want more money." We already know that's the truth, but why can't Nintendo use that as a reason rather than making some generic lie that we know holds absolutely no truth behind it.

[chicnstu]

Remember the DS Lite though? It came out only a year and a half after the original DS.

Maybe Nintendo will use the exact same excuse they used when releasing the DS Lite. "The technology wasn't there(or something worded similar.") Bullshit. It'd be nice if Nintendo just said the truth sometime, like, "We just want more money." We already know that's the truth, but why can't Nintendo use that as a reason rather than making some generic lie that we know holds absolutely no truth behind it.

The rumor is that it has larger screens because it's a special elderly release. Also it may only be sold in Japan and may have larger buttons (Ever seen those elderly phones?).

Seems like a good sign, people have wanted Nintendo to use larger screens. Also having a more media focused handheld can bring about some of the casual things they are after (E-Books were mentioned).

[Zing]

My impressions:

-Camera is useless for anyone who would visit these forums. Very young kids and ultra-casuals could get some use out of it.
-Lack of GBA slot is not a big deal. This thing is just as heavy and uncomfortable as the Lite when it comes to using the d-pad.
-Bigger screens are nice, but they have the same yellowish tinge on the bottom screen as the current production of Lites.

I had the DSi for a week at release, then returned it. It is totally not worth the upgrade price and never will be. If you already have a DS (regular or lite), I wouldn't touch this thing, and I am the type who always has to have the latest revision of everything. If you are in the market for a new Lite, then it is still a questionable purchase, but at least viable.

[chicnstu]

Here's the new DSi. Like was rumored, this is almost surely for the elderly.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/10/dsi.ll.102909-580px.png

[robotriot]

It's called DSi LL and supposed to be for people who like to browse the web a lot.

[icest0rm]

Okay, now we have 4 versions of the DS. Isn't this getting a little too excessive? Are they just trying to match how many PSP versions exist?

[Muscelli]

Finally... I cannot wait till this revision comes out.

[Sonicwolf]

Damn Nintendo. Stop redoing the same handheld. The DSi has been out for how long and they are already making another new model... ugh.

[WCP]

Interesting. I've never owned any Nintendo DS. Part of the reason I haven't, is that the whole idea of 2 screens just doesn't appeal to me at all, but another big reason is the fact that the D-pad and buttons are so tiny. I don't have the hands of a 7 year old boy, and don't know how they expect me to control the game with such a miniature d-pad. Maybe this new version will have a larger D-pad and buttons. I'm more excited about that possibility than the larger screens.

[GarrettCRW]

kupomogli hates it, but muscelli likes it. I must resolve the contradictory advice I am receiving. I must.....





*head asplodes*

[rbudrick]

Glad I didn't buy a DSi yet if that big ass DS is coming out. That kicks ass Would that make each screens area size the biggest in a handheld ever? I mean not even combined, seperately.

-Rob

[BetaWolf47]

Interesting. I've never owned any Nintendo DS. Part of the reason I haven't, is that the whole idea of 2 screens just doesn't appeal to me at all, but another big reason is the fact that the D-pad and buttons are so tiny. I don't have the hands of a 7 year old boy, and don't know how they expect me to control the game with such a miniature d-pad. Maybe this new version will have a larger D-pad and buttons. I'm more excited about that possibility than the larger screens.

It doesn't... you can tell. In fact, the dpad appears to be the same size as the DS Lite's dpad. Same with the other buttons.

I really wish they'd have just skipped the DS Lite and DSi and come out with the DSi XL as the alternate model. DS Lite is an extremely poor system, and DSi is pointless when they could've just waited to bring out DSi XL instead.

[kupomogli]

Is the DSi XL coming to the US or are people just waiting to import it? If that's the case, then I'm assuming it can only use the Japan DSiware.

[BetaWolf47]

Take a look at some news sites. It's coming early next year.