The "new" DS finally surfaces from rumors

[nectarsis]

http://www.the-magicbox.com/gaming.htm


Nintendo has officially announced Nintendo DSi, which will be released in Japan on November 1, 2008, for 18900 yen (US$179). The new model numerous new features and changes:

    * 3.25" LCD display, 17% larger than NDS Lite
    * 3 megapixel exterior camera, lower resolution interior camera
    * new SD memory card slot for playing back music, images, downloadable content
    * removal of the GBA cart slot
    * built-in internet browser and built-in Nintendo Zone internet information service
    * built-in music player
    * chassis is 2.6mm or 12% less than NDS Lite


 Nintendo also confirmed a number of new services for NDSi:

    * The virtual money "Wii Points" used by Nintendo's Internet service will be renamed to "Nintendo Points", you can use Nintendo Points on Wii and DSi
    * Nintendo will launch a new NDSi online shop to sell NDSiWare downloadable content
    * The NDSiWare price will be ranging from 200, 500 and 800 Nintendo points
    * First time NDSi users who visit the NDSi online store will receive 1000 Nintendo Points for free, offer ends March 2010.
    * Nintendo and McDonald will launch a new "Nintendo Zone" information network service
    * Nintendo Zone will be built-in to the NDSi, user can launch it without additional settings

[Necromancer]

Not that it matters a whole bunch, but I think there's a couple of errors there.

    * 3.25" LCD display, 17% larger than NDS Lite

The current screens are 3", making 3.25" screens only an 8% increase in size (17% would be 3.5").

    * 3 megapixel exterior camera, lower resolution interior camera

Multiple other sources claim only VGA resolution (0.3 megapixel) on both cameras.

Anyways, it sounds like a big increase in price for little improvement while losing access to the GBA library and suffering shorter battery life.  Screw 'em, I'm sticking by my Express!

[guyjin]

    * 3 megapixel exterior camera, lower resolution interior camera

thats .3 megapixel. as in, 0.3.

the download service sounds tempting, though. but the loss of other functionality probably won't be worth it.

[Turbo D]

I'll stick with my ds phat, heh. Gotta have that gba support! Out of portables though, I spend the most time on the Express! The psp comes in second as it has bitchin' hombrew and emulators. I just use the DS for official games, haven't dabbled with DS homebrew.

[albinoMithos]

No GBA slot= instant failure to me.

[ceti alpha]

No GBA slot= instant failure to me.

Yeah, that's a iffy decision on Nintendo's part, to get rid of the GBA card slot. Though, I have a GBA SP, so the GBA card slot isn't really a selling point for me. I like the idea of the internet browser and the download service.

[jperryss]

Not that it matters a whole bunch, but I think there's a couple of errors there.

    * 3.25" LCD display, 17% larger than NDS Lite

The current screens are 3", making 3.25" screens only an 8% increase in size (17% would be 3.5").

I'm too tired to do the math, but that's probably a 17% increase in screen area (not just the measurement of corner-to-corner, which is what the 3" and 3.25" refer to.

Regardless, no GBA slot =     I'll pass.

[guyjin]

No GBA slot= instant failure to me.

Yeah, that's a iffy decision on Nintendo's part, to get rid of the GBA card slot. Though, I have a GBA SP, so the GBA card slot isn't really a selling point for me. I like the idea of the internet browser and the download service.

Maybe they're trying to move all those Gameboy Micros that are still sitting on shelves? 

[Digi.k]

I'm a sucker for these things.. yes I want !!

[offsidewing]

Can I use the new one with my Wireless-N router??  My son's DS Lite won't jive with the Wireless-N router.  Proprietary Nintendo bastards creating a captive audience trying to make me by a "USB" WiFi thing...

[Ninja Spirit]

Oh hell yeah! I mysteriously lost my DS recently, but that definitely gives me something to look forward to

Sadly still, there goes my Final Fantasy IV DS and (my prized) Final Fantasy I.II Advance, which I imported 3 months ahead of Dawn of Souls.

[Keranu]

I don't think the lack of a GBA slot is a big deal since this is probably more targeted towards casual gamers anyways who could probably care less about that. I want to know just how much they plan on charging this for .

[nectarsis]

Nintendo has officially announced Nintendo DSi, which will be released in Japan on November 1, 2008, for 18900 yen (US$179)

[drdre]

Wow, that sounded cool until the 'removal of gba slot' business 

How the hell am I supposed to play Astro Boy and Electroplankton at the same time?

[Necromancer]

Maybe the missing GBA port won't be so bad..... as soon as hacked firmware is released that'll let you run your GBA games (legally owned of course) off of the SD slot.

I'm too tired to do the math, but that's probably a 17% increase in screen area (not just the measurement of corner-to-corner, which is what the 3" and 3.25" refer to.

Good point, I hadn't thought of that.  Seems kinda misleading for them to list one spec. while referencing a different one.