DSi taken for a spin, wept over for lack of homebrew

Yes, you've seen the unboxing and all other manner of granular coverage for Nintendo's new DSi handheld, but now you can see the thing in action via the magic of YouTube. Embedded below is the requisite unboxing, a helpful browser speed test and a hopeless attempt at sticking in the R4 cart for a bit of homebrew. The good news is that the Japanese DSi fires up an English DS game just fine, so those slightly-confusing region lock concerns can be put to rest -- certain DSi-specific games won't work for everybody else, but the DSi fires up regular DS games from wherever with no problem. Import away!

[Via DS Fanboy]

[Peter @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:38PM]

NO!!!!! MY R4 is useless now!!!!

[Atropos @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:40PM]

Why, you bought a DSi and trashed your old DS already?

[Temo @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:30PM]

Just cross your fingers that there is a Firmware upgrade (to the R4 and Cyclo for me) that fixes the problem.

[Tangerined @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:16PM]

Well slim chance of that happening since the R4 team retired or something and isn't releasing anymore firmware updates... but hopefully the cyclo releases something

[ZaxCG2 @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:35PM]

I'm not buying it if my Mr. Cyclo doesn't work. ANGRYFACE.

[Geir E @ Nov 4th 2008 1:47AM]

I'm sure Nintendo is concerned with loosing a potential sale because of that...

[Atropos @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:39PM]

Since there are many other features now besides games, and all of them would be in Japanese, I think it would probably be worth it for most people NOT to import this thing...

[Wyatt @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:24PM]

The DS and DS Lite have all had all language options from the start. I know a few people that picked theirs up while in Japan (one got the mint-blue about two years before they popped up over here).

It's rather likely that it has the English menu in place already.

[BigD145 @ Nov 3rd 2008 5:14PM]

That region lock issue is a deal breaker for early adoption.

[xcrunk @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:40PM]

Nintendo, be ready to not sell as many DSi's.

Unless this is an entirely new platform, which it really doesn't seem to be, who is left to buy a new DS? And stepping up for a couple of features doesn't seem advantageous, especially given you locked out homebrew.

Hording of old DS Lites to begin in 3, 2, 1....

[y3k.nik @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:52PM]

I would upgrade to it from a DS Lite if my R4 worked on it. But, there is no way I am upgrading otherwise. Oh well...

[tom @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:56PM]

Game console maker don't make much profit off hardware anyway. If a new R4 is indeed developed, which is a matter of sooner or later, Nintendo will simply toss in new firmware to remove the access of homebrew.

The thing about DS is not being able to update firmware, that's what makes it a success

[chefgon_ign @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:56PM]

Do you really think that even 1% of DS Lite users are interested in homebrew? That's a pretty minor market for Nintendo to be worried about. It's a high-end model with downloadable games, built-in web browser and MP3 player, and exclusive games that use the cameras. I think there's a market for that.

I don't plan on getting one personally because I never use the DS Lite that I have, but if I was a heavy handheld gamer I would certainly consider it. It offers quite a few new features and will have its own library of games that the old DS Lite won't be able to play.

I think of it like the jump from GB to GBC. The GBC had a couple new features (color screen, improved specs, IR port), but most games used those features optionally as a bonus so they would still work on the old systems too. There were also some very good GBC exclusive games that wouldn't run on the old systems. If you didn't care about the new features, you could pretty easily hold out with your Game Boy Pocket until the GBA launched, but for those who were interested there was plenty of excuse to jump on the half-generation upgrade.

[Wyatt @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:23PM]

@chefgon:

It's less about the number interested in homebrew and more about the rampant hordes interested in piracy (http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3698/piracy_in_korea_r4_triumphant.php).

I'll also note that it doesn't do mp3, but AAC only (sadly).

[waiownsyou @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:30PM]

I'm sure at least 1% of users are interested in homebrew. In fact, some could say that 84.57% of people make up statistics on the spot.

[TavisJohn @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:57PM]

tom If you have been following the PSP vs Hackers race... Or any console vs hackers race, who wins? Hackers!

It goes far back into gaming history. All the way back to the NES and SNES. Nintendo did not like the fact that the "Game Genie" let people cheat. Nintendo thought that people would rent games instead of purchase them. So they filed a lawsuit, and lost. So Nintendo started making modifications to their consoles to prevent the Game Genie from working, but that was fixed faster than Nintendo could make console modifications... And that was 2 legitimate companies going at it.

Hackers are going to win! The Wii's last firmware update broke the installation of the Homebrew Channel... But that was fixed after a few days! (This has happed 2x now)

Chances are a new device will be released that will use the DS slot for a "Loader" cart and the SD slot for the roms... To compete with Nintendo Firmware update blocks the cart makers could make it unpalatable via USB or something.

[tom @ Nov 3rd 2008 7:17PM]

@TavisJohn. Being an individual consumer, I want the hackers to win too. I am sick of paying hundreds of dollar for games, the price just isn't fair. Look how much EA makes in a year, it is just ridiculous.

If you look at PS3, out for quite a while, it is only starting to see the lights of homebrew.

Go hackers Go.

Break the DSi, PS3 and PSP3000

[htd @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:40PM]

monster hunter portable DS soon?

[Graham @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:57PM]

No R4, No way.

But couldn't R4DS just release a new firmware that did work on the DSi? I mean, it's not like Nintendo constantly sends firmware updates to their portables like the Wii to break homebrew.

[eddy @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:05PM]

Or is it even possible for some thrifty homebrewer to exploit the SD card slot in the DSi? While I realize that the primary purpose of said slot is for photo storage, it wouldn't surprise me if someone was able to tap into that in some fashion for use of homebrew.

[Rehehelly @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:32PM]

You realise that the R4 team has stopped development on the flashcart? As in, no more firmware updates, no more carts.

[E. Leigh @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:08PM]

I feel like they could have had a great DS upgrade- and then they crushed my hopes with no GBA port. Then they took the crushed hopes and sprinkled them over trash and lit a smelly fire by having ACC-only audio support. And now, they have flushed the remains of my hopes down the toilet by removing R4. Nintendo, why don't you want me to throw money at you?!? I was so willing...

[Temo @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:32PM]

I agree with you. I feel like GBA games are much better... I lose interest in DS games fast.

[Tom G @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:25PM]

Hopefully you will be able to download GBA games from the store in the DSi (double hopefully they wont be too expensive).

[E. Leigh @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:15PM]

Forget the whole HDMI bag of hurt. The DSi is the real bag of hurt. Sad, so sad. I don't want to re-buy games.

[HotRats @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:30PM]

typical Nintendo, releasing newer versions of hardware after most people buy the original

[Carl M @ Nov 3rd 2008 6:29PM]

When exactly _should_ Nintendo release new hardware?

[thedesolate1 @ Nov 3rd 2008 6:34PM]

Agreed. This practice does make them a very profitable company. The question remains is will the people be fooled a 3rd time? I mean what kind of shelf life are we expecting for this if Sony is currently working on a psp2 and Nintendo is going to have to produce something to compete. I give it 2 year tops. Although Nintendo is riding high on all that Wii cashflow.....

[tekdroid @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:14PM]

You're right, we should all be using the original DS, with crappy backlight and smaller stylus and larger unit size. They had it perfect then.

In all seriousness, the original DS had larger 'clicky-not-mashy' d-pad and more comfortable shoulder buttons, so it's not an entirely all improvements as time goes on, IMO.

Still, I think that the improvements they made are better overall and I welcome new hardware advancements, not to mention software enhancements they have made.

[cake @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:34PM]

Customer care and appreciation is out the window when you try to inflate sales and increase profit margins on this kind of scale and volume.
Evidence? Well just look at the current Nintendo product lineup and get back to me. There is nothing to be a fanboy about anymore than being proud of tossing your money into a trashcan.

Any company would and SHOULD shutdown piracy attempts. Letting the flashcarts to remain usable would be a incredibly bad business decision. They don't care about the niche market of you "homebrewers" which is just a nice way to say pirates.

In before Lowest Rank via raged pirates.

[tekdroid @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:16PM]

sounds like you could do with some nice homebrew!
;)

[deyanimay @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:35PM]

"certain DSi-specific games won't work for everybody else"
Take the hint sony even nintendo is doing it. Put dual nubs in the psp.

[Jim @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:15PM]

What about other apps for the DSi?
Is the WiFi enabled internet browser any good (usable)?
Etc.

[Shaun @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:53PM]

Homebrew/GBA Support aside, the ergonomics of the DSi don't look any better than the Lite. I was hoping they would round off the edges around the controller area. I have permanent palm bruises from my Lite, thanks to Mario Kart.

[ZaxCG2 @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:37PM]

Quit your whining. I've been sticking with my DS Phat for a good few years now and that clunky thing has yet to injure my hands! ... severely.

[tekdroid @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:19PM]

Shaun, the DS Phat is better in key ares: dpad, shoulder buttons, IMO. The rest (stylus, screen), the Lite is better, IMO.

ZaxCG2, he was talking about his Lite.

[tekdroid @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:25PM]

...and yeah, some rounding-off wouldn't go astray, that's for sure.

[hmmm @ Nov 3rd 2008 5:23PM]

Well, I guess I'll be skipping out this hand held generation for now.

The DSi doesn't seem worth the $180 or whatever price it is going for.

Sure the camera is cool, but I already have a digital camera. Along with most other people?

Not to mention, the quality of DS games gives me a frown sometimes, as my local Gamestop is flooded with pointless Hannah Montana games for the DS.

[McScott @ Nov 3rd 2008 5:36PM]

WPA: Yea or nay?

Does anyone have the final answer?

[cloud858rk @ Nov 3rd 2008 5:48PM]

Yep, it has WPA.

[strang @ Nov 3rd 2008 5:51PM]

I'd like to know this as well. Since DS didn't support WPA which I thought was very primitive.

[ZaxCG2 @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:38PM]

Does this mean it will work with more types of routers? Mine doesn't have WPA but my DS still hates it.

[cloud858rk @ Nov 3rd 2008 5:45PM]

@chefgon_ign

"It's a high-end model with downloadable games, built-in web browser and MP3 player" Except it doesn't play MP3's, ruling out all use of the DSi as a music player.

[Carl M @ Nov 3rd 2008 6:35PM]

I'm guessing that the main reason that Nintendo made the DSi is to market downloadable games.
This should make it even easier for small developers to make games for the DSi, since they don't have to pay for cartridges.
Once we see some good downloadable games out there, DSi's will start selling.

[sunmorgus @ Nov 4th 2008 10:06AM]

And who is to say that a company won't develop a better media player which will support things other than just AAC, which could become available in the market? I am sure things other than games will be developed and sold in the market, at least I hope so!

[SBB @ Nov 4th 2008 1:35PM]

Ds is the perfect solution for whoever can't stay in a place all time and needs somthing goes with him every where.
http://www.storebestbuy.com/buy-cheap-Nintendo-DS-Lite-Onyx-Black.html

[Taz98027 @ Nov 9th 2008 12:07PM]

What about other Homebrew systems like the M3DS? you think that won't work either? i hope not.. thats the only reason i got a DS lite.. i use mine for listening to Music and watching Videos.. not as much for the games.. Ok maybe a little for the games. but more for the videos and music.

[HatchlingByHeart @ Nov 12th 2008 1:46AM]

My god. I've NEVER read comments by a bigger bunch of whiney babies.

The issues I see: The DSi has no GBA slot, and there's no support for homebrew. Are they *really* so big an issue it deserves such slander!? If you have GBA games or DS games that use the GBA slot, stop whinging about DSi's lack of support and just
have both the DS and the DSi. Having two portable systems WON'T kill you. All you homebrewers have no right
to complain either since most of your activities are illegal and against Nintendo's Terms of Use in the first place.

The DSi has too many new features compared to the DS to be immediately dismissing it over something so trivial.
Compared to the DS/DS Lite, the DSi has WPA support, a DSi shop, 256MB of internal memory, larger screens,
more processing power, upgradeable firmware, and a window for more innovative games. You are slanderising ALL this
over no GBA slot and no homebrew. The DSi has plenty to do on it WITHOUT the homebrew, you shouldn't need to
use homebrew.

Quit being babies and get over yourselves. Your complaints aren't going to change Nintendo's decisions.

[Godwhacker @ Dec 25th 2008 4:36PM]

I'm excited! I'm gonna sell my old ds lite and wait for the Dsi to show up (with lower prices hopefully)