DSi
Latest
Rumor: DSi out April 4 for $180
IGN's Matt Casamassina reports that "multiple sources close to Nintendo" have specified a release date and price point for the eagerly-awaited (by us, anyway) North American release of the Nintendo DSi. According to whomever, the system will be released on April 4, for a crushing $179.99. It's still a deal compared to the Japanese DSi, which retails in Japan for 18,900 yen ($212) and can be imported for $250, but it's also $20 less than an Xbox 360 and $10 more than a PSP.This timing basically falls in line with previous comments from Nintendo about the DSi's North American release. Reggie Fils-Aime said last fall that the system would launch "certainly after April", but context indicated that he meant within fiscal 2009, which starts in April. %Gallery-33263% [Via Joystiq]
Rumor: Nintendo DSi coming to US on April 4 at $179
IGN reports that "multiple sources close to Nintendo" have told the site that the Big N's latest handheld will make the trip across the Pacific in April. "The company has allegedly relayed to its partners that DSi will ship stateside in early April, most likely on April 4," IGN writes.These same sources have put a $179.99 price tag on the DSi for its domestic release. In contrast, DSi retails for ¥18,900 ($210) in Japan, where it launched on November 1, 2008. If true, an April release would contradict Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé's assertion last October that the system wouldn't launch Stateside until "well into 2009," although Nintendo head, Satoru Iwata, has said it would arrive here before summer '09. Then again, he also said Nintendo expected one pre-order per every member of every family on planet Earth ... or did we just dream that?
Iwata still sees vast market for current DS hardware
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has dispelled rumblings that the global games market has become over saturated with the DS Lite, hence the roll-out of the DSi. In an interview with Japanese paper Daily Yumiuri, Iwata pointed out that, for example, only 18% of people in Japan own a DS. "Some say the market for the DS is saturated, but I disagree. In Japan, a country with a population of 127 million, we've sold 23 million DS units," he told the paper. "The United States is inhabited by over 300 million people, and there are more than 490 million people in the European Union. Sales of the product could grow further in foreign countries considering their populations." That's a big blue ocean.So then, DS won't die until every last man, woman, and child on Earth owns one. Or something like that. Oh, and a DSi. Iwata's dream is of a world where "each family member will have his or her own DSi with their favorite software installed." That's a big dream.[Via Edge Online]
DS Daily: The year of the Nintendo DSi
Some of us were too impatient to wait for the Nintendo DSi, forking over good money to import the sexy handheld. But, with 2009 fast approaching, we're going to see a lot of great DSi content hit the market. And, for those of us in North America, we're actually going to see the DSi itself hit the market. We're sure it'll sell truckloads, there's no disputing that. There's also no disputing that 2009 will be the year of the Nintendo DSi. Agree? What are you looking forward to? Can't wait to pick one up?%Gallery-33263%
First look at the Echoes of Time DSi
Square Enix has finally revealed the special edition DSi for Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time that was announced last month, and it's just as described: a cat in a bowtie. But the smaller detail really helps this design stand out; unlike the last round of limited edition handhelds from Square Enix, with their gray or black-on-white designs, the Echoes of Time system has a little color. Not a lot -- just a soft splash of blue here and there -- but the effect is simple and stunning. For those looking to buy the Wii version instead, or in addition to the DS version of Echoes of Time, the Wii title will include a trailer for Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers, the game that is, apparently, still going strong. Let's just hope it's a new trailer. Gallery: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time
DS Daily: Your redesign
With three DS types in existence -- we're including the Phat here, too; can't forget about the original just because these upstarts are hanging around -- you have the potential to build one weird system. If, that is, you combined aspects of all three. If you could, which features would you put into your handheld, and which would you discard? Maybe you don't care much for the DSi's camera, and you want a slightly thicker portable. Maybe you want the camera plus the GBA slot. Maybe instead you like one of the versions just as it is. How would your DS look? Gallery: Nintendo DSi
Nintendo to let users upload DSi animations
When Nintendo launches the Japanese DSiWare store on December 24, Ugoku Memo Chou (Moving Memo Pad) will be available for the price of free. We've already posted a trailer of the software in action, but now we have more examples of what can be done with the program, courtesy of Nintendo and web company Hatena.The two have combined to create Ugoku Memo Hatena, a site where budding DSi animators can upload their creations to be watched by others the world over. Users will also be able to view uploaded content within Moving Memo Pad itself, and edit and repost videos. Nintendo says it is discussing the possibility of bringing a version of the site to other regions.We've posted half a dozen of the (Nintendo-made) videos that are currently on the site past the break (they autoplay, so we advise not viewing these anywhere you'll be disturbing the peace). They're only a few seconds long each, but we find some of these to be quite charming and quirky, even if they're not hugely sophisticated.%Gallery-39579%
DS Fanboy's DSiWare screen round-up
Thirteen DSiWare titles will be released to Japan's DSi Shop on December 24, so we thought we'd construct a one-stop post where you can gawk at games most of us can't have. Past the jump, you'll find screens for all launch titles, as well as the price and size of each. How would you spend the free 1,000 DSi Points you get with the system? Because we love the series, we'll kick proceedings off with a look at A Little Dr. Mario (500 DSi Ware Points, 29 blocks required): %Gallery-39567%
DS Daily: The best the DSi Shop has to offer
Yesterday, we got a better look at some of the offerings of the DSi Shop, which is set to launch on Christmas Eve in Japan. Of all of the trailers and available info on the DSi Shop wares available, which do you think looks the most promising? Are you excited for Chotto Dr. Mario (A Little Dr. Mario), or are you more excited for the Art Style games Aquario and Decode? What excites you most?
DSi Ware launching Dec. 24 in Japan, WarioWare and Brain Age top offerings
Nintendo DSi's answer to WiiWare – called, would you believe, DSi Ware – will launch on December 24, according to IGN. The initial software lineup will include 11 downloadable titles, headlined by the new camera-based Utsusu Made in Wario (WarioWare) and, as promised at the system's announcement, two Brain Age versions: Word and Logic. Our sister site, DS Fanboy, has posted trailers for the lineup.Those with imported DSi systems will be able to access the service from the US when it goes live. And, since DSi comes with a 1,000 Nintendo DS Points voucher, they'll be able to purchase a couple of titles without going through the hassle of buying more DS Points in yen.
Nintendo DSi gets its first flash cart, courtesy of Acekard
Good news, future DSi owners -- it looks like all your homebrew dreams have just moved one step closer to reality. The Acekard 2i is the newest version of the popular flash cart, just the thing for storing save files, using Action Replay codes, and running backups and homebrews. So don't fret, kids -- by the time the handheld becomes available Stateside, you'll be able to make music, take pictures and tweet to your heart's content. Why else would you purchase a game system? Just make sure you check out the video of the cart in action after the break.[Via DS Fanboy]
DSi sales surpass 500K in Japan
Nintendo's DSi has sold 535,379 units in Japan since its November 1 launch, according to a report from Enterbrain. The latest cog in the company's perpetual money-making machine was reportedly short on supply for the first few weeks, which most readers should know by now is the modus operandi. To date, the DS lineup has sold over 24 million in Japan since launching December 2004. The not-so-hack proof DSi should be launching worldwide by Summer 2009.[Via Gamasutra]
DSi gives Nintendo 535,379 reasons to smile
The Nintendo DSi has completed its first full month on Japanese stores shelves, and guess what? It sold a lot! No, really! Enterbrain says 535,379 units were snapped up during November -- a figure that only just failed to match the Lite's opening month of around 550,000 sales. Nintendo probably isn't too devastated by that.Furthermore, DSi sales have boosted the DS platform's total sales to 24,239,590 units in Japan. In a country of 127.4m, some form of the DS will soon be owned by one in five people (okay, so some will have purchased more than one DS model, but let's not nitpick)! Anyway, as we're writing about the DSi being ridiculously popular again, now feels like a good time to examine the latest import costs: YesAsia.com: $299.99 (free shipping) Play-Asia.com: $249.00 Model-Gadget.com: $208.67 Gadget-Asia.com: $223.58 (free shipping) Renchi.com: $249.00 NCSX.com: $249.00 %Gallery-36348%
DS Daily: What to do with you?
With the Nintendo DSi releasing to the public in Japan (and to some of us who wanted it too much to wait), we imagine many folk might still hold on to their DS Lite or Phat for homebrew or any other reason. It's not that there won't be DSi homebrew in the future, just, for now, the community isn't as diverse and robust as that for the original DS systems. And why get rid of such a sleek and sexy handheld?With that in mind, will you be haning on to your DS when you inevitably break down and get your own DSi? Or will you trade in, sell, or pass on your DS when you get a DSi of your own? Made any plans?
Square Enix announces Echoes of Time DSi bundle
Square Enix can barely release a game nowadays without also producing a matching limited edition console, and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time will continue this trend when it ships with customized hardware in Japan on January 29th.For ¥23,940 (just under $250), buyers will be able bag a copy of Echoes of Time and a "Crystal Chronicles Edition" Nintendo DSi system. Square Enix has yet to release images of the console, but states that it will be a white DSi with the game's logo and the cat-in-a-bowtie motif that features in the boxart. There will also be a pre-order bonus for the game, a CD featuring four tracks from the Crystal Chronicles series.The race to become the first special edition DSi just heated up, and is now between Square Enix and ... Square Enix!%Gallery-26441%
Gameloft planning DSiWare and hybrid DS/DSi games
When WiiWare launched in May, mobile publisher Gameloft was one of the first companies to support the service with the quiz game TV Show King. They've since followed with a few other games. According to a GameDaily interview with Gonzague de Vallois, senior vice president of publishing, Gameloft is planning to do the same thing with the upcoming DSiWare service for the Nintendo DSi. In discussing these plans, he shed a little light on the DSi-specific software situation, about which we have previously heard nothing.One of Gameloft's angles of attack: retail DS cartridges that work in both the DS and the DSi, "with the DSi version taking advantage of additional options like the cameras and advanced sound capabilities." We weren't sure that was possible, or allowed by Nintendo.The retail carts are secondary for the company, however, as de Vallois says that Gameloft plans to be "much more aggressive with the DSi Store than at retail." Aggressive about releasing Tokyo City Nights and Midnight Pool?%Gallery-36348%
Nintendo DSi cheap* at Renchi
* cheaper.Read into this what you will, but Renchi has slashed the price of a Japanese Nintendo DSi by $50 or, as its press release states (because it sounds more impressive), 17%. You can now pick one up there for $249.99. Fifty bucks is a generous cut, and makes the idea of buying a DSi a little more palatable. Unless you've already bought one for more than that, which just makes it annoying. Sorry.For the record, Play-Asia and YesAsia still have the systems advertised at the laugh-out-loud price of $300. We'd wager that those sites will follow Renchi's example soon.%Gallery-33263%[Via press release] Still undecided over importing a DSi? Head here for our hands-on impressions of the console. Note: article also contains cat pictures.
Nintendo DS trademarks secure limitless future
The ginormous list of trademarks filed by Nintendo just before DSi was unveiled in October has been made public -- and Siliconera has done a fine job of translating each and every one for us! From "DSArcade" to "DSZone," the list is packed with branded trademarks for just about any (safe, legal and 16-digit-protected) activity one could imagine using a handheld device for: cooking, clubbing, shopping, walking, mailing, mapping, phoning, friending -- you name it!Siliconera has highlighted several software-related filings, too, including "Friends Collection," which could be an allusion to Tomodachi Connection, an upcoming Japanese DS game where players "interact" with Mii-celebs like Shiggy, Reggie and Iwata. "3D Picross" and the mysterious "Kuβoς" (or "kyubosu") were also put in writing.
Apple exec calls iPod Touch the 'future of gameplay'
If you still had any doubt over Apple's plans to launch an assault on the portable gaming industry, VP of iPod and iPhone Marketing Greg Joswiak has made the company's intentions a bit more obvious. In an interview with T3 magazine, Joswiak touts the iPod Touch as the "future of gameplay" (and notes that current handhelds, PSP and Nintendo DS, are "in the past"). Beyond the interface and the wireless App Store, Joswiak said, "The 3D graphic power here [iPod touch] is significantly greater than what you have here [picks up Nintendo DS]. So this allows people to do significantly higher quality games."It all sounds well and good, but Joswiak doesn't address the pink, polygonal elephant in the room: the games themselves. The platform and hardware is great, but Apple's catalog doesn't yet have the muscle nor brand recognition that's driving sales of the PSP and the Nintendo DS (whose Wrestling name, we might add, is "The Money Printer").It's worth noting that a recent study by the NPD Group suggests smartphone (and particularly iPhone) gaming is growing dramatically. Check out our comparison chart of the DSi, iPod Touch and PSP Brite.
Nintendo goes trademark crazy, Picross 3D and others heading west?
Nintendo recently filed a veritable smorgasboard of DS-related trademarks in Japan. How many is a smorgasboard? In this case, it's forty. All but three of the terms are preceded by either "DS" or "DSi," and the mind can only boggle at the potential of some of these: DSiMovie, DSiMusic, DSiMail, DSArcade, DSBook, DSCreator, DSLive, and DSPhone were among the names that excited us the most. A full list is after the break.Siliconera dug all of these up from the Japanese trademark database, along with a couple of other interesting tidbits, including potential English names for Tomodachi Connection (in which players get to be friends with Mii versions of Miyamoto, Reggie, and Iwata!) and Ritai Picross (Picross 3D), which we definitely wouldn't rule out for a western release.Obviously, none of these might mean a single damn thing. Companies indulge in trademarking all the time, simply to protect future ideas. Time, as always, will tell.%Gallery-33412%
