DSi
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Reggie: DSi release not until 'well into 2009'
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/DSi_not_in_U_S_until_well_into_2009'; Speaking at Nintendo's media summit in San Francisco today, Nintendo of America chief Reggie Fils-Aimé announced that DSi would not be released in North America until "well into calendar year 2009." Reggie cited strong US sales of the current hardware model, DS Lite, as the reason for the delay. In other words, while Japan gets to tinker with the new toy in just a month, we'll be buying up all the old stock for months to come. Now that's grounds for importation! Gallery: Nintendo DSi
Get ready to import: DSi not to reach North America until 'well into 2009'
With the Japanese market seeing the release of Nintendo's new DSi handheld later on this year, what could be stopping Nintendo from bringing the device over to North America? Localizing all of the cool software that's available on the thing? Sure, that takes time, but not that much time. So, what is it? The incredible popularity of the DS Lite, says Reggie!The DS Lite is on track to sell 22% more units than it did last year, says Reggie. Because of the incredible demand, we won't get the DSi until "well into calendar year 2009" Our suggestion? Get ready to import!%Gallery-33263%
Brain Age getting retooled for DSi launch
Rejigged versions of both Brain Age games will be available for the Nintendo DSi when the upgraded handheld launches. Brain Age 1 and 2 will be the first titles available from the DSi shop, according to Nintendo name-taker Reggie Fils-Aime, who also revealed that each will feature DSi functionality of some kind.In truth, Nintendo couldn't have settled on a safer two titles to launch the DSi store, with both games having sold a quite obscene number of copies in all regions (particularly Europe). The lack of risk-taking involved on Nintendo's part is disappointing to us, though there's plenty of time for innovative games to follow. Bet they don't fix the voice recognition, though.%Gallery-3436%
DS Daily: Sad to see the GBA slot go?
With all of the oooh-ing and ahhh-ing we've done at the recent announcement of the DSi, we are bummed about one thing: the GBA slot being no more. We like GBA games. They're cheap and fun! But, is it worth losing the GBA slot for all of the other goodies on offer? What do you think of the GBA slot going the way of the dodo bird?%Gallery-33263%
What the Nintendo DSi, PSP 3000, and iPhone mean for MMOs
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/MMOs_on_the_iPhone_the_DSi_and_the_PSP_3000'; Last night, on the other side of the world, Nintendo announced its intention to step up the battle between Sony and Apple for the soul of the handheld gamer. We talk semi-regularly on Massively about the hardcore console battle, with games like Age of Conan and Champions Online heading for the 360 and SOE's stable of new titles (DCUO, The Agency, Free Realms) heading for the PlayStation 3. The handheld battle hardly ever gets discussed here on the site, though, and that's a shame. The modern ubiquity of handheld gaming is really the future of 'console' gaming, and with all three handheld platforms featuring built-in internet connectivity the age of "MMOs on the go" is inevitable.Join us as we walk through each of the three handheld platforms, discussing what their potential is for playing MMOs and what we currently know about MMO plans for the platform. Even though they're pretty quiet, there are more than you think. Who knows, perhaps the WoW nation of today will be tapping out messages to each other on their DS handhelds five years from now? Get prepped on Mobile MMOs >> %Gallery-33315%
Joystiq compares DSi to other handheld devices
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Nintendo_DSi_vs_PSP_3000_vs_iPod_Touch'; In their desire to compare things meticulously, our tyrannical masters good friends at Joystiq have put together a handy chart that compares the new DSi to the iPhone, as well as the new PSP Brite that has yet to release. Want to know who's king of the hill? Head over and check it out!
Nintendo DSi vs. PSP-3000 vs. iPod Touch, v1.0
Note: Relative sizes approximate var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Nintendo_DSi_vs_PSP_3000_vs_iPod_Touch'; Now that we have some concrete details about the Nintendo DSi -- which bears more than a few similarities between its multimedia competitors -- let's size it up against the PSP-3000 and Apple's "gaming handheld" the iPhone/iPod Touch. Remember this is based on tech specifications and not on games library. We'll keep updating as we get more news from Nintendo about its just-announced portable. #comparechart { border: 2px solid #333; border-collapse: collapse; } #comparechart td { padding: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc; vertical-align: top; margin: 0; line-height: 1.3em; font-size: 80%} #comparechart th { font-size: 80%; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 4px; background: #eee; } #comparechart th.x360th { font-size: 100%; border-bottom: 1px solid #333; background-color: #66FF99;} #comparechart th.mainth { font-size: 100%; border-bottom: 1px solid #333;} #comparechart th.wiith { font-size: 100%; border-bottom: 1px solid #333; background-color: #99ccff;} #comparechart th.ps3th { font-size: 100%; color: silver; border-bottom: 1px solid #333; background-color: #000000;} #comparechart td.red { background-color: #f08c85; } #comparechart td.green { background-color: #b3e2c4; } #comparechart th.blackth { background-color: #000; } #comparechart td.grey { background-color: #eee; } Nintendo DSi PSP-3000 iPhone / iPod Touch Screen Size Two 3.25-inch displays 4.3-inch display 3.5-inch display Screen Resolution 256 x 192 480 x 272, 16m colors 480×320 CPU speed / type One 67 MHz (ARM) and one 33 MHz ARM7TDMI2 MIPS R4000-based; clocked from 1 to 333 MHz 620 MHz ARM 1176, underclocked to 412 MHz Form Factor 5.85 x 3.33 x 0.99 inches1 6.7 x 2.9 x 0.9 inches 4.5 × 2.4 x 0.48 inches (iPhone); 4.3 × 2.4 × 0.33 inches (iPod Touch) Camera 2 cameras, one with VGA resolution Optional Go!Cam, 1.3 megapixels iPhone has 2 megapixel camera Memory SD slot, internal storage (unknown size) Memory Stick (up to 16GB) 8-32GB internal storage Internet Wi-Fi Wi-Fi Wi-Fi (iPhone also has EDGE or 3G) Browser Yes Yes Yes Online Store Yes (DSi Shop) Yes (PS Store) Yes (App Store) Touch Screen Yes (single touch) No Yes (multi-touch) Notes: 1: Approximate size, based on Nintendo's assertion that DSi is 12 percent thinner than DS Lite2: Architecture of the DS Lite and, as noted, subject to change pending official release notesUpdate: Massively has a comparison piece on the MMO potential of the three portables. Gallery: What the Handheld War means for MMOs
How the PSP sizes up to the DSi, iPhone
Note: Relative sizes approximate var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Nintendo_DSi_vs_PSP_3000_vs_iPod_Touch'; Learning the art of "never sleeping," Joystiq has gone ahead and created a comparison chart of the new Nintendo DSi, comparing it to the PSP-3000 and Apple's iPod Touch and iPhone (by tech specs, not games library). Check it out.
Nintendo officially unveils Nintendo DSi and online store, coming Nov 1 in Japan for $180
click for more images var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Nintendo_officially_unveils_Nintendo_DSi'; Even before Nintendo announced it, the DSi had been the talk of the town. According to our Japanese correspondent, the DSi will be 12 percent thinner, and will get rid of the GBA slot entirely. The DSi will also include two built-in cameras (one reportedly VGA resolution) and music playback. It will add an SD card slot and internal storage (we don't yet know how much) to enhance its multimedia capabilities. The screens are now slightly larger at 3.25 inches, photos can be synced to the Wii Photo Channel, and the unit will include a free browser application.Nintendo is also launching the "DSi Shop" to sell content directly over Wi-Fi. Prices for the store, which are also tied into Wii Nintendo Points, will use 0, 200, 500 and 800-point tiers. Until March 2010, 1000 Nintendo points will come bundled with the device.Nintendo is calling the DSi a "third platform," implying that it's not competing with the DS -- though as a history lesson, the DS was originally a "third platform" against the now-retired Game Boy Advance. The DSi will launch November 1 in black and white colors. It will cost ¥189,000 (approx. US $178). We won't fault you for misreading this as "iDS," given the very iPod Touch-esque additions.Update: The official DSi website is up.Update 2: Check out our comparison chart, Nintendo DSi vs. PSP-3000 vs. iPod Touch v1.0 Gallery: Nintendo DSi [Image Source]
Nintendo announces DSi with dual cameras, "DSi Shop" content store (updated)
As expected, Nintendo has announced the new DSi at its Fall presentation in Japan. The device features a dual touchscreen layout almost identical to the DS Lite, though the company is calling it a "third platform," which means it's complementing the existing system, not necessarily replacing it. Looks-wise there's not much different happening, but it's some 12 percent thinner -- partly because it omits the GBA cartridge slot. The displays are slightly larger, at 3.25 inches apiece, and there's an external three megapixel camera as well as a front-facing camera located on the inside hinge. The DSi has an SD slot and internal storage -- we're not sure how much at the moment -- but photos can be taken directly to the Wii Photo Channel on the card. Nintendo's also launching an online "DSi Shop," which will sell content directly over WiFi, including a free browser app and "DS Ware" game -- and the company will offer free wireless connectivity at "Nintendo Zone" hotspots located in Japanese McDonalds. The shop will take the newly-renamed Nintendo Points (formerly Wii Points), 1000 of which will come free with the handheld until March 2010, and content will be priced in 200 / 500 / 800 point brackets. The DSi will come in white or black finishes, and will cost ¥18,900 ($178) when it launches in Japan on November 1st -- the rest of us will have to wait until next year.Update: We've added the official Japanese DSi site link, check it out! Our brothers at Joystiq have done a comprehensive spec-check of the DSi compared to the PSP-3000 and iPhone / iPod touch. Be sure and take a gander. You can also watch Nintendo's DSi demo video after the break, and trust us, it rules.Update 2: Joystiq is liveblogging Nintendo's San Francisco media event.%Gallery-33262%
