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[Mr. Wonderful]

This is exactly why I am frustrated. If I invest in a DSi, I am investing in a "maybe".

Just wait and see what happens. It's not like the DS Lite isn't just as good in the meantime.

 

[the-iek]

Vook, nevermind on the PM. I found a pic of the sock. Looks like it covers up the DSi perfectly.

i've got the one from the picture, can't really recommend it. it's a big hassle to get the dsi in it, because it's just too tight.

 

[Gamecocks625]

i've got the one from the picture, can't really recommend it. it's a big hassle to get the dsi in it, because it's just too tight.

Too late now. I've already ordered it :lol

 

[Somnid]

One rather interesting way to do dual-mode games would be to give purchasers of the game a coupon and via an installed program use data from the DS cart while enhancing it.

It'd also be much more of a pain-in-the-ass to emulate/pirate.

 

[pizzapizza64]

Any word on screen protectors for the DSi?

 

[poweld]

Just came back to mention that I felt vindicated in my opinions towards the DSi as I listened to Nick Suttner talk about it on the recent 1up...whatever it's called show.

I stand by my sentiment of "show me some good DSi-only games, and I'll consider it".
'Till then, I'll enjoy my Lite as I have been for almost 3 years now.

 

[Gamecocks625]

Just came back to mention that I felt vindicated in my opinions towards the DSi as I listened to Nick Suttner talk about it on the recent 1up...whatever it's called show.

I stand by my sentiment of "show me some good DSi-only games, and I'll consider it".
'Till then, I'll enjoy my Lite as I have been for almost 3 years now.

no offense to the Mr. Videogame Podcast guy, but the whole "$40 for two cameras?!?! LOL?!?!" argument made the whole discussion sound like something you would suffer through over lunch at a highschool cafeteria.

Plus, isn't DSiWare a big feature that will bring in a lot of DSi-only games?

Or do you mean DSi retail games? Who knows when or if we'll see those.

 

[wsippel]

For games that use the DSi features specifically, sure. But otherwise they will still be normal "DS" games and can be played on both the DS Lite and DSi.

What do you mean? If it's a DSi game, it's a DSi game, and can't be played on a regular DS. If it uses any DSi feature, gameplay relavant or not, it's DSi only. Which means that, if developers decide to use any DSi feature, they might as well use all features as well as the additional RAM and improved overall performance.

 

[Hobbun]

What do you mean? If it's a DSi game, it's a DSi game, and can't be played on a regular DS. If it uses any DSi feature, gameplay relavant or not, it's DSi only. Which means that, if developers decide to use any DSi feature, they might as well use all features as well as the additional RAM and improved overall performance.

So you are saying the inside slot would be completely different from the DS to the DSi? I just don't see that happening.

I can see making a DSi only game, if the game makes use of feature(s) exclusive to the DSi, but why make the cartridge completely different where it can't run on the DS if the game doesn't even use any of the DSi's features?

Especially since the DS Lite is still selling so well.

I am viewing this as another DS upgrade, than a new handheld system. Like the DS phat to DS Lite. Both the phat and Lite still run "DS" games, correct?

It's not like a new system from the GBA SP to DS.

Edit: Forgot to address the more RAM. I would agree, they will use the extra RAM if they can, which you are right, would make it a DSi game only. However, I don't think all games will need to have the increased RAM. We will just have to see.

I plan to buy a DSi anyways, but I don't see Nintendo shutting off all the people who are not ready to upgrade to the DSi, especially since the DS Lite (and games) are still selling so well.

 

[VOOK]

i've got the one from the picture, can't really recommend it. it's a big hassle to get the dsi in it, because it's just too tight.

Maybe each one is different, but mine is pretty easy. The leather one is hard to get in - like so hard I feel I could break the DSi but this one is fine. It is meant to be "sorta" tight so you know it doesn't slip out.

 

[wsippel]

So you are saying the inside slot would be completely different from the DS to the DSi? I just don't see that happening.

The slot might be the same, but the software just isn't compatible.

I can see making a DSi only game, if the game makes use of feature(s) exclusive to the DSi, but why make the cartridge completely different where it can't run on the DS if the game doesn't even use any of the DSi's features?

What are you talking about? Again: If it's a DSi game, it's a DSi game. DSi only. The form factor of the cartridge is completely irrelevant. If developers don't want to use anything the DSi has to offer over the DS, they might as well continue to develop DS software. But the games will be just that: DS games. The situation isn't new, either: The DSi is for the DS what the GBC was for the GB. The GB had a huge installed base by the time the GBC launched, and the GBA was released only two years later. But there still were lots of GBC only games in the end.

And we're not only talking about camera gimmicks or custom soundtracks. What about DLC? Guitar Hero DS was quite successful, and you can bet that Activision will be all over "Guitar Hero: On Tour i" or whatever, with DLC. The DSi is also more powerful hardware overall and enables the development of more complex, more demanding games. We don't even know if developers can use WPA/ WPA2 support in DS compatibility mode.

 

[A Twisty Fluken]

Pointing towards uninformed opinions on 4G1U as justifying your own uninformed opinions is silly.

Saying "they won't ignore the existing DS install base" is also silly, because the DS library is already ungodly huge, with 2005 titles in the top 10. The current DS userbase is not remotely under-served, and if anything, creating a DSi-only tier allows new games to stand out for the new userbase, just like GBC titles stood out on the shelves. Does Nintendo really need to worry about making sure their games reach all existing DS owners when those owners still have Brain Age, MKDS, NSMB, Nintendogs, etc. still on the shelves?

The GBC really depended on those hybrid titles early in the life of the system because the whole value prop was "it's in color," and yet Nintendo clearly wanted to make sure that the existing GB base would not be out of luck if they picked up Tetris DX, Link's Awakening DX, or DQ1/2, and there was nothing about those games that couldn't run on the original. I don't think the DSi is in the same position, because the value prop of the DSi over the DSL is obvious even without a retail lineup that takes advantage of the new features, and so Nintendo's going to have no problem with the gradual substitution. This way, DSiWare/photo toys/music player/moving memo pad becomes the initial "launch lineup," and a year down the road, when you've already got a few million out in the marketplace and the DSL goes away, DSi-only software on retail shelves that takes advantage of the new specs doesn't seem so crazy, just like enough GBCs had sold that GBC-only software made enough sense to make a SHITLOAD of it.

It's an interesting take on "generational advancement" and pretty smart in terms of keeping your place as the dominant player in the market.

 

[Hobbun]

The slot might be the same, but the software just isn't compatible.


What are you talking about? Again: If it's a DSi game, it's a DSi game. DSi only. The form factor of the cartridge is completely irrelevant. If developers don't want to use anything the DSi has to offer over the DS, they might as well continue to develop DS software. But the games will be just that: DS games. The situation isn't new, either: The DSi is for the DS what the GBC was for the GB. The GB had a huge installed base by the time the GBC launched, and the GBA was released only two years later. But there still were lots of GBC only games in the end.

And we're not only talking about camera gimmicks or custom soundtracks. What about DLC? Guitar Hero DS was quite successful, and you can bet that Activision will be all over "Guitar Hero: On Tour i" or whatever, with DLC. The DSi is also more powerful hardware overall and enables the development of more complex, more demanding games. We don't even know if developers can use WPA/ WPA2 support in DS compatibility mode.

What I am saying is I just don't see developers abandoning making DS games just because the DSi has come out. The userbase is much too large for the DS.

Sure, there will be DSi "exclusive" games (and that will be games you are referring to will only run on a DSi because of software), but I feel the highest majority of games for awhile will be playable on both (DS and DSi).

 

[Hobbun]

Pointing towards uninformed opinions on 4G1U as justifying your own uninformed opinions is silly.

Are you referring to me? I never made reference to a website on my argument.

Saying "they won't ignore the existing DS install base" is also silly, because the DS library is already ungodly huge, with 2005 titles in the top 10. The current DS userbase is not remotely under-served, and if anything, creating a DSi-only tier allows new games to stand out for the new userbase, just like GBC titles stood out on the shelves. Does Nintendo really need to worry about making sure their games reach all existing DS owners when those owners still have Brain Age, MKDS, NSMB, Nintendogs, etc. still on the shelves?

The GBC really depended on those hybrid titles early in the life of the system because the whole value prop was "it's in color," and yet Nintendo clearly wanted to make sure that the existing GB base would not be out of luck if they picked up Tetris DX, Link's Awakening DX, or DQ1/2, and there was nothing about those games that couldn't run on the original. I don't think the DSi is in the same position, because the value prop of the DSi over the DSL is obvious even without a retail lineup that takes advantage of the new features, and so Nintendo's going to have no problem with the gradual substitution. This way, DSiWare/photo toys/music player/moving memo pad becomes the initial "launch lineup," and a year down the road, when you've already got a few million out in the marketplace and the DSL goes away, DSi-only software on retail shelves that takes advantage of the new specs doesn't seem so crazy, just like enough GBCs had sold that GBC-only software made enough sense to make a SHITLOAD of it.

It's an interesting take on "generational advancement" and pretty smart in terms of keeping your place as the dominant player in the market.

I would have to disagree. I believe because the userbase is so large for the DSL, developers/publishers are still going to make games that are usable for it. They want the sales.

What I see is Nintendo making more of the DSi games at first because they want to push their new handheld. And after time, 3rd party developers/publishers will make more DSi games when the userbase of the new DSi system has increased.

I am not saying we are not going to see DSi games only eventually, I just think at first most will be making games playable on both (meaning, no increased RAM, no camera features or other features of the DSi).

 

[AstroLad]

I think likely the day DSi releases is the day DSL releases slow to a trickly, if not stop altogether save for the occasional shovelware and likely an increased amount of productivity-type software. Devs have a lot of time to gear up for the DSi release, so you can bet that the games will largely, if not completely, shift there day one.

 

[wsippel]

What I am saying is I just don't see developers abandoning making DS games just because the DSi has come out. The userbase is much too large for the DS.

Sure, there will be DSi "exclusive" games (and that will be games you are referring to will only run on a DSi because of software), but I feel the highest majority of games for awhile will be playable on both (DS and DSi).

Yes, most developers will continue to develop plain old DS games, at least for the time being. Most developers don't even have DSi devkits, yet, according to IGN. But what's the bolded part supposed to mean?

 

[DarkWish]

Okay, so now I'm pissed. I was so excited that we were getting a Blue DSi. Sure, it's not the best shade of Blue, but it's still Blue nonetheless. Now they just announced that Japan is getting a Metallic Blue color and that looks so much cooler. Just when I thought North America was finally getting a cool exclusive color, Japan goes and gets three even better exclusive colors.

 

[A Twisty Fluken]

Are you referring to me? I never made reference to a website on my argument.

Nope. I should have used quotes, but I didn't.

 

[frankie_baby]

Surely there must be a way to do a ds cartridge with 2 seperate executables one for regular ds and one for dsi and then both could use the same assets on the cartridge

 

[AstroLad]

Okay, so now I'm pissed. I was so excited that we were getting a Blue DSi. Sure, it's not the best shade of Blue, but it's still Blue nonetheless. Now they just announced that Japan is getting a Metallic Blue color and that looks so much cooler. Just when I thought North America was finally getting a cool exclusive color, Japan goes and gets three even better exclusive colors.

black is still a nice basic color just like white was for the dsl imo. i'm getting a black to go with my white dsl othello style baby

 

[TheGrayGhost]

Okay, so now I'm pissed. I was so excited that we were getting a Blue DSi. Sure, it's not the best shade of Blue, but it's still Blue nonetheless. Now they just announced that Japan is getting a Metallic Blue color and that looks so much cooler. Just when I thought North America was finally getting a cool exclusive color, Japan goes and gets three even better exclusive colors.

*Glacier Blue defense-force*

Fuck that. Those who prefer the darker, drab blue have no sense of fun or style.

 

[Hobbun]

One thing I am a bit concerned about is I hope Nintendo doesn't use the cheaper LCD screeens they started with in the Red/Black line of DSL's.

I remember people indicating there was a noticeable difference with a yellowish tint on the screen with the Red/Black DSL models and beyond.

 

[charlequin]

Surely there must be a way to do a ds cartridge with 2 seperate executables one for regular ds and one for dsi and then both could use the same assets on the cartridge

Well, if Nintendo really wants to be particularly dumb (and they've certainly demonstrated interest in being so before) there's really nothing stopping them from building the system in such a way that such a separation existed, but it's also difficult to imagine any reason why they would. Making the extra ram and clockspeed available to a regular-DS game running on the DS might be difficult, for example, but it should be trivial to treat the camera as a GBA peripheral in that mode so that regular DS games could access it (as an example), and there should have been no technical obstacle whatsoever to desiging the DSi so that it could recognize a second, hidden executable on standard DS carts -- the GBC and GBA both had the ability for games to recognize their unique hardware yet still work on earlier iterations.

 

[DDayton]

We don't even know if developers can use WPA/ WPA2 support in DS compatibility mode.

Given that the wifi code is part of the game programs and not the firmware in the DS...

 

[ThatObviousUser]

Given that the wifi code is part of the game programs and not the firmware in the DS...

Yeah, it's possible they could use it. However, that depends on Nintendo updating the normal DS devkits to support it and provide some sort of switch depending on the system the game's played on (DS or DSi), which sounds like a lot of work so Nintendo probably won't do it.

 

[BikoBiko]

Iwata Asks vol. 2 is up, talking some more about the development, UI, and some functions of the photo and sound app: http://nintendodsi.com/iwataasks/vol2_page1.html. Some interesting things:

That’s right. Nintendo doesn’t have any intention of directly competing with existing products, but the mass media has a tendency to portray everything as a rivalry between opposing companies. It seems some people have the impression that we want to compete with cell phones or the iPod, that putting cameras or music players in our devices is out of character for us. I hope those who have such an impression will take an interest in what Nintendo can make when it dedicates itself to pleasing as many people as possible who pick up a DS, and I hope they’ll actually pick one up themselves.

All this time, digital camera makers have competed in resolution and zoom magnification, and that has resulted in cameras that can take prettier pictures than before and photos of objects farther away than before. For cameras, that’s good, but no one has ever done what Nintendo DSi has. At 0.3 megapixels, the camera’s specs are considerably low for this day in age, but it easily does a lot that even the most advanced digital cameras can’t. I don’t think a tool with such mass appeal that allows you to manipulate images so easily anytime anywhere has ever been offered anywhere in the world before.

As far as music players go, the emphasis has generally been on smaller size and greater capacity, but when you see the Nintendo DSi Sound that Miyamoto-san and Akifusa-san have put together, you realize how there were other frontiers to open. When you think about it, you could say that Nintendo has taken its accomplishments in the world of gaming and applied them in another world. In other words, it is characteristic of Nintendo to shine a light on frontiers that others have missed and present them to its customers in a way that surprises and instills joy. I think with the Nintendo DSi we have displayed that characteristic of Nintendo to the full.

And of course:

Everybody: (laughs)

 

[P90]

I just pre-ordered mine. I still am wondering if I should save the $40 and get the DSl. Bigger screen and better sound had me pre-ordering. Please convince me to go the cheaper route? I'm open to arguments.

 

[Vexidus]

I just pre-ordered mine. I still am wondering if I should save the $40 and get the DSl. Bigger screen and better sound had me pre-ordering. Please convince me to go the cheaper route? I'm open to arguments.

Well the DSi is missing the gba port which is a big deal to some, including me since I never had a gba system before getting the DSL. The potential that DSiWare offers is too much to pass up though, so I'll be getting a DSi for sure. I'll keep my DSL for games like Guitar Hero but I think I'm going to pick myself up a dedicated gba player like a Micro to properly enjoy my gba collection.

 

[P90]

^^
Thanks

 

[Gamecocks625]

For all of you matte blue lovers out there, here's a pretty cool pic of the blue DSi. More to be found at Gizmodo. http://i.gizmodo.com/photogallery/nintydsi/

The DSi looks thin!

 

[Shiggie]

For all of you matt blue lovers out there, here's a pretty cool pic of the blue DSi. More to be found at Gizmodo. The DSi looks thin!

http://gizmodo.com/assets/images/gallery/4/2009/03/medium_3361066069_0a86acd903_o.jpg

EDIT: Never mind.
Thanks btw.

 

[Dr.Acula]

DSi Browser Speed Comparison

Crap... Am I going to have to buy my third DS?

 

[Gamecocks625]

I just got an email about Gamestop's DSi trade-in special:

Get $70 toward the DSi by trading in your DS-Lite, or $50 by trading the original DS or $20by trading the GBA SP.

 

[Nuclear Muffin]

ARGH! This is driving me nuts, when the hell is Videogamesplus gonna start doing pre-orders?!

 

[mrklaw]

I don't think the DSi is in the same position, because the value prop of the DSi over the DSL is obvious even without a retail lineup that takes advantage of the new features,

I think this thread is evidence that the value prop *isn't* obvious.

And Nintendo have done the 'hybrid' before with GBC games. No reason they couldn't do DS games that are 'enhanced' when played on a DSi - richer graphics/sound due to more ram, use of the cameras etc.

I do think they'll have to release retail DSi games eventually -there simply aren't enough people who'll connect their DSes up to the internet and buy online - they'll be cutting large numbers of people off if they don't offer retail games.

 

[jaundicejuice]

I've almost always been the early adopter/sucker, got my black DSi pre-ordered and fully paid for, the first at my local EB.

 

[Mejilan]

Likewise, only at NY's Nintendo World Store, and it's very likely that I'm NOT the first on the list!
I'll probably not be using mine at all, though, so I'm really a sucker. ;p

 

[Captain N]

Any word yet on how many / if any apps will be ready for April 5th in America?

 

[Mejilan]

When I was at the NWS I took one of their US units and tried to launch the DSiWare store. Wasn't up yet. :/

 

[Synless]

I saw those lime green DSi units at play-asia.com and man are they fucking sexy. I wish we had those colors right off the bat. I can't wait for it so I'm getting the black one instead

 

[GotchaForce]

That video said you have to get the web browser from the store. Does the DSi have internal memory to save this onto or do you have to have a memory card inserted?

 

[Teknoman]

That video said you have to get the web browser from the store. Does the DSi have internal memory to save this onto or do you have to have a memory card inserted?

Has internal memory.

 

[MikeE21286]

man I kinda want Nintendo to announce something to make me wanna buy this..

 

[GotchaForce]

Cool, how about how you pay for stuff? Do you use points like the wii or is it something else. Also, can I use a wii points card for the ds store?

 

[Mejilan]

You can buy Nintendo Points which can then be applied EITHER to your Wii as Wii Points OR to your DSi as DSi Points. Once applied to one machine or the other, the points aren't interchangeable.

 

[GotchaForce]

Ah. So is there a list yet of day one downloads? Only thing I've heard is a calculator.

 

[Mejilan]

Do we know for a fact that DSiWare will be available on day 1?

 

[Captain N]

Do we know for a fact that DSiWare will be available on day 1?

Pop Plus Solo is going to be there on day 1. It seems to be pretty much the same version on wiiware and iphone.

 

[jaundicejuice]

Since the DSi only has 256mb of internal storage can I use DSi Ware directly off of an SD Card or is it more beer fridge jugglin'?

 

[jesusraz]

When I was at the NWS I took one of their US units and tried to launch the DSiWare store. Wasn't up yet. :/

Same goes for the European DSiWare store, which obviously makes it a bit awkward preparing an early review! It won't even connect to the Internet at all right now...