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[Princess Skittles]

Is that a matte black DSi? I will buy day one if that is the case.

 

[Parl]

Some guesses for what Nintendo will do beyond DSi, meaning for DS2 / next-gen DS:


*two 4-inch screens of higher quality & resolution (480p)
*one screen is a regular touchscreen like DS
*other screen is multi-touchscreen
*tilt sensors
*CPU/GPU somewhat less than Wii, but on par with GCN,
slightly better than current PSP
*48-64 MB RAM
*2 or 3 megapixel camera
*built-in / downloadable web browser thats actually useful
*MP3 player
*faster WiFi
*better microphone, better speakers
*DS, DSi compatible
*completely integrated into a more comprehensive 'Nintendo Online' network for downloads & communication & more
*$149.99
*late 2010 release, 1 year ahead of Wii HD

I think the bolded is a bit much, especially the 480p.

 

[camineet]

I think the bolded is a bit much, especially the 480p.

Maybe, maybe not. Sony will probably go to 720p with PSP2.

I'm sure Nintendo will keep DS2 at SD resolution but bump it up from DS/DSlite/DSi.

 

[Graphics Horse]

So, let's say this. If I'm one of the few people who doesn't own a DS at all (they DO exist), so I decide to take the plunge on a DSi assuming ALL DS games can be played on it.

So I fork out money for Guitar Hero, one of the most popular games on the planet. Only to take it home and find out I can't play it?

This isn't a problem to you?

I can think of worse examples of human suffering in the world to worry about.
Any sensible shop would label it or inform the customer to avoid having it taken back.

 

[DeathbyVolcano]

But people fail to realize that Guitar Hero DS is mehhh

Anyhoo, I might get this, I might not.

 

[2 Minutes Turkish]

I can think of worse examples of human suffering in the world to worry about.
Any sensible shop would label it or inform the customer to avoid having it taken back.

Wow, so many of you missing the point.

Is it really so necessary to defend a blatantly bad decision?

 

[CTLance]

That they ripped out the GBA slot is painful for me.

My thoughts on DSi:
I am not exactly thrilled by the additions. The camera is utterly useless, the missing GBA slot is a pain, the decreased battery life is bad too. DSware could be really neat, but knowing Nintendo it'll have at least one gargantuan catch. The marginally bigger screen is neat, but it's nowhere near the increase I'd have liked to see. I wholeheartedly approve of the non-glossy finish. Good move, that. The better volume and power buttons & placement is a plus too.

Preliminary opinion:
Hell if I'll buy one just for better button placement and the privilege to buy games over the net.

Obligatory flabbergasted headscratcher:
That GBA slot debacle is pretty exemplary for Nintendo and its relation with 3rd parties IMHO. What a slap in the face for Activision.

Obligatory off-topic troll:
Thank god my Open Pandora preorder got approved. This will only cost me 60 bucks more, but the difference in capabilities will be like night and day.

My random guesses:

• The DSware shop will introduce us to the awesome world of regionlocked handheld gaming.
• The DSi will feature more RAM and possibly otherwise improved hardware. Why? The Opera-based webshop, and the Opera DLC. Opera on DS was slow even with the extra memory cartridge, I don't think the DSi would be able to handle webbrowsing if it didn't have increased RAM.
• I think the awesome-looking PS0 could be explained by that too. DSi-specific version? Downloadable game?
• This, in turn, would enable the option of a VC for more than just the most basic handhelds.

 

[Graphics Horse]

Wow, so many of you missing the point.

Is it really so necessary to defend a blatantly bad decision?

I'm just saying it how I see it. I have no plans to get one until my phat breaks.
The removal of the GBA slot always seemed inevitable to me.

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

So, will this have access to NES & SNES VC games, or not?

If so, insta-buy. If not, Nintendo can suck my nuts.

They'll sell downloadable games. DS can emulate NES well already through homebrew, and probably do SNES well when done by the professionals. All the ingredients are there if they want to. However, it couldn't just download the Wii VC files and do anything with them, since those are Wii programs.

 

[DeathbyVolcano]

I gotta imagine GB/GBC/GBA games will have some sort of presence on DSWare.

 

[Princess Skittles]

I've had a Phat and two Lites (I lost one, dammit). I will probably buy this, it's still going to be $150 or under and I am in love with downloadable games. I won't mourn the loss of the GBA slot other than the rumble pack, which hasn't even been used lately, since I have a sexy Gameboy Micro. Plus, I've been saying I'd buy a third Lite if they made a special edition matte black one and this LOOKS like it might be matte.

 

[Dabookerman]

Basically PSP still a better package?

For everything else OTHER than games, Yes Yes Yes Yes.

 

[Phife Dawg]

So, let's say this. If I'm one of the few people who doesn't own a DS at all (they DO exist), so I decide to take the plunge on a DSi assuming ALL DS games can be played on it.

So I fork out money for Guitar Hero, one of the most popular games on the planet. Only to take it home and find out I can't play it?

This isn't a problem to you?

If the box says: "Compatible with all DS software" then it would be a problem, yes. But I haven't had a look at the box myself yet.

What I don't get is why they would remove the GBA slot. They must have done it for some reason but from our perspective, it makes very little sense.

To be able to make it slimmer among other reasons (focus on downloads, media etc.). Is the trade-off worth it? The consumer will decide. I hope Famitsu and Media Create will track both DSi and DS Lite (I guess they will because iirc they did for DS Phat and DS Lite).

 

[Somnid]

Where does it say battery life is decreased, or is this just FUD?

 

[Kung Fu Jedi]

Wow, so many of you missing the point.

Is it really so necessary to defend a blatantly bad decision?

Hardly a bad decision. At some point Nintendo has to leave the GBA behind, and they're drawing that line now. Most people buying a DS don't care about GBA compatibility anymore. It was important when the DS was new and building a library, but not so much any longer.

 

[hirokazu]

Where does it say battery life is decreased, or is this just FUD?

On the tech specs page at nintendo.co.jp

It's quicker to fully charge, taking 2h 30m as opposed to DSL which takes 3h, but a full charge doesn't last as long as compared to the DSL.

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

Wait, so this actually has black borders around DS games and doesn't stretch them? that would be bullshit if true.

No stretching, no borders, each pixel is just 1/12 wider and taller.

Where does it say battery life is decreased, or is this just FUD?

i on the left, Lite on the right. The part just below the middle shows battery life ranges for the different screen brightnesses. In all cases i is at least a few hours shorter.

At some point Nintendo has to leave the GBA behind, and they're drawing that line now.

Why? Would it really be a bad thing to have a GBA expansion port presence in their portables for the indefinite future?

 

[C.T.]

Well the DSi has a new normal brightness. Maybe its brighter than DSL's high brightness settings?

 

[Zeppu]

Really? We couldn't even write Nintendo properly in the thread title?

 

[hirokazu]

Why? Would it really be a bad thing to have a GBA expansion port presence in their portables for the indefinite future?

This is like when they dropped GB/GBC compatibility with the original DS. There comes a time when the additional cost and space taken by the feature is outweighed by the fact that the vast majority of users aren't using the feature any more, and they've decided this is the time for GBA compatibility to go.

I don't really mind, half the time I went back to GBA games, I just used my GBA SP instead of the DS. I don't see this as much of a loss.

 

[Kung Fu Jedi]

Why? Would it really be a bad thing to have a GBA expansion port presence in their portables for the indefinite future?

If it's rarely being used, then yes. By the accounts that I read, the DSi is 12% thinner than the Lite due to getting rid of the port. Removing it also has to save some cash on the manufacturing process as well. And as the supply of available games for the GBA dwindles, there is less and less need for it. The general public doesn't care about GBA compatibility anymore. It was a nice selling factor at first, but now that they've moved on to DS games and the library has grown, it's just not used all that much.

 

[AndyD]

I thought they said it was smaller than the Lite.

Thinner not smaller.

And how come no one is commenting on battery life? It seems to have about half the battery life of the current one.

 

[VanMardigan]

Is the top screen touch now? I think that would be the only reason to get this.

I'm not too thrilled by this, losing the GBA slot sucks. So many awesome GBA games out there.

 

[CTLance]

And how come no one is commenting on battery life? It seems to have about half the battery life of the current one.

Oh I am plenty put off by the inferior battery life. It's another clue that the hardware has been beefed up considerably though. I stand by my conjecture that this is the case.

Maybe, maybe not. Sony will probably go to 720p with PSP2.

Are you suuuure?
720p is 1280x720 pixel! That's an insane resolution for a handheld with a screen the size of your palm. That, or PSP2 would be a huge monster of a handheld due to a humongous screen size.
Remember that this screen has to be filled with graphics too - look at what kind of GPU the average Laptop needs to drive even an 1024x768 display in games. 720p amounts to 921 600 pixel that need to be drawn per frame. Times 60, or maybe 30, and you're looking at a pretty serious performance (/fillrate/heat/power consumption) requirement.

The PSP sports a screen that has pretty pronounced image retention issues and battery draw, and it's only 480x272 (=130 560) pixels. That's about a tenth of what you're suggesting, and even so it needs a pretty powerful and expensive battery. A 720p PSP would probably hold out for 10 minutes before needing a refill.

I say it'll be more in the reach of 480p. But whatever.

Really? We couldn't even write Nintendo properly in the thread title?

Oh my god you're right. I didn't even notice! :lol :lol :lol

 

[grindamasta]

Is the top screen touch now? I think that would be the only reason to get this.

nope.

 

[Princess Skittles]

Well the DSi has a new normal brightness. Maybe its brighter than DSL's high brightness settings?

I can't even imagine that. The highest setting now is blinding in low light.

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

This is like when they dropped GB/GBC compatibility with the original DS. There comes a time when the additional cost and space taken by the feature is outweighed by the fact that the vast majority of users aren't using the feature any more, and they've decided this is the time for GBA compatibility to go.

This is the reverse of that. GB/C compatibility went because the hardware that ran it was no longer around, even though the carts could've fit if they hadn't specifically blocked it from occurring. No existing GBA or DS games used GBC carts as an accessory, so nothing was lost but our convenience of having 20 years of Nintendo handheld games playable on the same system.

In this case, the harwdare that ran GBA games are still there. Pokémon and Guitar Hero, still two of the biggest DS games, are heavily affected by the loss of the port. Many more are affected in ways that are smaller (unlocking and rumble), but still bigger than the _nothing_ GBC carts were doing.

 

[rollingstart]

No stretching, no borders, each pixel is just 1/12 wider and taller

Good to know. I'm glad to also know that they won't be doing the knucklehead move of dual touch screens. what a complete and total waste that would be.

 

[Doctor_No]

The Opera browser for the DS was close to useless, it was frustratingly slow; this was due to the lack of memory and processing power on the DS. I'm assuming that browser will be much more usable on the DSi. Since DSi is a third-platform for Nintendo, can we safely assume that there is at least a slight spec jump in DSi?

I'm sure future expandability and function will be added to the DSi much like the App Store for Apple. Such as MP3 functionality for DSi Sound, or possibly even some form of video playback, etc (If not by Nintendo a third-party). In Japan at least, the DS is known for its dictionaries, translators, etiquette manuals, wine and bartender guides, etc. Also, flash ram prices are very cheap at the moment, I would assume the internal memory to be at least larger then the Wiis.

DS Ware really is an ideal digital distribution system for games; its only transferring relatively small amounts of data, small dev costs with simple DS development, huge market penetration, massive back-catalog of Nintendo DS/GBA, VC games more suited for the DS then Wii, possibility of comic and book distribution, ton of casual-DS apps for Japan, and being that the market is flooded with DS games it gives the more minor games an another opportunity and a chance outside retail.

 

[Kuran]

Can't believe we can order them in 1 months time.. I'm guessing it'll be sold out in no time. I'm definately pre-ordering.

I wonder if there will be an english menu option in the firmware..

 

[Jaruru]

Some guesses for what Nintendo will do beyond DSi, meaning for DS2 / next-gen DS:


*two 4-inch screens of higher quality & resolution (480p)
*one screen is a regular touchscreen like DS
*other screen is multi-touchscreen
*tilt sensors
*CPU/GPU somewhat less than Wii, but on par with GCN,
slightly better than current PSP
*48-64 MB RAM
*7 megapixel camera
*built-in / downloadable web browser thats actually useful
*internet phone capable, including Skype
*MP3 player
*faster WiFi
*better microphone, better speakers
*DS, DSi compatible
*completely integrated into a more comprehensive 'Nintendo Online' network for downloads & communication & more
*$149.99
*late 2010 release, 1 year ahead of Wii HD

Nintendo is dead if that one releases, totally not innovative.
power up is not the only way for a successor, definitely not for Nintendo

 

[ElFly]

In this case, the harwdare that ran GBA games are still there. Pokémon and Guitar Hero, still two of the biggest DS games, are heavily affected by the loss of the port.

They will make another Guitar Hero DS next year.

Shocking. I know.

 

[bistromathics]

.3 megapixel?
0.3? Did i read this right?

God Nintendo... two steps forwards, ten steps backward. Will still sell millions and millions of it though...

i'm pretty sure that's nintendo's mantra

 

[AndyD]

Oh I am plenty put off by the inferior battery life. It's another clue that the hardware has been beefed up considerably though. I stand by my conjecture that this is the case.

Doubt it. The bigger screens means more power draw. That and beefed up sound supposedly.

 

[Odrion]

the DS2 will most likely be something like an iPhone and one screen only

 

[fanduck]

I see a future amazingly original and awesome version of Pokemon Snap coming to this system.

 

[Squeak]

Ok, once and for all:

The outside camera is 3 MP.

 

[zsidane]

Do we know how much storage capacity will the DSi have? 128MB? 256MB?

 

[Princess Skittles]

Ok, once and for all:

The outside camera is 3 MP.

More than enough, to be honest.

All the 8 megapixel pictures I take are just resized to 800x600 anyway.

 

[TheGreatDave]

Ok, once and for all:

The outside camera is 3 MP.

You promise? For reals?

 

[mysticstylez]

I sure as hell hope they fixed the D-Pad, it is shit for any game with diagonal movement.

 

[Mrbob]

So I need a new DS for DSware?

Do not want.

Probably the worst upgrade Nintendo has made on their portable hardware.

 

[VOOK]

Ok, once and for all:

The outside camera is 3 MP.

Source? Proof?

 

[Masklinn]

Ok, once and for all:

The outside camera is 3 MP.

No it's not, it's .3MP

 

[Dabookerman]

It's not a camera..

Jesus Christ.

 

[Bizzyb]

So wait, now that the GPU/CPU have been Upgraded does this mean we will see games that can ONLY play on DSi??

 

[freddy]

They need to emboss the lid with some kind of design or logo, it's just too plain/flat, the black one when closed looks like a personal organiser/PDA rather than a hand-held games machine, it looks too formal if you get what I mean.

I think you'd be surprised at the amount of people who would like a hand-held games machine that DOESN'T look like a hand-held games machine.

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

So wait, now that the GPU/CPU have been Upgraded does this mean we will see games that can ONLY play on DSi??

Where do you read that they have been Upgraded?

 

[sprsk]

The spec sheet says that the DSi plays DSi and DS games. The DS side does not say it can play DSi games.


So people content with your lites will be missing out on games.

 

[mollipen]

If it's rarely being used, then yes. By the accounts that I read, the DSi is 12% thinner than the Lite due to getting rid of the port. Removing it also has to save some cash on the manufacturing process as well. And as the supply of available games for the GBA dwindles, there is less and less need for it. The general public doesn't care about GBA compatibility anymore. It was a nice selling factor at first, but now that they've moved on to DS games and the library has grown, it's just not used all that much.

As I pointed out on the first page of this thread, who gives a shit about GBA compatibility... the real issue here is the loss of a great expansion port for the DS, something that has allowed it to do a wide array of wonderful things (Guitar Hero, My Weight Loss Coach, the Taito knob controller, etc.)

For hardware that now has MORE potential to do cool things, the lack of any kind of real add-on support kind of neuters that potential.