Well.... I won't be replacing it for my DS Lite. Prehaps they will remake that gameboy camera thing, with the 2KG Printer.

MoOsEBoT88

Might it have more RAM if the web browser is built in now?

hagridore

@MrPerson: I don't know why Kotaku keeps avoiding it - it's clear that there are two cameras there, and interwebz say that one is 3 and other is .3

echovch

@Barts:There are tons of 'cool games' on the DS. Your not looking very hard or your just trolling. So which it is?

Foxstar Sixtail

Hey, it's better than the jump from between PSP models as far as I am concerned. Not all that interested at the moment though to be honest.

furiku

@sxnc: In terms of the lack of "sheen" to the finish, I'd say that's just because we're looking at two different renderings/drawings/photos of the two hardware systems. Though I do miss the little rectangles imprinted on the cover.

mwoody

@XCha0s: oh no you di'int

subterfunk

Lets see...SD Card, and some kind of menu that would allow you to run applications/DSiWares...

I smell homebrew.

ChaiThai

wait..i just noticed that the new DSi white is a different shade of white than the old DS Lite white. is it matte plastic like i've heard, or is that just a rumor?

XCha0s

@Barts: im with u barts
the only games i think ill like for the DS is prob only pokemon... as sad as that sounds but i did enjoy them back in the day.. and maybe some rpg
but for now like u said my psp will do just fine for me also

wocyob

@Xtreme_Hindu_Cow: If that were the only reason, adding an SD slot would be a monumentally stupid addition, as it just makes the process that much cheaper to implement.

mwoody

The important info is if the Wifi has WPA support. I'm not compromising my network to play the DS online

abigsmurf

I would miss the GBA slot if it weren't for the fact that I've barely played any GBA games lately. There's too much to play on the DS to have any time for my old GBA collection.

And who knows? The SD card slot (SD in a DS teehee) might be used for stuff like, oh, downloadable GBA/GB games through Virtual Console?

The camera's a little small: Your average cellphone camera has at least one megapixel these days. Funnily, though, I think both that and the music player might see more use than the PSP's alternatives, simply due to the fact that the DSi is smaller, thinner and clamshell. The PSP was always a bit too lumpy, unprotected and expensive to keep using like that.

The screen IS nice, though I wonder how the size is going to affect the games that put a little "invisible space" between the screens. It seems like they're the same distance as before, but with the larger screens, I'd imagine that the distance would have to be bigger to make up for it.

MrPerson

too late kotaku i beat you too it. i got the comparisons off of the official website already. thanks anyways though!

XCha0s

I'm tempted to get this for the best Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days experience possible. But, I feel like I'm wasting money when I already have a DS....

Ansem

Well, personally, I'd buy it just for the extra 4.5mm touch pen length. I can't count the number of times I've been 3.75mm too far away from my DS to be able to touch the screen.

"DAMN THESE SHORT ARMS!!"

MayContainNuts

it's because of r4 cards and clones. piracy is the only reason this redesign was done. look at the psp and how it has changed due to hackers and modified firmware.

Xtreme_Hindu_Cow

I can't imagine many quality games utilizing the camera anytime soon by anyone other than nintendo. I wouldn't freak out about it. That said, I'm still getting one since I got my DS Lite quite a while ago. I'll pass it down to my sister.

orangeclover

The DS Lite seems better >_>

Crimsondramon

@doobiwan: So true. If they needed to include a digital camera it should have been something better than one taken out of a 2003 cellphone.

FallingStickman

So after the DS lite was a a smaller, neater DS, the big change is... it's bigger? And has no GBA slot (and thus, no Gameboy slot...)
But now, with the camera, and the touchscreen, it's like an iPhone! Without the phone.

CurlyJim

WPA? SDHC?

zef

@Barts: I am not in to this whole PSP/DS feud, but if ya can't find at least a few games ya like on DS ya got a very niche type of taste.

thaswizz

is it just me or does it seem a lot uglier, like as if it was a DS lying around in a smokers appartement for 3 years before it got picked up by nintendo~ c,c

sxnc

@orangeclover:

GOOD! NO MORE FINGERPRINTS! love the crimson/black ds lite for that, cause the bottom half isn't so slippery and it doesn't get fingerprints on it,,,,

When Sony made the psp-2000, they decided to make the back of the system glossy, now it is covered with smudges and is slippery!

But glossy is still pretty

AlphaCananogram

no change in the graphix, just size? no no not buying

trebors

Hmm, kinda the same, except the DS Lite has a GBA slot and better battery life. Plus it's slightly wider.

I think I'll stick to my DS Lite for now and not go crazy. I mean, it's not like it's the end of the DSL's reign yet. I'm sure Mario RPG 3 and that new Warioware will be made for all 3 DSes.

judacris

All that for a crappy VGA camera?

No thanks I'd keep the GBA port and get a mobile with a decent 5mpx camera instead.

doobiwan

hmm. it's also not so Glossy.

orangeclover

battery life suck much?

tecknical

Picture me indifferent. When there are some cool games on DS, I might consider buying it. For now, my PSP will do just fine.

Barts

Bashcraft, how about a crash test with minibash to see how those hinges hold up?

Neer'mo

will.not.buy

badwhodo

(Some years ago): So you picked up that DS at launch? Well here's a new better model we call the DS Lite which much needed improvements to the screen and form factor, buy it! See ya.
/Nintendo
(2008): So you picked up that Lite as well? Don't fret! We have another reason for you to buy yet another DS! A brand new iteration with games that only the DSi can run! We look forward to counting your money. Cheers.
/Nintendo

It's interesting to see them pull that shit twice with the DS since they kept it to one time on the Advance. But I guess the GameBoy had the Pocket model and the Color model. In any case this means pretty pennies rolling right down into Nintendo's big vault (especially if they release the next first party must-have title as a DSi exclusive. Wait for it).

Jilkon

@hagridore: Good question, considering the extra ram package you needed for the Opera (total sucky) browser.

tylerstyle

Theres no doubt the the front just doesn't look as good.

Soyerzz

@frank0127: not to mention, a near identical hardware redesign which plays the same software as the model whose sw is being pirated would be the least effective method of fighting piracy ever.
even if the dsi overcame the impossible feat of being 100% piracy free, then the answer would still be clear for the nds pirate, stick to the cheaper dslite!

IAO6

@frank0127:

No but i have actually a digital camera and a MP3 Player.

I mean anyone who has the money to buy a new DS just after the other two has mostly already the stuff in a better quality as i would guess from those implemented "Gimicks".

Besides that the last MP3 Player that Nintendo brougth out wasn't even able to play WMF WMA Data.

fELIXADER

you know what really sucks they really should have added rumble support. This should have been a standard years ago.

c-yber

@frank0127:

Exactly my first thought when I heard about the SD slot it's just going to make it a whole lot easier and a whole lot cheaper.

Will_Lucky

Wow, less battery life and a camera I don't need? Sign me up!

Mikintosh

@judacris:

And i think i actually stay with my Ds Grey... big.... clumsy thing. ^^

fELIXADER

@Foxstar Sixtail:

Or maybe he is just like me and doenst like stylus gaming? Ive found almost nothing on the DS worth playing and even the games I do somewhat enjoy are ruined by the stylus.(I really hate the thing for gaming) I also happen to hate all things mario.

That said, I have both a PSP and a DS and the DS does get far more usage, its just not for games. I use it as a dictionary and nothing else, works really well for that though. PSP has games, but I still dont use the thing.

As for this new DS, again they take away the only feature I really liked in the DS as a game machine, the ability to play GBA games. So it seems to me they went back a step.

RuneX21

@Foxstar Sixtail:

I would say the second. ^^

fELIXADER

@Barts:

Not sure if this was intentionally made to troll.

But I own both portables and find that there is plenty more to play on the DS than on the PSP. Sure I like the higher-res on the PSP, but when it comes down to it my DS has the software library I play more frequently.

devosion

@FallingStickman: there are two cameras in this thing. i think the VGA is on the hinge, and the 3MP one is on the face of the DS.

frank0127

@subterfunk: ...sucka tried to play me, but ya never payed me, nevahhhhhh

Gamer-Named-Tim

@AlphaCananogram: Agreed

Glossy looks nice but I hate all the fingerprints! >_<;;

I esspecially hated it when the PSP Slim made the back glossy.

t3hOutlaw

@mwoody: instead, we have a nice round camera lens to greet us. :)

frank0127

Eh, doesn't look worth buying it to me. I mean, yeah, great they're adding all these things like a camera and room for an SD card (probably to watch out for people who are already stealing games from them) but getting rid of the GBA port and terrible battery life doesn't make it worth it to me.

At least I know if I'm in a horror movie the DS lite provides enough light for eight hours of survival compared to four.

Alana

@mwoody: yeah, it's almost as if they're encouraging it with the SD slot.

frank0127

@Ansem: do you have a ds that has an sd card slot and two cameras in it?

frank0127

I always discarded Nintendo products as not being serious enough, and this is proof enough. The games available on the system are still essentially 1st gen portable gaming [like a really cool Donkey Kong :-)]. I prefer the PSP since it is a more mature gaming product.. I dunno maybe its because I am not like 12yrs old... Maybe its because I have taste... But really sound effects that go boing!! ??
I mean come on!

talk2sk

I was in the hopes that they'd add a new DS model that, at the expense of the GBA slot, would be cheaper so my friends might feel more inclined to get one a DS as they don't see the need to spend $120 to get DSLite when they don't own GBA games.

BUT

It seems like they're adding little nuances to it to keep the price exactly the same.

I'm just hoping it'll be cheaper considering its size and battery life... otherwise there doesn't seem like there's enough differences.

Kuroomu

@MrPerson: I'm right there with you on the GBA games--out with it, i say. and i've had that same exact GBA/GB/GBC download idea for about a year myself. nice to see it coming to fruition.

and the screen size..... i think the space would actually be smaller between the two because of the larger screens, but looking at that picture makes me think they're exact.

frank0127

@Barts: You know, some people say exactly the same thing about the PSP...

DukeOfPwn

@frank0127:
Does he WANT a DS with an SD slot and two cameras in it?

Strife56

@frank0127:
Maybe they are.

And if you dare to upload custom firmware onto an SD card and run it through the DSi, it'll give you a 10 second warning before it self destructs.

Strife56

I was kind of hoping on a few graphical improvements guess. The DS system is 4 years old now, and I'm wondering how long it will be before we get a new PSP and all. From the pictures on the site it looks like you'll be able to listen to music while playing VC games. Cool feature. And the little radio icon seems to suggest internet radio.

Considering it will have to have more RAM for the browser, I wonder if the DSi games will be able to use it, or if there are other technical improvements that the new games will be able to take advantage of. Will they still have to maintain backwards compatability to old DS's?

Kotakufan777

@CurlyJim:
But with the "i".

Strife56

PS. doesnt apple already have some trademark on the lowercase "i"?

whats next? the DSPiPhone from Aponydo?

Bobman32x

@Strife56:
By "you" I was referring to Barts.

Just in case it confuses some.

Strife56

It seems that the Handheld's 1st redesign is the best one this generation. people Liked the original DS (rather tolerated) and people liked the original psp, but people LOVED the DS Lite, and REALLY Liked the PSP-2000, where as the DSi and the PSP-3000 are getting mehs across the board.

I am interested in the psp-3000 though, as i never got the slim 2000 model, and my old fat one is REALLY on its last leg. The analog nub doesnt read "up" very well and its been cosmetically dinged up after 3 years of use. i mean it has no power switch anymore! i need to use a pen to turn it on! (dropped it at work last month and slid down a 20 foot concrete ramp, face down and bouncing on a metal grate...) Im amazed it still works but it really bums me out, as im someone who actually takes care of their games and systems.

as for the ds lite, i loved mine, but i traded it straight up for a slim ps2 when my fat ps2 broke after 7 years of awesome service in January 2007, as i loved my ps2 more. even so though. this new ds... it just looks ugly and not symmetrically pleasing. i feel like its trying to be the psp and iphone at the same time but doing both parts half-assed to the point its not even worth it.

still waiting on that psp phone though....

Bobman32x

Looking at both of them closed side by side, the DSi is not nearly as sexy/sleek as the DS Lite. The DSi looks kind of blocky and it's not glossy. Also everyone already has a camera in their phone...exactly who asked for a camera in their DS? Pass.

Korey

@RuneX21: That's pretty interesting to me - I find the new types of games/ways to play games that the stylus allows for generally appeal to me. Yeah, it can be implemented horribly, but Ouendan, TWEWY, and Zelda could never have been done the same (or better, imo) anywhere else. Just my thoughts.

phinehas

@MoOsEBoT88: Well it will allow for some of the goofing round as can be seen from the pictures, but considering it's got an SD card that you'll be able to stick in a deskjet with a card reader a pinter would be pointless.
I can imagine my old GameBoy printer catching a few oohhs and aahhs in a couple of years ("that can't be real","what the heck were they thinking?"). LOL

Kotakufan777

@devosion:
Well that's just your opinion, and obviously your taste in games.

I'm the opposite, although I have a lot of games to keep me busy and which I enjoy on the DS, it all comes down to these titles for me,

Final Fantasy III
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy Tactics A2
Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings
Zelda The Phantom Hourglass
Mario Kart
Pokemon
And many GBA titles

These are the games I only really play on my DS, were as I'd play my PSP more, and I find it has a lot more games to my taste, even though Final Fantasy IV is one of my favourite games of all time, and my favourite of the Final Fantasy series, I feel the DS just didn't do it justice, maybe I'd nitpicking, I don't know, but I'd much rather play my GBA port of Final Fantasy IV, rather than the DS version, I'm just not a fan of that "Chibi" style.

At the end of the day, everyone is going to have different taste, I would personally choose the PSP over the DS, as I prefer the interface, the layout, the screen size, buttons, and games, but I understand the DS is also a great system, and many love the touch scree with the stylus, were as I'm not a fan of that.

I find it hard to believe that from the DS's vast library of games, you haven't found one that even interests you, but maybe that's just a little bit of fanboyism shinning through.

But as I say, both are great, different style of games, different experiances altogether, I just happen to prefer the latter.

Strife56

I'm not very interested in the DSi. Much of the DSi-specific functionality will probably be in the form of optional content (using the camera, custom soundtracks, or optional downloads). I don't think Nintendo would release too much of the "DSi-only" software; it just isn't like Nintendo to exclude players from buying software on what is only a third iteration of the DS. They wouldn't want to limit sales.

I'd really rather not start giving out micropayments for bonus maps or quests on my portable software either, thankyouverymuch.

As for the "dual touch screen" reports, I haven't seen anything reliably supporting that claim (this rumor seems to have spread like a game of telephone). Could someone verify? That would be a pretty serious design change.

As for Wii/DSi connectivity, count on it. This is the reason for its existence - a better complement to the Wii. You'll be able to swap photos, music -- and I predict, games -- back and forth between them using the SD card. That will be the main selling point of this new iteration, and will (I predict) be part of the "storage solution" Nintendo keeps talking about.

Sustenance

@CurlyJim: The DS could never play any gameboy games aside from GBA anyway. Making your

"(and thus, no Gameboy slot...)"

comment pretty irrelevant.

lbartley

Color me bored. Hey, at least DS Lite will be cheaper, I've been waiting to get one of those. This clunky old DS needs to go.

interim

@Alana: Losing the GBA port means that the handful of games that supported rumble won't even have the option for that feature on the new system. Pretty disappointed.

Does Not Equal (ダズノット)

@Sustenance:
IGN was the one who originally reported on the dual touch screens... and they've since corrected it saying they were wrong.

So, no, only one Touch Screen for now.

BPMΣ

@Jilkon:
"...since they kept it to one time on the Advance."

Someone forgot about Game Boy micro...

BPMΣ

@talk2sk:
It's times like this I wish Kotaku still had a report button.

BPMΣ

Umm... is it any more powerful graphically? If not than why DS vs DSi games?

Also, The DSlite has a better clamshell which actually has a small lip to make sure it covers it completely to prevent things from sliding between the two screens, and the new shoulder buttons look... UGH. But the hinges on the DSi do look stronger

Other than the bigger screen and SDslot I see no reason to give up my DSlite and R4.

Eternal

Goodbye PSP battery life advantage.

CreamSodaSlurpee

I still have a DS Phat that I got on launch and it works perfectly fine. Then again I would like to be able to download games and play them on the DS. Also, did I read somewhere that this DSi is going to have an online browser built in for free?

Any word on connectivity with the Wii that will only be possible with this DSi? My Wii has been having serious problems with its software earlier this year (Internet Channel, Wii Shop Channel, Photo Channel, and the Nintendo Channel no longer work and crash my Wii) that wont be fixed unless I send it in to Nintendo, so if I need to download something from the store then I'm screwed.

I still have like $15 worth of Wii points that I can't use. That channel died on me a few days before Lost Winds came out :(.

golguin

@Primed: Oops

"While it is reasonable *DISLIKE* to much lower battery life"

Primed

Why the hell was everyone freaking about about this weekend or whenever it was announced, and now everyone is bashing it? Yeah, I said we didn't need ANOTHER DS redesign at all...but man, come on people. I didn't intend on buying one back when it was "Pre-announced" and I'm not gonna by one now.

Plus, I already have a DS Lite sitting around collecting dust, I don't need to spend money to have another, slightly smaller, less battery efficient one lying around doing the same thing.

themadman123

Heh, I find all of this bitching quite funny actually. Idiots and people who bitch for the sake of bitching are amusing. I mean, what's not funny about people complaining about a company (IE an entity the exists to generate profit) making a new product?

Let's do a breakdown of the complaints, shall we?

One of the most common things I see is complaints for the camera. You all say "wtf 180 for a crappy camra ill never use". I say "Hmm, you know a camera built into the console could bring about some new and interesting games." After all, the Eye Toy was an interesting peripheral, and with the camera being built in, we'll likely see more then just a few small proof-of-concept games. As for the quality of the camera, what, do you want some high-end 8-megapixel camera on this or something? Why? The DS screens' combined resolution is 256x384. Having an uber high resolution camera would be pointless, especially since picture will likely only be shared by the Wii, and since the Wii isn't high def, high res pictures would still be useless.

Battery life is the next most common complaint. That I could see, to a point. While it is reasonable to much lower battery life (which by the way, it really isn't even that bad, it just can't compare to the Lite), you gotta remember that that battery is now powering 2 brighter/larger screens, an additional touch pad, SD slot, etc. Obviously it'll use more power. Hey, at least it's better then a PSP.

Next is size. I love how people are bitching about being bigger (and actually, the overall volume is a bit smaller), when the length is getting increased by a mere millimeter, and the width by less then half a centimeter. OMG IT'S SO MUCH BIGGER

Lastly, it's the "necessity" of the device. You bitch about Nintendo apparently wanting to force you to buy an update to product that you already have, maybe even have twice. Um… No one's forcing you to do anything. If you buy it, it's by your own will. Hell, Nintendo even said the goal of the product was to lengthen the DS's life-span by keeping the install-base growing. Not to "make everyone buy the DS a 3rd time". Only Apple tells you to buy the same hardware over and over again. (I think it was last year when Jobs actually said he wants everyone to get a new iPod every year)

Primed

I'm seriously considering picking one up, if only for the fact that I recently sold my DS and DS Lite.
The battery life is pretty sucky though.

Ska-Chan

Okay okay...

But is there a handheld VC for your GB/GBC/GBA games?

You say "yes", Nintendo, then bygod, you've got yourself a customer.

My DSLite's backlight for Golden Sun / any castlevania/metroid gba game is...is just too good to go back to the GBASP (which I use for Zelda Oracle of Ages and PokéGold)

Let's talk, Nintendo. Let's talk

Mesren_Makai

Looks like Nintendo are modelling themselves on the Apple business model now. Make the existing product a little bit smaller, a little bit prettier. They've got the gadget whores hooked on iterations that aren't worth it.

Hell, they even stuck an 'i' into the product name.

Neutral-fanboy

Obviously, what's going to move this system, is exclusive DSi games. I expect that they'll have games that will utilize the camera too.
As far as the GBA slot goes, well, I'm sure Nintendo is planning on making GBA games available for download, which would be cool if they're well priced.
If the browser's any good, and they offer a media player (they can probably emulate the PlayYan), then I'll probably get one. =)

Brill

I'm still using an old-fashioned brick-like DS "Classic" as I like to call it, so maybe it's time to upgrade, better remember to keep it on a low brightness setting though. Plus, I've been meaning to buy a video game system that takes pictures for some reason.

wanion

Ahhh the actual specs arnt on Kotaku.The Nintendo DSi actually comes with 2 touchscreens and a 3 Mpx camera and a VGA hinge camera =)
Though i gotta agree :/ the DSi doesnt look that good compared to the DS Lite in both comparison of looks and maybe that they removed the ability of playing GBA games..That isnt good now is it?!

motogp

how come no one is mentioning the dpi (resolution of the screen)? Does this new screen actually have more pixels or just bigger pixels? I would worry about what DS game would look like if the screen actually has more pixels, either black bands or some kind of upscaling, which at those limited resolutions, might look funny.

weinerman

@Eternal:
DSi-specific games probably means the downloads from the DSiWare store. Since there's no way to upgrade the DS/DS Lite to do this, such downloads will be DSi-only.

BPMΣ

@RuneX21: you may not like these games.. but i recall contra 4, megaman zx series, the castlevanias, the sonic rush series, final fantasy III, kirby... blah blah blah.. there are a ton of games on the ds that arent "stylus gaming"..

shouryuuken

@Mesren_Makai:
If you've got a flashcart, I'd recommend looking into the Goomba Color emulator for the DS. Allows you to play GB/GBC/SuperGB games on DS.

BPMΣ

@shouryuuken:
The FF4 remake, and the world ends with you (to a lesser extent) are the only titles I'm really interested in on the DS. All of the other FF games I've played and pokemon is just getting outlandish so it has little interest for me.

The stylis type games don't interest me either, as I find them to be gimmicky. Most lose their appeal after a few hours.

That might change in time but right now I lean more towards the PSP b/c that is where the handheld games I want to play are.

Frologic

@fELIXADER: put it in a sock and wave it around and it becomes a flail

hitokirimaru

Well, that was underwhelming.

imaria

@tecknical: yeah the battery life of the ds lite was one of its drawing points for me compared to the phat, and this one is worse.

Geomanis

@BPMΣMesren_Makai:

There are GBA SPs with a brighter Backlight, like the GB Micro, only in SP-Form factor with GBx support.

Kawaii-e

Nintendo is coming down with iteration fever.

Crowbot

@Does Not Equal (ダズノット):

I was asking myself the same, will rumble be gone, like on Wii VC?

I rather liked the rumble in Metroid Prime Pinball or Space Invaders Extreme.

Kawaii-e

Does this mean that we will see a price drop on the lite when this gets released?

kovac

when my current DS Lite breaks, I'll get another DS Lite.
I like playing GB Advance games. I don't need a camera.

mangajunky

". As for the quality of the camera, what, do you want some high-end 8-megapixel camera on this or something? Why? The DS screens' combined resolution is 256x384. Having an uber high resolution camera would be pointless..."

Or not. To do anything interesting with the camera (eg gesture recognition), you need decent resolution.

This all seems like a wasted opportunity to me, but it depends on what Nintendo do with it. I'm not hopeful given how crap WiiWare has been, but there's potential in the downloads. If there is more onboard memory, that would address one of my main annoyances about the DS and hopefully allow for better sound and animation in games (although that may just be a cart storage issue). The battery life thing is incredibly dumb - it's the DS's single strongest selling point (for a hardcore gamer, anyway). If they had extended the life, I'd probably be buying this at launch. As it is, I'll give it a year and see if anything interesting comes out of it.

cdammers

Just so I get it. The SD card will be used for the camera and music playback only? Or will the downloadable games also be saved on the SD? Right now, the way I see it the DSi is getting a WiiChannel-esque interface. That the way I'm interpreting. Basically the firmware will probably be updated on a regular basis like the Wii has been. Sucks for homebrew geniuses that make cool homebrew software. The piraters will crap that up for them though.

Maxemillian

Is there any difference in the game carts?

TF2Soldier914

@motogp:
Wrong. Only one Touch Screen. Two Touch screens was a mistranslation on IGN's part.
And both cameras are VGA.

BPMΣ

Shorter battery life and no GBA slot so I won't be picking this up. I really don't use my DS much anymore anyway, since I've got my PSP (Crisis Core Bundle) I keep finding really good games for cheap whereas the DS games I would like to try out (Phantom Hourglass, TWEWY) are still twice as expensive.

el_rezzo

@Barts: Oh boy, I seem to have touched the nerve. If DS really is so cool, why are its fanboys so twitchy?...

Let me justify my post a little bit: graphical inferiority of DS with its unfiltered textures and poor 3d (as observed in FF remakes, for example) reminds me of the games played on early Pentium machines, except they were fun.

As for 2D, there is a bit of this and that, but if you don't like grinding in another generic jRPG or FF remake (here's lookin' at you Squeenix), well, you're screwed.

Mario Kart is fine, I give you that. I just don't feel like playing it. Castlevania is cool, except it's been done so many times I find it somewhat repetitive. Kirby's something something where you draw lines on which your puffball accelerates is cool, but I played it when it came out and don't feel like replaying. Trauma Center... I don't know, touching games just don't give me hard-on.

The only game I can think about that makes me want to try it on DS is Advance Wars, but then again, with painfully lo-res sprites in battle sequences (and no faces showing emotions, I loved that in original AW) and characters I don't give a flying damn about, I think I can stand the temptation.

On my PSP, on the other hand, I have superb visuals both in 3D (Daxter, Syphon Filter, Crisis Core, God of War) and 2D (Lumines, Every Extend Extra, N+), games that I can be playing in short bursts (EEE, Mercury, N+), as well as in a long streak (Crisis Core, GoW). I have some quirky original titles (Mercury, EEE, Crush), some top-notch racing games (Burnout Legends, Wipeout Pure), excellent fighting games (SF Alpha, Tekken Dark Resurrection), Diablo-like dungeon crawlers (Dungeon Siege, Untold Legends). Top that with great multimedia potential (collection of AMVs and movies looks great on large 16:9 screen), music playing, web browsing, PDF reading (Custom Firmware), emulation of pretty much anything from 8bit through Amiga, to DOS and MAME - and you have answer why I love my PSP.

So all in all, the above post expressed my own view and preference. I see no fun games for me on DS, while I see a ton on PSP. You don't have to agree with it, but heck, it's my opinion and I stand by it. :)

Barts

So you can use SD Cards with DSi? for what? Playing music?

bucocky

@sxnc: You obviously haven't seen the ugly prototype-looking original DS. *sigh* Which I own...

Seinosuke

So it's both bloated (camera, size, SD) AND crippled (GBA, battery) at the same time? That's an impressive way to fail, Nintendo, but it's a fail nonetheless.

Millennium

I don't think it has anything on the Lite really bar afew slight differences that don't matter anyway.

Kung

Seems nice and all, but I'd wait a good while before I ever decide to pick one up. You know how Nintendo is...you get a nice little black DSi, and a month later a sexy new model arrives with your favorite color and ya damn them to Hell.

Okay, maybe not that extreme, but yeah. Also, I'd like downloadable GBA games please.

Which leads to a brilliant idea! A Virtual Console like store for the DSi...that has old portable systems and games instead of consoles! Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Gear, Game Boy Advance, Wonderswan...the works!

Saint Anima

@Primed: "Hey, at least it's better then a PSP"

Opinion and you should keep it as such.

"Lastly, it's the "necessity" of the device. You bitch about Nintendo apparently wanting to force you to buy an update to product that you already have, maybe even have twice. Um… No one's forcing you to do anything."

If that was the case, then...
Nintendo DSi: Software for Nintendo DS, Software for Nintendo DSi.

What's up with that, eh? If anything, most of the complaints I've read have been about the loss of the GBA port...something you didn't seem to mention.

Have fun defending an update to a product that you already have, maybe even twice. ;)

Saint Anima

@judacris: Mario RPG 3??!!! I didn't know that there was aeven a Mario RPG 2! Square Enix WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!

You probably meant Mario and Luigi 3. =D

Dr.Chocobo

SD slot should make homebrew and/or piracy a whole lot simpler.

dowingba

@wocyob: I feel sorry for you if you can't enjoy pokemon without feeling "sad".

Synthesthesia

@tecknical: i agree i was thinking, "maybe i'll definintely get this" until i saw my ds lite had waaaaaaaaaay better battery life,
now i'm not totally sure if i'll buy it...at least i have a while to think :/

sbsoccerman13

i'll pass. If you already own the DS Lite i don't see the worth in buying this to just gain camera and music playing capability....especially if you have a modern cell phone and an mp3 player already (like most of us).

JonJon

@sxnc:
I agree. Where is the logo and the clean finish. this looks bland and indifferent.

greven

@Barts: What do you expect to see as a response when you come out of the gates with a troller like "when some cool games come out".

This is a very typical troll comment. You say "There's no games" for *insert console/handheld*, then when people reply back with a list of games you respond with: "None of thoes are my taste."

It's a perfect hit and run troll.

TRT-X

Original DS is still supreme.

EvilTim102

@cdammers: 3 Megapixels is enough for 2048 x 1536. That's more than enough for gesture recognition. The PS2 managed to do it with a 0.3 Megapixel (640 x 480) Eyetoy.

Kafeen

battery life is incredible sucky imo. Thats not even enough for a medium flight..

valero

Then,..they remove functionalities to add another... will be a perfect hacking tool... Sd cards, but for the non hacking fans... not that good, since they remove the GBA slot.

Gambly

Bigger screen to show pretty well the ugly graphic capability :D AHAha...

Gambly

@Barts:
You said "when will be some cool games on DS"...
Ok, your opinion could be ok for me, but 80% of the PSP games you quoted sucked.

togovero

@JGab: Guess not... That's the main selling point for the PSP nowadays (Besides homebrew) since you can find the media player aspects elsewhere.

Only games that I would go out of my way to buy a PSP for were GoW:CoO, FFVII:CC, Patapon and Portable Ops. But then again, if you love shooters of course the PSP is better for you than the DS. If graphics means more than games, that means you're just looking for justification for your purchase. -_- I just used it for Remote Play after I played the hell out of the other games.

Pata pata

Rika Aiuchi is SeXXXy

Any time Nintendo relaunches a portable product, I ask only one question:

"So, what did they remove THIS time?"

Bye bye, GBA functionality.

No sale.

StillLee

I miss the sexy shiny-ness that the Lite had, this new version looks...well....dull. It's clear that Nintendo and Apple have a Coca-Cola & Pepsi relationship going on here. Poor PSP, lack of touch screen is really making this guy look like an outsider :P

Ryguy226

Well, i might actually buy a DS now. The mai Reason i have been holding off on buying a DS is because the Lites looked very Flimsy and Structurally weak.Than, and the Fast 99% of the systems games are Casual Garbage. Up till now, i have Anti-Nintendo (and i still think the PSP is vastly Superior), but hot damn, it buy a DSi if it comes out here.

UmayHelle

@furiku: Sorry for the double post here but I take that back! I am very interested in this.

furiku

So it's a slightly larger, slightly lighter, DS Lite without GBA slot. Since I already have a DS, I guess i could pick this up next. But really, it's not that much of a change.

EmeraldDragon

@devosion:

I agree, I own both systems, and I love both of them. But I'm only going to be honest that the PSP does't seem to have much that really interests me in the software division compared to what the DS has.

Ryguy226

@Barts: I thought we got over the "graphics" thing 2 years ago? No? Well...alright...

JGab

Why? The GBA's game are all Crap, and the Lites are old news now. You stupid Nintendrones need to learn that when a new version of system you own comes out, you must buy it to support your Company in the Console Holy War. I have bought every version of the PSP that has come out to some my Love to sony. I guess nintendrones are as retarded as we sony fans think...............

UmayHelle

The SD card is a step in the right direction. Personally by this phase of gaming I'm sick of bringing around a box of games with me when I travel. What I've noticed the most about my R4, is that I can have about 10-20 games and not need anything more than a single card to store it on. Companies should let us install things onto memory and store them on the hand-held consoles. It's so much more convenient and practical. Or at least for me.

hikaizer

Thats it??? I think Nintendo has stopped putting in their trademark quality after they became wildly successful this generation

FLYBOY611

The battery life plummetted. I'll definitely be keeping my DS Lite, because of my GBA games. Of course, I've wanted a Game Boy Micro for some time now, and I might be able to find one on the cheap soon. I don't know. I'll think about it, Nintendo.

armchairnixon

I think theres a lot of possibility's for the SD card to work with the DSi for this store that their making.

Do I smell original GB and GBC game downloads?!? How many points for Link's Awakening? Maybe I'll pick up Pokemon Blue...

Well, good thing I got an SD card with a lot of gigs. Time to fill 'er up!

Darrisbob1

Ha! I love watch all the Nintendrones bitch about not buying this thing, when it is clearly the only good Iteration of the DS. Loss of GBA? So? it's time to Move on, most the GBA's game blew anyway. It has Worse Battery life? it's still better than a PSP's. I am a Sony Fanboy, and even i admit that. "Screw this Im keeping My lite!", well you suck and your Flimsy lite that could break by breathing on it wrong too. As i stated before, i am a HUGE Sony Fanboy (i own a PSX, Thre PS2's and a 20, 60 and 80 GB PS3, along with a Launch PSP, Slim PSP and God of War PSP), but even i may buy a DSi if it come out here. It finally look's like Nintendo have gotten what a Poratble should be right.

UmayHelle

@frank0127: 300,000 pixels isn't a megapixel. =/ I was mislead for awhile.

Rika Aiuchi is SeXXXy

My only problems are the comical light settings--3-4 hours? Is that a self-defense tool? Can I blind a mugger in a dark alley with a light like that?--and the non-shiny finish. Shiny finish please?

urutapu

@Barts: Well do consider that if someone suddenly started denouncing the PSP a pile of trash and all software and games made for it a waste of global resources, or something else you quite like that you might also get a little defensive about it. There is trolling, but there's also being a little defensive about things as well.

I have both a PSP and a DS and I think personally there are some great titles on both consoles.

As for the DSi, I'll look at it as a replacement for my DS when the touchscreen is about to cark it. I got it at launch and my old DS phat still works through such games as WarioWare and TWEWY. Sadly my PSP didn't weather time so well.

hikaizer

@furiku: But the PSP revamp they actually added stuff to it, this new DS actually took away, no GBA slot and the baterry is terrible. I'll keep my DS lite, I still have many GBA games.

jocaju

@Rika Aiuchi is SeXXXy: You can find media player aspects elsewhere, but I don't have (nor like) all the Apple crap, my phone is a simple S-E device to write text messages and call (and that's all), and therefore PSP remains my portable media player of choice.

And jGab, well, I do prefer gameplay over graphics any time, but I really don't see interesting gameplay on DS, while I do enjoy my PSP games. Plus, they have really cool graphics. :)

Barts

@TRT-X: Tee hee, okay, okay, I admit that my first message was a little... trollish.

Consider me a person doing community service by starting early flame war that is inevitable anyways...

Barts

@togovero: Heh, that's your opinion. They rocked for me.

Barts

no thanks

jeffx

@trebors:

Well it's not the next generation of handhelds, just a revision of the current model.

NeoAkira

@jocaju: You said it. There are way too many good gba games that still look great and are fun. (I recently played through the metroid ones...>.>)

Ajh

@Barts:
And NO ONE of the 2000+ DS games rocked for you..??
A game like "Every Extend Extra" rocked, and 2000+ DS games sucked..??

togovero

@JGab:
Yes, because I LOVE for my games to look like they were developed 15 years ago. There's only so many different types of gameplay you can experience on N64 quality hardware. Lots of games have just moved on, and yes, are better for it.

ca$h

Wait..so the screen's NOT any better just a bit bigger the battery life SUCKS compared to my lite and all I get for that is a camera I don't need and an sd slot? Nintendo you can do better than this!

Ajh

@Barts:
Agreed. However I wouldn't buy a new PSP either at the moment.

ca$h

the shoulder buttons make it ugly, how they stick out. plus... the camera is pointless, even if they do use it for games.

ethermay

Honestly who cares, its a new DS just like how Sony made a slim PS2.

Radioactive_Nachos

goodbye guitar hero on tour!

dislexiq

so it's worse? I'm confused.

KingDavid73

Dang, battery life suffers?!

shadowlegend

The DSi doesn't provide any new features I'm interested in, especially when I have a number of GBA games that I still play with and a perfectly functional DS Lite. I note also that the loss of the GBA slot means the slider I bought for Space Invaders Extreme wouldn't work, meaning that my current DS Lite can't be traded in to upgrade.

That being said, if the DSi has a good software base (the addition of SD card media certainly encourages that) I may consider picking it up as an additional handheld. I sincerely doubt it will become my majority handheld, though, at least not until the software base to support it arises.

incognit000

Maybe eventually since my current DS is dying, but right now it's still acceptable. (Super Glue works miracles) No need for me to upgrade.

feder

a POINT 3 megapixel camera? You're kidding me right? And they could'nt put a 3 mega pixel or at least those crappy 1.3 mega pixel cams? And yea, Im going to spend an extra $50 for an unshiny, no GBA havin, DS with SD card slot? Someone queue the "NoThanks.JPG" photo.

BlizzardCyclone

@Barts: You really need to play Rhapsody, Bangai-o Spirits, Trauma Center, (I know you don't like Mario, but honestly) New Super Mario Bros, That New Metal Slug-esque game, Chrystal Chronicles, Meteos, Disgaea (if you don't have it on the other two systems it's phenominal on the DS), Front Mission, Final Fantasy Tactics, Dragon Quest, Advance Wars: DoR, Phantom Hourglass, Rondo of Swords, WTF's wrong with Castlevania (they're supposed to be the same asshole, that's why they're castlevania games), Apollo Justice, Chibi-robot, Children of Mana, Custom Robo, Jump Superstars, Sonic Rush, Sim City, Civilizations, Professor Layton, Populous....... [en.wikipedia.org]

To be honest I'm in the middle of five grindtacular PSP games right now, and Love both of my systems. But when that PSP battery dies (too damned quickly at that), I flip open my DS and have fun.

Solaricide

Nice design! Very Plus-Minus-Zero, Naoto Fukasawa inspired.

Namssorg

I guess this means the DSi doesn't support Guitar Hero: On Tour.

Not that the game was amazing, just pointing out that a few actual DS games will suffer because of this

Diraan

@Barts: Grr. Here's my list of wanted games in an ideal world. 1* is meh (minimum is 3* anyways) and 5* is "OMFG DO WANT":

Another Code: Two Memories ***
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney ***
Bomberman ***
Blue Dragon Plus ****
Chibi-Robo!: Park Patrol ****
Chrono Trigger *****
Contact ***
Contra 4 ***
Dinosaur King *****
Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen ****
Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride ****
Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie ****
Dragon Quest IX: Hoshizora no Mamoribito ****
Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime ****
Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker ****
Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts *****
Dynasty Warriors DS ****
Electroplankton *****
Elite Beat Agents ****
Final Fantasy III *****
Final Fantasy IV *****
Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings *****
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time ****
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates ****
Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales ****
Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift ****
Flower, Sun and Rain *****
Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland *****
Game & Watch Collection *****
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars *****
Gyakuten Kenji ***
Gyakuten Saiban 5 ***
Hotel Dusk: Room 215 ****
Jet Impulse *****
Jump Ultimate Stars *****
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days *****
Kirby: Canvas Curse ***
Kirby: Squeak Squad ***
Kirby Super Star Ultra ***
Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, The *****
Legend of Zelda: Shards of Light, The *****
Lemmings DS *****
Line Rider ***
Lost in Blue *****
Lost in Blue 2 *****
Lost in Blue 3 *****
LostMagic ****
Lunar Knights ***
Magical Starsign ****
Mario Kart DS *****
Mario Party DS ***
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time ****
[Mario & Luigi RPG 3] ****
Mega Man Battle Network 5: Double Team DS *****
Mega Man Star Force: Dragon *****
Mega Man Star Force: Leo *****
Mega Man Star Force: Pegasus *****
Mega Man Star Force 2: Berserk x Dinosaur *****
Mega Man Star Force 2: Berserk x Shinobi *****
Mega Man Star Force 3: Black Ace *****
Mega Man Star Force 3: Red Joker *****
Mega Man ZX *****
Mega Man ZX Advent *****
Meteos ***
Meteos: Disney Magic ****
Metroid Prime Hunters *****
Metroid Prime Pinball ****
Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2 ****
Moon *****
Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer ****
[Mysterious Dungeon: Fuuren no Shiren DS 2] ***
Nanostray ***
Nanostray 2 ****
New International Track & Field ***
New Super Mario Bros. *****
Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword *****
Nintendogs Best Friends Version *****
Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan *****
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney ***
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Justice for All ***
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Trials and Tribulations ***
Picross DS ***
Pokémon Diamond *****
Pokémon Pearl *****
Pokémon Platinum *****
Pokémon Ranger *****
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia *****
Prince of Persia: The Fallen King DS *****
Professor Layton and The Curious Village ****
Professor Layton and Pandora's Box ****
Professor Layton and The Last Timeslip ****
Resident Evil: Deadly Silence ****
Skate It ***
Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood ****
Soul Bubbles *****
Space Invaders Extreme *****
Spectrobes ****
Spectrobes 2: Beyond the Portals ****
Spore Creatures ****
Star Fox Command *****
Still Alive DS *****
Super Mario 64 DS *****
Super Monkey Ball Touch & Roll ***
Super Princess Peach *****
Tenchu: Dark Secret *****
Tetris DS *****
The World Ends With You *****
Tingle's Balloon Fight *****
Ultimate Mortal Kombat ****
Valkyrie Profile ****
Viewtiful Joe: Double Trouble ***
Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise *****
Wario: Master of Disguise ***
WarioWare: Touched! ***
Yoshi Touch & Go ***
Yoshi's Island DS *****

:)

Azza

Guitar hero DS is bust then? is that the one DS game that uses the GBA slot? what other DS games use it?

Purum

@Mikintosh: Wow, less battery life and a camera that I don't need and facing the wrong direction? Sign me up!

moidsch

@Solaricide:
Personally, I would recommend Elite Beat Agents and both Ouendan games, too.

togovero

It seems to have the poor battery life of a psp.
a toy camera is not an exciting feature.

The only plus I see is slightly larger screen, and the possibility of downloading games.

I will have to wait whether the downloadable games are worth it the omission of GBA games.

leganx

@talk2sk: DS is different from PSP. Labeling it not mature though just reveals how mature you are as a gamer.

moidsch

@tecknical: My battery on my DS Lite only lasts about 3 hours (of course I have to use its highest brightness setting).
My PSP can actually stay on longer than my DS.

One thing I hope Nintendo puts in, is a standby/sleep similar to the PSP, where it uses virtually no power but when you turn it on you can go right back into gaming. The current standby on the DS uses way to much power.

Sousanator

@Strife56: There are so many ds games it's hard to say you don't like any of them. Being a more traditional gamer, I don't dig the touch thing. Maybe i'm the only person on the planet who find the ds weird to hold. (though the psp is bad too) I guess I just like two hands on my device where the ds is one hand holding, one hand using the stylus.

Sure psp games are nothing new, but it's nice to have basically a ps2 in my hand. Stuff like gta, moh, psx games, roms, etc. are really nice to have on a handheld. Also the radio player gets a fair mount of use in my house.

sereal

I'm hoping this is a prototype cause it's UGLY!

Look at that L/R button!

z357x

@Azza: Sweet sassy molaassy, Kotaku is going to charge you rent for all that shit. I hate list people almost as much as I hate "1st" comment...douche bags

Bii-Nii-Wii-Nii

@Barts: You know, you could have just said you were a graphics whore and be done with it.

HeartBurnKid, creepy morbid freak

@zef:

WPA support would be AWESOME. As well as SDHC.

dead_red_eyes

@tecknical:

My thoughts exactly. While they're taking a small step forward, they're taking another step backwards with the battery life.

dead_red_eyes

Someone please introducing quickly to using an R4 with the DS, I'm looking to break into the portable market.

hermes520

The real question is are they answering the piracy issue?

spuds_mctoasty

@MayContainNuts:

Sarcasm noted, but wouldn't you be holding the DS? If that's the case, why would it be too far away for you to touch the screen? Unless you have one gimp arm that is far shorter than the other arm which would probably render the longer stick useless, or you placed the DS on the table while you sat further away while you tried to reach for the DS but couldn't, and then making these proclamations that your arms are too short. If it's the latter, I'd just say you're being lazy and should do one of two things: 1) Bring yourself closer, or 2) Bring the DS closer because the longer stick really wouldn't do all that much. Though the longer length would possibly make it easier to hold. But pray they never bring the Fat DS stick back.

Mikey Mui

They had to get rid of the GBA port because that opens up the doors for you to purchase GB, GBC, and GBA games from the DS Download Store. FREE MONEY!!

No big deal though. The camera and the removal of the GBA slot are two things that I wanted on my DS. Teh addition of a standard SD slot is kind of a bonus. The only downside to this all is the reduced battery life, but I am sure that is to account for the processing required for the camera and also the need to read and write to the SD card.

sneslink

@furiku:
You are kidding yourself, at least the PSP slim made the PSP faster with loading.

fruitsofherwomb

@XCha0s:

I hope the new DS is matte. I'm getting a little tired of constantly wiping my DS Lite and PSP. Damn these designers who think smudges and greasy fingerprints are sexy!

Mikey Mui

Is the AC adapter different? It better be either (1) the same as the DS Lite or (2) mini USB in form factor.

MrSniffer

Wait so this isn't like the DS2 right?

Glare

The ganmes I want are simplky the new Mario and luigi, plus that new zelda Azza mentioned

HELLSRIDER

I will be so happy if this means downloadable GB games... especially the original warioland and donkey kong ('94)!

Figment

Meh. I'm not incredibly impressed. I can't imagine playing any DS game I own and saying "This DS game is fun, but *I* want to record 10 seconds of the audio."

or even

"Gaming is nice, what I really want to do is take a really lo-res photo for no reason because my phone can't already do that."

As for titles that incorporate the new features into play, doesn't the DS have enough gimmicks already? I can't wait to see what clumsy, useless gameplay elements will come of the new features. It was hard enough for a lot of developers to figure out what to do with the touch screen!

atarashii_123

@Saint Anima: ROFL, I mean the battery is bette