Nintendo DSi Buyer's Guide

5/1/2009 6:13 PM | 1 Comments | Page 1 of 4

Nintendo's never been one to leave well enough alone when it comes to hardware. The original Nintendo Entertainment System begat a smaller, top-loading version of the system near the end of its life. The original Game Boy gave way to the smaller, sharper Game Boy Pocket. The clunky Game Boy Advance preceded the svelte, flip-folding Game Boy Advance SP, which itself preceded the tiny, tiny Game Boy Micro.

So it is with the Nintendo DS. After overhauling the original 2004 system with the smaller, sleeker DS Lite upgrade in 2006, Nintendo still couldn't stop tinkering. The DSi, released in North America on Apr. 5, 2009, again refines Nintendo's dual-screen portable with a new form factor, new multimedia features and even a new online shop from which to download new games.

Is all this newness worth the $169.99 sticker price? Read on to find out.

Is it a new system?

First things first, this is not a brand-new branch on Nintendo's portable gaming family tree. Consider it more of a new leaf on the well-established and thriving Nintendo DS branch. The DSi's main function is still playing the hundreds of DS games currently available. Despite the potential of the new DSi Shop, most DS games for the foreseeable future will still be released on cards that can be played equally well on the original DS, DS Lite and DSi. Nintendo does have some nebulous plans for future "enhanced game cards" that will offer features that are exclusive to the DSi, but these games will still be largely playable on older DS units.

So why invest in a DSi over another, cheaper DS? The major upgrades (and occasional downgrades) are outlined below. Read up and see if you think they're worth your money.

New hardware

The formerly top-of-the-line DS Lite has been further refined for the DSi design. Below is a list of the major changes you'll see in the new system over the DS Lite, in descending order of importance. Downsides are marked with a minus (-), positives with a plus sign (+), and neutral changes with an asterisk (*).

- No Game Boy Advance slot: The DSi removes the bottom-feeding unit that allowed the original DS and DS Lite to play any of the hundreds of games originally designed for the Game Boy Advance. It's a big blow to the portable library, and it also means DSi owners can't play games that use the Game Boy Advance slot for hardware attachments, including the DS versions of the Guitar Hero series.

+ Cameras/SD Card Slot: Not present on the DS Lite, these new hardware features provide new multimedia features, discussed in further detail in the section below.

+ Matte black finish: Makes the system easier to grip and much nicer to look at. Also makes the exterior more resistant to smudges and fingerprints.

+ Tighter buttons: The slightly spongy buttons on the DS Lite have been replaced with smaller, tighter buttons that spring back with a small, satisfying click. In addition, the shoulder buttons rise up above the system ever so slightly, making them easier to feel out with your index fingers.