The new Nintendo DS will retail in the U.S. for $169.99 - $40 more than the currently offered DSLite. According to Gamasutra, the European price is £149.99 ($216/€170) compared to the £99.99 ($144/€114) DSLite.
The DSi will sell in Australia for AU $299.99 compared to the DSLite’s AU $199.99. The DSi will be available in the U.S. in black and blue units while in Europe it will launch in black and white. Game Stop has already started a program to reserve systems.
The DSi, which launched in Japan last November, is the third iteration of Nintendo’s top-selling handheld game platform since it launched in 2004. While the DSLite only brought cosmetic changes, the DSi will have new software and hardware functionality.
The DSi’s Improvements: The System
The DSi is named for its two cameras – one facing outward and one facing towards the user. This and the DSi’s other hardware additions are to support advancements on the software end.
The DSi is smaller and lighter than the DSLite but has a larger screen. Examinations inside the system also suggest that the DSi is more powerful than the DSLite. The DSi is also made for extra storage.
Although the Game Boy Advance cartridge slot is gone on the DSi, it now carries 256 megabytes of internal storage and a slot for SD cards. This added hardware is for the sake of the DSi’s expanded software capabilities.
The DSi’s Improvements: The Games
The DSi will come with a new operating system for expanded media and online functionality. Japanese users have enjoyed an online store available through the system offering downloadable games under Nintendo’s “DSiWare” label priced between $2 and $8. This store works similarly to the Nintendo Wii’s Wii Shop Channel.
Currently there are nearly 30 games available on DSiWare in Japan. They include smaller versions of many physical DS game like Brain Training and Planet Puzzle League. There are also applications for non-gaming functions available. The first North American DSiWare game – Moving Memo, was announced at the DICE summit according to IGN.com.
The new OS with its upgradable firmware and online store are a first for Nintendo handhelds. Sony’s Playstation Portable has had upgradable firmware since its launch in 2005 and has been able to access the online Playstation Store directly since last October.
In addition to downloadable games, the DSi will also come with a web browser along with photo editing and music playback functionality for AAC files.
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