Tag: DSi
Force feedback and rumble heading to the next DS?
Nintendo has filed a patent for a new force feedback system which has sparked speculation that the next DS handheld console will have rumble features. The patent, which is an add-on to one previously filed in 2005, seemingly shows the…
DSi XL hits UK stores in March
The new, larger-screened Nintendo DSi XL handheld will be hitting shops on March 5th. The dual screens are now a massive 4.2 inches big, 93% larger than those found on the DS Lite. This new DS will also come with…
5 reasons why we love the Nintendo DS
Nintendo revealed today that over 10 million DS consoles have been sold in the UK so far. That staggering figure means one in six Brits now own a DS, and are happily catching Pokemon or training their brains. It makes…
Nintendo updating DSi with bigger screens
Yet another version of the handheld console is on its way.
Nintendo DSi vs Sony PSP Go!
This morning we got some details on the the Sony PSP2, which they now seem to be calling the “PSP Go!”. I thought it’d be interesting to compare and contrast it with the Nintendo DSi, which is by far Sony’s greatest competition in the handheld market.
Storage
Sony’s completely dumping the UMD format, after it’s been such a massive flop. The new PSP will instead have plenty of storage onboard – 16GB or 8GB, and let you download content to the device over the air.
The DSi still relies on cartridges, though I suspect that’s for backwards compatibility more than anything else. The latest version of the handheld lets you download content over-the-air as well, and you can store the content on an SD card upto 16GB.
Game Catalogue
For the PSP Go! there’ll be 100 titles available at launch, including Gran Turismo. Any games you own for your PSP won’t work, as the UMD format won’t be supported. All DS games are still compatible with the DSi, though there’s far fewer titles available in Nintendo’s download store.
Controls
While the DSi’s much touted touchscreen has proved a bit of a headache for some games developers, others have used it fantastically. There’s no word yet on whether the PSP Go! will have a touchscreen but it will have an analog stick, a feature sadly missing from Ninty’s handheld.
Size and shape
We don’t know how big the PSP Go! will be, yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s rather more compact than the rather chunky original PSP. What we do know is that the slide-out screen will definitely be present.
The DSi, on the other hand, is a svelte 137mm x 74.9mm x 18.9mm and 214g. It folds in half like a book, and can easily be slipped into a coat pocket. Portability is obviously an important factor for these devices.
Release date
The DSi came out on April 3rd 2009 in Europe, and in November 2008 in Japan. The PSP Go! won’t be out until the last quarter of 2009, i.e. not before October. It’ll be shown off at E3 in June, though, so we should get some pictures of it soon that we can use in place of all the concept art that we’ve been employing up till now.
Conclusions
The most important things for Sony to get right are the look of the thing, and the game catalogue available. It’d be a good move for them to implement a system where you can get your old games on download when the PSP Go! is released, otherwise I think there’ll be a certain amount of consumer backlash.
As for me, though, I’m sticking with my DS Lite. I don’t feel the push, just yet, to switch to downloadable games – particularly as backing them up seems to be an issue. When the next generation of devices comes round, I’ll be ready.
Skype client "technically possible" for the Nintendo DSi
The Nintendo DSi takes a step closer to becoming a mobile phone after Skype reps confirmed that a VoIP client is technically possible for the device. The company refused to confirm or deny the suggestion that it’s actively developing for the device.
It’s already possible to run VoIP software on the DS and DS Lite, via the installation of the SvSIP homebrew application, but homebrew applications are currently blocked on the DSi due to piracy worries.
Skype applications are already available on most mobile phones and the PSP, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the company had at least some form of DSi client in internal development.
Given Nintendo’s intention to build the DSi into more than just a gaming device, it’s difficult to see any reason why they wouldn’t approve such an app, unless they’re planning a VoIP client of their own, which has been rumoured.
(via Tech Radar)
GALLERY: Fun with the Nintendo DSi's camera
The headline feature of the Nintendo DSi is that it’s now packing a couple of low-resolution cameras. Because there aren’t currently any games that support the feature, Nintendo’s built some fun camera software into the device that will let do silly stuff with pictures.
So we thought we’d show you what you can do with it. You also get to meet the residents of Shiny Towers. Click into the post to begin.
Nintendo reveals initial offerings on DSiWare
Nintendo has just announced the games and applications that’ll be available at launch for the DSiWare channel on the new Nintendo DSi. The console, which we reviewed here, has functionality allowing for the downloading of new software. Here’s what you’ll get:
- Nintendo DSi Browser – to surf the internet on your DSi
- Paper Plane – guide a paper aircraft through a maze
- Pyoro – catch fruit using a bird’s tongue
- WarioWare: Snapped! – move your hands and face in front of the camera to complete superquick mini-games
- Art Style: AQUITE – help a diver reach the bottom of the ocean
- Art Style: CODE – numerical puzzle game requiring you to turn the DSi on its side
These titles will be available for “Nintendo points” that can be earned either by buying games or by buying them separately. Registering your console will immediately give you 1,000 points free, too. Games and apps will either be free or cost 200, 500 or 800+ points.
DSi downloadable content to rival iPhone app store?
While it has been known for a while that the Nintendo DSi will offer downloadable mini games to play off the machine’s flash memory with a shop like the Wii’s, it appears Nintendo have plans for content beyond games in a move that bears more than a passing resemblance to what Apple have done with the iPhone app store.
This is according to reports emanating from the Nintendo Developer Conference from last week, that suggest Nintendo want a whole host of useful applications that move beyond gaming. Currently the Japanese version of the DSi store only has one third party application on there – Mojipittan Shiritori Clock – the sole function of which is revealed from the last word in its title.
SHINY VIDEO REVIEW: Nintendo DSi
Since its release in 2004, Nintendo has managed to shift nearly 100 million of the diminutive Nintendo DS handhelds. That places the device fourth in the best-selling-consoles-of-all-time list, behind the Playstation, (102m), Game Boy (118m) and the Playstation 2 (140m).
But Nintendo isn’t ready to give up just yet. The company will be launching the DSi on April 4th, which features bigger screens, a faster processor, two cameras and an MP3 player, among other things. I got my hands on it a few days ago, and above you can see what I thought.
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