Nintendo DSi UK release date and pricing announced

by Steven Williamson on 19 February 2009, 09:50

Tags: Nintendo DSi, Nintendo (TYO:7974)

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Nintendo has confirmed that its upgraded DS console, DSi, will be released in the UK on April 3rd and will cost approximately £149.

The DSi will be available in both white and black versions and will include two cameras, a bigger screen, a DS-specific download service, an SD card slot, and music playback functions.

The new DSi screen will be 3.25 inches diagonal width, 0.25 inches bigger than that of the DS Lite. It will also be thinner than the DS Lite, measuring 137 millimeters x 74.9mm x 18.9mm, in comparison to 133mm x 73.9mm x 21.5m and will also be 4 grams lighter.

Hardware improvements include a better battery recharge time, on-board memory and an SD card slot.

Users will also be able to use a new online download service featuring DSi points, similar to Wii ware, that will allow us to download full games.

Other features include:

Built-in web browser
Improved audio
Backwards compatibility with the DS Lite (no Gameboy advance games though)
DS and Wii compatibility, which will allow you to take pictures with your DS and play them on your TV via Wii.

In the list of specifications, there does appear to be a backwards step for the handheld - the battery life. With the DSi, battery life will be shortened from 15-19 hours of play at minimum level of LCD brightness and 5-8 at full brightness (DS Lite specs), to 8-15 and 3-4 hours respectively.





The full specs can be found at the official site, however, if you can't speak Japanese you're stuffed. Alternatively, head over to IGN , who have kindly translated it.


HEXUS Forums :: 13 Comments

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For me, there's nothing there that screams, “Replace your DS Lite with me!”, quite enough…
NightshadowUK
For me, there's nothing there that screams, “Replace your DS Lite with me!”, quite enough…

Couldnt agree more, surley battery life should be extended in a new model rather than shortend :confused:
Whats the point of the top screen being touch sensitive. No games will accomidate it as they will all still have to work on the older DS and lite.

Id buy it if the web browser had flash but i doubt it.
Totally pointless upgrade. As pointed out the 2nd touch screen won't get used otherwise they alienate people with an old DS. Plus battery life seems to be terrible. Another attempt to milk some more out of people.
There is no second touch screen according to Nintendo and just got this from Game:

Dear Customer,

You may have noticed that we have already contacted you this morning regarding the
Nintendo DSi, which was officially announced to the European market today.

Unfortunately we've had a bit of a hiccup!

In this email we listed the new features that can be expected with the DSi on launch.

One of these bullet points stated that the DSi will come with 2 touch screens, unfortunately
this is not the case.

The DSi will come with only one touch screen, the same as the DS, however both screens
on the DSi have been expanded to 3.25inches.

We're obviously sorry for this miscommunication, however we hope you share our colossal
excitement for the DSi release on the 3rd April.

Kind Regards,

The Customer Service Team
GAME.co.uk