Nintendo DSi

The Nintendo DSi (ニンテンドーDSi, Nintendō Dīesuai) is the third version of the Nintendo DS handheld gaming system. It was announced during the Nintendo Conference 2008 on October 2, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan. While it is a part of the DS series of handhelds, it has been stated that the DSi should be considered as a separate console next to the DS Lite and the Wii within the United States. The DSi is somewhat larger in size, but is thinner in depth. It is likely that it is this decrease in size is likely what forced the removal of the Game Boy Advance slot, as the bottom portion of the DSi is roughly 12mm. It introduces several other new features over the Nintendo DS Lite.

Differences Between the DS Lite and the DSi

 * It is 12% thinner.
 * Game Boy Advance slot removed.
 * Contains two 640x480 resolution digital cameras, one on the outside face (3 megapixels) and one facing the user on the inside (0.3 megapixels).
 * Improved speakers.
 * Larger screens.
 * Power switch replaced with a power button, with the added ability to simply reset the system back to the menu by lightly pressing the button.
 * Has a new slot for SD cards for storing images and software.
 * Built-in 256 MB of flash memory.
 * An online shop, much like the Wii Shop Channel, that allows for the downloading of various DSi applications and games, such as a re-worked Brain Age.
 * The points used for downloading content are system-unique. Meaning that one cannot transfer points between the Wii and DSi.
 * Due to higher power consumption, the battery life is shorted considerably from the DS Lite.
 * All DSi-specific software will have regional lockout and will not be compatible on a DS Lite.
 * Within the United States, the DSi will not be a replacement for the DS Lite. They will both be sold concurrently for an extended period of time.