Nintendo DSi Review (with link to photo gallery)
It’s hard to argue that Nintendo can’t make successful hardware. Even when they haven’t had the most powerful console on the market, they still seem to find their products in homes by the millions. A dual-screened, touch-supporting oddity released at the tail-end of 2004, the Nintendo DS, had over 20 million units sold in the first 18 months of retail. The system was bulky, too large to fit into a pocket, and there were complaints to be made about the brightness settings and intensity. At that 18 month point, the DS Lite hit the market with a vengeance. Slimmer, sleeker, brighter screen; all issues from the original DS were addressed. Even the introduction of a new proprietary power port and a shorter Game Boy Advance slot that required cartridges to stick out over the edge were forgiven. Less than three years after release, more than 75 million DS Lites have been sold, bringing the total DS family sales within 5% of 100 million as of the start of 2009. Not one to rest on their laurels, Nintendo has pushed a third generation DS to the market, the Nintendo DSi.
The Nintendo DSi gets its extra letter for its increased network support and internet connectivity. The “i” in the product name is enclosed in a black circle resembling a homophonic eye. This is likely deliberate as perhaps the most readily notable difference from previous hardware iterations is the integration of cameras. Yes, the plural: cameras. There is one mounted on the outside of the clam-shell case and the other is on the inside hinge allowing pictures to be of oneself or whatever the DS is pointing at. Both appear to use the same sensor, only one can be used at a time, and produce fairly low quality, 640x480, pictures that can be saved to the 256MB internal memory or to a Secure Digital card. That’s right, it has internal storage and an SD slot, just like the Wii which we’ll see has further influence on the new handheld.
Physically, the camera lens on the outside of the case is the only immediate distinguishing mark between the DS Lite and the DSi. They have the same height and depth, but a side-by-side comparison shows that the DSi is a little wider than the Lite. Further examination reveals the lack of a GBA slot on the bottom of the unit and the addition of an SD card reader (with a protective cover) on the right side. The volume slider has been removed in favor of buttons on the left-hand side nearly flush against the body. The power button is also absent. The L and R triggers, no longer hanging over the sides, have a more button-like feel and now have a silhouette of a camera etched on them. The result of these changes is a cleaner looking, less busy exterior. Finally, the power port remains on top, but has been redesigned, meaning previous Nintendo power adapters are no good here. The lid of the DSi loses the glossy, fingerprint magnet surface of the Lite in favor of a matte finish, a welcome revision.
The button layout on the inside of the unit is pretty much the same save for the gray power button now located by the bottom left of the touch screen. The screen is about a quarter inch larger than the DS and Lite, though the resolution remains the same. On the inside of the hinge is the second camera. Since it is enclosed within the case, it doesn’t need the protective shield of the other lens and has, therefore, a much smaller footprint. The power button stands out, likely to reduce the chance of accidental pressing, and hardly sticks out over the rest of the casing. For those of us with large fingers, a full press of the button takes a little effort.
The first boot of the system opens with a setup procedure. In addition to entering user information and setting the time/date, there are a couple of built-in tutorials to help you familiarize yourself with the console. After that is complete, you have free roam of the system menu. Just like the Wii, content is distributed into channels, including one for the DS cartridge. A much welcomed addition to this new interface is the ability to remove and replace a game disk while the system is running (not while in-game, though, for obvious reasons). Another notable channel is the DSi Shop, where you can use DSi Points to purchase DSi Ware. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? In fact, much of the new features regarding the interface are adapted from the Wii including updatable firmware, a first for a Nintendo handheld. Current titles are priced between 200 and 800 points. Points can be purchased online with a credit card or by redeeming store-bought points cards. Even though the Nintendo Points cards can be used to add Wii or DSi points to your account, they are not transferrable and each card can only be redeemed to one account (all 2000 points go to the DSi store or all go to the Wii store). All DSi’s that connect to the store prior to October 5 of this year will get 1000 points for free (a $10 value) adding at least some incentive to poke around in there. On the subject of internet connectivity, the network setup, which also now resembles the one from the Wii, now supports WPA2 encryption for use on modern wireless networks without needing to compromise on security. Unfortunately, online gaming with classic DS titles cannot be done over a WPA or WPA2 encrypted network. If you have to connect, I’d recommend connecting a second wireless router while using a WEP signal, not broadcasting the SSID, and restricting access to only the DS consoles.
Back on the camera, while the resolution may is laughable compared to those included with netbooks in the same general price point and even cellphones, it is more than enough for the 3.25” screens of the DSi. But resolution is only half the fun. The camera channel boasts a flurry of lenses and effects to apply to already-taken photos and the current image. A button in the bottom left switches between the two cameras (with a two-second delay or so) and photos can be snapped by pressing either of the two trigger buttons, the A button, or pressing the camera button on the screen. None of the effects are particularly mind-blowing, but can still provide some amusement, especially when the face detection/tracking works. It really feels more like the second generation of the Game Boy Camera without built-in mini games. Those, however, come in with the anticipated release of DSi-only and DSi-enhanced games. Nintendo has plans to release game carts that make use of DSi features, most likely the cameras, for at least some aspect of gameplay. A quick run-through of camera-based microgame collection Warioware: Snapped (one of the four DSi Ware titles available at the North American launch April 5) suggested that heavy reliance on the camera may cause headache for gamers. In addition to spotty tracking and face detection, the game requires “proper” lighting conditions and sufficient contrast between your face and the background in order to run. If you have a tan or beige wall, you’re out of luck. Additionally, the game requires your hands be free, meaning you need a table or counter to set the system on that faces a contrasting background. Hopefully, a system update and software update will make such titles more playable.
The Wii recently received an update to allow SDHC (larger capacity SD cards) and, most importantly, allow downloaded content to be saved to the card where it could be loaded into and run from the system’s RAM. Sadly, this feature is notably missing in the DSi, likely due to having only 16MB available (still four times that of the Lite). Instead, the SD card is used for storing pictures and music as well as facilitating the transfer of files between the DSi and a computer. Music playback is supported, but just barely, and continues playing even when the system is closed. There is no support for WAV, WMA, FLAC, OGG or even MP3 formats. That’s right, the most widely used audio format can’t run on the DSi. Instead, AAC files (unprotected), the default format of iTunes downloads, are the only option. The Sound Channel can also be used to record sound with the DSi’s built in microphone. Just like the camera channel, there are a few tweaks that can be made to the audio during playback such as pitch adjustments and voice modulation.
One bug I’ve found especially troublesome is compatibility with my DS games. I only have a handful with me, but only half of them work with the DSi. Notable error-producing titles include Final Fantasy III and Mario Kart DS, the latter of which is one of the most popular and acclaimed titles on the DS platform. I don’t yet know if this is a common problem, but it could generate a firestorm amongst gamers if it is. Once I regain access to the rest of my DS collection, I’ll certainly try the rest of my games to make sure they work. For compatible games, they will occasionally have poor detection in the DSi menu with the cartridge channel blinking between the game and the empty channel icons. This is easily solved by removing and replacing the cartridge, but it really shouldn’t happen in the first place. The only other complaint I’ve had so far has been the hinge. Unlike the DS and the Lite, the hinge feels loose, almost like that on an over-used laptop. It also deserves mention that the battery life is actually less than that of the Lite. I burned through half my battery in less than 3 hours (default brightness, wireless enabled). Here’s hoping for an expanded battery option sometime soon.
Conclusion:
Nintendo appears to have taken a one step forward, one step back approach with the DSi. Each new feature carries with it a string of caveats that will likely dissuade even the loyal fanbase. Furthermore, some of the compromises give the impression that some of these features were more of an afterthought or reluctant addition than a design characteristic. It is fortunate that the system’s firmware can be updated to fix some of the current issues. The dual cameras make for an interesting toy, but there is no indication that they will be used for anything worthwhile or at least genuinely entertaining. The lack of DSi and Wii point synchronization is thoroughly disappointing especially given the library differential between the two stores. I wouldn’t feel comfortable about committing 2000 of my points to the DSi when there is no indication of there being 2000 points’ worth of quality downloads.
If you already have a DS Lite and all stands as is, I’d have to recommend strongly against getting the DSi as the compatibility and run-time issues are unforgivable given the $170 price tag. It is likely that some, if not all of the issues, are not widespread or can at least be fixed either by firmware or by replacement. I don’t want my poor experience with a potentially-faulty piece of hardware to impact my judgment, so we’ll assume that the found faults did not exist (be wary, though). In that light, I still have to say that the DSi doesn’t present any real value now. Some of the new features are nice, but have yet to be utilized effectively and certainly aren’t worth the drop in playing time thanks to the smaller battery. Once the DSi Ware catalog expands and DSi specific games find release, it may be worth a second look. In the meantime, save your money.
If you don't yet have a DS of any variety, you'd still be hard pressed right now to spend the extra $40 for the DSi, but that could make up for itself once DSi exclusive titles hit the market. If you can, I'd still advise waiting to see what is on the horizon. If the DSi ends up as a flop (think Virtual Boy), you can still save yourself a little money and get compatibility with GBA games, the Rumble Pak, and the Guitar Hero games, both of which require the GBA slot for the guitar hand grip.
Check out a small photo gallery on Flickr for pictures of the DSi and some comparison shots with a DS Lite.
EDIT: Notable omissions from the review areas follows: DSi CPU is now 133MHz versus 66MHz in previous versions, the power button can be pressed in game to return to the DSi menu, Opera web browser available for free in DSi Store, but functions poorly, not compatible with hack cards like R4 (though AceKard 3 does work), better contrast than DS Lite, only available in two colors: black and powder blue.
The Nintendo DSi gets its extra letter for its increased network support and internet connectivity. The “i” in the product name is enclosed in a black circle resembling a homophonic eye. This is likely deliberate as perhaps the most readily notable difference from previous hardware iterations is the integration of cameras. Yes, the plural: cameras. There is one mounted on the outside of the clam-shell case and the other is on the inside hinge allowing pictures to be of oneself or whatever the DS is pointing at. Both appear to use the same sensor, only one can be used at a time, and produce fairly low quality, 640x480, pictures that can be saved to the 256MB internal memory or to a Secure Digital card. That’s right, it has internal storage and an SD slot, just like the Wii which we’ll see has further influence on the new handheld.
Physically, the camera lens on the outside of the case is the only immediate distinguishing mark between the DS Lite and the DSi. They have the same height and depth, but a side-by-side comparison shows that the DSi is a little wider than the Lite. Further examination reveals the lack of a GBA slot on the bottom of the unit and the addition of an SD card reader (with a protective cover) on the right side. The volume slider has been removed in favor of buttons on the left-hand side nearly flush against the body. The power button is also absent. The L and R triggers, no longer hanging over the sides, have a more button-like feel and now have a silhouette of a camera etched on them. The result of these changes is a cleaner looking, less busy exterior. Finally, the power port remains on top, but has been redesigned, meaning previous Nintendo power adapters are no good here. The lid of the DSi loses the glossy, fingerprint magnet surface of the Lite in favor of a matte finish, a welcome revision.
The button layout on the inside of the unit is pretty much the same save for the gray power button now located by the bottom left of the touch screen. The screen is about a quarter inch larger than the DS and Lite, though the resolution remains the same. On the inside of the hinge is the second camera. Since it is enclosed within the case, it doesn’t need the protective shield of the other lens and has, therefore, a much smaller footprint. The power button stands out, likely to reduce the chance of accidental pressing, and hardly sticks out over the rest of the casing. For those of us with large fingers, a full press of the button takes a little effort.
The first boot of the system opens with a setup procedure. In addition to entering user information and setting the time/date, there are a couple of built-in tutorials to help you familiarize yourself with the console. After that is complete, you have free roam of the system menu. Just like the Wii, content is distributed into channels, including one for the DS cartridge. A much welcomed addition to this new interface is the ability to remove and replace a game disk while the system is running (not while in-game, though, for obvious reasons). Another notable channel is the DSi Shop, where you can use DSi Points to purchase DSi Ware. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? In fact, much of the new features regarding the interface are adapted from the Wii including updatable firmware, a first for a Nintendo handheld. Current titles are priced between 200 and 800 points. Points can be purchased online with a credit card or by redeeming store-bought points cards. Even though the Nintendo Points cards can be used to add Wii or DSi points to your account, they are not transferrable and each card can only be redeemed to one account (all 2000 points go to the DSi store or all go to the Wii store). All DSi’s that connect to the store prior to October 5 of this year will get 1000 points for free (a $10 value) adding at least some incentive to poke around in there. On the subject of internet connectivity, the network setup, which also now resembles the one from the Wii, now supports WPA2 encryption for use on modern wireless networks without needing to compromise on security. Unfortunately, online gaming with classic DS titles cannot be done over a WPA or WPA2 encrypted network. If you have to connect, I’d recommend connecting a second wireless router while using a WEP signal, not broadcasting the SSID, and restricting access to only the DS consoles.
Back on the camera, while the resolution may is laughable compared to those included with netbooks in the same general price point and even cellphones, it is more than enough for the 3.25” screens of the DSi. But resolution is only half the fun. The camera channel boasts a flurry of lenses and effects to apply to already-taken photos and the current image. A button in the bottom left switches between the two cameras (with a two-second delay or so) and photos can be snapped by pressing either of the two trigger buttons, the A button, or pressing the camera button on the screen. None of the effects are particularly mind-blowing, but can still provide some amusement, especially when the face detection/tracking works. It really feels more like the second generation of the Game Boy Camera without built-in mini games. Those, however, come in with the anticipated release of DSi-only and DSi-enhanced games. Nintendo has plans to release game carts that make use of DSi features, most likely the cameras, for at least some aspect of gameplay. A quick run-through of camera-based microgame collection Warioware: Snapped (one of the four DSi Ware titles available at the North American launch April 5) suggested that heavy reliance on the camera may cause headache for gamers. In addition to spotty tracking and face detection, the game requires “proper” lighting conditions and sufficient contrast between your face and the background in order to run. If you have a tan or beige wall, you’re out of luck. Additionally, the game requires your hands be free, meaning you need a table or counter to set the system on that faces a contrasting background. Hopefully, a system update and software update will make such titles more playable.
The Wii recently received an update to allow SDHC (larger capacity SD cards) and, most importantly, allow downloaded content to be saved to the card where it could be loaded into and run from the system’s RAM. Sadly, this feature is notably missing in the DSi, likely due to having only 16MB available (still four times that of the Lite). Instead, the SD card is used for storing pictures and music as well as facilitating the transfer of files between the DSi and a computer. Music playback is supported, but just barely, and continues playing even when the system is closed. There is no support for WAV, WMA, FLAC, OGG or even MP3 formats. That’s right, the most widely used audio format can’t run on the DSi. Instead, AAC files (unprotected), the default format of iTunes downloads, are the only option. The Sound Channel can also be used to record sound with the DSi’s built in microphone. Just like the camera channel, there are a few tweaks that can be made to the audio during playback such as pitch adjustments and voice modulation.
One bug I’ve found especially troublesome is compatibility with my DS games. I only have a handful with me, but only half of them work with the DSi. Notable error-producing titles include Final Fantasy III and Mario Kart DS, the latter of which is one of the most popular and acclaimed titles on the DS platform. I don’t yet know if this is a common problem, but it could generate a firestorm amongst gamers if it is. Once I regain access to the rest of my DS collection, I’ll certainly try the rest of my games to make sure they work. For compatible games, they will occasionally have poor detection in the DSi menu with the cartridge channel blinking between the game and the empty channel icons. This is easily solved by removing and replacing the cartridge, but it really shouldn’t happen in the first place. The only other complaint I’ve had so far has been the hinge. Unlike the DS and the Lite, the hinge feels loose, almost like that on an over-used laptop. It also deserves mention that the battery life is actually less than that of the Lite. I burned through half my battery in less than 3 hours (default brightness, wireless enabled). Here’s hoping for an expanded battery option sometime soon.
Conclusion:
Nintendo appears to have taken a one step forward, one step back approach with the DSi. Each new feature carries with it a string of caveats that will likely dissuade even the loyal fanbase. Furthermore, some of the compromises give the impression that some of these features were more of an afterthought or reluctant addition than a design characteristic. It is fortunate that the system’s firmware can be updated to fix some of the current issues. The dual cameras make for an interesting toy, but there is no indication that they will be used for anything worthwhile or at least genuinely entertaining. The lack of DSi and Wii point synchronization is thoroughly disappointing especially given the library differential between the two stores. I wouldn’t feel comfortable about committing 2000 of my points to the DSi when there is no indication of there being 2000 points’ worth of quality downloads.
If you already have a DS Lite and all stands as is, I’d have to recommend strongly against getting the DSi as the compatibility and run-time issues are unforgivable given the $170 price tag. It is likely that some, if not all of the issues, are not widespread or can at least be fixed either by firmware or by replacement. I don’t want my poor experience with a potentially-faulty piece of hardware to impact my judgment, so we’ll assume that the found faults did not exist (be wary, though). In that light, I still have to say that the DSi doesn’t present any real value now. Some of the new features are nice, but have yet to be utilized effectively and certainly aren’t worth the drop in playing time thanks to the smaller battery. Once the DSi Ware catalog expands and DSi specific games find release, it may be worth a second look. In the meantime, save your money.
If you don't yet have a DS of any variety, you'd still be hard pressed right now to spend the extra $40 for the DSi, but that could make up for itself once DSi exclusive titles hit the market. If you can, I'd still advise waiting to see what is on the horizon. If the DSi ends up as a flop (think Virtual Boy), you can still save yourself a little money and get compatibility with GBA games, the Rumble Pak, and the Guitar Hero games, both of which require the GBA slot for the guitar hand grip.
Check out a small photo gallery on Flickr for pictures of the DSi and some comparison shots with a DS Lite.
EDIT: Notable omissions from the review areas follows: DSi CPU is now 133MHz versus 66MHz in previous versions, the power button can be pressed in game to return to the DSi menu, Opera web browser available for free in DSi Store, but functions poorly, not compatible with hack cards like R4 (though AceKard 3 does work), better contrast than DS Lite, only available in two colors: black and powder blue.