Nintendo DSi

Nintendo DSi is the next incarnation of the hugely popular Nintendo DS. The Nintendo DSi brings with a host of new feature, such as the two DSi Cameras. As well as this Nintendo have created the Nintendo DSi Shop. Similar to the WiiWare shop for the Nintendo Wii and the App Shop for the iPhone, the DSiShop allows owners to buy DSiWare games and applications.

The main feature of the new DSi are its two new VGA 0.3 megapixel digital cameras. One on the outer casing and one pointing to the user on the internal hinge. To accompany the two cameras is an SD card slot, allowing you to save your photos and transport them onto a computer so they dont clog the memory of your DSi.

The Nintendo DSi also has multimedia capabilities. An SD card can be used not just for storing pictures, but for downloaded software from the DSiStore and to store AAC encoded music, which is played using the Nintendo DSi Sound feature and also acts as a voice recorder in conjunction with the microphone. The player also allows you to edit what ever audio is playing, by allowing you to add filters, adjust the pitch etc.

On the looks side, the DSi is pretty much the same apart from the accommodation of the two cameras and SD card. Nintendo have again managed to strip a bit more weight from the already thin previous model, the DS Lite. Specs-wise all is the same, apart from the increase in RAM up from 4mb to 16mb. Storage can be increased by 32gb with the addition of an SD card. Lastly, the new DSi has upgradeable firmware, like the Wii and Sonys PSP so any bugs found on release can be fixed as well as new features being incorporated as time goes on.

Overall the Nintendo DSi is a worthy update to the previous DS Lite. It incorporates new features that are natural in the DSs evolution and will hopefully produce some new and interesting games, which use these features. IF you havent checked out the Nintendo DS yet, then this is a great entry point, and if you have a DS Lite, just think of all those new features and youll see why this is a must have!

On this site you can find Nintendo DSi game reviews.

Nintendo are poised to release yet another addition to the ever expanding DS family; the Nintendo DSi XL. The general consensus has been that this addition is surplus to requirements, and in ways it is, but Nintendo were quick to assure gamers that this device is not meant to replace the existing DSi, merely to act as an alternative choice.

As the name suggests, the Nintendo DSi XL is a larger edition of the DSi. The frame has been substituted for a thick mould and the screens have been increased by almost a full inch to 4.2 inches. These larger screens are a welcome addition and bring the Nintendo DSi XL closer to the portable screen mastery of the PSP. Games appear larger and clearer than before and, slight pixelation aside, look much better.

Along with the screen, the XL has increased speaker size packed into the bigger frame. One of the minor complaints with the DSi is that the sound was found wanting in some areas, so these speakers should sort out this problem. The XL also returns to the snappy looking gloss finish of the original DS.

The Nintendo DSi XL is an alternative choice for those who prefer their gaming a little larger. Many gamers called for the DSi to be made smaller, sleeker and lighter to make the portability easier. On this note, the DSi is still the better choice. This new version is probably a better choice for those who use the DSi at home or when stationary rather than travelling.

So it really is a matter of choice. The Nintendo DSi XL offers a chunkier, bigger gaming experience but reduces the ease of travel associated with earlier incarnations. If this sounds like your kind of thing, then give it a go. If not dont worry! The existing DSi is going to be around for a long while yet!