Nintendo DSi Handheld Review
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The Nintendo DSi is the latest model of the DS handheld. It offers several new features that its predecessor, the DS lite, did not have, but also lacks a key feature that the DS lite had.
Let’s start with the new. The DSi’s dual screens are larger than that of the DS lite, but are the same resolution. The handheld is thinner, but longer than its predecessor. The DSi’s buttons and d-pad also feel much better than those of the Lite, more similar to the original DS. The DSi has improved wifi capabilities, now supporting WPA2 in DSi applications such as the Opera browser, but not in games that did not previously support it.
One of the main new features of the DSi is the ability to take photos. The DSi has one camera on the outside and one on the inner hinge, both at VGA (640×480) resolution. This is more of a gimmick than anything though as even my VGA resolution cell phone camera is of better quality. It does have one nice new feature though which is the ability to upload photos to Facebook.
The system also features a built-in SD card slot for added storage capabilities, as well as an improved sound system. You can even use your DSi as an audio player and it features an app with which you can remix or add effects to your music as you listen. Unfortunately you cannot save these remixes, but you can save mixes if you record them yourself using the DSi’s built in microphone.
The main point the DSi lacks is the Gameboy Advanced game slot which the DS lite has, giving you the capability to play both DS and GBA games on your handheld. It makes sense for Nintendo to do this because they are not making GBA games anymore, but it is still something that left some players sour over the DSi.
Lastly a big selling point for the DSi was the DSiWare store, which is similar to the App Store on the iPhone. Unfortunately this has seen a very weak offering thus far with very few titles worth purchasing.
Overall I would give the Nintendo DSi a 3/5 rating. While I am very happy with it as a gaming device overall, the lack of titles on the DSiWare shop and only gimicky features over the DS lite bring this down. If you do not own a DS at all or still own the original DS, I would recommend upgrading to a DSi, but if you are a DS lite owner, you are probably safe to stay with your lite for now.
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