Manufacturer | Nintendo |
---|---|
Product family | Nintendo DS |
Type | Handheld game console |
Generation | Seventh generation era |
Retail availability |
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Units shipped | Worldwide: 18.82 million (as of June 30, 2010) (details) |
Media | Nintendo DS Game Card Nintendo DSi Game Card Secure Digital card (SD card) Secure Digital High Capacity card (SDHC card) Digital distribution |
CPU | 2 ARM architecture processors[cn 1] |
Storage capacity | Cartridge save 256 MB internal flash memory SD/SDHC card (up to 32 GB) |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi |
Online services | Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo DSi Shop, Nintendo Zone |
Predecessor | Nintendo DS Lite (concurrent) |
Successor | Nintendo DSi XL (concurrent) Nintendo 3DS |
The Nintendo DSi (ニンテンドーDSi )[1] is a handheld game system created by Nintendo and released between 2008 and 2009 in Japan, Australasia, Europe, North America, and China. It is a seventh-generation console and the third iteration of Nintendo DS; its primary market rival is Sony's PlayStation Portable. A larger model, entitled Nintendo DSi XL, was released between 2009 and 2010 in Japan, Europe, and North America.
Development of the DSi began in late 2006, and it was unveiled during an October 2008 Nintendo conference in Tokyo. While the DSi's design is similar to that of the DS Lite, it features two digital cameras, supports internal and external content storage, and connects to an online store called the Nintendo DSi Shop. This new functionality was intended to facilitate personalization, so as to encourage each member of a household to purchase an individual DSi.
Reviewers were generally positive in their reception of the Nintendo DSi; although they decried the console's lack of exclusive software, its added functionality caused many to recommend it to non-owners of prior DS models. CNET.com and PC World considered the DSi Shop to be the largest buying incentive for current DS owners.
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Conception of the Nintendo DSi began at the end of 2006, around the time of the Wii's release.[2] Following instructions from his supervisor, Masato Kuwahara of Nintendo's Engineering Department started development of the project. Kuwahara reported that his team had difficulty marketing the handheld during production; he said of their goal, "We have to be able to sell the console on its own. It also has to be able to meld into the already-existing DS market".[2] The console's digital cameras were considered early in development: Nintendo president and CEO Satoru Iwata described the touchscreen as the Nintendo DS's sense of touch, and the microphone as its "ears"; a co-worker suggested that it should have "eyes". Yui Ehara, designer of the Nintendo DS Lite and DSi's casing, advocated a change to the six speaker apertures, as their circular perforations were redundant with the rest of the handheld's interface. He believed that this alteration also signaled a clearer distinction between the DSi and its predecessors while keeping the unit "neat" and "simple", in that Ehara desired little intrusion from the DSi's added features that would interfere with the iconic image he wishes the Nintendo DS product line to be—two rectangles, one on top of the other, with each half containing another rectangle inside.[2]
The DSi's original design included two DS game card slots, due to demand from both fan communities and Nintendo employees. However, speaking about the console's in-company unveiling in October 2007, Kuwahara said that "the response wasn’t that great, and, ... we’d sort of been expecting that". The second game card slot was removed, which slimmed the handheld approximately 3 millimetres (0.12 in);[2] this model was publicly revealed at the October 2008 Nintendo Conference in Tokyo, along with its Japanese price and release date.[3] While the DS product line's worldwide yearly sales figures had consistently surpassed those of Sony's PlayStation Portable,[4][5] demand for it in Japan was decreasing; Nintendo's launch of the DSi was meant to stimulate sales. The company was less concerned with releasing the DSi in other territories, where market demand for the DS Lite remained high.[6][7]
Prior to the DSi's conception, Nintendo had designed a large DS Lite model with 3.8-inch screens, compared to the standard 3-inch screens; development of this new handheld advanced far enough that it could have begun mass production. However, the DS Lite's commercial success stalled its release, and the company later began efforts on the DSi. Iwata pitched the idea of simultaneously releasing large and small versions of the DSi, but Nintendo's hardware team was incapable of developing two models concurrently. After finishing work on the DSi, Kuwahara jump-started the DSi XL project and became project leader.[8] The DSi XL, a larger version of the DSi, has an improved viewing angle over its predecessor, which allows onlookers to see the screen's contents more easily. This feature was absent from the larger-screened DS Lite due to cost issues.[9] Various names for the DSi XL were considered, including "DSi Comfort," "DSi Executive," "DSi Premium", "DSi Living", and Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto heavily vouched for "DSi Deka" (Japanese for "large").[9]
On November 1, 2008, the DSi was released in Japan, in matte black and matte white;[10] its April 2, 2009 release in Australia and New Zealand, and its April 3 release in Europe, featured these same colors.[11][12] It launched in the United States and Canada on April 5, alongside the game Rhythm Heaven;[13] it was the first DS console to launch with multiple colors in North America[14]—matte black and matte blue. Its European and United States list prices were £149.99 and US$169.99, respectively.[13] Nintendo had shipped 200,000 units for the DSi's Japanese launch and during its first two days on sale, 170,779 units were sold according to sales tracking service Enterbrain;[15] or 171,925 units according to Media Create.[16] By the end of the month, it sold 535,379 units,[17] in comparison to 550,000 DS Lites sold in its launch month.[18] In the two-day launch period, Europe and North American sales totaled 600,000 units combined.[19] North American first week sales almost doubled the DS Lite's 226,300 units by selling 435,000.[20] In the United Kingdom, the console totaled 92,000 sales within two days of release,[21] which GfK/Chart-Track data showed to be the fourth-best opening weekend ever in the region—higher than previous records set by other DS iterations.[22]
DSi midnight launch events were held on the western and eastern coast of the United States. Nintendo sponsored an official launch event at the Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles and the Nintendo World Store in New York City.[14] The LA launch party featured several events including merchandise handouts, signings and art galleries from i am 8-bit, parkour demonstrations, and performances by Gym Class Heroes.[23][24] Hundreds attended and over 150 fans waited until midnight before heading into GameSpot to get a DSi unit.[23]
iQue released a Chinese DSi model, with a pre-installed version of Nintendogs, in December 2009;[25] the Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun reported that this model features improved security, in order to combat piracy.[26] On April 15, 2010, the DSi was launched in South Korea in white, black, blue and pink, alongside the game MapleStory DS. MapleStory DS will also be bundled with a red limited edition DSi, which will have characters from the game printed around its external camera.[27]
The Nintendo DSi XL (Nintendo DSi LL in Japan) was released in Japan on November 21, 2009 with three available colors: dark brown (bronze), wine red (burgundy), and natural white.[28] The former two colors were available for its European launch on March 5, 2010,[29] and for its North American launch on March 28.[30] In Japan and North America, it is more expensive than the original DSi—it carries a list price of $189.99 in the latter region.[30][31] In Europe, Nintendo sells the console to retailers for a higher price than the original DSi, but lets them decide on the consumer sale price.[32] The console launched in Australia on April 15, 2010 in bronze and burgundy. It adopted the former price of its predecessor, which dropped in price a day beforehand.[33]
Region | Units shipped | First available |
---|---|---|
Japan | 4.90 million | November 1, 2008 |
Americas | 7.35 million | April 5, 2009 |
Other regions | 6.57 million | April 2, 2009 |
Total | 18.82 million | |
Nintendo DSi XL sales figures (as of June 30, 2010)[34] |
||
Japan | 1.31 million | November 21, 2009 |
Americas | 1.03 million | March 28, 2010 |
Other regions | 1.32 million | March 5, 2010 |
Total | 3.65 million |
Nintendo targeted a wider demographic with the first Nintendo DS (2004) than it had with the Game Boy line.[3] Comparing 2008 life-to-date DS and DS Lite sales to the best selling game console, Sony's PlayStation 2,[35] showed potential in further expanding the Nintendo DS gaming population. To further promote the product line while expanding its gaming population, Nintendo modified its market expansion approach.[4] Satoru Iwata has said that families often share DS and DS Lite consoles, so to encourage each family member to buy an individual handheld, Nintendo added personalization features to the DSi.[4] The lower-case "i" in "DSi" symbolizes both an individual person ("I") and the handheld's cameras ("eyes"); the former meaning contrasts with the lower-case "i"'s in "Wii", which represent players gathering together.[36]
Iwata has said that the DSi is meant to be a first camera for children, and a social networking device for adults.[37] A Nintendo representative said that the company "hope[s] that the Nintendo DSi becomes more than a game system and more of a personal tool to enrich our daily lives".[38] In response to media commentary following the DSi's announcement, Iwata insisted that its new capabilities are not meant to compete with mobile phones, the iPod or the PSP.[4]
The DSi frequently topped weekly sales charts in Japan during its first year of availability, and it accounted for 40% of its product line's 2009 sales in the UK.[39][32] In the United States, the console's initial three-month sales surpassed those of the DS, DS Lite and Wii.[40] The DSi helped maintain strong sales for Nintendo's handheld product line. The average weekly sales rate of the Wii and Nintendo DS declined slightly in March; Nintendo DS hardware sales stabilized to over 200,000 units for seven months after the DSi's launch, while Wii sales continued to diminish. Gamasutra estimated that, during October 2009 and February 2010, 50% of Nintendo DS unit sales were DSi consoles.[41][42] In an October 2009 interview, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime announced that the DSi had sold 2.2 million units in the United States. He said, "If you give the consumer great value in terms of what they pay, they're willing to spend, and we say [that] based on the experience of launching the DSi".[43]
The Nintendo DSi's design is similar to that of the second DS iteration, the Nintendo DS Lite. It has two 3.25 inch TFT-LCD screens—.25 larger than those of previous models—that are capable of displaying 260,000 colors.[44][45] The lower screen is touch sensitive: it accepts input from the included stylus, or from the curved plastic tab attached to optional wrist straps. The handheld features four lettered buttons (X, Y, A, B), a directional pad, and Start, Select, and Power buttons. Two shoulder buttons, a game card slot, and a power cable input are placed under the console's hinge.[46] The DSi is 74.9 mm long × 137 mm wide × 18.9-mm tall (when closed), which is approximately 12% shorter (2.6 mm) than the Nintendo DS Lite, but slightly wider.[44][45]
Unlike previous models, the handheld has two VGA (0.3-megapixel) digital cameras. The first is placed on the internal hinge, and points toward the user; the second is on the outer casing, and faces away from the user.[47] Another new feature is the SD card slot, which is set behind a cover on the handheld's right side. While the DS Lite had a power switch, the DSi, like the original Nintendo DS, features a power button. The button has extra functions beyond activating and deactivating the console, and unlike the power button of the original DS, it is located on the bottom-left side of the touchscreen.[2] Brightness and volume controls are placed on the left side of the DSi; five brightness settings—one more than the DS Lite—are available. However, the console's battery life is shorter than that of the DS Lite, regardless of which brightness setting is selected;[48] for example, the DSi has a battery life of 9–14 hours on the lowest brightness setting, compared to the 15–19 hours of the DS Lite on the same setting.[49][50] The handheld uses an 840 mAh internal rechargeable battery, compared to 1000 mAh for the DS Lite,[48] and has a lifespan of approximately 500 charge cycles; after this point, it may be replaced by the user.[50]
The DSi has a matte surface to prevent the visibility of fingerprints.[2] It is available in seven colors, but only matte black and matte white are available in all regions. The lime green color is exclusive to Japan,[51] while pink is available in Japan, United Kingdom, North America, Australia and New Zealand;[52][53][54] the metallic blue color is available in Japan, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.[52][54][55] Matte blue (light blue) is exclusive to Europe and North America, while red is available in Europe.[13][55] Numerous special edition models and bundles have been released, including those for Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time, and the 2009 Black Friday shopping day.[56][57][58]
The DSi has more RAM and a faster CPU than the DS Lite;[59] the CPU was also relocated, and the battery housing raised to fill the unused space. Due to the inclusion of Codec IC, which amplifies sound and converts digital signals to analog, the DSi's audio output is louder and higher quality than previous DS models.[2]
The console does not include the Game Boy Advance (GBA) cartridge slot present on earlier models; Nintendo explained that its removal improved portability without sacrificing durability.[37] Because of this, the DSi is not backward compatible with GBA Game Paks, or with accessories that require the GBA slot, such as the Nintendo DS Rumble Pak and the Guitar Hero: On Tour series guitar grip.[60]
The Nintendo DSi XL, known in Japan as the Nintendo DSi LL (ニンテンドーDSi LL Nintendō Dī Esu Ai Eru Eru ), was announced on October 29, 2009: it features larger screens, and a greater overall size, than the original DSi.[28][66] It is the fourth model of Nintendo DS, and the first to be available as a size variation of the same model.[28][67] Satoru Iwata said that cost restraints had, until then, limited the screen size and multiplayer aspects of portable game consoles, and that the DSi XL offers "an improved view angle on the screens," which makes it the first "portable system that can be enjoyed with people surrounding the gamer".[67] He argued that this introduces a new method of playing portable video games, wherein those "surrounding the game player can also join in one way or the other to the gameplay".[67] While the original DSi was specifically designed for individual use, Iwata suggested that DSi XL buyers give the console a "steady place on a table in the living room", so that it might be shared by multiple household members.[67]
With a weight of 314 grams, and measurements of 91.4 mm long × 161 mm wide × 21.2 mm tall, the DSi XL is the longest, widest and heaviest DS model.[68][69] It features two 4.2-inch screens, and has improved battery life over the DSi on all brightness settings; for example, batteries last 13–17 hours on the lowest level of brightness.[69] The console is bundled with two longer styli, one of which is thicker, rounded and pen-like,[45][28] and does not fit inside the unit.[70] Flipnote Studio and the Nintendo DSi Browser come pre-installed with the DSi XL, alongside other, region-specific software.[29][30][71][72]
The DSi XL is available in six colors, but only bronze and burgundy are available in all regions. The white, green and yellow colors are exclusive to Japan, while blue (midnight blue) is available in Japan and North America.[10][73][74] The red, blue and yellow colors will be available in Australia and New Zealand on September 23, 2010.[75]
The DSi has more extensive multimedia features than previous DS models; pictures taken with its camera, downloadable software from Nintendo and AAC audio files from other devices can be stored to SD cards for future use.[65][76] Before taking a photograph with the "Nintendo DSi Camera" software, users may modify the viewfinder's live image with ten "lens" options.[77][78] Images captured with the DSi can be uploaded, via SD Cards, to the Wii's Photo Channel, and—for consoles with the 1.4 firmware update or greater—to the social networking website Facebook.[79][80]
The built-in "Nintendo DSi Sound" player has voice recording and music playback functionality. Voice recordings can be edited with audio filters, and manipulated through pitch and playback. Users may save and modify up to 18 ten-second sound clips recorded with the console's microphone.[48] These clips are saved on the unit itself and cannot be saved to SD card for export.[65] Users can also play music from SD cards with visualizations displayed on the upper screen.[48] AAC audio with .mp4, .m4a or .3GP filename extensions are supported, but not non-AAC formats including MP3.[81] Sounds like drum beats and the classic Mario jumping noises can be added with button presses. Playing music also has its own set of manipulation options similar to those used for voice recordings, as well as a group of audio filters.[48] If headphones are in use, compatible music files from SD cards may be played even when the DSi is closed.[13]
The Nintendo DSi connects to the Internet via either its built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi or a Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector; both methods grant access to the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service.[82] Due to regional differences in Internet services and parental controls, DSi-specific software is region locked. Cartridge software compatible with previous models, Internet browsing, and photo sharing are region-free.[83] The DSi supports WEP, WPA (AES/TKIP) and WPA2 (AES/TKIP) wireless encryption;[84] only software with built-in support may use the latter two encryption types, as they were not supported by the DS and DS Lite.[85][86] Up to six wireless Internet connection profiles can be saved; using the traditional setup method, the first three profiles support WEP encryption, while the remaining are selectable under a more advanced option, which support WPA encryption. Under this advanced option, users may access the Wi-Fi Protected Setup method and configure proxy settings.[87]
Like the Wii, the DSi features a menu interface that displays applications as selectable icons.[88] The seven primary icons represent card software, Nintendo DSi Camera, Nintendo DSi Sound, Nintendo DSi Shop, DS Download Play, PictoChat and system settings; additional applications may be downloaded from the DSi Shop. Icons are set in a grid navigable with the stylus or D-pad, and may be re-arranged via dragging-and-dropping.[89] The power button can either soft reset the console, returning it to the main menu or shut it down. An engineer from Nintendo's Developing Engineering Department commented that DSi software users have the additional options to "move around, return to the menu, or play a different game, without shutting down the power every time". Game cards may be hot swapped when the console is set to the main menu.[2]
Excepting such titles as the Guitar Hero: On Tour series, all DS games are compatible with the DSi.[90] Nintendo DSi-enhanced game cards contain DSi-exclusive features, but can still be used with earlier models; Nintendo DSi-exclusive game cards cannot.[91] The first DSi-exclusive retail game was System Flaw,[92] which was released in North America on October 27, 2009.[93] Homebrew flash cards designed for previous DS models are incompatible with the DSi,[47] but new cards capable of running DS software on a DSi have been created.[94]
Like the Wii, the DSi has upgradeable firmware,[14] and can connect to an online store. The store, called the DSi Shop,[64] allows users to download DSiWare games and applications, which are paid for with a Nintendo Points Prepaid Card (previously known as Wii Points Prepaid Card).[79] Application prices range from free to 200, 500 or 800+ Nintendo Points—equivalent to $2, $5 or $8+ respectively.[95] The service launched with the DSi Browser, a free web browser developed by Opera Software and Nintendo.[96][97] Purchased DSiWare is accessible only by the console on which it was purchased, unless that console is repaired or replaced by Nintendo.[98] A DSiWare trial campaign, whose expiration date varies by region, offers 1,000 free Nintendo Points to each DSi that accesses the DSi Shop.[cn 2]
The Nintendo DSi received generally positive reviews. Critics praised many of the console's changes to the DS Lite's aesthetic and functionality, but complained that it launched with insufficient exclusive software.[62][100][101][102][103] IGN's Craig Harris noted that the DSi-exclusive software library and DSi Shop were lacking in content even after five months on the Japanese market.[14] Jeff Bakalar of CNET.com said that owners of the original DS should consider buying a DSi, but that its only incentive for DS Lite owners was the DSi Shop.[97] PC World New Zealand's Jan Birkeland shared Bakalar's opinion, but believed that it was too early to judge the quality of DSi Shop software.[62] Many critics were disappointed by the removal of the Game Boy Advance cartridge slot,[47][88][97][100][104] but others, such as PC World's Darren Gladstone, Bit-tech's Joe Martin, and IGN's Harris and Lowe, believed that it was a reasonable exchange for SD card support and the DSi Shop.[47][100][104] However, CNET's Bakalar stated, "We'd gladly give up the 4 millimeters [of reduced thickness] to be able to play any Game Boy Advance game".[97]
Most reviewers criticized the quality of the DSi's cameras,[105][106] particularly due to their resolution, which is lower than that of mobile phones.[14][47][101][104] They considered them sufficient for the DSi's screens, however.[62][103][106][107] Harris and Lowe believed that the cameras' only use was to take "silly pictures of yourself and others". They complained about the difficulty of taking photographs in low-light environments, and said that even when such images were distinguishable, they were tinged green or blue.[100] Opinions on the DSi's photograph-editing tools were varied: Bit-tech's Martin and Reid considered them to be a gimmick,[47][101] but Bakalar, and Cliff Edwards of BusinessWeek, thought otherwise.[88][97] Edwards said that the cameras' use in gameplay was a new opportunity for developers; Martin did not think that the concept would be widely adopted, as he believed it to be "a gimmick that would alienate [...] DS Lite owners".[47][88] Eurogamer's Tom Bramwell speculated the DSi follows Game & Watch and Game Boy creator Gunpei Yokoi's philosophy of using dated technology developers are familiar with to introduce new game design concepts that are inexpensive enough for mass production at a profit. He argued its features are designed to "briefly entertain" early adopters while encouraging "developers to consider it as an alternative [of the DS Lite]" to build an attractive game library for the long term.[108]
Because of the DSi's additions to the DS Lite design, critics recommended the console to those who did not purchase previous DS models.[62][88][97][100][101][109] Pete Metzger of the Los Angeles Times considered the DSi to be "more like version 2.5 than a total reboot", but called its new features "worthwhile additions to an already great product".[109] PC World's Darren Gladstone gave the DSi a score of 75/100, and said that Nintendo "puts in smart nips and tucks to its already-svelte handheld while adding a raft of useful multimedia features".[104] Harris and Lowe defined the console's hardware redesign as "evolutionary", rather than "revolutionary".[100] After the DSi was unveiled, Goldman Sachs analyst Matthew J. Fassler called the DSi Shop a "tangible early threat" to big-box stores and retailers.[110] Martin believed that the cameras and DSi Shop did not justify purchasing the DSi at launch, but, in line with the general consensus, saw potential in future software for the console.[88][100][103][108][111][112]
Douglas Rankine of Wired UK thought previously existing games were revitalized with the Nintendo DSi XL's larger screens; games like Scribblenauts and Professor Layton benefit from increased touchscreen precision and increased legibility of text respectively.[113] IGN's Scott Lowe and Chris Burke pointed out the bigger screens made its unchanged resolution blockier, something which Ars Technica's Ben Kuchera claim will be a quick adjustment for gamers.[114] CVG's Mike Jackson speculated it would probably be less noticeable to the older demographic "for which the XL is clearly designed."[115]
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