Nintendo DSi
Encyclopedia
The is a handheld game system
created by Nintendo
and launched in 2008 and 2009 in Japan, North America, PAL territories
, and other regions. It is the third iteration
of the Nintendo DS
, and its primary market rival is Sony
's PlayStation Portable
. A larger model, entitled Nintendo DSi XL, was launched in 2009 and 2010 in the aforementioned regions.
Development of the DSi began in late 2006, and it was unveiled during an October 2008 Nintendo conference in Tokyo. Consumer demand convinced Nintendo to produce a slimmer handheld with larger screens than the DS Lite. Consequently, Nintendo removed the Game Boy Advance
(GBA) cartridge slot to ensure durability. While the DSi's design is similar to that of the DS Lite, it features two digital camera
s, 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 and removal of the GBA cartridge slot, its added functionality caused many to recommend it to those who did not purchase previous DS models. Many critics were disappointed with the DSi's camera's limited resolution, but thought they were adequate for the handheld's screens. CNET
and PC World
considered the DSi Shop to be the largest buying incentive for current DS owners. Critics believed the DSi XL was not an essential upgrade. GamePro
and Wired UK
thought that its larger screens revitalized Nintendo DS games.
's release. Following instructions from his supervisor, Masato Kuwahara of Nintendo's Engineering Department started development of the project. Kuwahara reported that his team had difficulty determining the potential market for the handheld during the design process; 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." The console's digital camera
s were considered early in development: Nintendo president and Chief Executive Officer 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". Due to consumer demand, Nintendo also improved its audio and made the handheld slimmer with larger screens compared to the Nintendo DS Lite
. However, in order to improve portability without sacrificing durability, the GBA cartridge slot present on earlier models was removed. To compensate, Nintendo continued to support the DS Lite as long as there was consumer demand for it.
The DSi's original design included two DS game card slots, due to demand from both fan communities and Nintendo employees, which consequently made the design considerably larger. Kuwahara said of the console's in-company unveiling in October 2007 that "the response wasn’t that great, and, ... we’d sort of been expecting that." The second game card slot was removed, which made the handheld approximately 0.12 inches (3 mm) slimmer. Yui Ehara, designer of the DS Lite and DSi's casing, advocated to change the six speaker apertures, as their circular perforations were redundant to 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". Ehara hoped the DSi's added features would not interfere with his desired iconic image of the Nintendo DS product line: two rectangles, one on top of the other, with each half containing another rectangle inside. This model was publicly revealed at the October 2008 Nintendo Conference in Tokyo, along with its Japanese price and release date. While the DS product line's worldwide yearly sales figures had consistently surpassed those of its primary market rival, Sony's PlayStation Portable, 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.
Development of a large DS Lite model in 2007 eventually became the DSi XL (known in Japan as the ). Nintendo had designed a large DS Lite model with 3.8 inches (96.5 mm) screens, compared to the standard 3 inches (76.2 mm) screens; development of this new handheld advanced far enough that it could have begun mass production
. However, consumer demand for the DS Lite and Wii stalled its release. 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. Various names for the DSi XL were considered, including "DSi Comfort", "DSi Executive", "DSi Premium", "DSi Living", and "DSi Deka" (Japanese for "large"). Mario
creator Shigeru Miyamoto
insisted for "DSi Deka". 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 large DS Lite model due to cost issues, which also limited LCD screen size to approximately 3.8 inches (96.5 mm). The cost of LCD screens is determined by how many pieces are cut from a single large glass sheet. Cutting these sheets so each DSi XL screen was 4.2 inches (106.7 mm) produced the least amount of wasted material.
. It was the first DS console to launch with multiple colors in North America—black and blue. iQue
released a Chinese DSi model in black and white, with a pre-installed version of Nintendogs
, in December 2009; the Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun
reported that the Chinese and Korean models featured improved security, in order to combat piracy. On April 15, 2010, the DSi was launched in South Korea in white, black, blue, and pink, alongside the game MapleStory DS
. MapleStory DS was also bundled with a red limited-edition DSi, which had characters from the game printed around its external camera. Other countries the DSi was released in include Brazil, Russia, and Turkey.
Nintendo had shipped 200,000 units for the DSi's Japanese launch, and during its first two days on sale, over 170,000 units were sold—the remaining units were either unclaimed pre-orders or reserved for sale on Culture Day
. By the end of the month, it sold 535,000 units, in comparison to 550,000 DS Lites sold in its launch month. In the two-day launch period, Europe and North American sales totaled 600,000 units combined. North American first week sales almost doubled the DS Lite's 226,000 units by selling 435,000. In the UK, the console totaled 92,000 sales within two days of release, 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.
DSi midnight launch events were held on the western and eastern coasts 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. 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
. Hundreds attended and over 150 fans waited until midnight before heading into GameStop to get a DSi unit.
The Nintendo DSi XL was released in Japan on November 21, 2009 in dark brown, burgundy, and white. The former two colors were available for its European launch on March 5, 2010, and its North American launch on March 28. The console launched in Australia on April 15, 2010 in dark drown and burgundy. The DSi XL was released in other countries including Brazil, South Africa, and Turkey. The 2011 release of the Nintendo 3DS
, the successor to the Nintendo DS series of handhelds, was announced on March 23, 2010. According to industry analysts, the timing of this announcement, which had drawn attention away from the North American launch of the company's Nintendo DSi XL handheld, was likely intended to preempt impending news leak
s about the product by the Japanese press. M2 Research senior analyst Billy Pigeon argued the "XL is old news ... in Japan – and Nintendo is a very Japan-centric organization. This is just the corporate parent in Japan maybe not acting in the best interest of Nintendo of America."
with the first Nintendo DS
(2004) than it had with the Game Boy line
. Comparing 2008 life-to-date DS and DS Lite sales to the best selling game console, Sony's PlayStation 2
, showed potential in further expanding the Nintendo DS gaming population—particularly in Europe and the United States. To further promote the product line while expanding its gaming population, Nintendo modified its market expansion approach. 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.
The "i" in DSi symbolizes both an individual person (I) and the handheld's cameras (eyes); the former meaning contrasts with the "i"'s in Wii, which represent players gathering together. Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime said that, "If Wii was about gaming for the masses, then think of DSi as creativity for the masses." Iwata has said that the DSi is meant to be a first camera for children, and a social network
ing device for adults. In response to media commentary following the DSi's announcement, Iwata insisted that its new audio and camera capabilities are not meant to compete with mobile phones, the iPod
, or the PSP. He explained their role in the marketplace:
The DSi helped maintain strong sales for Nintendo's handheld product line. The DSi accounted for 40 percent of its product line's 2009 sales in the UK and frequently topped weekly sales charts in Japan during its first year of availability. In the United States, the console's initial three-month sales surpassed those of the DS, DS Lite, and Wii. 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 percent of Nintendo DS unit sales were DSi consoles. In an October 2009 interview, 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". The United States had its highest yearly DS sales in 2009 with 11.22 million units sold. The DSi and DSi XL accounted for 16.88 of the 27.11 million units sold worldwide of its product line for Nintendo's fiscal year beginning April 1, 2009 and ending March 31, 2010.
In a United States hardware sales estimate for July 2010 by Gamasutra, the DSi and DSi XL each outsold the DS Lite. The website also reported the DSi sold approximately 300,000 units in July 2009 and February 2010, which remains consistent for July 2010 if combined with DSi XL sales. As a result, the average price consumers were spending on the Nintendo DS hardware family rose to over $165 (in 2004 dollars, $ adjusted for inflation ), which is over $15 more than the November 2004 launch price of the original Nintendo DS. Nintendo made its first price cuts for the DSi in Europe on June 18, 2010, for the DSi and DSi XL consoles in Japan on June 19, and in North America on September 12. The DSi and DSi XL accounted for 14.66 of the 17.52 million units sold worldwide of its product line for Nintendo's fiscal year beginning April 1, 2010 and ending March 31, 2011.
In a United States hardware sales estimate for July 2011 by Gamasutra following the DS Lite's price drop a month earlier, about 60 to 70 percent of approximately 290,000 DS units sold were DSi and DSi XL consoles. The website reported DS sales for the following month decreased by 45 percent.
screens—0.25 inches (6.4 mm) larger than those of previous models—that are capable of displaying 262,144 colors. The touch sensitive lower screen accepts input from the included stylus
. 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. The DSi is 2.95 inches (74.9 mm) long × 5.39 inches (136.9 mm) wide × 0.74 inches (18.8 mm) tall (when closed), and weighs 0.472 pounds (214.1 g). It is approximately 12 percent shorter (0.1 inches (2.5 mm)) than the Nintendo DS Lite, but slightly wider and lighter.
Unlike previous models, the handheld has two VGA
(0.3-megapixel) digital camera
s. 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. 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. 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; 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. The handheld uses an 840 mAh
internal rechargeable battery, compared to 1000 mAh for the DS Lite, and has a lifespan of approximately 500 charge cycles; after this point, it may be replaced by the user.
The DSi has a matte
surface to prevent the visibility of fingerprints. It is available in seven colors, but color selection varies by region. The lime green color is exclusive to Japan, while the dark blue color is available in Japan, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Blue is exclusive to Europe, North America, and China, while red is available in Europe. 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.
and a faster CPU
than the DS Lite. Developers reported the console has a native mode
, which offers software specifically designed for its hardware, access to the system's extra processing and memory resources for DSi-exclusive software. The inclusion of a codec
integrated circuit
amplifies sound signals and convert
s them from digital
to analog
. This produces a louder audio output, and depending on the mode used, higher quality audio than previous DS models. Unused space on the motherboard
was cut down without significantly raising its price; the CPU was relocated, and the battery housing was expanded.
The camera's resolution is two-and-a-half times higher than the handheld's screens. However, their resolution are considerably lower than that of digital cameras and mobile phones released at the time. This was done to help keep their price reasonable and to maintain a preferable response time for viewing photos in rapid session, particularity since numerous applications will use them.
With measurements of 3.6 inches (91.4 mm) long × 6.34 inches (161 mm) wide × 0.83 inches (21.1 mm) tall, and a weight of 0.692 pounds (313.9 g), the DSi XL is the longest, widest and heaviest DS model. The console features two 4.2 inches (106.7 mm) wide-viewing angle
LCD screens with the same resolution as the smaller model. It has improved battery life over the DSi on all brightness settings; for example, batteries last 13–17 hours on the lowest level of brightness. The console is outfitted with identical speakers seen in its predecessor, but are contained in larger speaker enclosures, enabling them to produce louder sound. The hinges stop the screen at 120° in addition to the original DSi's position of 155° in order to allow easier viewing when placed on a table-top. The DSi XL is bundled with two longer styli, one of which is thicker, rounded, and pen-like, and does not fit inside the unit. Flipnote Studio and the Nintendo DSi Browser come pre-installed with the DSi XL, alongside other, region-specific software.
The DSi XL has a matte surface, and the exterior of its top panel is coated with a gloss finish. It is available in eight two-toned colors, but color selection varies by region. The white color is exclusive to Japan, while green is available in Japan and Europe. Red is exclusive to Australia and New Zealand, while the yellow color is available in Japan, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The pink color is exclusive to North America. Two special-edition models have been released: those for LovePlus+ and the 25th anniversary of Super Mario Bros.
, and features a menu interface that displays applications as selectable icons. 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. The power button can either soft reset the console, returning it to the main menu, or shut it down. Game cards may be hot swap
ped when the console is set to the main menu, allowing players to switch to a different game card without shutting down the power.
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. Before taking a photograph with the "Nintendo DSi Camera" software, users may modify the viewfinder's live image with ten "lens" options. 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.
The built-in "Nintendo DSi Sound" player has voice recording and music playback functionality. Voice recordings can be edited with audio filter
s and manipulated through pitch and playback. Users may save and modify up to 18 ten-second sound clips recorded with the console's microphone. These clips are saved on the unit itself and cannot be saved to the SD card for export. Users can also play music from SD cards with visualizations displayed on the upper screen. AAC audio with .mp4
, .m4a
, or .3GP filename extension
s are supported, but non-AAC formats, including MP3, are not supported. 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. If headphones are in use, compatible music files from SD cards may be played even when the DSi is closed. Users may export photos, sounds, and Internet settings to a 3DS.
; both methods grant access to the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
service. The DSi supports WEP
, WPA
(AES
/TKIP), and WPA2 (AES/TKIP) wireless encryption; only software with built-in support may use the latter two encryption types, as they were not supported by the DS and DS Lite. 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 three are selectable under a more advanced option, which supports WPA encryption. Under this advanced option, users may access the Wi-Fi Protected Setup
method and configure proxy
settings.
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. Nintendo DSi-enhanced game cards contain DSi-exclusive features, but can still be used with earlier models; Nintendo DSi-exclusive game cards cannot. The DSi is the first region locked
Nintendo handheld; it prevents hardware designed for a specific region to operate with certain software released for another region. 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. Homebrew flash cards designed for previous DS models are incompatible with the DSi, but new cards capable of running DS software on a DSi have been created.
Like the Wii, the DSi can connect to an online store. The store, called the DSi Shop, 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). Application prices follow a three-tiered pricing scheme. The service launched with the DSi Browser, a free web browser developed by Opera Software
and Nintendo. A DSiWare trial campaign, whose expiration date varied by region, formerly offered 1,000 free Nintendo Points to each DSi that accesses the DSi Shop. As of June 2011, over 350 downloadable games are available, but game selection varies by region. Purchased DSiWare on DSi or DSi XL consoles cannot be transferred between units unless that console is repaired or replaced by Nintendo. Most DSiWare can be transferred to a 3DS, however saved data cannot.
'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. Jeff Bakalar of CNET
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. 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. Many critics were disappointed by the removal of the GBA cartridge slot, but others, such as PC Worlds 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. 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."
Most reviewers criticized the quality of the DSi's cameras, particularly due to their resolution, which is lower than that of mobile phones. They considered them sufficient for the DSi's screens, however. Harris and Lowe believed that the camera's 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. Opinions on the DSi's photograph-editing tools were varied: Bit-techs Martin and Reid considered them to be a gimmick, but Bakalar and Cliff Edwards of BusinessWeek
thought otherwise. Edwards said that the camera's use in gameplay was a new opportunity for developer
s; 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". Eurogamer
's Tom Bramwell speculated that 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.
Because of the DSi's additions to the DS Lite design, critics recommended the console to those who did not purchase previous DS models. 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." PC Worlds 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." Harris and Lowe defined the console's hardware redesign as "evolutionary", rather than "revolutionary". After the DSi was unveiled, Goldman Sachs
analyst Matthew J. Fassler called the DSi Shop a "tangible early threat" to big-box store
s and retailers. 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.
Douglas Rankine of Wired UK
and McKinley Noble of GamePro
thought previously existing Nintendo DS games were revitalized with the Nintendo DSi XL's larger screens; games like Scribblenauts
and The World Ends With You benefited from increased touchscreen precision and increased legibility of text, respectively. CVG
's Mike Jackson argued the bigger screens, which made its unchanged resolution blockier, would probably be less noticeable to the older demographic for which the XL is undoubtedly designed. However, Mike Jackson and IGN's Scott Lowe and Chris Burke agreed its clear and vivid colors considerably compensated for its unchanged resolution. Carol Mangis of PC Magazine
thought families looking to share a handheld between members should consider a DSi XL, but the larger screens were not enough of an incentive for current DSi owners to upgrade. Lowe, Burke, Jackson, and Bakalar concluded the larger DSi model is not an essential upgrade; Jackson explained "if you tend not to carry it out with you, and only ever tend to use it at home, then the DSi XL is the better choice".
Handheld game console
A handheld game console is a lightweight, portable electronic device with a built-in screen, game controls and speakers. Handheld game consoles are run on machines of small size allowing people to carry them and play them at any time or place...
created by Nintendo
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
and launched in 2008 and 2009 in Japan, North America, PAL territories
PAL region
The PAL region is a television publication territory which covers most of Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Western Europe...
, and other regions. It is the third iteration
Iteration
Iteration means the act of repeating a process usually with the aim of approaching a desired goal or target or result. Each repetition of the process is also called an "iteration," and the results of one iteration are used as the starting point for the next iteration.-Mathematics:Iteration in...
of the Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
, and its primary market rival is Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
's PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
. A larger model, entitled Nintendo DSi XL, was launched in 2009 and 2010 in the aforementioned regions.
Development of the DSi began in late 2006, and it was unveiled during an October 2008 Nintendo conference in Tokyo. Consumer demand convinced Nintendo to produce a slimmer handheld with larger screens than the DS Lite. Consequently, Nintendo removed the Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
(GBA) cartridge slot to ensure durability. While the DSi's design is similar to that of the DS Lite, it features two digital camera
Digital camera
A digital camera is a camera that takes video or still photographs, or both, digitally by recording images via an electronic image sensor. It is the main device used in the field of digital photography...
s, 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 and removal of the GBA cartridge slot, its added functionality caused many to recommend it to those who did not purchase previous DS models. Many critics were disappointed with the DSi's camera's limited resolution, but thought they were adequate for the handheld's screens. CNET
CNET
CNET is a tech media website that publishes news articles, blogs, and podcasts on technology and consumer electronics. Originally founded in 1994 by Halsey Minor and Shelby Bonnie, it was the flagship brand of CNET Networks and became a brand of CBS Interactive through CNET Networks' acquisition...
and PC World
PC World (magazine)
PC World is a global computer magazine published monthly by IDG. It offers advice on various aspects of PCs and related items, the Internet, and other personal-technology products and services...
considered the DSi Shop to be the largest buying incentive for current DS owners. Critics believed the DSi XL was not an essential upgrade. GamePro
GamePro
GamePro Media was a United States gaming media company publishing online and print content on the video game industry, video game hardware, and video game software developed for a video game console , a computer, and/or a mobile device . GamePro Media properties include GamePro magazine and...
and Wired UK
Wired UK
Wired UK is a full-colour monthly magazine that reports primarily on the effects of science and technology. It covers a broad range of topics including design, architecture, culture, the economy, politics and philosophy...
thought that its larger screens revitalized Nintendo DS games.
History
Development of the Nintendo DSi began at the end of 2006, around the time of the WiiWii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
's release. Following instructions from his supervisor, Masato Kuwahara of Nintendo's Engineering Department started development of the project. Kuwahara reported that his team had difficulty determining the potential market for the handheld during the design process; 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." The console's digital camera
Digital camera
A digital camera is a camera that takes video or still photographs, or both, digitally by recording images via an electronic image sensor. It is the main device used in the field of digital photography...
s were considered early in development: Nintendo president and Chief Executive Officer Satoru Iwata
Satoru Iwata
is the fourth president of Nintendo, succeeding the long-standing previous president of the company, Hiroshi Yamauchi in 2002. He was responsible in great part for defining Nintendo's strategy both before and during the release of its Nintendo GameCube video game console in 2001, a vision which...
described the touchscreen
Touchscreen
A touchscreen is an electronic visual display that can detect the presence and location of a touch within the display area. The term generally refers to touching the display of the device with a finger or hand. Touchscreens can also sense other passive objects, such as a stylus...
as the Nintendo DS's sense of touch, and the microphone as its "ears"; a co-worker suggested that it should have "eyes". Due to consumer demand, Nintendo also improved its audio and made the handheld slimmer with larger screens compared to the Nintendo DS Lite
Nintendo DS Lite
The is a dual-screen handheld game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It is a slimmer, brighter, and more lightweight redesign of the Nintendo DS, designed to be aesthetically sleeker, while taking styling cues from the Game Boy Advance SP, and to appeal to broader commercial audiences...
. However, in order to improve portability without sacrificing durability, the GBA cartridge slot present on earlier models was removed. To compensate, Nintendo continued to support the DS Lite as long as there was consumer demand for it.
The DSi's original design included two DS game card slots, due to demand from both fan communities and Nintendo employees, which consequently made the design considerably larger. Kuwahara said of the console's in-company unveiling in October 2007 that "the response wasn’t that great, and, ... we’d sort of been expecting that." The second game card slot was removed, which made the handheld approximately 0.12 inches (3 mm) slimmer. Yui Ehara, designer of the DS Lite and DSi's casing, advocated to change the six speaker apertures, as their circular perforations were redundant to 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". Ehara hoped the DSi's added features would not interfere with his desired iconic image of the Nintendo DS product line: two rectangles, one on top of the other, with each half containing another rectangle inside. This model was publicly revealed at the October 2008 Nintendo Conference in Tokyo, along with its Japanese price and release date. While the DS product line's worldwide yearly sales figures had consistently surpassed those of its primary market rival, Sony's PlayStation Portable, 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.
Development of a large DS Lite model in 2007 eventually became the DSi XL (known in Japan as the ). Nintendo had designed a large DS Lite model with 3.8 inches (96.5 mm) screens, compared to the standard 3 inches (76.2 mm) screens; development of this new handheld advanced far enough that it could have begun mass production
Mass production
Mass production is the production of large amounts of standardized products, including and especially on assembly lines...
. However, consumer demand for the DS Lite and Wii stalled its release. 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. Various names for the DSi XL were considered, including "DSi Comfort", "DSi Executive", "DSi Premium", "DSi Living", and "DSi Deka" (Japanese for "large"). Mario
Mario (series)
The video game series, alternatively called the series or simply the series, is a series of highly popular and critically acclaimed video games by Nintendo, featuring Nintendo's mascot Mario and, in many games, his brother Luigi. Gameplay in the series often centers around jumping on and...
creator Shigeru Miyamoto
Shigeru Miyamoto
is a Japanese video game designer and producer. Miyamoto was born and raised in Kyoto Prefecture; the natural surroundings of Kyoto inspired much of Miyamoto's later work....
insisted for "DSi Deka". The DSi XL, a larger version of the DSi, has an improved viewing angle
Viewing angle
In display technology parlance, viewing angle is the maximum angle at which a display can be viewed with acceptable visual performance. In a technical context, this angular range is called viewing cone defined by a multitude of viewing directions....
over its predecessor, which allows onlookers to see the screen's contents more easily. This feature was absent from the large DS Lite model due to cost issues, which also limited LCD screen size to approximately 3.8 inches (96.5 mm). The cost of LCD screens is determined by how many pieces are cut from a single large glass sheet. Cutting these sheets so each DSi XL screen was 4.2 inches (106.7 mm) produced the least amount of wasted material.
Launch
On November 1, 2008, the DSi was released in Japan, in black and white; its April 2, 2009 release in Australia and New Zealand, and its April 3 release in Europe, featured these same colors. It launched in the United States and Canada on April 5, alongside the game Rhythm HeavenRhythm Heaven
Rhythm Heaven, known in Europe as Rhythm Paradise and in Japan as is a rhythm video game-exclusive for the Nintendo DS handheld video game console. It is the sequel/successor to the Japan-only release Game Boy Advance title Rhythm Tengoku...
. It was the first DS console to launch with multiple colors in North America—black and blue. iQue
IQue
iQue, Limited is a Chinese joint venture with its founder, Wei Yen, and Nintendo. iQue also makes the iQue Player, which was the company's first product...
released a Chinese DSi model in black and white, with a pre-installed version of Nintendogs
Nintendogs
is a real-time pet simulation video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS handheld video game console. It was first released in Japan, and was later released in North America, Australia, Europe, and other regions. It was originally released in three different versions:...
, in December 2009; the Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun
Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun
The , which means Nikkei Industrial Journal, is a Japanese daily newspaper published on weekdays by Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Inc.-External links:*...
reported that the Chinese and Korean models featured improved security, in order to combat piracy. On April 15, 2010, the DSi was launched in South Korea in white, black, blue, and pink, alongside the game MapleStory DS
MapleStory DS
MapleStory DS is a role-playing video game for the Nintendo DS. It is an adaptation of the original MMORPG game for Windows titled MapleStory. The game was released on April 15, 2010 in Korea, and was developed by Nexon and published by Nexon and Nintendo of Korea.-Gameplay:The player starts out...
. MapleStory DS was also bundled with a red limited-edition DSi, which had characters from the game printed around its external camera. Other countries the DSi was released in include Brazil, Russia, and Turkey.
Nintendo had shipped 200,000 units for the DSi's Japanese launch, and during its first two days on sale, over 170,000 units were sold—the remaining units were either unclaimed pre-orders or reserved for sale on Culture Day
Culture Day
is a national holiday held annually in Japan on November 3 for the purpose of promoting culture, the arts, and academic endeavour. Festivities typically include art exhibitions, parades, and award ceremonies for distinguished artists and scholars.-History:...
. By the end of the month, it sold 535,000 units, in comparison to 550,000 DS Lites sold in its launch month. In the two-day launch period, Europe and North American sales totaled 600,000 units combined. North American first week sales almost doubled the DS Lite's 226,000 units by selling 435,000. In the UK, the console totaled 92,000 sales within two days of release, which GfK
GfK
The GfK Group, established in 1934 as Gesellschaft für Konsumforschung is Germany's largest market research institute, and the fourth largest market research organisation in the world, after Nielsen Company, Kantar Group, and IMS Health...
/Chart-Track
Chart-Track
Chart-Track is a market research company that monitors music, videos and software sales in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark and was formed in 1996. In July 2008 GfK took a majority stake in the company....
data showed to be the fourth-best opening weekend ever in the region—higher than previous records set by other DS iterations.
DSi midnight launch events were held on the western and eastern coasts of the United States. Nintendo sponsored an official launch event at the Universal CityWalk
Universal CityWalk
Universal CityWalk is the name given to the entertainment and retail districts located adjacent to the theme parks of Universal Parks & Resorts. Originating as an expansion of Universal's first park, Universal Studios Hollywood, CityWalk serves as an entrance plaza from the parking lots to the...
in Los Angeles and the Nintendo World Store in New York City. The LA launch party featured several events, including merchandise handouts, signings and art galleries from i am 8-bit, parkour
Parkour
Parkour is a method of movement focused on moving around obstacles with speed and efficiency. Originally developed in France, the main purpose of the discipline is to teach participants how to move through their environment by vaulting, rolling, running, climbing and jumping...
demonstrations, and performances by Gym Class Heroes
Gym Class Heroes
Gym Class Heroes is an American hip hop rock band from Geneva, New York. They have collaborated with Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump on numerous occasions, notably for providing backing vocals on the song "Cupid's Chokehold." Stump also produced the majority of their album The Quilt.The group formed...
. Hundreds attended and over 150 fans waited until midnight before heading into GameStop to get a DSi unit.
The Nintendo DSi XL was released in Japan on November 21, 2009 in dark brown, burgundy, and white. The former two colors were available for its European launch on March 5, 2010, and its North American launch on March 28. The console launched in Australia on April 15, 2010 in dark drown and burgundy. The DSi XL was released in other countries including Brazil, South Africa, and Turkey. The 2011 release of the Nintendo 3DS
Nintendo 3DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo. The autostereoscopic device is able to project stereoscopic 3D effects without the use of 3D glasses or any additional accessories. The Nintendo 3DS features backward compatibility with Nintendo DS series software, including Nintendo DSi software...
, the successor to the Nintendo DS series of handhelds, was announced on March 23, 2010. According to industry analysts, the timing of this announcement, which had drawn attention away from the North American launch of the company's Nintendo DSi XL handheld, was likely intended to preempt impending news leak
News leak
A news leak is a disclosure of embargoed information in advance of its official release, or the unsanctioned release of confidential information.-Types of news leaks:...
s about the product by the Japanese press. M2 Research senior analyst Billy Pigeon argued the "XL is old news ... in Japan – and Nintendo is a very Japan-centric organization. This is just the corporate parent in Japan maybe not acting in the best interest of Nintendo of America."
Demographic and sales
Nintendo targeted a wider demographic profileDemographic profile
A demographic or demographic profile is a term used in marketing and broadcasting, to describe a demographic grouping or a market segment...
with the first Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
(2004) than it had with the Game Boy line
Game Boy line
The line is a line of battery-powered handheld game console sold by Nintendo. It is one of the world's best-selling game system lines with a combined 200+ million units sold worldwide....
. Comparing 2008 life-to-date DS and DS Lite sales to the best selling game console, Sony's PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, showed potential in further expanding the Nintendo DS gaming population—particularly in Europe and the United States. To further promote the product line while expanding its gaming population, Nintendo modified its market expansion approach. 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.
The "i" in DSi symbolizes both an individual person (I) and the handheld's cameras (eyes); the former meaning contrasts with the "i"'s in Wii, which represent players gathering together. Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime said that, "If Wii was about gaming for the masses, then think of DSi as creativity for the masses." Iwata has said that the DSi is meant to be a first camera for children, and a social network
Social network
A social network is a social structure made up of individuals called "nodes", which are tied by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, common interest, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships, or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige.Social...
ing device for adults. In response to media commentary following the DSi's announcement, Iwata insisted that its new audio and camera capabilities are not meant to compete with mobile phones, the iPod
IPod
iPod is a line of portable media players created and marketed by Apple Inc. The product line-up currently consists of the hard drive-based iPod Classic, the touchscreen iPod Touch, the compact iPod Nano, and the ultra-compact iPod Shuffle...
, or the PSP. He explained their role in the marketplace:
| Region | Units shipped | First available |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 5.87 million | November 1, 2008 |
| Americas | 10.20 million | April 5, 2009 |
| Other regions | 9.54 million | April 2, 2009 |
| Total | 25.61 million | |
| Nintendo DSi XL sales figures (as of September 30, 2011) |
||
| Japan | 2.30 million | November 21, 2009 |
| Americas | 4.48 million | March 28, 2010 |
| Other regions | 4.29 million | March 5, 2010 |
| Total | 11.07 million | |
The DSi helped maintain strong sales for Nintendo's handheld product line. The DSi accounted for 40 percent of its product line's 2009 sales in the UK and frequently topped weekly sales charts in Japan during its first year of availability. In the United States, the console's initial three-month sales surpassed those of the DS, DS Lite, and Wii. 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
Gamasutra
Gamasutra is a website founded in 1997 for video game developers. It is owned and operated by UBM TechWeb , a division of United Business Media, and acts as the online sister publication to the print magazine Game Developer...
estimated that, during October 2009 and February 2010, 50 percent of Nintendo DS unit sales were DSi consoles. In an October 2009 interview, 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". The United States had its highest yearly DS sales in 2009 with 11.22 million units sold. The DSi and DSi XL accounted for 16.88 of the 27.11 million units sold worldwide of its product line for Nintendo's fiscal year beginning April 1, 2009 and ending March 31, 2010.
In a United States hardware sales estimate for July 2010 by Gamasutra, the DSi and DSi XL each outsold the DS Lite. The website also reported the DSi sold approximately 300,000 units in July 2009 and February 2010, which remains consistent for July 2010 if combined with DSi XL sales. As a result, the average price consumers were spending on the Nintendo DS hardware family rose to over $165 (in 2004 dollars, $ adjusted for inflation ), which is over $15 more than the November 2004 launch price of the original Nintendo DS. Nintendo made its first price cuts for the DSi in Europe on June 18, 2010, for the DSi and DSi XL consoles in Japan on June 19, and in North America on September 12. The DSi and DSi XL accounted for 14.66 of the 17.52 million units sold worldwide of its product line for Nintendo's fiscal year beginning April 1, 2010 and ending March 31, 2011.
In a United States hardware sales estimate for July 2011 by Gamasutra following the DS Lite's price drop a month earlier, about 60 to 70 percent of approximately 290,000 DS units sold were DSi and DSi XL consoles. The website reported DS sales for the following month decreased by 45 percent.
Hardware
The Nintendo DSi's design is similar to that of the second DS iteration, the Nintendo DS Lite. It has two 3.25 inches (82.6 mm) TFT-LCDTFT LCD
Thin film transistor liquid crystal display is a variant of liquid crystal display which uses thin-film transistor technology to improve image quality . TFT LCD is one type of Active matrix LCD, though all LCD-screens are based on TFT active matrix addressing...
screens—0.25 inches (6.4 mm) larger than those of previous models—that are capable of displaying 262,144 colors. The touch sensitive lower screen accepts input from the included stylus
Stylus (computing)
In computing, a stylus is a small pen-shaped instrument that is used to input commands to a computer screen, mobile device or graphics tablet...
. 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. The DSi is 2.95 inches (74.9 mm) long × 5.39 inches (136.9 mm) wide × 0.74 inches (18.8 mm) tall (when closed), and weighs 0.472 pounds (214.1 g). It is approximately 12 percent shorter (0.1 inches (2.5 mm)) than the Nintendo DS Lite, but slightly wider and lighter.
Unlike previous models, the handheld has two VGA
Video Graphics Array
Video Graphics Array refers specifically to the display hardware first introduced with the IBM PS/2 line of computers in 1987, but through its widespread adoption has also come to mean either an analog computer display standard, the 15-pin D-subminiature VGA connector or the 640×480 resolution...
(0.3-megapixel) digital camera
Digital camera
A digital camera is a camera that takes video or still photographs, or both, digitally by recording images via an electronic image sensor. It is the main device used in the field of digital photography...
s. 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. Another new feature is the SD card
Secure Digital card
Secure Digital is a non-volatile memory card format developed by the SD Card Association for use in portable devices. The SD technology is used by more than 400 brands across dozens of product categories and more than 8,000 models, and is considered the de-facto industry standard.Secure Digital...
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. 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; 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. The handheld uses an 840 mAh
Ampere-hour
An ampere-hour or amp-hour is a unit of electric charge, with sub-units milliampere-hour and milliampere second...
internal rechargeable battery, compared to 1000 mAh for the DS Lite, and has a lifespan of approximately 500 charge cycles; after this point, it may be replaced by the user.
The DSi has a matte
Gloss (material appearance)
Gloss is an optical property, which is based on the interaction of light with physical characteristics of a surface. It is actually the ability of a surface to reflect light into the specular direction. The factors that affect gloss are the refractive index of the material, the angle of incident...
surface to prevent the visibility of fingerprints. It is available in seven colors, but color selection varies by region. The lime green color is exclusive to Japan, while the dark blue color is available in Japan, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Blue is exclusive to Europe, North America, and China, while red is available in Europe. Numerous special-edition models and bundles
Special versions of the Nintendo DS
This article is about the many special versions or promotional packages of the Nintendo DS handheld video game system, besides the normal Silver and Electric Blue colors.-Retail bundles:...
have been released, including those for Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time
is a Wii and Nintendo DS action role-playing game in the Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles series developed by Square Enix.The game was released in Japan on January 29, 2009. The North American version was released on March 24, 2009 and the European version was released on March 27, 2009...
, and the 2009 Black Friday
Black Friday (shopping)
Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving Day in the United States, traditionally the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. On this day, most major retailers open extremely early, often at 4 a.m., or earlier, and offer promotional sales to kick off the shopping season, similar to Boxing...
shopping day.
Technical specifications
The DSi has more RAMRandom-access memory
Random access memory is a form of computer data storage. Today, it takes the form of integrated circuits that allow stored data to be accessed in any order with a worst case performance of constant time. Strictly speaking, modern types of DRAM are therefore not random access, as data is read in...
and a faster CPU
Central processing unit
The central processing unit is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, to perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The CPU plays a role somewhat analogous to the brain in the computer. The term has been in...
than the DS Lite. Developers reported the console has a native mode
Native mode
The term native mode or native code is used in computing in two related senses.*to describe something running on a computer natively or in native mode meaning that it is running without any external support as contrasted to running in emulation....
, which offers software specifically designed for its hardware, access to the system's extra processing and memory resources for DSi-exclusive software. The inclusion of a codec
Codec
A codec is a device or computer program capable of encoding or decoding a digital data stream or signal. The word codec is a portmanteau of "compressor-decompressor" or, more commonly, "coder-decoder"...
integrated circuit
Integrated circuit
An integrated circuit or monolithic integrated circuit is an electronic circuit manufactured by the patterned diffusion of trace elements into the surface of a thin substrate of semiconductor material...
amplifies sound signals and convert
Digital-to-analog converter
In electronics, a digital-to-analog converter is a device that converts a digital code to an analog signal . An analog-to-digital converter performs the reverse operation...
s them from digital
Digital signal
A digital signal is a physical signal that is a representation of a sequence of discrete values , for example of an arbitrary bit stream, or of a digitized analog signal...
to analog
Analog signal
An analog or analogue signal is any continuous signal for which the time varying feature of the signal is a representation of some other time varying quantity, i.e., analogous to another time varying signal. It differs from a digital signal in terms of small fluctuations in the signal which are...
. This produces a louder audio output, and depending on the mode used, higher quality audio than previous DS models. Unused space on the motherboard
Motherboard
In personal computers, a motherboard is the central printed circuit board in many modern computers and holds many of the crucial components of the system, providing connectors for other peripherals. The motherboard is sometimes alternatively known as the mainboard, system board, or, on Apple...
was cut down without significantly raising its price; the CPU was relocated, and the battery housing was expanded.
The camera's resolution is two-and-a-half times higher than the handheld's screens. However, their resolution are considerably lower than that of digital cameras and mobile phones released at the time. This was done to help keep their price reasonable and to maintain a preferable response time for viewing photos in rapid session, particularity since numerous applications will use them.
- CPU: The DSi has two ARM architectureARM architectureARM is a 32-bit reduced instruction set computer instruction set architecture developed by ARM Holdings. It was named the Advanced RISC Machine, and before that, the Acorn RISC Machine. The ARM architecture is the most widely used 32-bit ISA in numbers produced...
CPUs: ARM9 and ARM7. The ARM9 is clocked at 133 MHz, almost twice as fast as previous models. - RAM: 16 MBMegabyteThe megabyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information storage or transmission with two different values depending on context: bytes generally for computer memory; and one million bytes generally for computer storage. The IEEE Standards Board has decided that "Mega will mean 1 000...
of RAM (four times as much as previous models) - Resolution: Screens at 256 × 192 pixelPixelIn digital imaging, a pixel, or pel, is a single point in a raster image, or the smallest addressable screen element in a display device; it is the smallest unit of picture that can be represented or controlled....
s (same as previous models) and cameras at 640 × 480 pixels - Storage: 256 MB of internal flash memoryFlash memoryFlash memory is a non-volatile computer storage chip that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. It was developed from EEPROM and must be erased in fairly large blocks before these can be rewritten with new data...
with an SD card (up to 2 GBGigabyteThe gigabyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information storage. The prefix giga means 109 in the International System of Units , therefore 1 gigabyte is...
) and SDHC card (up to 32 GB) expansion slot
Larger model
The Nintendo DSi XL was announced on October 29, 2009: it features larger screens, and a greater overall size, than the original DSi. It is the fourth model of Nintendo DS, and the first to be available as a size variation of the same model. 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." 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." 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.With measurements of 3.6 inches (91.4 mm) long × 6.34 inches (161 mm) wide × 0.83 inches (21.1 mm) tall, and a weight of 0.692 pounds (313.9 g), the DSi XL is the longest, widest and heaviest DS model. The console features two 4.2 inches (106.7 mm) wide-viewing angle
Viewing angle
In display technology parlance, viewing angle is the maximum angle at which a display can be viewed with acceptable visual performance. In a technical context, this angular range is called viewing cone defined by a multitude of viewing directions....
LCD screens with the same resolution as the smaller model. It has improved battery life over the DSi on all brightness settings; for example, batteries last 13–17 hours on the lowest level of brightness. The console is outfitted with identical speakers seen in its predecessor, but are contained in larger speaker enclosures, enabling them to produce louder sound. The hinges stop the screen at 120° in addition to the original DSi's position of 155° in order to allow easier viewing when placed on a table-top. The DSi XL is bundled with two longer styli, one of which is thicker, rounded, and pen-like, and does not fit inside the unit. Flipnote Studio and the Nintendo DSi Browser come pre-installed with the DSi XL, alongside other, region-specific software.
The DSi XL has a matte surface, and the exterior of its top panel is coated with a gloss finish. It is available in eight two-toned colors, but color selection varies by region. The white color is exclusive to Japan, while green is available in Japan and Europe. Red is exclusive to Australia and New Zealand, while the yellow color is available in Japan, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The pink color is exclusive to North America. Two special-edition models have been released: those for LovePlus+ and the 25th anniversary of Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros.
is a 1985 platform video game developed by Nintendo, published for the Nintendo Entertainment System as a sequel to the 1983 game Mario Bros. In Super Mario Bros., the player controls Mario as he travels through the Mushroom Kingdom in order to rescue Princess Toadstool from the antagonist...
Features
Like the Wii, the DSi has upgradeable firmwareFirmware
In electronic systems and computing, firmware is a term often used to denote the fixed, usually rather small, programs and/or data structures that internally control various electronic devices...
, and features a menu interface that displays applications as selectable icons. The seven primary icons represent "Card Software", "Nintendo DSi Camera", "Nintendo DSi Sound", "Nintendo DSi Shop", "DS Download Play", "PictoChat
PictoChat
PictoChat is a communication utility that comes pre-installed on the Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Lite and Nintendo DSi consoles. Up to sixteen people can paint chat with each other using it, connected wirelessly through a system-to-system wireless connection. It allows for simple input of keyboard...
", 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. The power button can either soft reset the console, returning it to the main menu, or shut it down. Game cards may be hot swap
Hot swapping
Hot swapping and hot plugging are terms used to describe the functions of replacing computer system components without shutting down the system...
ped when the console is set to the main menu, allowing players to switch to a different game card without shutting down the power.
The DSi has more extensive multimedia
Multimedia
Multimedia is media and content that uses a combination of different content forms. The term can be used as a noun or as an adjective describing a medium as having multiple content forms. The term is used in contrast to media which use only rudimentary computer display such as text-only, or...
features than previous DS models; pictures taken with its camera, downloadable software from Nintendo, and AAC audio
Advanced Audio Coding
Advanced Audio Coding is a standardized, lossy compression and encoding scheme for digital audio. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves better sound quality than MP3 at similar bit rates....
files from other devices can be stored to SD cards for future use. Before taking a photograph with the "Nintendo DSi Camera" software, users may modify the viewfinder's live image with ten "lens" options. Images captured with the DSi can be uploaded, via SD cards, to the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
's Photo Channel, and, for consoles with the 1.4 firmware update or greater, to the social networking
Social network service
A social networking service is an online service, platform, or site that focuses on building and reflecting of social networks or social relations among people, who, for example, share interests and/or activities. A social network service consists of a representation of each user , his/her social...
website Facebook.
The built-in "Nintendo DSi Sound" player has voice recording and music playback functionality. Voice recordings can be edited with audio filter
Audio filter
An audio filter is a frequency dependent amplifier circuit, working in the audio frequency range, 0 Hz to beyond 20 kHz. Many types of filters exist for applications including graphic equalizers, synthesizers, sound effects, CD players and virtual reality systems.Being a frequency dependent...
s and manipulated through pitch and playback. Users may save and modify up to 18 ten-second sound clips recorded with the console's microphone. These clips are saved on the unit itself and cannot be saved to the SD card for export. Users can also play music from SD cards with visualizations displayed on the upper screen. AAC audio with .mp4
MPEG-4 Part 14
MPEG-4 Part 14 or MP4 is a multimedia container format standard specified as a part of MPEG-4. It is most commonly used to store digital video and digital audio streams, especially those defined by MPEG, but can also be used to store other data such as subtitles and still images...
, .m4a
Apple Lossless
Apple Lossless Apple Lossless Apple Lossless (also known as ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec), or ALE (Apple Lossless Encoder) is an audio codec developed by Apple Inc. for lossless data compression of digital music. After initially being proprietary for many years, in late 2011 Apple open sourced...
, or .3GP filename extension
Filename extension
A filename extension is a suffix to the name of a computer file applied to indicate the encoding of its contents or usage....
s are supported, but non-AAC formats, including MP3, are not supported. 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. If headphones are in use, compatible music files from SD cards may be played even when the DSi is closed. Users may export photos, sounds, and Internet settings to a 3DS.
Internet connectivity
The Nintendo DSi connects to the Internet via either its built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi or a Nintendo Wi-Fi USB ConnectorNintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector
The Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector is an accessory, developed jointly by Nintendo and Buffalo Technology, which allows Nintendo DSi and Nintendo 3DS and Wii users without a Wi-Fi connection or compatible Wi-Fi network to establish one via a broadband-connected PC...
; both methods grant access to the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
The is an online multiplayer gaming service run by Nintendo to provide free online play in compatible Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS and Wii games. The service includes the company's Wii Shop Channel, DSi Shop, and Nintendo eShop game download services...
service. The DSi supports WEP
Wired Equivalent Privacy
Wired Equivalent Privacy is a weak security algorithm for IEEE 802.11 wireless networks. Introduced as part of the original 802.11 standard ratified in September 1999, its intention was to provide data confidentiality comparable to that of a traditional wired network...
, WPA
Wi-Fi Protected Access
Wi-Fi Protected Access and Wi-Fi Protected Access II are two security protocols and security certification programs developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance to secure wireless computer networks...
(AES
Advanced Encryption Standard
Advanced Encryption Standard is a specification for the encryption of electronic data. It has been adopted by the U.S. government and is now used worldwide. It supersedes DES...
/TKIP), and WPA2 (AES/TKIP) wireless encryption; only software with built-in support may use the latter two encryption types, as they were not supported by the DS and DS Lite. 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 three are selectable under a more advanced option, which supports WPA encryption. Under this advanced option, users may access the Wi-Fi Protected Setup
Wi-Fi Protected Setup
Wi-Fi Protected Setup is a computing standard for easy and secure establishment of a wireless home network....
method and configure proxy
Proxy server
In computer networks, a proxy server is a server that acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources from other servers. A client connects to the proxy server, requesting some service, such as a file, connection, web page, or other resource available from a different server...
settings.
Software library
All DS games are compatible with the DSi, except those that require the GBA slot. Because of its absence, the DSi is not backward compatibleBackward compatibility
In the context of telecommunications and computing, a device or technology is said to be backward or downward compatible if it can work with input generated by an older device...
with GBA Game Paks or with accessories
Nintendo DS accessories
-Official accessories:Although the secondary port on the Nintendo DS does accept and support Game Boy Advance cartridges , Nintendo has emphasized that its main intention for its inclusion was to allow a wide variety of accessories to be released for the system, the Game Boy Advance compatibility...
that require the GBA slot, such as the Nintendo DS Rumble Pak
Rumble Pak
The is a removable device from Nintendo which provides force feedback while playing video games. Games that support the Rumble Pak cause it to vibrate in select situations, such as when firing a weapon or receiving damage, to immerse the player in the game. Versions of the Rumble Pak are available...
and the Guitar Hero: On Tour series guitar grip. Nintendo DSi-enhanced game cards contain DSi-exclusive features, but can still be used with earlier models; Nintendo DSi-exclusive game cards cannot. The DSi is the first region locked
Regional lockout
Regional lockout is the programming practice, code, chip, or physical barrier used to prevent the playing of media designed for a device from the country where it is marketed on the version of the same device marketed in another country.-Video games:...
Nintendo handheld; it prevents hardware designed for a specific region to operate with certain software released for another region. Due to regional differences in Internet services and parental controls
Parental controls
Parental controls are features which may be included in digital television services, computer and video games, mobile phones and computer software...
, DSi-specific software is region locked. Cartridge software compatible with previous models, Internet browsing, and photo sharing are region-free. Homebrew flash cards designed for previous DS models are incompatible with the DSi, but new cards capable of running DS software on a DSi have been created.
Like the Wii, the DSi can connect to an online store. The store, called the DSi Shop, 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). Application prices follow a three-tiered pricing scheme. The service launched with the DSi Browser, a free web browser developed by Opera Software
Opera Software
Opera Software ASA is a Norwegian software company, primarily known for its Opera family of web browsers with over 220 million users worldwide. Opera Software is also involved in promoting Web standards through participation in the W3C. The company has its headquarters in Oslo, Norway and is...
and Nintendo. A DSiWare trial campaign, whose expiration date varied by region, formerly offered 1,000 free Nintendo Points to each DSi that accesses the DSi Shop. As of June 2011, over 350 downloadable games are available, but game selection varies by region. Purchased DSiWare on DSi or DSi XL consoles cannot be transferred between units unless that console is repaired or replaced by Nintendo. Most DSiWare can be transferred to a 3DS, however saved data cannot.
Reception
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. IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
'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. Jeff Bakalar of CNET
CNET
CNET is a tech media website that publishes news articles, blogs, and podcasts on technology and consumer electronics. Originally founded in 1994 by Halsey Minor and Shelby Bonnie, it was the flagship brand of CNET Networks and became a brand of CBS Interactive through CNET Networks' acquisition...
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. PC World
PC World (magazine)
PC World is a global computer magazine published monthly by IDG. It offers advice on various aspects of PCs and related items, the Internet, and other personal-technology products and services...
New Zealand's Jan Birkeland shared Bakalar's opinion, but believed that it was too early to judge the quality of DSi Shop software. Many critics were disappointed by the removal of the GBA cartridge slot, but others, such as PC Worlds Darren Gladstone, Bit-tech
Bit-tech
bit-tech.net is an online magazine for computer hardware enthusiasts, gamers and case modders, based in the UK. It was founded in 2000, became a fully professional online publication in 2005 , and announced its acquisition by Dennis Publishing in October 2008...
s Joe Martin, and IGN's Harris and Lowe, believed that it was a reasonable exchange for SD card support and the DSi Shop. 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."
Most reviewers criticized the quality of the DSi's cameras, particularly due to their resolution, which is lower than that of mobile phones. They considered them sufficient for the DSi's screens, however. Harris and Lowe believed that the camera's 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. Opinions on the DSi's photograph-editing tools were varied: Bit-techs Martin and Reid considered them to be a gimmick, but Bakalar and Cliff Edwards of BusinessWeek
BusinessWeek
Bloomberg Businessweek, commonly and formerly known as BusinessWeek, is a weekly business magazine published by Bloomberg L.P. It is currently headquartered in New York City.- History :...
thought otherwise. Edwards said that the camera's use in gameplay was a new opportunity for developer
Video game developer
A video game developer is a software developer that creates video games. A developer may specialize in a certain video game console, such as Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3, or may develop for a variety of systems, including personal computers.Most developers also...
s; 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". Eurogamer
Eurogamer
Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on...
's Tom Bramwell speculated that the DSi follows Game & Watch
Game & Watch
is a line of handheld electronic games produced by Nintendo from to . Created by game designer Gunpei Yokoi, each Game & Watch features a single game to be played on an LCD screen in addition to a clock and an alarm ....
and Game Boy
Game Boy
The , is an 8-bit handheld video game device developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on , in North America in , and in Europe on...
creator Gunpei Yokoi's philosophy of using dated technology developers are familiar with to introduce new game design
Game design
Game design, a subset of game development, is the process of designing the content and rules of a game in the pre-production stage and design of gameplay, environment, storyline, and characters during production stage. The term is also used to describe both the game design embodied in a game as...
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.
Because of the DSi's additions to the DS Lite design, critics recommended the console to those who did not purchase previous DS models. Pete Metzger of the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
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." PC Worlds 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." Harris and Lowe defined the console's hardware redesign as "evolutionary", rather than "revolutionary". After the DSi was unveiled, Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is an American multinational bulge bracket investment banking and securities firm that engages in global investment banking, securities, investment management, and other financial services primarily with institutional clients...
analyst Matthew J. Fassler called the DSi Shop a "tangible early threat" to big-box store
Big-box store
A big-box store is a physically large retail establishment, usually part of a chain. The term sometimes also refers, by extension, to the company that operates the store...
s and retailers. 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.
Douglas Rankine of Wired UK
Wired UK
Wired UK is a full-colour monthly magazine that reports primarily on the effects of science and technology. It covers a broad range of topics including design, architecture, culture, the economy, politics and philosophy...
and McKinley Noble of GamePro
GamePro
GamePro Media was a United States gaming media company publishing online and print content on the video game industry, video game hardware, and video game software developed for a video game console , a computer, and/or a mobile device . GamePro Media properties include GamePro magazine and...
thought previously existing Nintendo DS games were revitalized with the Nintendo DSi XL's larger screens; games like Scribblenauts
Scribblenauts
Scribblenauts is an emergent puzzle action video game developed by 5th Cell for the Nintendo DS published by WB Games. The game was released September 15, 2009 in North America, September 30, 2009 in Australia, and October 9, 2009 in Europe. Konami released the game in Japan under the name on...
and The World Ends With You benefited from increased touchscreen precision and increased legibility of text, respectively. CVG
ComputerAndVideoGames.com
ComputerAndVideoGames.com is the web-based successor to Computer and Video Games magazine, the world's oldest specialist gaming publication.- History :Launched in August 1999, CVG is one of the UK and Europe’s leading gaming web sites...
's Mike Jackson argued the bigger screens, which made its unchanged resolution blockier, would probably be less noticeable to the older demographic for which the XL is undoubtedly designed. However, Mike Jackson and IGN's Scott Lowe and Chris Burke agreed its clear and vivid colors considerably compensated for its unchanged resolution. Carol Mangis of PC Magazine
PC Magazine
PC Magazine is a computer magazine published by Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. A print edition was published from 1982 to January 2009...
thought families looking to share a handheld between members should consider a DSi XL, but the larger screens were not enough of an incentive for current DSi owners to upgrade. Lowe, Burke, Jackson, and Bakalar concluded the larger DSi model is not an essential upgrade; Jackson explained "if you tend not to carry it out with you, and only ever tend to use it at home, then the DSi XL is the better choice".