Nintendo DSi launches!

Fwd Tech  Friday 03 April 2009

Nintendo's long-awaited upgrade to the Nintendo DS is finally here...

Finally, the Nintendo DSi has arrived! This is undoubtedly the biggest handheld gaming launch of the year (unless Sony surprise us all and announce a PSP 2 which appears less likely by the minute).

Yes, Nintendo’s latest DS upgrade, the DSi, has finally hit our shores, having been on sale in Japan since November. The redesigned handheld sports larger dual touchscreens, an SD card slot, a 12 per cent reduction in thickness and two inbuilt cameras. It’s most exciting upgrade, however, is undoubtedly the online store, DSi Shop. With Nintendo pushing developers to turn it into a real App Store rival, it could be a huge success.

Of course, not everything about the DSi are all honeycomb Revels: some are coffee-flavoured. The battery life has dropped from the DS Lite, and the Nintendo DSi region lock is damaging for Ninty as well as gamers. There’s also no sign of a virtual console for the Nintendo DSi either, as was rumoured.

Still, there’s no point in putting a dampner on what should be a celebration! The Nintendo DSi is here and it costs £145. So go and get one. Or don’t, it’s up to you.