Ae the DSi's features worth the extra $40?

[viivo]

I'm going to be picking up a DS later today. After reading about it, it seems the only things the DSi has over the lite is a .25" bigger screen, two cameras I'll never use, more brightness settings and no GBA slot. Is there anything I'm missing that would make it worth almost half of what the lite costs?

Will there be any DSi-only games in the future?

 

[PieIsAwesome]

Not really. I have one that I got because of a deal and I like the larger screens, but that is about it.

 

[Saulbadguy]

No.

 

[DaveSimmons]

So far there are no DSi-specific full games announced through early 2010, all games are DSi + DS.

 

[FeathersMcGraw]

Is there any additional functionality that the DSi has that would justify a DSi-specific game?

On topic, I don't think the premium is worth it, but then again, I'm still running on a first-generation DS.

 

[xCxStylex]

If youre only playing games and dont need any of the new kiddie features or care about the downloaded minigames, then you dont need one. First gen DS ftw, i like my dpad better than the ds lite dpad

 

[Dumac]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
So far there are no DSi-specific full games announced through early 2010, all games are DSi + DS.

Word hit recently that the first Nintendo DSi-only games will be arriving later this year. Well, now we have our first game, with Alpha Unit having just announced Alpha Unit.

According to AdriaSang, the title will be using the built-in camera as part of its core gameplay mechanics. It seems it will be used to capture monsters, after which they can be used in battle. The game promises 100 monster designs.

Not much to go on at the moment, but an official website is now available.

Monster Finder is due this winter, with a price yet to be disclosed. After that, more DSi-only titles are sure to follow.

source

Monster Finder doesn't seem like a holy grail of DSi gaming, but it can be seen as the mark of what may be a new trend of DSi only games.

The DSi doesn't only boast features such as a more robust OS, media features, cameras, and all that tacked on BS. It also has beefier specs, with a lot more RAM as well as a faster CPU, IIRC. Therefore, we may get games later than run better on a DSi or perhaps can only be run on a DSi due to hardware specs.

The main drawback of the DSi , besides the extra $$,is the lack of GBA support. If you are an avid player of GBA games and do not have an advance or do not wish to use it, then this may be a big factor for you.

If you had a DS or DSLite, I couldn't recommend getting a DSi. But for someone without any form of DS, I would recommend the DSi for its proposed longevity.

You would probably be happy enough in the mean time with a DS Lite, however.

 

[DaveSimmons]

^ out Winter 2010 in Japan? I don't think this was in the big Nintendo list of North America titles for 2009-2010

 

[Dumac]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
^ out Winter 2010 in Japan? I don't think this was in the big Nintendo list of North America titles for 2009-2010

Oh, you are probably right.

I forget to distinguish between the two sometimes, as do some video game sites.

 

[Krakn3Dfx]

Originally posted by: viivo
I'm going to be picking up a DS later today. After reading about it, it seems the only things the DSi has over the lite is a .25" bigger screen, two cameras I'll never use, more brightness settings and no GBA slot. Is there anything I'm missing that would make it worth almost half of what the lite costs?

Will there be any DSi-only games in the future?

Well, it has slightly bigger screens, has the DSi Store, has better wifi security support, has 2 cameras, it's a big lighter and thinner.

I upgraded my son from the DS Lite to a DSi and he likes it a lot. Eventually there will be games that have DSi specific functionality, I've seen a few that did some pretty cool stuff with the cameras.

I would say yes in the long run, but from a short term perspective, probably not.

 

[viivo]

I ended up getting the lite, Scribblenauts (the first time I've ever bought a system because of one game) and The Dark Spire. I probably won't be getting many games for it anyway, and I imagine any DSi-specific games will be too gimmicky for me to care about.

So far I really like it, more so than my old PSP, and it will kill the time between classes nicely.

 

[Dumac]

Originally posted by: viivo
I ended up getting the lite, Scribblenauts (the first time I've ever bought a system because of one game) and The Dark Spire. I probably won't be getting many games for it anyway, and I imagine any DSi-specific games will be too gimmicky for me to care about.

So far I really like it, more so than my old PSP, and it will kill the time between classes nicely.

Make sure to state your opinion of Scribblenauts in the thread over there

 

[dguy6789]

I vote yes. DSi is the successor to the DS. It has larger screens and more powerful hardware that will begin to be taken advantage of in time.

Some features the DSi has over the DS:

* You can swap game carts with the Nintendo DSi without having to turn the system off.
* The power button does not only turn the DSi on or off, but will also activate a menu in DSWare applications. It's similar to the Wii's Home button.
* You can listen to music while the DSi?s top is closed and headphones are plugged in. The DSi?s music played is called ?DSi Sound?. The music player also will feature visualizations. Examples of such visualizations are: Excitebikes, hatching eggs, tapping feet and a wire frame globe.
* While playing music you can use four ?sound filters?. These are sounds such as drums or barking dogs and are played by pressing the shoulder buttons.
* Playlists can be made for your favorite songs.
* You can adjust the pitch and speed of your songs.
* The DSi has five brightness settings, whereas the DS Lite has four.
* The DSi charges its battery up completely in 2,5 hours. This is a half an hour shorter than the DS Lite. The charge time is compromised by the DSi?s battery life though; it?s one hour less.
* The DSi will have better sound quality and a higher maximum volume.
* You can record sounds with the DSi, but only for 10 seconds.
* You can edit pictures you?ve taken with the DSi?s camera. Expect things such as deforming faces and adding frames or hats.
* Pictochat now has colors available to draw with.
* You can use the DSi?s camera to make a photo album. These pictures can be displayed on the calendar.
* Satoru Iwata came up with the idea of applications that can be downloaded via DSWare. Satoru Iwata names examples of applications: "a Zelda calculator, an Animal Crossing clock, street maps for various large cities, or possibly a simple Tetris."
* Another important feature is the DSi?s ability to connect to wireless networks that are encrypted with WPA. Satoru Iwata said the following about the DSi and WPA encryption:?Though the new browser and those programs designed exclusively for the DSi will use a high level of security, existing DS software will use existing encryption.? WPA2 is also supported.
* ?Moving Notebook? software allows you to make short animations of drawings you made and create memos. You can also use the DSi?s microphone to record sounds to play alongside the animations.

 

[DaveSimmons]

^ did not excite me

 

[Newbian]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
^ did not excite me

Sadly the same for me and I still have the original DS.

I will probably wait for the next model 6 months after the DSI has been out. :laugh: