| Nintendo pioneered handheld entertainment in the '80s and famously made it fully
mobile and accessible to millions around the world with the Game Boy and DS
video game systems. Now, Nintendo is taking things to the next level by
transforming the way people access, experience, create and share content with
the new Nintendo DSi system, the third iteration of the world's best-selling
portable video game system.
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The DSi external camera in action.. |
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The System
The Nintendo DSi is a high-powered handheld video game system in a sleek,
folding design-loaded with features designed to create a unique gaming
experience. Like the DS and DS Lite before it, the DSi features Nintendo's
trademark stylus-driven touchscreen technology, but determined to make portable
gaming simultaneously larger and smaller in all the right places, Nintendo has
also created the DSi with significantly larger screens and an even slimmer body
design than its earlier cousins. Other features include the ability to snap
photos with built-in cameras, edit and send them to friends, play back your
music with Nintendo DSi Sound, or browse the Internet with the Nintendo DSi
Browser. From playing games to just playing around, the Nintendo DSi does it
all.
Features:
The DSi's Two Digital Cameras
The most noticeable feature of the slim Nintendo DSi system are its two cameras
- one camera is situated on the external body pointing away from the user, and
the second one points at the user when the device is flipped open. As the first
truly interactive digital camera in a video game system, the DSi Cameras feature
10 different interactive "lenses" that can manipulate your photos, offering an
easy way to take and share your photos with family and friends. The cameras also
present people with unprecedented ways to interact with their games, and in the
process provide developers with a new tool to devise creative games and
experiences. If the touch screen gave Nintendo DS a sense of feel and the
microphone allowed it to hear, the two cameras give Nintendo DSi the sense of
sight.
DSi Sound
Another enhanced feature is the Nintendo DSi Sound application, which serves as
both an interactive voice recorder and music player that allows users to play
with their music while they listen to it. Users can access different audio
filters or control the pitch and speed of recorded voice or music files to alter
voices or change the tempo of a song. The mic is located between the two screens
when the device is flipped open, and there is also a stereo headphone output
that lets users listen to music saved on an SD card, even with the screen shut.
The DSiWare
In the world of software, Nintendo DSi will be the platform for the most
relevant and fun on-the-go games and applications. The Nintendo DSiWare
application will populate Nintendo DSi with software that can be downloaded
using Nintendo DSi Points directly to the portable system, just as WiiWare has
with Nintendo's Wii console. Developers big and small are invited to create
software that makes use of the properties and functions of the hardware.
Nintendo DSiWare games and applications will be available at a range of values,
starting at 200 points.
Games and Backwards Compatibility
In addition to downloadable games, Nintendo DSi is able to play games made
specifically for the system and sold at retail. The system can also play most
Nintendo DS games, and will have access to a library of more than 850 titles
originally made for that system. As an example of the quality of games that DSi
players can expect to see both from both Nintendo and third-party game
developers, at the launch of the DSi Nintendo is also releasing Rhythm
Heaven. A wildly popular rhythm game in Japan, where it has sold nearly 2
million copies since its release in mid 2008, Rhythm Heaven features
catchy tunes, charming characters, and a wide variety of rhythm games as it
makes maximum use of the DSi's functionality.
Facebook
Nintendo DSi owners have even more ways to share their experiences with friends
and family. Using an Internet-connected Nintendo DSi system and the Nintendo DSi
Camera application, Facebook members can take pictures with either of the
system's two cameras and upload their photos directly to their Facebook profile.
While reviewing pictures they've stored in the Nintendo DSi Camera album, which
includes photos taken by users and manipulated using the built-in interactive
lenses, users can simply tap the Facebook icon on the system's touch screen to
instantly transmit photos to the user's Facebook profile. The user's system
must be configured to a wireless broadband Internet connection for the
transmission of photos. |
