The DS has been out nearly 4 years now, and because of this, it has seen all of the great franchises that Nintendo has to offer.

So recently, all the DS has been producing is stuff like 'Fashion Dogz' and 'Imagine Teacher'. This has led me to become insanely bored with my DS, and as of a few months ago, it has collected dust in my drawer.

Recently, however, Nintendo has announced the new DSi. The new £140 (approx.) piece of kit will come with an integrated digital camera (Only .3 MP, but it does the job... Sort of), Improved screen size and quality (8%), thinner body by 12%, much improved microphone and speakers, and an SD card slot. These are all pretty huge changes that I didn't expect one bit. It shows they are not just ready to stand by and watch the DS fade out slowly.

But the biggest change however, is the new interface and features on the main menu. The DS will now have its own software shop, not unlike the Wii shop channel, where you can download games and videos to your SD card and play/watch/use them on your DSi. This follows Sony's unveiling of the PSP shop. Obviously Nintendo want to stay a step ahead.

Details are vague right now, but will become much clearer as the release date nears. In Japan it is set to be released at the end of this year, and in Europe around springtime. Will this really expand the life of the DS franchise? Or will the DS continue to plummet downwards into a pit of mediocre, casual kids games? You decide.

*EDIT* Also, the GBA slot has been removed, and the DSi will have its own game format, but will still be able to play old DS games. The older DS consoles howeever will not support the DSi games.

*EDIT 2* Title edited for more relevance.

How exactly does the DS of all things need saving?

Save the DS? Does the DS need saving? Last I heard, it basically had the portable console market by the balls.

According to the adverts I've seen, Captain Picard is saving the DS.

Axolotl:
How exactly does the DS of all things need saving?

Came here to say this. I play my DS just as often, if not more often than my 360 and far more often than my wii. What other console has the Ace Attorney series? (Well, I think the GBA had some but that's not my point right now)

The DS doesn't require saving, it's still going strong and it's still, I believe, more popular than the PSP though I might be wrong on that note, I have no stats to back it up, merely anecdotal evidence from my friends and family.

Yes, please, save the DS from having a large library of classic style RPGs, innovative combat games and a slew of other titles that would never work anywhere else all of which fans love. Its drowning in its own win.

Its drowning in its own win.

I feel oddly compelled to make a picture with this caption...Well, "I'm drowning in my own win." rather than "It's" but you know what I mean.

Ago Iterum:
The DS has been out nearly 4 years now, and because of this, it has seen all of the great franchises that Nintendo has to offer.

So recently, all the DS has been producing is stuff like 'Fashion Dogz' and 'Imagine Teacher'. This has led me to become insanely bored with my DS, and as of a few months ago, it has collected dust in my drawer.

Recently, however, Nintendo has announced the new DSi. The new £140 (approx.) piece of kit will come with an integrated digital camera (Only .3 MP, but it does the job... Sort of), Improved screen size and quality (8%), thinner body by 12%, much improved microphone and speakers, and an SD card slot. These are all pretty huge changes that I didn't expect one bit. It shows they are not just ready to stand by and watch the DS fade out slowly.

But the biggest change however, is the new interface and features on the main menu. The DS will now have its own software shop, not unlike the Wii shop channel, where you can download games and videos to your SD card and play/watch/use them on your DSi. This follows Sony's unveiling of the PSP shop. Obviously Nintendo want to stay a step ahead.

Details are vague right now, but will become much clearer as the release date nears. In Japan it is set to be released at the end of this year, and in Europe around springtime. Will this really expand the life of the DS franchise? Or will the DS continue to plummet downwards into a pit of mediocre, casual kids games? You decide.

Ah, we have an opening post now.

Unfortunately I must disagree with your first point, I've continued to be impressed by the game releases I've played. The 'new' Fire Emblem game is getting released for the DS in about two weeks (5th Decemeber) in the EU. If I feel inspired to collect all the Support Conversations that's going to keep me occupied for a long, long time.

The DSi might be a nice upgrade, but for the moment I have very little reason to buy it when I've got my sleek and stylish DS Lite in perfect working order.

Amnestic:

Axolotl:
How exactly does the DS of all things need saving?

Came here to say this. I play my DS just as often, if not more often than my 360 and far more often than my wii. What other console has the Ace Attorney series? (Well, I think the GBA had some but that's not my point right now)

The DS doesn't require saving, it's still going strong and it's still, I believe, more popular than the PSP though I might be wrong on that note, I have no stats to back it up, merely anecdotal evidence from my friends and family.

I'm pretty sure the DS is more popular than the PSP, considering the PSP is all but dead. Seriously, is there ANYTHING (besides FFDissidia) coming out for PSP?

Amnestic:

Axolotl:
How exactly does the DS of all things need saving?

Came here to say this. I play my DS just as often, if not more often than my 360 and far more often than my wii. What other console has the Ace Attorney series? (Well, I think the GBA had some but that's not my point right now)

The DS doesn't require saving, it's still going strong and it's still, I believe, more popular than the PSP though I might be wrong on that note, I have no stats to back it up, merely anecdotal evidence from my friends and family.

I do get what you all mean, and yeah the DS has had some amazing games, and I'm a huge fan. But all the incredible games have all started to dry up. I've played all the amazing games to death, and want something new, but Nintendo have never made a habit of bringing out two games from the same franchise on one format.

*Edit* And I'm sure you'll agree that if a whole load of new Nintendo franchise games were released for the DSi, it would hugely expand your interest.

And while we're on the subject, a new Wario Ware game has eben announced for the DSi format. My guess is it will take advantage of the camera function somehow.

No, no the DSi sounds like a horrible idea now that I read what it is. They take out more game functionality and try to make it into a low rent PDA like the PSP. There are tons of really good games for the DS, and I get the feeling if you are bored that its more a matter of you not looking hard enough.

A GBA slot is far more important than any camera or again slimming down the already breakably thin DS lite. They should be focused on one upping the DS instead of ruining it like this to compete with something when they are already on top.

Now go look up all the 'Mana' series games for the DS, or the game that redeemed starfox, or just any of the less known titles. I promise you that you have not played all the good ones.

I think that the handheld is going the way of the phone. Remember when a phone used just be a phone? Now we have TONS of crap that we don't need. One day, and I believe that day is soon, that we will ask "Remember when the Gameboy (it will always be a Gameboy to me) used to just play games?" This new "update" is adding more more memory, a camera, and a videa camera.

The proof is in the pudding. First we had the phone, then the mobile phone. This is obviously the console to handheld. Then our mobiles recieved better clarity, picture, etc, where as our handheld got better and better. New phones came out, instead of everyone having the same 10 lb. phone their are different versions. Our phones now take pictures and can record videos, and now with the DSi we can do that too. It is only a matter of time before our Gameboys play music.

I believe that Nintendo is trying to control handheld electronics all together, and that Apple and Nintendo will be the mobile giants

The PSP needs saving, not the DS. The DS is leading in portable consoles, and has sold more units than any other home console this generation.

..."The incredible games have started to dry up"? 1. Where are you from? and 2. If you're not from Europe/Australia, what are you smoking?

The DS has TONS of good releases to look forward to, it's just their policy right now is all about quantity. There's 2000-3000 DS titles (well, actually less since a lot of "titles" are actually re-releases of the same game in Europe/US/Japan/etc.), and there IS a lot of shovelware, but that doesn't mean that there aren't good games out there.

Chrono Trigger DS, Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, Phantasy Star Zero, Infinite Space/Line, more Professor Layton (2 for US/Europe, 3 for Japan) are the main big releases that come to mind recently, and I'm drawing up HUGE blanks right now. There's a lot of shovelware, but there's also LOTS of A+ titles out there. Name me your favorite genres, and I'll give you an extensive list on which titles you should check out.

As for the DSi, I'm mixed about it. On one hand, it didn't correct a lot of things that people were complaining about (like WPK wireless security and Flashcarts/homebrew -_-), but there's a LOT of potential with the DSi store and SD storage. Hopefully we'll see use with it and later versions of games (such as PS0 *glee*)

TerraMGP:
No, no the DSi sounds like a horrible idea now that I read what it is. They take out more game functionality and try to make it into a low rent PDA like the PSP. There are tons of really good games for the DS, and I get the feeling if you are bored that its more a matter of you not looking hard enough.

A GBA slot is far more important than any camera or again slimming down the already breakably thin DS lite. They should be focused on one upping the DS instead of ruining it like this to compete with something when they are already on top.

Now go look up all the 'Mana' series games for the DS, or the game that redeemed starfox, or just any of the less known titles. I promise you that you have not played all the good ones.

I played the Mana series. I was very impressed. Not a Starfox fan though. And I see where you're coming from, and I hope the DS doesn't go the way of the PSP and try to become more of a media hub than a gaming format.

mew4ever23:
The PSP needs saving, not the DS. The DS is leading in portable consoles, and has sold more units than any other home console this generation.

You're not unserstanding the topic. This isn't about what needs saving, this is about the DSi prolonging the life of the DS.

I'm kinda perplexed here. The DS has outsold all other systems, handheld or traditional console, and continues to sell like half-price hookers and blow. I don't see the system going stale or slowing down, what with GTA coming to DS soon and the FF series being redone in 3D just for the DS. Yes there's an assload of casual or kid-oriented crap, but A) it's Nintendo and B) It's a handheld. That's like complaining that Pixar always does kids films, that's what they're here for.

So the DSi... Yes, I think it's going to sell like mad. Yes, I will probably buy one. Yes it will extend the lifespan of the DS market instead of dropping DS for yet another new Gameboy format, but even without the DSi, the DS market is good for another four+ years.

shadow_pirate22:

Amnestic:

Axolotl:
How exactly does the DS of all things need saving?

Came here to say this. I play my DS just as often, if not more often than my 360 and far more often than my wii. What other console has the Ace Attorney series? (Well, I think the GBA had some but that's not my point right now)

The DS doesn't require saving, it's still going strong and it's still, I believe, more popular than the PSP though I might be wrong on that note, I have no stats to back it up, merely anecdotal evidence from my friends and family.

I'm pretty sure the DS is more popular than the PSP, considering the PSP is all but dead. Seriously, is there ANYTHING (besides FFDissidia) coming out for PSP?

Oh for the love of god don't start that PSP bs please.

Anywho, I doubt the DS needs any help saving itself. It's just like the Wii in popularity and sales, just plain astronomical. Also Nintendo has been in the hand held market FOREVER, the chances of the gameboy dying out are almost laughable, it;s a joke more than anything to think it would bow out so easily.

Will the DSi still support R4 and Homebrew apps? If not, than it'll be good for Nintendo, maybe people won't pirate the games as much. Sucks for me though, but I don't think I'd buy the DSi with the hundreds of titles I still haven't played on DS. I do hope they make at least one more Ace Attorney game for the DS though.

chronobreak:
Will the DSi still support R4 and Homebrew apps? If not, than it'll be good for Nintendo, maybe people won't pirate the games as much. Sucks for me though, but I don't think I'd buy the DSi with the hundreds of titles I still haven't played on DS. I do hope they make at least one more Ace Attorney game for the DS though.

Nope, the DSi wont support R4's from what I've been able to gather. Homebrew i am not too sure but I wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo did something to stop that either. you know with today's companies and their Piracy outcries.

Nintendo just want more money. Period.

Its the Game Boy Color all over agian!

Will I get a DSi? I dunno, I don't even have a Lite yet, my regular DS works fine.

Do I think it will extend the life of the DS? more than likely, I think there's a chance MORE people will buy DS's now.

I honestly think the loss of the GBA slot will hurt some games though.

After all this was the conversation I had with my brother when we got our hand \helds (he got the PSP I got the DS)

Bro: Mine can play movies, music, and other things
Me: Mine can play games, that's all I want it TO do.

Onmi:
Bro: Mine can play movies, music, and other things
Me: Mine can play games, that's all I want it TO do.

Well, whatever makes him happy, eh?

Really, all we really know about this DSi is that it's going to sell like legal crack no matter what.

But as for the extended warranty life-time of the DS, what is the projected life-time of the DS anyway? However long the DS will actually be supported, it's going to be a long time before Nintendo will pull out something else out of their ass(es) that will also sell like legal crack.

I think the primary reason for the DSi launch is to combat flashcarts.

As a short, the DS will live until a working DS emulator is made, or until the next Handheld Generation.

Also what ARE flash-carts, I have no idea, although If I am to understand I will need one to enjoy the Fan Translation of Tales of Innocence.

Onmi:
As a short, the DS will live until a working DS emulator is made, or until the next Handheld Generation.

Also what ARE flash-carts, I have no idea, although If I am to understand I will need one to enjoy the Fan Translation of Tales of Innocence.

They let you play DS roms on your DS.

This is the death of the Game Boy.

All the SD card will do is save people who pirate games the hassle of buying an SD converter.

Sorry if it was said before, I didn't read all the replies.

God I hope not, just make the next generation of portables already! I'm sick of the horribly underpowered DS games, this will only extend the life, which is bad.

Speaking as someone whose DS game collection has grown by leaps and bounds this year (CivRev, Dragon Quest 4, Disgaea, the upcoming Chrono Trigger remake...) I don't think the DS needs saving. Great library of games + plenty of upcoming releases that aren't little-girl shovelware = continued dominance of the handheld market.