As the name suggests, the new Nintendo DSi is only slightly different from the Nintendo DS portable video game system. One is merely a variation of the other and they both use touchscreen controls and a built-in microphone to play the same interactive and innovative games like the Brain Age, Nintendogs, and Mario Kart DS titles. The difference, aside from an extra $60 in price, is that the new DSi is also a camera toy (taking and manipulating photographs), a sound toy (recording and manipulating sounds), and a wireless internet device with the ability to both surf the web and purchase mini-games from Nintendo’s online shop. These additions are neat, but only just so, and not worth rushing out to replace your existing Nintendo DS for.
Playing DS Games
Physically the DSi is lighter, the exterior finish is rougher, some of the buttons (volume and power) have been moved and tweaked, and it uses a different AC adaptor for charging that is incompatible with the original DS. It still feels and looks the same as the original and from a glance you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference.
There are two major changes; the DSi’s screens are slightly larger in size and the Game Boy Advance slot, which allows the Nintendo DS to play game cartridges from the older Game Boy Advance system, is missing. In its place Nintendo has added a SD memory card slot needed for the DSi’s other features.
While it’s nice to play games on the larger screens, the change isn’t that dramatic and in terms of acting as a video game system, there’s no difference other than the price.
As A Camera Toy
Included with the DSi are two built-in cameras, similar to the ones used in cellphones although most cellphones today include cameras that are at least one Megapixel. Here Nintendo is using VGA-quality cameras, much like the ones that first appeared in cellphones a few years ago. One camera points out towards the outside and away from the user, to take pictures of the world around, and the second is positioned along the hinge, pointing inwards like a webcam on a laptop. This is for taking both pictures and video of the user him or herself.
Both cameras can be used with an included photo-editing program and with selected mini-games available through Nintendo’s online store. At this time, there are no plans to use the cameras for any video chat feature, and, considering how careful Nintendo is about connecting kids online, is unlikely to introduce one any time soon.
DSi Camera is an included program that allows users to both snap and save photos from either of the two built-in cameras and then manipulate them using the touchscreen and tools that distort or morph images, add virtual costumes or animal parts, and embed photos within elaborate frames.
There’s nothing here that is new from the photo-tweaking programs that have been included with webcams, digital cameras, and online photo websites. What Nintendo has done is to collect the best of these features available and present them in a way that is very easy to use with the stylus and touch screen.
You can morph photos, draw on them, apply colour tints, add digital disguises, fake backgrounds, and creative photo frames. Just as with a webcam you can make these changes in real-time, previewing them before you take the photo, or after. Facial recognition is used to convert frowns into smiles and face tracking is used to automatically place digital whiskers, sunglasses, and moustaches onto faces without you having to position them.
The software is excellent at automatically adjusting the brightness to assure clear photos are taken, the tweaking tools are very effective and, as Nintendo is known for, is creative in style. You can dress yourself up in Mario’s own nose, moustache and red cap. You can really tweak hair styles, and even combine two pictures together, all with quick flicks of the stylus.
Photos can be saved onto the system or onto an SD memory card where they can then be transferred to a computer for printing. A calendar keeps track of which day the photo was taken on.
While it may not be an original idea, Nintendo’s version is done really well.
As A Sound Toy
DSi Sound is an included program that uses the built-in microphone to record 10 second clips. It can also be used to play music files from a loaded SD memory card. Both music and sounds can be manipulated with digital tools that apply fun effects, but can also alter the pitch and tempo too.
There are three modes:
Parakeet –There’s a virtual parakeet who offers tutorials and tips on using the DSi Sound program, but if you just leave the program running from the main screen, the microphone becomes active and the bird will pick up on sounds in the room and repeat them back to you in his own, chipper parakeet voice.
Sound Recording – You can save up to 18 different 10 second clips and then create alternate versions by changing the pitch and tempo (including playing it backwards). You can also apply four effects; parakeet, electric fan, trumpet, and low harmony which lowers the pitch.
Music Playback – From the SD memory card you can play music files, but they must be in AAC format, not MP3. Music tracks can play with your choice of visualizers on the top screen, including equalizers, geometric designs, vector graphics, and video game graphics including the classic Super Mario Brothers with the ability to make Mario jump up and collect coins.
While you’re listening to your music you can join in by pressing the shoulder buttons to add your choice of hand claps, record scratches, maracas, animal sounds, and classic Nintendo effects to the mix. You can even mix in your 10 second recordings from the other mode.
Other options include the ability to alter the pitch and tempo plus audio effects including the texture of a tinny radio, the echo of a concert hall, dampening of the vocals, and my favorite, one that transforms your music into 8-bit just like the soundtracks of old arcade games.
As with the DSi Camera, the idea isn’t original and we’ve seen it before with computer programs and free websites, but Nintendo’s version is done very, very well.
As An Internet Device
The DSi has the ability to connect to a Wi-Fi access point, including a wireless router in your home or a public hotspot offered at a coffee shop. It can scan for hotspots and even support WEP security codes. Once connected, you can download the Opera Web Browser from Nintendo for free and use it to surf the internet. It displays web pages in full along the top screen and in zoomed mode on the bottom where you can use your stylus to move about the page. There’s an alternate column view and support for favorites. Much like the Opera Browser on the Nintendo Wii, it works well enough to visit popular sites and look up information.
The DSi Shop offers a selection of special mini-games and programs called DSiWare that are specifically designed just for the Nintendo DSi model only. You need to register for an account and use a credit card to purchase DSi Points that in turn are used to make purchases from the store.
At launch Nintendo is including 1,000 DSi Points with the system and is offering five titles in their store at three price points. There’s Birds & Beans, an arcade game where you play a bird that has to catch beans from the sky, a very repetitive and boring title that sells for 200 points. WarioWare Snapped is more satisfying at 500 points, as it uses the built-in camera to track your face and hands and challenge you to move them to complete quick tasks. The best part is that is records a video clip of you unaware while you’re playing to game to watch later. Brain Age Express: Math is the most expensive at 800 points and it offers a short collection of the math puzzles from the series’ popular mind tests.
So far none of the DSiWare games or programs are exceptional in nature. Quick distractions merely, there’s no must-haves or addictive titles to make regular Nintendo DS users feel like their being left out.
New DS Users Need Only Apply
Nintendo has created another quality device that delivers a remarkable value in the way their take on interactive play engages users in a positive way, but at launch the enhancements are just that, enhancements and there’s no reason for an owner of the previous Nintendo DS system to buy one. If you happen to be in the market for a Nintendo DS ($140) and have a wireless network at home, then yes, it’s worth paying the extra money for the DSi version ($200), you will get that much extra value from it.
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