Nintendo DSi VS. Nintendo DS Lite : Side-by-side Comparison
Written by Alexis M. (Rivithed)
Sunday, 29 March 2009
Wondering how the new Nintendo DSi compares against the Nintendo DS Lite? Here's a side by side comparison of a white Nintendo DS Lite (MSRP $129.99) versus the new Nintendo DSi in Matte Black (MSRP $169.99).
New features to the Nintendo DS series with the DSi:
- Screens are larger
- Thinner
- Two cameras. One camera is on the external body. Another camera in the inside hinge points at you.
- 10 different interactive “lenses” that manipulate your photos (via software).
- Nintendo DSi Shop: Nintendo DSiWare (like Wii Shop) will support downloadable games, starting at 200 points ($2).
- Nintendo DSi Sound application: record your voice and alter it.
- An SD card slot.
- Plays AAC format audio off any standard SD Card.
- DS cards are now hot-swappable. No need to shut down to switch cartridges.
What is missing from the DSi, which is on the DS Lite hardware:
- No Game Boy Advance slot (can't play GBA games).
- No rumble/vibration. With no Game Boy Advance slot, the Rumble Pak can't be used. It's not built into the DSi hardware either.
Another thing to note is that the DSi is not compatible with import DSi games.
The pictures below were taken at a Nintendo preview event for the DSi. For more information on the new features of the Nintendo DSi, visit NintendoDSi.com.
The Nintendo DSi will be available in one week, on Sunday, April 5, 2009.
The volume slider has been moved from this side, and the GBA slot has been removed from the DSi hardware.
The power switch on the DSi is no longer on the outside. The DSi has a power button on the inside. The SD Card slot takes its place. Notice the thinner design of not only the DSi, but the trigger buttons on the bottom. Also, looks like the DSi won't have the problems of dust and crumbs getting under the plastic molding.
The bottom of the units. The DSi doesn't have the anti-slip rubber notches on the bottom. The batteries are also different (see doors).
The trigger buttons have the camera icon now. Notice the thicker hinge on the DSi. This should hopefully prevent the hinge cracking that happened to the DS Lite (you can see the white DS Lite hinge on the top right has a crack on it). The AC power port is different too.
Here's where the volume control is now placed on the DSi. It's no longer a slider, but a +/- switch.
The stylus has changed too. The DSi stylus is slightly smaller at the top.
Here's where the power button is now located on the DSi. The D-pad is more flush against the surface of the DSi.
The Start and Select buttons are in the same location, but are slightly wider and flatter. The DSi buttons are also more flush against the surface.
The DSi speaker ports are now made of 2 slim openings versus the 6 holes the DS Lite has on each side of the top screen. The indicator lights are on the left now, and are 3 instead of 2.
The rubber SD Card cover (on right side of the unit) is pulled out to reveal SD Card Slot. It's next to the DSi stylus port.
The mic is at the center of the hinge on the DSi, right next to the new camera.
A closer look at the WiFi, AC adapter and power indicators. You can also see the speaker port.
Indicator lights are now on the left, versus placement on the right for the DS Lite.
The outside camera on the face of the DSi. Nintendo dropped the DS icon (two rounded rectangles) from the top of the unit. The Nintendo and Nintendo DSi logos are only visible at the bottom of the unit.
Comments
Raphael Written by Guest on 2009-03-31 19:17:28Does the DSi have a Gameboy slot
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Written by Guest on 2009-04-02 16:16:47 THIS IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!
LOLZ Written by Guest on 2009-04-05 19:04:53AWESOME .too bad DSi doesn't have a GBA slot.no more GH
Written by Guest on 2009-04-06 05:32:34its really good
Written by Guest on 2009-04-06 19:32:31With all the positive reviews I think i'll get one. I really like the old one and with all the improvements on this one, would only make it that much better.
Written by Guest on 2009-04-07 08:06:08does the DSI have a gameboy slot
brandon Written by Guest on 2009-04-08 06:47:39 why doesnt it have a gba slot? WHY WHY WHY!!!?????
Norm Written by Guest on 2009-04-09 12:18:44This thing is awesome
Written by Guest on 2009-04-09 17:47:31no, it doesn't have a GBA slot. I believe that's why they were able to make it slimmer.
Dsi Written by Guest on 2009-04-11 08:51:11this thing is amazingly awsome im getting one on april 13th
No gba slot! Written by Guest on 2009-04-12 09:05:01screw that! the only way id get it is if i could keep my dslite. i thought they were making it better, not cutting out one of the good points!
say what!? no gba slot!? Written by Guest on 2009-04-12 09:05:10damn...
guitar hero Written by Guest on 2009-04-17 06:42:59so...you cant play games such as guitar hero now they have got rid of the GBA slot...hmmmm
colors Written by Guest on 2009-04-18 05:20:57check ebay you can find many colors for dsi that's where i got mine
Guitar Hero Written by Guest on 2009-04-25 08:27:41NEEDS A GBA SLOT WE CANT PLAY GUITAR HERO ANYMORE
dsi Written by Guest on 2009-04-25 12:43:27can u go on internet for the dsi
wow Written by Guest on 2009-04-25 21:07:43that is amazing it has a camera i might just get me one for my birthday
Written by Guest on 2009-04-28 17:18:23So many gba games going cheap in my area it was a no brainer. I just brought my first ds lite. Loving it.
I think.. Written by Guest on 2009-04-29 20:37:38I rather buy DSL.......... I want GBA Slot!!!!
NO GBA SLOT Written by Guest on 2009-04-30 12:41:01I have a DSI myself its really good the cameras good it plays music and has its own DSI Shop still no GBA Slot BUT... its worth all the other goods
good Written by Guest on 2009-05-04 06:47:34nintendo has made another great product better than the sony psp some of yall are made because of no gameboy slot but that was like 4 years ago let the games go and me myself is kinda sad becuse guitar hero was a good game !!!!!
This is the future Written by Guest on 2009-05-16 11:52:24The DSI is bad ass.Who cares about the GBA slot.Guitar quiero sucks.
I want a GBA!!!!!!! Written by Guest on 2009-05-23 05:46:12
YAY DSI Written by Guest on 2009-05-31 14:56:44
Now I know....... Written by Guest on 2009-06-05 11:18:38 no
malik Written by Guest on 2009-06-29 07:31:23get a dsi you will love it the blue on is great
Written by Guest on 2009-07-04 12:04:49i will buy one tommorrw yay me
HELP Written by Guest on 2009-07-24 08:55:44i gotta psp... and havent ever tried a ds game... so should i buy a ds lite or dsi?? and r ds games any good?
Written by Guest on 2009-08-05 22:51:51wow i wanna get it but i already have a ds lite...how can i trade it in???
this is tight as hell Written by Guest on 2009-08-19 14:28:38this beets the psp by a mile espicialy because the psp will stop playing games after a while it happend to my cousin after a year so if you do choose the psp over a dsi you should get long waranty make the right choice get the dsi and a sd port camera ds games internet downloadable ds games from dsi ware bigger screens longer slim better graphics come on all this and they only take away gameboy games wich they stopped making a while ago
Beastly Written by Guest on 2009-09-11 19:12:44I want the DSI so bad. If I don't get it as a present I'm going to buy it!
mom 2 6 yr old Written by Guest on 2009-11-12 19:09:54anyone here? I am trying to determine which one I should get for my 6 yr boy...a DSi or a DSlite?
which one is more durable?
Both pretty durable Written by Guest on 2009-11-12 19:29:12They both are fairly durable. The hinges of the DS Lite have been shown to crack, so I would say go with the DSi.
NJ Written by Guest on 2009-11-23 04:34:53For a 6 year old the ORIGINAL DS. Way more durable than the others and I doubt the child care that much they're missing out on the newer technology.
i really want a DSi Written by Guest on 2009-11-26 23:41:13I really want a DSi!! are the things you download in the shop worth it at all?
Written by Guest on 2009-12-01 05:54:28Can you only down load if you have internet hooked up to your DSi or can you still download games from your home computer to the DSi?
new Written by Guest on 2009-12-02 18:29:10they are making a dsi xl google it
naruto Written by Guest on 2009-12-06 04:26:55 dsi looks awseom!
Written by Guest on 2010-01-16 05:43:04 i cant buy 1
Written by Guest on 2010-03-02 16:32:44i'm getting a dsi and i'm only 10 about to turn 11.
i future Written by Guest on 2010-03-16 03:23:15there is a ds called dsi lite in korea,with dsi camara,dsi sound and gba slot
i future Written by Guest on 2010-03-16 03:24:17(continued)so if u wanna dsi with gba,better go to korea
(MSRP $169.99).
why doesnt it have a gba slot? WHY WHY WHY!!!?????
the only way id get it is if i could keep my dslite. i thought they were making it better, not cutting out one of the good points! 
