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
See several DS Lite versus DSi comparison pictures below, or see a larger slideshow gallery here.
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.
Pre-order the Nintendo DSi in Matte Black
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The volume slider has been moved from this side, and the GBA slot has been removed from the DSi hardware.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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Here’s where the volume control is now placed on the DSi. It’s no longer a slider, but a +/- switch.
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The stylus has changed too. The DSi stylus is slightly smaller at the top.
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Here’s where the power button is now located on the DSi. The D-pad is more flush against the surface of the DSi.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The mic is at the center of the hinge on the DSi, right next to the new camera.
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A closer look at the WiFi, AC adapter and power indicators. You can also see the speaker port.
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Indicator lights are now on the left, versus placement on the right for the DS Lite.
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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.
