Upgrade To DSi?

In 2004 Nintendo unleashed the most successful handheld system of current times, the Nintendo DS. The systems had a set of features that were a mile long, including Touch Screen, dual screens, Wi-Fi and built in microphone to name a few. Things were looking good, and with a catalogue of successful games behind it, the system was destined to be a hit.

In 2006 Nintendo re-released the console with a sleeker, smaller and more elegant design, titled the Nintendo DS Lite. It was smaller, lighter, looked nicer and featured brighter screens. The DS Lite has become the face of the Nintendo DS, and is now the model of choice.

But April 2009 will see the release of another re-design of the handheld. The Nintendo DSi boasts larger screens, dual cameras (one inside, one on the outer shell), smaller design, new user interface and SD memory card slot for AAC playback. Launching at a price of $299 at EB Games around Australia, is the DSi worth an upgrade from your Lite?

With the inclusion of cameras it would be safe to suspect a slew of titles created to take advantage of the new hardware, which of course would render the DS Lite un-useable. This is a double edged sword however, as the DSi doesn't include a gameboy advanced port. Gamers who own many accessories that utilize this port (including the popular Guitar Hero franchise) simply need to make a decision, do you want the newer device but lose your games and accessories, or do you want to continue to enjoy your hardware that you have purchased.

The DSi doesn't boast any major hardware upgrades in the performance scale, so ultimately it will be up to Nintendo to make the ultimate decision - will they continue to support the DS Lite, or slowly phase it out of production.

What are your thoughts on the DSi? Will you be upgrading from your DS Lite?

The Nintendo DSi launches across Australia on April 2nd 2009

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