Nintendo DSi

Today Nintendo released a new handheld gaming system– but only in Japan. It should be released elsewhere (U.S., hopefully?) around Spring 2009.

It’s called the Nintendo DSi. Here’s a rundown:

• The two displays are 0.25″ larger (3.25″ instead of 3″)
• Clearer sound quality
• Ability to play MP3s
• Two 0.3 MP digital cameras (640×480): one in the hinge, facing you; the other on the lid, facing out
• niteru-do function: take a photo of two people side-by-side and have the software rate how much the two look like each other
• Manipulate faces using the touch stylus
• Combine or mold different faces together
• Manipulate audio: change the pitch and speed of a sound, put effects such as “electrical fan” on a person’s voice or play a sound backwards
• ¥18,900 (US$179) — About $20 more expensive than the DS Lite
• No GBA slot. Instead, the unit is slightly thinner
• Slightly lighter
• Slightly shorter battery life
• GBA games cannot be played on the DSi, and some DS games which required the GBA slot can’t either