Nintendo DS

Produced By: Nintendo

The Nintendo DS is Nintendo's latest handheld. It features two screens including a touch screen on the bottom and is available in three different versions: the original DS, the DS lite and the DSi (coming Nov. 08 for Japan and TBA 2009 for the US and Europe).

Overview
Nintendo DS logo

The Nintendo DS is the newest step for Nintendo in the handheld gaming market. Released in 2004 and succeeding the Game Boy Advance, the Nintendo DS introduces two entirely new aspects for a Nintendo handheld--the touch screen and dual screen display.

The Nintendo DS takes advantage of a dual screen display. The two 3-inch screens are positioned next to each other vertically. The bottom screen has touch input that can directly affect gameplay. The system functions with a stylus that comes packaged with the hardware. The DS can read only one point of input at one time, meaning the screen will only recognize one stylus at a time.
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection logo

These aren't the only things new to the handheld, though. Each system has a microphone built straight into it, between the two screens. Some games take advantage of this technology, requiring players to yell, blow, or talk into the microphone. In addition, Wi-Fi capabilities are built straight into the system as well through an IEEE 802.11b device. Most online capable games for the DS are integrated into Nintendo's own Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. This service, introduced in 2005 with Mario Kart DS, is completely free and is focused on providing the user with a simple interface for online gameplay. As of today, there are over 90 games released that are online compatible and that number is expected to grow to a total of 130 games in the near future.

As of 08/08, 77.54 million units were sold. This makes 1.16% of the world population DS owners.

DSi black and white version side by side

Nintendo DSi

On October 2, 2008 Nintendo announced that it would be releasing its latest version of the Nintendo DS, the Nintendo DSi. The DSi is 12% thinner then the DSlite due to the lose of the GBA slot at the bottom of the system. The screens on the system will be slightly larger then those on previous versions at 3.25 inches. The DSi will come with an external 3 MP (megapixel) camera and a front facing camera built into the hinge of the system. The DSi will also come with a SD card slot on the side and will also have built in storage (although how much is not currently known).

Nintendo will also be launching a DSi Shop that will be accessible from the system via WiFi or for free at "Nintendo Zone" hotspots, which will be located in Japanese McDonalds. Currently the only content known to be available at launch will be a free Web Browsers app, a free notebook app and "DSiWare". The store will use the renamed Nintendo Points, 1000 of which will come free with the DSi until March 2010 and content will be priced in 0, 200, 500, 800 points.

Wii Points will be renamed Nintendo Points. Nintendo Points cards can only be used for one platform at a time, and Points from a single card cannot be shared between the two platforms.
Nintendo Points Card & scheme.
Nintendo Points Card
 
Currently the DSi is only scheduled to launch in Japan on November 1st, 2008 for  ¥18,900 ($178). Europe and the US will have to wait until sometime next year.

New Interface


Nintendo has also updated the DS interface menu to accommodate new software. Initially you will be able to access the following programs from the main menu: DSi Camera, DSi Sound, DSi Shop, PictoChat, and download play. The menu also includes icons for starting a game from a DS cartridge and accessing system settings.

The Nintendo DSi comes with a free Web Browser made by Opera which uses built in ram & will use it more efficiently then the DS add-on web browser which came with ram that went into the GBA port.

The DSi's menu is based off  the Wii Channel interface. You will be able to add new programs that will be listed on the screen. Its unknown at this time how many programs can be seen on the screen at one time, but there is an all view option.

DSi Camera


The DSi has two cameras, an internal one which is a 0.3 megapixel camera & an external camera which is a 3.0 megapixel camera.
Selecting DSi Camera from the menu will transform your system into a digital camera. Photos that you take can be to a SD card and then taken to a PC or cellphone. You can also share photos, wirelessly between two DSis.

The camera will also include some game elements. Among the features are a facial blending tool, a method for changing facial expressions, and a means of measuring similarity between two faces. The camera itself can be set to take photos in a various modes, including normal mode, "trick" mode, and frame mode.

DSi Sound


Selecting DSi Sound from the menu will take you to a mini music player, complete with a variety of visualizers and audio tools. The system will be able to  remove vocals, allowing you to possible sing along with your favorite song. There also appears to a "music creator" included. You will be able to tap buttons with  rhythm in order to overlay sounds. You can also record 10 second audio samples through the system's microphone for use in your music sessions.

Unfortunately, those looking for MP3 support are out of luck, DSi Sound will only support AAC format.

System Specs


Screen Size

3.25 inch

Screen


TFT LCD with 260,000 colors
Resolution: 256 x 192

System Size

137 x 74.9 x 18.9mm

Touch Pen

92mm length

Power Source

DSi AC adapter and special battery pack

Weight

214g (battery pack and touch pen included)

Charge Time

2 hours 30 minutes

Battery Life (listed by screen brightness, lowest to highest)

9-14 hours, 8-12, 6-9, 4-6, 3-4

Compatible Software

DS software, DSi software

Cameras

Internal camera: 0.3 megapixel
External camera: 3.0 megapixel

Input Method

DS card slot, SD memory card slot, AC adapter connector, stereo head phone/mic connector

Specs Comparison - DSi vs DSlite vs. DS

Weight

DSi: 214g (battery pack and touch pen included) 
Comparison of the DSi (left) and DS Lite (right), showing off the larger screens, camera and new power lights
DS Lite: 218g (battery pack, touch pen, GBA connector cover included)
Original: 275g

Dimensions 

DSi: 137 x 74.9 x 18.9mm - 12% smaller then DSlite
Lite: 133 mm x 73.9 mm x 21.5 mm / 5.24 in x 2.9 in x 0.85 in - 42% less volume than original
Original: 148.7 mm x 84.7 mm x 28.9 mm / 5.85 in x 3.33 in x 1.13 in)

Screens

DSi: 3.25 inch
DS Lite: 3.0 inch
Original: 62 mm x 46 mm

Battery Life (listed by screen brightness, lowest to highest)

DSi: 9-14 hours, 8-12, 6-9, 4-6, 3-4 (battery size unknown at this time)
DS Lite: 15-19 hours, 10-15, 7-11, 5-8 (1000mAh- Reduced battery life after 500 charges)
Original: Approx. 10 hrs (850mAh)

Charge Time

DSi: 2 hours 30 minutes
DS Lite: 3 hours
Original: 4 hours

Brightness

Brightness Comparison
DSi & Lite: Four levels of brightness.  Much improved brightness over the original DS
Original: Two levels of brightness: on and off

Stylus

DSi: 92mm length
Lite: Length 87.5 mm x 4.9 mm - Side loaded, below the power switch
Original: Length 75.0 mm x 4.0 mm

Wrist Strap

DSi: unknown at this time
Lite: Japan - Has no thumb stylus. North America - No longer has a wrist strap
Original: All DS's included a wrist strap with a thumb stylus

Buttons

DSi: D-pad and Start Select A B Y X buttons same as DSlite. Power button moved to the right side of bottom screen directly across from the Select button.
Lite: D-Pad was reduced in size to 18.6 mm across.  Start and select buttons were moved from above the A B Y X buttons to below.  They were also shrunk.  Power button is now a slider on the right side of the handheld.

Expansion

DSi: No longer has a GBA slot on the bottom. SD card slot on the side
Lite: The depth of the GBA cartridge slot has been shrunk 50% so games now even GBA games stick out 1 cm.  The charging port now is a different size and is only used for charging, as apposed to the original that could also used for accessories.

Microphone Location

DSi: slightly moved over on the henge to accommodate front facing camera
Lite: Between top and bottom screens
Original: Below the left side of bottom screen

Camera

DSi: External 3MP camera and front facing camera on hinge.
DSlite: None
Original: None

Limited Editions

Pink Ribbon edition for cancer research
Pink Ribbon Limited edition: September 27, 2008
-  Polar white with breast cancer awareness logo on the face
- $129.99
- Nintendo will donate $5 for every system sold to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure charity.
- Nintendo promises a minimum of $100,000 donation

Final Fantasy III edition:  July 12, 2008 
- Crystal White DS Lite with FFIII artwork on the front cover.
Pokemon DAISUKI Club edition:  July 13, 2006 
- Crystal White DS Lite Pikachu artwork on the front cover.

Pokemon Dialga and Palkia editionJapan: September 28, 2006 North American: TBA
- Jet Black with a glitter design of two legendary Pokemon on the front.  Dialga and Palkia.
Final Fantasy III DS Lite
Jump Ultimate Stars bundle:  
- Has the words "JUMP ULTIMATE STARS" printed on its case.

Love and Berry bundle:  
- Metalic pink and comes with a card reader.

Winning Eleven bundle:  
- Jet Black DS Lite that comes with the soccer game Winning Eleven

Mario vs. Donkey Kong edition:  

Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings Sky Pirates edition:  April 26, 2007 
Winning Eleven DS Lite

Pirate of the Caribbean edition:  May 19, 2007 
- Has the movies log on the front with a pictures of Jack Sparrow  and the words "Where the adventure comes to life."

Seattle Mariners edition:  
- Has the Seattle Mariners logo on the front and is available for purchase from Safeco Field.

Pokemon Center Pikachu edition:  November 17, 2007 
- A Yellow DS Lite with a picture of Pikachu on the front.
Pokemon Center Pikachu DS Lite

RX-93 v Gundam edition:  August 9, 2007 
- A White DS Lite with a logo from the animated film on the front.

Wonderful World edition:  July 27, 2007 
- A glossy silver DS Lite with a black It's a Wonder World logo on the front left of the DS and the game title on the right.

Kirby: Squeak Squad edition:  April 16, 2007

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles:  Ring of Fates Gemini edition:  August 23, 2007 
- Crystal White DS Lite with Ring of Fates line art on the front right and the title of the game on the left.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles DS Lite


Nintendo Connection Tour '07 edition: July 2007 
- Black DS Lite with "Nintendo DS Connection Tour '07 Champion." on the front.  Only 15 exist in the world.

Wario:  Master of Disguise edition:  September 10, 2007 
- 40 of them are in existence.

Super Mario 64 DS IQue DS edition: 
- Another limited edition release of DS Lite from IQue.

The Legend of Zelda:  Phantom Hourglass edition:  November 20, 2007 
- A gold DS Lite with a Triforce image in the bottom right of the Cover, bundled with The Legend of Zelda: Phantom hourglass.
Legend of Zelda DS Lite


Nintendogs edition: November 20, 2007 
- Metallic rose DS Lite bundled with Nintendogs. A pink paw is displayed on the front of the device.

Warhammer 40,000 Squad Command edition: 
- Displays a design that looks like the power armor, worn by the Ultramarines in the game, on the front cover.

Crimson/Black Dragon IQue DS edition: 
- Has images of dragons on the cover.

Bape Milo edition:  April 1, 2008 
- Released by fashion designer Nigo from Japan.

Honeyee x Fragment Design:  March 19, 2008 
- Displays an design from Hiroshi Fujiwara.

Guitar Hero  On Tour edition:  June 22, 2008 
- A Silver/Black DS Lite with the Guitar Hero logo on the front cover.

Lock's Quest Contest:
- A Black DS Lite with illuminated buttons and flame emblem

Nintendo DS - Recent Games

Name Platforms Developer
Emma at the Farm
released on Dec. 1, 2008
DS Nobilis France
Disney's Bolt
released on Nov. 28, 2008
PS2, PS3, WII, DS, PC Avalanche Software LLC
Professor Heinz Wolffs Gravity
released on Nov. 28, 2008
WII, DS, PC Deep Silver
Winter Sports 2: The Next Challenge
released on Nov. 25, 2008
X360, WII, DS 49Games GmbH
Neopets Puzzle Adventure
released on Nov. 25, 2008
WII, DS, PC Infinite Interactive Pty. Ltd.
Army Men: Soldiers of Misfortune
released on Nov. 25, 2008
PS2, WII, DS
All Star Cheer Squad
released on Nov. 24, 2008
WII, DS Gorilla Systems Corporation
Age of Empires: Mythologies
released on Nov. 24, 2008
DS Griptonite Games
Cooking Guide: Can't Decide What to Eat?
released on Nov. 24, 2008
DS
Personal Trainer: Cooking
released on Nov. 24, 2008
DS
Emma in the Mountains
released on Nov. 24, 2008
DS
Trackmania DS
released on Nov. 21, 2008
DS Firebrand Games
Luminous Arc 2
released on Nov. 18, 2008
DS Imageepoch
Metal Slug 7
released on Nov. 18, 2008
DS, XBLM SNK Playmore
Imagine Movie Star
released on Nov. 18, 2008
DS
Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party
released on Nov. 18, 2008
WII, DS Ubisoft Paris Studios
Need for Speed: Undercover
released on Nov. 18, 2008
PSP, PS2, X360, PS3, WII, DS, PC, IPHN EA Black Box
Tomb Raider: Underworld
released on Nov. 18, 2008
PS2, X360, PS3, WII, DS, PC Crystal Dynamics, Inc.
Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon
released on Nov. 18, 2008
DS Natsume
Skate It
released on Nov. 18, 2008
WII, DS Exient Entertainment, EA Montreal

Nintendo DS - Upcoming Games

Name Platform Developer
Rhythm Heaven
DS Nintendo R&D1
Dragon Ball: Origins
DS Game Republic

DS Creat Studio, LLC
Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie
expected release 2009
SNES, DS Heart Beat, ArtePiazza
A Witch's Tale
expected release 2009
DS Hitmaker
The Humans: Meet the Ancestors
expected release 2008
AMI, GB, GEN, LYNX, SNES, AST, JAG, WII, CD32, DS, PC GameTek, Inc., Imagitec Design Inc.
A New Beginning
expected release 2008
WII, DS, PC Daedalic Entertainment
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (Konami's Best)
expected release 2007
DS Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo
Monster Trucks
expected release 2005
GBA, DS Skyworks Technologies, Inc.
Images

General Information Edit
Platform Name: Nintendo DS
Release Date: Nov. 21, 2004
Online Support: True
Install Base: 77,540,000
Original Price: $150
Producing Company: Nintendo
Total Games: games
Recurring Appearances
Earth
first in
63
Japan
first in
37
Space
first in Spacewar!
26
Castle
first in
25
New York
first in
24
Cave
first in
20
The Beach
first in
15
Underwater
first in
13
China
first in
10
Washington, D.C.
first in
10
3D
first in Elite
92
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
first in Mario Kart DS
85
Best-Selling Games
first in Pong
82
Tie-In
first in
82
Female-Targeted Game
first in
78
Health
first in
76
Minigames
first in SwordQuest: EarthWorld
75
Game Over
first in
69
Death
first in
68
Touch Controls
first in
67
Sword
first in
68
Gun
first in
50
Bomb
first in B-17 Bomber
36
Key
first in
33
Helmet
first in
32
Tree
first in
30
Bow and Arrow
first in
24
Car
first in
23
Spaceship
first in Spacewar!
23
Cat
first in
22


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