Nintendo DSi Out On April 4?

IGN's Nintendo stalwart Matt Casamassina cites "multiple sources close to Nintendo" in a report that says the DSi is set to release in North America on or close to April 4, at a price of $179.99. As it stands, that's a $50 increase over the DS Lite, while the DSi is only roughly $25 more expensive than its lesser predecessor in Japan. But then, their DS Lite is way more expensive than ours in the first place, so we're still coming out ahead on the pricing overall.

The price doesn't surprise me at all, but such a close release date does. I half expected a holiday 09 release for the DSi, since the DS Lite is still consistently selling gangbusters, and Reggie went on record a while back that the new unit wouldn't be out over here until "well into calendar year 2009." April doesn't sound much like "well into" to me. Matt offers a little analysis on the possible rationale behind this move (assuming it's even true).

In contrast to the Japanese market, where penetration of DS Lite has peaked, Nintendo of America may be planning to market DSi alongside the still-popular DS Lite, which would at least explain the different price points: one version for casuals and another for the core.

Are you ready to trade up your Lite for a shiny new camera-equipped version yet? I didn't think I cared about the DSi--and I'm still not much excited about the cameras, nor am I very hopeful for the online DS store, based on WiiWare's output so far--but for whatever reason, knowing the unit might be out soon makes me really want one all of a sudden. I've been spending a lot of time with Chrono Trigger and Ninjatown lately, and it's reminded me how awesome the DS is. If it was thinner and had bigger screens, well, it would be that much awesomer.