 | |
 A black Nintendo DSi console | |
| Manufacturer | Nintendo |
|---|---|
| Product family | Nintendo DS |
| Type | Handheld game console |
| Generation | Seventh |
| Release date | Nintendo DSi:Nintendo DSi XL: |
| Discontinued | Yes; date undisclosed[1] |
| Units shipped | 41 million (as of September 30, 2014) |
| Media | Physical and digital
|
| Operating system | Nintendo DSi system software |
| CPU | 133 MHz ARM9 66 MHz ARM7 |
| Memory | 16 MB RAM |
| Storage | 256 MB internal flash memory SD/SDHC card (up to 32 GB) Cartridge save |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11b/g |
| Online services | Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Nintendo DSi Shop Nintendo Zone |
| Predecessor | Nintendo DS Lite |
| Successor | Nintendo 3DS |
The Nintendo DSi[cn 1] is a dual-screen handheld game console released by Nintendo. The console launched in Japan on November 1, 2008, and worldwide beginning in April 2009. It is the third iteration of the Nintendo DS, and its primary market rival was Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP). The fourth iteration, entitled Nintendo DSi XL,[cn 2] is a larger model that launched in Japan on November 21, 2009, and worldwide beginning in March 2010. Development of the DSi began in late 2006, and the handheld was unveiled during an October 2008 Nintendo conference in Tokyo. Consumer demand convinced Nintendo to produce a slimmer handheld with larger screens than the DS Lite. Consequently, Nintendo removed the Game Boy Advance (GBA) cartridge slot to improve portability without sacrificing durability.
While the DSi's design is similar to that of the DS Lite, it features two digital cameras, supports internal and external content storage, and connects to an online store called the Nintendo DSi Shop. Nintendo stated that families often share DS and DS Lite consoles. Its new functionality was intended to facilitate personalization, so as to encourage each member of a household to purchase a DSi. The handheld supports exclusive physical media in addition to DS games with DSi-specific features and standard DS titles. The only exception to its backward compatibility are earlier DS games that required the GBA slot. Nintendo sold over 41 million DSi and DSi XL units combined. They were succeeded by the Nintendo 3DS.
Reviews of the Nintendo DSi were generally positive; IGN and bit-tech decried the console's lack of exclusive software and removal of the GBA cartridge slot, though its added functionality caused many journalists to recommend it to those who had not purchased a previous DS model. Numerous critics were disappointed with the limited resolution of DSi's cameras, though others such as Ars Technica and GameSpot agreed they were adequate for the handheld's display. CNET and PCWorld considered the DSi Shop to be the most important buying incentive for current DS owners. Some critics believed the DSi XL was not an essential upgrade. GamePro and Wired UK, on the other hand, praised the DSi XL's larger screens for improving the gameplay experience and revitalizing older DS games.
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