Nintendo DSi Console Review
Nintendo have certainly packed the updated Nintendo DS with some interesting and useful features. Already released in Japan back in November 2008 the DSi has already won over many fans with its bigger screens, better sound quality and of course the ability to download games, play music files and take pictures. The Nintendo DSi Console has it all! Or does it?
The first thing you notice when you first hold the DSi is the matte finish. Compared to the Nintendo DS the finish on the DSi is certainly more geared towards an adult audience, and even after playing with it for long periods it still feels comfortable.
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The buttons are slightly bigger and they have also been covered with a special material making them a lot more 'tactile' which adds to the overall feel and quality. Plus the DSi is 12% slimmer than it's older brother and although size may not be everything it is certainly noticeable.
The screen size has laso increased and although this is a good thing it would have been nice to see the resolution increase from the standard 256 x 192. Plus the DSi comes with 2 cameras at 0.3MP that allows you to take pictures of yourself and anyone sitting in front. A little bit gimmicky and not sure how much it will be used over the initial out of the box play period.
One of the biggest advantges of the New Nintendo DSi Console is the 133 MHZ CPU which replaces the previous 66MHZ clock. This is certainly more noticeable on the DSi specific games, although no real improvement in speed on older DS games.
When you power it up for the first time it has a slightly annoying feature whereby it takes your picture and this is then used as a default backdrop for the Main Menu screen. Great if you look like a $1 million late morning but suggest you opt to get one of your better looking friends to fire it up for you. Or get a poster of your favourite model to pose :o)
The DSi camera is just about useable. Given the lack of resolution it can only be used for general messing around with friends. Or if you're bored and looking for a few minutes to kill while waiting for your next bus or train. You can manipulate the pictures you take, by using the photo editing suite. Amusing and entertaining in small doses.
And if you want to take advantage of the growing number of DSi game titles you can of course browse directly from the DSi and use the DSi shop. Unfortunately Nintendo have still not sorted out the speed at which you can access and download games, plus the added 
disadvantge that the browsing only happens on the bottom screen, rather than using both screens which would make the experience a lot more acceptable.
Although the processor is almost twice as fast as the DS one it doesn't seem like the games play any faster as a result. But the saving grace is their will be a lot more DSi titles which will take advantage of the motion sensitive cameras. This function allow you to make interactive movements in a game e.g. moving your head to catch things. Plus it also takes pictures of you during the game so at the end of the game you get to see all the funny faces you pull as you try and get past each level. Very funny :o)
Nintendo DSi Console Review Conclusion
Overall the Nintendo DSi certainly feels and looks a lot more classy than the DS. And the addition of the more gimmicky features like twin camera, and photo editing take away the initial 'seriousness' look to the DSi. As a more 'mature' user of the DSi I'm not sure whether my friends would be happy with me manipulating a low resolution picture 'just for fun' but I'm sure it will appeal to a younger audience, although I'm not sure this was who it's initially aimed.
Having enjoyed the Nintendo DS I'd certainly consider getting the DSi just because it looks and feels a lot better. I'm sure a lot of people will be looking at the this Nintendo DSi Review as a first time user and I would highly recommend those people to buy the DSi as the amount of games and the shop browing platform will improve very quickly prior to the Xmas 2009 period, where this will be a Best Seller. Plus, if you're one of those 'visual' people the DSi certainly has a lot 'classier' look than the DS.
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