Nintendo DSi

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Nintendo DSi
Nintendo DSi view
Manufacturer Nintendo
Type Handheld console
publication
JapanJapan November 1, 2008
United StatesUnited States April 5, 2009
EuropeEurope April 3, 2009
AustraliaAustralia April 2, 2009
Main processor 133 MHz (66 MHz in compatibility mode)
Storage media SD card
Online service Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection , DSi Shop
Units sold unknown
predecessor Nintendo DS
successor Nintendo 3DS

The Nintendo DSi is a handheld console from the Japanese console manufacturer Nintendo and after the Nintendo DS lite the second revision of the Nintendo DS . Games for the DS or DS Lite are compatible with the DSi; downward compatibility with GameBoy Advance games was no longer applicable due to the lack of slots for GameBoy Advance games. In contrast to the DS or DS lite, it is now also possible to download games from the so-called DSi Shop . The Nintendo DSi thus also received exclusive games that could only be played on it.

The housing of the DSi is similar to that of the DS lite: It is only slightly lighter and flatter, but also a bit longer and wider. The screens of the Nintendo DSi became brighter and increased in area by 17%. In addition, both the maximum volume and the sound quality have been increased by a new codec chip. The old slider used to control the volume has been replaced by two volume up / down buttons. The DSi also supports the encryption standards WEP , WPA and WPA2 in DSi games and programs. However, only WEP is available in normal DS games as the DSi is then in a compatibility mode.

Innovations

Cameras

The DSi has two integrated 0.3  Megapixel - VGA cameras. The images can either be saved in the 256 MB system memory or on a separately available SD card with up to 32 GB of storage space. As of firmware 1.4, it is also possible to upload pictures taken with the camera to Facebook , provided you are logged in there. However, this function has since been discontinued. Selected photos can also be displayed in the start menu.

DSi shop

The DSi Shop enabled players to load games onto the DSi against Nintendo Points. These were then displayed in the start menu similar to the Wii and could be started from there. The games on offer were divided into four different classes: In addition to games for 2 euros (200 points) and 5 euros (500 points), there were also free and premium games that differed in price.

On March 31, 2016, Nintendo announced that it would close the Nintendo DSi Shop in 2017 after eight years of operation. The possibility to redeem DSi Points existed until September 30, 2016. Since Friday, March 31, 2017 at 11:59 pm, purchases can no longer be made via the Dsi Shop. All unredeemed points expired on March 31, 2017. You can still download Nintendo DSiWare again, but will be discontinued in the future.

Nintendo Points

If you wanted to purchase software in the DSi Shop, you needed so-called Nintendo Points . These could be bought in specialist shops as a Nintendo Points Card . Alternatively, you could buy Nintendo Points by credit card via the DSi Shop. Nintendo Points Cards were available in the following price ranges:

  • 1000 Nintendo Points (cost: 10 euros)
  • 2000 Nintendo Points (cost: 20 euros)
  • 5000 Nintendo Points (cost: 50 euros)

Usable software

Nintendo DSi camera

The Nintendo DSi camera allows the user to edit his previously taken pictures with the following filters:

  • Distorted image (the image can be distorted as desired)
  • Graffiti (various pens and stamps are available with which you can paint on the picture)
  • Coloring (certain areas can be colored)
  • Palette (the color of certain areas can be changed)
  • Kaleidoscope (a kaleidoscope effect)
  • Masquerade (adds various objects (such as glasses, a beard ...) using face recognition.)
  • Facial expressions (the facial expressions of a face are influenced by its recognition)
  • Morphing (you can "merge" two faces)
  • Comparison (compares two faces and then outputs possible values ​​(such as relatives, strangers, ...))

Nintendo DSi browser

The DSi has a browser that can be used to surf the Internet via Wi-Fi . This is based on the Opera browser version 9.50 and is available free of charge from the Nintendo DSiShop. However, on pages that require a Flash plug-in (e.g. YouTube ), the content cannot be displayed correctly because this plug-in is missing. Although the resolution of the DSi is 256 × 192 pixels, a maximum of 240 × 176 pixels can still be used on both screens to display a website, as the browser's navigation and status bars use part of the space.

Features / limitations
function support
Audio No
Canvas part
CSS2 Yes
CSS3 part
DOM Yes
DOM2 Yes
JavaScript Yes
Download a file No
Upload a file No
Adobe Flash No
HTML5 part
Plugins No
SVG No
Video No
XHTML Yes
XMLHttpRequest Yes
Image display part

Nintendo DSi sound

With the Nintendo DSi Sound you can record sounds via the built-in microphone and listen to music stored on the SD card in AAC format ( M4A ). Saved audio material can be treated with preset filters and the tempo or pitch can be changed.

Firmware

The Nintendo DSi is the first console from the Nintendo DS series that offers the function of a firmware update for the system software . These updates made several optimizations and additions possible for the DSi and DSi XL, including: a. the function to upload pictures to Facebook , improved face recognition and an update of the labeling of the entertainment software self-regulation (USK).

Firmware updates for the DSi and DSi XL
Firmware
version
Publication date Changes
1.3E 0April 5, 2009 Pre-installed version when all DSi consoles are sold
1.4E 0August 3, 2009 Possibility to upload photos to Facebook , update of the Nintendo DSi browser , some invisible system developments
1.4.1E 0September 7, 2010 Optimization of the system stability
1.4.2E May 29, 2011 Anti piracy update (blocks flashcards )
1.4.3E June 29, 2011 Optimization of the system stability, DSiWare games can now be copied / moved to the SD / SDHC card, anti piracy update (locks flashcards )
1.4.4E March 20, 2012 Fixes connection errors when uploading pictures to Facebook, optimizes system stability, anti-piracy update (blocks flashcards )
1.4.5E December 12, 2012 Optimization of the system stability, anti-piracy update (blocks flashcards )

Nintendo DSi XL

Nintendo DSi XL logo
Nintendo DSi XL in Bordeaux red

The Nintendo DSi XL ( Nintendo DSi LL in Japan) is an enlarged version of the Nintendo DSi. It was published on November 21, 2009 in Japan and on March 5, 2010 in Europe. The console is available in the colors bordeaux red, green, blue, yellow and dark brown. The DSi XL also has a new, larger stylus . The external dimensions when closed (W x H x D) are 16.1 x 2.1 x 9.1 cm, for the DSi: 13.7 x 1.9 x 7.5 cm. The weight increases by 96 grams to a total of 314 grams. With this enlargement, the dimensions of the two screens also increase significantly. The screen diagonal increases by 2.4 cm to 10.7 cm. The screen resolution is identical to that of the Nintendo DSi, but looks less sharp because the pixel density has become lower due to the larger screens (98 ppi vs 76 ppi). The internal hardware specifications are identical to the DSi.

Nintendo DSi XL Special Edition Pack

The red DSi edition is a limited edition on the occasion of the "25 years of Super Mario" anniversary, which was released on October 22, 2010. The red case is decorated with the super mushroom, the fire flower and a super star. The game New Super Mario Bros. is included. In addition, the version for the German market includes the DSiWare titles Dr. Kawashima's brain jogging word games and dictionary 6 in 1 already installed on the device.

Nintendo DSi LL LovePlus +

Another special edition of the Nintendo DSi LL with the LovePlus + Dating Sim appeared on the Japanese market in 2010 .

Technical specifications

  • Processor : ARM7 / ARM9 core clocked at 133 MHz
  • RAM : 16 MB RAM
  • Storage: 256 MB Samsung-kmapf0000m-S998 moviNAND flash memory ; expandable up to 32 GB via SD card slot on the side with SDHC support.
  • Screen: two 8.3 cm screens (XL: 10.7 cm), 256 × 192 pixels (262,144 colors). The lower screen is a resistive touchscreen.
  • Sound chip: PAIC3000D
  • Current firmware : 1.4.5E (1.4.6 in Japan)
  • Cameras: 0.3 megapixels each (307,200 pixels; 640 × 480 pixels ( VGA resolution )) front and main camera on the back

Web links

Commons : Nintendo DSi  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. a b Nintendo DSi | Official Nintendo Germany site. Accessed April 6, 2019 (German).
  2. Important information about the closure of the Nintendo DSi Shop. In: Nintendo of Europe GmbH. Retrieved on April 2, 2016 (German).
  3. Nintendo DSi & Nintendo DSi XL - System Menu and Feature Updates . Website of the American Nintendo Consumer Services. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  4. Nintendo DSi XL: Release date for Europe confirmed - COMPUTER BILD SPIELE
  5. Nintendo DSi XL | Official Nintendo Germany site. Retrieved September 27, 2019 (German).
  6. On the occasion of "25 Years of Super Mario" there are two new fun packages! In: Nintendo. October 20, 2010, accessed October 20, 2010 .
  7. ^ You'll Love the Love Plus + DSi LL Systems (andriasang.com, 02/06/2010). June 7, 2010, accessed September 27, 2019 .