Nintendo DSi Console

This post about the R4 DSi (R4i if you prefer) comes from a guest writer. English isn’t their first language so please bear that in mind while you’re reading… Actually I’m not sure they really know much about the console at all but it’s kind of fun to read.

Remember when the PSP came out and all they talked about was being able to upload pictures, movies, and listen to music? This was, of course, a major blow for Nintendo DSi users who were scrapping their hand held systems to upgrade to the PSP from Sony (despite the PSP selling far fewer units). However, the future is upon us and if you still have that DS hiding in the closet, bring it back out using an R4 for DSi because now you can use many of the same features.

This is all thanks to something called an R4 DSi card. All you have to do is place it in the first slot of your Nintendo DSi and start playing the music and movies you enjoy, you aren’t limited to the file types the console normally allows. It’s been a long time coming, but the R4 Revolution DSi has brought all gamers together to be a part of the phenomenon. Above all, there really isn’t anything to it except putting it into your console like you would a game cartridge. Some people call the device an R4DSi but technically you should put a space in between the words.

Unfortunately, there aren’t enough cartridges to keep everyone happy, so you may end up having a hard time finding them. However, in the midst of all the dismay, knock-off versions are hitting the market like wildfire. So it’s extremely important to make sure you get the real kind, before dumping your hard earned green into something that won’t perform like it’s supposed to on your system.

Another benefit you will notice is the ability to play back up games and utilize your R4 DSi (R4i as it’s also known) cartridge as a large memory bank for games. So if you have 40 games for the R4 Nintendo DSi, they can all be set up on this new revolution, and you just choose what you want to play. Then again, for you adults out there, the Nintendo DSi has several options for you as well.

If you don’t feel like spending four or five hundred dollars on a laptop, using a gaming console with an R4 Revolution DSi – R4i is the next best thing. Once the R4 Revolution DSi (R4 for DSi you might call it) is in place, you have the opportunity to surf the Internet, and even write up documents like you would in Microsoft Word. We’ve even used it to keep track of our finances here and there.

The point is you can use the R4i for a plethora of different things. Keep in mind you won’t truly get the feel of how everything works until you utilize everything yourself, but knowing all these abilities are available is a definite benefit. It’s exciting to watch the revolution of gaming systems like the DSi and how they’re transforming the way we live. We can’t wait to see what comes out next.

For now, you’ll just have to take advantage of a system that offers a way to give you movies, music, pictures, and more. Obviously you aren’t going to complain about this many features, but on a game standpoint the benefits are endless. There is nothing like homebrew applications such as the R4 DSi. In the end you will be able to play the same R4 Nintendo DSi games ten years from now, and still build on your collection.

Nintendo has spilled the beans of their new second iteration of the DS – the Nintendo DSi and since the announcement, many handheld gamers were eagerly waiting for the launch day. But the excitement was nothing compared to the excitement of the people in the United Kingdom. Just a day following Australia’s successful launch, the Nintendo DSi went to the United Kingdom on April 3rd .

The following day after Australia’s launch, the launch went straight to the stores in the United Kingdom on April 3rd. While there was no major launch party to kick things off, the launch was absolutely successful surpassing all expectations by selling over 90,000 units over the weekend. This launch record quickly made it to the history books as the fourth fastest selling console in the UK.

What Made the Launch Successful

There are several factors that contributed to the UK’s successful launch. Here are the most notable factors.

Nintendo DS Legacy

When the first Nintendo DS handheld was launched back in March 2005, around 87,000 DS handhelds were sold in a two day period. Since then, the Nintendo DS had a loyal audience in the UK and Nintendo has been striving to keep launch dates very near to the US dates to keep fans from waiting too long.

The New Features

Nintendo’s revised handheld doesn’t only contain cosmetic changes and minor improvements like the DS Lite, but it offers a slew of nice features that any person in the UK would want to get their hands on. On aesthetics side, the new DS model sacrificed the inclusion of a GBA slot for making the handheld a bit lighter and 12 percent thinner than the DS Lite. The screens were slightly bigger as well measuring 3.25 inches diagonally for each screen. The glossy finish of the DS Lite was replaced with a matte surface on the DSi to prevent fingerprints from showing up. Some minor changes are noticeable as well like the return of the power button from the original DS.

Although there is no GBA slot present, many new hardware features were introduced like the two VGA 0.3 megapixel cameras and SD card slot which can write data in a similar fashion to the Wii. The SD card capabilities allow the DSi to act as a file storage device. The files in the SD card can be read by using some of the DS software including a new audio player that can play AAC file formats. It can also store photos that are taken using the any of the two cameras.WPA encryption for wireless networks is supported as well.

DSi owners can access the DSi Shop to download DSI exclusive games and applications. Some of the applications can be downloaded for free like the DSi browser giving it added productivity functionality. Because of the new features of the latest revision and the overall love of the original Nintendo DS and DS Lite amongst UK fans, the Nintendo DSI is looking to sell big and set new records in the UK.

The DSi maybe Nintendo’s latest console and it costs almost as much as a Wii but at £150, it is far from the most expensive Nintendo product you can buy on Ebay. For my list of the most expensive Nintendo related goods, I won’t be including the likes of the copy of Nintendogs for the DS and DSi which sold for £1,000,000.00 as I have my doubts about that being a genuine sale.

Nintendogs - Just £1,000,000 (maybe this wasn't a genuine sale)

5. Super Bomberman 3 – £560

I’m surprised this is so rare and valuable because I remember getting this game for my birthday 14 years ago. If only I’d never played it or taken it out of its box and stored it away in mint condition, I could be over £500 better off today.

The most expensive SNES game money can buy.

4. 36 Factory Sealed Nintendo Games – £775

You might wonder why anyone would want to pay £775 for 36 old games which you could probably pick up for around £5 separately. What’s special about this collection of Game Boy, SNES, NES, and Nintendo 64 games is that none of them have ever been taken out of their boxes. Why anyone would pay £40 for a game and not play it I’m not quite sure but it makes this collection quite special.

36 Games, but I notice two copies of Mario Land 2 and 3 copies of Mario Land 3. I'm sure they are looking to purchase 4 copies of Mario Land 4.

3. Special Super Mario Game & Watch – £800

The last Game & Watch title ever made. There were only 10,000 units produced and you could only get them by winning one. This game is similar to the NES game of the same name but the levels are entirely different. You’d be in a pretty exclusive club if you owned a copy of this game, which is why people are willing to pay so much for it.

Limited edition Mario Bros. Game & Watch comes complete with the letter which proves the game could not be bought.

2. 37 Game & Watch Games – £1,500

This must be a very rare find, 37 different Nintendo Game & Watch machines. However, despite selling for one and a half grand, this collection represents only half the games released. That really gives you an idea of how rare these games are now. Game & Watches are now best known for the two screen versions which gave their design to the current DSi console and also for Mr. Game & Watch who stars in Super Smash Bros. Brawl on Wii.

37 Very rare boxed, Game & Watch units.

1. Super Nintendo with 210+ Games – £1,767.17

A SNES with more games than you could possibly find time to play, let alone complete, but it would look very cool to have them on your shelf. All these games are still just a fraction of the 785 games released for the SNES. The seller miscounted though and his advert later states that there were only 199 games, but I don’t think anyone would mind too much.

34 of these. make that 41 of these (I spot another few every time I look at the pictures). How many have you played/owned/completed?” title=”snes12″ width=”300″ height=”400″ class=”size-full wp-image-81″ />

199 Games. I thought I'd played more SNES games than most people, but I've only played 34 of these. How many have you played/owned/completed?

DSi Games From DSi Shop

The new iteration of Nintendo’s DS handheld gaming machine, it is simply inevitable that it would be a surefire hit with the masses. In accordance to high demand in additional media and features, Nintendo opened up the DSi shop. The DSi has only been released in Japan for now. Although you can purchase one, you can only play DS games specific from Japan only, you can also play the downloadable games listed.

The online store is dedicated to the new handheld console. The Nintendo DSi console has been perfected for use with people that enjoy games. With additional content that are available online, it is a great addition to the DSi experience. In Japan, here are some of the available DSiWare Games:

A Little Magic Tournament
AQUARIO
Birds and Beans
Chotto Asobi Taizen
Chotto Asobi Taizen Jikkuri Trump
Chotto Asobi Taizen Onajimi Table
Chotto Bungaku Zenshu: Sekai no Bungaku 20
Chotto Dr. Mario
Chotto Panel de Pon
Chotto Suujin Taisen
DECODE
HACOLIFE
Koroga Puzzle Katamari Damacy
Ide Yousuke?s Healthy Mahjong DSi
Mr. Driller
NALAKU
Paper Airplane
PiCOPiCT
Solitaire DSi
SOMNIUM
Tōhoku Daigaku Karei Igaku Kenkyūjo Kawashima Ryuta Kyōju Kanshū Chotto Nō wo Kitaeru Otona no DSi Training: Literature Edition
Tōhoku Daigaku Karei Igaku Kenkyūjo Kawashima Ryuta Kyōju Kanshū Chotto Nō wo Kitaeru Otona no DSi Training: Science Edition
UNO
WarioWare: Snapped!

With just a small amount of games available, it will get better in time. The games offered are all playable in the Japanese DSi console. There are also games mentioned here that are also compatible with the DSi Lite in Northern America. The price ranges from 200 to 800 Nintendo points.

DSiWAre applications:

Hobo Nichi Rosenzu
Mojipittan Shiritori Clock
Moving Notepad
Nintendo DSi Calculator (Animal Crossing)
Nintendo DSi Calculator (Super Mario Bros.)
Nintendo DSi Clock Photo Stand Type
Opera Browser

The applications range from a browser to clocks. There can be downloaded to add the functionality of the DSi console. Applications are range from 200 to 500 Nintendo points.

With the purpose of the online store, all of the content can be downloaded to the SD card or the DSi system memory. As a bonus, any DSi that accesses the online store prior to March 2010 can get a free 1,000 Nintendo points.

With the downloadable content, it would be also nice to play this on a DSi console. The new modifications of the handheld console have many added abilities and hardware revisions to make the experience better. For example, the screen is bigger, formerly 3 inches but now 3.25 inches in size; this can make gaming better to look at. The sound has also been upgraded and there is the ability to play audio music although only in AAC format. There is also an added camera which now has one in the screen and one in the back.

The Nintendo DSi will be coming out in the rest of the world in April 2-5, 2009. Luckily, you can get yourself a blue color as an added bonus.

Playing on my DSi, it makes time just fly. I love my console so much; I think the screen is great to touch. There are so many games; I like to play with James. If you can’t find anything to play, you can just go away. I preoreded my DSi console, and got it before they were all sol-d. The best thing about it is, I don’t need to take a wizz. I’m going to keep it on, at least until I’m gone. Finished all my games last night, I think I’m losing my sight. There still isn’t anything left to play, I might just go out today.

Nintendo have been reworking their handheld console, with the release of the DSi in Japan, people have been welcoming almost every new aspect of it. On the hardware side, there are a lot of changes that can easily improve the gaming experience. Also with new software features, the handheld console Nintendo made is really improving itself with every new model being released.

In Japan, the Nintendo DSi has already been released. With the public having a great positive response to it, the sales skyrocketed and sold 170,000+ of units within the first two days of release. The immense acceptance by the public would certainly mean more developers are making games for it which further increases its longevity within the market.

On the most noticeable changes, there is another camera added. This can have a great gaming advantage to entertainment aspect advantage in which can also be synced with the Nintendo Wii when storing pictures.

The overall size has been minimized. The Nintendo DSi console is 12% slimmer. This can always translate to more portability as it can squeeze through pockets without worries. The DS iterations are all made in a clamshell design which can easily withstand even with the roughest handling due to its screen protection.

The next is the new and bigger screen. The DSi console has two screens, of which it was formerly 3 inches in size, Nintendo added a quarter of an inch to make it better to view the media on the screen, keep in mind that there are two screens that have been upsized. Another side note is that there are now 5 brightness settings as opposed to the 4 settings on the DS Lite.

Another advantage is on the external casing. Since the DS Lite has a glossy screen, Nintendo wanted to eliminate the simple fingerprints to be shown. Their response is to make a matte finish on the case, eliminating the chances of getting smudgy with fingerprints.

Within the software side, Nintendo added the feature of music playback. Although it can only support AAC files, it?s a great start. As this can easily make the device become a personal media player, it can also store pictures and save other data with its built-in 256mb internal memory. The Nintendo DSi?s ram has been quadrupled; it has now 16mb of ram to easily handle the more challenging tasks that the software demands.

In addition to other features, the Nintendo DSi console also offers WPA 1 and WPA 2 support. There is also the internet store which is called the DSi shop to purchase add-ons to software and games.

Making use of the advantages is the goal of the new hardware and software features. Nintendo had been improving their handheld console from customer feedbacks and engineering assessments to further improve their products.

One thing that?s to be the disadvantage of the whole this is that it would only be sold worldwide outside Japan in April 2-5, 2009, otherwise, everything is looking pretty solid with the next iteration of a great handheld.