Nintendo DSi Console

If you’re unsure about whether you should get a standard DSi or a DSi XL, you can find a great comparison of all the different models of DS on the DSi-XL.co.uk website. Although the blog is aimed mainly at people in the UK wanting information on the Nintendo DSi XL, it is also a very good resource for anyone with a DSi from any part of the world.

I have been looking around the website for quite a while and found the DSi XL vs. DSi feature was broken down very well so it’s quick and easy to find the best option.

There are other parts of the website such as a competition to win a brand new Nintendo DSi XL. All you have to do is leave a comment so it only takes a few seconds to enter. There was also a previous competition where a Nintendo fan site would win their own console if it received the most votes for being the best fan site.

There is a price comparison page which lets you see the prices from all different UK DSi XL sellers. It’s practically cool because the prices are updated automatically.

The website also shows the best youtube videos of the console and includes one of the first reviews of the system in Europe.
I would say it is one of the best resources for information on the DSi as well as the new DS i XL.

It’s still fairly surprising that Nintendo have not released a Pink DSi in the UK. They have released one in most other countries but it doesn’t look like there will be one in the UK for a long time, if ever.

The reason this is most surprising is that Pink DSi is one of the most requested colours for the console. In fact I would say that it is probably the most popular. If all colours of the console were released at once I would expect the pink DSi would be the best selling of them all. It is undoubtedly because a lot of female gamers like the colour pink while male gamers feel less strongly about the colour of the casing for their console.

I can see first hand how wanted this colour of console is by the number of people who come to this site after searching for one. I’m sorry to tell you all though, you’re not going to be able to get one this year. Click the link above to see the selection of colours currently available in the UK.

With the competition in the gaming industry getting fiercer than ever, selling a gaming console or handheld device worldwide is no walk in the park. You need to come up with a very good advertising concept and a really good product with loads of features for maximum attraction. Even if the sales were so great in key locations like Japan and the United States, some areas may have less affecting the overall total sales.

Surprisingly, the DSi console sold very well in the UK, which is a market that many competitors are trying to dominate. In fact, they sold even more than the original DS and DS Lite in the same 2-day period after the launch date making it the fourth fastest selling video game console. Magic wasn’t involved at all for the 92,000 units that were sold. There are some things that contributed greatly to the successful launch in the UK.

One of the first images of the DSi Console that we got to see.

Closely Packed Release Dates

UK gamers are the ones that suffer a lot with many of the games and systems due for release weeks or months after the launch in the US. This can be a lengthy wait for the DS lovers and may prompt them to find something else to do or something else to buy. This time around, the release dates were more closely packed than ever before. In fact, the European launch took place a couple days before the North American launch, leaving the UK fans relieved and excited to get their new handheld without delay.

DS Brand

Many people in the UK most probably have heard of the DS before, but never bothered to get it. The recent launch of the DSi console was more like a reminder for those people who had doubts to give the new version a closer look. With its improvements and new features, many people in the UK were attracted to buy the handheld.

Excellent Lineup of New Features

Because both the original DS and DS Lite sold very well in the UK, so many people already have them and probably don’t want to spend more money on another handheld. However, the Disc has plenty of neat features making it a bigger upgrade than the DS Lite. The bigger screen and improved speakers were welcome additions along with the new SD card slot for files to be stored and certain file types like AAC to be read. The two cameras that are built-in added more value to the unit with some future DS titles using it. The DSi Shop was among the best features that make it worth the dropping of the GBA slot.

Same Launch Price

The DS Lite made its debut with a 150 Euros price tag and now the DSi was launched with a similar price tag. People in the UK were happy about this because the added features were rather welcoming and the price isn’t too expensive for people to ignore.

It takes all of these factors combined for any handheld like the DSi console to be successful in a region. The Nintendo DSi had a very strong start and it is expected grow in sales numbers as the DSi is both for entertainment and productivity.

Time to look back at some of the highlights of the DSi launch.

The Nintendo DS has had a long history over the years and is continuing to dominate the entire handheld environment. However, it wasn’t a perfect handheld console, but Nintendo responded by making a few cosmetic changes to the original DS and formed it into the Nintendo DS Lite – a smaller and more comfortable alternative.

The Nintendo DS Lite was popular during its early days as well, but the target audience wasn’t wide enough for some of the non-gamers to dive to into. This is where the Nintendo DSi comes in, which was recently launched in the nearly 3 years after the DS Lite launch. Just like the other DS launches, there were four different areas where the DSi was introduced on different dates. Out of these four, it was the UK launch that gained the most attention. Here are some of the highlights.

Over 92,000 Units Sold 2 days after the Launch

This achievement beat out the old milestone set when the original Nintendo DS sold around 87,000 consoles. Because the DS has grown in popularity overtime, more people become curious with the new DSi and be amazed by the new features it offers. The DSi is now the fourth fastest selling handheld console.

UK Launch was Scheduled Before the US Launch
Nintendo decided to try something different by launching the product in the UK before the North American regions. This reduced the massive wait times that UK users experienced, but finally that has come to an end. The plan worked resulting to a huge increase in the number of sales made.

No Major Event was hosted

All of the DSi handhelds went directly to the shelves without any huge launch party. Its success wasn’t affected at all because of the many stores it went to giving a lot of choices for people to buy.

No Major Game was introduced

Usually, the handheld launches some with a freebie or two in order to attract more people, but nothing came up during the launch of Nintendo’s latest handheld. This only meant that people really cared about the new console itself rather than the games that only work on DSi. However, the DS games sales slightly increased because of people looking for new games to play with their new DS model.

DSi Ware Service Opened

The DSi Ware service is an online service where people spend Nintendo Points (previously known as Wii Points) so that people can download or purchases applications and games. More items should be added real soon resembling the WIi Shop. Some of these items are even free like free browser application.

Preserved Price

Just like the Nintendo DS Late, the Nintendo DSi will cost 150 euro. Prices are expected to lower over time as usual. The interesting thing was that people didn’t have to spend more to enjoy the new features.

The DSi is definitely out there in many stores that sell games and consoles. It has also gained respect from critics and consumers for its fair price and good range of features making it a fine upgrade despite the lack of GBA slot and lower battery life.

Nintendo President, Satoru Iwata, always saw the European market as an important factor for their goal in selling the most Nintendo DS handhelds as fast as possible. This caused Nintendo to try and make the European launch as close to the North American launch as possible. Because of this move, the original Nintendo DS had a successful launch by selling a total of over 87,000 consoles just two days after its launch beating GameCube’s launch record.

This time, Nintendo changed their game plan and decided to launch the highly anticipated Nintendo DSi which is the third iteration of the Nintendo DS in European markets two days before the North American launch. This move has caused another record to be set breaking the original record by selling 92,000 units in the two day launch period making it the fourth fastest selling console falling behind the PSP, PS3, and Wii. One noticeable achievement in terms of statistics is that it outsold all the other latest generation consoles combined that weekend. There was also no major DS title released during the period to complement the launch indicating that the handheld took the full spotlight in the UK.

The second incarnation of the DS has some new features both external and internal that make the handheld even more attractive to convince both people without a DS and people with an older version. Some features like the GBA slot were removed and the battery life is a bit less, but these features helped it sell so well.

Specs Improvements

The Nintendo DSi boosts a slightly larger screen measuring 3.25 inches and a thinner profile than the DS Lite since the GBA slot was removed. It is also a bit longer in length than both models.

Dual Cameras

The handheld has two built in 0.3 megapixel digital cameras with one of them found on the internal hinge facing the user and another on the back for taking pictures. This provides the DSi with basic camera functionality where pictures can be stored in the SD card and some games will take advantage of these two cameras.

Enhanced Multimedia Capabilities

With the new SD card slot built-in, the DSi can now read pictures which can also be synchronized to the Wii Photo Channel and playback AAC audio files with the new built-in audio player. These changes will attract even the non-gamers to pick up this device.

DSi Shop

The Wii Points have been changed into the Nintendo Points which are used for the Wii Shop and the newly launched DSi Shop which is an online store where DSi owners can connect and download applications and special DSiWare games. Some of the applications offered are free like the DSi browser enabling mobile web surfing. This feature pretty much convinced people to get the new design despite of the lack of GBA support.

Critics and gaming review sites have praised the new design after its launch and the huge number of sales in the UK as well as the other parts of the globe really shows the success of Nintendo’s latest handheld.

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?

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.