Nintendo DSi Matte – Black

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1. S. Rhodes says:

   May 17, 2011 at 9:00 am

   679 of 700 people found the following review helpful:

   
   A Good Step Forward for Nintendo’s Prime Handheld, April 5, 2009

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   S. Rhodes –
   
     
   
     

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   This review is from: Nintendo DSi Matte – Black (Video Game)

   Pros:

   +Bigger and slightly brighter screen
   +New interface is easy to navigate
   +DSi Ware is a nice implementation
   +Digital camera to take photos with
   +Internal memory and SD card slot are nice for storing data
   +Downloaded games are inexpensive and the service has a lot of potential

   Cons:

   -Photos taken on camera only really look good on the DSi screen
   -Shorter battery life
   -Web browser isn’t the greatest
   -The lack of a GBA slot means you can’t play GBA games, use some of the DS Lite’s accessories (such as a rumble pack) and makes some games like Guitar Hero World Tour virtually unplayable

   In 2004, Nintendo released the original Nintendo DS. Just two years later, the Nintendo DS Lite debuted and was better than the original by far. Since its original release, the Nintendo DS has gone on to sell more than 100 million units worldwide. With sales numbers like that, why would Nintendo need to release another revamp of their prized handheld? More than that, are the new features worth picking up if you have a DS Lite or if you still have an original DS? Well, it can be, but if you’re perfectly content with your original DS or your DS Lite there’s nothing wrong with that, and you don’t have to buy it. That’s not to say it would be a bad investment. For some it might be worth it.

   Certainly if you still have the original DS, it is worth investing in this newer update. There are quite a few new things about the Nintendo DSi that can make it worth buying. One of the first changes that is obvious from the moment you see it is that it’s slightly smaller and designed a little differently. The power button has been moved and now doubles as a reset button. The screen is also slightly bigger and brighter than the DS Lite. When turning it on, there is also a notable difference in the interface which has been completely reworked all together. It’s been made a bit easier to use.

   Perhaps the biggest and most notable difference is that the DSi no longer has a slot to play Gameboy Advance games. If you’re still playing your GBA games a lot, this is probably a pretty big subtraction when it comes to the DSi, no matter how much it includes. If you’re someone who hasn’t used your DS for playing GBA games in a while, it’s probably not a big deal, but I would’ve gladly taken a slightly thicker handheld just to maintain the GBA slot. There is, however, a slot for an SD card to store more data. The first of these is the wi-fi service which you can get on and download some downloadable games for the DSi. Much like the Wii, you’ll spend points (100 points is equal to one dollar) to buy games. There’s also the built in web browser, but this is not something to jump up and down over really, as it isn’t a very good web browser.

   The camera is a nice addition, allowing you to customize and mess around with the pictures you take. They don’t look good on anything but the DSi screen, however, but you can store them on an SD card or the DSi’s internal memory. You can take quite a bit of photos, and mess around with them in interesting ways, such as drawing on them or manipulating faces. It can be fun to mess around with.

   While the new additions are nice the more expensive price is a bit much for those who are already carrying a DS Lite. There are some new features but there isn’t too much done here to enhance the gaming experience itself outside of a larger screen. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t worthwhile. The download service in particular can be very worthwhile in the future. The games on the download service also aren’t too expensive. In short, even DS Lite owners might find it worth the extra money after a while.

   Another big hit to the DSi is that the battery life just isn’t as long as the previous incarnations. For those wanting to use it primarily for gaming, it might surprise you that the DSi will need to be charged a lot more frequently, as the battery last five hours shorter than that of the DS Lite. It takes a bit shorter to charge as a result, but you’ll find yourself charging it quite a bit, especially if you play with the screen on the brightest settings.

   In the end some may wonder if the upgrade is worth it. It’s a bit more expensive than the DS Lite and doesn’t have a GBA slot and a shorter battery life. However, you are getting some nice extra features, and with Nintendo planning to implement them in some of their games in the future, it’s at least worth consideration. DS Lite owners may not need to upgrade immediately, but in the future it might be worth considering. If you don’t own a DS at all, the DSi is probably the best bet.

   The Nintendo DSi is a nice step in the evolution of Nintendo’s handheld. It has a lot of new features that can go a long way. Even DS Lite owners might want to consider…

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2. Eagle Vision says:

   May 17, 2011 at 9:46 am

   184 of 197 people found the following review helpful:

   
   Solid performer for a handheld console and it has a (limited) web browser, April 12, 2009

   By 

   Eagle Vision (Southeastern United States) –
   
     
   
     

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   Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)

   This review is from: Nintendo DSi Matte – Black (Video Game)

   INTRODUCTION:

   I was getting this system, as an adult gamer, with the intention of playing games, and to use this as a browser for when I am away from home. I do not play Game Boy Advance games, although my daughter does. I have to warn parents looking into this system that there is no slot for Game Boy Advance (GBA, for short) or the Guitar Hero interface. This system is by no means a major upgrade with the exception of being able to download games or take photographs.

   WHAT IS IN THE BOX:

   Console
   Two styli
   Instructions
   Plug

   Taking this item out, I proceeded to protect the screen with a screen protector. I purchased a DSi Starter Kit to give me cases for cartridges, extra styli and a carrying case.

   CONSTRUCTION:

   The Nintendo DSi comes in a matte finish with a smooth texture. The touch screen measures 2.5 inches. An internal microphone is placed in the center just under the top screen. A rubber cover secures the port for the SD card. A slot for the DS games is in the same spot, as previous generations. Volume control is by a +/- switch, unlike the sliding volume switch of the DS phat. An LED indicator notifies you that the WiFi radio is on.

   The keypad buttons feel firm not mushy.

   The power button also serves as a reset button. This is convenient when switching from one cartridge to the next or when switching from the internet to the main menu. The directional buttons, X, Y, A, B, and L, R are in the similar neighborhood as prior generations.

   The matte finish is fingerprint-proof but I have a feeling it is not scratch proof. The screens are very glossy and may create a perceptible glare in bright lights or outdoor settings. The case opens up to nearly flat.

   I was disappointed that the plug was not a matching black color. It was more of a grayish white.

   SETUP:

   I set up the DSi with the pre-existing charge from the factory to enter my name, a phrase, the parental controls with a PIN, accessed my Club Nintendo account, and downloaded the Opera Browser.

   The DSi recognizes handwriting (not really “Doctor’s Handwriting”, like mine) or uses the keyboard. The handwriting boxes give a choice of what you are trying to write but it is slow. Typing is faster but cumbersome.

   Setting up the browser is hidden in the Tools Menu. You can toggle the WiFi radio on or off. When you set up the internet, it is a matter of choosing what type of encryption your router uses. I use WEP so I entered the “Hexadecimal” key which was quite long – no paraphrasing is allowed. Once my information was entered, it connected rather quickly. When I logged into Club Nintendo, I had to read the `license agreement’, agree and then the firmware was upgraded. That took about 2-3 minutes and then the system had to be restarted. As soon as the technicalities were completed, I was ready to download the Free Opera Browser.

   When you link your DSi account with the online Club Nintendo account, you get 160 coins that can be applied to acquiring products.

   BATTERY LIFE

   When compared to the DS, the battery life is less. When you factor in the wireless capability, it is even shorter in life. So, if you are not in a `hotspot’ or have access to a wireless network, then shut it off to conserve battery life.

   THE CAMERA

   The 0.3 megapixel cameras are toggled by the touchpad’s `switch’ button. When you take a photograph, you can edit it with the various programs and save it to your album. I find it fun to edit photos and allow morphing (from the adult perspective) and I will likely use my photo for an avatar for various websites. For casual photography, this will not be too useful given the low resolution. Its purpose is solely for entertainment and DSi-type photo-editing.

   Photos can be shared only 2 ways, wirelessly to other DSi units within 65 feet or by the SD/SDHC Card. It cannot be emailed through your browser.

   No video can be recorded.

   SOUND QUALITY

   AAC is Advanced Audio Coding unlike the iPods which are MP-3 players (Motion Pictures Expert Group, Layer 3). AAC is a lossy compression format, that some experts say may have better sound quality than an MP3. To me, they sound virtually identical. How do you convert to AAC? If you use iTunes:

   Highlight the songs to convert (Control and Left Mouse Click)
   Click Advanced
   Select “Create AAC Version”.

   I would recommend highlighting the song and renaming it “Song A AAC” so you can search for AAC version on iTunes, utilizing the finder bar. I select/highlight the songs in iTunes, and then “pasted” them into my SDHC card. The DSi automatically finds the `music’ files but I was able to listen to the audio portion of my videos…

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