The new Nintendo DS has today been unveiled in the form of the Nintendo DSi, which is 12-percent slimmer than the current DS Lite. It features larger 3.25-inch displays as well as two cameras – one on the outside, the other on the inner hinge. The DSi loses the bulky Game Boy Advance cartridge port in favor of an SD slot, which enables a slimmer unit but will affect backwards compatibility.
Nintendo is launching an online “DSi Shop” which will sell content over WiFi and will likely work in a similar fashion to Apple’s iTunes Store. The “third platform” DSi will be able to connect to free WiFi from “Nintendo Zone” hotspots in many Japanese McDonald’s Restaurants.
The DSi store will sell content at four different price points; 0 (free), 200, 500 and 800 “Nintendo Points”. 1000 of these points will be given away with each unit until March 2010, which should spark keen interest in the store.
The DSi will be capable of playing mp3s and will come in a form factor of only 5.85 x 3.33 x 0.99 inches. It will be available in either an all-black or all-white finish and will launch in Japan on November 1st for ¥18,900 ($180). Other markets won’t see the DSi till sometime next year.
Check out the video below to see it in action.
UPDATE: The Nintendo DSi is available now on pre-order at Amazon.com for $169.99 or Amazon.co.uk for £146.80
