Announced a month ago, Nintendo DSi is now available for the Japanese market for ¥18,900 ($178.00).
DSi is the latest update announced by Nintendo for its handheld gaming device. Nintendo DSi, which is slightly slimmer and lighter than Nintendo DS, keeps the trademark double-screen, only enhanced to 3.5 inches.
However, DSi is also packed with two built-in cameras, one on the inside and one, which is VGA capable, on the outside, an SD card slot for storage, internal memory plus wireless capabilities. It can be used as a photo album and enables users to change the facial expressions of people they take pictures of or draw flowers or other graphics into images.
DSi remains compatible with games designed for DS Lite but fall short of supporting GB series games since being unequipped off the GBA slot.
The package comes with DSi system itself, an AC adapter, two touch pens (extra length, as you can see in the spec sheet), written guide, an instruction manual, and a support book.
Pinoy Gamers will have to wait longer for DSi to be available locally as Nintendo President Satoru Iwata said that the company will only start shipping Nintendo DSi in overseas markets by the summer of 2009. He said that Nintendo hopes to sell 200,000 DSi units during this three-day weekend from Saturday, and plans to ship an additional 100,000 units in the week starting November 4.