Today, October second 2008, Nintendo has announced a new DS model called the DSi. This new device will ship early 2009 for most of the world while Japan will be seeing this new model November 1st. (It makes sense Japan would have an earlier launch date but to have the rest of the world wait until after the holidays is foolish.)
This new model is 12% smaller than the current DS lite in part because there is no longer a GBA (Game Boy-Advanced) slot. Personally I would have preferred if they kept the GBA slot and the dimensions transferred from the current model to this new model.
The DSi screen’s have both received an upgrade to 3.25 inches each but unfortunately it appears the resolution will remain the same. For storage, the DSi will have an unmentioned internal supply as well as an SD port for expandability.
Additionally on the hardware side, the DSi will ship in both white and black finishes. Plus, they will have an external 3 megapixel camera as well as a front facing camera.
On the software side of things, Nintendo will be selling content directly to the users DSi over the ‘DSi Shop’ including a free web browser application and “DS Ware” game. Using the newly renamed ‘Nintendo Points’ users will be able to purchase additional content priced using either a 200, 500, or 800 point bracket.
During the WWDC keynote apple introduced the app store. They specifically demoed several games including a racing game based on tilt of the iPhone. (Also in the mix were an amazing monkey ball game based on tilt and a physics game). There will be many more games in the app store after it launches. Since there are no physical buttons on the iPhone it appears the gaming experience will be similar to gaming on the Nintendo DS as the DS uses a touchscreen to breakaway from conventional gaming.
Since games on the iPhone will be downloaded from the app store game prices will be lower than the ds because there is no need for extensive marketing and all copies will be sold digitally so no transportation costs of the physical game will be incurred. Based on the control scheme of both devices we will definitely see an overlap of games. For the iPhone, this is truly a good thing.
One of the better games on the DS, brain-age, could easily be ported over to the iPhone. Now what would be more attractive to you; bring a ds with you on a train or plane while traveling or whipping out your cell phone and playing the same game with ease? Look at another example. Trauma center, another amazing DS and Wii game, could be ported over to the iPhone. Any time during the day you could take a ten minute break and play.
Thats not to overshadow currently announced iPhone games. When the app store launches for around $10 you can purchase super monkey ball. For ten bucks you can enjoy 100 levels based in several worlds with all four monkeys. This fully packed game will take advantage of the touch screen and accelerometer for a low price compared to the troublesome ds version of super monkey ball.
The DS is a great platform and I’m not trying to take away from it. I think that both systems can work together to boost sales of mobile gaming. The DS has a very large install base and so many people would never give up their DS. However, with more and more people owning an iPhone it’s clear gaming on apple’s device will expand. Apple may try competing with the DS, but like the blackberry, I think apple will stay away from directly comparing the platforms and continue to work to better their amazingly powerful, functional, and unique device.
Overall, apple’s iPhone will probably never be able to overtake the nintendo ds in this stage of it’s life. However, being able to conveniently acquire a lower priced game which will always be right in your pocket, ready to play is a very attractive model. I have a DS but my brother uses it more often than I do. However, being able to play similar games on my cell phone for a few minutes when time permits is an amazing option and one casual gamers should not overlook.
Activision has confirmed that the DS version of the guitar hero will be called Guitar Hero: On Tour. The game will feature a one-player career mode, co-op play over wireless, and a two-player battle mode called Guitar Duel.
The game will ship with a Guitar Grip accessory for the DS that will have only four fret buttons, compared to the full-sized game’s five buttons. The add-on will also contain a Guitar Hero stylus that will be used on the touch screen to strum along to songs.
Guitar Hero: On Tour is due out sometime this summer and will cost $49.99 in the USA.
