Honest opinions on the DSi?

Sun-Wukong · 10-09-2010, 07:33 PM

So the 3DS is coming out soon and undoubtedly that's what most people will be getting. I thought it might be interesting to voice our opinions on the DSi in the meantime though.

I was planning on getting a DSi XL before the 3DS was announced; my DS Phat was nearing the end of its days (I gave it to my brother to use for Pokemon stuff since then, now using my other brother's DS Phat which in better shape), and I just liked the bigger screen. The lack of a GBA port never really bothered me, I really only used it on the other models out of convenience. I have an SP that can play GBA games, not to mention play them multiplayer which the DS can't do. Plus Game Boy and GBC games.

Of course the 3DS is going to have a virtual console so all of that is pretty insignificant, plus all of the DSi's other features. It seems weird that Nintendo would introduce another model so close to the DS' true successor; if it were earlier I would have definitely gotten one, but I'm still super excited about the 3DS. At this point the DSi seems destined to be nothing more than a curious piece of history.

On the other hand, the price difference could be so big that there's a major market for the DSi after the 3DS comes out, following the price drop anyway. Maybe that was The Big N's plan all along? Stranger thing have happened.

EVILNess · 10-09-2010, 08:21 PM

If you need a new DS then buy a used DS lite or something. No sense in wasting all that extra money since the DSi doesn't really do more than a DS

Kyanbu The Legend · 10-09-2010, 08:51 PM

Well there are the multi media features which aren't fine tuned. It's the only DS model that can download game from DSi ware (including old GBA/GB/GBC titles as well as mini game titles like PSP's Minis.). And almost twice the RAM so games on it run more smoothly then normal.

It comes down to what you want in your DS.

bluestarultor · 10-09-2010, 09:14 PM

Really, the DSi isn't worth the markup given how little it actually has to offer that's new. I was looking through its library and it has little support. The hardware is definitely better, but the price is just too high.

Granted, the 3DS is going to be released for as much as a low-end PS3, which is even worse. $300 is just far too much for a handheld. I'm just sure it'll come down soon enough when they realize they aren't selling the things.

On the release schedule being odd, I'm actually not surprised. If you want to milk people and think you can get away with it, you do. That's what they're doing with the 3DS price, after all, and they barefacedly admitted it. The people who were going to buy a DSi with its crap library and marginal upgrades already did. Now that 3DS is coming out, those same people will shell out again. DSi will probably end up by the wayside with everyone developing for the new tech. That's really not a problem for Nintendo at this point and I'm sure they won't miss it.

Sun-Wukong · 10-09-2010, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluestarultor

Granted, the 3DS is going to be released for as much as a low-end PS3, which is even worse. $300 is just far too much for a handheld. I'm just sure it'll come down soon enough when they realize they aren't selling the things.

Actually $300 is just the direct conversion of the Japanese price, not the final US price. The Japanese price of the original DS was approximately $204 (�16,800), compared to the final US price of $150. Not to mention the DS Lite is currently $130...

Kyanbu The Legend · 10-09-2010, 09:41 PM

Wasn't it just an experiment to see if people would buy a handheld with media features anyway? So it's support wasn't even needed or expected.

3DS = GCN

That's not a good sign for it.

Looks like Sony wins this upcoming Gen if PSP2 launches at 250, out specs twice over, and slaughters it.

Kyanbu The Legend · 10-09-2010, 09:46 PM

Ah so it might not be 300 here then.

Nique · 10-09-2010, 10:10 PM

give me your money, I'll test it out for you and let you know how it goes.

Regulus Tera · 10-09-2010, 10:15 PM

Get a DSi if you still have a GBA. Otherwise get a DSLite.

Sun-Wukong · 10-09-2010, 11:11 PM

Okay, to the people that aren't reading or are only skimming, I'm not looking for advice (I've already decided that I'm getting a 3DS and not a DSi XL). I just thought it would be interesting to discuss the DSi for what it was worth.

10-09-2010, 07:33 PM	#1
Sun-Wukong Instrument of Destruction Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Eastern Kentucky Posts: 33	Honest opinions on the DSi? So the 3DS is coming out soon and undoubtedly that's what most people will be getting. I thought it might be interesting to voice our opinions on the DSi in the meantime though. I was planning on getting a DSi XL before the 3DS was announced; my DS Phat was nearing the end of its days (I gave it to my brother to use for Pokemon stuff since then, now using my other brother's DS Phat which in better shape), and I just liked the bigger screen. The lack of a GBA port never really bothered me, I really only used it on the other models out of convenience. I have an SP that can play GBA games, not to mention play them multiplayer which the DS can't do. Plus Game Boy and GBC games. Of course the 3DS is going to have a virtual console so all of that is pretty insignificant, plus all of the DSi's other features. It seems weird that Nintendo would introduce another model so close to the DS' true successor; if it were earlier I would have definitely gotten one, but I'm still super excited about the 3DS. At this point the DSi seems destined to be nothing more than a curious piece of history. On the other hand, the price difference could be so big that there's a major market for the DSi after the 3DS comes out, following the price drop anyway. Maybe that was The Big N's plan all along? Stranger thing have happened. __________________ It's true, I totally am. By the way, feel like checking out my screenplay for a Simpsons episode? It's good, I promise.

10-09-2010, 08:51 PM	#3
Kyanbu The Legend Local Rookie Indie Dev Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,497	Well there are the multi media features which aren't fine tuned. It's the only DS model that can download game from DSi ware (including old GBA/GB/GBC titles as well as mini game titles like PSP's Minis.). And almost twice the RAM so games on it run more smoothly then normal. It comes down to what you want in your DS. __________________

10-09-2010, 09:41 PM	#6
Kyanbu The Legend Local Rookie Indie Dev Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,497	Wasn't it just an experiment to see if people would buy a handheld with media features anyway? So it's support wasn't even needed or expected. 3DS = GCN That's not a good sign for it. Looks like Sony wins this upcoming Gen if PSP2 launches at 250, out specs twice over, and slaughters it. __________________ Last edited by Kyanbu The Legend; 10-09-2010 at 09:44 PM.

10-09-2010, 09:46 PM	#7
Kyanbu The Legend Local Rookie Indie Dev Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,497	Ah so it might not be 300 here then. __________________

10-09-2010, 11:11 PM	#10
Sun-Wukong Instrument of Destruction Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Eastern Kentucky Posts: 33	Okay, to the people that aren't reading or are only skimming, I'm not looking for advice (I've already decided that I'm getting a 3DS and not a DSi XL). I just thought it would be interesting to discuss the DSi for what it was worth. __________________ It's true, I totally am. By the way, feel like checking out my screenplay for a Simpsons episode? It's good, I promise.

10-09-2010, 10:15 PM	#9
Regulus Tera lol i dont even know Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 7,271	Get a DSi if you still have a GBA. Otherwise get a DSLite.