I’m really starting to like my DSi
Friday, May 15th, 2009 at 2:14am by Boss Hog
The DSi is a fun device. I’m still not sure it’s worth $40 more than the DS Lite right now, since there really isn’t a killer-app for it. The best games can be played on any DS model, after all. And the exclusive DSi online store is still light on content. That said, I had fun browsing channels tonight before firing up Rhythm Heaven on the DSi’s slightly larger screens. I still miss the Game Boy Advance slot. But something tells me that’s more sentimental loss than actual bereavement, since I use my DS to play DS games 98% of the time. Long story short, I’m warming up to my new handheld and am excited for its future. You?
May 15th, 2009 at 7:55 am
I want a DSi (my original DS broke in half and the top screen doesn’t work) but the major game that I want to play for it right now is Pokemon Platinum and while you don’t NEED a GBA slot for it, it makes the game much better for me, so I’m still on the fence and not too sure.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:44 am
yeah the lack of GBA support is what keeps me away for now. but if you dont care about GBA games, DSi’s great!
May 15th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Over here in NOA-land, I’ve found that the majority of people who complain there’s no GBA slot in the DSi only use the GBA slot for Pokemon transfers! Other than that, there’s no other backup reasoning from them.
May 15th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
I use the GBA on the DS only for transfers, too… If I want to play a GBA game (and I do now and then), I pick up my GBA micro…
I’ll let you know what I think of the DSi when I get one next year, though… GBA slot or not, it still quite a bit of change to spend on features I’m not going to use!
May 15th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
This system hasn’t impressed me a bit. The cameras, I suspect, will follow the path of the bongo controllers, the WiiSpeak, the zapper and on and on, features and peripherals that aren’t supported more than a few pieces of software. When Nintendo gives me a reason to get a DSi, I’ll consider it.
May 15th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
@Derek : I think you’re missing the point. All those peripherals that you mentioned were exactly that – peripherals that a user has to physically purchase in order to use. WiiSpeak, for example, doesn’t come with the system and thus, developers have to make a decision before they decide to use it. How many people have WiiSpeak? Is it worth isolating the user-base that doesn’t? I wont even justify the zapper/wii-wheel with a response, lol.
For the DSi, however, it’s totally different. None of the features are peripherals – they’re built into the system. The microphone, cameras (which can not only be used as cameras, but can also be used as a simplistic motion-sensor in certain situations), and the touch screen are all part of the system out of the box. Developers don’t need to think about it – they can just do it.
It may still be fairly young, but I suspect the DSi’s cameras will get considerably more use than any peripherals the Wii has seen.
…
As far as the DSi itself is concerned, I still don’t have one. I stupidly bought a new DS Lite (because my other one broke) right before the DSi came here so it would be stupid of me to waste that money (even a trade-in isn’t worth it). I do plan to get one eventually though – sooner if essential software comes out for it. I’ve held one and the bigger screens are certainly a huge draw for me.
-Age
May 15th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
I’m enjoying my DSi.
I have had a DS phat for so long and decided to upgrade
This systems speakers a great and its nice to have bigger screens.
May 15th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
I like my DSi. The only thing that would be even better for me is to get my freakin’ D-Link to start working so I can own noobs on Metroid Prime Hunters with bigger screens.
If Metroid Fusion 2 came out for the DSi as its killer app, I would be soooooooooooo happy. And the new PokeMon generations. Can’t forget them.
May 15th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
And yeah, I only used my DS Lite after the DSi came out for PokeMon transfers. If I wanna play classic GB or some side-scrolling Metroid, I bust out my GBA SP.
May 16th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
i love the dsi! i remember i hardly ever played my GBA SP and thus rarely ever used the GBA slot…. but i still, as things stand, use my DS more than my Wii! so upgrading to the DSi was a no brainer (esp. cuz i was still on the DSPhat)
i love the browser, i just wish that it had a little more memory… or at least was able to clear it’s history automatically to make room… other than that i’m very happy with my purchase… i don’t play much GBA, so it’s no loss. One other complaint is that Homebrew games will be suppressed, to prevent piracy… which is good and bad… cuz i enjoy my homebrew apps… but at least it will cut down piracy…
May 18th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
My DSi is awsome. I had a DSlite for over 2 years (not even a scrach thanks to NERF).
May 21st, 2009 at 7:11 pm
I am loving my DSi…
It took me a while to get into it, but all the time I see it, I fall in love with it all over again. It’s just brilliant…