All About the Nintendo DSi

All About the Nintendo DSi

All About the Nintendo DSi GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Gaming > Consoles & PCs 25 25 people found this article helpful

What is the Nintendo DSi?

Everything you need to know about the Nintendo DSi console

By Nadia Oxford Nadia Oxford Writer William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute Nadia Oxford is a former Lifewire writer with 10+ years' experience. Her articles have appeared in Pocket Games Magazine, Play Magazine, Game Pro, IGN and others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 19, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

In This Article

Expand Jump to a Section Nintendo DSi vs. Nintendo DS Compatibility Release Date What the 'i' Stands for in DSi Functionality DSiWare Games Competing Game Devices The Nintendo DSi is a dual-screen handheld gaming system from Nintendo. It came out in 2008 and it's the third iteration of the Nintendo DS console. Here's what you need to know about it, including its games and compatibility, and how it differs from other Nintendo DS versions. The Nintendo DSi has been discontinued, and the DSi Shop ended service in 2017. Nintendo

Nintendo DSi Differences Compared to the Nintendo DS

The Nintendo DSi has some unique functions that set it apart from the Nintendo DS Lite and the original style Nintendo DS (often referred to by owners as the "Nintendo DS Phat"). It has two cameras that can snap pictures, and it can support an SD card for storage purposes. Additionally, the device could access the Nintendo DSi Shop to download games referred to as DSiWare, and it has a downloadable internet browser. The screens on the Nintendo DSi are slightly larger and brighter than the screens on the Nintendo DS Lite (82.5 millimeters versus 76.2 millimeters). The handheld itself is also thinner and lighter than the Nintendo DS Lite (18.9 millimeters thick when the system is closed, 2.6 millimeters thinner than the Nintendo DS Lite).

Nintendo DSi Compatibility

The Nintendo DS library is playable on the Nintendo DSi, though there are a few notable exceptions. Unlike the original style Nintendo DS and the Nintendo DS Lite, the DSi can't play games from the DS's predecessor, the Game Boy Advance. The lack of a Game Boy Advance cartridge slot on the DSi prevents the system from supporting games that utilize the cartridge slot for an accessory (e.g., Guitar Hero: On Tour).

Nintendo DSi Release Date

The Nintendo DSi was released in Japan on November 1, 2008. It went on sale in North America on April 5, 2009.

What the ' i' Stands For in Nintendo DSi

The 'i' in the Nintendo DSi's name isn't just there to look fancy. It stands for 'individual,' according to David Young, the assistant manager of PR at Nintendo of America. The Nintendo DSi was meant to be a personalized gaming experience compared to the Nintendo Wii, he said, which was named to include the entire family. "My DSi is going to be different from your DSi—it's going to have my pictures, my music and my DSiWare, so it's going to be very personalized, and that's sort of the idea of the Nintendo DSi. [It's] for all of the users to personalize their gaming experience and make it their own."

Nintendo DSi Functionality

As noted above, the Nintendo DSi can play games designed for Nintendo DS systems, except for games that come packed with an accessory that utilizes the Game Boy Advance cartridge slot. It can also go online with a Wi-Fi connection. Some games offer a multiplayer option. The Nintendo DSi Shop, which has several downloadable games and applications, can also be accessed over a Wi-Fi connection. The Nintendo DSi has two cameras and is packed with easy-to-use photo editing software. It also has built-in sound software that lets users record sounds and play with ACC-format music uploaded to an SD card (sold separately). The SD card slot allows for the easy transfer and storage of music and photos. Like the original style Nintendo DS and the Nintendo DS Lite, the Nintendo DSi comes installed with the PictoChat picture-chat program, as well as a clock and an alarm.

DSiWare and the Nintendo DSI Shop

Most of the DSi's downloadable programs, called DSiWare, are bought using Nintendo Points. Nintendo Points can be bought with a credit card, and prepaid Nintendo Points cards are also available at some retailers. Some versions of the handheld come bundled with Flipnote Studio, a simple animation program that's also available to download for free on the Nintendo DSi Shop.

Nintendo DSi Games

The Nintendo DS's game library is large and varied and includes action games, adventure games, role-playing games, puzzle games, and educational games. The Nintendo DSi also has access to DSiWare, downloadable games that are typically cheaper and a little less complex than a typical game purchased at a brick-and-mortar store. Games that show up on DSiWare often show up on Apple's app store, and vice versa. Some popular titles and apps include Bird and Beans, Dr. Mario Express, The Mario Clock, and Oregon Trail. Some Nintendo DS games utilize the Nintendo DSi's camera function as a bonus feature—for instance, using a picture of yourself or a pet for the profile of a character or enemy. The Nintendo DSi plays most of the Nintendo DS's library, meaning DSi games cost the same as a typical DS game: approximately $29.00 to $35.00 USD. Used games can be found for less, though used game prices are set individually by the seller.
A DSiWare game or application generally runs between 200 and 800 Nintendo Points.

Competing Game Devices

Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP) is the Nintendo DSi's main competitor, though Apple's iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad also present significant competition. The Nintendo DSi Store is comparable to Apple's App Store, and in some cases, the two services even offer the same games. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Can I Play Nintendo DS Games on the 3DS? Can I Play Nintendo 3DS Games on the Wii U? How to Choose Which Nintendo DS to Buy Differences Between the Nintendo DSi and DSi XL Should I Buy the Nintendo DS Lite or the DSi? Are the Nintendo 3DS and 3DS XL Backward Compatible? Nintendo 3DS vs. the DSi: A Comparison How to Set up Wi-Fi on Nintendo DSi Nintendo 2DS FAQ - Everything You Need to Know Why Aren't Game Boy Advance Games on Virtual Console? How to Transfer Save Data Between Users on the Switch The Nintendo 3DS Is Region Locked GBA File (What It Is & How to Open One) What Are the Nintendo DS and the DS Phat? How to Transfer Data From a Nintendo 3DS SD Card Downloading Games and Apps From the Nintendo DSi Shop Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies
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