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I've definitely warmed to the DSi, Nintendo's forthcoming update to the hugely successful DS Lite. When originally announced it seemed to me nothing more than a minor update – an excuse to create Brain Training 7: Camera Edition. But the ability to download games and – perhaps even more importantly – the customisation options suggest that the DSi may be more interesting than originally thought. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has recently been talking up the prospects of downloadable DS games and the ability to personalise your device.
Nintendo DSi, the latest version of the DS series, was launched in November and sold 500,000 units in the first month. The product includes new functions such as a camera and the ability to download software through the Internet to customize it for the individual. We hope this will create a trend in which each family member will have his or her own DSi with their favorite software installed.
Iwata also argued that games can do well in a recession, although how the thousands of DS owners who got the handheld this Christmas will feel about their new handheld console being superceded so soon remains to be seen.
It seems more and more people are enjoying games instead of travelling or eating out to save money. Sales of the Wii video game console and Nintendo DS portable video game player have exceeded our expectations so far.
Fighting talk then. But what do you think? Will the DSi continue the huge success of the DS series? Or is it simply not enough of an upgrade to tempt current DS owners? And if not can the PSP - or even the iphone/ipod touch - tempt new portable gaming players?
