Nintendo DSi Matte Blue Console Review

So, they came out with yet another version of the Nintendo DS. First came the DS, then the DS Lite, and now, drum-roll please, we have the DSi. Your question is: "Is it worth it?" The simple answer is Yes, mostly.

The "Yes" part is simple to explain: better graphic resolution due to the larger screens, better sound, better button placement. Just simply better. The DSi is a much better machine than the DS lite, which in turn was better than the original DS. Have you seen the original DS?

It's the "mostly" part I'd like to elaborate on. Any of the reviews on the DSi will give you the facts and statistics on why it's better than the DS lite. It's an upgrade, and as far as I'm concerned, that's enough said. I'm one of those people who will nearly always upgrade gadgets, so long as they're affordable. Especially when the original has some irritating little things I hope they've fixed in the new version. And does the DS Lite ever have those annoying features. Have you ever accidentally turned it off? I have! The new, smarter, placement of the power button is reason enough for me to get the upgrade. Also, in the DSi, you don't have to turn it off, then on again, to reset. Hallelujah! the power button is two-stage, hit it once to reset, hold it down to power off. Awesome. Simple. Better.

That's just one example. There are dozens. The DSi is better, totally. Everyone will have their favorite upgrade feature. Such as the ability to wirelessly download games, just like you can with the Wii. The larger screens. The better sound. The web browser. Yeah. A web browser. With the actual internet, not mobile internet. I know! How much more awesome can it get, right?

So you buy it, you are amazed by its enhanced awesomeness, you gleefully surf the web, you download all the free games from nintendo. You have a great day, and you rekindle your love of portable gaming. At some point, though, the honeymoon ends. And that's why I have that little caveat. that's why I say "yes, mostly"

Because the DSi is better. The question is whether it is better enough to justify the price increase. That, I believe, will be completely up to you. Your opinion of the value of the DSi will be based on how good a deal you got (we got ours through gamestop, and got $70 off for turning in our DS Lite). It will be based on how much stock you put into the new features. I haven't even delved into the fact that the DSi has cameras! Two of them! The reason I bring that up is: they're not that epic if you only have one DSi. And your old DS Lite car charger? yeah, that won't work with the DSi. It has a totally different slot. 

What I'm saying is basically this: the DSi is better than the DS Lite. If you don't have a DS Lite, awesome! Buy a DSi. If you have a DS Lite and are wealthy, Great! Buy a DSi. If your DS Lite is all gnarly and busted up, buy the DSi. BUT! If you have a new-ish, perfectly fine DS Lite, and cannot get some sort of trade-in deal for it, or you don't have a big coupon or something, Wait. You might regret getting the DSi. It's pretty costly. The new features are great, but ultimately, they'll lose their shine if there is only one DSi in your household. Like I've said before, I can only write about my experiences. We had three DS Lites, we traded one of them in for a DSi. We wished we could have afforded at least one more DSi, because the experience would have been much more satisfying.

Bottom Line: If you can afford it, get the DSi. If you're ok with your DS Lite, wait a bit.