Nintendo Launching new Nintendo DSi April 5

Nintendo has dominated the handheld gaming space since it launched its Game Boy black-and-white portable. With the Nintendo DS still selling like hotcakes in the U.S., the Japanese game maker is bringing over its new advanced Nintendo DSi portable to North America on April 5. Already a smash success in Japan, where it launched last fall, the new gaming device will sell for $170 in the U.S. and will be available in black and blue colors.

In addition to a more streamlined look and feel, the Nintendo DSi comes with two built-in camera, new sound capabilities and the ability to download media to an SD card. Having stepped into the digital distribution stream with WiiWare, Nintendo is offering a Nintendo DSi shop for portable downloads of games. Gamers can use points to purchase and download new content directly to the Nintendo DSi. Games will be sold for as little as 200 points and can be stored on SD cards.

The most noticeable feature of the slim Nintendo DSi system is its two cameras – one camera is on the external body, and the second one points at the user when the device is flipped open. As the first truly interactive digital camera in a video game system with 10 different interactive "lenses" that can manipulate your photos, the Nintendo DSi Camera offers an easy way to take and share your photos with family and friends. The cameras also present people with unprecedented ways to interact with their games while giving developers a new tool to devise creative games and experiences. If the touch screen gave Nintendo DS a sense of feel and the microphone a llowed it to hear, the two cameras give Nintendo DSi the sense of sight.

Another enhanced feature is the Nintendo DSi Sound application, which serves as both an interactive voice recorder and music player that allows users to play with their music while they listen to it. Users can access different audio filters or control the pitch and speed of recorded voice or music files to alter voices or change the tempo of a song. The mic is located between the two screens when the device is flipped open, and there is also a stereo headphone output that lets users listen to music saved on an SD card, even with the screen shut.

In addition to downloadable games, Nintendo DSi is able to play games made specifically for the system and sold at retail. The system can also play most Nintendo DS games, and will have access to a library of more than 850 titles originally made for that system. Nintendo has always been good about offering backwards-compatibility for its portables and consoles. Even the Wii plays GameCube games.

With so many Nintendo DS portables already sold, this new portable is clearly aimed at the hardcore gamer for now. Analysts already believe that this new portable -- the only new game device launching this year -- should help propel gaming sales throughout the year. Nintendo will continue to support the Nintendo DS for some time, as it did when the first, bulkier Nintendo DS replaced the Game Boy Advance SP. Nintendo also replaced the original Nintendo DS with the Nintendo DS Lite, which is now known as the Nintendo DS.

Nintendo will be showcasing new games for the Nintendo DSi next month as it prepares for launch. In addition, any traditional Nintendo DS games will still work on the new device, although they won't necessarily take advantage of the new technology innovations.

Also on April 5, a new Nintendo DS game, Rhythm Heaven™, will join this roster of games available for both Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DS owners in the United States. Having sold more than 1.6 million copies since its July 2008 launch in Japan and still increasing sales today, this infectious game challenges players to tap and slide the stylus on the touch screen in time to original music created by legendary Japanese pop-star producer TSUNKU♂. Simple gestures with the stylus combined with fun music and quirky visuals make Rhythm Heaven a completely unique musical experience for players of all ages.