YOU'VE GOT THE TOUCH: All the new features of the DSi shouldn't distract you from the fact that it is primarily a portable game console.

The addition of several cool features makes the Nintendo DSi an improvement to an already excellent handheld game console.

The Nintendo DS and me go way back. I picked up my original DS when it was first released, and although it was a bit chunky I still loved it.

However, when the DS’s younger sibling — the DS Lite — appeared, I dumped my old gaming machine and picked up the newer, sleeker, brighter model.

The DS Lite was perfect, I thought. It was the way that mobile gaming should be.

Recently though, Nintendo released a newer version of its popular handheld game console, called the DSi.

I once again find my fidelity tested by the sweet allure of new features and the ­seductive promise of gaming awesomeness.

The machine that I’m reviewing is a US import, mind you, so there might be some small differences from whatever version that gets officially released in Malaysia.

Family resemblance

If you’ve ever played with the DS Lite, then you already have a good idea of how the DSi looks and feels like physically.

There are a number hardware differences between the two models but the bottom line is that they both feel physically similar to each other.

The DSi is a bit more wide and a little less thick compared to the DS Lite, but the difference isn’t too noticeable.

The DSi’s larger screen (3.25in versus the older 3in), on the other hand, is pretty significant, as is the lack of a Game Boy Advance slot. (Oh no, my GBA games!)

The DSi screens also have five brightness settings compared to the four of its predecessor, which is great just in case you thought the DS Lite wasn’t bright enough.

Of course, there is an off chance that you’ve never played with the DS Lite before, and therefore have no frame of reference to make sense of everything I just wrote.

So, here’s the short of it: The DSi is a nice-looking, easy to use handheld gaming device with two screens (one of which is a touchscreen) that can fit into your pocket.

It’s a nice lil’ machine, trust me.

Home sweet home

In terms of functionality, on the other hand, the DSi does everything that the Lite can (DS Download Play and Pictochat are intact) and then some.

Pressing the power button takes you to the DSi’s main menu screen, where a row of icons indicate the games and applications that you have stored on your machine.

What, you only see the basic apps that come with the DSi? No problem.

If you have access to the Internet, you can use the WiFi to go to the Nintendo DSi Shop. Wii owners will find this concept quite ­familiar — you can purchase DSi Points to download games and apps directly to your machine.

The DSi comes with 256MB of internal flash memory, but if that isn’t enough, there’s the SD card slot.

This is the feature I’m most excited about; I’ve seen the growing library of games available on the Wii Shop Channel, and I can’t wait to see what downloadable games will be available exclusively to the DSi.

FUN WITH FACES: This is pretty much how our office colleagues look like after we've had a few drinks.

I’d suggest that the first thing you download is the web browser, which I got for a ­whopping zero DSi Points. Thanks, Nintendo!

If you don’t have Internet access, however... well, wouldn’t a free web ­browser would be the least of your ­problems?

Eye for an i

The two 0.3-megapixel cameras on the DSi — one on the inside facing the ­player and another facing out — are significant additions to the hardware, although currently they’re mostly for fun.

You can take photos of your friends and edit them using the DSi Camera app, and you can optionally apply different “lenses” (image-modifying effects) for added hilarity.

There’s one lens that gives your friends huge cartoony eyes.

I’m still waiting for the release of new games which will make full use of the cameras.

Perhaps an adventure game where I can have my own face on my player ­character? Yes, please!

The DSi Sound application lets you record sound (in 10 second clips) or play music files from the SD card.

This brings the DSi closer to being a ­multimedia device instead of just a gaming device, but I’m going to gripe about the fact that it only plays AAC music files.

That said, I’ll have to commend Nintendo for the small touches to the music player that make it more fun than necessary.

One music visualisation has 8-bit Mario chasing coins that replace the traditional bars... and you can control Mario.

Not so Lite

Unfortunately, there’s one really significant drawback to the new system compared to the DS Lite: The DSi’s battery life is reportedly half of its predecessor’s.

DOWNLOAD AND PLAY: The DSi Ware games currently on offer are simple, though still pretty entertaining. We'd recommend the match-three-in-a-row puzzle game, Aquia.

I couldn’t play the DSi non-stop for nine to 14 hours to verify the numbers, but I did notice that I had to recharge the DSi more often than I had to with the DS Lite.

Don’t get me wrong, though: The battery life is still sufficient to keep you occupied during long road trips or ­really boring classes (if you’d rather not be studying).

For the fashion conscious, the DSi is available in six colour including white and pink but only if you’re in Japan.

The US version only has matte black and matte blue. What, did white go out of style?

Oh well, knowing Nintendo, they’ll probably release new colours and ­limited edition DSi models in the near future.

Hopefully, there’ll be a special edition for the upcoming Zelda: Spirit Tracks game!

Conclusion

The Nintendo DSi is undoubtedly a sweet piece of gaming hardware, but is it worth purchasing right now?

If you’ve already got yourself a DS Lite, there’s really no rush to upgrade.

I say enjoy your GBA slot and longer battery life, at least until the DSi Shop starts stocking up on more games.

On the other hand, if you’re new to this whole handheld gaming thing and are looking for an excellent mobile game console that has a large library of ­enjoyable games... what are you waiting for?

The DSi is the way that mobile gaming should be.

At least, until Nintendo comes up with something even more awesome.

Pros: DSiWare has a lot of promise; bigger screens; cameras are pretty fun.

Cons: Battery life is significantly lower; no more GBA games (but oh well).

DSi

(Nintendo)

Handheld game console

website: www.nintendodsi.com

New Features: Two 0.3-megapixel VGA cameras, SD card slot

Standard DS features: DS cartridge slot, two screens (touchscreen at the bottom), microphone, speakers, external mic/headphone jack, WiFi, stylus

LIST Price: US$169.99 or RM600 (before tax)