According to the latest Internet rumor, American gamers will be able to get their hands on the Nintendo DSi on April 4th for $179. That date is significantly before the summer release that Nintendo had perviously stated but the handheld is selling like Hello Kitty panties in Japan so it only makes sense to launch it here as soon as possible.

Then again it’s just a rumor stemming from “multiple sources close to Nintendo” and should be taken with the appropriate amount of salt. It might launch well into 2009 like Nintendo initially had said, but we know at least a few gamers that would love to see it launch ASAP.