The boys over at PC Watch put their precious DSi LL (or the XL here in the States) under the knife. If controller board pr0n gets you going in the morning, click on over to the Japanese trade publication for the gory pics. You probably don’t need to translate it.

This post is for the few people out there that actually use the DSi’s camera. Sure, many probably snapped a few pics when they first got the device, but it’s more of a novelty feature and probably not something you would use everyday. But if you do, this $20 kit from Thrustmaster is for you.

The kit includes just about every camera accessory you could ever want: macro lens, telephoto lens, wide angle lens, removable flash, color filters, and a handy storage bag. It’s only $20, which means this kit could totally be a Christmas gift to a younger child. Just be prepared for it to end up in a junk drawer before the end of the year.

[Thrustmaster via ubergizmo]

Question: Are standard DS & DSi games going to look pixelated and stretched on the DSi XL’s 4.2-inch screen? Idk. But the screen is huge when compared to the standard DSi. Check out the Japanese TV debut after the jump.

[via Kotaku]

Nintendo via Kotaku,

“A new iteration of the Nintendo DSi™ system will be introduced in Japan on November 21, 2009, to be known as Nintendo DSi LL in Japan, and as Nintendo DSi XL in North America and Europe, it will offer a screen 93% larger than the current Nintendo DS Lite with a better view angle, an additional longer touch screen stylus, and preinstalled Nintendo DSiWare™ software. The new version will arrive in North America and Europe in the first quarter of calendar year 2010.”

The page is in Japanese but the picture doesn’t need translation. The new DSi LL is a monster compared to the standard DSi. Aging gamers are going to dig it for sure. (John’s in that group, btw)

So the rumors about Nintendo releasing a new DSi with a bigger screen (we reported Monday and Tuesday) were true. Big N officially announced a new DSi in Tokyo today, the so-called DSi LL [JP]. It has a 4.2-inch screen, will be released on November 21 in Japan and is priced at $220. Buyers will initially be able to choose between brown, red and white versions.

You’ll get two pens with the handheld. One is thicker and 129.33mm long, the thinner model is 96mm long. There’ll also be three DSiWare games pre-installed (two brain-training games and a dictionary).

The DSi that’s currently on the market has a 3.25-inch screen (the DS Lite only had a 3-inch screen). Nintendo says the DSi LL is especially designed for a better Internet surfing experience. It’s 21.2mm thin, but it’s thicker than the current DSi (18.9mm) and way heavier (314g vs. 214g).

Nintendo Japan’s web site is in Japanese (obviously), but this page visualizes the difference in screen size between the “old” DSi and the LL (just hover your mouse across the screen).

Nintendo has yet to announce international sales plans.

Update:

Kotaku reports Europe gets the new DSi model in the first quarter of 2010. It’s going to be called DSi XL there. No word on a US release yet.

Update 2 (more pictures):

Let me catch you up. Late yesterday afternoon, a report surfaced that claimed Nintendo will launch a 4-inch DSi in Japan before the end of the year. Sounds good, right? Well, Nintendo has responded to the claims.

From Famitsu.com,

Our company isn’t doing any interviews [about this]. We think it’s a speculative article.

Chances are that if Nintendo does have a new DSi planned, it will be launched within the coming weeks. Companies don’t tend to release hot products past the second half of November due to managing supply levels during the busy  holiday season. So if this larger-screen DSi doesn’t see the light of day before Thanksgiving, it probably won’t be out this year; that is, of course, assuming it actually exists, which is something else entirely. [via Kotaku]

To redeem a Nintendo DSi Download Ticket number, such as for the Nintendo DSi Speak Channel, enter the number off the Nintendo DSi Download Ticket in “Settings and Features” off of the main Nintendo DSi Shop page, then select “Nintendo DSi Download Ticket.

Sounds pretty serious to me. And after all, Nintendo has been pushing that Wii Speak thing, though I don’t recall hearing about anybody using it ever. Probably because calling your friends on your Wii is just a little too weird. On the DSi, however, it could be really convenient. Say hello to DSiPhone.

Of course, Nintendo has responded saying it’s just a rumor — yeah, we knew that. But they didn’t deny it, so it’s probably true.

[via Edge and 1up]

Developed by THQ, the game mimics the experience of being on The Biggest Loser Ranch just like the TV contestants, except that you get to live in your own house and you can keep eating delicious donuts with reckless abandon — it’ll be our little secret.

Choose from 4, 8, or 12 week programs full of “structured routines with special weekly challenges, weigh-ins and eliminations” or create your own customized workout routines consisting of over 90 “upper and lower body exercises, as well as core, cardio and yoga exercises.”

While the Wii version appears to push most of the exercise stuff, the $30 DSi version (also compatible with the DS) serves more as a portable calorie counter and nutritional information system although you also get “complete exercise routines.” The Wii version is Balance Board compatible, although it’s not required.

Here’s more from the press release:

The Biggest Loser interactive fitness game is a fun and engaging way for players to get in shape and maintain their ideal fitness level. Set at The Biggest Loser ranch, players can take The Biggest Loser challenge and compete in 4, 8 or 12 week programs against former contestants from the television show, or work out with a friend to form a support system to see who really is The Biggest Loser. Players will work out to a series of structured routines with special weekly challenges, weigh-ins and eliminations, or they can even create their own workout routines. Workouts include upper and lower body exercises, as well as core, cardio and yoga exercises. Progress is documented on a calendar that keeps track of in-game achievements, upcoming training and weigh-in dates. Players can also input exercise done while not playing the video game, such as going for a walk or a bike ride.

The interactive fitness game also features 50 healthy recipes from The New York Times best-selling book seriesThe Biggest Loser to help users learn how to eat right for optimal weight loss. Throughout the Wii workout program, suggestions and tips from contestants and trainers will also help guide players as they transform their lives via diet and exercise. The video game also features an interactive calorie counter that tracks what players are eating and recommends their daily intake based on individual height and weight and fitness goals.

When paired together, the Wii and Nintendo DSi/DS products become powerful training partners with Nintendo DSi/DS serving as a portable tool. Featuring nutritional information on thousands of foods, including menu items from some of today’s most popular restaurants, users can count their calories and even get healthy recipe suggestions on the go. Players can take their ‘trainer’ with them for food and fitness tips, as well as complete exercise routines that encourage them to stick to their wellness goals no matter where they are. To find out more information on The Biggest Loser interactive fitness game, go to www.biggestloserthegame.com.

Available in North America starting today and heading to the UK and Australia “over the coming months.”

On October 23rd Nintendo will release three new colors: red, blue and turquoise. The new kits will also come preloaded with the Facebook and FlipNote Studio apps and so far Nintendo hasn’t announced if the new red and blue models will make it State side.

Right now if you use the coupon code TGTBBY92, you can get the Metallic Rose, Cobalt/Black, or Crimson/Black for only $89 bones. That’s cheap, y’all. The normal price is $129. Too bad that the estimated shipping time is 2 to 4 weeks.

Right now the number is at 6.68 million units but with the pre-holiday shopping spree almost here, that number is likely to skyrocket. It seems that simply adding a camera and installing new software actually does spur sales. Apple is probably banking on this concept with its upcoming camera-sporting iPods, natch.

GameIndustry.biz via GoNintendo

Good morning, everyone!

Nintendo pushed out firmware v1.4 last week in Japan and it looks like NA will be getting the same treatment tonight. Sometime after 5PM PT today, Nintendo will be pushing out an update for DSi owners to be able to upload pictures to their Facebook profile page via the DSi. We first learned about this feature back at E3 and I’m still pretty lukewarm about it now as I was back then. But I’m a jaded jerk so don’t listen to me. And remember, kids, this update will bork flash carts so proceed with caution.

Yeah, it’s not that exciting.

via Joystiq

Update: Looks like 1.4 is borking flash carts on the DSi. Uh oh.

via Max

Band Hero is coming to the Nintendo DS this fall and, yes, you’ll be able to play drums and, double yes, there will be an actual drum peripheral for your DS. Nothing too fancy, just something called the “drum grip” that fits over the DS’ buttons and D-pad. Oh, and as luck would (not) have it, the drum grip won’t work with the DSi. So there’s that.

The included guitar add-on won’t work either — apparently the DSi is just too dainty to be able to support such accoutrements. So DSi gets you DSiWare and a camera and all that good stuff, while DS Lite gets you full Band Hero peripheral support. Oh, and Beyonce!

[via Kotaku]

Band Hero is almost here to rock out on your Nintendo DS and it sounds like it’s going to be a decent adaptation. Soon you’ll be able to jam with your buds over the four-way ad-hoc network and play either the guitar, drummer, or lead vocalist. Players will be able to configure the game so if you all want to be drummers, you can. But there is one little thing that might bug some of you early adaptors.

Yeah, so Band Hero uses the GBA cartridge port. I know what you’re saying. Your brand new DSi doesn’t have a GBA port. Exactly, so you will not able able to join in on the fun. Sorry. [via joystiq]

Short Version: Nintendo DSi owners searching for a case that not only protects their handheld but also extends the play time will find Tekno Creations TekCase for the DSi well worth the $30 investment.

Long Version:

While the TekCase adds a bit of bulk to your dainty DSi, the promise of 3x the play time is incentive enough to take a gamble on such a small investment.

Once you place your DSi into the TekCase, you really have no reason to ever pull it out. Everything is accessible and accounted for. A miniUSB port plugs directly into the DSi’s proprietary power plug, so you’ll never have to carry around the Nintendo adapter ever again. All you need is a miniUSB cable and I’m sure you have plenty of those.

Extended battery life times vary depending on your level of brightness and I managed to get over 3.5 hours with the brightness level cranked all the way up. Mileage will vary, but it gets the job done if long flights or road trips are in your future.

There isn’t too much that I dislike about the TekCase and the pros certainly outweigh the cons. I highly recommend the TekCase from Tekno Creations.

Pros:

• The polycarbonate shell definitely protects your DSi from bumps and bruises and small drops
• At the very least it doubles battery life
• You can rid yourself of the DSi power adapter and stick with a miniUSB cable

Cons:

• It’s difficult to extract the DSi once it’s been placed in the case
• The case hinders the ability to tilt the screen all the way back
• It’s bulky

Product Page [Tekno Creations]

DSi TekCase



]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/07/09/review-tekcase-for-the-nintendo-dsi/feed/ 9 http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/06/04/black-nintendo-wii-and-red-dsi-to-hit-japan-this-summer/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/06/04/black-nintendo-wii-and-red-dsi-to-hit-japan-this-summer/#comments Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:20:06 +0000 Matt Burns http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=93209

What’s a sure-fire way to stimulate sales on an aging product? Produce it in new colors of course. And that’s just what Nintendo is going to do starting this summer with the Wii and DSi.

The black Wii will be available on August 1st with like-color Wiimote, nunchuck, and classic controller. Also, expect the red DSi on July 11. Just like almost everything else Nintendo, these will be Japan-only for a while, but it’s probably a safe bet that both will be released here in the States before the holiday shopping season.

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/06/04/black-nintendo-wii-and-red-dsi-to-hit-japan-this-summer/feed/ 7 http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/06/02/e3-2009-nykos-latest-accessory-offerings-revealed/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/06/02/e3-2009-nykos-latest-accessory-offerings-revealed/#comments Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:10:33 +0000 Peter Ha http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=92921 We’re skimp on details until we hit the Nyko booth, but we have images of Nyko’s upcoming accessories for this year. They all seem to be pretty straightforward. So without further ado, I present to you the DSi Zoom Case, PSP Charge Grip Flex, and the Wii Type Pad Pro. There’s the Speakercom 360, but there aren’t any images of it yet. No release dates or prices have been announced, but we’re told that they are coming out this year. ]]>

We’re skimp on details until we hit the Nyko booth, but we have images of Nyko’s upcoming accessories for this year. They all seem to be pretty straightforward. So without further ado, I present to you the DSi Zoom Case, PSP Charge Grip Flex, and the Wii Type Pad Pro. There’s the Speakercom 360, but there aren’t any images of it yet. No release dates or prices have been announced, but we’re told that they are coming out this year.

E3 Nyko



]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/06/02/e3-2009-nykos-latest-accessory-offerings-revealed/feed/ 3 http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/05/25/nintendo-dsi-to-become-ghost-hunter/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/05/25/nintendo-dsi-to-become-ghost-hunter/#comments Mon, 25 May 2009 19:06:25 +0000 Peter Ha http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=91539 Swedish developer A Different Game announced today that the DSi will soon aid ghost hunters on their quest to vanquish and/or send back the ethereal to the underworld. Ghostwire will utilize the DSi's camera and mic to help you hunt down the ghosts haunting us all and determine why they're still creeping around our plane of existence. ]]>

Swedish developer A Different Game announced today that the DSi will soon aid ghost hunters on their quest to vanquish and/or send back the ethereal to the underworld. Ghostwire will utilize the DSi’s camera and mic to help you hunt down the ghosts haunting us all and determine why they’re still creeping around our plane of existence.

“The Nintendo DSi platform is perfect for this game” says Anders Bergman, lead game designer of Ghostwire. “This allows us to enhance the integrated real-world experience with the combination of camera, microphone and touch screen.”

via Kotaku

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/05/25/nintendo-dsi-to-become-ghost-hunter/feed/ 7