(News game DS) Nintendo DSi Sells Out in Japan

The November 1st, Japanese release of the new Nintendo DSi has been a success. The initial allocation of 200,000 retail units has sold out in four days, with most of the sales coming from pre-orders. According the Gamespy.com, the TechRadar notes that an additional 100,000 units are set to ship to stores in Japan over the next week or so. The site also notes that eBay is rife with scalpers offering the new DSi for practically double the cost of the Japanese recommended retail price.


Nintendo has yet to announce a firm release date for the Nintendo DSi in territories other than Japan.

Here the spec of Nintendo DSi :

Screen Size DSi: 3.25 inch

Screen TFT LCD with 260,000 colors

System Size DSi: 137 x 74.9 x 18.9mm

Touch pen DSi: 92mm length

Power source DSi: DSi AC adapter and special battery pack

Weight DSi: 214g (battery pack and touch pen included)

Charge time DSi: 2 hours 30 minutes

Battery life DSi: 9-14 hours

Compatible software DSi: DS software, DSi software

Input method DSi: DS card slot, SD memory card slot, AC adapter connector, stereo head phone/mic connector



The DSi Camera does indeed come with games. There's a facial blending tool, a way to change facial expressions, and a way to measure similarity between faces.

DSi Sound allows you to play music, complete with visualizer and audio tools. It can even remove vocals and you can go karaoke. Quite unfortunately, it only supports AAC audio files, so hold on to your iPhone.

The DSi Shop is the handheld equivalent of the Wii's Shopping Channel, where you'll be able to download both free and paid programs. There are already two free programs available, and that's the Internet browser and a digital notebook that lets you create moving comics.

Nintendo is calling the DSi (third platform) implying that it's not competing with the DS -- though as a history lesson, the DS was originally a "third platform" against the now-retired Game Boy Advance.

The DSi launch in Japan with two color. There are black and white colors. It will cost ¥189,000 (approx. US $178.