Let's Compare The DS Lite and the DSi

[Darksaviour69]

Full story and pics at Kotaku

Nintendo's announced the DSi, the third iteration of its DS platform. But how does it stack up to the Nintendo DS Lite? We've crunched the numbers and got the data for comparison's sake.

• Size of Liquid Crystal Display
Nintendo DSi: 3.25 inches
Nintendo DS Lite: 3 inches

• Liquid Crystal Screen
Nintendo DSi: Possible to display 260,000 colors
Nintendo DS Lite: Possible to display 260,000 colors

• Portable Size
Nintendo DSi: Width 137mm, Length 74.9mm, Thickness 18.9mm (touch pen is approx. 92mm in length)
Nintendo DS Lite: Width 133mm, Length 73.9mm, Thickness 21.5mm (touch pen is approx. 87.5mm in length)

• Power Supply
Nintendo DSi: AC adaptor for Nintendo DSi
Nintendo DS Lite: AC adaptor for DS Lite

• Weight
Nintendo DSi: Approx. 214g (with touch pen)
Nintendo DS Lite: Approx. 218g (with touch pen, Game Boy Advance cover)

• Charging Time
Nintendo DSi: Approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes
Nintendo DS Lite: Approx. 3 hours

• Battery Life
Nintendo DSi: The lowest brightness (9-14 hrs), low brightness (8-12 hours), medium brightness (6-9 hours), high brightness (4-6 hours), highest brightness(3-4 hours)
Nintendo DS Lite: The lowest brightness (15-19 hrs), low brightness (10-15 hours), high brightness (7-11 hours), highest brightness(5-8 hours)

• Software
Nintendo DSi: Software for Nintendo DS, Software for Nintendo DSi.
Nintendo DS Lite: Software for Nintendo DS, Software for Game Boy Advance

• Input-Output
Nintendo DSi: DS card slot, SD memory card slot, AC adaptor connection, stereo headphone/mic jack
Nintendo DS Lite: DS card slot, Game Boy Advance cartridge slot, AC adaptor connection, stereo headphone/mic jack

[royvedas]

I think this sucks. Don't make at new iteration that can run its own software unless you make an entire new an improved generation console. I don't want to buy a new DS, get som cheap addons and losing GBA compatibility.

A new powerfull processor or something might convince me. And I want to be able to play Game & Watch Gallery Advance!!

[mistac]

All the various reports I've read state there is a built-in web browser. Now does this mean they've increased the available RAM or does it rely on the SD storage?

[gutbub]

I think this sucks. Don't make at new iteration that can run its own software unless you make an entire new an improved generation console. I don't want to buy a new DS, get som cheap addons and losing GBA compatibility.

A new powerfull processor or something might convince me. And I want to be able to play Game & Watch Gallery Advance!!

Yea, because it's not like they'll use the SD slot for anything. They added it just for looks.

Also, does this mean my DSi will naturally support media playback? That would be sweet. Maybe the Big N is trying to support homebrew the same way they do with WiiWare.

[Auriman1]

Yea, because it's not like they'll use the SD slot for anything. They added it just for looks.

You may have been being sarcastic, but you hit the nail on the head. They just want a few new gimmicks to move as many units as possible. I had said on another forum Nintendo would probably cut corners to lower the price, but taking out the GBA components?!

FAIL, Nintendo; it seems they've forgotten people still play GBA games, and many DS games, not including the worthless excuses of shovelware, also use the GBA slot for rumble, unlocking features, and in Pokemon's case, the Pal Park. We're not talking older games, either, we're talking more recent DS titles.

[linkenski]

lol i love how he left the big change part out! its the new firmware and SD support that does it! we can download official games and apps through internet, and maybe the firmware will be upgradable!

[Auriman1]

Assuming that was targeted at me, let's not forget the battery life of this is shortened, internet browsing and music were already available via third parties anyway, upgradeable firmwares could very likely block flashcards (I don't have one, but it should definitely be a concern for some), and a WiiWare DS look-alike is just another way to get out even MORE shovelware.

[trugamer]

The GBA slot really had to go- its not just cost but also size, if you look inside a ds and see how much space it takes up, there is no way you could squeeze an sd card slot in there. In the end if GBA is essential just stick to your ds lite, I prefer playing them on my micro anyway in higher resolution. And the extras the slot provide aren't that great, fair enough extra RAM is great for the homebrew scene but Nintendo aren't going to care abou that. Its only really rumble, GH and Opera that are now unusable, no biggy cos if you already own them you have a ds/lite anyway. If you don't like it, just don't upgrade.

[Lastron]

Sounds like a 'downgrade'.
nothing new is here that wasnt available before with stuff like flashcards and mods.

also we've lost all gba compatibility and many game features to go with it. What was that about the size of slot-2? God. Its small enough already.

[phsychokill]

yep sounds like a totaly pointlesss DS. as said you loose all the GBA link games and addond that fit into the GBA port. saying there was no room for a SD card is a joke how hard would it of been for nintendo to bring out a flash card for media/DS ware titles?

the simple fact is they wanted a boost in hardware sales so they bring out a new system that looses a big feature in exchange for one they can make money off.