We and our partners use cookies to give you the best online experience, including to personalise advertising and content. Data about your interaction with this site and the ads shown to you may be shared with companies involved in the delivery and/or personalisation of ads on this site and elsewhere online.

Nintendo DSi

PRO rating
How it works?
How it works?
  1. User ratingsUser ratingsratings of product added by Productz users
  2. Expert ratingsExpert ratingsexperts ratings from editorial reviews
  3. Consumer ratingsConsumer ratingsratings from the biggest online stores worldwide
Legend
  1. Excellent
  2. Good
  3. Poor
  4. Average
3.8
based on all reviews
User ratings:
42
4.0 out of 5
42 user ratings
5 stars
33 %
4 stars
42 %
3 stars
19 %
2 stars
4 %
1 stars
0 %
Editorial reviews:
32
  1. See more
3.6 out of 5
8 user ratings
5 stars
37 %
4 stars
50 %
3 stars
0 %
2 stars
0 %
1 stars
0 %
Read editorial reviews

Pros

  • surprisingly usable and functional
  • an ambitious and solidly designed portable gaming system
  • It definitely feels more robust than the DS Lite

Cons

  • of built-in flash memory
  • The European store has only just opened
  • without the software to show off Nintendo's new direction

Key specs

  • yes
  • yes
  • 256 MB
  • 3 in
  • no
  • yes

Nintendo DSi - Pros & Cons

Nintendo DSi

Pros

  • surprisingly usable and functional
  • an ambitious and solidly designed portable gaming system
  • It definitely feels more robust than the DS Lite
  • overall design and vastly improved screen performance
  • portable can handle up to 14 hours of playtime were surprisingly accurate
  • it remains a relatively attractive free download
  • built-in audio playback/editing suite is easy to master
  • Playing MP3 tracks is very straightforward
  • simple and effective - the touch screen controls work extremely well
  • The plug on the charging cable folds down nicely
  • feels infinitely more comfortable in adult hands

Cons

  • of built-in flash memory
  • The European store has only just opened
  • without the software to show off Nintendo's new direction
  • No longer supports Game Boy Advance games
  • The Game Boy Advance slot found in both previous versions has been removed
  • games generally require an up-to-date firmware
  • the DSi is a tad thinner
  • clunky DS lacked an attractive aesthetic
  • There is no quantum leap for gamers in the new DSi handheld
  • the charger uses a new connection
  • inordinately long time to load on the DSi

Nintendo - Video Reviews (9)

powered byYouTube

Nintendo DSi - Full Specifications

Icon
Technical details
CPU cores1
CPU clock speed133.0 MHz
CPU typeARM
Ram memory16MB
Icon
Camera
Built-in camerayes
Main camera resolution0.3 Mpx
Second camerayes
Icon
Design
Colour of product
  • Black
  • Blue
  • Blue,Metallic
  • Pink
  • Red
  • White
Built-in touchpadno
Gaming control technologyAnalogue / Digital
Gaming control function keys
  • D-pad
  • Home
  • Power
  • Select
  • Start
Analog thumbsticksyes
LED indicatorsY
Icon
Audio properties
Supported audio filesAAC
Built-in speakersyes
Number of built-in speakers2
Icon
Features
Multiplayer supportyes
Backward compatibilityno
Built-in microphoneyes
Video game includedno
Games includedPokémon Nero Versione
Stylus penyes
Parental controlyes
Icon
Network
Online service
  • Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
  • DSi Shop
App StoreNintendo eShop
Icon
Display
Screen size3.0 in
Screen resolution256 x 192 px
Number of colours262144 colours
Touch displayyes
Second displayyes
Second screen size3.25 in
Second display resolution256 x 192 px
Icon
Dimensions
Height2.95 in
Width5.39 in
Depth0.74 in
Weight7.69 oz
Icon
Storage
Internal storage256 MB
Memory card readeryes
Type of mediaMemory card
Compatible memory cards
Secure Digital
Maximum memory card size32.0 GB
Built-in hard driveyes
Built-in optical driveno
Icon
Image
Supported image files
  • GIF
  • JPEG/JPG
Video formats supported
  • 3GP
  • MP4
Icon
Connectivity
WiFiyes
Wireless networking standard
  • 802.11b
  • 802.11g
USByes
USB version2.0
GPRSno
Bluetoothno
DC-in jackyes
Microphone inyes
Headphone output1
3G (UMTS)no
Built-in navigation systemno
Icon
Power
Battery life (running)14.0 h
Battery life (max)14.0 h
Battery type
Lithium-Ion
Number of batteries required1
Charging time2.5 h

Nintendo DSi - Q&A (14)

  • 0
    Votes
    jeramy_stanton
    about 2 years ago
    Is Nintendo DSi better than DS Lite?
    roscoe
    almost 2 years ago
    The DSi Can't Play Game Boy Advance Games, but the DS Lite does not have any cameras at all compared to DSi's 2 cameras. Thus which console is better depends on whether you want cameras or the ability to play Game Boy Advance games.
    Helpful?
  • 0
    Votes
    golda.wolff
    about 2 years ago
    Is the Nintendo DSi discontinued?
    reed
    almost 2 years ago
    Yes, the DSi was discontinued in 2014, just before the release of the New Nintendo 3DS and 3DS XL.
    Helpful?
  • 0
    Votes
    Productz
    over 1 year ago
    What is the rarest DSi?
    edmund
    over 1 year ago
    7/12 McDonald's Edition Nintendo DSi ($499) This is by far the most unusual limited edition Nintendo DS console and one that not many people remember. It's a really rare one that it's not easy to find and although it's far from the most expensive console out there, it's definitely the most unique one.
    Helpful?
  • 0
    Votes
    Productz
    over 1 year ago
    Is a DSi better than a DS?
    brent
    over 1 year ago
    Nintendo Dsi It has two digital cameras. Nintendo Dsi has a battery that lasts for about a minimum time period of 9 hours to a maximum of 14 hours. Ds has a higher battery life of about a maximum of 19 hours, with its minimum being 15 hours. It weighs around 218 grams, and it is heavier in weight.
    Helpful?
  • 0
    Votes
    Productz
    over 1 year ago
    What does Nintendo DSi stand for?
    britta
    over 1 year ago
    It's a known fact that the the DS in Nintendo DS stands for “Developer's System” and “Dual Screen.” But what does the “i” in DSi stand for? According to a Nintendo representative, the “i” has two meanings. First, it is symbolic for “I” – As in, the DSi is your own, personal system.
    Helpful?
  • 0
    Votes
    Productz
    over 1 year ago
    How do you reset a DSi to factory settings?
    darryl.herzog
    over 1 year ago
    On the Nintendo DSi Menu, use the stylus to select the Settings (wrench) icon. Select the right arrow three times to go to page 4, then select Format System Memory. Select Format every time when asked to erase all data.
    Helpful?
  • 0
    Votes
    Productz
    over 1 year ago
    Is a Nintendo DSi good?
    lonnie
    over 1 year ago
    The DSi is still perfectly good and in fact there are several reasons you might want it specifically over the XL (size being the main one; the XL has almost twice the overall dimensions of the DSi, which makes it less portable).
    Helpful?
  • 0
    Votes
    Productz
    over 1 year ago
    How long does a DSi last?
    ambrose.runolfsson
    over 1 year ago
    Battery: Shorter than the DS Lite, regardless of brightness setting; for example, the DSi has a battery life of 9–14 hours on the lowest brightness setting, compared to the 15–19 hours of the DS Lite on the same setting.
    Helpful?
  • 0
    Votes
    aretha
    about 2 years ago
    Is Nintendo DSi region-free?
    trent
    almost 2 years ago
    Yes, as of now, the Nintendo DSi is region-free.
    Helpful?
  • 0
    Votes
    terese
    about 2 years ago
    Does Nintendo DSi have a Game Boy Advance slot?
    luciano.lehner
    almost 2 years ago
    No, Game Boy Advance (GBA) games cannot be played on the DSi since it does not have a GBA slot.
    Helpful?
  • 0
    Votes
    loyce.mclaughlin
    about 2 years ago
    Does the Nintendo DSi shop still work?
    darren.vandervort
    almost 2 years ago
    No, the DSi eShop has been closed since 2017.
    Helpful?
  • 0
    Votes
    morris_schneider
    about 2 years ago
    What is the Nintendo DSi?
    timmy_macejkovic
    almost 2 years ago
    The Nintendo DSi is a handheld gaming console with a second touchscreen, Internet capabilities, and multimedia playback. It was released in 2008. The DSi serves as a rival to Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP).
    Helpful?
  • 0
    Votes
    dann.doyle
    about 2 years ago
    Does Nintendo DSi play 3DS games?
    chi_dubuque
    almost 2 years ago
    No, 3DS games cannot be played on the Nintendo DSi.
    Helpful?
  • 0
    Votes
    pauletta
    about 2 years ago
    Does Nintendo DSi play DS games?
    herbert.hilll
    almost 2 years ago
    Yes, the DSi can play Nintendo DS titles.
    Helpful?
  • Don't see the answer you're looking for?

Nintendo DSi Nintendo - Editorial Reviews (32)

3.6
Based on 32 reviews
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
Nintendo DSi Review: Nintendo DSi XL
WIRED logo
WIRED
Published: 01.02.2010
Review: Nintendo DSi XL
4.5

An extra inch of screen real estate takes Nintendo's newest portable from mere novelty to drool inducing "must have."

Nintendo DSi Review: Nintendo DSi XL
TechCrunch logo
TechCrunch
Published: 31.03.2010
Review: Nintendo DSi XL

Short version: Nintendo’s new DSi XL is aimed squarely at the older generation of casual gamers. People that appreciate something that’s a little easier to read. The people who wear their reading glasses while they sit down for their morning glass of fiber and read their copy of the AARP Journal. And heaven help me, […]

Nintendo DSi Nintendo DSi Review | Digital Trends
Digital Trends logo
Digital Trends
Published: 08.04.2009
Nintendo DSi Review | Digital Trends

Nintendo's next-gen handheld offers a welcome upgrade for fans, though it's no mandatory purchase.

Nintendo DSi Nintendo DSi games console
Pocket-lint logo
Pocket-lint
Published: 06.03.2009
Nintendo DSi games console
4.5

The DSi proves once again that Nintendo are still at the top of their game when it comes to the handheld market

Nintendo DSi Nintendo DSi review
TechRadar logo
TechRadar
Published: 05.04.2019
Nintendo DSi review
5.0

Meet Nintendo's refresh of the hugely popular DS Lite, but with downloadable content

Nintendo DSi Nintendo DSi (Japanese version)
pocketgamer.co.uk logo
pocketgamer.co.uk
Nintendo DSi (Japanese version)

The DSi is full of potential, but at present it's mostly untapped. Given some forward-thinking software applications and the inevitable growth of DSiWare it won't remain that way for long. Above all, the DSi is a few levels ahead of the Lite in terms of both e...

Nintendo DSi Nintendo DSi Handheld Games Console
Trusted Reviews logo
Trusted Reviews
Published: 04.04.2009
Nintendo DSi Handheld Games Console
3.5

The DS Lite was the perfect evolution of the original DS, but does the DSi do enough to justify its price?

Nintendo DSi Entertainment
AskMen logo
AskMen
Entertainment

AskMen's Entertainment channel keeps you up to date on pop culture, gadgets, movies reviews, and gear for guys.

Nintendo DSi Nintendo DSi - NDS - Review | GameZone
GameZone logo
GameZone
Published: 04.05.2012
Nintendo DSi - NDS - Review | GameZone

When Nintendo first released the DS handheld system in November 2004, its two screens, touch-screen capabilities, and built-in microphone made it a c

Nintendo DSi Review: Nintendo DSi
The Sydney Morning Herald logo
The Sydney Morning Herald
Published: 20.04.2009
Review: Nintendo DSi

Nintendo DSi Nintendo DSi Review - PracticallyNetworked.com
practicallynetworked.com logo
practicallynetworked.com
Nintendo DSi Review - PracticallyNetworked.com
Nintendo DSi Console Review: Nintendo DSi XL
Blogcritics logo
Blogcritics
Published: 27.03.2010
Console Review: Nintendo DSi XL

When I first held a Nintendo DSi in my hands, I was impressed – it's a cute little system,

Nintendo DSi Nintendo DSi Review | Digital Trends
Digital Trends logo
Digital Trends
Published: 08.04.2009
Nintendo DSi Review | Digital Trends

Nintendo's next-gen handheld offers a welcome upgrade for fans, though it's no mandatory purchase.

Nintendo DSi Nintendo DSi Review - IGN
IGN logo
IGN
Published: 06.04.2009
Nintendo DSi Review - IGN
4.0

With over 100 million units sold since it was introduced in 2004, the Nintendo DS has become the highest selling handheld platform of its generation. With a veritable plethora of games marketed toward a broad cross-section of users both young and old, the Nintendo DS in undeniably appealing platform. But as is typically the case, only a portion of a console's success (or failure) can be attributed to software alone, and it is often carefully timed hardware revisions that can make or break a system, and in this regard, Nintendo has shown incredible aptitude. The platform has only existed in three principal hardware configurations – the original DS, the DS Lite, and now the DSi – with a number of special and limited edition aesthetic variations therein. While the original DS laid the groundwork for the handheld, it was the DS Lite that trimmed some of the device's fat and delivered a much-needed aesthetic upgrade. Now, with the DSi, Nintendo has tweaked the system once again with some stylistic and functional upgrades, but are they enough to garner your hard earned cash? We render our verdict below.

Nintendo DSi Review: Nintendo DSi
TechCrunch logo
TechCrunch
Published: 05.04.2009
Review: Nintendo DSi

The question on everyone’s mind since October 2, 2008, has been whether it will be worth upgrading to the DSi from the DS Lite, right? We’ve all seen the countless videos coming out of Japan about the DSi’s new features and I’m sure most of you have already made up your mind…

Often compared with Nintendo DSi