Nintendo DSi

Nintendo DSi is a Nintendo-manufactured handheld console that was first announced on October 2, 2008 and released in Japan on November 1 of the same year and worldwide in early 2009. It is the third model in the Nintendo DS family.

Nintendo DSi XL
The Nintendo DSi XL (originally called Nintendo DSi LL in Japan) is a revision model of the DSi. It includes larger screens with a diagonal of 107 mm (4.2 inches) (93% bigger than the DS Lite and the regular DSi's screen). The size and weight are increased accordingly so that the new model weighs 50% more than the DSi. According to reports, Nintendo wants to aim the new version to older gamers who might have trouble seeing the screen of a regular DS model.

The handheld console was announced on October 29, 2009 and released in Japan on November 21, 2009, in Europe and UK on March 5, 2010, in North America on March 28, 2010, and in Australia on April 15, 2010.

In Japan, the DSi XL comes preinstalled with Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters (also known as A Little Bit of... Dr Kawashima's Brain Training: Arts Edition), Brain Age Express: Math (also known as A Little Bit of... Dr Kawashima's Brain Training: Maths Edition), and Kiyou Akira Rakuhiku Language Easier.

In North America, the DSi XL includes both of the Brain Age titles: Brain Age Express: Math and Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters, along with the Photo Clock.

In Europe, the DSi XL comes pre-installed with Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training: Arts Edition (with an additional Dutch language copy), Dictonary 6 in 1 with Camera Function, Nintendo DSi + Internet video, Nintendo DSi Browser and later Flipnote Studio. Like its predecessor, the DSi XL is not backwards compatible with GBA games.

Front (while open)
The Nintendo DSi has two backlit color liquid crystal screens that have five adjustable brightness settings. The lower screen is touch sensitive and is suggested that it can only be used with a Nintendo DSi stylus. Besides the upper screen are two stereo speakers, and on the lower part of the upper segment are three LED indicators. The left most indicator is the Wireless Indicator LED, which shines yellow if the player has the wireless communications enabled, and will blink in a pattern when the player is in the process of communicating wirelessly. The middle one is the Recharge Indicator LED, which will shine orange when the Nintendo DSi is being charged. Once the light is no longer charged with the AC Adapter still appropriately placed, it indicates that the Nintendo DSi is fully charged. When the Nintendo DSi is turned on, the light may not turn off even if it is charged, though either way, it is not a malfunction. When the middle light is blinking, it indicates that the battery isn't properly placed. The right most one is called the Power Indicator LED, and it tells the player the status of the battery. When blue, the battery is between 25%-100% charged, when red the battery life is low, and when blinking it indicates that the Nintendo DSi will soon turn off. When the Nintendo DSi is closed and the Power Indicator LED is blinking, it means that the system is in sleep mode. The brightness of the two screens will also determine the brightness of the LED Indicators.

In the middle of the Nintendo DSi is the inner camera, and next to that is the mic, which is used in a variety of ways to record vocal data or blow into the microphone for various video games that use this feature. On the lower half of the system are the control components including the d-pad, the A (right), B (bottom), Y (left), and X (top) buttons, and the start and select buttons. The power button, which is placed below the d-pad, turns the system on and off. Quickly pressing the power button will reset the console though won't turn it off, while holding it will turn the system off. On the side of the Nintendo DSi is the SD Card Slot, which can be opened by gently exerting force on it. Putting too much force on it can damage it to the point where it cannot be inserted into the slot properly.

Back (while open)
On the upper half of the back of the Nintendo DSi is the outer camera, and next to it is the Camera Indicator LED which shines pink when the outer camera is in use. If you close the Nintendo DSi while the outer camera is in use, the light will turn off. Unlike the inner LED Indicators (outer when the Nintendo DSi is shut), the outer camera indicator will not change brightness when the player changes the brightness of the Nintendo DSi's screens. On the side of the system is the volume/screen brightness control which has two buttons labeled + and -. Pressing on the + button will increase the screen's volume, while pressing - will lower the screen's volume. In order to turn the volume off all the way before turning the system on, the player can hold the - button while pressing power. Holding SELECT and pressing either the + or the - will alter the brightness of the screens. In all, there are five different brightness levels, and changing the brightness will effect the battery life as follows:


 * Highest setting: 3-4 hours
 * High setting: 4-6 hours
 * Medium setting: 6-9 hours
 * Low setting: 8-12 hours
 * Lowest setting: 9-14 hours

Take note that this is under normal conditions. After charging the battery 500 times, it is expected that the battery life will decrease by 30% to when it was purchased brand new. When playing wirelessly or connected to the internet, or when using the cameras, this also will decrease the amount of time until a battery runs out of power. Certain events in games may consume more power than other events as well, especially saving a game.

Next to the SD Card slot is the Nintendo DSi stylus holder. Only styluses that are made specifically for the Nintendo DSi should be placed in the holder, as the previous Nintendo DS systems' styluses are different sizes. In the middle of the Nintendo DSi where the two halves are connected are the L and R buttons at the ends (indicating Left and Right, respectively). Together, they're known as the shoulder buttons, and are used primarily in games and applications, though can be used in conjunction with the power button to head directly to the touch screen calibration in system settings if the touch screen isn't acting properly. Directly in the middle is the DS Game Card Slot, which holds Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi game cards. Next to the slot are the wrist strap attachment and the AC Adapter Connector.

Nintendo DSi Menu
After turning the Nintendo DSi on and getting past the health and safety warning, the user will automatically enter the Nintendo DSi Menu. On the Nintendo DSi Menu are icons of applications on the bottom screen, while an image and various other information will be found on the top. Pressing the R or L button while on the Nintendo DSi Menu will bring the Nintendo DSi into camera mode so that the player can quickly take pictures.

The icons on the bottom screen can be moved by touching and dragging it up to the center of the screen or by pressing the up button on the d-pad and moving it where ever they'd like by movng the d-pad left and right and then put the application in the desired spot by pressing the down button. (where the application's name and publisher are found). Following this, players can navigate the bottom screen and find a new location for the application.