Nintendo DSi Now Available in Japan [New Improved DS Hits The Streets]

The new slimmer and lighter version of Nintendo’s ever popular DS handheld gaming system, the Nintendo DSi, has just become available in Japan whilst those of us living elsewhere will, according to Nintendo’s president Satoru Iwata, have to wait till the summer of ’09 to get our hands on the new DSi.

The new iteration of the DS comes with enhanced 3.5” dual screens, two built in cameras (mounted outside and inside), and is supplied with audio editing and photo display software and is selling for around ¥18,900 – which equates to around $179 at the time of writing.

Interestingly, however, prospective purchasers should note that whilst the new DSi boasts larger displays and integrated dual cameras it dispenses with a GBA slot meaning that, unlike the standard DS, the DSi, will not offer compatibility with Gameboy Advanced games (though DS Lite software compatibility is catered for).