Well, it first hit Japan November 1, 2008 then to the rest of us throughout April 2-5, 2009. With the 5th anniversary of the Nintendo DS drawing close, it's about time we do a little year in review for the (almost)-latest iteration of the system, the Nintendo DSi.

It's only been a year and we've seen many interesting things in the Japanese DSi Shop that we like so far.

My question to you: Did the DSi meet its standard? Did it live up to expectations? And did DSiWare games and apps (in Japan) show the true potential of the DSi Shop's service?

My two cents: Well, picking up a DSi on my terms was for different reasons:

• My DS Lite's shoulder buttons were almost busted.
• My DS Phat met its twilight .
• DSiWare intrigued me.
• The cameras and music player looked to be worthy additions.
• Well, it's slimmer and has big screens! (Until we all saw the DSi XL...)

The only downside:

• The twilight of the Game Boy's legacy in portable video gaming. Thank God I didn't trade in my Lite to Gamestop. My friends are willing to send me their Pokemon from Emerald.
• As for the DS games which used the second slot, I never really cared. So what.. Guitar Hero was a good game but man, that Guitar Grip is crampy (my friend's cousin had it).

So there we have it! Why did the DSi interest you, what were the pushing factors for it to you and was the DSi year good?

Discuss below!

DSi seems kind of a waste, nothing really special to it. Nintendo should of waited for the next generation to release a new handheld, not a slight improvement of ones that we already have, if you can even call it an improvement...

I bought one because it was the newest version, and I didn't have a DS. I may still pick up a cheap DSlite for the GBA slot for pal park purposes at some point.

I also like DSiWare, but I was hoping for a DSiVC, which I now no longer think will happen.

Sylverstone All these threads are getting on my nerves.

lol
How so?

I actually did these all from my BlackBerry (and I felt the yearly significance is needed since we've been gaming for God-knows-how-long.

I'm just sayin'!

_{Also shold you call it the .......} DSIXL ?

What happened to the DSi only games? My guess is that the publishers wouldn't even think about producing a DSi only game, they just haven't sold enough units to make it worthwhile.

System Flaw has been released (The first DSi only game) and more games are on the way.

I got my DSi for the same reasons as Silverstone and I have not been disappointed. That's all I can say. It's great.

I am disappointed that the DSi XL is coming out so soon after the DSi. They should have just waited and released the DSi XL in the first place.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR DSI, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!

DSi looks pretty cool. I'll be getting one for christmas.

As a system it's a huge disappointment in what it does to move the DS forward as a system.

The online in the end sucks, the cameras suck, the hardware is rarely used to it's full potential.
I'm not saying that it can't move forward, but Nintendo just doesn't let it.
This device could easily play more formats of music, videos, do VOIP like Skype or even include video with the cameras.
There's no VC Handheld, DSiWare is weak with only a handful of good games.
There's also no demo service ON the system. It's still just through the Wii.
Only ONE DSi only or enhanced game in NA? Seriously? It's not even Nintendo's, it's some small obscure developer that is only using it to get attention to a game that would otherwise just drown in the sea of games.

Yeah. It can do much much MUUUUUUUUCH better that what it's doing now.

I don't know how Japan is doing with it, they do have the Wii/DS video service and a MUCH larger pool of DSiWare games, but that's Japan, not here.

but wait about online? people can exchange friend codes right from there DSI on DSI hub! or DSI cade! also flipnote studio has the biggest dsi community ever.

Two words: FLIPNOTE STUDIO

I like my DSi. Over the Phat it's a huge improvement, imo. The screens are so clear and bright, and the sound is top notch. Over the DS Lite though there's not much reason to upgrade yet. But I never had a Lite. Lack of GBA... meh. I have an SP, and anyone who doesn't have a GBA anymore should be easily able to pick one up dirt cheap from anywhere that sells second-hand hardware. I've seen tons in CEX. I'm tempted to spent £20 on a Micro. And the only game I ever hooked up for DS purposes was Pokémon. But now I prefer the challenge of catching 'em all in Sinnoh (and soon Johto and Kanto, bring on the Spring) rather than just porting 'em all. I ported over all the ones I gave a damn about years ago, as did most people. For those interested, if HGSS are included, it's possible to obtain every single Pokémon bar, oddly, Solrock and Seviper, from within the DS versions with no GBA interaction at all required, starters and mascot legendaries included. Except the older generations' event legendaries (Mew, Jirachi and co), but they're gradually seeing their re-release through events too.
Yeah, anyway. The DSiWare service has some classics on it. Flipnote Studio is made of condensed, pressurised, double-cream win. And the Art Styles are wholly excellent too.

Basically, if you're a Lite owner, stick with it until the DSiWare service really takes off. If you're a Phat owner, seriously consider the upgrade to this or the DSi XL. You probably won't regret it.