As the DSi console launch date approaches its easy to get swept away in the hype and forget the reason why you wanna upgrade to the new Nintendo DSi. This is especially important if you (like most of us) already own the DS lite. So we’ve decided to do a comparison of the 2 machines so that you can make an informed decision on upgrading.

New DSi cameras (1-0 DSi)

- the first thing and probably biggest upgrade to the new DS are the 2 new digital cameras. One internal and the other external, these mega pixel wonders are set to bring gaming to a whole new level. The cameras themselves are no SLRs, more similar to the one you would find on you mobile phone. Although the quality of the images are very good with the internal DSi camera shooting at up to 3 Megapixel. This is the camera most used for online games that ofter require capturing your ugly mug on screen. This is were the real fun with the DSi begins. You can easily stretch and play with your images for hours on end. There are thousands of videos currently on youtube from Japan were the DSi has been a massive hit and is currently outselling the Nintendo Wii and Sony PS3 respectively.

Bigger DSi Screens - 2-0 to DSi

- the DSi has 2 bigger screens than the DS lite. The screens on the original DS lite is 3.0 inches while on the DSi, Nintendo have increased the size to the 3.25. OK so a quarter of an inch may not be massive but it does make a difference on Games such as Mario and other Nintendo classics. Of course with a bigger screen comes bigger DSi styluses.

Smaller size and lighter - 3-0 to DSi

- again another thumbs up to the DSi and Nintendo here. They have not only made the entire console 4 grams lighter but have also made it smaller and easier to fit the DSi in to your pocket. The new console is 4mm less wider, 1mm shorter and 2.6 mm less thicker than the DS lite.

DSi console has less battery life than the DS lite - 3-1 to DSi

- the downside to the new camera and bigger screens is a slightly worse battery life than the DS lite. On the highest brightness settings the DSi lasts for 3-4 hours compared to 5-8 hours on the DS lite. While this is dissapointing its understandable - just like old mobile phones would last for 2 weeks between charges, our new handsets are also more power hungry.

DSi looks smarter than DS lite - 4-1 to DSi

- there are some big cosmetic changes with the DSi console. Gone is the DS logo on the front, instead the DSi has gone for a more sophisticated Matt finish. On the front of the console you will now only find the external camera giving the DSi a much more contemporary or grown up look. New Lights! - with new colours for your power lights. The power charge and standby lights have been switched to the top left and now include blue and yellow. The power button has also been moved to the bottom left of the internal bottom screen. Don’t worry though - you need to hold it down to turn of the console (similar to a mobile phone) so theres no way you could accidently switch it off unlike the old slider button on the DS lite which also looked like the sound slider

DSi more expensive and not Gameboy backword compatable - 4-2 to DSi

- Its a no brainer that the new DSi will cost more than the DS lite. With bigger screens, 2 cameras and new software and material it was always gonna cost more. However if you already own a DS lite it may seem expensive at first to upgrade but then if you consider that you will have this new console for another 3 years then that price appears good value for money. The other downside to the new slimmer and lighter DSi console is that it is no longer backward compatable with Game boy advance games. Thats right - the DSi doesn’t have a GBA slot which means that any old GBA games won’t work and GBA accessories such as the Guitar Hero Tour pack or Fitness pack DS games. The good news is that the DSi is backward compatable with the existing DS lite 1000+ strong game lineup. In place of the missing GBA slot, the DSi also boast portable memory storage.

New DSI games - 5-2 to the DSi console

- The whole point of a new console is new games and the DSi already has some amazing games out in Japan and in development. The great thing about the DSi console is the new DSiware download service. This has been huge in Japan were the DSi is already on sale and allows you download new games from the DSi shop. Prices vary but you can save the games on the new portable storage. We’re really REALLY looking forward to the new DSi games that involve the cameras and expect Nintendo to come up with some amazing new titles that make use of this feature.

The WINNER IS THE NINTENDO DSi - well actually the winner is you. The DSi console is expected to turn the portable gaming world on its head. If your considering upgrading to a DSi console, then stop the considering and just do it because you won’t be disappointed. The new Nintendo DSi console is the companies best portable games machine yet.

A game that caught our attention recently is the new Wario game for the DSi console. Called Utsusu Made in Wario - this game is one of the more expensive download titles from the DSiWare service but very enjoyable.

This new Wario game makes use of the DSi Consoles camera and uses cool images, story lines and graphics and is a load of fun. The game uses the front camera on the DSi console and encourages the player to use their free hand and head to create fun silhouettes on screen. There are several mini-games that you can play and reviews in Japan, were the game went on sale on Christmas eve have been good so far. The only possible problem with thie new Wario title is getting the camera to film in good lighting but we’re confident that Nintendo will resolve this when the DSi Console is released in the UK.

Heading straight up the DSi console’s download chart this week is New Little Brain Age (Word Version & Logic Version). This is available from the DSiWare download service and is sold at around 800 points for each word version and logic version. While this may seem expensive, these games are more like “real” games available on the DSi console.

The games basically involve training around the DSi console’s camera and microphone systems. Little Brain Training Word Version is all about reading and writing and has become highly addictive in Japan where the DSi console launched last year.

Little Brain Training Logic version focuses on numbers, puzzles and maths. While these games may not be as challenging as other brain training games they are fun and offer amazing value for money. We hope that both these DSi titles will be available when the DSi console’s DSiWare service launches in the UK in the next few months.