Though it released late 2008 in Japan, Nintendo’s follow up to the hugely popular DS handheld, the DSi, was rumored to be launching on our shores some time late in 09, probably near the holidays. News from the Big N this week, however, reveals that the system will launch stateside on April 5.

The new version of the handheld - priced at $169.99 (msrp) - brings with it two low-resolution cameras (one on the outside, one inside the middle hinge), an SD card slot for music, pictures, or (wait for it…) downloadable games that will be available on the DSiWare shop (hells friggin yeah!). The system will come in blue and black colors at launch, and though I’ll probably be suckered into buying one right off the bat, I’m also holding out hope for another Zelda edition at some point down the line (have I mentioned that I love my gold DS Lite?).

Nintendo also announced that their popular (in Japan thus far) beat tapping game Rhythm Heaven will also be releasing on April 5 alongside the DSi - though the game will be playable on any regular old DS or DS Lite as well. There will no doubt be games in the future that require the DSi, but for the time being, nearly every game made for the DS/DS Lite should be playable on the new incarnation of the handheld (with one major exception being the Guitar Hero: On Tour games, due to the DSi’s lack of a GBA cartridge slot).

Check out Nintendo’s official press release here.

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 19th, 2009 at 1:54 am and is filed under Game Chat, Gaming Events, Gaming News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.