See the Nintendo DSi in action

Since Nintendo unveiled its DSi to the public, consumers have been unsure about how to regard it.

On one hand, many have been casting favorable eyes over its multimedia-based features which include a camera, music player, image-editing software and SD card support.

However, individuals have balked at how the DSi’s design fails to distinguish itself from the DS Lite, while hardcore gamers are understandably incensed over Nintendo’s decision to remove the Game Boy Advance slot from the DSi.

As the DSi’s Japanese release date of November 1, 2008, draws near, Nintendo has decided to release a trailer which details the system’s functions. The trailer features an announcer describing the Nintendo DSi’s various features and comparing its size to the original DS Lite. While I think that the DSi’s new features will impress players who desire to see Nintendo follow Sony’s lead of adding ‘additional features,’ it will seem out of place for gamers who expect the system to maintain Nintendo’s ‘games-first’ mentality.

Also, the decision to remove the GBA slot from the system removes backwards compatibility, which to me is extremely important. It was one of the main motivations that I had to purchase a Playstation 2 over an Xbox and a Nintendo DS Lite over a Playstation Portable. Oh well.

While the Japanese will soon have the opportunity to judge the merits of the DSi, gamers in the United States will have to wait until at least 2009 to decide whether it will join the ranks of Nintendo’s other successful handhelds or fade into obscurity like the Virtual Boy.

The trailer can be seen below.

Read [Joystiq] Also Read [IGN] And [GamerBlips]