At 2.30 AEST, Nintendo’s annual fall conference kicked off at Tokyo, Japan, and here’s a summary of what was announced, via a variety of sources including the Famitsu liveblog.
Company president Satoru Iwata announced the Nintendo DSi
- 2.6 millimeters thinner
- no GBA slot
- two 3.25 inch touch screens (17% bigger) – UPDATED: While both screens are larger, only one will function as a touch screen
- two cameras, one at least 300,000 pixel resolution
- audio functions, including pitch and sound playback adjustment
- AAC playback
- better speakers
- ability to manipulate pictures with touch screens
- SD memory card slot – take photos, transfer to Wii
- Built in browsers, including Opera
• Nintendo’s goal is to have “one DS for one family” said Iwata. Said that DS has sold well, is hitting its saturation point, but that there is still room for growth. “So the health of the DS continues to grow,” Iwata said. “We are putting out this new version.”
• DSi Shop announced
- Ability to download games and store on DSi
- DSiWare sold on DSi Shop
- Pricing structure: Free, 200 points, 500 points and “Premium” or 800 points
- Customers will get 1000 free points to spend at the DSi Shop that are redeemable until March 2010
• DSi releasing in Japan on Nov 1 at 18900 yen (US$179), 2009 release elsewhere
• DSi available in white and frosted black
• DS Station will move into phase two, becoming the Nintendo Zone service
- available at McDonald’s
- Nintendo Zone Viewer included with DSi, no setup required
• Miis head to DS in Lifestyle Rhythm Calculator software
• Pedometer shown
• Games to coincide near DSi launch: Valk Profile DS, Kirby, Kyotaro, Rockman, World Food, Phantasy Star Zero, Momotaro Dentetsu.
• DSi presentation concludes.
• DS and Wii connectivity introduced by Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time
• Dragon Quest IX trailer shown, due next March on DS
• Wii storage solution announced – Nintendo to make it possible to download games onto SD cards starting Spring 2009. Iwata said, “We have to address the console’s insufficient memory storage.”
• Nintendo to preinstall 3 minute movie called “Wii de Dekiru Koto” (What You Can Do With The Wii) on new Wii consoles, demonstrating to users how to connect to the internet.
• Official Wi-Fi adaptors to be released, along with commencement of new campaign which rewards those who can’t connect to the internet 500 Wii Points.
• Wii Animal Crossing presented, due to hit Japan on November 20 with WiiSpeak. Data sharing with DS AC possible and Miis can be used.
• Wii Sports Resort presented.
• GameCube games to be re-released under a new series called “Wii de Asobu Selection” (Play on Wii Selection). Includes games like Pikmin and Donkey Kong Jungle Beat. Will feature brand new Wii controls.
• New Wii games announced including Punch-Out!!, Another Code, Sin and Punishment 2, Sangoku Musou 3 (aka the Dynasty Warrior series debut on Wii), Let’s Tap (a Wii Remote-free game from Prope) and a game from the Tales series (another franchise debut).
• Monster Hunter 3 trailer presented.
• Iwata gets replaced on stage by Shigeru Miyamoto who commences a Wii Music presentation. Wishes this product was around when he was young, imagines what today’s children will be inspired to become.
Nintendo’s official Japanese conference coverage is available here while the Japanese Nintendo DSi mini site is available here.
