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Nintendo to sell revamped DS in April

Nintendo is making it official: a new version of the popular DS handheld, the Nintendo DSi will go on sale in the U.S. on April 5.

The new system will sell for $170 ($169.99) and come in black or blue - and with a lot of added functionality beyond the current model.

Other upgrades include a slimmer, sleeker profile with slightly larger display screens. The DSi has two cameras -- an outward-aiming camera for taking pictures of others, as well as an internal one for taking pictures of the person holding the system, a feature incorporated into some current games available for the Japanese DSi (on sale since November).

Pictures can be taken with several effects and effects can be added after pictures are taken. (In the attached image, you can add cat ears and whiskers; you can also draw graffiti or add voice balloons.) Photos can be transferred wirelessly between DSi systems.

An SD card slot allows for additional picture storage beyond the internal memory and for digital music files (iTunes' standard AAC format) that can be played back on the system. An audio player lets you tinker with speed and pitch of songs and of recorded sounds (using the built-in microphone). Songs can be broken down into vocals and instrumentation for use in karaoke games.

Downloadable games will be available through a DSi Ware shop, similar to the current Wii Ware game store.

One subtraction from that the current DS: the DSi will not include a slot for inserting Game Boy Advance games. (DS Lite sales will continue despite the arrival of the new DSi handheld.)

The Nintendo DS has been a hit since launching in November 2004 with more than 28 million units sold in the U.S.

By Mike Snider

Photo: The Nintendo DSi