WHAT? Hello Nintendo.  It’s about time you put something like this out.  The Nintendo DSi is the newest in the line of handheld DS series put out by Nintendo.  The perks of this new model: two cameras, connection to an online store, and external content storage (via SD card).  The bad?  The GBA cartridge slot (which opened up a totally different catalog for gamers to play) is gone.  Crap.

WHY? The Nintendo DSi seems to be Nintendo’s answer to the Sony PSP.  Whereas the PSP has multimedia and internet capabilities, the original DS was rather lacking in that department.  The addition of two cameras, the online DSi store, and external content storage has changed that.  Can the DSi do what the PSP does?  Not really, but that’s not the point.  Nintendo manages to incorporate some of those features and twist it up in the Nintendo style.  It’s like they’re trying to create their own slightly odd yet refreshing version of a portable gaming/social media device.

WHO? Of course I’m gonna encourage libraries to lend out these systems.  Not only are they fun, but they’re teaching users about creating content and sharing it.  I’m gonna take this one step further…they’re especially wonderful in pairs.  Imagine a family of four being able to swing by the library and rent out four DSi systems for some Saturday night family gaming.  Heck, give them Mario Kart DS (see yesterday’s review) and send them on their way.  Everyone will have fun as a unit and they’ll get to explore and understand new technology TOGETHER.

And that my friends, is what gaming is all about.