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Nintendo DSi launch at CityWalk!

With dual cameras, bigger screens, and new features, what's not to celebrate?

Words: Lizzie Cuevas, GamesRadar US
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How do you celebrate the launch of Nintendo's latest handheld? With celebrities, music, and fireworks, of course. We flew down to Universal City, CA to check out the midnight launch of the Nintendo DSi at the CityWalk Gamestop. Aside from getting plenty of free swag, mainly some nifty DSi accessories, and no DSi (sigh...), we took some photos of the event's main attractions.


Above: The launch of a third version of an existing console is a big deal!


Above: OMG! Kevin Periera of G4's "Attack of the Show" leading the countdown to midnight!


Above: You and I will wait almost two and a half more hours...


Above: Video game art group I Am 8-bit signed and gave away posters and t-shirts to adoring fans


Above: Yes, they were totally rad and awesome.

Playable DSi stations were scattered around CityWalk for people to play around with the system's newest features, including two cameras, new audio functions, and downloadable games.




Above: .3 megapixels of DSi camera goodness


Above: Printing stations were also available at the event. That photo was taken with a DSi!


Above: VJs like to play with DSis too! These two actually mixed some of the music with real Nintendo DSis

Special musical guests Gym Class Heroes also entertained the crowd while they waited until midnight.


Above: Girls love them


Above: The first ten people who pre-ordered a DSi got to meet Gym Class Heroes

We didn't, but at least we got some free swag:



Apr 6, 2009


 
19 Comments
Order Comments: Newest First | Oldest First
Cyberninja  - 7 months 24 days ago 
i got my dsi yesterday
first
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kubes  - 7 months 24 days ago 
sounds kinda boring but at least you got mushrooms
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GamesRadarLizzieCuevas  - 7 months 24 days ago 
@kubes LAX confiscated my Mario drink. :(
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GoldenMe  - 7 months 24 days ago 
My god, Kevin Periera is win.

@Lizzie, aww man!!!
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Mrinsane117  - 7 months 24 days ago 
nice swag :D
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Thequestion 121  - 7 months 24 days ago 
Great pictures. i wish I was there to celebrate and get free swag. The DSi is awesome.
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WonsAuto  - 7 months 24 days ago 
I like how the giant guitar in the first pic reminds you with "NO GUITAR HERO IS NOT FOR YOU" lol.

Kinda makes me wish I made it to the midnight launch at my local Gamestop. What's a guy gotta do to get one of your extra shirts? :D
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zymn  - 7 months 24 days ago 
@Lizzie: you then proceeded to look around and see someone with a Wii drink walk right in without bother. that would suck.
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Xeacons  - 7 months 24 days ago 
I'm still waiting on the one I pre-ordered two months ago. I mainly decided to pick this one up for the downloadable games. They better put a VC with GB games on it.

Camera's are great, but I could live without.
Music player's a little more convenient, but I'm more of a radio guy.
I already had a web browser on the DSlite.

The only thing I worry about is how long is the DS going to last? It's life cycle should be just about over, at least by fall 2010 (came out when again, 04?) Isn't it about time for the next generation? To tell the truth, if my DSlite hadn't broke, I probably wouldn't be buying this.
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Ravenbom  - 7 months 24 days ago 
@Lizzie, did you go to the Saddle Ranch and ride the mechanical bull? Can't be a tourist at Universal City walk without riding the bull.
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kubes  - 7 months 24 days ago 
@Lizzie that sux
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marioman50  - 7 months 24 days ago 
Every time I see a photo taken with a dsi, it's hard to believe that it's only .3 megapixels.
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Awesomeitude1523  - 7 months 23 days ago 
Two things;
1. marioman; huh? its 3 megapixels not .3 and the camera is quite good.
2. I don't know whether i should get a DSi. I mean. I still have a fondness of gbA games.
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Awesomeitude1523  - 7 months 23 days ago 
Whoops didn't see the dot in the article above. It IS .3, and now I truly look a fool.

Recaptcha: 18 million lives
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ELpork  - 7 months 23 days ago 
SWEET!!! Clearly the bed is the best.

Recapa - fourteen manipulation
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Xeacons  - 7 months 23 days ago 
Okay, DSi in hand: initial appraisal.

Once again, the best thing is the downloadables. Those are awesome. While the initial launch titles maybe lacking, there's always room for bigger and better things.

The browser works the same as the first DS browser, but higher resolution and clearer graphics. Much better.

The camera's not much better than the one on my cellphone, but it's legible, and the upper screen on the main menu shows varying photos on the internal memory.

Music sounds great. Very clear. The speakers are much better than the DS lite's.

Final say: If you already have a DS, it's really your call whether the $170 is worth the few extra features. If you don't have one, this is definitely the one to pick up.
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GamesRadarLizzieCuevas  - 7 months 23 days ago 
@Awesomeitude1523 You're both right. The camera on the outside is 3 megapixels, but the camera on the inside is .3, which is what that picture was taken with.
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Spybreak8  - 7 months 23 days ago 
Well I'm glad they finally got the DS up to what my modded one can do or wait maybe not. Can you watch movies on it, prob not. I don't care for the camera however I like the dsiware or whatever they're calling it. That would be a way to play GBA games but if you have to buy them again I'm just going to laugh while peeing my pants at Nintendo.
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Demonflare  - 6 months 19 days ago 
Dude I need a new DS. The DSi looks cool.

This time I hope my dad listens to me that I want a black DS, not an ugly pink DS. >_<
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