EmailBest Reviewed
Video Game Consoles
- Best video game console Sony PlayStation 3 Slim (120 GB) *Est. $300
- Best game console for serious gamers Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite *Est. $300
- Best game console for families Nintendo Wii *Est. $200
- Best handheld video game console Nintendo DSi *Est. $170
- Handheld console for serious gamers Sony PSP 3000 *Est. $170
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Best handheld video game console
- Dual 3.25-inch displays
- Online game downloads
- Two cameras
- Facebook integration
- Internal storage of only 256 MB
- Not compatible with GameBoy Advance titles
- Graphics are just average
- Shorter battery life than predecessors
The Nintendo DSi tops most lists as the best handheld video game console currently available. It's an update to the popular Nintendo DS Lite (*Est. $130), and it adds larger screens, two cameras, an SD card slot and access to online game downloads. While reviewers generally appreciate these new features, most say the DSi is only a minor update to the Nintendo DS Lite. If you already have a Lite, the DSi is not a must-have upgrade -- especially since the DSi is not compatible with GameBoy Advance titles. In one professional test, the DSi's battery life is three hours less than that of the Nintendo DS Lite. While it may not satisfy serious gamers, reviewers say the Nintendo DSi has loads of features, lots of family-friendly games, and it's integrated with Facebook as of August 2009. If you want the latest hot titles and more realistic graphics, experts recommend the Sony PSP 3000 (*Est. $170) instead.
CNET, PC World, TrustedReviews.com and ArsTechnica.com provide the most detailed coverage of the Nintendo DSi, which was released in April 2009. CNET's review, in particular, is helpful because it provides an overall rating and a clear list of pros and cons. Australia's Choice magazine and Wired also offer test-based reviews in which editors rate the Nintendo DSi, and there are a good number of owner-written reviews on Amazon.com and Buzzillions.com.
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Our Sources
1. CNET
Jeff Bakalar at CNET calls the Nintendo DSi an "ambitious and solidly designed portable gaming system." While he notes that a lack of backwards compatibility with GameBoy Advance titles and a shorter battery life are downsides, Bakalar gives it a very good rating overall.
Review: Nintendo DSi (Black), Jeff Bakalar, April 3, 2009
Stuart Andrews at Britain's TrustedReviews.com thinks some of the Nintendo DSi's features are more gimmicky than truly useful. While he's impressed with some aspects of the console, Andrews says current Nintendo DS Lite users have few reasons to upgrade.
Review: Nintendo DSi Handheld Games Console Review, Stuart Andrews, April 4, 2009
The Nintendo DSi isn't rated in this review from Darren Gladstone at PC World, but if offers helpful details. Gladstone has mixed feelings about the console because of the limited internal storage and support for only AAC music files.
Review: Nintendo DSi Review: Slimmer, More Multimedia-Savvy, Darren Gladstone, April 1, 2009
Ben Kuchera says the online game store, DSiWare, is the biggest selling point for the Nintendo DSi. While some of the new features may be a little gimmicky, Kuchera likes the console overall.
Review: The Toy That Roared: Ars Reviews the DSi, Ben Kuchera, April 5, 2009
5. Choice magazineDetails/Subscribe
Choice magazine, the Australian version of ConsumerReports.org, enlists the help of a 10-year-old boy to test out the Nintendo DSi. Overall, the console gets four stars (out of five). Like most reviewers, Choice magazine says the Nintendo DSi is not an essential upgrade if you already have a DS Lite.
Review: Nintendo DSi, Editors of Choice magazine, June 23, 2009
Daniel Evans at PCMag.com has a detailed look at the Nintendo DSi, complete with helpful testing details on battery life and other areas. While he says the Nintendo DSi is a fun handheld console, Evans notes that it won't satisfy serious gamers.
Review: Nintendo DSi, Daniel Evans, April 6, 2009
The Nintendo DSi is called a "welcome upgrade" at DigitalTrends.com. The online game shop and new multimedia options are listed as highlights. However, reviewer Damon Brown says the lack of GameBoy Advance support and the weak cameras are downsides.
Review: Nintendo DSi Review, Damon Brown, April 8, 2009
8. Gizmodo
Mark Wilson at Gizmodo.com says the Nintendo DSi is far more comfortable to hold than its predecessor, and he finds the interface easier to use. While he thinks most DS Lite owners won't need to upgrade, he prefers the DSi overall.
Review: Nintendo DSi Review, Mark Wilson, April 3, 2009
9. Amazon.com
More than 160 owners give the Nintendo DSi above-average ratings at Amazon.com. Critics say the Nintendo DSi doesn't offer enough new features to justify a $40 price premium over the Nintendo DS Lite. However, the most users are satisfied with the console.
Review: Nintendo DSi, Contributors to Amazon.com
10. Buzzillions.com
The story is similar at Buzzillions.com, where more than 200 users give the Nintendo DSi an average rating of 4.7 stars out of five. Many parents post reviews, saying their kids love the handheld console. A few stray critics complain of poor graphics.
Review: Nintendo DSi Handheld Console System Black, Contributors to Buzzillions.com
Video Game Consoles Runners Up:
3 picks including: Amazon.com, Arstechnica.com…
2 picks by top review sites.
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