Power Up: Nintendo's DSi is not much of an upgrade to DS Lite

Although rival handheld game systems like Sony's PSP and Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch are mounting challenges, Nintendo continues to rule the portable video game space.

To maintain the lead it has held since the introduction of the original Game Boy nearly two decades ago, Nintendo last week launched the $169 DSi. This update to the enormously popular DS Lite offers gamers new functionality, but it also leaves some questions unanswered.

The DSi's most obvious enhancement is a pair of cameras built into the system. One lens points toward the player, while the other faces outward. Don't plan on any serious photography, however. At 0.3 pixel each, the DSi's picture quality won't make you want to ditch your digital camera - or even that of your cell phone. On the plus side, photo editing software built into the DSi allows players to have fun with the pictures they have taken. DSi photos can be altered with distortion effects, color changes, mirror imaging and other lighthearted effects. Users can share photos, and we should expect to see Nintendo release games that incorporate the DSi's twin cameras.

In a similar vein, built-in audio software allows users to record and edit sounds by varying pitch and speed. While the DSi is capable of playing digital music files, they must be of the AAC format used by iTunes, not the more familiar MP3 variety.

Here's a bit of bad news: While the DSi is compatible with game cartridges designed for the DS, it has no slot for Game Boy Advance cartridges; instead, the system has space for an SD memory card. While the SD slot offers some obvious storage advantages, allowing the massive library of GBA titles to ride off into the sunset seems like a bad decision.

Aesthetically, the DSi is a slight improvement over its predecessor, the DS Lite. While slightly longer, the DSi is a bit thinner and features a matte finish that doesn't show smudges and fingerprints the way that the glossy DS Lite case does. Two colors are available at launch - black and light blue. The DSi has WiFi capabilities that allow it to connect to Nintendo's online DSi Shop to download games - for a price. There are only a few offerings there so far, but that will surely change in coming months. One useful download that is available right away is a free version of the Opera Web browser.

So - is the DSi for you? If you already own a DS Lite, my advice is to hold on to your money. There's not enough here to make you want to upgrade. And if you frequently use your DS Lite to play Game Boy Advance titles, you definitely will want to avoid the DSi.