DSI Download Games

  

The Nintendo DSi has a host of new features over its predecessor, bigger screen, smaller footprint, two cameras and enhanced sound. But a major addition that many are over looking is the ability to download software through the online shop DSiWare.

DSiWare is a similar concept to WiiWare, the download shop for Nintendo’s game console Wii. Software is made available for free or by exchanging points for certain titles. Points are obtained by paying for a set amount with your credit card, or some are given away on some offers when you buy the DSi. The software is downloaded onto the resident SD card.

But how will a download shop revolutionize the new hand-held? Well, previously the only way for producers to distribute games on the DS was to place them on card that fitted the DS slot. This is a base level cost that is passed onto the consumer, in addition to the shipping costs and the retailer mark up. So the consumer ends up not only paying for the game itself, but also the cost of putting the game on the DS card!

With DSiWare, the distribution of games and applications does not involve a physical medium, it is software that is immediately available for download direct to the Nintendo DSi’s SD resident card, a far cheaper option. This reduction in production, can be passed onto the end user, making software for DSi more cost-effective than the DS Lite. In addition, projects from publishers that were not considered to bring in high profits, due the inherent cost of DS cards, were not brought to market. So publishers may now start publishing games and applications that become profitable due to the negligible costs of distribution through DSIWare.

Since the DSi was initially launched in Japan, many of the games and applications on DSiWare are target towards that demographic, So more cartoon based games. But there are some early indications of applications that are not typically seen on hadn-held consoles. For example, the Moving Notepad application which allows the user makes notes with words, and pictures onto the SD card. What is important, is that none of the applications need to have mass market appeal to cover the production costs.

This opens a whole new market for the DSi owners. Third party applications, produced by smaller development houses, will ensure that the range of applications and games will surpass that of the DS Lite. There could be software from Skype that use the inbuilt camera and microphone, or applications such as ebook readers for reading books in pdfs or the popular mobi formats. Games and applications could be ported from open source, such a video players that support the infamous DivX format.

So the Nintendo DSi with the DSiWare distribution channels will offer its users a wealth of games and applications such will far surpass the range available for its predecessor in both quality and diversity.

Want to know what else is new on the DSi, find out more reasons to buy the Nintendo DSi

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Mansal

Author: Jonathan Mansal

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