The Nintendo DSi was based on the original Nintendo DS.  It added new features that weren�t found in the original DS.  It was launched in Japan on November 1, 2008 and around the rest of the world in April 2009.

     Both systems can play nearly all DS games.  The only exceptions, it can�t play any game that features the use of the Game Boy Advance slot.  This includes Guitar Hero peripherals or the DS Rumble Pak.

     Nintendo released a larger version, the Nintendo DSI XL.  It was released the following year.  Battery life for the DSi XL is between 13 and 17 hours.  The original DSI has a battery life of 9-14 hours.

     Neither the DSi nor DSi XL features backward compatibility with Game Boy Advance games.  Players can download content from the DSi e-shop.  Both versions have upgradeable firmware which allows for upgrades.

     Both systems feature a menu interface.  When software is downloaded onto the system, the menu is updated.  Players can swap out games without shutting down the DSi, as long the system is on the menu screen.

     The DSi features two cameras with 0.3 megapixels which is 640 x 480 resolution.  One camera is featured on the inside while the other is located on the outside of the system.  The system also features the capability to use a SD memory card.  This allows players to save downloaded games.

     Both versions feature more RAM and a faster CPU than the DS Lite.  The system features 16 MB of RAM while the DS Lite only featured 4 MB.  It also features higher audio quality.     The DSi has sold over 28 million units while the DSi XL has sold nearly 13 million.