The Nintendo DSi - the logical evolution to the DS and the DS Lite - is finally here. This means brighter screens, a lighter and sleeker design, dual cam, better audio playback, an external storage space and faster processing courtesy of a bigger RAM for Nintendo's flagship handheld. But do these features matter if the company cannot publish Nintendo DSi games that people will love to get their hands on?
2009 is a pivotal year for video game consoles - handhelds or otherwise. It's the chance for that last giant push to be associated with dominance over this decade and for that great head start going to the next. Hence, there are some big Nintendo DSi games lined up towards the latter part of this year, Nintendo DSi games which the company hopes will capture people's imagination and gaming dollars.
Here are the 5 Nintendo DSi games that will help define the legacy of the handheld for the decade that's about to end:
1. Legend of Zelda: Spirit Links. Indeed, a new Legend of Zelda game is coming to the Nintendo DSi. Announced during the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2009, the new Zelda is a direct sequel to the highly acclaimed Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. This time, however, Link will be riding trains instead of ships.
2. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. Dubbed as a ìmidquelî to the Kingdom Hearts games, this Nintendo DSi entry promises to connect the first PS2 Kingdom Hearts title with its sequel on the same platform and Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories for the Gameboy Advance. It's Disney characters plus Square-Enix characters. This is one of the few Nintendo DSi games that are sure to be guaranteed hits even before they are released.
3. Front Mission 2089: Border of Madness. Liked Advance Wars? It's time to embrace the newest incarnation of the game's inspiration. Front Mission is the pioneer of the sci-fi/military-themed turn-based strategy games this side of Final Fantasy Tactics. And it's making a comeback - a big one at that! The new Front Mission is one of the most eagerly anticipated Nintendo DSi games for this year (or early 2010, if translation takes a little bit longer). If it's as good as the SNES entries, then this game is going to be one for the ages!
4. Dragon Quest IX. The release of Final Fantasy XIII for the Sony PS3 and the Microsoft Xbox 360 is being delayed pending the release of the 9th installment of the game that introduced console RPGs to the world. Indeed, the newest installment of Dragon Quest is coming to - of all places - the Nintendo DSi! Such is a testament to how much Square-Enix believes in the Nintendo DSi as a viable and trustworthy gaming platform. Dragon Quest IX is truly one of the Nintendo DSi games that will define the handheld for many years to come.
5. Guitar Hero 2: Modern Hits. The first Guitar Hero Mobile has been made incompatible with the new Nintendo DSi, because the upgraded system has done away with the Gamboy cartridge slow which is where the game's peripheral is inserted. The sequel promises absolute compatibility with the Nintendo DSi, with the guitar-like add-on to be plugged "somewhere else" on the DSi unit.
Excited about these Nintendo DSi games? We know we are!