Top 9 - Features of the DSi

Why Top 9? Because I feel Top 5, Top 10, and even Top 100 lists are way to overused. What better way to break that trend than to compile a list of 9 things? Today's topic is the DSi. The DSi was recently announced at Nintendo's Fall Media Summit. And the internet is abuzz with facts and pictures of Nintendo's newest handheld. Though not a whole new handheld, it adds so much more than you'd expect from your typical redesign. Today, I've made a list of the top nine most prominent features of the new DS redesign, the DSi.

9. Miis
Though it may be minor, the fact that you'll now be able to have your Nintendo avatars on your DS is pretty cool. The first game/application that will utilize this is the Lifestyle Rhythm Calculator software in Japan, I don't know if that's coming here yet.

8. New games
New games are a given of course. But not only new games but new innovation in games. Think of what the camera can do in a game (discussed later). Even without new features, there were a few launch titles announced for the DSi. The biggest being Mario & Luigi RPG 3.

7. Onboard memory
The flash memory is probably going to be used mostly for the DSWare games (again discussed later), but it might also be utilized in some games, you never know.

6. Better speakers
...Mean better sound quality. 'Nuff said.

5. SD card slot
Probably will be used for saving data once the onboard memory is full. Also to send photos over to computer and Wii (wait a camera? what? ...discussed later).

4. Bigger screens
The DSi will have 3.25 inch screens versus the DS's 3 inch screens. It's supposed to have a little bit better resolution too.

3. The web browser
The original internet browser you could buy for the DS. I've never used it before and heard it kind of sucked. Plus it was discontinued in the U.S. But the new DSi has a built in web browser that uses the same internet browser, Opera, as the Wii's one. The Wii's Internet Channel works pretty good in my opinion (could use some tabs) so hopefully this will turn out good too.

2. DSWare/Apps store
Similar to WiiWare, DSWare will allow smaller games and more indie titles to reach the audiences. The prices range from free, 200, 400, and 800 points. A lot of the apps could be like the iPhone's (MySpace, weather, etc.), but I also hope Nintendo releases Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and GBA games for downloads, especially seeing that there's no GBA slot.

1. Build-in camera
The single biggest change of the DSi is the camera. Some sites claim its a 3 megapixel, while most others say it's a 0.3 megapixel. If it's the latter then that's not that high of quality. Even so, the possibilities the DSi opens up with a camera are pretty big. You'll be able to directly send the photos you snap over to your Wii's Photo Channel. There's also a built in editor on the DSi similar to the Wii's (in the Photo Channel).

All in all, the DSi brought quite a few changes. Though some may complain about the lack of GBA backward compatibility, the newer innovations, particularly the camera, DSWare, and the bigger screen and speakers, make it worth it.

Top 9 - Third-Party Wii Games

Time for a new column for my blog: Top 9 lists. I'll be posting them once a month, always on the ninth day of the month. Why you ask? I don't really have a reason. Why Top 9? Because I feel Top 5, Top 10, and even Top 100 lists are way to overused. What better way to break that trend than to compile a list of 9 things?

The first topic? Third-party games on the Wii. Nintendo has never been known to have great relations with third-parties. And the Wii isn't much different. Nonetheless a lot of developers have been pushing to make unique experience on the Wii. And some of them are up there in terms of quality as some of Nintendo's own first-party games. Enjoy!

9. Blast Works: Build Trade Destroy
A horrible name but a great game. Blast Works' most promising feature in the stage creation mode. Which allows you to make just about any shooter you can imagine. The campaign is surprisingly fun and difficult too.

8. Order Up!
One of the few non-Nintendo made casual games that's actually a lot of fun to play. You start out as a lowly burger flipping chef, and rise to the top of Mexican, Italian, and finally French cuisine. Other than Cooking Mama like motion controls, you have to juggle multiple orders and add just the right spices to please the patrons.

7. SSX Blur
Electronic Arts actually managed to pull off an SSX game with motion controls. Simple flicks with the Wii remote will make your characters do tricks, while tilting the Nunchuk controls your character's directions and speed. It works surprisingly well.

6. Medal of Honor: Heroes 2
There are only two reasons you even need to think about getting this game. Excellent control scheme and the best online game the Wii offers. As for the former, it's a lot like Metroid Prime 3's great first-person controls but with more sensitivity and customization. While the campaign and graphics of the game are pretty bland. The online is where it's at. The first game to offer 32-player online for the Wii. Plus it uses EA Nation, which lets you get around those annoying friend codes and set up one account to use through all EA games for the Wii; it's nice.

5. No More Heroes
Probably the most bad ass title of this list, No More Heroes is one of the uniquest Wii games around. Not only is there over the top action and tons of blood, the wacky bosses are some of the most fun I've had in a game for a while. While the over world may be seriously lacking, the entertaining combat and awesome bosses are enough to warrant a purchase.

4. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
The best selling version of this game may not necessarily be the best graphically or feature-wise, but it's still one heck of a music game. The 70-something songs are more than enough to entertain you for a while.

3. Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition
Ports are the Wii generally aren't good news (see Ninjabread Man). But Capcom really pulled it of with Resident Evil 4 for the Wii. The graphics are basically the same as the GameCube, but the controls have been entirely revamped for the Wii remote. How is the action? Just like you remember it!

2. Boom Blox
From the creative mind of Steven Spielburg comes a unique game with some of the deepest physics in a game to date. Another unique experience on the Wii, Boom Blox shouldn't be missed.

1. Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure
Don't let the cel-shaded graphics fool you, this game is tough, and you'll get stuck quite a bit. But it's fun too, and the point and click controls work excellent with the Wii remote. Every action you perform is usually linked to your Wii remote, whether it be shaking a bell or pulling a lever. If you pick up only one game from this list, make it this one.

So there you have it. You may be thinking I left out quite a few gems. Okami, Geometry Wars: Galaxies, and Bully: Scholarship Edition? All three of those alone look worthy enough to put on this list and bump a few of mine off, but the thing is: I haven't played any of those yet. I'll definitely have to get around to doing that.

What do you think of my choices? Tell me in the comments...