The Nintendo DSi is poised to crush the iPhone. Nintendo just unveiled DSi Ware, a new games download service for its handheld games box, putting it on par with the iPhone and iPod touch’s App Store, and turning the might of Nintendo’s back catalogue in the direction of Apple’s fledgling system. Should Apple be scared? Too right it should.

Nintendo has decades of experience in games, and DSi Ware shows it’s preparing to wield that power in the direction of its handheld.

Announced yesterday to the delight of US gamers, DSi Ware brings the first wave of downloadable games specifically made for Nintendo’s newest handheld. It’s early days, but we can’t help drawing comparisons with Apple’s iPhone App Store, only Nintendo has an ace up its sleeve.

As well as new games for the DSi, Nintendo has a huge back catalogue of content. Before yesterday’s launch, there were numerous rumours the Big N would roll out a DSi version of the Wii’s Virtual Console, shovelling retro games to the DSi’s SD card through Wi-Fi.

While a DSi Virtual Console wasn’t announced, there’s still a possibility it’s in the works. Coupled with innovative new games, such as the camera-controlled WarioWare Snapped! in the DSi Ware shop, a gaggle of old Gameboy, or even ultra-retro Game&Watch titles could give the iPhone a serious run for its money.

And then there are apps. DSi Ware isn’t limited to games. Moving Memo is the first strictly non-game to feature in Nintendo’s new download store, letting owners create animations on their DSi.

It’s clear Nintendo has huge plans for the DSi. It’s finally opening up the handheld to more possibilities, and thanks to the DSi’s removable SD card storage, it’s not limited in capacity, meaning games won’t have to fight for storage space with music, movies and other apps, as they do on the iPhone and iPod touch.

Can DSi Ware present the first proper challenge to the iPhone’s growing importance in mobile gaming? Give us your thoughts below.

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  • martmart

    Heh great way to troll for hits. *sigh*

    Oh well might as well put in my two bits worth while I’m here.

    Of course the DSi audience is only a subset if the iPhone/iPod Touch demographic so automatically has a smaller potential number of bums on seats (the DSi is not going to appeal to those users who want a phone built into their game machine for example).

    The next problem for the DS is it’s 2 screens are far lower resolution and the CPU is far slower than the iPhone/iPod Touch. Then there is the lack of an accelerometer and the lack of ubiquitous Internet connectviity. Etc etc

    Sure the DS builtin controller buttons which are great for certain types of games, but now that the iPhone 3.0 SDK allows hardware manufacturers to make plug on hardware for the iPhone/Touch 30 pin connector and Bluetooth, you can bet your bottom dollar there will soon be a raft of innovative hardware controllers and other unique gaming peripherals available.

    No, I’m afraid simply bolting on an online games store does not an iPhone killer make.

    -Mart

  • Greg Strachan

    I think if this had launched a year (or two) ago, for all DS models, not specifically for the latest model, then Apple would be scuppered. As it stands, there are 100 million already satisfied DS customers. DS Lite and even the old DS are tough bits of kit and a few downloadables and a couple of cameras aren’t going to create a mass upgrade exodus.

    That said, Apple has been pushing the iPhone and iPod Touch as bona fide gaming devices and so when it comes to people shopping for new consoles, Nintendo’s strategy certainly could take the wind out of Apple’s sails.

    Now if Ninty was really cunning, it would launch its own R4 cartridge equivalent and give DS and DS Lite owners the option to slap in a memory card and enjoy those same DSi Ware apps…

  • staxnet

    Apple is just fine. So is Nintendo.

  • IndeviousCell

    Ok, What the hell? Should APPLE Be scared? The DSi is nothing but a kids toy with its Gimick Camera and AAC Format MP3 Player it isn’t exactly “Innovative”. A bit late actually – The PSP2/4000 Will still crush this on launch later this year. Apple could get “RETRO” Games also plus the only thing Nintendo have done with there “SD CARD SLOTS” Like the Wii is add access easily to “WADS/APPS/GAMES” That people download of the net and install using GECKOOS. All thay have done is made it more hackable with FIRMWARE Updates it won’t take long for exploiters to “hack/modify” the systems firmware and menu/s layout. In my honest opinion I thanks nintendo for a nice new console that will be hacked/exploited like a psp. enabling easy access to DS ROMS and “DSiware” for free.

  • Unbeliever

    DSIWare titles are locked to the machine of purchase…if you lose or break your device, that’s it.
    Have two kids in the family….purchase for each one separately.
    If someone wipes your system memory (easy to do from settings memo), games get wiped and SD card backups WILL NOT RESTORE.

    With Apple, you can transfer the apps between all your iPhones, ipodTouches…everything backed up on your computer etc….

    Personally, I’m very disappointed with Nintendo’s approach to downloads….

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_BIHUUIOHUM7TQYYZYRFPYCZ2R4 Hardly Wiles

    Really interesting topic,Nintendo stain looks real. The name sounds almost as stupid iphone weigh something. I think it’s better use of $ 250 an iPhone.

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