The Nintendo DSi might be making its debut outside of Japan sooner than first suspected. IGN revealed they have learned that the DS revision may be heading to American shores on April 4th. This contradicts of all previously released news about the device, as all branches of Nintendo outside Japan have said that the DSi would not be seen until later this year. The rumored price from the same source could reveal why that is happening. More inside.
The rumored price point for the DSi in America is $179.99US. This is a $50US increase over the current DS Lite and thus could lead Nintendo America to use the DSi as a second tier to sell alongside the cheaper DS Lite. This is dissimilar to Japan where the console has quickly replaced the DS Lite, though in Japan there is only a difference of about $25US. What does this mean for Australia? Like America, the DS Lite is still selling crazy amounts here, and we are sure Nintendo don’t want to spoil those sales. We expect Nintendo Australia to hold off releasing the DSi as long as possible (and everything previously on the matter from NAL has pointed to this). If the DSi has moved up the schedule for the US it is always possible it may also for Australia. When the Lite was introduced into Australia the DS Phat dropped to $179.95AU and was eventually phased out. The DS Lite was then introduced at $199.95AU taking the old price point of the DS Phat. Since then the DS Lite has not yet dropped in price (officially). A similar drop on the Lite to introduce the DSi at $199AU may happen, or we may be seeing the DSi here for a price over $200AU – The DS Lite would likely remain on sale for a while if that was to happen. Source: IGN