As you might have seen in this image, I'm getting a Nintendo DSi. As soon as it was announced, I set a bit of money aside for the purchase; as soon as it was available for preorder, I reserved the blue handheld; and as soon as the clock strikes 12 this Sunday, I'll be picking up Nintendo's newest iteration of the Nintendo DS. But as time approaches, and the seconds to release tick down, I've found myself wondering why I have decided to purchase the system. While the jump from DS to Lite was an easy choice due to the brighter screen, there's really nothing fundamentally wrong with the Lite. Even so, I'm picking up a DSi, and there are a few reasons that I've decided to make this choice.

I'm getting a DSi because of DSiWare. Sure, there's absolutely nothing currently out that's really interesting (sorry Animal Crossing calculator), but the potential is there. Just as WiiWare has managed to exceed expectations in some areas, I have faith that developers will embrace DSiWare once the handheld reaching US shores, and not just for games. I'm hoping for a video chat program that takes advantage of the cameras, I'm hoping for a day-planner and more note-taking options, and I'm hoping, in a way, to be able to use the DSi as a netbook of sorts, replacing my laptop and cellphone for small tasks.

I'm getting a DSi because of DSi Enhanced software. I'm sure that most of it will be horrible, for people are so soon to forget Nintendo's past. People were marginally upset when Nintendo revealed that the two last Zelda games for the original Gameboy would actually require the Gameboy color, and they ended up being fantastic, so those arguments went away fairly quickly. I'm not here to debate whether or not it was worth it for those games to be on the Gameboy Color, but I don't want to miss out on some fantastic DS game because I didn't get the DSi. Nintendo has a long history of these small upgrades leading to enhanced software, with Perfect Dark on the N64 being a prime example, and damned if I'll be left in the dust.

I'm getting a DSi because it's freaking sexy. The actual redesign itself is a big factor, from the matte finish to the rearranged buttons. The cameras are an abomination at .3 megapixels, but that doesn't mean the system doesn't look better with them. It drips style, and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a major reason behind the purchase. I'd be upset about the Gameboy Advance slot's removal if I had ever played a Gameboy Advance game on the system, which I haven't. Plus, the rumors of a handheld Virtual Console are likely a reality, so screw it.

I'm getting a DSi because the Lite has structural faults. I, like many people, have a defect on my Nintendo DS. One of the hinges is cracked, and while I've been assured it will never, ever become more than a cosmetic issue, it bothers me. Looking at the small line in what might be the most important part of the DS structurally frightens me, and makes me less likely to play it. 

And, lastly, I'm getting a DSi because I'm a psychopath. Well, not completely a psychopath, but I have some reasons that might not apply to you. My Nintendo DS is signed. I know it's silly to get a signature worth less than the actual product, but the idea of getting Gabe and Tycho from Penny-Arcade to sign my DS was too good to pass up, and I don't regret it one bit. I know this is likely something that doesn't apply to you, but read the title, it's why I'm getting a DSi, not why you should. Everyone has their own reasons for doing things, and I'm sure you have some reason that you might want to scrap your Nintendo DS Lite in favor for a DSi. A family member might want your hand-me-down, you might have a bad memory with the current system, or the battery life just might not be what it used to.

Well, that's it, those are the reasons that have convinced me to pick up the DSi. Check back later in the week for another staff member's reasons for NOT buying the DSi, and next week for a hands on with the system. 

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