Nintendo DSi Launches April 5., will cost $170

News from Nintendo today states that the newest incarnation of the Nintnedo DS handheld called the Nintendo DSi is coming to the United States on April 5.

In a press release, Nintendo annoucned the suggested retail price of the handheld is $169.99 and will include a plethora of additional features that will place the handheld in more direct competition with Sony’s Playstation Portable and Apple’s iPod Touch.

Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing Cammie Dunaway said Nintendo has proven to be a leader in handheld gaming in the company’s press release adding:

Nintendo DSi builds on Nintendo’s commitment to bringing fun and creative entertainment to everyone, and will allow consumers to personalize and share their very own experiences.

Checkout the full list of additional features from information found on InformationWeek.com as well as the official press release:

• Two 0.3 megapixel cameras, one on the front and the other facing the player.
• A new DSi sound application that allows players to manipulate mp3 files that are stored on a SD card or audio recorded directly to the console by changing the tempo and pitch of their audio.
• A new online store called DSiWare where players can download games directly to the DSi using the console’s Wi-Fi capabilities and built-in web browser.
• Both screens will be larger than the Nintendo DS at 3.25 inches.
• The console will come packaged with the rythm game “Rythm Heaven.”
• Available in blue and black.

This marks Nintendo’s inclusion into the video game trend of consolidating various interactive mediums into one.

The DSi is an attempt to replace other digital companion devices such as the iPod by integrating music, video games, cameras, and potentially a web browser into one unit. However there is no official word if the built-in web browser can be used to access anything other than the DSiWare online store.

Nevertheless, continued updates are to be posted at www.nintendodsi.com between now and the April 5 launch date.