While the 3DS isn't out yet, it's just on the horizon, so should you get ready to upgrade, hold off 'till it arrives or just ignore it and get the Nintendo DSi XL instead? We take a look.
Size

When it comes to size there isn't much in it between the Nintendo 3DS and the Nintendo DSi. The 3DS measures 134 x 73 x 20mm while the DSi 137 x 74.9 x 18.9mm. At 226 grams the 3DS is 12grams heavier (DSi is 214g). That said, all that could change. Nintendo are currently stressing that the 3DS design isn't final.
Colours

The DSi comes in a range of colours including white, black, blue and red. The 3DS has been spotted at E3 in Los Angeles in a more glossy and flamboyant range. Ones we've seen include orange, red, turquoise, and black. If the sample scheme stays, then Nintendo is obviously planning on a more colourful launch.

Cameras

The 3DS has more. While the DSi brings with it a single 640 x 480 resolution camera on the outside, the 3DS allows you to shoot in 3D as well as just watch it. So it has an extra 640 x 480 resolution camera on the outside to go with the first as well as a further VGA camera on the inside.
Screens

For the 3DS this is where the fun starts. It sports a 3.53-inch 3D-enabled screen that doesn't require you to wear glasses. Nintendo hasn't actually confirmed the technology behind the new screen, although it has said that it sports a 800 x 240 pixel resolution display (400 pixels are allocated for each eye to enable 3D viewing). Up close and personal we believe it is a lenticular lens that is used to create 3D effects on the screens of the 3DS.

To the side of the 3D-enabled screen is a slider switch that allows you to change the strength of the 3D image to suit your eyes. It's a welcomed effect and also means that if you want you can turn the 3D offering off completely.

In comparison the DSi comes with a smaller 3.25 inch screen that isn't 3D enabled (obviously otherwise this article would have been written a long time ago).

Both models feature a second touchscreen display on the bottom half of the console. The resistive screen can be used with either your finger or the included stylus.

Buttons

The DSi has, as has been the case up until now with all DS models, a D-pad, four y, x, a, b buttons as well as start and select.

The 3DS adds to this tally with a new analogue joystick that is akin to those found on Sony's PSP. The introduction allows for greater control for gamers and will no doubt be added into future games as developers create them.

Furthermore, Nintendo has added a home button that, when pressed, will whip you back to the home screen.
Motion sensing

New to the 3DS and not present on the DSi is a motion sensor and gryoscope for physical, three-dimensional gaming. Although we've yet to see any implementation of this, that means gamers will be able to physically move the console just like they can the Wii Remote to control action on screen. Theoretically, and this isn't confirmed, we presume that means you could use it as a Wii remote too.

Wireless

Both devices contain wireless connectivity to play others in the room or around the world. However with the 3DS, Nintendo has made it possible so that you can leave the Wi-Fi connection on when not in use so that it can automatically exchange data with other Nintendo 3DS systems or receive data via the Internet while in sleep mode.
Inputs

The Nintendo 3DS offers connections and sockets for the Nintendo 3DS/DS game card slot, SD memory cards, AC adapter, charging cradle terminal and stereo headphone jack. The DSi comes with a DS Card slot, SD memory card slot, AC adapter connection point, and stereo headphone/mic connection point. Note for older Game Boy Advance users: you are now clearly in the past.

Software

There are no differences here between the two that have been so far announced at E3 2010. Both will come with an internet browser built in and both will presumably offer the standard interface software that lets you manage your wireless settings and photos.
Games

The 3DS will be able to run all current games on the market for the Nintendo DS, however it's not the case the other way around. New features like motion gaming and the 3D elements mean the DSi - like the DS before it when the DSi got a camera - won't support all titles going forward.

When games do come out they will be 3DS only and you cannot upgrade DSi games to work in 3D. They have to be made that way first.

Cost

The Nintendo DSi currently costs £119 in the UK on Amazon. The 3DS, as far as you're concerned, is vapourware with no price, not even a guide price attached to it at the moment.

If you take into account that the current DSi was launched at around £149.99 - and that's been the case for the last couple of launches - Nintendo's market is kids not adults, then we would expect, that even though it's got the 3D elements, it'll be around the same price.
When can I get it?

The DSi is on sale in virtually all corners of the globe. As for the 3DS, Nintendo might have shown off the hardware working, but they haven't pointed to a date for launch. We believe this is not because of the hardware but because there are no games available for it yet. With that in mind we would expect the 3DS to be available in time for Christmas (or the Holidays as our Americans like to call it). That said, Nintendo were rather coy about turning it on at all.

i think you should wait for the 3ds because it'll be worth it

defintely, the pica200 (3ds's graphics processor) will override the psp's, the design will and so will the 3d.

and the mp4s better

3ds is amazing i cant wait although right now i have a dsi oh and also when you were talking about the 3d screen you said it could be a lenticular lens but i thought it was a parallax barrier?

It is a parallex barrier, This review is like so OLD, since september, now we know its a parallex barrier.

whats a parallex barrier

cheese wrote:whats a parallex barrier

a parallex barrier is used to see 3d without glasses how it works is that you use 2 screens with precission slits and both screens give a different image to each eye which then creates a 3d effect(a parallex barrier is also used in the 3ds)for more info you can check on wikipedia!

thanks

3DS is the DS evolution. It should be compared to PSP2.

But I am really really anxious for 3DS.

so am i but i dont mind getting a psp

I think the new 3ds i going to be a lot better than the PSP2

thers gonna b another 1

of what?

No doubt 3DS is way better than DSi , that's why I still keep my DS Lite .
I am waiting ...

Same here. Still stuck with a lite

Guess what, My little brothers ds lite broke too, the lower screen cracked because he prossed too hard, and it is done now.