Nintendo today announced that its DS replacement, the Nintendo DSi, will hit US retail shelves on April 5, aka, Palm Sunday. The price is $169.99.

Aside from its slim new look, the DSi features two cameras; one facing you and one facing out. "The cameras also present people with unprecedented ways to interact with their games while giving developers a new tool to devise creative games and experiences," says the press release.

The DSi also features a new sound application that acts as a voice recorder. I can imagine the Zelda game now that makes you record your voice early in the game only to need to play it back later to open a dungeon or defeat a boss. You'll be saying to yourself, "why didn't I think of that...grr!"

What's more, the DSi will feature its own software store, which much like WiiWare (the place to download software for the Wii), will allow developers of all stripes to make games for the innovative new handheld.

The DSi will be able to play "most" DS games, offering a built in library of 850 games from the get go.

Finally, launching with the DSi is Rhythm Heaven, a quirky short attention span game which challenges you to tap and swipe your way to music. It is a hit in Japan, already selling 1.6 million copies since July '08.

As of now, the only two colors being shown are a teal blue and the black pictured above. If any more info is released, we'll be sure to update you. Oh, I'm so excited and I don't even know why...I just love new handhelds!

Pre-Order from Amazon

Press Release

Nintendo DSi Website