Months after its November 2008 release in Japan, Nintendo has announced that the third incarnation of their Nintendo DS, the DSi will be released in America on April 5th. Two days after the European release and three after the Australian, we in the States will finally be able to get our hands on the DSi in either blue or black for the prince of $169.99.

One notable feature of the DSi is a pair of built-in cameras--because every small electronic devise needs a camera function! One camera is built into the external body, the other points at the user when the devise is open. The press release states: "As the first truly interactive digital camera in a video game system with 10 different interactive 'lenses' that can manipulate your photos, the Nintendo DSi Camera offers an easy way to take and share your photos with family and friends. 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. If the touch screen gave Nintendo DS a sense of feel and the microphone allowed it to hear, the two cameras give Nintendo DSi the sense of sight."

"Another enhanced feature is the Nintendo DSi Sound application, which serves as both an interactive voice recorder and music player that allows users to play with their music while they listen to it. Users can access different audio filters or control the pitch and speed of recorded voice or music files to alter voices or change the tempo of a song. The mic is located between the two screens when the device is flipped open, and there is also a stereo headphone output that lets users listen to music saved on an SD card, even with the screen shut. "

The DSi will play all the DS games, but will not support GBA titles. Nintendo promises to release more information as the release date approaches.

Respond. Command. Rescue.

If you think you can keep cool in a catastrophe then Destineer wants to put you to the test. In their just announced Emergency: Disaster Squad game for the DS you take on the role of a heroic Rescue Unit Chief as you coordinate rescue efforts in real world disaster scenarios. You control firefighters, police officers,  paramedics and 15 different unit and vehicle types to respond to over 20 unique disasters. With emergencies such as gas explosions, traffic accidents or natural disasters it's up to you to keep a clear head and save lives.

"Be a hero. Do you have what it takes to rescue all victims and keep your own team safe as well?" Emergency: Disaster Squad is scheduled to be released this spring for the Nintendo DS.

"Just in time for the holidays, Destineer is proud to offer five games for Nintendo DS at the affordable price of $19.99! From the casual puzzle fun of the online hit Burger Island to the frantic action of the critically-acclaimed Little Red Riding Hood’s Zombie BBQ, Destineer has something for everyone, all at a price that anyone can enjoy."

"Destineer is happy to bring family-friendly gaming to Nintendo DS a budget-friendly price," said Paul Rinde, CEO of Destineer. "These are high-quality titles that are fantastic additions to our publishing catalog, and we’re thrilled to offer them to the public at a reasonable cost."

[full title list after the jump]

Destineer's Iron Chef America: Supreme Cuisine will be serving up the fun starting December 5th. This game, based on the international television phenomenon Iron Chef, is an exclusive for Nintendo's platforms and has versions coming out for both the Wii and the DS.

While I've already described the gameplay, this trailer really brings home the impact of my favorite part -- the Chairman's hollered orders (CHOP!!). Something about hearing his shouted imperatives makes it almost impossible to resist his 'iron' will. If they had ended the trailer with him yelling "BUY IT!!" this could have been the highest selling game of all time.