DSi Prototypes

The Japanese DSi Development Kit is a development kit that was used for development of Nintendo DS or DSi software. This unit has many differences compared to a Nintendo DSi retail unit.

First appearance

The development unit first appeard on December 17th, 2018 when a user by the name of Trash_Bandatcoot started a conversation with a user by the name of ProtonX on NintendoAge. Trash_Bandatcoot asked about any DSi development units. ProtonX used to own 2 “Panda” DSi’s, but has sold them off. After that comment, ProtonX has shared the first images, showcasing a Nintendo DSi Development Unit.

Image of the front, turned on.

The back, with a yellow sticker translating to "For development only".

On December 19th, 2018, Trash_Bandatcoot released all the information he collected to GBAtemp.

General differences

• The DSi shell has a glossy finish, similar to the back of the top screen of a Nintendo DSi XL.
• The button prints are darker than the ones you can find on a white retail Nintendo DSi. They're black instead of grey.
• There are no prints for POWER, START, SELECT, or any of the icons for "on", "charging" or "wireless connections".
• There are no prints on the back, only a yellow sticker that says "Only for development" (as seen on the image above).
• The DSi boots to a different kind of menu, rather than a regular System Menu.

Unit settings

All of these settings can be found on a retail Nintendo DSi under System Settings.

• Language - Changes the language, despite there being only 1 language on the console.
• Set Time & Date - Allows you to change the time & date of the unit.
• Change User Data - Allows you to change user data with examples being name, birthday, personal message, ect.
• Calibrate Touchscreen - Allows you to calibrate the touch screen. However, it does not let you test it afterwards.
• Wireless Connections - Allows you to turn on or off wireless connections, like Nintendo WFC or Download Play.

Board revision

On December 18th, 2018, ProtonX has released images of the board, which might be a later revision.

			Battery shell, disassembled.
Click on an image for a better view.

• The board has CPU-4X writen on it. A retail Nintendo DSi has CPU-01 writen on it.
• There is no sticker on the board. Instead, Nintendo used permanent marker with A-2 written on it.
• There is no tape holding a soldered board together.

Notes

• The Nintendo DSi devunit did not come with a cartridge or SD Card, said ProtonX.
• When you insert a cartridge into Slot-1, it will boot up regularly, without Health & Safety screen.
• This is what ProtonX had to say when talking about a NAND dump:

  Yeah, I'm unlikely to do a NAND dump, as I've never been part of the missing scene. However, I did collect lots of development equipment at one point (I've got Wii U kits, gba, DS, 3DS) which is where I got this.

• ProtonX said the battery that came with the Nintendo DSi devunit was dead, so it was replaced with a retail battery.