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 12/17/2018 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. Immeadily 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 19/12/2018, Trash_Bandatcoot released all the information he collected to GBAtemp.

General differences

• The DSi 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.

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.'

(stub)