DSi out in the US on April 4?

$179.00 price tag also rumoured.

IGN reports that multiple sources close to Nintendo have revealed the company is readying its DSi handheld for release in the Americas during the first half of 2009, specifically on April 4. IGN's sources also revealed that the handheld will launch at $179.99, $50 more than the DS Lite.

Unlike in Japan, a territory Nintendo believes has reached its DS Lite peak, in the US Nintendo could look to market the DSi as a feature rich alternative to the DS Lite. This theory is backed up by the larger price difference between the two handhelds in the US; in Japan the DSi retails for only $25 more than the DS Lite.

The DSi's larger screens, camera and downloadable game functionality are likely to attract the core gamer, while the DS Lite continues to appeal to the casual gamer market.

While Nintendo has refused to comment, IGN is confident its info is correct, having verified the story with three independent sources.