TOKYO, Oct 2, 2008 (AFP) - Japanese video game giant Nintendo Co. on Thursday announced the launch of a new version of its popular DS handheld console with a built-in camera and audio player, the DS-i.

Nintendo, which made the announcement at a press conference here, has long dominated the market for handheld machines with its Game Boy and DS series, and is also now enjoying strong sales of its Wii home video game console.