Nintendo's Big-Screen DSi XL Coming To Japan, Europe And America

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News Posted: Fri, Oct 30 2009 12:33 AM
Talk about an interesting decision here. As Sony plans to pump up itsPSP Go for the holiday season, Nintendo is going to attempt to pedalits existing DSi even though the whole world now knows that a largerversion is on the way. That's right, an enlarged DSi. For years, the DShas been slimming down, but now it seems as if Nintendo's research hasfound that at least some of its potential customers would prefer alarger screen.

 The DSi LL (or DSi XL, as it'll reportedly be known as in Europe) willfeature an expansive 4.2" display, which is just about twice as big asthe display on the current DSi. Curiously, the resolution will beexactly the same, so you'll be carrying around a larger device for noadditional screen real estate. Call it the DSi for those with badeyesight, but don't call it the next-gen DSi.



It's set to go on sale next month in Japan in brown, white or red, andit'll ship with three pre-installed DSiWare games. The price isexpected to be around 20000 Yen (or around $220). What's mostinteresting though, is that the DSi XL won't ship in Europe and Americauntil Q1 2010, which could definitely impact holiday sales of theexisting DSi. So, now that you know a new DSi is but a few months away,are you putting your purchasing plans on ice?
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3vi1 replied on Fri, Oct 30 2009 8:54 AM

I think it's really crummy of Nintendo to release this in Q1, when the DSi was just released in April.

Kids are begging their parents to replace their DS's with DSi's for X-Mas. This newer version won't be available before then, so either we all get to be ogre's for making them wait until their birthdays next year, or we get to hear them whine about how everyone else is getting the newer "cool ones" a month or two after X-Mas.

If only we had such "problems" when we were kids.

People read the stupidest things.  Like this sig, for instance.

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That color is oogly!

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ClemSnide replied on Fri, Oct 30 2009 10:54 AM

Finally! My letter-writing campaign has paid off.


"I didn't cry when Bambi's mother was shot... but I cried when HAL was turned off."

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3vi1 replied on Fri, Oct 30 2009 2:33 PM

I once started a letter writing campaign to raise awareness of carpal tunnel syndrome, but it ended ironically.

People read the stupidest things.  Like this sig, for instance.

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I think it's great. I have a DS Lite and the screen is so small that I practically have to stuff it in my face. It looks and feels awkward. This size increase it cool. Sure the pixel density is worse, but since you can hold it back further now it won't matter. The DSi already slightly improved size (3 to 3.25 inches) but at 4.2 this is massive. Unfortunately I am t3h p00r and thus will be sticking with my Lite.

Hello

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3vi1, the thing about this model though is that it isn't actually aimed at kids. Kids don't need this new model it doesn't offer them anything that their current DSi's can't do other than larger screen. This is clearly aimed at older gamers (such as those who play the brain games etc for the elderly) who needs larger screens to see and makes it a better internet device. Even the color options proves this is aimed at an older generation. No 8 year old needs a DS XL especially if they already have a DSi.

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3vi1 replied on Fri, Oct 30 2009 11:31 PM

>> Kids don't need this new model

Need vs. Want.

A couple of news sites have said the larger screens are just for failing eyes, but that's BS. They are playing catch-up and trying to trump specs of competing systems.

Nintendo's audience is not the older demographics. It's kids. Look at the games from Sony and MS: Nintendo's the choice of the first-time/younger gamer.

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@ 3vi1: Normally  I agree with you, but who knows... maybe Nintendo did at least consider the appeal this unit may have to the older demo. Just a thought. Besides, you'd have to have poor eyesight to tolerate that hideous color. lol

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3vi1 replied on Sat, Oct 31 2009 2:18 PM

lol... I agree on the color comment! :)

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Agree with recoveringknowitall. The DS, DS lite, poorly received DSi, and now the clunky DS XL. As far as handhelds go, this is pushing the boundaries with its size.

Nintendo has bigger problems, people have realized the Wii sucks...

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