Nintendo DSi LL/XL

[Isgrimnur]

Nintendo announces a new, larger DSi, the DSi LL:

Nintendo has taken the wraps off a new version of the DSi handheld that sports larger 4.25-inch dual screens. The portable gaming unit will be considerably bigger than current and previous DS and DSi models. It will be dubbed the DSi LL in Japan where it goes on sale on November 21 for 20,000 yen (about $220). In Europe, the unit will be known as the DSi XL when it appears on store shelves in the first quarter of 2010. Nintendo did not provide details on a possible North American launch.

[Jancelot]

As someone who's large mitts loved the original X-Box "Duke" controller, this news makes me very happy.   

[Eel Snave]

Can't say I'm super-pleased about it, but whatevs.  I think the Big N is losing their focus.

[Destructor]

Isn't this just the DSi with the original DS Phat sized screens in it? Frankly, the size is what makes the DSl so nice, and why I upgraded to it years back. Never upgraded again to the DSi because I saw no reason, and I see even less of one to get this.

[Devil]

Same Nintendo bullshit.

[Isgrimnur]

DS: 148.7 mm x 84.7 mm x 28.9 mm, 3-inch screens
DSi: 137 mm x 74.9 mm x 18.9 mm, 3.25-inch screens
DSi LL: 161 mm x 91.4 mm x 21.2 mm, 4.25-inch screens

[Caine]

tempting, just for the extra real estate.  really though, they need to consider a next gen version instead.  bring in a better hardware spec to compete on the same level of the psp, graphically, and you have my full interest.

[Eel Snave]

tempting, just for the extra real estate.  really though, they need to consider a next gen version instead.  bring in a better hardware spec to compete on the same level of the psp, graphically, and you have my full interest.

There's talk about the Nvidia Tegra chipset in a new DS revision.  Fingers crossed...

[crumsteel]

This is probably just a test to see what size the market would like for the next gen nintendo handheld. Put out a bigger version and see what people would buy.

[Destructor]

tempting, just for the extra real estate.  really though, they need to consider a next gen version instead.  bring in a better hardware spec to compete on the same level of the psp, graphically, and you have my full interest.

There's talk about the Nvidia Tegra chipset in a new DS revision.  Fingers crossed...

Won't happen. The only way you'll see the Tegra chipset in a DS is if they make the 'next generation' of DS. They're already splitting the user base with the DSi - they won't do it again anytime soon.

[Eel Snave]

tempting, just for the extra real estate.  really though, they need to consider a next gen version instead.  bring in a better hardware spec to compete on the same level of the psp, graphically, and you have my full interest.

There's talk about the Nvidia Tegra chipset in a new DS revision.  Fingers crossed...

Won't happen. The only way you'll see the Tegra chipset in a DS is if they make the 'next generation' of DS. They're already splitting the user base with the DSi - they won't do it again anytime soon.

No, no.  I didn't mean in THIS revision.  I meant a future revision.  http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/nvidia-tegra-to-power-next-gen-nintendo-ds/

[th'FOOL]

As someone who's large mitts loved the original X-Box "Duke" controller, this news makes me very happy.   

+ 1 Million

[Misguided]

"Nintendo DSi LL features not only bigger monitor screens," Iwata said, "but an improved view angle on the screens to make it the first portable system that can be enjoyed with people surrounding the gamer."

Interesting...

[Destructor]

Won't games also look worse on the DSiLL simply because the dot pitch will be so much bigger? Those pixels are starting to get pretty big now. I mean, it's not like the resolution is going to change any.

[KC]

Won't games also look worse on the DSiLL simply because the dot pitch will be so much bigger? Those pixels are starting to get pretty big now. I mean, it's not like the resolution is going to change any.

I was thinking the same thing.  Isn't this like playing a 640x480 game on a 22" monitor?

I would also think that the bigger screens mean shorter battery life.

[Andrew Mallon]

Won't games also look worse on the DSiLL simply because the dot pitch will be so much bigger? Those pixels are starting to get pretty big now. I mean, it's not like the resolution is going to change any.

I was thinking the same thing.  Isn't this like playing a 640x480 game on a 22" monitor?

No, it's not. Now you guys are just piling on for the sake of piling on. The DSi screen resolution is 256x192. Going from a 3.25-inch to  a 4.25-inch isn't going to make a noticeable difference unless your holding the two units side by side.

[Eel Snave]

Won't games also look worse on the DSiLL simply because the dot pitch will be so much bigger? Those pixels are starting to get pretty big now. I mean, it's not like the resolution is going to change any.

I was thinking the same thing.  Isn't this like playing a 640x480 game on a 22" monitor?

No, it's not. Now you guys are just piling on for the sake of piling on. The DSi screen resolution is 256x192. Going from a 3.25-inch to  a 4.25-inch isn't going to make a noticeable difference unless your holding the two units side by side.

I don't know about that.  The pixels will be bigger, won't they?  It'll look more pixelly, guaranteed.  It just doesn't seem right, you know?  I think there's more to this than they're letting on.

[Destructor]

I don't know about that.  The pixels will be bigger, won't they?  It'll look more pixelly, guaranteed.  It just doesn't seem right, you know?  I think there's more to this than they're letting on.

I don't, actually. I think this is just Nintendo responding to people's comments that the DSi screen is too small. Doesn't make much sense to release this model otherwise, IMHO. Of course, for that matter, it doesn't make much sense to release it anyway.

[Isgrimnur]

Just over a month away.

Media Post

Nintendo's long-anticipated DSi XL handheld gaming consoles hit the U.S. market on March 28, Daniel S. Evans reports ... with much better viewing angles from the sides than the original DSi's two 3.25-inch screens. It will retail for $189.99.
...
Several games are preloaded.

Bloomberg's Adam Satariano reports the device will double as a book reader similar to Apple's iPad, Amazon's Kindle and Sony's Reader. Nintendo will roll out "100 Classic Books" for $19.95 in June. "It's not really about trying to take on the e-book market," says Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo's evp of sales and marketing for North America. "It's just one more way to enjoy your device."

[warning]

I'm guessing those 100 classic books are all public domain and could be freely downloaded from a site like Feedbooks and used with the iPad, Kindle and Sony's ereader.

Nice try though Nintendo.

[WinoMcCougarstein]

Another DS?  Jesus, this is reaching iPod levels of revisions.  How about making a new DS thats actually.... more powerful?

[Chaz]

I might get one of these.  My DS pretty much stays home all the time anyway, so having much larger screens would be better for me.  The decreased portability means nothing to someone who never takes it anywhere.

[Ridah]

I might get one of these.  My DS pretty much stays home all the time anyway, so having much larger screens would be better for me.  The decreased portability means nothing to someone who never takes it anywhere.

People like Chaz are the reason they keep revising it, there's always people who will find an excuse to buy the new version

[Chaz]

I've only ever bought one DS, and it was the Lite.  I'm really the last person to upgrade to the "new" version just because it's new.  Give me an actual reason to, like larger, brighter screens, and I'll consider it.

[kadnod]

I'm considering getting one, too.  The XL seems like a nice replacement for the beat-up Phat model I've been using forever.

[Kevin Grey]

Nintendo sees a nice sales boost every time they change the form factor or color so no surprise they will continue to do that.  I don't see it as a big deal at all since it isn't invalidating old DS's.