Last night, at a press event in Japan, Nintendo formally announced the DSi XL (to be known as the DSi LL in Japan), a new version of the DSi (which was a new version of the DS Lite [which was a new version of the Nintendo DS]). The device will have a 93% bigger screen than the DS Lite, compared to the DSi’s 17% bigger screen. Nintendo claims the device exists for people who want to use the DS as an internet browser and media player, but insists it will still serve the primary purpose of MAKING ANYONE WHO BOUGHT A DSi FEEL LIKE AN ASSHOLE.
How long can Nintendo keep up this Russian-nesting-doll-like procession? Honestly, the only way this could feel more like an Onion article would be if the thing were called the DSi Lite XL Micro.
All this comes alongside the news that the DS “family” has sold 113 million units. Kind of an apples-to-oranges comparison, but put that number next to the 34 million Xbox 360s sold, and you start to get a sense of how true that it-prints-money animated GIF adage has been for Nintendo.
The DSi XL is due out November 21st for Japan and in early 2010 for Europe. No US date has been given yet.
Commenters, I really want to know what you think about this one. Is this a mistake or a keen eking of the last few dollars out of our cold, dead hands by Nintendo? Let us know below in the comments!
Are you f’ing kidding me? My DSi is barely six months old!
If the only thing it’s bringing to the table is larger screens, then whatever, I don’t even want it. A larger form factor is not something I want on my daily commute. Any other upgrades or exclusive features, though, and I’ll likely be pissed.
Wait, now I see it has a longer battery life too. What? How? Grrr… Ah well, that’s only been an issue for me on long flights anyway. Boo-urns. Sticking with my launch electric blue DSi until a SIGNIFICANT upgrade comes along.
IIt has a bigger battery life because it has room for a bigger battery.
@Sanskrit: other than the badass giant pen it comes with, it seems like the giant screen and giant battery are it.
I think my vitriol towards the DSi XL is intensified by the fact that I know deep in my heart I’m going to end up buying one. My DS Lite has been lost for well over a year now and I never hopped on the DSi bandwagon, so I missed out on just about every DS title from 2008 and 2009. You win, Nintendo.
I think this is a waste. They just came out with the DSi about 6 months ago. Why do the super sized version? Their main point is that the DSi XL will have more screen space for websites. The problem with this is that the screens will be bigger but the resolution will stay the same at 256 x 192. Sure the games and websites will LOOK bigger, but they wont look any better that’s for sure. Anyways, if I do get a DSi I would look for the smaller version. Also what’s up with the stylus of the DSi XL?
The XL actually comes with two styli: a normal sized one and a thick, pen-sized one.
Also, keep in mind that the DSi was released a year ago in Japan, it just took it forever to get stateside, so it’s closer to 12 months between them, not 6. Either way, your point still stands: that is a super short, almost Apple-like time between iterations.
The screen size thing is an interesting one. I didn’t get my hands on a DSi for the first time until a couple months ago, and I was pretty surprised how noticeable that 17% screen size difference was. The pixels seemed a tad bit more noticable, but overall, yeah, the DSi had much nicer screens than the lite. However, I can’t even wrap my head around a 93% bigger screen. That’s a massive difference, and I would really love to see one in person.
As a guy who loves him some pixelart, though, I get a little too excited imagining playing Advance Wars DS, Pokemon, or something equally traditional on a giant screen. On the other hand, I can’t see 3D stuff like Tony Hawk’s American Sk8land probably holding up well at all.
I’ve wanted a DS for ages and just never quite had the drive to part with my hard earned cash for one. This new iteration is extremely tempting for me though. I’ve always liked the idea of a DS because of the homebrew that’s out there for it. I don’t mean the illegal stuff, I really like some of the drawing programs people have made for it, I’m an animator and the idea of a digital drawing tool on the move has always been exciting for me so the larger screen albeit without extra pixels and the larger stylus is a very big plus for me. It is a shame a new resolution couldn’t have been factored in but we can’t have everything can we! I think this may finally be the DS that will finally get me to buy one.
I might hold off if I were you, actually. Homebrew on the DSi was only recently figured out, and odds are, Nintendo is going to close whatever vulnerabilities are allowing homebrew when they release the XL.
For us “hardcore gamers”, we shouldn’t really care much. The primary purpose is playing ds games, and the occasional dsware game. I am a little peeved about pre-ordering one, and going to the midnight release to get it, only to have a new one coming out probably a year later. But the XL seems rather bulky, while my regular dsi is rather sleek, small, fits in my pocket quite well, and is easy to hide while playing in class. I don’t want to carry a brick all day.
But on the Nintendo side of this issue. GENIUS! The youngin’s are gonna beg and plead for one of these, and their moms are gonna get them it so their precious darlings don’t get beat up on the playground for being poor and only having the dsi. Nintendo is going to make massive profit off of this. They are the smartest company on the market, and are happily swimming in their mountains of gold, while awaiting their next shipment of precious gems to wipe their asses with.
Okay, that’s just crazy talk. Neither of those activities sound fun OR comfortable.
My cousin just got a DSi for his birthday, as they have only come out a month ago in Greece. Stupid Nintendo! Hope he doesn’t find this out!
“Is this a mistake or a keen eking of the last few dollars out of our cold, dead hands by Nintendo?”
Dude, get a grip. No one is forcing you to buy it.