Nintendo confirms big-screen DSi
From 3.2in to 4.2in
Updated Just days after rumours of an upcoming DSi with larger screens first broke, Nintendo has confirmed that just such a handheld console will be delivered in time for Christmas.
Nintendo's DSi LL has two 4.2in screens
The redesigned machine – officially called the DSi LL - will feature two 4.2in screens, meaning that each of the two screens will be exactly 1in larger than those found on the existing DSi.
Nintendo hasn’t said what resolution the upcoming DSi LL will offer, but the firm hopes to market the handheld at gamers keen on DSi-based web browsing and reading.
Two styluses will be bundled with the machine and gamers will also benefit from three pre-installed DSi Ware games: two brain-training titles and DS Easy Dictionary.
A UK launch hasn't been confirmed
Nintendo will offer the DSi LL in “dark brown”, “wine red” and “natural white” hues, but the bad news is that – so far – the videogames giant has only announced plans to release the machine in Japan, on 21 November. It will cost ¥20,000 (£134/$220/€149).
Update
Nintendo has since told Register Hardware that the DSi LL will be launched in Blighty as the DSi XL, during the first quarter of 2010. A price for the UK model hasn't been announced, but Nintendo warned that "the retail price of the Nintendo DSi XL is expected to be higher than that of the Nintendo DSi". ®
COMMENTS
@AC 14:14
If your kids would reply with just a "gee thanks" to a DSi then they need a bloody good talking to. Ungrateful little buggers.
@Patrick14 / @Hans1
Yep, I'd second that - if the kiddies already have a DS (Lite) then a DSi or even the DSiXL doesn't really add much, so if they need a 'tech fix' for Christmas then an 8GB iPod Touch makes a heck of a lot more sense.
Besides, if my sprogs are anything to go by then a DSi is a "gee, thanks" present whereas the iPod would have them jumping up and down with excitement.
Still pity the poor schmucks who ponied up the money for a PSP (or PSPGo). I bought one and I think that I use the DSLite about 10x more, so with hindsight it was a bit of waste of money, (and I'm not the only one who thinks this - see the first posting on this thread!). I stuck with the DSLite instead of buying a DSi and I'm very sure I won't be rushing down to Game to get a DSiXL when it comes out.
@Patrick 14
iPod touch is indeed a better alternative if they already have a ds ... because the dsi [XL] have bigger screens, but for games it makes them worse than DS's. Just think of those awful 19" LCD screens with a pathetic 1024x768 resolution .... everything looks blurred because the dpi is too low ....
Play it safe, get the touch .... that's what I am doing, anyway ;-)
Besides the (god forbid) R4 does not work with the dsi [XL] .... too bad!
Why
They are getting very Close to iPod touch prices, I was going to get my kids a new dsi for Xmas as they only have ds and ds lite, but I can pay from nothing to £4.99 for good games on the touch..
They still have there ds's for there games they own now, so it's very close call...
And they are able to use my 3GS iPhone ok...
drat!
Damn, there's another couple of hundred pounds headed out of my wallet! Still, it is at least something I know I'll actually use (my DSi is never more than a few feet away - unless I've drained the power) unlike my Sony PSP (I know I left it somewhere around here - stupid thing).
