Nintendo have recently announced a new version of the DSi to be released in Japan initially (as per always) and then in the Western market in Q1 2010.
Known as the DSi LL in Japan (if the official page is anything to go by), the DSi XL has two 4.2" screens, and a beefier stylus. This is almost the same size as the PSP's screen (4.3").
The system's slated to go on sale in Japan on the 21st of November, retailing at ¥20,000 (about $220). It will include three DSiWare titles and be available in three colors.
Info nabbed from PSO-World, there's probably more available floating round the net. The links I've posted there though show you the system itself. Looks good to me 
Thoughts?
Besides being as small as the PSP go and having three colors (Black & white are tones and shades, not a color but I digress) is there anything else that makes this DS any different than the others (Upgrade in graphics, hard-drive, more added bells & whistles)?
Cause if not, then I could care less.
Tune in 2010 to find out how many letters of the alphabet Nintendo can cram into this console next time. I'm guessing, given this XL is the forth release, the fifth will have a V in it. Perhaps N's Dsi V XL + Wi-Fi/LAN ---and then an alpha symbol, just to screw with anyone thinking they could only use 26 letters.
Also, in reply to Gamma, this DS and the DSi have camera technology and an advanced microphone with pitch bending sensor useful for language learning titles and better voice detection. The major feature is that it has external memory slot for SD card and can download software from the internet.
The i in DSi stands for iPhone, which they are clearly attempting to replicate.
It sacrifices GBA playability for these features. Presumably the XL will put the GBA feature back in, due to it's mammoth size.
I'm doubting the GBA slot will be back.
For once, I'm not considering getting this one. I already have a DSi, which I am perfectly happy with. Aside from the larger screens and 3 pre installed DSiWare games, there is nothing new with this system.
I'm doubting the GBA slot will be back.
For once, I'm not considering getting this one. I already have a DSi, which I am perfectly happy with. Aside from the larger screens and 3 pre installed DSiWare games, there is nothing new with this system.
GBA slot won't be back, I just ran the specs page through a translator. I imagine Nintendo will probably eventually release GBA titles as DSi Virtual Console downloads or something like that.
That said, the SD Card slot on there I imagine is pretty easy to utilise for a bit of homebrew action, and emulators likely already exist. Heck, I know they do for the DS Lite, so it's not that much a stretch to imagine the DSi has its share too.
As someone who has a DS Lite still and didn't get a DSi when it came out, I do find the XL appealing. Primarily it's because my hands are enormous; I can't comfortably play on the DS Lite unless I have it in the protective case I got for it a while back which conveniently also makes the thing a bit chunkier. This larger one will fit my hands nicely, plus I'm liking the nice beefy touch pen that's to go with it.
As far as GBA backward compatibility goes, for me personally the only major reason I'd want to hang on to that would be for Pokémon - and what with HeartGold and SoulSilver just round the corner, the number of critters you simply can't find in the DS titles is steadily dwindling. Of course for those games I'll likely just wait until the inevitable release of the third one and get that to avoid disappointment, lolz.
I would consider getting it, but I'm sure there will be a new version in 6-12 months.
I don't really understand the need to make it bigger. I think that it is fine the way it is.
Well if they do happen to put the GBA slot back in; I would seriously think of buying it. Maybe.
As someone who purchased a refurbished DS Phat to avoid the DSLite, I am glad they are going bigger with the next model, but unless this sees the return of the GBA slot or improvement to one of the DSi's lackluster features, I will not be buying anytime soon.
So apparenlty one of the other reason the screens are so big is to allowed other people to sit next to you and watch you play the game. You know instead of allowing the DSi to be connected to a tv screen.
Would have been nice if it could have played GBA games. Or old Gameboy games for that matter...yes I know I'm asking for far too much.
Just another way for Nintendo to continue to use its license to print money.
Well, to be fair "allowing your DS to connect to a television" is such a mentally retarded idea, I'm not sure how to begin pointing out it's flaws.
Allowing it to connect to a laptop would be a little less dumb, but is still full of problems.
As something who found the original DSi laughable for removing the gba (slot-2) port to add piss poor features ('cept downloadings, that was an okish idea) that could've easily have been replicated for the DSlites and phats via an expansion pack plug in, this DSi XXXXL is even more mentally hilarious. Increasing the size of the screens whilst maintaining the same resolution will be quite...
Just make it work with Wii already.
Pah, size doesn't matter when what you have to work with is all form and no substance. The DSi was already an obnoxious idea as far as I was concerned; sacrificing retro-compatibility to have camera functions? If only they'd put cameras on mobile phones, then we wouldn't have this problem! Tch, no thanks. This thing brings nothing new to the table.
A list of features that might actually make me consider upgrading:
Dual-SDHC slots
Return of GBA Slot
TV-out, at least for top screen.
Screen Resolution raised to 640*480 or better.
Camera Resolution raised to 1MP or better.
Significant increase in clock speed.
All for less than 250 USD.
Yeah, this thing's pretty damn big.
A list of features that might actually make me consider upgrading:
Dual-SDHC slots
Return of GBA Slot
TV-out, at least for top screen.
Screen Resolution raised to 640*480 or better.
Camera Resolution raised to 1MP or better.
Significant increase in clock speed.
All for less than 250 USD.
Dare I ask why you would need 2 SDHC slots?
To anyone here who said they "don't see the point of this" or is a "useless addition" to the DS line, have you ever thought that this DS is primarily geared to older folks or people who have poor vision? The "sophistcated" colors choices, the software that is bundled with it, and advertising on Nintendo's web page seems to indicates this. This isn't a successor or a simple stop-gap that indicates things to come like the normal DSi or PSPGo. This is just an alternative variation of a product that is more user friendly to the consumers I've mentioned and plus the people who just want a bigger hand held(yes, these people exists). Don't expect it replacing the current DSL/DSi models, and seeing how this it's is based on the DSi, it was silly to expect that the GBA slot would be back.
Too bad Nintendo had not released this a year ago, as my mother would have been really enthusiastic with the XL. Maybe Gamestop will have a promotion where she can trade her DSLite for a discount on XL when it comes to the US. I know she' ll like the Red Wine color also. :^D
I find it funny that a year ago it was "OMG WE'RE SMALLER THAN THE PSP!!!" Now that the PSP is gone smaller it's now "OMG WE'RE BIGGER THAN THE PSP!!!"
And to answer your question to regards of the DS, Ashide. No! NO ONE though about the older crowd, not even Nintendo. XD
I'll probably get this one instead of a DSi. I kept pretty much all my Game Boy hardware, so the DS cartridge slot never mattered to me. Though I would wait for a price cut... >_>
<<No! NO ONE though about the older crowd, not even Nintendo. XD>>
Well not until now. Now Grandma won't have to constantly squint her eyes or wear trifocals while she's playing Brain-Age or Prof. Layton. :^)
