The lights are on
You read correctly. Less than six months after the release of the Nintendo DSi, a new DS iteration has been announced – the DSi LL. Rumor ignited earlier this week after an article in the Japanese newspaper Nikkei detailed the new handheld. Nintendo was quick to respond to our inquiry, stating that the account was pure speculation. Turns out it wasn’t. It’s getting hard to keep things secret these days – isn’t it? On to the details. While Sony’s handheld PSP has gotten smaller, the DSi LL is doing the exact opposite. The DSi LL is larger than the DSi, sporting 4.25 inch screens. For comparison sake, the DSi boasts 3.25 inch screens and the DS Lite a set of 3-inch displays. The increase in screen size has resulted in a notably larger handheld, the speculated intent being to make the device easier for older users. Supporting the claim further is the addition of a new stylus, which looks and functions more like a regular pen than the flimsy piece of plastic standard to the DS. Click here for a interactive comparison on the official Nintendo site.
Colors announced so far include Wine Red, Dark Brown and Natural White. The DSi LL will launch in Japan on November 21 for a price of 20,000 yen, which roughly equates to $220. VentureBeat has confirmed that the DSi LL will be making its way westward, appropriately named the DSi XL in North America and Europe, and will ship first quarter of 2010. We’ve contacted Nintendo for more information and verification on the above details. We’ve got several questions about the DSi LL and are sure you do too. If you plan on jumping ship for the larger screens, what will happen to DSiWare titles downloaded to your device? Is the DSi LL intended to compliment other versions or replace them at retail? (we expect the former) Will the larger screens cut battery life? And will graphics from previously released DS titles scale up appropriately? You’ll know as soon as we do.
The Nintendo DS launched back in November of 2004 and now has four unique versions under its umbrella – the original brick DS, the DS Lite, DSi and DSi LL. Obviously the massive international install base makes the DS one of Nintendo’s most successful ventures, and we appreciate Nintendo trying to make their devices accessible to people with diverse needs. The question remains, will you spring for another new DS version?
Update: We heard back from Nintendo of America, who was able to give us the statement below:
“A new iteration of the Nintendo DSi system will be introduced in Japan on November 21, 2009. To be known as Nintendo DSi LL in Japan, and as Nintendo DSi XL in North America and Europe, it will offer a screen 93% larger than the current Nintendo DS Lite with a better view angle, an additional longer touch screen stylus, and preinstalled Nintendo DSiWare software. The new version will arrive in North America and Europe in the first quarter of calendar year 2010.”
So the DSi XL is confirmed for North America. Good news. We inquired about other details such as a price point and transferring DSi downloads, but were unable to get answers as this time. Again, we will keep you in the loop as new details come forth.
I might have to ask my wife for permission...
Once again, my theory holds true: When Nintendo comes out with a new handheld, wait for the superior remake.
So far, I have skipped the Advance for the Advance SP, skipped the DS for the DS Lite, and now I've skipped the DSi for this.
$220 is a little too much though. I'll wait on it for a price drop.
@Dutch - Your wife may have to deny permission until the price drops enough to justify it. Isn't three Nintendo DSs in one household enough already? :D
Besides, I don't think I want an even larger DS. I love the size it is at now. I still haven't sprung for a DSi though, so perhaps for the DSi Ware it will be worth it in the future.
What the hell is Nintendo thinking with this?
This is bull. This is what, the 4th DS? First we buy the normal, then we want the lite, then the DSi, and now this stupid thing?!?!?
its a good idea for people who are visually impaired. no reason to get it otherwise though.
i was thinking about upgrading my DS lite to a DSi now with this, I guess I will wait a while...
This is ridiculous. Nintendo puts out more (hand held systems) than a hooker! I suppose as Everlast07x mentioned, this is great for people with poor vision, but for everyone else I just don't understand. Why not give us some kind of "upgrade" buy in? If you are going to make a system, make it right the first time please. At least we only see one iteration of their console systems. I shudder to think if we saw a new "Wii Lite" or a "Wii XL" every 6 months to a year.
Note: Nintendo, maybe you should focus more on the software eh?
Right after I buy a DSi... oh well.
Bigger isn't always better.
@Meagan - I'm not so worried about acquiring another DS. After all, she uses a DSlite and I still use a blue DSfat. The third DS you are referring not usable since it is more of a collectors item. I figure I'm due for an upgrade by now. The size doesn't concern me too much, nor the price, I'm more worried that I'll be sleeping with my dog if I come home with one unexpectedly. Then again, my dog is pretty awesome so that wouldn't be too bad.
Nintendo sure does know how to make money. It almost makes me sick. There's no way they didn't plan for this when releasing the first DSi. This seems like pure money-grubbing.
Seriously? God, these video game corporations are all just spiraling towards cash cow oblivion...
-sigh- Well, if Nintendo happened to combine some of the features of the other DS platforms onto this one (GBA slot, DSiWare, etc.) this might be worth buying, but that's probably too much to cram on to one system. I remember people complaining about the size of the original DS, and from time to time my own hands go numb from holding the blasted thing.
Who knows, someone will end up buying this one.
I really dislike that Nintendo does this. They've done it every iteration since the original gameboy. Change features about the same handheld to keep milking money out of people. Sometimes they really bother me.
It prints money!
Seriously though, isn't that price point the same as the Wii's current price point? I also wonder what the extra large screens would do to older games. Would it make them look more pixelated? The increase in screen size between the DS Lite and DSi wasn't that huge, but this is a pretty big difference.
I still need to get my hands on a DS lite (I was an early adopter, and I don't have the money to upgrade yet)
I haven't been interested in the DSi until now, but It still remains to be seen if they'll actually take advantage of the upgrade in their software. If they don't, then I still find no reason to get a DSi.
At least not until they're much cheaper. I kind of like the Dark brown version.
Seeing as how the only DS I have is the brick, I will definitely be picking this baby up. Check out the size of those screens. Mmm, mmm good.
I used to love Nintendo, but now everytime I hear about something from them I sigh... whether it be the gimmicky wii, or the gimmicky DS actually it seems like all they sell now is mini games for moms and devices that only have some crazy function that is sure not to work well. A fourth DS...come on Nintendo are you really hurting that bad for money?
My girlfriend already said she'll probably get it, assuming she can sell her DSi for enough money. I don't know though, what's the point of a bigger screen, what game do you actually need a bigger screen for?
I still have my original brick DS and I've been wanting to upgrade because the brightness of the screens isn't the best. If this DS had a GBA slot, I'd definitely jump ship for it. The bigger screens definitely appeal to me.