Nintendo Expands Handheld With DSi XL

The DS platform gets larger with the introduction of a bigger version of the DSi, coming with a pair of 4-inch screens compared to the previous iteration's 3.25-inch and the DS Lite's 3-inch screens

A size comparison of the original DSi (inset) versus the larger DSi XL.

Nintendo has recently announced a new version of their touchscreen handheld called the DSi XL, set to release in the first quarter of 2010 in North America & Europe and launch as the DSi LL in Japan on November 21 for ¥20,000 ($218.50). Details surrounding the DSi XL release are still unknown, though full details of the Japanese release and more pictures can be found in this helpful FAQ.

The evolution of the DS: The original, DS Lite, and DSi.

The evolution of the Nintendo DS has been an interesting ride. There has been a tug-of-war battle to make the form factor smaller and larger. Since the release of the DS Lite, the handheld has been getting increasingly bigger to perhaps match competition with other handhelds and smart phones like the Sony PSP and the Apple iPhone. It's currently being marketed as a system to be played with others in person, touting the LCD's wider viewing angle in addition to the increased size.

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has also recently discussed the idea of an always-on 3G internet connection for the DS similar to Amazon's free WhisperNet 3G network on their Kindle e-book reader. The cost of the connection is built into the cost of the system, so there would be no monthly fees or data plans. A feature like this could really improve the DS's abilities & potential with constant access to the online store and online multiplayer gaming anywhere. There are currently no plans to put this into development, though things may change leading up to the DSi XL launch next year.

However, the timing of this DS refresh seems a little odd. Nintendo has always included new functionality or a variety of improvements to form factor to each new iteration, but the only change from the previous version is the larger screens. This is coming just a year after the initial DSi release, which featured a pair of digital cameras, an SD card slot, internal memory, an online store, and the loss of Game Boy Advance support. The DSi XL will support all DSi enhanced and DSi exclusive titles and the entire library of DS titles. It comes with both a traditional stylus that fits into the system and a larger, pen-shaped stylus that can be carried around externally.