Sure, it's been available in Japan for quite some time, but this is the first chance we've gotten to really sit down and play with Nintendo's "more communal" (as we overheard one PR rep describe it, given it's propensity for more eyes comfortably viewing the screens) portable gaming experience, the DSi XL. So let's get the comparisons out of the way: obvious volumetric differences aside, the maximum brightness versus the DSi seems to be slightly higher, and the stylus is inexplicably a handful of millimeters longer -- not a big deal, but you'll definitely figure it out when trying to stuff it into an older model. We're not really a fan of the top lid being glossy again -- we rather like the matte DSi lid, and this one seems even more fingerprint-coveting than its DS Lite predecessor. So with all that said, is the extra screen size worth it? Admittedly we do appreciate the extra room, and it comes without a cost to the picture clarity. The inherent tradeoff, however, is a complete inability to stuff this in our pockets -- we had better luck with the Mini 5, to be blunt. You'll be able to decide for yourself soon enough, but in the meantime, there's pictures below and video after the break!
The new Nintendo System will probably be announced at E3 since a new generation of Pokemon is coming out during Christmas time I believe, and they only release one new generation per hand held and one remake. So that means the either breaking the cycle and release another Pokemon on the DS or they won't break the cycle and DS2 will be announced
This interests me, since I haven't gotten a DS since the DSL(Sold it), I might actually buy this, since its bigger, and once flash carts rape this thing I am good to go. This makes game play less squinty.
@Tito: I have the Japanese model and it runs firmware DSi 1.4. Any flash cart that can already work on DSi 1.4 can work on this. I have a DSTTi working on my DSi XL.
Personally, if you're going to make it glossy, make the rest of the black parts glossy. And if there's going to be that (faux?) silver crap, make it wrap around all the parts.
Note that the DSi (non-XL) has a slightly longer stylus then the DS Lite, and this one is a bit longer still. I think that's good. My DSi's stylus' length is of little consequence, but making it a bit longer still may help more. Mind you, I have no direct experience with the DSi XL and I'm probably not going to get one. I already got the DSi. I'll wait for the DS2.
Also, I carry my DSi in my backpack, so the fact that the DSi XL doesn't fit in a pocket isn't that big of a deal to me. Sure the DSi fits, but it's still pretty big and looks a little goofy. The only practical place to put a DSi is in your back pocket, and then you run the risk of sitting on it.
Not sure if anyone caught it, but he made a comment about Nintendo not using the same charging ports for the hand helds... Well, if I am remembering correctly, the Gameboy Advance SP and the original DS both used the same style charger port. It wasn't changed to a smaller microUSB style til the DS Lite.
If I didn't already have a DS Lite, and expect an all-new DS soon, I would buy one of these. I play sitting at home, generally, and on the occasion I am playing it while travelling, I'm not putting it in my pocket. It's going to be in my bag or briefcase. The bigger screen would be nice, sometimes.
Hopefully the next DS has a standard-sized model, and one of these "jumbo" models as options.
LOL, looks like the 'netbooks' of the 90s: HP Jornadas and NEC MobilePros (I have the former MP780). Sadly, it's been incompatible with EVERY NIC I've put into it. Even the one that's suppossed to work, some 3Com base10/ethernet adapter (3c386?).
For $40 it wasn't a bad deal, It's fun just to draw in paint with it.
I called Nintendo to see if my current DSI ware apps can be transferred from my DSi to the updated DSiXL if I bought one. They said that If I go ahead and by the DSi XL, Then I can pay to ship it in and they will transferr my apps and then I can pay to have it shipped back.... WOW thanks Nintendo!!!! I am glad I can blow more cash. I will never buy another app from the DSi ware store. And I will not buy the DSi XL Nintendo does not care about its customers!!!!
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posted February 25th 2010 12:00AM
The new Nintendo System will probably be announced at E3 since a new generation of Pokemon is coming out during Christmas time I believe, and they only release one new generation per hand held and one remake. So that means the either breaking the cycle and release another Pokemon on the DS or they won't break the cycle and DS2 will be announced
Ummm crappy place to put the power button.
I tried fitting it in her pocket bit she said it was too big.
really? they needed to make it bigger?
the glossy lid is holding me back. but the bigger screen is a huge improvement for me.
I wish they would have put their best foot forward and made it thinner and all around better looking.
Sotura Iwata said that the next one will have high profile graphics. meaning tegra.
It's on steroids... just like chickens and iPods these days. x[
Wow. Its... a netbook?
lol
I can fit it in *my* pockets.
This interests me, since I haven't gotten a DS since the DSL(Sold it), I might actually buy this, since its bigger, and once flash carts rape this thing I am good to go. This makes game play less squinty.
@Tito: I have the Japanese model and it runs firmware DSi 1.4. Any flash cart that can already work on DSi 1.4 can work on this. I have a DSTTi working on my DSi XL.
It looks like a father with his son... http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2010/02/dsi-xl-hands-2010-02-2420-20-14-rm-eng.jpg
It's... Beautiful.
The DS has really taken off with the older generations. Improved visibility is definitely a welcome upgrade for a lot of these people.
Think how long the Gameboy and iterations were about.
That last sentence on the video just about sums up the DSi XL.
'Its just the DSi but a bit bigger' lol
why nintendo? to what purpose or market does this serve?
I like it, and I'll be buying soon.
And seriously, why the hate?
- everybody already knows that this is for the eldery or people with eyesight problems (me);
- Nintendo didn't pulled an iPad here. They never said it's "new", "magical" or "revolutionary". They just said "it's a bigger DSi for the eldery".
But yes, the lack of a GBA on this is sad.
Could you read on both screens in portrait mode, like a paperback book?
Personally, if you're going to make it glossy, make the rest of the black parts glossy. And if there's going to be that (faux?) silver crap, make it wrap around all the parts.
@Ian324 But I'm still gonna buy it, once I send my broken DSi back to Nintendo. =D
Note that the DSi (non-XL) has a slightly longer stylus then the DS Lite, and this one is a bit longer still. I think that's good. My DSi's stylus' length is of little consequence, but making it a bit longer still may help more. Mind you, I have no direct experience with the DSi XL and I'm probably not going to get one. I already got the DSi. I'll wait for the DS2.
Also, I carry my DSi in my backpack, so the fact that the DSi XL doesn't fit in a pocket isn't that big of a deal to me. Sure the DSi fits, but it's still pretty big and looks a little goofy. The only practical place to put a DSi is in your back pocket, and then you run the risk of sitting on it.
iPad /= big iPhone
DSi XL = big DS
That being said, I do want one.
anyone know the colors its gonna come in?
Not sure if anyone caught it, but he made a comment about Nintendo not using the same charging ports for the hand helds... Well, if I am remembering correctly, the Gameboy Advance SP and the original DS both used the same style charger port. It wasn't changed to a smaller microUSB style til the DS Lite.
ipad anybody?
If I didn't already have a DS Lite, and expect an all-new DS soon, I would buy one of these. I play sitting at home, generally, and on the occasion I am playing it while travelling, I'm not putting it in my pocket. It's going to be in my bag or briefcase. The bigger screen would be nice, sometimes.
Hopefully the next DS has a standard-sized model, and one of these "jumbo" models as options.
LOL, looks like the 'netbooks' of the 90s: HP Jornadas and NEC MobilePros (I have the former MP780). Sadly, it's been incompatible with EVERY NIC I've put into it. Even the one that's suppossed to work, some 3Com base10/ethernet adapter (3c386?).
For $40 it wasn't a bad deal, It's fun just to draw in paint with it.
I love how nintendo commented on the ipad saying "it's just a big iPod touch"... Now I'm no ipad lover, but prétel nintendo, what exactly is this?
Heh, I wasted my money on my DSi, and I'm fine with my DS Lite. :P
I called Nintendo to see if my current DSI ware apps can be transferred from my DSi to the updated DSiXL if I bought one. They said that If I go ahead and by the DSi XL, Then I can pay to ship it in and they will transferr my apps and then I can pay to have it shipped back....
WOW thanks Nintendo!!!! I am glad I can blow more cash.
I will never buy another app from the DSi ware store. And I will not buy the DSi XL
Nintendo does not care about its customers!!!!