It was a rumor earlier in the week, and but now it's official: Nintendo is releasing another model of the DSi with a bigger screen. The Nintendo DSi LL has a slightly larger than 4" screen, and it also features a wider viewing angle than previous iterations of the DS, that means family and friends can gather 'round and check out your game as you play. Other than that, it includes pretty much the same features as the standard DSi.
In Japan at least, the DSi LL will give users a fat, pen-like stylus for home as well as the "built-in" stylus. It comes bundled with DSiWare software including a dictionary and two DSiWare Brain Age games. It will also come in a lovely copper colored shells as well as white and a mature-looking burgundy.
The Nintendo DSi LL will be on sale November 21, 2009 in Japan for 20,000 yen, (around $220.) No word yet on when it's coming out in North America, but a European release is expected next year. I'll let you know when I hear of an American release, of course. Below is a picture of the device that clearly indicates how much bigger the screen is than a DSi:
If you'd like to poke around Nintendo's official site for the device, please do, but it's in Japanese.
Is Nintendo onto something here? Is bigger better when it comes to handhelds? Who, exactly, is the audience for this device? It seems to me that a larger DSi in such muted colors may be geared toward an older, non-gamer audience. That thing is the size of tablet PC! So maybe the true competition for the DSi LL is actually the iPhone as opposed to the PSP. What do you think?
Comments
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yanksfan216
and people give sony and microsoft crap for puttin out too many models of the same product...
01pintones
it seems geared toward an older audience with the built in context but i want one
AwayFromKeyboard
Speaking of Microsoft: I wonder if they'll break into the handheld market. I mean, they have the Zune but it's tiny and completely touch screen.
Hyphnip
Just a couple months after the launch of the DSi comes the DSi:LL? Seems a bit ridiculous. Though, if the biggest size meant the reintroduction of the GBA slot, I'd pick one up. The only reason I haven't upgraded it the DSi is because I'm not going to give up on Shining Force: The Ressurection of the Dark Dragon for GBA.
Raisinbman
too soon? I mean if they aren't actually aiming for gamers, sure, go for it.
I'm still working with a DS Lite, not sure about anyone else.
iJESUSfreak
Wow. How many different models of the DS are Nintendo going to shove in our faces?
AlexBloodlust
@ Raislnbman, I still have the original DS from launch day.
It seems like Nintendo is trying to milk the DS for everything they can now...
frank0127
i got a DSi at launch, and this is....interesting. i wasn't sure the DSi needed sales spike, but apparently it does so.
aztecyankee
WHY? Having a different SKU is one thing but coming with just a tad difference to the SAME system is redunkulous. I can almost assure you that Nintendo design team has had all these design's since day 1. If they were to add something new that has come along since the fist DS i could see the need for this. To make is slimmer and adding a bigger screen doesn't mean it's better if you think off it they made it worse by removing the Gameboy Advance slot. Loss for Consumers....Win for Nintendo!!!
Blue_Vortex
ha! I knew Nintendo would pull this with the DSi, good thing I didn't buy one and just kept enjoying my old original DS
mm542
ok this has gone too far nintendo....seriously!?
dwmatteson
The main reason I stopped using my DS and gave it away to a family member is that it's too small for my big hands. This bigger DSi LL appeals to me, I've wanted to play Scribblenauts but the idea of hand cramps from using the tiny DS turned me off.
prodius79
Thank you Nintendo for making a handheld for the first time since the Gameboy Color that is big enough to hold onto. Seriously, the biggest reason I hated the DS Lite was the fact that the thing was too small for me to comfortably hold onto for any extended period of time. I for one would rather have a larger handheld device because I'm not going to be putting my DS in my pocket to walk around with it anyway. I want my cell phone to fit in my pocket, but not my gaming system. It's called ergonomics. If manufacturers keep making devices smaller and smaller, functionality is going to be lost.
left_4_bread
Oh! I have an idea! don't buy it!... Idiots...
fauxtrot
Nintendo FAIL! 'nuff said.
But I'll say more. Looks like they had nothing to bring to the table this Christmas season. With marketing genius akin to that portrayed by Jim Gaffgan in his "Hot Pockets" bit (youtube it, its funny), we now have the DSI: LL or the DS of +2 Stupid consumer Slaying.
While the form factor of this little gem does have more appeal than a 'nasty pastry', the hot pocket is offered IMHO in better taste.
brujula17
Here's hoping to better battery life, a GBA slot, and a great screen!
shyguy
ha im still rocking the industrial ds. got that baby back when I was in the 7th grade. :D it still works...why should i spend 100 bucks for the same thing but just with a pretty shell?
h4x121
wow way to hurt your fan base nintendo, they just released the dsi like what a few months ago? also $220 is a lot, that's even more than what the wii costs. I think ill just stick to my ds lite and wait for ds 2, at this rate it should be out Q1 of 2010.
animefr33k
I think somebody at Activision got hired by Nintendo...
jdawghatesyou
I like the big screen, I just dont know why they didnt do it sooner
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