Nintendo DSi XL?

[mnbren05]

Just saw this on Yahoo, anyone else hear anything about this? Sounds interesting and just like something Nintendo would do to break the status quo.
http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/nintendo-goes-large-with-revamped-ds/1368589

[Sonicwolf]

I hope the D-pad is fixed. Im using DSlite right now and its pretty lame.

[kupomogli]

The DS Lite is a piece of shit. Extremely poorly made.

Phat DS ftw. Contra, Mega Man, Castlevania. Far better to control on the Phat DS than the Lite. I even had problems playing Dragon Quest Monsters Joker because when switching directions from diagonal it would like to keep the same direction until you let go and then repressed another direction. Not a big problem because DQMJ is an RPG, but still an annoyance. I can guarantee that would suck for when playing fighting games on the system(remembers never to try Jump Ultimate Stars on the DS Lite.)

Oh, and here. http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132106&page=2 Not an official DSi large model topic, but it's been posted about on the bottom of page one.

[maxlords]

Man that would piss me off after having JUST bought a DSi for the larger screen....

[kupomogli]

Man that would piss me off after having JUST bought a DSi for the larger screen....

Did you open it yet? Can you take it back? Are the DSi buttons like the Phat DS buttons or closer to those of the DS Lite?

[GarrettCRW]

The DS Lite is a piece of shit. Extremely poorly made.

*cough*PSP Go*cough*

[Icarus Moonsight]

Brand without shitty hardware may cast the first troll? :hmm:

[BetaWolf47]

I think newer DS Lites fixed the dpad. I got one last year and it's fine. Anyways, I just read this on IGN and am still kind of upset that I got a DS Lite and didn't just wait longer. I'd love to have a system with bigger screens and styli, but I'm not going to bother when I just got a new one last year.

[Sonicwolf]

The DS Lite is a piece of shit. Extremely poorly made..


*cough*PSP Go*cough*

I smell something burning...

COULD IT SOON BE A FLAME WAR?

[kupomogli]

*cough*PSP Go*cough*

I'm not going to deny that. Out of quite a few people here I didn't buy one did I? From everything I've heard though, the PSP Go has good controls though, it doesn't have a flimsy control pad like the DS Lite. I think all the reviews stated that the PSP Go actually feels like a premium system.

[Raedon]

after spending time with the PSP, I want bigger screens!

[heybtbm]

My favorite comment regarding this new "XL" version of the DSi was on Kotaku. Someone mapped out the DS resolution (256 x 192 pixels) by the new screen size (4.2 inch screen vs. 3.25 inches). They said most games will look like "you're looking through a screen door". Essentially the games that are designed to hide their imperfections through a small screen will look terrible when blown up to fit the bigger screen.

[swlovinist]

Honestly think this is a bad move for the portable. I would have rather seen a "DS Slim" that was thinner than the DS lite and would sell for $100 to $120. This new DS is going to cost $200+ and that is too much for a portable. I am fine with my DS lite and looks like I will be sticking with it for quite some time.

[kedawa]

This isn't a bad move at all. It's just another option to choose from. The DS is a popular enough product that there really should be several models to choose from. I just wish they offered a DS micro, since even the DS lite is too big to fit comfortably in most pockets.

[b0ub0u]

I like this product!

I was holding off on buying a DSi because the screen increase was not that noticable, but I know in the long run I would have bought one because I know that on top of having a bigger screen it was also better back-lit.

So now when I heard the news of that new one with 4inch screens, I went "NICE".

This is a must buy for me. I do not care if the game will look a little more uglier because it still retain the same resolution. I do not play DS games for the graphics.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

While this is a very eyebrow-raising move on Nintendo's part (They typically avoid multiple hardware iterations within this short a span of time) I don't see a major problem with higher end portable options ... it's like any other high-end system SKU. If people don't want to buy it they won't buy it and if it proves to be too costly Nintendo can always discontinue it and carry on with the standard DSi.

I wonder if Nintendo have a new iteration of anti-flash card hardware in the XL.

I don't think they'd roll out a whole new DS just to defer use of R4 type cards, but I'm sure with the opportunity to try to lock-down the piracy situation they'll do something interesting/noteworthy, especially since the hackers seem to be staying one step ahead with the DSi. (There were compatible cards on the market before the unit even launched in the US.)

[BetaWolf47]

I really actually hope it fails, so I can snag one for cheap down the road. I still regret not getting a GB micro when they were $39.99 new. $200 really is too much for a handheld with DS's limitations. The original launched at $149.99. We should be able to get systems for about half of what DSi XL costs now.

[WanganRunner]

I think this is a great idea.

I carry my DS (Phat) in a backpack, so the extra size is fine. I can't wait to play DQIX on this thing. It will make my text-heavy games more bearable on a portable.

[jcalder8]

I really like the sound of this.

I've got big hands and I'd love it if the DS was larger.

[Ed Oscuro]

*cough*PSP Go*cough*
Kupo's still correct. It is still a badly-made thing.

As for the "will Nintendo kill more flash cards?!" - absolutely. They won't be able to kill all piracy, but as always the goal is to make it just expensive and annoying enough (by continually moving the bar upwards and obsoleting old products) that somebody who might have gone to piracy will decide against it, or quit after feeling that they are throwing money down a hole buying new flash cards every other generation (that can't be many people, mainly it seems this would hit people who sell such products).

Also, the title of this thing makes me think of the Canon XSi and XTi DSLRs. Every time...

[Jorpho]

The spambots are getting downright insidious these days.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Slap Chop > R4

You're gonna love my ROMs and nutz. :p

[Poofta!]

The DS Lite is a piece of shit. Extremely poorly made.

Phat DS ftw. Contra, Mega Man, Castlevania. Far better to control on the Phat DS than the Lite. I even had problems playing Dragon Quest Monsters Joker because when switching directions from diagonal it would like to keep the same direction until you let go and then repressed another direction. Not a big problem because DQMJ is an RPG, but still an annoyance. I can guarantee that would suck for when playing fighting games on the system(remembers never to try Jump Ultimate Stars on the DS Lite.)

Oh, and here. http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132106&page=2 Not an official DSi large model topic, but it's been posted about on the bottom of page one.

omg please stop talking/ posting


Just saw this on Yahoo, anyone else hear anything about this? Sounds interesting and just like something Nintendo would do to break the status quo.
http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/nintendo-goes-large-with-revamped-ds/1368589

I didn't buy a DSi yet, so I am totally down for this. I will wait for reviews of course, but definitely "want!"

[kedawa]

Kupo's still correct. It is still a badly-made thing.

As for the "will Nintendo kill more flash cards?!" - absolutely. They won't be able to kill all piracy, but as always the goal is to make it just expensive and annoying enough (by continually moving the bar upwards and obsoleting old products) that somebody who might have gone to piracy will decide against it, or quit after feeling that they are throwing money down a hole buying new flash cards every other generation (that can't be many people, mainly it seems this would hit people who sell such products).

Also, the title of this thing makes me think of the Canon XSi and XTi DSLRs. Every time...
That's pretty much the opposite of how it plays out. Most of the cards are cheap enough to replace that people keep upgrading/ They don't have to replace the actual flash RAM, so the cost to upgrade is between $10 and $25 depending on which card you prefer. That's a lot less than any new DS game. The manufacturers of the card get plenty of repeat customers, and are laughing all the way to the bank. Many flash carts have firmware that can be upgraded to beat the new detection schemes, too, but even those cards make a good profit as they are generally more expensive.

[skaar]

Yeah this thing isn't going to kill piracy. Only Sony succeeds at that these days. Mainly by completely fucking your ability to INSERT A DISK INTO THE SYSTEM.

I think this thing will be neat and I look forward to checking it out. The big screens make me a little nervous about battery life though... but with the bigger size maybe larger capacity batteries will be involved?

[Emuaust]

Yeah this thing isn't going to kill piracy. Only Sony succeeds at that these days. Mainly by completely fucking your ability to INSERT A DISK INTO THE SYSTEM.

I think this thing will be neat and I look forward to checking it out. The big screens make me a little nervous about battery life though... but with the bigger size maybe larger capacity batteries will be involved?

Im able to get discs in and out of my PS3 with no problems ;)

[BetaWolf47]

Kupo's still correct. It is still a badly-made thing.

True, DS Lite is by far Nintendo's crappiest built system since NES. I really can't believe how apologetic people are about the POS.

[MarioMania]

Is the web browser better on this then the DSi one??

[RPG_Fanatic]

I'll be getting one :rocker:

[chicnstu]

This article here:

http://www.i4u.com/article28394.html

Are they talking about the DSi XL, because they keep saying "the next DSi". If so, why would Nintendo have the DSi XL be so powerful compared to the DS/DSi, possibly having DSi XL only games. Also, couldn't the Tegra 2 solve the resolution problems people were complaining about? Or do they really mean Nintendo's next handheld? That's what I would prefer.

[ApolloBoy]

True, DS Lite is by far Nintendo's crappiest built system since NES. I really can't believe how apologetic people are about the POS.

Really? I've had my DS Lite for over two years and it's held up really well.

[Zthun]

This reminds me of a quote from ISpy from Owen Wilson:

"You want people to say, 'Look how small and sexy and sleek this is.' Not, 'How huge this is! Look what he pulled out of his pants. It's huge!'"

[Jorpho]

Are they talking about the DSi XL, because they keep saying "the next DSi".No, they are not. It's a terrible choice of phrase.

[BetaWolf47]

Really? I've had my DS Lite for over two years and it's held up really well.

It's had quite a few problems since its release. Reports of broken hinges and malfunctioning shoulder buttons have been popping up all over. Poor build quality has, bar NES, never been an issue.

[ApolloBoy]

It's had quite a few problems since its release. Reports of broken hinges and malfunctioning shoulder buttons have been popping up all over.

I've heard of those before but they don't seem to be as widespread as the 360's RROD or even the NES's cart problems. My sister and mom also have DS Lites and they've also been trouble-free.

[WanganRunner]

Yeah this thing isn't going to kill piracy. Only Sony succeeds at that these days. Mainly by completely fucking your ability to INSERT A DISK INTO THE SYSTEM.


And even then, people are already playing homebrew on the PSP Go. You can still put a memory stick in it, and so you can still load custom firmware and pirate.

The lack of UMD wasn't about piracy. It was about Sony increasing their stranglehold on software distribution, about the elimination of the used games market, et cetera.

[8-bitNesMan]

One week until release, who's getting one? I guess a better question would be who's already got one and can tell the rest of us about it? :)

[Enigmus]

It's had quite a few problems since its release. Reports of broken hinges and malfunctioning shoulder buttons have been popping up all over. Poor build quality has, bar NES, never been an issue.


I'm in the broken L and R trigger club. The POS looks nice, but really? Breaking a year after I get it? I mean, my DS from 2005 has 1/3 of its hinge broken, but it runs and feels WAY better than this "hai guyz lets be liek Appul sleak" garbage! Seriously, the DS line has been beaten to death, can't they move on already?

[Jorpho]

Seriously, the DS line has been beaten to death, can't they move on already?There's craploads of money to be made still. So no.

[megasdkirby]

True, DS Lite is by far Nintendo's crappiest built system since NES. I really can't believe how apologetic people are about the POS.

I've had mine for around 4 years, many times with heavy gaming, and it still works great.


It's had quite a few problems since its release. Reports of broken hinges and malfunctioning shoulder buttons have been popping up all over. Poor build quality has, bar NES, never been an issue.

If this ever happened to mine, it's an easy fix I pressume.


Seriously, the DS line has been beaten to death, can't they move on already?

The DSi XL reminds me of all the versions released of Street Fighter 2. All that is missing is "Super DSi XL" and possible "Super DSi XXL Turbo"

I personally won't get one, sine my DS Lite is in perfect working order and I have no need to "upgrade".

[BHvrd]

http://fuzzybuzz.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/nintendo-ds-hyper.jpg

[Letiumtide]

I'll be getting a DSi XL. I couldn't play the original DS without accidentally shutting it off while pressing up sometimes, really that was the worst place to put the on/off button. On top of that I have very small hands (being a very small girl this is pretty par for the course, as such I cannot play an xbox with the duke).

I'm hoping that the DSi XL doesn't pose the same problems that I have with either the chunky or the duke. Since every other system I can play no problem.

Also chiming in to say I have never had a problem with my DSlite personally. But since working at EB I've known many people who have had problems, though almost all of them admitted to dropping it prior to damage, so... take that as you will.

[heybtbm]

My favorite comment regarding this new "XL" version of the DSi was on Kotaku. Someone mapped out the DS resolution (256 x 192 pixels) by the new screen size (4.2 inch screen vs. 3.25 inches). They said most games will look like "you're looking through a screen door". Essentially the games that are designed to hide their imperfections through a small screen will look terrible when blown up to fit the bigger screen.

Can anyone confirm if this is an issue with the final retail model? I understand that people who just dropped $200 on this thing will be a bit biased at first.

Is there anyone who can actually give an honest assessment if the blown-up screen looks like crap?

[Letiumtide]

Can anyone confirm if this is an issue with the final retail model? I understand that people who just dropped $200 on this thing will be a bit biased at first.

Is there anyone who can actually give an honest assessment if the blown-up screen looks like crap?

Oddly enough, Also on Kotaku, the one reviewer who OWNED the DSIXL, said that it made old games look spiffy again.

"the most refreshing about the new, bigger screens is how they breathe life into old titles. While the graphics are the same, old favorites like Mario Kart look wonderful (and not blown out) running on the XL's screens"

http://kotaku.com/5420191/nintendo-dsi-xl-review-super-size-me

[Princess-Isabela]

if DSX was playing GBA Games, I'd get it a snap.
for almost $200 I'm not that inclined to get it.
bigger screens are nice but I'll stick to DS Lite (don't care for DSI, online library is a joke).

[Letiumtide]

if DSX was playing GBA Games, I'd get it a snap.
for almost $200 I'm not that inclined to get it.
bigger screens are nice but I'll stick to DS Lite (don't care for DSI, online library is a joke).

The only reason why I'm willing to upgrade to the DSIxl is because I get all of my GBA gaming done on either my Xbox or my PSP. I haven't touched the GBA slot on my DSlite for well over a year now. Probably more...

[kupomogli]

Six months after this. DSi XS. It only weighs 2.8 ounces.

[geneshifter]

I'm waiting since I already have a DS and I am instead going to get an iPad for around the house web stuff.

[RPG_Fanatic]

I've had the DS LL from Japan since it came out and it's definitely worth it!! The bigger screens are awesome!!!!

[dbiersdorf]

Six months after this. DSi XS. It only weighs 2.8 ounces.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that the DS can't go smaller (at least in screen size) due to the touch screen.

[BetaWolf47]

You know, other than for the ridiculously small amount of games that can connect to DS games, I rarely ever use the GBA slot. I don't see why anyone would actually use it, considering how poorly mapped the controls are. Just have a GB micro or something like that to bring with you when you feel like playing GBA games.


Six months after this. DSi XS. It only weighs 2.8 ounces.
Oh well, at least it'll actually have a cart slot, which is more than can be said about other systems.

[Leo_A]

You know, other than for the ridiculously small amount of games that can connect to DS games, I rarely ever use the GBA slot. I don't see why anyone would actually use it, considering how poorly mapped the controls are. Just have a GB micro or something like that to bring with you when you feel like playing GBA games.

I agree. Mine doesn't get used for anything besides a rumble cartridge for DS games which also keeps the dust out of my DS and DS Lite.

I've raised that point here in the past about the controls, but we seem to be in the minority (Although I suspect most just have never spent much time using GBA software on their DS so they haven't discovered how awful it is for some games). Something like Super Mario World isn't even playable on a DS due to B & A being rigidly mapped to the buttons that correspond to those letters on the DS (Just try holding down B on the DS to run while using A to jump, our right thumb was never designed to do that in a comfortable manner and it just doesn't work well). The much more sensible arrange of B being mapped to Y and A being mapped to B would've been a vast improvement and a far more comfortable arrangement that allows our right thumb to easily access both buttons simultaneously, which is needed in many games.

Between the poor controls, the poor screens of the original DS, and carts sticking halfway out of the Lite, I don't see why anyone would want to play GBA games on the go on anything but a SP2 (Which used the same screen technology as the Micro and DS Lite).

[BetaWolf47]

I did manage to beat a few GBA games on DS systems, but they play infinitely better on actual hardware.

[Princess-Isabela]

I did manage to beat a few GBA games on DS systems, but they play infinitely better on actual hardware.

I suppose it's just convenient factor, play your GBA and DS on the same device, having GBA Games on the go, on bigger screen would be nice(even if a little pixelated).

[BetaWolf47]

having GBA Games on the go
You mean like when like on every GBA system?

[Rickstilwell1]

Yeah the GBA Compatibility on the DS and DS Lite is best for the RPGs and other non-action games. I stuck with the original DS this time as usual and don't plan to collect the updates until they are old and in the bargain bin. I still haven't gotten myself to collect a GBA Micro.

A DSi XL might look cool but I believe the next official Nintendo handheld will not be too far off with its possible GameCube level graphics. Maybe another year or two will bring in the next handheld generation.

[Leo_A]

You mean like when like on every GBA system?

It only sounds stupid when you take a small slice of her statement to quote.

She's right, I think many people put up with it because you get to kill two birds with 1 stone by only having to bring one device that plays both (And you get to have two games in it at the same time so you can bring multiple games and not worry about losing a small GBA or DS game).

[kupomogli]

Someone I know is getting the XL at launch so I'm going to mess around with it. I just want to make sure the buttons are as good as they were on the phat or atleast close. I really don't play GBA games on my DS even though one is currently inserted(I think BoF2 for the 50th time.)

Anyways. I only play GBA games on the PSP now. The PSP having 16:9 and the GBA being 3:2 which rounds up close to 16:9, the screen size is much larger than the GBA and only has small black bars on the left and right. If you stretch it it really doesn't look that bad, but I prefer non stretched but screen fit.

Also. Square as B and X as A is much better than using X/B as B or O/A as A which is forced on the DS hardware.

[Gameguy]

I prefer playing GBA games on the DS because they look better on the screen compared to the SP or original Advance. I still have an original model DS and it works fine for me.

In any case the screens on the XL are still too small. Why can't Nintendo just make them huge like someone else already did?
http://home.comcast.net/~olimar/DS/jumbotron/

[Princess-Isabela]

You mean like when like on every GBA system?

it's not very wise to take bits and pieces out of context to make your case.
I specifically mentioned this because someone could say "if you want gba games on bigger screen, you can use gb player for that",
haven't thought of that, did you? ^_~

[BetaWolf47]

It could, but that's a different case. Even DS, despite having larger screens, just adds a border around the GBA screen.

[Princess-Isabela]

It could, but that's a different case. Even DS, despite having larger screens, just adds a border around the GBA screen.

you could stretch original gameboy games on gba, ds screen wasn't much bigger comparatively to gba.
if dsi xl could play gba games, leaving zooming in option or stretching(whatever you prefer) would not be optimal.
it's speculation anyway, since they didn't include such ability.
we'll probably find out when they inevitably bring gba library to dsi online store.

[FoxNtd]

Can someone elaborate on the introduction of region locking? It was nice that (if I'm right) none of the Game Boy series had region lockout, but DS starting from DSi has it? I read DSiWare and possibly certain DSi-only games will be region locked... I absolutely despise region locks.:frustrated:

[Leo_A]

I prefer playing GBA games on the DS because they look better on the screen compared to the SP or original Advance. I still have an original model DS and it works fine for me.
http://home.comcast.net/~olimar/DS/jumbotron/

The screen on the Micro and the SP2 blow away the screens on the original DS.

Only downloadable games are region locked.

[chrissylas]

I'm getting one. The XL is sweet! I've got a DSi already but I figure I'll give that to my husband and upgrade myself to an XL :)

[Gameguy]

The screen on the Micro and the SP2 blow away the screens on the original DS.
I haven't tried those systems, I have an original Advance and an SP. The SP looks a bit blurry and washed out, almost like a Game Gear screen. I guess I could try to find a Micro and an SP2, but I don't really need them since I already have my DS and it works fine for me.

[Leo_A]

You'll be very pleased if you ever do, it's a nice leap forwards.

I was also quite satisfied with my original DS (First Nintendo handheld with a screen I deemed decent enough to purchase, previously I only played their games with a SGB and later a GBP).

Then I purchased a SP2 when it was released after being pleased with my DS, and was blown away by how superior the screen was and it enticed me to get a Lite so I could enjoy my DS games with such a nice screen too.

[Flippy8490]

I want one pretty badly. One of the biggest reasons I don't play my DS that much is that I hate playing on tiny screens. This will give me a reason to play all of my DS games all the way through! yay!

...the only thing I wish they had was the GBA slot for EPIC GBA on 4" screens. That would be boss. But obviously, the GB brand has been 6 feet under for a while now.

[deltoidsteep]

Hoping for a GBA micro scenario where i can pick up the XL up for cheap when the 3DS comes out.

[skaar]

Anyways. I only play GBA games on the PSP now. The PSP having 16:9 and the GBA being 3:2 which rounds up close to 16:9, the screen size is much larger than the GBA and only has small black bars on the left and right. If you stretch it it really doesn't look that bad, but I prefer non stretched but screen fit.

Also. Square as B and X as A is much better than using X/B as B or O/A as A which is forced on the DS hardware.

So... you pirate all your GBA games, then.

BAD FORM.

[skaar]

...the only thing I wish they had was the GBA slot for EPIC GBA on 4" screens. That would be boss. But obviously, the GB brand has been 6 feet under for a while now.

THIS IS EPIC GBA.

http://www.upsf.net/images/sadness.jpg

I did this in 2006 - a GBA Player on a Gamecube through component cables to a 60" SXRD - GBA is widescreen, right? ;)

[slip81]

now that's one big center channel

[Mimi Nakamura]

The DSi XL was designed for old people who had problems with eyesight, but it appears to have become popular with people with fat hands too.

[rpepper9]

The DSi XL was designed for old people who had problems with eyesight, but it appears to have become popular with people with fat hands too.

It's perfect for me, I am fat and old!

[Mimi Nakamura]

It's perfect for me, I am fat and old!

Nintendo should give you one for free! It's almost as if Nintendo consulted you before designing the DSi XL LOL