Nintendo reveals extra large DSi @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on October 29, 2009

News: After slimming down with the Lite and DSi, the DS is getting huge this November.

Less than a year after the introduction of the DSi, Nintendo has revealed the next revision of the popular portable. Dubbed the DSi LL, the system will be identical to the current DSi except for one very obvious difference... it's huge!

As you can see in the above image, the DSi LL's screen will dwarf that of the current DSi. Weighing in at 4.2 inches, the systems's screen is 30% larger than the DSi's 3.25 inch screen. The handheld will be available in Japan on November 21 for the supersized price of е20,000 (about $221). This is a premium price of about е200 over the current DSi.

According to Kotaku, the system will be available in three colors: Dark Brown, Wine Red (pictured above) and Natural White. It will also come bundled with three DSiWare games: "Brain Training: Humanities", "Brain Training: Sciences" and DS Easy Dictionary.

Meanwhile, 1UP discussed the system's super size and revealed that it has packed on a little weight as well. The portable will tip the scales at 314 grams, about 100 grams more than the DSi. And it appears that much of this weight comes from the system's larger battery, which will power the system for 13 to 17 hours. This is a massive upgrade over the current DSi's battery life of nine to 14 hours.

While unsaid, the DSi LL's larger size will likely be welcomed with open arms in America. The DS Lite and the DSi, while slick little devices, are incredibly awkward to hold by those of us with big, meaty paws. It's the main reason why I had no plans to ever get rid of my original DS (affectionately called the DS Phat) before now.

But predictably, Nintendo of Japan only talked about the system's Japanese release, Nintendo Europe has confirmed with VG247 that the DSi LL will be available in Europe in early 2010. In Europe, it will be known as the DSi XL (makes sense) and will also be priced higher than the current DSi (bummer):

УNintendo today confirms that a new Nintendo DSi XL console is launching in Europe in the first quarter of 2010. The retail price of the Nintendo DSi XL is expected to be higher than that of the Nintendo DSi. Further details will be released soon.Ф

We'll have more on the DSi LL/DSi XL very soon. With confirmation that the system is coming to Japan and Europe, an American announcement will probably happen this week.