DSi XL FAQ: Sized up

by JC Fletcher on Oct 30th 2009 9:22AM

Early yesterday, Nintendo of Japan announced the DSi XL (DSi LL in Japan), a larger, larger-screened version of the DSi. It's a big system, and kind of a big mystery, given that the only advance notice we had of the thing was a Nikkei blurb two days prior. While we can't answer the big questions, like how long this idea has been in the works, and whether a bigger handheld is a good idea as an alternative to the DS's continual miniaturization, we can round up what we know and can reasonably speculate about the DSi XL -- right after the jump.

DSi XL

Basics
The Nintendo DSi LL will be released in Japan on November 21 at a price of ¥20,000 ($218.50). It will be released in Europe and North America in Q1 2010. It is functionally identical to the current DSi, but features a larger body and larger screens.

Size
The DSi XL measures 161 x 91.4 x 21.2 mm (6.34 x 3.6 x 0.83"), 1.61x the total volume of the DSi, and 1.48x the volume of the DS Lite. It weighs 314 grams, compared to the DSi's 214 and the DS Lite's 218.

Screens
The screens are 4.2 inches diagonal. For comparison, the DSi's screens measure 3.25 inches, and the DS Lite's screens are 3 inches. Though there hasn't been a specific announcement about it, there is no reason to believe the screens will have a different resolution from the current DSi.

Colors
The Japanese version will launch in three colors: Wine Red, Dark Brown, and Natural White. No announcements have been made regarding color for any other region.

Included software
Preloaded on the internal memory: the DSi Browser, Flipnote Studio, Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters, Brain Age Express: Math, and Meikyou Kokugo Rakubiki Jiten, a dictionary program.

Accessories
The DSi XL, like every other DS, includes a stylus that fits into the unit. The DSi XL stylus is 96mm long, just 4mm longer than the stylus on the DSi. The XL also includes a 129.3mm-long pen-shaped stylus, which does not fit inside the console. In addition, for the first time in the DS line, two DS models will share a common AC adapter. The DSi XL will use the same AC adapter as the DSi.

Battery
Despite the increased size of the displays, the battery in the DSi XL supposedly outlasts that in the DSi. Nintendo claims 13-17 hours of runtime on the lowest brightest setting, compared to 9-14 on the DSi. On the highest brightness, the DSi XL supposedly lasts 4-5 hours, one hour longer than the range for the DSi.

Compatibility
As a DSi, the XL will be able to play DS cartridges, including those designed only for DSi and those enhanced for DSi. It will also be capable of downloading and playing DSiWare. Like the current DSi, there is no slot for Game Boy Advance cartridges.

Transfer of existing DSiWare
Don't expect to transfer DSiWare purchases to the new system if you plan to upgrade. There is no end-user mechanism for transferring content from one DSi to another, and, at least in Australia, the process involves sending both a new DSi and your (broken) one in to have the company do it.

Tags: accessories, battery, colors, comparison, compatibility, DS, dsi-ll, dsi-xl, faq, guide, Nintendo, nintendo-dsi, screens, size, software, specs

Reader Comments (70)

I wonder if they're going to bring back the GBA slot. Or at least make an accessory slot for GBA slot accessories.

Considering the demographic this is aimed at, highly doubtful.

Whoops haha. I didn't read your post until after I put mine.

GIVE IT UP MAN. GBA has been dead for YEARS. About 5 years to be exact. I have GBA games but they collect dust. I doubt you play GBA games on a regular basis. GBA port is gone forever, because GBA is a DEAD.

If you want to play GBA games than BUY A GBA SP !

Adv2k1 - this. Nobody would care about it if the DS didn't have a GBA slot in the first place.

I wonder if you read the story. Actually no, I know now that you didn't.

I wanted the new DS to be backwards compatible with all GB games. Stop cutting things out.

If they made the DSi XL so big, wasn't there enough space to throw back in the GBA slot? Seems like a missed opportunity (even though I realize backwards compatibility isn't such a big deal anymore).

There's probably enough room to put in an updated graphics chip and call it a DS2, but I digress...

This is just a simple case and screen swap. I bet you, besides the battery, all components are identical to that found in the DSi. Any more work on what's included would have cost more in R&D, and would have in turn gotten less profit for Nintendo.

I am curious to see how well this sells there. Considering I usually play my handhelds at home (well, not my iPhone..) and the handhelds are usually "too nice and pretty" to put in my pocket, a larger one wouldn't be a huge negative for me as portability is kinda moot. I use them more for playing while the TV is in use by me or my wife.

until Dragon Quest last month, at least 50% of the people I saw playing DSes on tokyo trains were playing GBA games.

In fact, it seemed to be mostly middle aged people playing GBA games, so i guess they're the ones that grew up with them. I guess this is aimed at people even older than that.

Not being able to re-download DSiware purchases is a huge negative. I understand for piracy, it would be bad to let you download it easily to another DS.. but you should be able to unregister your old DSi and THEN be allowed to download your games to the new one. I'm pretty sure Live and PSN (and for that matter, itunes) has this same way of working. It should be tied to your account, not your system per say.

Exactly. And we all know that the anti-piracy measures in the DS/DSi are as secure as a wet paper bag. So the pirates are going to be able to move all their software to a new DS should they buy one, so we again have an example of where legit customers get screwed and the pirates get more functionality... which only promotes more piracy.

Yep, it's a problem with all three handhelds. The DS now has this, the PSP has 80 hardware revisions to try to combat piracy (each claiming it's gone, but ultimately failing), and the iPhone/Touch that now has in game purchases for most of the upcoming software as paying for the full app from the start makes it too easy for Jailbroken devices to download them for free.

It just annoys me, because I never have so much as even put homebrew on my consoles and I have to jump hoops because of these people (who's numbers ironically infinitely smaller than the population of people using the devices legitimately)

Syncing them to some sort of iTunes like software would be a huge plus.

*side note: love the Saturn avatar - brings back so many good memories - ROLLING START!*

Unfortunately, Nintendo is really backwards about Internets. It isn't a surprise that you can't transfer DSiWare, but it isn't a shock, either.

I mean, you link your Wii and DSi to your Club Nintendo account, so why not have the games tied to that, not the system itself? Then you can authorize and de-authorize the system(s) with the account.

But, that'd be going with the grain... and Nintendo always likes to go against. Ouch!

I'm looking forward to this as I

Sorry, the last post happened as I was registering. What I was saying is that I'm looking forward to this since I still only have a DS phat. And I don't mind it being bigger. Never have the DS in my pocket anyway. If I bring I put it in my bag. The bigger screens look excellent. Love it. This opens up the possibillity for ebooks and digital comics for on the DS. The older models have way to small screen for something like that.

I also have a phat and would consider the XL as an upgrade. Same size but nicer screen.

I just got Kingdom Hearts and Fire Emblem and was planning to upgrade from my Phat to a DSi when I read the news about the XL. Some are saying the games will look worse on the XL but I'll wait and see for myself. I'm kind of pissed that I'm gonna have to use my Phat to play these games since I was really looking forward to using the DSi but I would've been more pissed if the XL got announced the day after I got a DSi, which almost happened.

Man, I wish the DSi XL would support digital comics. That would be pretty cool, actually. DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, etc.: Make it happen.

Surely this is bad for Nintendo? I mean i still have my original DS now they have all these better versions, next handheld they make im not buying straight away, whats the point when they will just put a new improved version later.

If you even had heard of Nintendo before buying the DS, you'd have known it wouldn't be the last version of it from their past behaviors. Now, I agree that 4 is too much and it's getting annoying, but when I bought my DS Phat I was perfectly in the clear that it wouldn't be the last made, and it would in fact be sold in a fairly short amount of time. The Lite was right for me. I'm still not 100% sure on having to upgrade to a DSi.

I still have my old glacier-pink, widescreen, non-back-lit GBA as my only GBA, and still boast my November 2004 Phat and haven't regretted anything yet

My only beef with the DSi is that i am missing out on some new software, though i haven't seen anything especially compelling quite yet.

Well, I for sure know I won't be buying the first iteration of the DS2. That would practically be a throw-away purchase.

Likewise, which is why I still have yet to upgrade to the DSi. In my personal opinion, I have more fun with my GBA port than I would with DSi software atm. However, that one ghost game that's coming out peaked my interest.

i just don't understand why people continue to purchase the DS. first they make it smaller. then they add a camera. now they're making it bigger? I have at least 4000 devices that have a camera. Why make it smaller if the plan was to make it bigger? I'd be pissed if I bought anything other than the ds phat, which is still puttering around after 4 years.

They're supposed to be aimed at different markets. Nintendo says they're aiming this bigger model at older adults. Sort of like those basic calculators you see with the giant easy-to-read displays. Of course, I'd imagine a lot of other people are going to be interested as well.

"i just don't understand why people continue to purchase the DS."

I actually find it hilarious. I'm also willing to bet some of the same people that were first in line to throw away their bulky original DSes for the small, sleek DS Lite are now going to pick up the XL.

At the end of the day, it's a non-mandatory hardware refresh. No harm no foul.

I'll jump on this next summer assuming they drop the price $50 AND they have a blue one....if not I'll just get a DSLite

They SUPER-SIZED my DS!!

They TOOK your JOB!

Dey tuk er jerrbs!

My wife bought me a Crimson DS Lite back in February. I'm diggin' it more than the black DS Lite I used to have.

I love the idea of having bigger screens. My DS Phat gets shittons of use *waves to Advance Wars.* Like a lot of people though, I find the GBA slot roughly 73 billion times more useful than a camera.

Does anyone else think this is a terrible name? I mean, at this point it's just five letters stuck together, or at least that's how it will appear to the average shopper.

"The Duseexle?" they'll say.

What I want to know are the dimensions and weight of this DS XL compared to the original DS (the "DS Phat"). So, I just looked it up myself. For those who are interested, according to Wikipedia:

DS Phat: 148.7 mm × 84.7 mm × 28.9 mm (5.85 in x 3.33 in x 1.13 in), 3 inch screen, 300 grams

So, the DS XL is longer and wider than the DS Phat, but not as thick, and only a little bit heavier. And of course the screens are much larger.

And now you know!

I was also wondering about that. Thanks for sharing the info.

It would be nice to have a GBA slot, but Nintendo's looking ahead instead of behind. Sacrifices, sacrifices...

while I won't be upgrading, I think they were right not to shrink again, I think they saw the laffs the psp go was getting, and looked at the response from the GBA micro and realized that shrinking isn't always a good thing.

"Don't expect to transfer DSiWare purchases to the new system if you plan to upgrade."

This model ISN´T a Upgrade. Its an Alternative!

Which makes it even WORSE that you can't transfer your games like every other console/handheld on the market...

I like how they completely sidestepped the question of screen resolution, implying that it'll be the same. Man I love seeing individual pixels.

When I finally got a DSi for Layton and Scribblenauts, I was a little appalled at first how bad the graphics were (compared to my PSP), though it's not the biggest deal. Still, you could joke that they made this thing with leftover GameBoy Color screens the pixels are going to be so big, further reinforcing the idea that this is meant for people with bad eyesight, since they won't notice such problems.

I am going to keep my DSi!

it's about time... the DS lite and DSi were too small for me.... :(

Honestly, I think this is a great addition to the DS family.

I for one have held onto my fat since launch and been happy with it, skipped the DSLite -- as to me it was just a DS w/ slightly brighter screen and mostly aesthetic revision -- and got a JPN DSi off of eBay shortly after it's launch. I'm definitely getting a US dark brown or natural white DSi XL when it launches.

I think the reason most people bought a DSlite was b/c of the awesome library that was becoming un-ignorable when it came out and the sexy look. Many of these same folks hated on the DSi and now DSi XL, but truth be told, these are MUCH more significant upgrades over the DS.

Where as the DSlite was only brighter and aesethically different from the DS, the DSi was not only brigther and aesthetically improved, but it had much better buttons, louder sound, the ability to playback AAC files (and play w/ said files) hold up to 32gig SDHC cards, take photos (and play w/ said photos), hot-swap games, surf the Web, download games, and play exclusive games that take advantage of the beefed up hardware specs and/or cameras.

We all know the lack of GBA slot was for the DSi a -- imo ridiculous -- death knell for some peeps on a blog like this, but for probably 90% of the public it probably mattered little. We've seen DSi sales soar worldwide despite people saying it was doomed. This thing isn't meant to replace anything, but to supplement it.

The awesome thing about the XL imo is that it not only has much bigger screens and undoubtedly fits in bigger hands better, but it's also got the lower battery life, all the DSi features, 3 free DSiware titles pre-installed AND IT'S THE SAME PRICE!

Some people are wishing they would've revised the hardware specs or changed the resolution or made it 16:9, but imo THAT would've been the mistake. Hardware-wise this is the same, which does not divide the market and is a smart move. It's just another option for older folks, or folks who don't need to stuff it in their pocket constantly, or folks who want to play but found themselves squinting or cramping their hands. I think that CHOICE is a sign of a healthy and diverse handheld (and audience), in this case.

And for those who act like this is some new conspiracy of Nintendo's to constantly upgrade their products and FORCE you to buy them, I'll I have to do is look at the following product lines. Some of these are revisions, and some of these -- as w/ the case of the DSi XL are products meant to co-exist w/ the main product line and create consumer choice:

gameboy-->gameboy pocket--->gameboylite-->gameboycolor-->
gameboyadvance-->gameboyadvancesp-->gameboyadvancesp(w/brighter screen)-->gbmicro
famicom / famicom disk system / famicom a/v or nes / nes top-loader
super famicom / super famicom slim / snes / snes 2
gamecube / gamecube/gbaplayer bundle / Panasonic Q

Bandai's wonderswan / wonderswan color / wonderswan crystal

SEGA's mega drive/genesis / MD/Genesis CD / sega 32X / JVC 'Eye CD / MD/genesis 2 / sega mega LD / Nomad / etc. etc.

NEC/Hudson's PC-Engine, PC-Engine Core, PC-Engine Core 2, PC-Engine SuperGrafx, PC-Engine LT/GT, PC-Engine shuttle, PC-Engine CD, PC-Engine DUO, PC-Engine DUO-R, PC-Engine Duo RX, Turbo Duo, etc. etc. (and US turbo-grafx 16, turbo-express portable, turbo-grafx CD, Turbo DUO, etc.)

and I don't even have to explain all the revisions of Sony's PSP and PS3 or Microsoft's 360 for you to get the point. THIS IS NOT A NEW TREND, people! ...and in the case of adding a product to co-exist w/ the family as oppossed to killing it off -- as is the case w/ the DSi XL -- it's a healthy move.

Thanks, and end rant.

That's a huge bitch!

But really, the DS and DSi were too small for most people to play for more an hour or two. I mean hell, my hands cramped up after an hour of play and I have little bitch hands. And, the chocolate colored one is pretty sweet.

I thought a major point of making the original DSi was to have a smaller DS...

Oh yes, it will be mine.

It struck me how the color selection was really in keeping with the "more mature" demo for the XL. Very tasteful.

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DSi XL FAQ: Sized up

DSi XL

Reader Comments (70)

Posted: Oct 30th 2009 9:25AM Gibbeynator said

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