DSi XL hits US & EU Q1 2010, DS sales top 113 million

[UPDATE] Fourth DS hardware revision will sport 4.2-inch screens and larger stylus, cost ¥20,000 ($220.50) in Japan; 11.7 million units of DS hardware sold in last six months.

Two days after it dismissed a Nikkei newswire article as speculative, Nintendo has confirmed that a new version of its DSi handheld, the DSi LL, will go on sale in Japan this year. [UPDATE] European and US reps for Nintendo have now confirmed it will also debut in Q1 2010 in North America and Europe, where it will be called the DSi XL.

As had been reported, the new DSi will sport two screens measuring 4.2 inches in diagonal diameter, far larger than the current DSi's 3.25-inch screens or the DS Lite's 3-inch screens. The DSi LL's screens almost as large as the single screen of the Sony PSP-3000, which measures in at 4.3 inches. Battery life will run 4 to 5 hours on maximum brightness and 13 to 17 hours on lowest brightness, on par with the DS Lite. (A translation error initially indicated the battery life would only be 3 hours, which is the unit's charging time.)

As shown on Nintendo Japan's official Web site, the handheld will also sport both a regular stylus and an easier-to-hold stylus shaped like a rounded pen. The handheld will go on sale in Japan on November 21 for a cost of ¥20,000 ($220.50) and will be available in three colors: wine red (pictured), dark brown, and natural white.

The handheld is the fourth version of DS hardware in as many years, following the original DS (2004-2005), the DS Lite (2006), and the DSi (2008-2009). As part of an earnings report today, Nintendo announced that as of September 30, it had sold 113.48 million units of DS hardware, with 11.7 million units sold in the six months from April to September. The portable remains the best-selling platform in the US, selling 524,200 units during the NPD Group's September 2009 reporting period.

The DSi's introduction will raise some issues with the US' 2.2 million DSi owners who have bought games from the DSi store. According to reports, DSiWare games are not transferable to another handheld, meaning they would have to be repurchased on any new DSi. The larger screens, however, will have greater appeal to demographics with poor eyesight, such as the elderly.

[UPDATE] When contacted by GameSpot UK, Nintendo issued this statement regarding the new handheld's European launch: "Nintendo 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."

[UPDATE 2] Nintendo of America reps have now confirmed it will also be released in the US and Canada in Q1 2010, but had no further information other than the following statement:

"A new iteration of the Nintendo DSi system will be introduced in Japan on November 21, 2009. To be known as Nintendo DSi LL in Japan, and as Nintendo DSi XL in North America and Europe, it will offer a screen 93% larger than the current Nintendo DS Lite with a better view angle, an additional longer touch screen stylus, and pre-installed Nintendo DSiWare software. The new version will arrive in North America and Europe in the first quarter of calendar year 2010."

DSi XL TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

4.2" screen, TFT color liquid crystal (260,000 colors)
Width 161.0mm
Length 91.4mm
Thickness 21.2mm
Stylus length: 96.0mm
Large stylus length: 129.3mm
Weight: 314g
Battery life: 4-5 hours maximum brightness, 13-17 hours minimum brightness
Charging time: 3 hours (when fully depleted)
--DS card slot
--SD memory card slot
--AC adapter
--Stereo headphone/Microphone connected terminal

569 Comments

  • rachkovsky

    Posted Dec 10, 2009 2:47 pm PT

    Nintendo should have a price drop on their Wii and make it available in black.

  • 1357900

    Posted Dec 4, 2009 6:25 pm PT

    Also, if NoA is smart, they'll thoroughly consider which part of Q1 of 2010 to release this. For instance, releasing this in Jan will probably tick off those who just got a DSi, or Lite for Christmas. On the other hand, anyone who got money for Christmas may use it on the new DSi. stuff to think about...

  • 1357900

    Posted Dec 4, 2009 6:17 pm PT

    Cool, but I have this bad feeling every time N comes out w/ a new design for their hardware, that right around the corner, perhaps a year-year, & 1/2 from said time(in this case, now), a new handheld will be announced, or out completely, & N will abandon w/e I system I just purchased.

    But I'm tempted to get this, as there's some apps for DSi that I want to d/l. & my original DS has severely damaged shoulder(R/L) buttons.

  • Nighthawkjf

    Posted Dec 4, 2009 4:14 pm PT

    How bout you f@gs that keep buying nintendos remake sh|t stop. they only make a few alterations anyway, the reson they do it is because they know there are thousands of idiots willing to buy the system over and over.

  • DS_ROCKER

    Posted Dec 2, 2009 8:18 am PT

    However, I just won a bet with my friend. He said that the next "DSi" (or, this one) will have more than one Game Card slot, so you can have at least 2 games in there at once (like having Metroid Prime Hunters AND Mario Kart DS in at the same time, etc.), but he was wrong! XD lol

  • DS_ROCKER

    Posted Dec 2, 2009 8:15 am PT

    Darn. Now I have to buy $30 to $50 bucks worth of download apps and games! Good thing it comes packaged with a Dictionary and 2 or 3 Brain Age Download games... it's worth it

  • afroxroxas

    Posted Nov 26, 2009 4:55 pm PT

    lame

  • J-man45

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 8:35 pm PT

    It prints money! XD

  • Manaphydude

    Posted Nov 15, 2009 3:19 pm PT

    @beaner_bimmer: explain games like this
    http://www.gamestop.com/browse/search.aspx?N=4294967233+53&Ntk=TitleKeyword&Ntt=&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial

    and this:

    http://www.gamestop.com/browse/search.aspx?N=4294967233+52&Ntk=TitleKeyword&Ntt=&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial

  • Never3ndingLife

    Posted Nov 15, 2009 2:36 pm PT

    really? wow i feel like the DSi just came out today.. and now there is a new one.. feels poointless to even think about getting one because then they will just bring out a new and better one

  • Manaphydude

    Posted Nov 14, 2009 1:41 am PT

    @Gmaster01, DevilBorg, PSgeek, and sniperdude87112: Did you not read my comments? The XL's marketed towards people with bad eyesight (like myself) and those with big hands (also kinda like myself)

  • Gmaster01

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 5:44 pm PT

    ohh nintendo what are you doing you just releast the dsi a year ago!!!!

  • UltimaXIV

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 5:22 pm PT

    LoL, when this thing gets released and positive reviews, everyone (almost) will be eating their words. Only a matter of times. (Doesn't that always happen?)

  • DevilBorg

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 4:57 pm PT

    *sighs, shakes head, and continues to use DS Lite*

  • slysamm

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 11:58 am PT

    Another dsi nintendo? Oh boy!JK please nintendo I like the ds system and all, but stop with all these minor upgrades of the same thing. Maybe do something new with the dual screens? Also all the graphics (If any) for the DS aren't that crisp/console-like to begin with, i don't see how this helps to much. And finally I'm not to sure that this system will fit in my pocket like my DSI will so sorry I'm going to pass.

  • -Nintendude-

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 5:05 am PT

    Aand another one? Hahah, kinda funny if you ask me. I've imported the Chinese Special Edition model of DSL so I didn't get DSi at all, way too similiar device imo. Before I'd really want to get a new one I would want it to have some more colour than these regular plain one-coloured models. Anyways this XL model is quite tempting, it would size up the pixels and polygons would no doubt look quite much worse on this size of a screen but I've never been that much after graphics anyway.

  • red-ray

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 11:24 pm PT

    bigger screen means better but I still prefer lite.

  • darth_lorenzo

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 5:59 pm PT

    Am I the only one who likes the bigger screens?

  • PSgeek

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 5:00 pm PT

    kinda stupid of nintendo if you ask me.
    I guess they're worried the PSP go will take their share of the handheld gaming sales pie

  • VXLbeast

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 4:39 pm PT

    @Manaphydude:

    @gaming_otaku:

    Couldn't agree more.

  • VXLbeast

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 4:36 pm PT

    FIrst gen, chunky DS is fine for me. This is slightly tempting (bigger screens is cool), but in the end it just isn't worth the money.

  • fmacraze

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 4:05 pm PT

    wow.. really?

  • sniperdude87112

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 2:53 pm PT

    whats next a DS with a microwave? I mean seriously does a handheld have to be that big? Or what a DS with 15 inch screens? I mean the DSi's already good enough but the DSi XL damn nintendos going to far. I for one think that sony's a better company than nintendo (this is to me it doesn't have to be so to anybody else) i mean the PSP (in my opinion) has better graphics and games than the DS and it's more reasonably priced...

  • jello_flouride

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 2:45 pm PT

    I'm still happy with my first generation DS. And that thing is big enough.

  • de_graph

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 10:52 am PT

    this is seriously getting just as bad as iPods. Before consumers even get a chance to enjoy their new product, a new one comes out. The only upgrade i ever saw for the DS that was worth it, was from the first gen to the DS lite...

  • _Elric_

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 9:36 am PT

    If something is this physically large and it can't run Linux or windows and does not have a 3G wireless connection, I don't see the point.

  • MazehcS0ul

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 6:32 am PT

    However, it is now more than the Wii, plus I brought the DSi.

  • greenarcher02

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 5:27 am PT

    @beaner_bimmer
    well yea, nintendo has always been known to be family friendly.. the non-transferable thing was a measure for piracy, so everyone can't just copy, upload so that everyone can just download, copy... it's a risk nintendo probably took to battle piracy, they probably knew that there'll be a downside to it.. and every legal gamer should just bear with it, since i know all legal gamers hate piracy and their struggle to bypass every security

  • beaner_bimmer

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 4:12 am PT

    nintendo sells kids games manaphydude. its their target demographic. and if it werent for that ds would woefully undersell. for a casual nintendo fan, i want to play gba games. the original ds had it right. and with the added size nintendo shoulda added a gba slot. but nintendo wont do that cause the gba games market is dead except for used games. companies hate used games. fact. because of that we see dlc. and nintendo wont let you move around the property you bought? what if your system is lost or stolen? -something nintendo has undoubtedly forseen-, kids lose things. fact.

  • Manaphydude

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 5:53 pm PT

    And one more thing: There is a difference between the DSi and DSi XL aside from the system size and stylus size just look at the reference links on the DSi XL's Wikipedia article.

  • Manaphydude

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 5:33 pm PT

    @D3A7TJOK3R: Graphics don't make a better game. Don't make such a big deal out of it.

  • gaming_otaku

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 5:22 pm PT

    I find it amusing how people complain about many iterations of the same hardware, in a market that has seen around some 5 different bundles of the Xbox 360 with varying sizes of hard drive space and such; various versions of the PS3 before the Slim, plus the Slim itself; some 200 kinds of iPods and iPhones, and various PSPs. I'll admit it may not have been such a good idea to release the XL so soon after the first DSi, but it seems it's not aimed to people who already own one. I still have my Lite, though, and see little reason to upgrade to either DSi.

  • D3A7HJ0K3R

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 5:17 pm PT

    bigger screen so the already crap ass graphics look worse! Gosh Nintendo you are as smart as a monkey when it comes to user satisfaction.

  • Manaphydude

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 5:00 pm PT

    #1: There is SIX LEGAL methods of playing GBA games
    #2: The DSi will top the iPhone in terms of games
    #3: The DSi XL is for those with big hands.
    #3: The DSi XL is NOT for kids. Stop saying it is. I mean seriously it has a lot of educational games, yet you say it's for kids/expect them to play that kind of stuff? LMAO
    #4. If you don't like a certain product because it's continuously remade don't buy it and don't be overreactive about it.

  • MrSaturn33

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 3:39 pm PT

    And no GBA port? Here's an idea: If you're going to make it so big, bring back GB, GBC, and GBA support.

  • hatieshorrer

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 2:50 pm PT

    For those complaining about price:

    DSi prices in Japan
    DSi-----Â¥18,900 = US$208.00 about
    DSi LL-Â¥20,000 = US$220.00 about

    DSi prices in US
    DSi------US$169.99
    DSi XL-US$200.00 estimate

    Id have put this up sooner but I had too much fun reading comments from people going nuts over the Japanese price.

  • westernomelette

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 2:15 pm PT

    "I have yet to see an iPhone game with graphics as good as the best DS games."

    I personally don't agree, I have seen some games with better graphics. DS graphics are not bad but they aren't amazing either. Have you ever tried to watch a video on a DS? compare that with an Iphone.

    The main thing the DS has over the iphone is it doesnt cramp up my hands. But for about the same price I can have a music player, camera, gps, ipod (movies and music) and games that (to me) are not always as good but sometimes they are, and they will definitely progress that way.

  • 24k_Solid_Gold

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 1:18 pm PT

    ...back up, let me get this straight:

    -people complained that the DS was too big,
    -so you made it smaller with the DS Lite,
    -then people complained about its lack of feautures, so you put in a camera and made it bigger...
    -...and now your making it bigger again?

    Am I the only one who's confused here?

  • buckybuckster

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 11:52 am PT

    It really doesn't pay to be an early adopter anymore does it? Not as bad as Sega's 32X / Saturn screw up, but it does come close. As far as the hefty price tag, Nintendo should take note of PSP go sales. Never thought i'd see the day of handhelds being more expensive than consles.

    And with this thing coming out so soon after the holiday season, my heart goes out to all you parents out there who will have to deal with the kids screaming their need for a DSi XL to replace the suddenly unhip DSi you just gave them.

    Nintendo...you sly devil you....

  • NerdyGeekboy

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 10:16 am PT

    is this bigger dsi really needed?

  • bloody_soldier_

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 10:01 am PT

    dont buy it then there going to make it all over again but the size of a tv

  • thingta42

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 10:01 am PT

    luving that black skin

  • SuperLuigi65

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 8:39 am PT

    Wait...another version of the DS? Gee...never seen this before. Why doesn't Nintendo just make a whole new handheld instead of just copying their own ideas over and over again.

  • Claidheamb_mor

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 5:51 am PT

    The technology contained within the DSi's shell is far too archaic to warrant the astronomical price tag. VGA camera? LAWL.

    The best DS is the Lite. While it is uncomfortably small for my hands, the screen is perfectly bright, unlike the original.DS Phat, and the console still retains its GBA slot functionality.

  • Menzuit

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 4:14 am PT

    It sometimes gets a little irritating with all these constant upgraded hand-held systems. It reminds me of the wacked out cell phone industry. LOL!

  • Number_1_Gamer

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 3:03 am PT

    "I love my ds, play it on a lot of trips and in airports all over hell. Unfortunately though I think there's something to be said for an iphone, which actually has some decent games that cost anywhere from .99 to 5 bucks, and they look better as well, the DS needs a graphics engine/processor like that."

    I have yet to see an iPhone game with graphics as good as the best DS games.

  • westernomelette

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 2:00 am PT

    I love my ds, play it on a lot of trips and in airports all over hell. Unfortunately though I think there's something to be said for an iphone, which actually has some decent games that cost anywhere from .99 to 5 bucks, and they look better as well, the DS needs a graphics engine/processor like that.

  • voidheart777

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 1:52 am PT

    thx god I haven't upgraded my old slim DS with DSi... looks good... I always love a bigger screen...

  • Darkchaoss

    Posted Oct 31, 2009 8:45 pm PT

    sigh, and i just bought the now -old- DSi. Only 1 year after the DSi was released. This + wii suckage = the new Nintendo.

  • jowunger

    Posted Oct 31, 2009 8:30 pm PT

    why bothering with a handheld gaming device which costs approx 50% of a netbook/notebook? That device is for kids.

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