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Nintendo DSi XL

DSi XL also known as the DSi LL everywhere apart from Europe. Due for release on the 5th March, available for pre-order now Priced at around £150. DSi XL the newest release from Nintendo. Functionality wise, the DSi XL is practically identical to the DSi, the boot-up speed, the menu is the same. The main changes Nintendo has made are: larger screens, new stylus, new style and the option to play instantly.

Larger Screens

Typically with technology now days we are paying more to get smallest most compact consoles, and now there new selling point is that its 93% bigger? Well it has worked, the second you unfold the screens you will never want to go back. The only problem with this however is that they have not increased the number of pixels, giving the picture a slightly blockier look, although this is hardly noticeable unless you’re looking for it. Not only have they increased the screen they have also added slightly larger speakers.
Wider viewing angle along with the bigger screens make playing with other people a lot easier and more fun. The larger screen also makes things such as reading the books on DS much easier, and enhances the gameplay on many games, the website below is a list of top 10 games Nintendo thinks will be greatly improved by the larger screen.

http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=14581

The new look

The XL will only be available in two colours, wine red and dark brown, it appears that Nintendo is trying to get stylish the return of the glossy finish on the top is welcomed with wide arms, even if it is more fingerprint prone, while the underside of the XL has a rough, matt finish that provides more grip than any previous DS.

The new stylus

Along with the bigger screens they have brought out bigger styluses, designed like a pen to feel more comfortable and familiar, it is also meant to give you more control. Increasing the size of the stylus is meant to make it easier for people especially with larger hands, but they have kept the same size D-pad which means if you found it too small then even though there is a bigger everything else, you will still find it awkward.

Play Instantly

Another feature of the new XL is that it come with inbuilt ‘games’ so that you can start playing from the second pick it up even if you haven’t bought any games yet. Although personally I don’t think I have ever bought a console that doesn’t come with games, but nether the less.

The first game is ‘A Little Bit of… Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training: Arts Edition’ this features various challenges based on words, pictures and music that you can use regularly to keep your brain sharp in just a few minutes a day. There are a few extra features from the older brain training games where you can practice your acting and drawing skills using the Nintendo DSi camera, touch screen and microphone. However I’m not sure just how much of these features you will be able to enjoy as it is just a taster of the full game.

Pretty much what it says on the tin, this is a dictionary on your DS with six languages; English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Japanese. And it also has a camera function meaning you can take pictures of a word with your DS camera and the software will do the rest and translate it. Which would be useful if your lost in another country and need to translate a street sign.

The final thing that comes with the XL is the option to instantly download the free Nintendo DSi Browser. Where you will be able to shop and surf the internet whenever a wireless Internet connection is available.

The big question is, is it worth it? Overall it’s not an essential upgrade; if you already have a DS there really aren’t enough new features to warrant getting a new handheld. But if you are looking for a new handheld console then you need to consider you would use it. If you want to carry it round in your pocket and play it on the move then you would probably be better off with the standard DSi or DS Lite, as the increased size and weight makes it less than convenient. However if you tend to use it mainly at home then the DSi XL is defiantly the better choice even if it is just for the stunning screen size, and at only £20 more than the DSi, its defiantly worth it.