Nintendo DSi LL Announced, Disaster Predicted

nintndo-dsi-ll.jpg

Nintendo has attracted no small disappointment with its revised DS console, with the new “handheld” having been given 25% larger screen than the DSi at the expense of a 33% increase in weight and a substantially more bulky design.

Worse yet, the screen is the same resolution as the previous model, only larger…

You can see a scale comparison of just how bloated the new unit is below, with the old unit superimposed on the new:

nintendo-dsi-ll-vs-dsi-ds-size-comparison.jpg

The main upgrade is of course the 4.2 inch screen, up from 3.25 (resolution unchanged).

Battery life increases to 3 hours again, but weight goes from 214g to 314g, and the unit fattens to 16.1cm by 9.14cm from 13.7cm by 7.49cm. Otherwise the unit is essentially unchanged from the DSi.

The price is in the region of ¥20,000.

Most DS fans seem to be wondering how they could ever fit this in their pockets, although Love Plus fans optimistically remark that now they will have more screen space to kiss

In any case, it seems the new model, is far from the PSP killer some had hoped for, in fact it may be fair to say it is Nintendo’s answer to the PSP Go, generally regarded as a dismal flop (although at 158g it is almost half the weight).



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    Comment by Anonymous
    06:22 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    PSP Killer, are you serious Artefact? The PSP can't be stopped by nintendo, because the PSP already killed itself.

    And I'm not talking about the PSP Go, because it died long before that.

    Comment by Anonymous
    05:55 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Still quite happy with my original launch DS. I can't stand the multiple variations of the same base system

    Comment by Anonymous
    05:11 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Bigger screen won't help unless you bump up the native resolution. Pixels in DS Lite are huge enough as they are. And this new DS LL is gonna top that by 25%.

    05:45 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Make it heavier and bigger, of course, what else screams portability? All the DSi added was a camera and some downloadable games, complete garbage, the DS Lite is actually worth it since it sets out to make the DS lighter and smaller for portability.

    Comment by child_of_lileth
    06:26 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    I love the DSi, but that is just stupid. Why make the screen bigger? I really can't think of any reason I'd want something like that. The better battery would be nice, and is the only improvement I want from that, but taht's not enough to make me want to buy another DSi. Especially not this soon into the life of the first one.

    Comment by Anonymous
    06:38 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    if they made it fatter why could they not at least include backwards comparability to gba!

    Comment by Anonymous
    08:44 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    I'm definitely getting one of these. The bigger screens are going to rock.

    Comment by ChaosAngelZero
    07:07 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    I don't like portable consoles, but a bigger screen is always welcome, even if its actual resolution is the same as before (in fact, changing it and stretching the image would basically fuck up the games).

    Comment by Anonymous
    07:09 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Obviously XL stands for extra large but what does LL stand for?

    Comment by Anonymous
    Comment by Takumi
    05:07 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Now that Europe is getting the DSi XL,
    what's next, DSi GT?

    Comment by Schrobby
    03:44 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Tegra will be cool...

    Comment by Anonymous
    03:27 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    It beats the hell out of the DS Fat I'm still using.

    Comment by Anonymous
    10:43 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    It's now obsolete, dude.

    Comment by Anonymous
    04:05 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    The info is a bit incomplete =.=

    The DSi LL or DSi XL how it will be called on Europe is directed to the elderly public.

    It even comes with 3 free games on memory:
    A Bit of Brain Training: Arts, A Bit of Brain Training: Science and Kiyou Akira Rakuhiku Language Easier

    Comment by Anonymous
    04:35 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    The new one is better

    Comment by Anonymous
    04:20 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    You couldn't fit the old one in your pockets anyway, so the size doesn't make that much of a difference.

    The weight, on the other hand, does.

    Comment by Anonymous
    23:40 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Wasnt the point of this device to be sold to those of ages 45 and older? Its designed to help them see the screen better and hopefully pull in a older demographic to the nintendo market. Ill be honest I saw this and considered getting one for myself and my mum, the larger size is a welcome addition to the hours of eye strain I get from staring at the smaller screen.

    Comment by AinoPanda
    00:54 31/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    i agree with this, this will actually sell in japan, due to seniors actually play the ds. when i had my time in japan i saw a load of over 50 60's playing new super mario bros and some playing other games that i wish i saw people play here in america.

    "hey grandma can i play the ds now?" "no!" that'd be great.

    Comment by Anonymous
    08:07 04/12/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    "In any case, it seems the new model, is far from the PSP killer some had hoped for, in fact it may be fair to say it is Nintendo’s answer to the PSP Go"

    Media Create sales:

    Oct 26-01 DSiLL --- PSPGo 29,109
    Nov 02-08 DSiLL --- PSPGo 13,992
    Nov 09-15 DSiLL --- PSPGo 6,427
    Nov 16-22 DSiLL 100,553 PSPGo 4,574
    Nov 23-29 DSiLL 75,000 PSPGo 3,900

    Well, you certainly nailed that prediction, Artefact. xD

    Comment by Anonymous
    15:16 21/11/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    "The main upgrade is of course the 4.2 inch screen, up from 3.25 (resolution unchanged)."

    What about the new interface, DSi store, internet browser (which sucks balls), and new channels?

    Comment by MusicalNote
    02:58 01/11/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    I for one prefer the larger size. I still have my brick of a DS and think the DSlite and DSi feel like they'll fall apart any second.

    Comment by Anonymous
    05:08 01/11/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    >Most DS fans seem to be wondering how they could ever fit this in their pockets

    Uhh, is this bigger than the old DS phat?
    Never had any problems putting that into my pocket and using it as mp3 player.

    Comment by Anonymous
    14:49 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    screw that noise. I'd rather get a pandora.

    Comment by Canadane
    10:26 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Lets hear it up for LUElinks

    Comment by Anonymous
    11:27 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    ...Umm, I'm fairly certain that the only reason this exists is to try to appeal to those whom have a hard time seeing the small screen on handhelds. That's the only reason for it, really. The normal DSi will still sell, this one is meant only for those who have bad eyes.

    Comment by motaku96
    12:45 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    I don't mind the increased size and weight. I'm still using the orignal ds so it can't be that much larger/heavier than the original. Plus bigger screen.

    Comment by Anonymous
    02:47 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    what's the point? the DSi screen was big enough

    Comment by Anonymous
    21:42 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Ain't this aimed for older people? Gosh you guys need to lighten up.

    Comment by Jarmel
    21:39 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Same resolution equals fail. All the other stuff could be forgiven if it wasn't for the resolution.

    Comment by Rokudaime
    04:26 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Indeed. It's a shame really. Could have been good.

    Comment by shoranhimura
    21:37 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    When, in the fuckers hell, is nintendo going to understand that times are changing and that doesnt mean just rebuild or do some tweks on the already previous gen headhelds??

    I love games, be it sony, MS and nintendo but if there is one thing i really wish nintendo coulfd have would be some insights of tecnology and design from the other companies and that nowadays, the motto IS RAW RAW Fight the pawaa!!!

    really, who theu]y are trying to lie to here? Do they really believe that this kinda shit is goin t to sell after the DSi, the ps3 slim and the new perifericals from MS and Sony?

    ok, different segments yet new towys either way...

    Comment by Anonymous
    23:27 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Youre jumping the gun here when you think this is going to be a failure. Nintendo is being flexible to the market by redesigning a more user friendly product for the elderly. Times are changing and you have to realize that hardcore gamers arent the only ones buying games. This wont be a flop unless Nintendo manufactures more units than they can sell.

    We'll have to wait and see how well it does for itself when it hits the market.

    Comment by Anonymous
    21:37 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Bulky is better, fits in my oversized hands better. There was a reason why i never bought that GBASP, thing could only be held be the end of my fingers. Guess I'll replaces my DS Phat with this new one that's coming out.

    Comment by Anonymous
    21:50 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    :/ if only i postponed my dsi purchase...

    Comment by Nin
    03:28 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Oh, don't worry. I do't think you'd have been much happier with this new model. I purchased my own DSi soon after it was released and I'm damn happy with it. The prolonged battery life on the LL model can probably be acquired on your regular DSi as well by just putting the backlight strength one setting lower.

    Comment by Anonymous
    22:59 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Good thing I did!

    Comment by Anonymous
    22:01 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Welp, loving the comment rating system. Everything is hidden for some lovely reason, mmhmm.

    Comment by Palmtop® Tiger
    21:35 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Nintendon't.

    Quit making crap and get to work on a Super Metroid remake (ala Zero Mission).

    Comment by panda-musume
    21:35 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    This is just an alternative to the DSi for old folks with bad eyesight. It's not meant to replace the current model.

    Comment by Anonymous
    21:49 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Yeah, people really need to lighten up.

    Comment by Anonymous
    21:15 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    What a pile of shit. Where's my tegra-powered handheld?

    Comment by Anonymous
    21:15 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    WTF ANOTHER DS!? Wait...bigger screen?...I'm sold.

    Comment by necxz
    21:23 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    bigger screen with the same resolution means... boxes will be more visible...

    Comment by Anonymous
    21:45 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Oh...thats not cool...

    Comment by necxz
    21:54 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    yup it's not coz even in DSi you can still see some of the boxes. imagine what u'll see in Dsi LL. maybe Giga boxes lol..

    Comment by necxz
    23:42 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    haha lol. maybe old people filed a petition for bigger screen so they can enjoy ds games better ^^

    Comment by Anonymous
    22:17 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    DSi LL = for old people w/poor eyesight

    Comment by Pandemonia
    21:52 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    IIRC, we also get graphics on par with the Wii. I can't remember where the article was though

    Comment by First Posting Idiot
    06:08 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    This is just a DSi with a bigger screen. That's it!

    The announced "DS2" with Nvidia Tegra supposedly won't come out until 2011, although they'll likely rush it for Holiday 2010. Until then, it's just the same old DS with minor changes.

    Comment by Pandemonia
    21:55 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Yes... an nVidia one also... the Tegra

    Comment by necxz
    22:07 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    so this DSi LL is the one planned to be integrated with tegra?

    Comment by Anonymous
    00:52 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nvidia_Tegra#Devices_using_NVIDIA_Tegra
    ^ for people who have to wiki tegra (like I had to ^

    Comment by Anonymous
    00:35 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    What i've heard, yes.

    Comment by Lan
    21:10 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Prolonged battery life counterbalances the increased weight to an extent IMO. Also, larger dimensions aren't always a negative. Those of us who don't have withering baby hands can appreciate Nintendo's move.

    Comment by Anonymous
    21:42 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Increased weight is good, you can smack shit heads with it, it won't feel flimsy and breakable and it won't fall out of your pocket unnoticed (and lose it). Also you get a larger screen and longer battery life in return for what is essentially a centimetre or two and a around 100 grams of weight.

    I'm tempted to be honest. I hate the current stylus as it's too small and I have an old DS which has horrible back lighting compared to DS Lite and I hear this goes even brighter (which I won't need as it just sinks battery life the brighter it is but I want a bit more brightness). When they do a black one with a good game I might make the jump.

    Comment by Anonymous
    23:15 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    I think larger screen is bad, because the resolution only 256x192.
    The image will be more pixelated, and thats bad.

    Comment by Anonymous
    02:54 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Perhaps it's targetted at older folks such as myself, whose vision isn't so good anymore after spending the thirty years looking at computer screens of various sorts.

    Ah, the "good old days" of "ergonomically-friendly" amber-screen monitors... I'll be buying a 1920 x 1080 32" monitor soon *meanshile hits Control-Shift-Plus repeatedly in Firefox*.

    Comment by Nin
    03:25 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    It's just ctrl-plus, actually. I don't know where you got the shift from.

    Comment by Anonymous
    02:10 31/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    @ Anon with 32" screen.

    You're doing it wrong. Don't get a 32" 1080p TV. I have a 30" 2560x1600 and still sometimes wish it had a higher pixel-density.

    Still. 2560x1600 screens are the best thing ever. Get one of those instead.

    Comment by Anonymous
    11:05 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Ctrl+[Scroll Up/Down} works too

    Comment by Hell_Restaurant
    21:04 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    >the unit fattens to 16.1cm by 91.4cm from 13.7cm by 74.9cm.

    Holy shit this thing's wider than my desk!

    Comment by First Posting Idiot
    06:01 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    I like Nintendo's master strategy. "Make money by repeatedly selling tons of crappy devices to people."

    Comment by Anonymous
    18:02 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    FYI, thats pretty much society's marketing strategy as a whole.

    Comment by h8GWB
    10:48 31/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    You'd think that that size, they'll be able to reintroduce the GBA slot again.

    I still can't understand how console manufactures can be so retarded and dissapointing for so long.

    Comment by kajunbowser
    14:54 29/11/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Great for ppl with big hands, like me.

    Comment by Kir Royal
    22:06 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    hhhmm don't think ill be able to fit that in my pants pocket...without it raising some suspicion

    Comment by nocturne
    01:37 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Is that an erection or did you just waste money on another stupid DS revision?

    Comment by Anonymous
    07:35 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    +1000 ;)

    Comment by AinoPanda
    00:49 31/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    +2000

    Comment by Kusingia
    21:09 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    HAHAHA, That was pretty the same thought that I had too. Shouldn't it be mm, instead of cm?

    Comment by Anonymous
    01:56 01/11/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    i thought it was just bigger so adults with bigger hands could use it....

    Comment by Kusingia
    21:10 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Never mind about mm...it took a little bit of think to realize what I typed down...

    Comment by Dreck
    02:45 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    metric fail a bit? ;))))

    Comment by Anonymous
    01:17 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    -.-

    Yea rite. My sister is only 91.4cm tall.

    Comment by JizzCannon
    02:44 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Is she single?

    Comment by Anonymous
    04:29 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Is she hot

    Comment by AinoPanda
    00:50 31/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    lol, and most of these are all anonymous

    Comment by Anonymous
    20:01 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Post pics or I will believe that you're just lying about having a loli sister to make us jealous.

    Comment by Anonymous
    17:18 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    what you gonna do when agnes chan comes for you....

    Comment by Anonymous
    10:41 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    She is 5 years old, FYI.

    Comment by mix
    11:27 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    still, is she hot?

    Comment by Anonymous
    12:42 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    you just introduced your sister to some lolis....

    Comment by Anonymous
    21:18 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    If it's that big and resolution remain unchanged, the DSi is a much better deal. I don't like my DS to be big and clunky like the PSP

    Comment by Anonymous
    21:22 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    From what I understand it was made for old people with both bad eyesight and dexterity,

    I don't get why people are getting so pissy over it.

    Comment by Anonymous
    08:56 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    It's mostly because people tend to be a bunch of whiny little bitches that hate change and moan and complain when something isn't done exactly as they want it. I mean come on, it's not like this thing's the size of the first Game boy or even the Game Gear.

    Comment by Pandemonia
    21:53 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    The buttons are the same size and the same distance from each other.

    If I remember correctly there is a new nVidia graphics chip in it too... with graphics on par with the wii

    Comment by Elle Lowel
    22:07 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Kinda mean, how you put it.. I don't have bad eyesight, but I do like the screen larger. Makes me see the graphics clearer too, for games like Love Plus (if it'll ever get released for the US.. which is doubtable T-T).

    Aside from the larger side = more room for stickers, as long as it fits in a pocket or purse im not complaining.

    Comment by Domo-Kun
    04:30 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    I totally agree Tex and Elle,
    I'm used to playing low res PS2 games on my low res television. I wouldn't mind if they blew up the graphics a little. Gamers older than 11 grew up on pixel art, and a few blocks is how I know I'm playing a video game. And I rarely carry my DS in a pocket.

    Why does this article have to be written in such a contentious manner?
    Just the facts please, Sankaku, and then tell us what 2ch has to say.

    Comment by Tex_Arcana
    22:25 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    I see a lot of that, honestly.

    The thinking goes, you should have your display as low as humanly possible, because excessive comfort is for old people. By that logic, we should all be gaming on cell phones.

    I think it's bullshit, myself, but I also wouldn't attempt to carry ANY kind of portable game in my pocket.

    Comment by Fenris
    22:47 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    it is getting released in Europe so it must be in the us as well but apparently it will be called the DSI XL instead of LL

    Comment by Anonymous
    21:28 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    I stopped caring about Nintendo at the moment I played Metroid Fusion.

    Bullshit company.

    Comment by Nin
    03:27 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    That surprises me. Metroid Fusion was good.

    Comment by Anonymous
    06:09 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    I agree. Metroid Fusion didn't disappoint.

    Comment by Anonymous
    08:59 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    That's you. Disappointed me to the point of giving up after the plant boss killed me ten times in a session of play that lasted for an hour. If the second or third boss is just too hard, and the person playing is a Metroid vet and usually good at first-person games - there's something wrong with your game.

    Comment by Anonymous
    10:33 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    So you don't like the game because you suck, QQ more noob.

    Comment by Anonymous
    13:35 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Metroid Fusion was a side-scroller, not first person...

    Comment by Anonymous
    13:55 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Don't blame the game, blame the playa'.

    Comment by Anonymous
    21:30 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    I don't see the point of being angry at Nintendo for this. There had been tonnes of Game Boy variations after all. They are just releasing variations of the same product, and not demanding that you "upgrade", since there is no need. You can and will still be able to play both the old and future DS games no matter which DS you choose to have. It's just one more choice for consumers.
    As long as Nintendo think they can afford the extra manufacturing costs, I say let them be.

    Comment by Anonymous
    04:18 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    The difference between all the Gameboys and all the DSes, is that every other Gameboy was a new system. It's not like we had murky green 8-bit graphics for 20 years, and then suddenly we had the DS.

    Comment by tingle
    21:26 29/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    I know Asians LOVE small things but I think this is cool. Bigger screen is always a plus to me. I'd prefer it if PSPGO had a bigger screen or if they released a bigger Iphone.

    Comment by Anonymous
    00:41 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    I smell a still undetected pun about Asian women and the love for Asian sized penises.

    Comment by Domo-Kun
    04:32 30/10/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    You sound like a guy with a lot of experience inspecting Asian penises!




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