Nintendo DSi XL Is Larger Than You Think

Yes, perhaps that was a bit strong. But IMHO it actually goes back to the original DS design in terms of ugliness, which is ironic considering it’s really the DSi design. But disappointed isn’t the right word, because obviously I knew it was just going to be a DSi with larger screens. I chose disgusted because Nintendo should have done far more than it did with the unit, or else should have released this as the DSi in the first place. With all the extra girth and weight, why isn’t there a faster processor or better speakers or some kind of other functionality. As for glossy, the lid is glossy (and for the White and “Brown” models, the rim/edge is as well, not so with Wine Red) like the DSLite, but the rest is not. So it kind of looks cheap, because you have one “nice” piece and it’s as if Nintendo didn’t have enough money to budget for the remainder. I will say, on a positive note, that the camera is now UNDER the gloss (as opposed to the original DSi) so it’s not an indentation/cut into the unit.It’s a TINY bit thicker, at least from looking at the two side by side (I still have my DSi so I just compared). But with the extra weight and size, it seems thicker for some reason.Also, I forgot to mention that the top screen/top piece feels very poorly secured when using the handheld. No doubt because of the weight, whenever you move your hands or shake them, the top piece moves. It feels like the hinges aren’t tight enough, and that the piece will become loose and fail to stay open. In addition, aside from the larger “Power” button, the other buttons are essentially the same size as on the DSi, which makes the whole thing seem unbalanced and disproportional. As a final rant, because of the low resolution games on the DS, many of them look a bit less impressive when displayed on the larger screens. It’s not really that bad, but whereas the DSLite was normal, and the DSi somewhat larger and thus graphical limitations more noticeable, with the LL you can clearly see the large pixels and whatnot.Yes, as is seemingly custom in Japan, there are protective screens and pouches available from day 1. Many stores have one/both at the register.On a totally objective note, I wonder how the sales figures will be for this first week. I predict decent sales, but judging from the lack of lines and the SUBSTANTIAL amount of stock many hours after release (at one of the most infamous game stores in Tokyo no less) I don’t foresee any kind of record-setting figures. Heck, some of the people in the small line I was in weren’t even buying the LL, they were buying the standard DSi. That is a problem in and of itself, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the standard DSi outsells the LL for the duration of the holiday season.My personal feeling is that, as IIRC someone here said, the console will be popular with elderly people (as it certainly makes everything easier on the eyes) and that it might convince some who have the original DS or the DSLite to upgrade. But, if you don’t care about screen size, I would be much more inclined to buy the regular DSi.

But it really IS bigger than one might think. I saw the pictures and such weeks before the release, but when you actually see it in real life, then suddenly the size becomes apparent.