Nintendo DS lovers in Europe will be able to get their hands on a new version of the Nintendo DS games console, the Nintendo DSi XL within a matter of weeks now.
The much improved DSi XL has a screen size that is 93 percent larger than the screen size on the previous version of the hand held gaming device, the DS Lite.
Now sporting two 4.2 inch LCD screens instead of the smaller 3.25 inch screen on the previous version, it should make playing games such as Mario Kart as well as others a lot easier for those with larger hands and at least we won’t have to strain our eyes in order to see the details on the screen.
The new version also has a built in web browser and comes pre-loaded with educational software Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training Arts Edition and dictionary.
Nintendo are hoping that the sturdier and larger DSi with improved graphics and which is easier to grip than the smaller version might also attract older players to the highly popular games console.
According to Timesonline, Robert Saunders from Nintendo said the decision to release a version with a larger screen was because of consumer demand.
“We find that families like to play games together huddled around one console, and the smaller screen was making that difficult. The new screen also brings a level of detail to the graphics that has never been seen before.”
“We hope that the bigger screen size of the DSi XL will appeal to older players,” said Mr Saunders.
The DSi XL will be available in two basic colours, red wine and chocolate brown and will cost around £150 in the UK.
Just like you could with the DS Lite, users will be able to download games through the Nintendo DSi Shop and will still be able to create and share photos.
It’s a “smart move” by Nintendo said Ian Fogg from Forrester Research in the Timesonline, as “rather than release a new device, the company is repackaging an existing product to appeal to a new set of consumers, which is something that Nintendo is very adept at”.
The Nintendo DSi XL will start shipping in Europe from 5th March but at the moment we don’t have a date for the North American release although it is expected in a similar timescale.
