Nintendo DSi XL
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DSi

While it might ring true in other aspects of everyday life, in the world of portable electronics bigger rarely means better. Wherever you look, mobile phones, cameras, and mobile gaming devices are all getting progressively more pocket-sized.

The undeniable truth behind this long-established trend makes the appearance of the chunky DS XL all the more astonishing: Nintendo has done the unthinkable and produced a console that is considerably larger than its predecessors.

The reasons for this increase in size are very much up for debate, but the fact that Japanese adverts for the XL have predominantly featured elderly users might suggest that Nintendo is very mindful that aging eyes need larger screens to gaze at.

The hardware

Whatever Nintendo’s strategy might be, the DS XL displays many of the usual company hallmarks. Build quality is reassuringly solid, with a creak-free casing and typically accomplished case design.

The touchscreen remains a resistive variant, which is totally understandable as a move to the arguably more responsive capacitive type would render the stylus useless.

Still, resistive screens feel very old-fashioned these days, what with the likes of the iPhone and Motorola Milestone showing just how much more accurate and intuitive capacitive displays can be.

On the subject of the screens, you’re in for a real treat if you’re already an owner of one of the three previous DS models. The XL’s twin 4.2 inch displays are massive: according to Nintendo they’re a whopping 93 per cent larger than those seen on the DS Lite.

This additional display real estate naturally makes games look more impressive, but the screens are also brighter and boast a superior viewing angle. Granted, some titles look a little blocky (they’re bigger in terms of size but not in terms of resolution) but on the whole the XL definitely makes existing DS software look better than it ever did.

The machine’s more imposing dimensions may make it slightly less portable than it was previously but there’s a somewhat unexpected side-effect: those of you who experienced cramp on earlier DS models might discover that such an issue doesn’t exist with the XL.

The increased bulk makes it easier to hold and prolonged play sessions are subsequently far less punishing on your palms.

The console’s mixture of external coatings (the lid is gloss but everything else has a matt finish) also aids grip: the shiny DS Lite could become quite slippery, depending on how sweaty your hands got during intense periods of play.

Like the standard DSi - which was matt all over - the XL doesn’t suffer as badly from this problem.

Finally, the layout of the controls is worthya mention. While the machine may have grown in volume, the D-pad and facia buttons remain exactly the same size.

Again, this fact contributes to the XL’s overall feeling of comfort and usability: everything is where you expect to be, but you just seem to have more mass to grab hold of.

As for touchscreen control, two stylus options are offered: the standard variant is practically the same size as the one seen on the DS Lite and DSi, but is slightly longer. Also included in the box is a stylus that bears an uncanny resemblance to a normal writing pen, right down to the imitation pocket clip at the top.

It’s a chunky beast and isn’t really suitable for intense games such as The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks because using it obscures much of the screen: again, it can be safely assumed that its inclusion is all part of Nintendo’s plan to ensnare the older sector of the market.

We imagine that aging gamers would rather be seen with what appears to be a pen in their hand rather than a childish-looking plastic pointer.

The software

In terms of software, the console is very much the same as the DSi: in fact, the menu system is identical.

Access to DSiWare titles is obviously a given, but sadly, due to Nintendo’s rather archaic approach to digital rights management, you can’t transfer games you’ve already downloaded on your standard DSi to the XL version - which is something that might put off some potential upgraders.

The pre-loaded titles include Dr Kawashima’s Little Bit of Brain Training: Art Edition and Dictionary 6 in 1 with Camera Function.

Again, such software choices add even more weight to the argument that this machine is aimed squarely at mature gamers, although it’s also expected that the wonderful Flipnote Studio will make the cut as well, which should at least provide some entertainment for the young ‘uns.

The verdict

The DSi XL is a totally unprecedented move in the world of portable hardware, and it’s little wonder that so many heads were scratched when Nintendo announced the console’s impending release.

However, as the successful Japanese launch has proven, there’s a sizeable market for this machine, although we’d be willing to bet that it won’t be up-and-coming youngsters that flock to the device but veteran gamers who crave a more visually immersive product but aren’t all that concerned with the reduced level of portability.

Nintendo DSi XL

Internally little has changed with the DSi XL but the larger screens and more comfortable size mean it’s certainly worth considering if you’re in the market for an upgrade; however, it’s worth remembering that the DSi remains a cheaper – not to mention more pocket-sized - alternative
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Damien  McFerran
Damien McFerran
Damien's mum hoped he would grow out of playing silly video games and gain respectable employment. Perhaps become a teacher or a scientist, that kind of thing. Needless to say she now weeps openly whenever anyone asks how her son's getting on these days.