According to the report, the bill of materials for the 3DS is $100.71; manufacturing costs are only $2.54. This is about a 33% increase in real cost over the DSi. The new and upgraded parts that contribute to the price increase are the new 3D screen, $33.80 vs. $21.95; memory, $8.36 vs. $3.61; and a few new UI components (accelerometer), $6.81 vs. $3.98.

You may be asking yourself, “The 3DS just came out yesterday. How in the *beep* were they able to tear it down and price it out so far?” Well, friends, they got a hold of the Japanese model that has been out for over a month.

In all honesty, I don’t think the DSi XL is part of Nintendo’s standard line-up. It’s a reaction to the popularity of the Wii in retirement centers and is aimed at a much older – and much different audience – than the new 3D DS, aptly named the 3DS. Older folks who may have been put off by the DSi’s small size and “kiddie” features will be able to handle the XL just fine.
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CNBC is hand-wringing a little about the launch of the DSi XL being hampered by the announcement of the 3DS. This is a lot like worrying that bocce ball sales will go down because a new soccer ball has been announced – the two items are so different, and aimed at such different audiences – that the connection is dubious at best and ludicrous at worst.

Then you have this line: “The larger screen size will also let people see the games, rather than just the device.” I don’t have any idea what that means.

Anyway, as Dave noted in his review, this is a Nintendo for Moms and Dads, not kids. The obsessives who have to have the latest and greatest will pick up a 3DS. The old-timers will keep picking up the DSi XL for years to come.

Features:

• A larger screen
• Full size stylus
• Comes pre-loaded with Brain Age Express: Math and Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters
• MSRP: $189.99 (regular DSi is $169.99)

Pros:

• Large screen is easy to read
• Games still look great
• Case size easier to hold

Cons:

• Large size reduces portability
• Nowhere to put stylus
• Uncomfortable for people with small hands

I like Nintendo’s portable gaming consoles. I had a Game Boy, Game Boy Color, DS phat, and a DS Lite, but I never saw the point in the DSi. So when Nintendo sent me a DSi XL to review, I was pleasantly surprised by the functionality. Would I buy a DSi XL to replace my DS Lite? Probably not – but I do like the DSi XL, and would recommend it to someone looking to get into portable gaming.

Build quality is as you would expect it to be. Nintendo knows these things are going to be knocked around, and build them so they can take it. The unit I was sent is the bronze color, with the majority of the device having a matte finish. The top of the cover, however, is glossy and picks up finger prints. Not fingerprints like you’d see on a PSP but they are present.

I’m not going to reinvent the wheel here as far as reviewing the DSi functionality. Yeah, it’s a DSi, only bigger. It’s designed for the older crowd that play those little $10 blackjack games from Radio Shack, and if they market it properly it’ll be huge. I have large hands. I like the DSi XL because I like the larger form factor, and the larger screens. My wife isn’t as much of a fan. She’s got smaller hands and found that the DSi XL made her left hand start to cramp after playing Zelda: Phantom Hourglass for about 30 minutes. I saw another review mention issues with screen clarity. I definitely didn’t notice this issue. I love playing RTS games like Civilization Revolution, and if the screen was fuzzy I’d definitely notice it. The screen was crisp and clear, and it didn’t feel like the games were designed for a smaller display at all, which was one of the things I was concerned about when I first read about the DSi XL.

Should you buy a DSi XL? Sure, if you don’t already have a DSi. I’d just suggest that you check one out at your local game shoppe first to be sure that the size won’t be an issue. Is it a reasonable upgrade from the DS or DS Lite? Absolutely. Should you buy one for your mom for Mother’s Day? Only if you are a huge geek and you’re sure she’ll like it.

Product Page: Nintendo DSi XL

No Tegra chip for you! iFixit tore down the Nintendo DSi XL and found, not surprisingly, a bigger DSi. It’s running the DSi’s ARM processor and the motherboard is big enough to fit in the case, but that’s about it. Click through for more findings:

* Nintendo is again using a custom ARM CPU, manufactured in December
of 2009. This chip is marked identically to the DSi, and definitely
not the Tegra chip that had been rumored.

* The logic board grew proportionally to its casing. We’re sure
Nintendo’s engineers were happy with not having to pack as much
electronics as possible in a smaller design. In this instance,
Nintendo’s going against the normal trend in electronics

* Battery capacity is significantly greater than the DSi. The DSi
uses an 840 mAh battery compared to the DSi XL’s 1050 mAh battery.
Given the internal similarity of the XL to the original DSi, we assume
the extra juice helps power the larger-sized screens.

* The DSi XL weighs in at 314 grams, about 45% more than its smaller
DSi cousin (only 217 grams). A significant portion of the heft comes
from the larger screens, and 4 grams comes from the added battery
juice. The XL is really on the outer limits of what people consider to
be portable — especially for a hand-held game console.

* Nintendo redesigned the battery connector to eliminate a long ribbon
cable spanning the width of the old DSi.

* The lower display is held in place solely by the pressure of the
logic board secured over it — no screws!

Nintendo’s announcement of its new portable 3D gamimg device 3DS was very brief, prompting us to speculate about possible features and implications for the way people will play games in the future. But today the Nikkei, Japan’s Wall Street Journal, is offering a bit more insight (and the Nikkei is usually a very reliable source).

As a reminder, what we know so far is that the new hardware won’t require any glasses for users to see the 3D images, will be backwards compatible to DS and DSi games, make its debut between April 2010 and March 2011, and make its debut at the E3 gaming conference in Los Angeles in June.

Here are all new details the Nikkei was able to dig up:

- Nintendo says the 3DS will be the first device of its kind.

- It will be sold, probably in Japan first, in the latter half of this year.

- Nintendo considers giving the 3DS a 3D joystick, force feedback and an accelerometer.

- The company already secured patents for several 3DS-related technologies last year.

- Compared to its 2D-based predecessors, the new device will feature improved wireless communications speed and battery life.

- The screen will be not be larger than four inches (the DSi XL’s screen is 4.2 inches).

Another interesting thing to note is that Nintendo shares traded above 30,000 yen ($330) for the first time in over 11 months Wednesday (30,850 yen, which is 2,880 yen above Tuesday’s close). Investors have big expectations for 3D, it seems.

Via The Nikkei [registration required, paid subscription]

Excuse our enthusiasm, but here’s the DSi XL unboxed for all and sundry. Enjoy!

As I said before, I haven’t really had a chance to play with it much, but I’m going to make time this evening and tomorrow. It’ll be nice to get a chance to play with the DSi XL, after reading all the reviews.

It also comes with the twee-est press release in the world.

How much do you have to pay for this walk down Gutenberg Project Lane? $19.99, apparently, and the release will be timed with the launch of the DSi XL, the bigger DS for a bigger America.

No word yet on if they’ll release the royalty-free works of Hammurabi as an RPG.

Play-Asia has the the Asian market DSi LL ready for your consumption for only $269. That’s only a tad bit more than the XL’s MSRP of $220. The site states that it ships within a week so you better get your order in quick if you want to be the world’s best dad this Christmas. [play-asia via i4u]

Our favorite protagonist, Link, will have a traveling companion this time around. Princess Zelda, herself, will accompany Link “on an original quest to save Hyrule from ruin.”

What’s not really talked about is that this is also a test of their relationship. If Link and Zelda can survive quests together, then maybe moving in together might be a logical next step. Perhaps a nice little loft in Hyrule’s up-and-coming section of Kakariko Village. If they’re able to really bear down and pocket enough Rupees along the way, they might even be able to put a down payment on a nice condo overlooking Lake Hylia.

From the looks of the above photo, it appears that things might be moving a bit fast for both Zelda and Link. But you know what they say: there’s no better way to test a relationship than by traversing strange and wonderful lands together, killing things along the way.

[ Press Release | Product Page ]

The boys over at PC Watch put their precious DSi LL (or the XL here in the States) under the knife. If controller board pr0n gets you going in the morning, click on over to the Japanese trade publication for the gory pics. You probably don’t need to translate it.

This post is for the few people out there that actually use the DSi‘s camera. Sure, many probably snapped a few pics when they first got the device, but it’s more of a novelty feature and probably not something you would use everyday. But if you do, this $20 kit from Thrustmaster is for you.

The kit includes just about every camera accessory you could ever want: macro lens, telephoto lens, wide angle lens, removable flash, color filters, and a handy storage bag. It’s only $20, which means this kit could totally be a Christmas gift to a younger child. Just be prepared for it to end up in a junk drawer before the end of the year.

[Thrustmaster via ubergizmo]

Question: Are standard DS & DSi games going to look pixelated and stretched on the DSi XL‘s 4.2-inch screen? Idk. But the screen is huge when compared to the standard DSi. Check out the Japanese TV debut after the jump.

[via Kotaku]

Nintendo via Kotaku,

“A new iteration of the Nintendo DSi™ system will be introduced in Japan on November 21, 2009, to be known as Nintendo DSi LL in Japan, and as Nintendo DSi XL in North America and Europe, it will offer a screen 93% larger than the current Nintendo DS Lite with a better view angle, an additional longer touch screen stylus, and preinstalled Nintendo DSiWare™ software. The new version will arrive in North America and Europe in the first quarter of calendar year 2010.”

The page is in Japanese but the picture doesn’t need translation. The new DSi LL is a monster compared to the standard DSi. Aging gamers are going to dig it for sure. (John’s in that group, btw)

So the rumors about Nintendo releasing a new DSi with a bigger screen (we reported Monday and Tuesday) were true. Big N officially announced a new DSi in Tokyo today, the so-called DSi LL [JP]. It has a 4.2-inch screen, will be released on November 21 in Japan and is priced at $220. Buyers will initially be able to choose between brown, red and white versions.

You’ll get two pens with the handheld. One is thicker and 129.33mm long, the thinner model is 96mm long. There’ll also be three DSiWare games pre-installed (two brain-training games and a dictionary).

The DSi that’s currently on the market has a 3.25-inch screen (the DS Lite only had a 3-inch screen). Nintendo says the DSi LL is especially designed for a better Internet surfing experience. It’s 21.2mm thin, but it’s thicker than the current DSi (18.9mm) and way heavier (314g vs. 214g).

Nintendo Japan’s web site is in Japanese (obviously), but this page visualizes the difference in screen size between the “old” DSi and the LL (just hover your mouse across the screen).

Nintendo has yet to announce international sales plans.

Update:

Kotaku reports Europe gets the new DSi model in the first quarter of 2010. It’s going to be called DSi XL there. No word on a US release yet.

Update 2 (more pictures):

Let me catch you up. Late yesterday afternoon, a report surfaced that claimed Nintendo will launch a 4-inch DSi in Japan before the end of the year. Sounds good, right? Well, Nintendo has responded to the claims.

From Famitsu.com,

Our company isn’t doing any interviews [about this]. We think it’s a speculative article.

Chances are that if Nintendo does have a new DSi planned, it will be launched within the coming weeks. Companies don’t tend to release hot products past the second half of November due to managing supply levels during the busy  holiday season. So if this larger-screen DSi doesn’t see the light of day before Thanksgiving, it probably won’t be out this year; that is, of course, assuming it actually exists, which is something else entirely. [via Kotaku]

To redeem a Nintendo DSi Download Ticket number, such as for the Nintendo DSi Speak Channel, enter the number off the Nintendo DSi Download Ticket in “Settings and Features” off of the main Nintendo DSi Shop page, then select “Nintendo DSi Download Ticket.

Sounds pretty serious to me. And after all, Nintendo has been pushing that Wii Speak thing, though I don’t recall hearing about anybody using it ever. Probably because calling your friends on your Wii is just a little too weird. On the DSi, however, it could be really convenient. Say hello to DSiPhone.

Of course, Nintendo has responded saying it’s just a rumor — yeah, we knew that. But they didn’t deny it, so it’s probably true.

[via Edge and 1up]

Developed by THQ, the game mimics the experience of being on The Biggest Loser Ranch just like the TV contestants, except that you get to live in your own house and you can keep eating delicious donuts with reckless abandon — it’ll be our little secret.

Choose from 4, 8, or 12 week programs full of “structured routines with special weekly challenges, weigh-ins and eliminations” or create your own customized workout routines consisting of over 90 “upper and lower body exercises, as well as core, cardio and yoga exercises.”

While the Wii version appears to push most of the exercise stuff, the $30 DSi version (also compatible with the DS) serves more as a portable calorie counter and nutritional information system although you also get “complete exercise routines.” The Wii version is Balance Board compatible, although it’s not required.

Here’s more from the press release:

The Biggest Loser interactive fitness game is a fun and engaging way for players to get in shape and maintain their ideal fitness level. Set at The Biggest Loser ranch, players can take The Biggest Loser challenge and compete in 4, 8 or 12 week programs against former contestants from the television show, or work out with a friend to form a support system to see who really is The Biggest Loser. Players will work out to a series of structured routines with special weekly challenges, weigh-ins and eliminations, or they can even create their own workout routines. Workouts include upper and lower body exercises, as well as core, cardio and yoga exercises. Progress is documented on a calendar that keeps track of in-game achievements, upcoming training and weigh-in dates. Players can also input exercise done while not playing the video game, such as going for a walk or a bike ride.

The interactive fitness game also features 50 healthy recipes from The New York Times best-selling book seriesThe Biggest Loser to help users learn how to eat right for optimal weight loss. Throughout the Wii workout program, suggestions and tips from contestants and trainers will also help guide players as they transform their lives via diet and exercise. The video game also features an interactive calorie counter that tracks what players are eating and recommends their daily intake based on individual height and weight and fitness goals.

When paired together, the Wii and Nintendo DSi/DS products become powerful training partners with Nintendo DSi/DS serving as a portable tool. Featuring nutritional information on thousands of foods, including menu items from some of today’s most popular restaurants, users can count their calories and even get healthy recipe suggestions on the go. Players can take their ‘trainer’ with them for food and fitness tips, as well as complete exercise routines that encourage them to stick to their wellness goals no matter where they are. To find out more information on The Biggest Loser interactive fitness game, go to www.biggestloserthegame.com.

Available in North America starting today and heading to the UK and Australia “over the coming months.”