The Nintendo DSi XL, released in 2009 in Japan and 2010 in other regions, represented a unique evolution in Nintendo's line of handheld gaming consoles. Known as the "big brother" of the original DSi, the DSi XL was characterized by its larger screens, improved ergonomics, and extended battery life, making it a more comfortable experience for a broader range of users, especially those who preferred longer gaming sessions or had visual impairments. As Nintendo’s first “large-format” handheld, the DSi XL broke new ground, redefining the handheld experience by focusing on comfort and accessibility without sacrificing gameplay quality.
This article explores the history, design, features, market reception, and impact of the Nintendo DSi XL in the gaming industry.
Development and Design
The Nintendo DSi XL was born from the success of its predecessor, the Nintendo DSi, and Nintendo’s desire to cater to new demographics, particularly older gamers and those looking for a more immersive handheld experience. The original DSi had already established itself as a feature-rich handheld with dual cameras, downloadable content through DSiWare, and multimedia capabilities. However, Nintendo saw an opportunity to refine and build upon that success by addressing feedback from players who wanted a larger, more comfortable screen and better battery life.
Nintendo’s goal was to create a handheld system that could appeal to everyone, from young children to elderly players, many of whom had expressed challenges with the smaller screens of previous handhelds. This emphasis on accessibility was in line with Nintendo’s broader philosophy of “gaming for everyone,” which had been a significant driver of their success with the Nintendo Wii home console.
The DSi XL was designed with two screens, each measuring 4.2 inches diagonally, making them approximately 93% larger than the screens of the original DSi. These larger screens allowed for a more immersive and visually pleasing experience. The system also featured wider viewing angles, ensuring that games could be easily enjoyed by others sitting nearby. This was a subtle nod to Nintendo’s ongoing effort to make gaming a more social experience.
The design of the DSi XL also emphasized comfort. The larger size of the device made it easier to hold for extended periods, especially for adults with larger hands. The system’s stylus was also significantly larger than that of the original DSi, resembling a pen more than a traditional stylus. This design choice further contributed to the device’s appeal to older gamers who might have found the smaller stylus difficult to use.
Key Features
The Nintendo DSi XL was not merely a larger version of the DSi but brought several unique features and improvements that set it apart from its predecessors. These features were aimed at enhancing the gaming experience while staying true to the core values of the DSi line.
1. Larger Screens and Improved Viewing Angles
The DSi XL’s most noticeable and significant feature was its larger screens. At 4.2 inches, the screens offered an impressive amount of real estate for handheld gaming. This larger display made games easier to see and play, especially for users who struggled with the smaller screens of previous DS models.
Moreover, the DSi XL boasted improved viewing angles. This meant that games could be viewed more clearly from wider angles, which made it easier for multiple people to watch the screen simultaneously. This improvement was particularly useful for multiplayer games or for showing off high scores and achievements to friends and family.
2. Enhanced Battery Life
The battery life of the DSi XL was another key selling point. Despite its larger screens, the system boasted improved battery performance compared to the original DSi. On the lowest brightness setting, the DSi XL could last between 13 to 17 hours on a single charge, while on the highest brightness setting, it could last around 4 to 5 hours. This extended battery life made the system ideal for long gaming sessions, long trips, or for users who didn’t want to recharge frequently.
3. Pre-installed Software
The DSi XL came pre-installed with several pieces of software that were designed to take advantage of the system’s unique features. Flipnote Studio, a popular animation application, allowed users to create flipbook-style animations and share them with others. Brain Age Express: Math and Arts & Letters, shortened versions of the popular Brain Age games, were also pre-installed. These games targeted older audiences, encouraging mental stimulation through puzzles and cognitive challenges. These additions reinforced the DSi XL’s appeal to both casual gamers and older audiences.
4. Stylus and Ergonomics
The DSi XL came with two styluses: a regular-sized one and a larger, pen-shaped stylus. The larger stylus was designed for more comfortable use, especially during long gaming sessions or for users who found the smaller stylus uncomfortable. The system’s larger body and heavier weight also made it feel more substantial in the hands, contributing to a more comfortable gaming experience.
Market Reception and Target Audience
The Nintendo DSi XL was well-received when it launched in 2009 and 2010, with critics and gamers praising its large screens, improved battery life, and comfortable design. Nintendo positioned the system as a more mature and versatile handheld that could appeal to a wider range of players than previous iterations.
The target audience for the DSi XL was notably broader than that of the original DSi. While the system still catered to the younger demographic that had made the DS line successful, Nintendo actively marketed the DSi XL to older gamers and families. The larger screens, bigger buttons, and more comfortable stylus made the system particularly appealing to older adults who may have found the original DS and DSi too small or difficult to use.
The pre-installed Brain Age games further demonstrated Nintendo’s desire to capture the attention of older users. These games, which focused on cognitive exercises and mental stimulation, had already found success on previous DS models, and their inclusion on the DSi XL helped reinforce the idea that the system could be used for more than just traditional gaming. It could also be a tool for keeping the mind sharp and engaged.
In Japan, the DSi XL was marketed as the DSi LL ("LL" referring to its large size). The system’s success in Japan was largely driven by the aging population and the popularity of games that encouraged mental exercise, such as Brain Age. The larger screens also made it easier for users to read the text in games, making it more accessible to players who had difficulty with smaller fonts.
Impact on the Gaming Industry
The Nintendo DSi XL had a significant impact on the handheld gaming industry by introducing the concept of “large-format” handheld consoles. Prior to the DSi XL, handheld systems were generally designed to be as compact as possible, with an emphasis on portability. The DSi XL, however, demonstrated that there was a market for larger, more comfortable handhelds that could still offer portability without compromising on screen size or battery life.
1. Appeal to a Broader Audience
The DSi XL’s success demonstrated that there was a demand for handheld systems that could appeal to a broader demographic, including older adults and families. The system’s larger screens and comfortable design made it accessible to players who may have been put off by the smaller, more compact designs of previous handhelds. This broadened the market for handheld gaming and showed that handheld consoles didn’t have to be exclusively targeted at younger audiences.
2. Influence on Future Handhelds
The success of the DSi XL had a lasting influence on the design of future handheld systems. Nintendo continued to explore the concept of larger handhelds with the release of the Nintendo 3DS XL, which followed in 2012. The 3DS XL built on the design principles of the DSi XL, offering larger screens and improved ergonomics while introducing the new 3D technology of the 3DS. Other companies also took note of the success of the DSi XL and began exploring the idea of larger, more comfortable handheld devices.
3. Expansion of Digital Distribution
Like the original DSi, the DSi XL was equipped with the DSi Shop, allowing users to download DSiWare games and applications. The success of this digital distribution platform helped pave the way for the Nintendo eShop, which would become a staple of the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch ecosystems. The DSi XL demonstrated that there was a viable market for downloadable games and applications on handheld devices, and it helped solidify Nintendo’s commitment to digital content.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite its many strengths, the Nintendo DSi XL was not without its challenges and criticisms. Some gamers criticized the system for being too large and bulky to fit comfortably in a pocket, which reduced its portability compared to the original DSi and DS Lite. The system’s size also made it less convenient for on-the-go gaming, which had been one of the defining features of the DS line.
Additionally, the DSi XL was criticized for lacking significant hardware improvements over the original DSi. While the larger screens and improved battery life were appreciated, the core functionality of the system remained largely the same. Some gamers felt that the DSi XL didn’t offer enough new features to justify the upgrade, especially if they already owned a DSi or DS Lite.
Legacy and Conclusion
The Nintendo DSi XL left a lasting legacy in the gaming industry by expanding the concept of what a handheld console could be. Its focus on larger screens, comfort, and accessibility helped to broaden the appeal of handheld gaming, attracting new demographics and reinforcing Nintendo’s philosophy of “gaming for everyone.”
The DSi XL’s success demonstrated that there was a demand for larger handheld systems that could offer an immersive gaming experience without sacrificing portability. This insight influenced the design of future handhelds, including the Nintendo 3DS XL and Nintendo Switch, which both embraced larger screens and a more comfortable design.
While the DSi XL may not have been as revolutionary as the original DS or as technologically advanced as the 3DS, it played a crucial role in shaping the future of handheld gaming. Its focus on accessibility, comfort, and digital content helped to set the stage for the continued evolution of Nintendo’s handheld systems and ensured that the DSi XL would be remembered as an important chapter in the history of handheld gaming