Review: Nintendo DSi XL bigger, badder

When Nintendo launched the Gameboy in 1989, it also spawned the dawn of the portable gaming industry. Nearly twenty years and a bevy of challengers later, Nintendo continues to dominate the gaming-on-the-go market. Now, Mario’s company pins its gaming reputation on the DSi XL, the bigger and badder version of its successful DSi.

As the name implies, everything on this handheld has been blown up. The new dual screens are definitely XL, measuring 4.2 inches diagonally, making it 93 percent bigger than old DSi and Lite models.

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This extra screen real estate gives a wider viewing angle which allows for the people around you to get in on the action. Nintendo is calling this a more “social gaming experience.” But the extra size makes it feel a little too clunky and heavy to be carrying around comfortably in the pocket and it puts a drain on the battery, which last about six hours between recharges.

Graphics and sounds are crisper and more vivid as compared to older DS models. The overall feel of the gameplay is taken straight from the Wii, which keeps the same fun Nintendo gaming familiarity alive. Old DS fans will be impressed with the fast touch screen response, large screens, and built in games.

Out of the box, the DSi XL gets you started easily with tutorials for the initial setup and installed software. You will be able to personalize your DSi by taking a photo of yourself, setting your birthday, entering your name and a personal message as well as picking your favorite color, which will be used throughout the menus. Connecting to the internet connection was a bit cumbersome, but the rest of the setup was seamless.

The DSi XL’s comes pre-installed with two games, an internet browser, an animation tool, and a sound editor.

“Brain Age: Arts & Letters,” and “Brain Age:Math” are designed to designed to stimulate brain and give them workouts with solving simple math problems, drawing pictures, and unscrambling letters. “Flipnote Studio” gives users the chance to become cartoonist with the ability to create, upload, and share their own animations. “Sound studio” allows gamers to record music/voices to have them manipulated with pre-installed filters for crazy new remixes and sounds.

Other games scheduled for released to coincide with the DSi XL are Wario: D.I.Y and Pokemon Heart Gold and SoulSilver versions which come with small Pokeballs that allow players to store Pokemon from the game to play with independently from the DSi.

The DSi XL can connect wirelessly to the Nintendo Wii, giving gamers the chance to play their favorite games on the TV. It also allows them to download hundreds of games and applications from the DSiWare channel on the Wii.

For those with a large collection of DSi games, the DSi XL uses the same cartridge as the DSi, meaning any previous or future game releases will be interchangeable between the handhelds.

Parental control options are also an option, allowing parents to lock out some of the advanced features of the device such as browsing the internet and controlling the game ratings the DSi XL can play.

With the ability play all the current DS titles, larger screens and responsive touch controls the Nintendo DSi XL is a great gaming system. Current DSi owners may want to hold out for the 3D version of the DSi scheduled for launch later this year, but DS Lite owners may want to think about an upgrade. The DSi XL will cost $189.00 and is available in Burgundy and Bronze.