Nintendo has announced some new colors for its larger-sized DS, the DSi LL (or XL internationally) in Japan. Starting June 19, the DSi LL will be available in Blue, Yellow and Green hues, making the total color options to six. Also, from the same day, the price of the DSi and DSi LL will be lowered to 15,000 yen and 18,000 yen respectively. The previous price of DSi and DSi LL were 18,900 yen and 20,000 yen.

The price cut is apparently because of Nintendo’s upcoming 3DS console. 3DS will get its first look and hopefully availability details at the E3 this month.

Press Release

Nintendo will release the DSi XL in U.S. in March. The larger-sized DSi is set to hit the retail stores on March 28 carrying a price tag of $189.99. Additionally, Nintendo also announced a 100 Classic Book pack for DSi XL that will arrive on June 15 for $19.99.

Nintendo is trying to pitch DSi XL as an e-book reader since a user will have to hold the device just like a real book while reading.

DSi XL is already being sold in Japan as DSi LL and features a big 4.2-inch screen as opposed to DSi’s 3.25-inch. The stylus of the XL will also be longer by 4mm.

[Via Kotaku]

Nintendo had set Q1 as the tentative release of DSi XL in Europe but now we’ve got confirmed the date. According to Pocket Lint, the larger-sized DSi XL (or DSi LL in Japan) will hit the European retail shelves on March 5. That’s under two months where Europeans will be able to get their hands on the 4.2-inch handheld gaming console from Nintendo.

To rehash, the new DS’ only improvement is its screen, which is about an inch bigger than the previous DSi. However, internally both are the same.

The European variant will be bundled with two titles – Dr Kawashima’s: Little Bit of Brain Training: Arts Edition and Dictionary 6 in 1 with Camera Function.

There is no word on the price but expect it to be pricier than the current DSi.

[Via Engadget]

UPDATE: Nintendo will launch the DSi LL as DSi XL in Europe in Q1 2010.

Wow, Nikkei hit a homerun with the DSi report. Nintendo has officially announced DSi LL with a larger screen. The DSi LL measures 161×91.4×21.2mm and sports a 4.2-inch display from 3.25-inch of DSi along with the same innards. The handheld will be bundled with a longer stylus (about 4mm longer) and three DSi games.

The DSi LL can be bought from November 21 in Japan for 20,000 Yen ($220) only if you wanted to play DS games on a bigger screen.

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