Nintendo DSi XL Coming to North America in 2010

Earlier this week, gaming news sites buzzed with rumors of a new Nintendo DSi, which Nintendo denied. I resolved I'd sit back and just play the waiting game, and it turned out to be a pretty short game. Nintendo has acknowledged the existence of the "Nintendo DSi XL," and confirmed that it's coming to North America and Europe in the first quarter of 2010.



According to a statement Nintendo sent to IGN:

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."

In other words, the DSi XL likely won't differ from the Nintendo DSi that's currently on the market (nor is it likely to replace it), and is simply a large-screen option for people who feel they need it. If the DSi XL does offer extra features, we'll know about them closer to the end of this year.

There's no official word on the price of the DSi XL, though IGN has unconfirmed reports of the unit costing 20,000 yen in Japan (about $220 USD). That's up a bit from the DSi's price of 18,900 yen.

(Image © Nintendo)