Nintendo DSi XL Australian Release Due Mid April

Starting from the 15th of April, online shoppers in Australia will be able to buy the new Nintendo DSi XL game consoles. There's no indication of a final price as yet, however online stores are listing the new DSi XL console in anticipation of a rush of pre-orders.

The Nintendo DSi XL (extra large!) is a larger console than it's predecessor the Nintendo DSi Lite, with a 93% bigger set of screens than the DS lite, wider viewing angle, more pre-installed software, longer battery life, improved sound and comfortable, pen shaped stylus. Your previous DS, DSi games will also work with the new extra large dual screen version, and thankfully the buttons on the new DSi XL are the same size.

The new gaming consoles only come in two colours though, Burgundy and Chocolate Brown, this seems odd to me. Are Nintendo are having a colour crisis? Recent changes of shade to their Wii console to black when we met Wii's Dark Side, and now the Australian DSi XL console with only two colours, it makes me wonder, "What are they doing". Why is the classic and neutral white version only in Japan?

I have a white DS Lite, and I would still like to get the DSi XL, except for the new colours. I think the game console will sell very well in Australia, online stores like EB Games are listing the new DSi XL console ready for purchase, and as soon as these stores can get a price, you can bet that prices will be very competitive.

Bestbuy a site in the US, are selling the new DSi for $189.99 (US) for pre-order, that's close to $208 (AU) which is a fair price. Prices in Australia can be very different to the USA, but you can see the DSi XL will be value for money, when compared to current prices for the DSi or Nintendo DS lite.

My suggestion, if you're shopping online for the Nintendo DSi XL is to just wait. In April there's going to be heaps of online stores taking pre-orders, enough to shop around for the best price. If you can hold out a bit longer than April, you might see some better colours as well.

I'm sure it'll come as no surprise to hear that the DSi XL is launching in the US first, on 28th March (next Monday). As soon as I spot a good review, I'll add a summary and link to the end of this post

Nintendo DSi XL Burgundy at EB Games

Verified Store Page: EB Games Australia

Review Summary:
30th March, I've summarised a review from Engadget.com and basically the DSi XL has limited improvements to hardware except for the larger screen. Sadly the larger screen, means a double pixel size, not a better screen resolution... That's really disappointing to me. Weight seems to be a notable change, for those wanting the console as a portable device. Other changes include a better sound quality. You can read the full review here: Nintendo DSi XL review