Nintendo to Slash Price of DSi & XL in North America

[John Funk]

Nintendo to Slash Price of DSi & XL in North America

If you wanted to pick up the most recent versions of Nintendo's all-star handheld before they become obsolete, you'll soon be able to do it for a little less cash.

In case you hadn't heard, Nintendo's DS handheld has been pretty darn successful since its 2004 launch - in fact, it's pretty much the best-selling portable game system of all time. Nintendo cut the price of the latest iterations of the platform - the DSi and its extra-large big brother - in the UK and Japan back in June, but for some reason neglected to follow suit in North America.

Now, it seems that Nintendo of America is finally getting around to catching up with the rest of the tribe. Nintendo announced [http://press.nintendo.com/articles.jsp?id=25165] that it would be lowering the MSRP of the DSi and DSi XL in North America, effective September 12th. The DSi will hence be retailing for $149.99 (down from $169.99), and the plus-sized XL will slip into its old price point at $169.99, down from its current price of $189.99. The good old DS Lite will be staying put at $129.99, in case anyone was wondering.

I have to say, I have the DSi XL, and it really is a magnificent little bit of hardware - the two large screens are beautiful. If you're one of the thirty-eight people on the planet who haven't yet bought a DS (or if you still haven't upgraded), it'll soon be a bit more cost-effective to buy into the family.

That said, the clock is ticking for the DS anyway. Nintendo lowering the price on the DS family? Gee, I wonder why they could be doing that? It's almost like something else is on its way [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/tag/3ds].

Nah, I must be imagining things.

(Press Release [http://press.nintendo.com/articles.jsp?id=25165])

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[Jared]

Well, now they just need to do the same for the EU regions now...

 

[GoGo_Boy]

No thank you, I skip the DS and go for the 3DS
And thanks to it's backwards compability I'm gonna have a blast playing Golden Sun: Dark Dawn ;P

 

[Danpascooch]

I have to say, I have the DSi XL, and it really is a magnificent little bit of hardware - the two large screens are beautiful. If you're one of the thirty-eight people on the planet who haven't yet bought a DS (or if you still haven't upgraded), it'll soon be a bit more cost-effective to buy into the familyy

Why would anyone like the DSXL over a DSi? The only advantage I could see is for older people with poor eyesight, other than that, it just makes it so it won't fit in your pocket.

 

[GonzoGamer]

Well, now they just need to do the same for the EU regions now...

That is weird: UK but not the rest of EU.

Now I just need to decide if I should upgrade from my ds fat (or are people still calling it phat?) now or just wait for the 3ds. Are there things the dsi does that the 3ds wont?

 

[John Funk]

I have to say, I have the DSi XL, and it really is a magnificent little bit of hardware - the two large screens are beautiful. If you're one of the thirty-eight people on the planet who haven't yet bought a DS (or if you still haven't upgraded), it'll soon be a bit more cost-effective to buy into the familyy

Why would anyone like the DSXL over a DSi? The only advantage I could see is for older people with poor eyesight, other than that, it just makes it so it won't fit in your pocket.

It fits in my pocket just fine, man.

The screen is gorgeous, I love the larger pen stylus, the colors are more tasteful, and I like the feel of it more.

 

[Danpascooch]

I have to say, I have the DSi XL, and it really is a magnificent little bit of hardware - the two large screens are beautiful. If you're one of the thirty-eight people on the planet who haven't yet bought a DS (or if you still haven't upgraded), it'll soon be a bit more cost-effective to buy into the familyy

Why would anyone like the DSXL over a DSi? The only advantage I could see is for older people with poor eyesight, other than that, it just makes it so it won't fit in your pocket.

It fits in my pocket just fine, man.

The screen is gorgeous, I love the larger pen stylus, the colors are more tasteful, and I like the feel of it more.

Wait, color of the device, or color on the screen? I didn't think the screen was any different (besides larger).

 

[Ironic Pirate]

I have to say, I have the DSi XL, and it really is a magnificent little bit of hardware - the two large screens are beautiful. If you're one of the thirty-eight people on the planet who haven't yet bought a DS (or if you still haven't upgraded), it'll soon be a bit more cost-effective to buy into the familyy

Why would anyone like the DSXL over a DSi? The only advantage I could see is for older people with poor eyesight, other than that, it just makes it so it won't fit in your pocket.

It fits in my pocket just fine, man.

That's why I wear cargo pants, because all kinds of stuff fits in them.

Anyway, are there plans to release it in other countries? I live in America, but it justs seems odd to only cut the price here.

 

[John Funk]

I have to say, I have the DSi XL, and it really is a magnificent little bit of hardware - the two large screens are beautiful. If you're one of the thirty-eight people on the planet who haven't yet bought a DS (or if you still haven't upgraded), it'll soon be a bit more cost-effective to buy into the familyy

Why would anyone like the DSXL over a DSi? The only advantage I could see is for older people with poor eyesight, other than that, it just makes it so it won't fit in your pocket.

It fits in my pocket just fine, man.

The screen is gorgeous, I love the larger pen stylus, the colors are more tasteful, and I like the feel of it more.

Wait, color of the device, or color on the screen? I didn't think the screen was any different (besides larger).

Of the device. That burgundy one is gorgeous.

 

[sooperman]

Now I just need to decide if I should upgrade from my ds fat (or are people still calling it phat?) now or just wait for the 3ds. Are there things the dsi does that the 3ds wont?

Personally I would wait till the 3DS, if you are really interested. My Fat still works fine, so I figure it doesn't need to be replaced.

Off-topic, I bought my Fat used about six months after the DS was released, and it came with a Halo 2 sticker on the front plate. The thought still amuses me.

 

[Th37thTrump3t]

Wow they dropped the price by 20 dollars. The DSi and DSiXL are SOOOO worth getting now!
/sarcasm

 

[icyneesan]

I still have a original DS and it does fine for me (Considering I only play Pokemon on it). I'm just gonna wait for the 3DS.

Also need a new video card

 

[OceanRunner]

I anticipate the news of a UK price cut.

 

[GonzoGamer]

Now I just need to decide if I should upgrade from my ds fat (or are people still calling it phat?) now or just wait for the 3ds. Are there things the dsi does that the 3ds wont?

Personally I would wait till the 3DS, if you are really interested. My Fat still works fine, so I figure it doesn't need to be replaced.

Off-topic, I bought my Fat used about six months after the DS was released, and it came with a Halo 2 sticker on the front plate. The thought still amuses me.

Yea. My fat works fine too (though it's not nearly as bright as my wife's lite which works much better in the daylight) so I think I'll wait as well.
You never played "Halo 2: Deliberately Stale." It was the sequel to "Halo: Dainty Spartan."

 

[Danpascooch]

I have to say, I have the DSi XL, and it really is a magnificent little bit of hardware - the two large screens are beautiful. If you're one of the thirty-eight people on the planet who haven't yet bought a DS (or if you still haven't upgraded), it'll soon be a bit more cost-effective to buy into the familyy

Why would anyone like the DSXL over a DSi? The only advantage I could see is for older people with poor eyesight, other than that, it just makes it so it won't fit in your pocket.

It fits in my pocket just fine, man.

The screen is gorgeous, I love the larger pen stylus, the colors are more tasteful, and I like the feel of it more.

Wait, color of the device, or color on the screen? I didn't think the screen was any different (besides larger).

Of the device. That burgundy one is gorgeous.

Oh, lol, that's not a big concern to me, though I must admit, the texture of my DSi is absolutely horrendous. I don't know why, but having my skin against it gives me a nails-on-chalkboard like reaction. I had to get a soft plastic case (those semi-transparent gel/plastic things) just to hold the damn thing.

I suppose I can understand the appeal of the DSXL, especially for a woman (you know, being able to store it in a purse and all) but since I already carry my DSi, Wallet, and Cell Phone everywhere (why did I capitalize wallet and cellphone? Whatever) my pockets are pretty full as it is.

 

[person427]

Darn, I just bought one a few months ago!

 

[Danzaivar]

Can the DSi XL play GBA games? I know the DSi couldn't due to size issues but uh, the XL would kinda circumvent that.

Not like it matters, people savvy enough to be on a games site like this would probably just wait for the 3DS to be released.

 

[Unhappy Crow]

Not bad. but it's a shame I decided to wait for the 3DS when I hear the release date. At least it has the same options as the DSi.

 

[RowdyRodimus]

Can the DSi XL play GBA games? I know the DSi couldn't due to size issues but uh, the XL would kinda circumvent that.

Not like it matters, people savvy enough to be on a games site like this would probably just wait for the 3DS to be released.

Nope, it's just like the DSi only bigger. That's part of the reason I've stuck with my $10 DS for the last year. I've got a lot of GBA games that are better than any of the DSi Ware available so it's not worth buying an "upgraded" DS for me.