Nintendo DSi XL Review

The Nintendo DSi Xl is almost exactly the same device the DSi is with some improvements as the name suggests the “XL” meaning extra-large the Nintendo DSi XL packs two large screens and bigger bulkier body than what we had in the DSi. However, the displays aren’t the only things that have improved its also the new and better battery life but at the end of the day, the Nintendo DSi still seems like a better choice over the DSi XL. So, here’s our full review for the Nintendo DSi XL.

Design and Build Quality

The DSi XL looks almost the same as its younger sibling the DSi but it is a lot bigger than the DSi. The DSi XL packs two huge 4.2 inches screens and weighs a lot more than the DSi and the DS Lite. Instead of the DSi’s matte look, the DSi XL has more of a glossier look which makes it a fingerprint magnet and also makes it more prone to scratches. The overall design of the DSi XL is just huge. In terms of design, the rest of the device is almost the same as the DSi. With the same position of the buttons and almost the same feel as well. The front camera is again located at the center of the hinge and the three LED’s that display the status of your device’s power, charging and Wi-Fi are located on the left side of the hinge. You can easily buy this online using Croma Voucher with great offers.

The Nintendo DSi XL does have a better and improved camera and a big screen but the resolution of the screen is still the same as the one on the DSi that is 256 x192 pixels.

The DSi Xl is definitely not a travel-friendly device. With such a big size it makes it a lot hard to carry the DSi XL in the pocket. All in all, the DSi XL just has a bigger and less portable body and design than what we had on the DSi.

Features

Despite its huge body the DSi XL still packs an internal storage of about 256MB just like the DSi. However, the DSi XL does support SD cards up to 32 GB. This is still useless since the games you download from the DSi shop are directly installed in the Internal storage. Talking about the software the DSi XL has a new firmware version 1.4U and it also comes with some pre-installed games like the Flipnote Studio, Brain Age Express: Math and Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters.

Just like the Nintendo DSi, the Nintendo DSi XL can also connect to Wi-Fi allowing you to surf the internet via its new pre-installed DSi web browser, there is also the same online store that installed in the Nintendo DSi XL called the DSi Shop that the DSi had. The DSi shop will allow you to download exclusive Nintendo games that are available online. There is a vast variety of games available on the DSi shop including free games and paid games. Paid games can be bought using DSi points.

Performance

The Nintendo DSi XL comes with the same 16 MB RAM which the DSi had, not just that even the processor on the Nintendo DSi XL is the same as the one we had on the DSi or in other words the processing speed on the Nintendo DSi XL is exactly the same as the one on the DSi. Since, both the devices have the same processor and RAM the performance between both the devices is also the same.

However, the thing that has changed on the DSi XL is its battery life. The battery life on the Nintendo DSi XL is notably larger than the one on the DSi. In terms of battery life various options available in the market and one can buy those using Mobikwik Coupons with great offers. The DSi used to get us a screen time of about 9-12 hours on the lowest screen brightness but the Nintendo DSi XL will be able to get you a screen time of about 14-17 hours highly depending upon your brightness which is just fantastic.

Verdict

The DSi XL is roughly priced at about $190 which is $20 more than 2009’s DSi. In terms of performance both the devices perform almost identical. However, the DSi XL lasts longer in terms of battery life. The screen on the DSi XL is also the major upgrade Nintendo has made from the DSi. Yet the bigger screen and bulkier design make the DSi XL less portable. If you are looking to buy a device between the DSi and the DSi XL, we suggest you buy the DSi and save $20 because both the devices are almost the same with DSi being more portable.