In the handheld wars, Nintendo has always reigned supreme. This has always made monkeys out of tech journalists and hardcore gamers – people who believe the Darwin like idea that tech wins over all else (a fallacy). I remember the original GameBoy and how the GameGear and then the Nomad and then one from Atari and one from… I don’t remember, Nokia had one at one point. But despite inferior technology – the GB had a black and white screen for god’s sake! – Nintendo has always come out on top based on the idea that people want games, and more games, and more games and that tech and price only appealed to a small subset of hardcore gamers. The Wii is no aberration, it was Nintendo returning to it’s smart ideas about roping in children, adults and old folks AND gamers all with one lasso.

This continued with the super-dominant GBA and then when the DS came out, pundits scoffed. The PSP was so amazingly superior, there was no contest. A stylus? Ha! Two screens? Useless! Where were the movies (how’d that work out Sony?) where was the graphics, the frills? They weren’t there because as it turned out, people didn’t want them so much. Gamers did, but gamers traditionally haven’t been good at understanding markets and capitalism. Nintendo does.

Portable gaming has reached an apex and you’d think Nintendo would release something with better graphics that also plays the hundreds of DS games out there. It worked with the GBA (which played many GB games) and the original DS (which played the played the many GBA games). The DSi and their download store was a direct response to the first serious challenger they’ve ever faced. The iPhone and iPad Touch.

After getting an iPhone I found DS games wildly over priced. iPhone games were often more fun, looked better, played well (well enough for portable needs) and had a touch interface that made the stylus something that you’re more likely to LOSE than want to USE.  Also iPhone apps are typically $9.99 or cheaper, while DS games at under $20 are all too rare.

So what does Nintendo do?  Well, it has a huge lead, loads of units sold, and more games than you’d believe. Is it time to compete with Apple?  I’d say it is and I suspect Nintendo is feverishly coming up with something fast.  The DSi XL isn’t it, but it is a good idea.

Why? Because it appeals to all three of Nintendo’s strongest demographics. It appeals to gamers because it’s MUCH bigger, and a bigger screen makes games more fun to play. It is good for kids because it’s reasonably rugged and easier for them to read (dammit Nintendo, will you please make something that does voice?). It helps the legions of older folks – who play the stunning array of casual games – and even the elderly by being easier to see, easier to play, etc.,

It also makes surfing the net – something that people apparently actually do on these things – easier and clearer. Despite the fairly high price, and asking fans to buy ANOTHER DS, the DSi XL is exactly what you think it is.  A bigger DS. That makes it a must have for anyone interested in bigger real estate and not so compelling for everyone else.

Also, the weight isn’t significantly more but it is a bit harder to fit into a jacket pocket. It fits well in laps, so all those kids playing DS everywhere you look – I’ve been seeing lots of ladies in their 20’s lately too – will likely soon be using bigger units.  How odd is that?  Portable gaming getting bigger, not smaller?

Good job Nintendo, it’s a niche your filling, but it suits all of your fans. Now lets do something about your technology and your prices.

Tags: Game Reviews