After getting a DSi, I was shocked to realise that there is yet another DSi launching early this year, called the DSi LL. My disappointment vanished after I’ve read the features for the new DSi (because I realised I probably don’t have a need to ‘upgrade’).

What is different about this DSi LL is that it is physically bigger in everyway – the double screen, the physical size, the camera hole… even the pen. Whilst everybody is busy thinking of how to shrink their devices (think PSP Go, PSP Slim, Mac Airbook, even DSi was smaller than DS Lite), Nintendo does the opposite.

I can’t say what’s the trend for 2010 will be like but it may be likely that the DSi would start to get popular with the giants and the men (big = manly). Unlike the PSP, the DS has been thought of as the more feminine of the handheld consoles with its cute little size, creamy colors and popular domestic games such as Cooking Mama and Mario. It also has a relatively wider array of casings and accessories catered to the female audience than the PSP.

Aside from my so-called relief, I am actually quite disappointed at Nintendo in another way. Nintendo has always been the more creative of the console companies, coming up with double screens and motion-sensored Wii, so I was expecting something different from the new Nintendo DS. It may be the case that the information for the new DS is still kept at bay, and we may be able to expect some surprising add-ons (even an upgrade in camera and screen resolution would be pleasant enough) nearer the date of the release, but as of now, this seems the current case now.

I’m currently awaiting its release and the results, as it would be interesting to see how the market responds to this new version.