DSi XL Coming To America

"A new iteration of the Nintendo DSi™ system will be introduced in Japan on November 21, 2009," according to a statement from Nintendo released to Kotaku. "To be known as Nintendo DSi LL in Japan, and as Nintendo DSi XL in North America and Europe, it will offer a screen 93% larger than the current Nintendo DS Lite with a better view angle, an additional longer touch screen stylus, and preinstalled Nintendo DSiWare™ software. The new version will arrive in North America and Europe in the first quarter of calendar year 2010."

This announcement comes directly from Nintendo.  It's now officially official.  North America will be receiving the larger version of the DSi.  It's assumed, but not confirmed, that the system will sell for the same price as the current DSi.  We'll give you more details as they come in.

So, are you excited?  Will you rush out and buy a new, bigger DSi?

Iwata Talks Wii Sales

“Wii has stalled. We were unable to continually release strong software, and let the nice mood cool. We were unable to show a new game to become ‘the next thing.’ In the game market, once you’ve lost the momentum, it takes time to recover. With the price drop, sales returned to a certain level, but they just did not reach the level of last year around this time. We decided that it would be difficult to sell enough to recover from the poor performance of the first half of the year. In order to reach it (20 million target), we’ll have to move quite a large quantity, but it’s a figure we released after having felt the momentum returning [based off the price drop].” - Satoru Iwata

That's a pretty straightforward statement from Nintendo about the current situation of Wii sales.  It's been very clear that sales have fallen off from last year, but they're still doing well.  They haven't had, as of yet, the killer app that everyone looks at to be released each year, but it's coming very soon.  I think New Super Mario Bros. Wii will be a huge generator of sales, in both terms of software and hardware.  The DS version of the game is selling selling and has been on the top 20 NPD chart still recently.  The price drop that Nintendo recently announced will also go a long way in generating more sales and I think it's safe to assume that when we see the October numbers Nintendo will be on top again for the rest of the year. 

DSi vs. DSi LL Size Comparison

For anyone that was wondering just how much bigger the DSi LL is compared the current DSi, the above photo tell all.  It's quite a bit bigger, but you can't really see the screen quality comparison from that shot.  Just based on the size alone, I can tell you I don't really like the DSi LL.  That's, of course, not ever having had my hands on the system.  I really like the size of the DSi as it currently is.  It fits quite nicely in my pocket and the screens are very good as they are.  The button layout is the only thing I might have changed to space them out a tiny bit more.  What do you guys think?  Do you like the new look of the DSi LL?

MACHINE Announces Bittos+ for WiiWare

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – October 29, 2009 – MACHINE, a well known development brand and a new publisher specifically focused on digitally downloaded and distributed video games, announced today the upcoming release of bittos+, a new arcade-style puzzle game for WiiWare™.

Developed by Unconditional Studios in San Diego, California, bittos+ challenges players to take control of a variety of shapes while guiding, rotating and placing them in just the right arrangement to construct happy, shiny squares, all the while being surrounded by relentlessly multiplying bad bits and pieces, previously neglected by the player. Squares? Yes, squares! The higher the player progresses, the more difficult the game becomes continuously testing the players’ mettle with a mind shattering four stages of ten levels in eighty-two rounds, making for one of the deepest puzzle game adventure modes available.

“The Wii’s success among both casual and core gamers makes it an ideal match for the diverse style of play that’s offered in bittos+,” said Fox for Unconditional Studios. “It’s the perfect pick-up-and-play game for players looking for simple, yet captivating entertainment, but it also offers a variety of options for hardcore gamers looking for a deeper more engaging experience. On the mellow end of the spectrum the game offers a wonderful trance like experience, while on the wired end the title delivers hardcore, sometimes crazy, in-the-zone gameplay.”

The game comes loaded with multiple game modes to unlock, local high score boards, in-game medals and awards, and unique styles of play to entertain and challenge players of all ability levels, delivering a unique gameplay experience that the entire family can enjoy together.

bittos+ hits the Wii™ Shop Channel in November 2009.

Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil Zero Shipping in December

We are happy to announce the ship date for Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil Zero today. Exclusively available on the Wii, Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil Zero will ship on December 1, 2009 and will be a must-have classic for the Holiday season. Resident Evil Archives gives Wii gamers the opportunity to play classic Resident Evil games they may have missed, now at a great value price of $29.99.

Prequel to the game that started a multi-million dollar franchise, Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil Zero exposes the back story and internal tyranny of the Umbrella Corporation and lets players discover the origins of the T-Virus in an epic storyline that tells the horrors leading up to the infamous mansion incident.

Only available on the Nintendo GameCube until now, Resident Evil Zero brings Rebecca Chambers – rookie member of S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team – to Raccoon City , where she must investigate a series of gruesome murders. Almost immediately she stumbles upon a military transport truck filled with corpses and her journey of horror begins.

Along the way Rebecca meets Billy Coen, an ex-Marine convicted on circumstantial evidence for the murder of 23 people. Players will get to control both Rebecca and Billy simultaneously using the Partner Zapping system, as they fight their way out of Raccoon City in the last of the main titles to use the original Resident Evil gameplay system prior to Resident Evil 4.

DSi LL Coming to Europe

We told you earlier today that the new DSi LL would be heading to Japan later this year.  The system features a slightly larger form factor than the current model of the DSi.  It didn't take very long at all for another region to jump on board with their announcement.  In an interview with Videogamer, Nintendo of Europe announced that the new DSi would be coming to Europe during the first quarter of 2010 and would be labeled the DSi XL.  The system is exactly the same as the DSi LL in Japan.  There has not been any announcement as to what colors will be available in Europe or if there would be any software loaded on the system.  As soon as we find out the rest of the details we'll be sure to let our European friends know.

Source: Joystiq

Max and the Magic Marker T-Shirt Winners Announced

Well guys, it's time to announce the winners of the Max and the Magic Marker contest.  The following readers will be able to do their best Max impression and I would like any of you that receive the shirt to send us a picture of you or a family member wearing the shirt.  We'll post any of them that you want on the site for all to see.

Malouff
Philip Reed
Matthew Pitt
Charlie
Trist1214

Congratulations to each of you.  Send me an email with your mailing address and as soon as the shirts reach our office I will get them sent out to you.