Looks like Nintendo got that letter I sent them about 3 years back.

 

There I was, playing Star Fox Command on my shiny new black DS Lite. As I'm attempting to follow a missle by flying though some boxes in the sky, I get a terrible cramping pain in my hand. Why? Because the DS Lite is so friggin small. Just holding on to the thing during more intense game moments makes my pinky look like a question mark as it's the sole load bearer for the considerable weight of my button-mashing right hand. Not exactly ergonomic. It was my duty to let Reggie know. Surely someone out there was suffering like I was while trying to beat the notoriously difficult Order of Ecclasia. No luck. I was left to suffer. Thanks Reggie... You beautiful bastard you.

 

Maybe I just have big hands (settle down ladies), or maybe I hold the DS like Popeye holds a can of spinach (settle down Roo). In any case, my marathon sessions of Puzzle Quest have become quite a challenge to my metatarsal dexterity.

 

In truth, I think overall the DS Lite is a great piece of hardware which partly explains why it's a veritable money printer for the big N. Sleek design, well executed, in a tight and light (lite?) package. But in my opinion, it's a little too small. I've even spent time on the interwebs looking for accessories that would help to fatten the thing up without having to go and buy the oppressively ugly DS Phat. I used a zipper case for awhile which just left zipper marks in my fingers and my method of using tightly rolled duct tape to augment the shape met with limited success (and a sticky DS Lite I might add). Oh well I thought. It's a great gaming system even though it's made for freakishly small-handed carnies and children. Bit it would appear Ninetndo has heard my cries for help. 

 

Soon(ish and by that I mean quarter 1 2010) Nintendo releases the DSi XL. Although it sounds like a male enhancement pill, the DSi Xl is actually just a larger version of its DSi cousin, which allows us XXL handers like me to get a grip on the future carpel tunnel the DS Lite has been causing us all these years. How bout them four inch screens which purportedly offer better viewing angles (for multiplayer you know... what? Why are you looking at me like that? You don't use your DS for old-fashioned in-the-same-room multi-player??)? Oh and it also has a stylus that is full pen sized, like I give a rat crap about that. It ain't the size of the stylus, it's how you use it without running up a physical therapy bill. That's what I always say.