Nintendo confirmed last November about a big display Nintendo DSi XL handheld console and now it’s going to be available next month.
Bearing a 4.2-inch screen that is 93 percent bigger in comparison to the original DSi, Nintendo will bring Nintendo DSi XL on March 28 in North America. Business Week reported that Nintendo will also push the ebook reader for the handheld console. Just like Sony gifted Comic Store to PlayStation Portable, Nintendo will bring a book store for DS owners.

With books for Nintendo DSi XL, the company in a way will compete with several existing players like Amazon (Kindle DX), Sony (Reader and PSP), Apple iPad Tablet, Barnes & Noble (Nook), Notion Ink (Adam) and so on. A downloadable package dubbed ‘ 100 Classic books’ is the App that is being talked about and will be released through Wii channels on June 14 for $20 (Rs. 960 approx.). We still have to wait for the list of books and novels included in these 100 Classic collection.

On the other end, Apple iPad Tablet is due to arrive by next month which too acts as eBook reader. And with 4.2-inch screen even DSi XL can serve as a good ebook reader just like many use iPhone albeit not for prolonged hours. If more ebooks are made available for DSi XL, then it may attract the casual gamers, who can also use it for reading some good titles. Apart from that, DSi XL will also have Opera mobile browser for surfing the web.

Similar handheld devices capable of more than the basic function like gaming make the choice wee bit difficult for consumers. Sony offers Comics on the PSPgo and now DSi XL will bring ebook reading capability. Are we heading for an eBooks vs digital comics clash in the near future? May be. But before that, let’s wait for the Nintendo DSi XL handheld console to arrive.

The new Nintendo DSi XL is priced at US $189.99 and available for pre-order now!

The American release of World Destruction-SEGA presents Sands of Destruction DS.
In a struggle to rid their planet of tyranny, a group of warriors seeks the power to destroy the world.

Sands of Destruction DS, an epic RPG created by the all-star Japanese developers at ImageEpoc, takes you through an epic adventure in a world surrounded by a sea of sand. In Sands of Destruction, a race of powerful beastmen known as the Ferals rule over the human population with tyranny and prejudice. A group of warriors, the World Annihilation Front, believe their only option for ending the corruption of the Ferals is to end the world as they know it.

This intense game puts gamers in control of an intriguing cast of characters including the crusading Morte Ashera as well as Kyrie Illunis, who unknowingly holds the key to global destruction. Gamers will explore a fantastic world, traveling across oceans of sand, battling colossal enemy monsters and unraveling the mystery of the creation of the world. Immerse yourself in dynamic battles taking up both the top and lower screens of the DS and an epic storyline with a twist, in this action-packed fantasy RPG exclusively on the DS

Sands of Destruction DS is available now for US $ 34.99, hurry up the fight has began!

Ubisoft announced a Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi video game system installment for its upcoming comedy-adventure, Rabbids Go Home.
The Nintendo handheld version features the same zany storyline as its Wii counterpart, but will feature a different gameplay experience unique to DS. Players will solve a variety of puzzles and brain teasers in an effort to collect as much stuff as they can to build a giant pile all the way to the moon.
The game will also feature an intuitive Level Editor, allowing players to create their own puzzles and share them with other gamers for more Rabbids adventures. Nintendo DSi owners will be able to use the Nintendo DSi Camera to take pictures and customize them with funny Rabbid animations.
Rabbids Go Home for Nintendo DS is scheduled to release Holiday 2009.

The Rabbids first comedy-adventure will take them to the moon or bust! Those crazy Rabbids have an infallible plan: collect all the human stuff they can find, heap it onto a giant pile and literally climb home to the moon. But not so fast! The Humans revolt, unleashing the Verminators whose only objective is to exterminate the Rabbids. Rabbids Go Home game features include:

• The Rabbids First Puzzle-Adventure Game: The Raving Rabbids, using a shopping cart, will have to solve the puzzle of each level and collect as much stuff as they can to build a giant pile to their home… the moon!

• Same storyline as the Wii version, different gameplay: The game features a true story mode, including hours of puzzle-based gameplay.
• Stir up funny chain reactions in 150 brain teasers based on physics and funny Rabbids characters. The goal is to lead a shopping cart to the Toilets, collecting as many maximum resources as possible on the way.
• 15 tricky levels to actually build a huge pile to the moon: Test your reflexes and your skills with the stylus!
• Challenge mode: Four delirious challenge modes of 20 levels each, apart from the story mode and with different rules and objectives. Create hilarious situations by getting rid of those Raving Rabbids or making them fly! But be careful to not miss the TV show.
• Unique art direction: Encounter a cast of colorful, oddball characters (humans, Verminators, dogs, etc.) and explore a remarkable parody of the modern world!
• Exclusive level editor: Create your own puzzles and share them with your friends and the whole RGH community! Also download other players’ puzzles for hours of additional gameplay.
• My Rabbids (only on Nintendo DSi): Use the camera to take a picture, and customize it with funny Rabbid animations to make your friends laugh!

For more information about Rabbids Go Home, visit the official website: http://www.rabbids.com

The friends at portable-console.com report that gaming giant Nintendo has unveiled its new version of the DS handheld games console - the Nintendo DSi.

The Japanese company said the third version of the console can be used to download games, play music and take photos.

The Nintendo DSi is due to go on sale in the US on April 3 and will cost US $169.99.

Nintendo’s president Satoru Iwata said: “We want to change the DS from something that’s in every household to something that’s for every person.”

The company says it has sold nearly 80 million of the consoles around the world since they went on sale in 2004.

A Nintendo DSi short feature list:

World’s largest online retailer offering gift cards in return for old video games.

E-commerce giant Amazon has unveiled a video game trade-in program, offering customers gift cards to the most popular store on the Web in return for old video games.

It’s a move that could position Amazon to better capitalize on one of the healthier media segments: games. Reselling used games also could be potentially lucrative for the world’s largest online retailer, considering that prices on pre-played titles can still remain fairly high while still representing a discount from the $50 and $60 cost of new products.

Amazon is accepting old games from the major console systems, including Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation. The online retail giant is not accepting PC games, however, a move that has garnered criticism in the site’s discussion forum.

Check here for Amazon’s video game trade-in program.