Given Japan’s rapidly aging population, the fact that the release of the Nintendo DSi LL (to be know as the XL in other parts of the world) was graced with a commercial that depicted an elderly woman playing the DSi with her family makes perfect sense. With the handheld about to make its way into Europe, Nintendo is backtracking is to be sure that people understand that the DSi XL is not only for the well-aged.

Sporting a larger 4.2 inch screen, a jumbo touch stylus and a refined color scheme, the DSi XL is, for all purposes, aimed at grandma and grandpa, but Nintendo wants to make sure that everyone feels free to get in on the action. Complaints such as a lack of privacy in public places due to the large screen and the heaviness of the handheld – at 314 grams it is the heaviest handheld of its generation – are hounding the DSi XL ahead of its release in Europe this March but Nintendo has been quick to point out that Japanese gamers of all ages have been quickly buying up the DSi LL.

It’s absolutely not (just for old people). DSi XL appeals to as many people, if not more, than its predecessors. With bigger screens and a larger pen-like stylus it’s likely that older users may find the DSi XL easier and more comfortable to use but there are many more people it can and will appeal to.

Nintendo senior product manager for DS James Honeywell

The fifteenth installment in the well-aged and always popular Legend of Zelda series, a Nintendo DS game titled Spirit Tracks, is headed for release on December 7, 2009 in North America. In honor of this impending date and the many sales that will take place before Christmas, here is some cool media (old and new) to get you excited for Link’s latest adventure.

From the Wikipedia article on Spirit Tracks:

Spirit Tracks takes place at least one hundred years after the events of Phantom Hourglass, in the now-established land Link and Tetra originally set out to discover at the end of The Wind Waker. Link is an apprentice engineer for the royal railroads, hoping to become a fully fledged rail tycoon. He learns from Princess Zelda that Spirit Tracks, which not only serve as transportation but also seal an evil force, are disappearing from the world. Whilst investigating the matter, Link and Princess Zelda are ambushed by Chanceller Cole, who hopes to revive this evil. He attacks Zelda and kidnaps her body in order to utilise her powers. Her spirit, however, becomes separated from the body, and only Link is able to see her. She is forced to travel with Link as he attempts to restore the Spirit Tracks, stop Cole and get back her body. Along the way, she both rides atop the train with him, and physically takes control of Phantom Guardians to assist him.

The latest HD trailer for the game:

Some random screenshots: