Nintendo to launch new DSi handheld in Japan: report

By Reuters

TOKYO (Reuters) - Nintendo Co plans to launch a new version of its DSi hand-held videogame player with a larger screen in Japan as early this year, the Nikkei business daily reported on Tuesday.

Nintendo hopes the introduction of a large-screen version will kick-start demand for the DSi, whose monthly sales have slowed to a third of their peak levels following its launch about a year ago, the Nikkei said.

The existing version has a 3.25-inch screen, roughly the same size as Apple Inc's iPhone.

The new version will have a screen larger than 4 inches, which would put it roughly on a par with the screen on Sony Corp's PlayStation portable game player, the Nikkei said.

A bigger screen could lead to new applications for the DSi, including for reading electronic books and watching videos. It could also attract older consumers by making it easier to view the contents on the screen, the Nikkei said.

The large-screen DSi will sell for 18,900 yen, about the same as the current version.

Nintendo also plans to launch a version of the DSi with more robust anti-piracy features for the Chinese and South Korean markets by the end of the current business year in March 2010, the Nikkei said.

(Reporting by Nathan Layne; Editing by Michael Watson)

2009 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Reuters content is the intellectual property of Thomson Reuters or its third party content providers. Any copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. Thomson Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. "Reuters" and the Reuters Logo are trademarks of Thomson Reuters and its affiliated companies. For additional information on other Reuters media services please visit http://about.reuters.com/media/.