A report in Japan's Nikkei financial newspaper (reposted via NeoGaf) reveals that Nintendo plans to release a new iteration of the DSi with a whopping 4" in screen real-estate. That would make the new model's screen three-quarters of an inch larger than the current model. The story puts the release date for the updated DSi as later this year, with the price to remain at the same 18900 Yen as the one currently on store shelves. Whether it will see release outside of Japan remains under consideration.

The story attributes Nintendo's impetus to increase the screen size on substantial feedback from users. It also notes that the larger screen is meant to cater to older users who have expressed difficulty when gaming on the smaller screens.

There are probably more than a few folks besides older Japanese gamers who would think that in this case, bigger is better.

Japanese developers need to be more creative if they hope to once "again lead the gaming market," according to PlatinumGames boss Atushi Inaba.

Employing numerous ex-Capcom staffers, including Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami, PlatinumGames largely consists of former employees from Clover Studio--creators of the widely acclaimed Viewtiful Joe, God Hand, and Okami.

"I want Japanese creators to realize now is that they are now following the lead of the U.S. creators, and that we need to get to and then surpass those creators, with innovative games that sell in the West as well," Inaba told Gamasutra.

"I believe that Japan needs to be more creative, and go beyond what is given," he reasoned, explaining his view that Japan had "always been good at taking advantage" of a console's restrictions, whereas Western developers "had always... Read more