The is a dual-screen
handheld game console released by
Nintendo. The console launched in Japan on November 1, 2008, and worldwide beginning in April 2009. It is the third
iteration of the
Nintendo DS, and its primary market rival is
Sony's
PlayStation Portable (PSP). The fourth iteration, entitled
Nintendo DSi XL, is a larger model that launched in Japan on November 21, 2009, and worldwide beginning in March 2010. Development of the DSi began in late 2006, and the handheld was unveiled during an October 2008 Nintendo conference in Tokyo. Consumer demand convinced Nintendo to produce a slimmer handheld with larger screens than the
DS Lite. Consequently, Nintendo removed the
Game Boy Advance (GBA) cartridge slot to improve portability without sacrificing durability.