The *ds xl holds longer battery time and larger screen, round edges, smoother cover, stylus is larger and is held in the *ds xl on the right. Comparision: * inches taller when opened, * inch bigger screen, an inch bigger outside, a milimeter wider. Battery: *-* hours, playing *d: *:** minutes longer, playing *d: ** minutes longer. Realese date: north America and austrailia: Augest **. Japan or Uerope: July **. Cost: US:***.**$, UK:somewhere around the price of the original *ds.