When Nintendo launched the DSi back in 2009, it always felt like a temporary stopgap that would fill the space between the DSi and whatever the next handheld might be.  According to Kotaku, we’re now seeing just how temporary it was, as they report that a Japanese retailer has told them that Nintendo has taken the DSi out of production.

According to the source, the only DSi consoles available are the ones currently in stock, and many areas are entirely sold out.  The DSiXL (DSiLL in Japan) appears to still be in production, however, so old people can still play Sudoko without straining their eyes.

To me, the DSi always felt unnecessary, especially for those who already had a DS Lite.  The addition of a low-res camera really didn’t add much to the handheld experience, and the DSiWare Shop failed to offer a significant amount of worthwhile titles.  Its release also made many DS Lite owners feel foolish for buying a handheld that now seemed out of date only a few years after its release. I’m hopeful that Nintendo won’t pull a similar move with their next handheld, and that the 3DS I buy in March is the only one I ever need.