We've got our hands on Nintendo's gargantuan new DSi model, and it's truly supermassive.

We were taken by surprise this morning when Mr. Postman left a hefty bag brimming with unexpected goodies on our doorstep. Inside the bag, courtesy of the lovely folk at Nintendo UK, lurked an colossal gaming treat, nestled amongst various jumbo-sized everyday objects.

The DSi XL (or the DSi LL, as it's known in Japan) is due out in Europe on March 5th in scrumptious Wine Red and Chocolate Brown varieties, but we're currently getting to grips with our new Japanese unit to give you a definitive verdict on the newest, and biggest, iteration of the indomitable Nintendo DS.

Below you'll find photographs of our journey so far with the DSi XL, from the initial unboxing to a blind journey through seas of Japanese text. There's also a giant calculator.

Click to go through to our DSi XL gallery for even more images. (There's also a giant mug.)

Come back tomorrow for comparison shots between the XL and other handhelds, as well as our final hardware review of the DSi XL.