The New 3DS and New 3DS XL

[Naitrax]

Cross posting from Kotaku

 

Nintendo Just Announced a New 3DS. It Has Another Analog Stick.

It's called the New Nintendo 3DS. It's faster with bigger screens and better battery life. It also has a new analog pad called the "C-stick." Wow! This sounds great. The New Nintendo 3DS comes in White and Black. There is also a New Nintendo 3DS XL that comes in Metallic Blue and Metallic Black. Note that in Japan, the 3DS XL is called the "3DS LL."

The New 3DS also has colorful, revamped face buttons. Look familiar? 

That's no accident. Nintendo designed the buttons with the Super Famicom controller in mind. And here are the New 3DS XL buttons, which should also look familiar:

While the new analog stick is called, well, the C-stick, Nintendo exec Satoru Iwata says it is closer to a button. It was designed with the GameCube's C-stick in mind. According to Iwata, the new C-stick is easy to use. The new C-stick will be used in Dragon Quest X: Online, Final Fantasy Explorers, and Monster Hunter 4G to control the in-game camera function, and in the upcoming Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS to unleash Smash Attacks.

The game card slot, however, has been moved to the front left side. You can also see the power button and where the touch pen is housed.

This, of course, is the back of the New 3DS.

 

The New Nintendo 3DS has a new function, which is a cool and welcome change—the screen can automatically adjust brightness depending on the lighting. Using this function isn't only easy, but it means better battery life. The New Nintendo 3DS also has an improved 3D function. With the original 3DS, if you viewed the 3D effect from the side and didn't stay in the "sweet spot," the 3DS became all blurred. However, the New 3DS has improved 3D, enabling players to continue to see the 3D effect even if viewed from an angle. Nintendo figured out how to stabilize the 3D. How? Well...

The New 3DS uses the portable's camera and gyro sensors to track the player's face. And the New 3DS can then make adjustments, ensuring the 3D effect isn't blurred.

The New Nintendo 3DS is also equipped with a NFC reader/writer in its bottom screen, which means players can put Amiibo toys directly on the portable to have the New 3DS read them.

 

For those who need extra storage, the New 3DS will use a Micro SD card, which is located under the portable's covering.

The New 3DS also has a more powerful CPU. This means that better-looking games can be developed for the New 3DS, but also that there will be New 3DS-exclusive titles, such as the already-announced Xenoblade Chronicles.

The New Nintendo 3DS is priced at 16,000 yen ($154) and the New Nintendo 3DS XL is priced at 18,800 yen ($181). Both will be out October 11 in Japan. Nintendo didn't say anything about plans to bring the console to the U.S. other than that it will not happen in 2014.

 

 

 

Well. 

I think this is absolutely awesome, apart from one fact - we won't be receiving them outside of Japan until some point next year. 

The new 3D "stabilisation" will make 3D play more enticing, instead of making it an annoyance like it currently is. I'm sure it will still have some problems. I mean, what doesn't? However, it definitely will make 3D a viable option when playing with friends in the same room.

The upgradeable memory sounds awesome. Only wishing I'd picked up those $10 64gb Micro SD cards back when they were on sale...

I'm not sure how I feel about having the power button on the outside. I only hope they make it so it can't be turned on with the lid closed, otherwise we'll all need protective casing to prevent accidental turn ons while stored in a bag or something.

As always, larger screens. Sounds pretty cool, even though the top screen is only 0.25 inches larger than the old models.

 

The price is absurdly low, as even here in Australia you can't get a 3DS XL for under $200. I doubt, even though it directly converts to $193 AUD, it will be priced anywhere below $250.

 

~Nai

 

 

[Black Hand Smith]

I have mixed feelings about the NEW 3ds. In one hand I think it could be ok, but on the other hand I think this is going to be the new DSI, same thing with only a few exclusive Games that either no one cares about or no one knows exists. For people who just got a 3DS XL they are really going to be raging that they have to upgrade their gear so soon. But then again, if it won't come out soon in America perhaps it might even things out. For us at least.

[ZombieOfTheDead]

Why the hell did they move the start, select, and home buttons? They literally took space away from the perfect place for a second analog stick. Not seeing why they placed it above the buttons either, as it's easier to move and press buttons at the same time when the stick is below the buttons.

 

Other than that, no complaints other than the fact that I won't get one unless my current one breaks. Hopefully this won't completely lock out players that don't have the new one.

[Lenne]

Other than that, no complaints other than the fact that I won't get one unless my current one breaks. Hopefully this won't completely lock out players that don't have the new one.

 

This.

 

I mean who are they trying to reach with this?

The people that don't already have a 3ds? (all two of them)

 

Thanks for sharing, Nai.

[Rissole25]

A little surprised by this. This should've been how it was at the start. Adding in a few buttons just doesn't seem worth it. (I know it's not only new buttons added)

I do love the SNES button theme though.

I am happy with my 2DS though. Seems weird but the 3DS is about halfway through its life expectancy I think (if you're going for the 6 years thing). What other models can they come up with? New 3DSi XL Lite?