New 3DS & 3DS XL coming

[Mendon]

Just read an article that Nintendo is releasing updated 3DS & 3DS XL hardware. Adds a 2nd analog (though it looks very tiny in the pictures), 2nd set of shoulder buttons, faster processor, NFC built in for the Amiibo toys, and more.

 

Updated hardware is to be expected. But what I find curious is that they are releasing Xenoblade Chronicles and it will only be playable on this new hardware. Very strange......

 

Has this sort of exclusivity ever happened with any other handheld or console? I can't imagine a new XB1 Slim or PS4 Slim that had exclusive games available only for them that wouldn't play on the original XB1 or PS4.

 

http://www.theverge.com/2014/8/29/6082243/nintendo-new-3ds-and-3ds-xl-announcement

 

[Austin]

Oh man.. A portable Xenoblade? I'm going to have to try really, really hard to not give in to that.

 

I do find it odd that they are going for a more powerful hardware revision though. Isn't the DS line already segmented enough as it is (DS, DSi, 3DS, 2DS, and varying "lite" and "XL" models in between)? I suppose this is a stopgap between the 3DS and the next true successor.

[Rex Dart]

I do find it odd that they are going for a more powerful hardware revision though. Isn't the DS line already segmented enough as it is (DS, DSi, 3DS, 2DS, and varying "lite" and "XL" models in between)? I suppose this is a stopgap between the 3DS and the next true successor.

 

DSi & XL had more powerful hardware over the standard DS models. It was only used for some DSi-exclusive downloads, and also to allow games to run more smoothly. Playing Dragon Quest 9 on my Lite while my wife played it on her XL, it was much choppier on my DS.

 

This thing, though... very strange.

[NE146]

I already have 3, so will pass on this launch.

 

However I may bite next year or two when the "special editions" start coming out as per schedule.

[cimerians]

As much as I want to I wont be able to get one (maybe just one for myself). Wife simply wont let me, she was pissed about getting the 3DS to begin with (she started playing on the DS). Also the adapters changing on every model so that made her even more annoyed.

 

I'll probably end up owning one, I'll justify it somehow, maybe selling my 3DS since we have three of them, but there's no way anyone else in the house will get a new 3DS model.

[Rex Dart]

I already have 3, so will pass on this launch.

 

However I may bite next year or two when the "special editions" start coming out as per schedule.

 

Oh, but they have interchangeable faceplates.

[NE146]

 

Oh, but they have interchangeable faceplates.

 

Maybe. It's just that in the past I've really wanted to buy the "Zelda" editions of the 3DS's (both the black original & gold XL versions), but just couldn't justify it since I already bought the launch models. Won't be a problem this time though.

[King_Salamon]

I've been considering an XL for a while but never did. Now with this, I can pass my 3ds on to my son.

 

And for Xenoblade... I missed it as a Wii game... so for the current price of one of these... about $150 I can slap that towards a new Super 3DS and this game. I'm ready to spend... where do I pre=order??? lol

[Atariboy]

Xenoblade Chronicles was reprinted and is cheap again. For something like $40, you can get a pristine used copy of it.

 

With 45 million (And growing) standard 3DS systems out there, I don't expect to see many titles join the likes of Xenoblade in eschewing support for the vast majority of the system's audience. I'd be surprised if the list surpasses a half dozen significant retail releases someday with more than perhaps 1-2 of those belonging to 3rd parties.

 

I hope they finally solve the issue of the casing around the 4:3 touch screen scratching up the 16:9 upper screen when the system is closed. Doesn't seem like it should be a problem preventing the two from ever coming into contact, but the issue persists as I was reminded by a recent thread over at Digital Press.

 

Kind of was hoping for a 2DS XL.

Edited August 29, 2014 by Atariboy

[Jess Ragan]

This is moronic. After all of Sega's blunders and its own mistake with the DSi, Nintendo really should have known better.

[Wickeycolumbus]

I really like the colored buttons on the new 3DS. The new analog stick, buttons, and faster processor are definitely a strange twist, not so sure it will catch on.

[Gregory DG]

Finally... Been waiting for them to refresh it!

[Jess Ragan]

Yeah, it's been a whole year since the last 3DS revision.

[cimerians]

lol

 

Yeah its a yearly thing it seems.

 

The problem I have is when the wife starts catching on and looks at you like WTF?

 

[Austin]

After all of Sega's blunders and its own mistake with the DSi, Nintendo really should have known better.

 

Is it a blunder though if it sells? I'm pretty sure that's why Nintendo keeps doing things like this. As stupid as it sounds to us, they will likely still come out on top, which is the only thing that will matter to them (market confusion be damned).

[Rex Dart]

Whatever, it works for Apple.

[Mendon]

lol

 

Yeah its a yearly thing it seems.

 

The problem I have is when the wife starts catching on and looks at you like WTF?

 

 

I really told my wife off last night. She started yelling at me and I told her FIRMLY "You let me out from underneath this bed and I'll show you a thing or two!!"

[Mendon]

I guess the strangest thing for me about this 3DS is the name Nintendo gave it: The New Nintendo 3DS. If there was confusion with Wii - Wii U, I can't imagine what is going to happen with 3DS, 3DS XL, 2DS, New 3DS, New 3DS XL.

 

 

[NE146]

I guess now I'm intrigued in how the 3D is better and viewable from angles without blurring... might just get it now.

[DaytonaUSA]

While this might seem stupid to gamers, you have to understand ... They've probably gotten most 3ds owners to buy more than one 3ds. Can't say that about most systems. They sell a bajillion handhelds. Ever wonder why?

 

Personally, I won't buy one. They released the dsi xl a half year before unveiling the 3ds. I wouldn't be surprised if at most this system gets a couple dozen exclusives.

 

I think its their way of getting the 'Wii' powered handheld out of the way so their next handheld can be an HD system.

 

That way they can make their cash from Wii ports, cash in, and move on.

 

I don't ever fall for these half way points Nintendo offers. I didn't buy a GB color. I didn't buy a dsi. Neither will I buy this.

 

For 119 bucks I got a jxd s7800b. I can play all my Nintendo games on the go plus have an infinitely more powerful piece of kit till Nintendo's real next gen portable. I'll be content till then.

[cimerians]

I guess the strangest thing for me about this 3DS is the name Nintendo gave it: The New Nintendo 3DS. If there was confusion with Wii - Wii U, I can't imagine what is going to happen with 3DS, 3DS XL, 2DS, New 3DS, New 3DS XL.

 

 

 

My random thoughts:

They can release a model every 6 months and people will probably buy it (or not buy it). It doesn't matter initially because the niche crowd always ends up buying it or a version right after the last model. I expect them to continue this pace whether the systems sell or not. It's like a book or TV series.

 

It's almost to the point (if not already) that they are a niche market seller. It also helps that the majority in Japan these days primarily game on handhelds\tablets and phones so they are guaranteed sales over there (a reason why the Vita is still alive is because of Japan IMO, might be wrong but I would think so).

[ComputerSpaceFan]

Repeating my comments from KLOV (sorry for the repetition)....

 

I love my 3DS XL but I really don't find anything compelling in this new machine.

Second analog stick - barring any amazing new games that will make use of this I don't see this as a big advantage. None of the games that need a second stick thus far are very appealing to me. And it looks fairly bad in implementation.
Besides, I got Wii Motion Plus and did anyone support that? Nope.

Wider viewing angles - my guess is this doesn't mean a sweeping new range of viewing, more likely if you sit at specific places you can see the 3D.

Personally I won't be playing at odd angles, I will still hold it straight ahead.

Extra shoulder buttons - see my Wii Motion Plus comment above, also these look to be in a bad position.


Built in NFC - I don't see a lot of portable use for Amiibo, I could be wrong

Faster processors - okay this could be significant, maybe. Assuming the new device sells really well and depending on what games come out that "require" the faster processor I will hold off in dismissing this as a must-upgrade feature.

So far, my present 3DS XL has nothing to worry about.

[Video]

making games that work only on it? Sure, Take the Gameboy color, tons of games worked on it, but not the original DMG or SGB consoles (games in the transparent grey cases) and I believe I have a few games that only work on the DSi (which is fully DS compatible) games that for instance, use the camera that is not DS standard (systemflaw, I think is one of those DSi Only games) so it's not uncommon for nintendo to make a console that is basically the same with minor updates that make some games not bc.

 

Now if they made this system not 3DS compatible, that would have been a royal f*$% up.

 

My 3DS is in the process of dying, so I may pick one up, the lack of a built in analog stick was what kept me from buying the various other 3DS variants (after they released the stick pro wahtever the hell it was called) This is basically the system with that built in, so it's something I've been wanting for a while now.

[DaytonaUSA]

Long and short, if you're 30 years old or older, you all know this is a half way system like they've done many times before.

 

If your 3DS still works, keep truckin' till the successor is announced. Which in this day and age of portable technology, might not be as long as you think.

[godslabrat]

I'm in. My DS is dead (tragic accident) and I never got a 3DS of any kind. This will be a good portable for at least the next 3 years worth of hardware, maybe even 5 years.