So what is up with this new 3DS and what is there to know about it?
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/guide/30837
Nintendo announced a new 3DS model, dubbed the 3DS XL in North America and Europe and the 3DS LL in Japan, and understandably, you might be curious as to what exactly it is and why we should care. So, we compiled some information about it to keep together in one area. Enjoy!
So, is my old 3DS irrelevant?
Nope. It's still fine. All the 3DS XL is is a new, bigger model. Think how the DSi XL was to the DSi. It's better in some ways, but it doesn't make the old system obsolete.
What's new?
The 3DS XL adds larger screens, a new form factor, and some other tweaks.
How big are the new screens?
The screens are 90% larger, going from 3.53 inches to 4.88 inches wide on the top and 3.02 inches to 4.18 inches wide on the bottom. The dimensions are also changing, with the original 3DS being 5.3 inches wide x 2.9 inches deep by .83 inches high and the new 3DS XL being 6.14 inches wide x 3.66 inches high x .86 inches high.
How is the design being altered?
There aren't any major changes, just some small tweaks. The design of the system is slightly more rounded, and hopefully, they've solved the riddle of the marks left on the top screen with the addition of spacers to the left and right of the camera. The Start/Select/Home buttons appear to be, well, more like buttons. They're still in the same spot, but they're quite different looking.
Is the battery better?
A little bit. The range for playing 3DS games will increase from 3-5 hours to 3.5-6.5 hours. For DS games, the system should last between 6-10 hours, which is better than the original's 5-8 hours.
Can I transfer stuff from my old 3DS easily?
You should be able to. Pretty much everything can transfer over, including your eShop account info, Ambassador status, Play Coins, StreetPass info, Activity Log, and more. The system transfer also features Pikmin, so that's fun.
Does it come with anything else?
It will come with a 4 GB SD card instead of a 2 GB one. It also comes with a new stylus.
What's this I hear about no AC Adapter?
In Europe and Japan, the system won't come with an AC adapter (or the cradle) to keep costs down. In North America, the system will come with an AC adapter. Don't fret if you're in one of those unlucky regions, though; your DSi/3DS charger will work with the 3DS XL.
When's it coming out?
It's coming out in Europe and Japan on July 28. It's not hitting until August 19 in North America.
Anything coming out alongside it?
Japan will get New Super Mario Bros. 2 and Oni Training (the new Brain Age game).
Europe will get New Art Academy and FreakyForms Deluxe all on the same day the system launches.
North America will get New Super Mario Bros. 2 the same day the new system launches. These titles are, of course, all sold separately.
What's the price of it?
In North America, it will cost $200.
In Japan, it will cost 18,900 yen.
In Europe, the price is unconfirmed as of now.
What colors will this sucker come in?
In North America, there are two colors: Red and Blue (the exterior is red/blue, but the interiors will be black).
In Europe, there are also three colors: Blue, Red, and Silver (colored exterior, black interior)
In Japan, there are three colors: Red x Black (red exterior, black interior), Silver x Black (silver exterior, black interior), and White.
What about the Circle Pad Pro?
The Circle Pad Pro will not work with the 3DS XL. There are currently no plans to make a Circle Pad Pro XL.
Why doesn't it have a second Circle Pad?
I don't know. Ask Nintendo. Obviously a second Circle Pad isn't necessary right now in their eyes.
A second analog isn't necessary. No games require it and very few actually support it.
It wouldn't make any sense to break-up the user-base like that.
Added questions/answers about the Circle Pad situation. Thanks!
If you're making a game that must utilize dual-analog in order to function, why are you making it for the 3DS in the first place?
There wouldn't be harm in having it as an option if it were there from day one. Adding it now segments the user base, and doing so would either be pointless or screw over everyone who bought the first model, depending on whether games start requiring it.
Nope. Chozo's right on this one. The CPP exists, therefore no segmentation. All any original 3DS owner would have to do is order it directly through Nintendo or walk into a Gamestop to pick one up. Simple.
I don't understand why you people have to keep arguing against this notion. Sheesh. Options are BETTER.
The market would absolutely be segmented, because the owners of the original model wouldn't necessarily have the new feature. By your logic Motion+ didn't segment the Wii market because people had the option of buying the add-on for all their old remotes.
Nope. Not at all. Why? Because ANYONE could walk into ANY Walmart and pick up a Motion+ device. Bam, done. Settled.Nope. Chozo's right on this one. The CPP exists, therefore no segmentation. All any original 3DS owner would have to do is order it directly through Nintendo or walk into a Gamestop to pick one up. Simple.
I don't understand why you people have to keep arguing against this notion. Sheesh. Options are BETTER.
So you would argue Nintendo introducing Motion+ didn't segment the market? Because this is the exact same situation.
Nope. Not at all. Why? Because ANYONE could walk into ANY Walmart and pick up a Motion+ device. Bam, done. Settled.
Here's an mailbag question: What about viewing angels? Does larger screens fix the issues?
Is it true that you'll actually be able to play DS games 1:1 on the system?
Is it true that you'll actually be able to play DS games 1:1 on the system?For that to happen, Nintendo would have to increase the pixel count by 16x. That doesn't seem likely.
Huh? That makes no sense. The fact that you CAN walk into almost any gaming store or gaming section of a retail store and buy a Motion+ attachment - or even a Wii Remote+ for that matter - means there is no segmentation.
Nope. Not at all. Why? Because ANYONE could walk into ANY Walmart and pick up a Motion+ device. Bam, done. Settled.
It's not settled. You can walk into any GameStop and buy a CPP. They are all over the place and if you don't like them, the only one stopping you from getting on is yourself.
It's almost like the majority of people on this forum feel like options and appealing to everyone absolutely cannot exist.
I can pretty much guarantee to you that if Nintendo had announced CPP integration in a 3DS revision these people who are now arguing against it would be cheering it. They will blindly accept without question anything Nintendo does or doesn't do, and will not tolerate any criticism whatsoever.
I'd like to suggest something... crazy.Interesting thought, but I doubt that no other retailer would be willing to sell the peripheral.
Now, let me be clear, I have no knowledge of this whatsoever. Simply speculation.
Anywhoo, I keep reading about how Nintendo "chose to only sell the CPP at GameStop".
Does anyone have any evidence that this was ever actually Nintendo's choice?
Has anyone else considered the possibility that GameStop was the only major retailer that was willing to stock the CPP?
There's no way Amazon wouldn't have stocked it.
Chozo was the first reply and he asked a question that IMO is easy to answer. No 3DS model will ever have a second analog stick unless there is at least one game that REQUIRES a second analog stick (no game released or announced so far requires it).
Chozo was the first reply and he asked a question that IMO is easy to answer. No 3DS model will ever have a second analog stick unless there is at least one game that REQUIRES a second analog stick (no game released or announced so far requires it).
It's a catch-22. No game will require the second circle pad unless enough people have one to make that feasible, which would only really be the case if it was built into a revision of the hardware.
Again, I'm fairly certain Nintendo is purposely burying the Circle Pad Pro, and that they don't want it to become widely used, and that's the primary reason you'll never see it built into the hardware.
3rd parties could have held their games hostage or threatened to move development to Vita
Not to mention the fact that all the stories we have heard are of developers canceling their PSV games, sometimes moving them over to 3DS, because the PSV is pretty much bombing everywhere.3rd parties could have held their games hostage or threatened to move development to Vita
I don't think 3rd parties would go through the trouble of threatening it. They would just simply do it... and some of them probably already have.
Nintendo has its reasons for doing what it does
First off, the 3DS isn't "equally capable" to the Wii U. Second, it's not hypocritical to have different approaches to different hardware platforms. You may not agree with them, but Nintendo has its reasons for doing what it does and it's a gross misuse of the word to call that hypocritical.
Nintendo has its reasons for doing what it does
Can you list some of these reasons for why they omitted a second analog on the 3DS? I can't think of any good reasons to omit it, other than the like 50 cents or whatever they save on manufacturing costs by leaving it out. Other than saving a few cents worth of plastic there is no negatives/cons to including it whatsoever.
The only logical explanation is that the omission was an oversight. It was one Sony had made with the PSP, but apparently Sony learned from that mistake because they went dual analog with the Vita. I think the problem is the 3DS design had been finalized before Nintendo was aware Sony was going with dual analog in the Vita. Had they known that, I'm sure they would have followed suit... but since the 3DS was the first analog controlling handheld Nintendo has ever made they never learned this lesson the way Sony did.
What's weird though is Nintendo was the first to learn this mistake with console controllers. The N64 controller only had one stick, but apparently Nintendo agrees 1 isn't enough because with the Gamecube and every traditional controller they've made since then they've always gone with 2 analogs. Why they think only one would be acceptable for a handheld when they already know 2 is needed on controllers is beyond me.
The Wii U controller and the 3DS are equally capable in terms of controls. They both have a touchscreen, d-pad, A B X Y buttons, analog sticks, etc. If the Wii U can get a second analog stick built in, then the 3Ds should have had one as well. Not everyone wants to use a touchscreen or gyro for aiming.
Also, I'm willing to bet Nintendo's put more thought into this than you have.
And there is a difference in portable and home gaming.
And how's that working out for Sony? Do people really want a portable home console? Right now, it doesn't look like it.
The PSP was never a big success outside of Japan, it only did moderately well in other regions.