Larger screens
Better battery life
Improved form factor
4 GB SD card included
$199 for NA

PORTABLE 3D ENTERTAINMENT GOES EXTRA-LARGE WITH NEW NINTENDO 3DS XL

Larger Version of Nintendo 3DS System Launches Alongside New Super Mario Bros. 2 on Aug. 19

REDMOND, Wash., June 22, 2012 – A big year for the Nintendo 3DS system is about to get even bigger. In a Nintendo Direct video on June 21, Nintendo revealed plans to launch Nintendo 3DS XL, a new version of Nintendo 3DS with 90 percent larger screens. When it becomes available across North America on Aug. 19 at a suggested retail price of $199.99, the new system will create even more immersive entertainment experiences for users, delivering a wealth of games and video content that can be enjoyed on the go.

Nintendo 3DS XL features an updated form factor and will be available in Red or Blue. The new system's battery life outperforms that of the original Nintendo 3DS, and it comes bundled with a 4 GB SD card, which owners can use to store content such as downloadable games and videos from the Nintendo eShop. Nintendo 3DS XL launches on Aug. 19, the same day as New Super Mario Bros. 2, a new installment in the fan-favorite Mario game series.

"No other hand-held entertainment experience compares to the fun of Nintendo 3DS," said Nintendo of America President and COO Reggie Fils-Aime. "With the launch of Nintendo 3DS XL on Aug. 19, consumers will be able to enjoy the great lineup of current and upcoming games on an even grander scale. Plus, Nintendo 3DS XL gives owners even more real estate on their screens to enjoy entertainment applications like Nintendo Video and Netflix."

URL to share (right click and copy)

I wasn't expecting a second stick, but I would have been pleasantly surprised if it happened.

@roykoopa64
I disagree with Miyamoto regarding the gyroscope. Most gyroscope play requires either turning the 3D off or playing like a stiff robot.
Regardless, I will probably get one of these because, well, yeah.

Posted by

ploot

on: 06/22/12, 18:13

By the way, apparently now DS games will be displayed in their original resolution on the 3DS XL, so no more fuzzy/blurry DS games.

Posted by

anon_mastermind

on: 06/22/12, 18:22

@anon_mastermind

You could always play DS games in their native resolution on the 3DS by holding Start or Select when starting the game. At least now the screens will be large enough that you'll be able to see what's going on!

Posted by

canonj

on: 06/22/12, 18:25

Guillaume said:

There won't be a second circle pad, ever.

You must have the same crystal ball as the people who have known exactly what Wii U's power level will be for a year.

Seriously, I think you're probably right, but I wouldn't speak so decisively about a company that continuously surprises me like Nintendo.

Posted by

Jargon

on: 06/22/12, 18:36

@Jargon

Ever.

Posted by

Guillaume

on: 06/22/12, 19:01

Kinda cool, but I've never really seen much appeal in the XL line of Nintendo handhelds. I'd much rather see a 3DS "Lite" of sorts, since I prefer my portables to be pocket-sized (even more with the 3DS due to the pedometer and StreetPass).

The smoothed-out corners, all-black interior, and raised home buttons are encouraging though. Hopefully the D-Pad isn't a hard, squeaky thing too.

Posted by

TriforceBun

on: 06/22/12, 19:08

Notice the stylus is now back to where it used to be.

Posted by

anon_mastermind

on: 06/22/12, 19:48

anon_mastermind said:

The main argument for no second analog stick is that it's not needed for most games, especially Nintendo developed ones, and it's true. It was useful in Luigi's Mansion on Gamecube, but Dark Moon is being retooled so that it's not required. Plus if they add a second stick going forward, it makes the prior 3DS design obsolete. Games should NOT be developed with the main controls scheme being dual analogue, else it would alienate non-XL owners. That would be a bad situation.

As to the 3DS XL, I find it's WAY too big, it would be great for a stay-at-home system, but I like to take my 3DS everywhere with me, and i can't imagine lugging this around. Great for those who don't care about streetpass, though.

No. The 3DS has a slide pad available to it and Nintendo could have 1. made the slide pad a pack in from now on and 2. have some sort of program where they give slide pads for free, or a discount for people that registered their system before a certain time like they did with the price drop fiasco. I'm aware Nintendo will lose money, but I firmly believe they will lose more money in the form of possible sales of consoles and games that weren't consumated because they refused to put a second circle pad because they thought it might be redundant to their perfectly implemented gyroscope camera control, specially when playing games in 3D.

Besides, they did something similar with Motion Plus on Wii and no one seemed to complaint. Except of course, there were maybe five games made for it... tops.

Guillaume said:

There won't be a second circle pad, ever. Nintendo wouldn't split the userbase like that. Sony didn't either.

If having a second stick on a handheld is a dealbreaker for you, then you've already bought a Vita.

Sony never released an official second nub peripheral. If you're going to have a game like Monster Hunter on your console, you have to have a second slide pad, no ifs or butts about it. That's a prime example of a game that needs it and would be cumbersome to play without one, even if you have gyroscope options. And I'm pretty sure Monster Hunter won't be the only game that will need it.

And that comment about buying a Vita, I most certainly will... Besides, 3D is certainly a hell of a lot more work than it is worth imo. Sometimes it is difficult to find that optimal viewing angle and distance. Other times my eyes might not even want to strain looking at blurry images on a small screen. I'm still keeping the 3DS but oh boy is the Vita looking sexy right now...

The most intelligent solution at this stage (because Nintendo chose to shoot itself in the foot) would be to come out with a redesign that includes the second circle pad and pack in the second slide pad pro. Most people will cry foul and the internet may riot for a week but it would be the better solution in the long term, which doesn't seem to be Nintendo's priority.

Posted by

Tranquilo

on: 06/22/12, 20:08

Edited:

06/22/12, 20:11

I effing knew I should have waited. Should have just kept my XL and waited for this XL. >:[

* sigh *

Alright, I'm cool. Just... ugh. I literally just got my 3DS back in March. I should've waited a few more months, I really could've.

Well, looks like I'll be trying to get this later on this year. Somehow. :p

Posted by

roknin

on: 06/22/12, 20:09

@Tranquilo
Reports are such that Monster Hunter 3G controls very well with the touch screen for camera control. FPS games on DS - control well with stylus. 3D games with camera control - make an option to use the CC Pro for those who want it. There's no real reason to completely abandon the 3DS core design so early into its lifespan, it would be a dumb move by Nintendo.

Posted by

anon_mastermind

on: 06/22/12, 20:24

Edited:

06/22/12, 20:25

@anon_mastermind

I sure am glad that I didn't buy Nintendo stock so I can focus exclusively on what makes for the best games instead of thinking about what may be a good or bad move for Nintendo's stock.

Posted by

Jargon

on: 06/22/12, 20:27

@Tranquilo
Why does Nintendo even need to give the CPP away? All they have to do is put it in stores for $20. Done and done. No splitting of the userbase.

Besides, no one would be forced to buy a CPP if they didn't want to. If all they wanted to play are Nintendo first party games that emphatically DON'T NEED A SECOND STICK, EVER (or so I'm told, I just played through OoT 64 wishing to hell I could control the camera ala Wind Waker) then they wouldn't even need the CPP, what the hell is the problem?

@anon_mastermind
Yeah and on the PSP the "claw" worked great too. No need for a 2nd stick on that machine either, all gamers were ecstatic that Sony left it out, and no one ever ever complained.

The stylus works well for aiming in an FPS, ala Metroid Prime Hunters, but it's not very ergonomic, it causes you to have to use a stand or hold the entire weight of the system in one hand. Many people complain of cramps or general uncomfortableness and would greatly prefer to just use a 2nd stick. This is well known and well documented. As is the fact that lefties are screwed with the MPH control scheme (which is why, ironically, Kid Icarus supports the CPP).

Posted by

deathly_hallows

on: 06/22/12, 20:30

Edited:

06/22/12, 20:37

@anon_mastermind While I am a little concerned with how Monster Hunter will play on the 3DS, overall it doesn't seem as though it'd be too bad. I got used to it on the PSP, after all.

That said, I agree that it would have been a bad move to suddenly make the second thumbstick part of the XL's design.

Posted by

roknin

on: 06/22/12, 20:31

@Jargon

Developers optimizing their controls for one control scheme instead of two IS what makes for the best games, though.

Posted by

Guillaume

on: 06/22/12, 20:32

@Guillaume

I generally agree with this, but Nintendo is known to provide several control schemes for their Wii games (Smash Bros, Mario Kart, DKC Returns). I don't think any of those games suffer because of control options.

Posted by

canonj

on: 06/22/12, 20:35

@Guillaume

Well that's a much more interesting argument to me than whether it will hurt Nintendo's shareholders.

As to that argument, Nintendo already released the Circle Pad Pro. Companies have already taken advantage of it and implemented multiple control schemes. They likely will continue to going forward. Nintendo should have either stuck to its guns and allowed only single analog or fully embraced the second circle pad.

Also, should I assume based on your argument that you are really worried about Wii U with the many control options it has? Do you think the Wii suffered greatly from having Wiimote, Wiimote and Nunchuck, Gamecube and Classic Controller as options? Some games had lots of options, some didn't. I don't see why the same wouldn't be true of the 3DS going forward.

Posted by

Jargon

on: 06/22/12, 20:38

Edited:

06/22/12, 20:40

@Guillaume
It's not that hard, for games that don't need it, just leave it out, for games that would benefit from it, make it an option. Just like Resident Evil, Kid Icarus, or Metal Gear Solid.

It wouldn't split the userbase, no one would be forced to buy it, there are no downsides to adding a second stick. Besides, if this is anything like the DS Lite situation, everyone will migrate to the XL anyway. People who want to stick with the old design and want to use the optional control schemes including the 2nd stick could buy the CPP for $20.

2nd CP on the XL: No downsides, no cons, all pros.

Nintendo screwed up and alienated a bunch of gamers for no reason.

Posted by

deathly_hallows

on: 06/22/12, 20:41

@deathly_hallows

The problem is that there are plenty of games that could benefit from a second circle pad. Like I said in my previous post 3D on the 3DS is finicky and on many days I find that it's not even worth the hassle. Sure, we have gyroscope controls for camera, but again, often times I can't for the life of me focus on the 3D and move the console around to look while still retaining the 3D effect. This happened in the RE demo among other instances. All of this basically renders the 3D effect pointless. All of this could have been easily remedied had Nintendo decided to include a second circle pad.

Sure, Nintendo games obviously won't need it but contrary to popular belief I won't be purchasing first on second party titles exclusively on the 3DS.


PS. I just want to point out that Nintendo sticking to its guns is why we(or at the very least I) don't have enough quality third party titles on the Wii. It's one thing to want to be unique, but trying to invent a new way to play just for the sake of it is usually a recipe for disaster. Like companies trying to make a rated M game...

Usually Nintendo is just obstinate with its choices, ignoring the obvious. It has worked for them in the past, but how often does lighting strike...

Posted by

Tranquilo

on: 06/22/12, 20:43

Edited:

06/22/12, 20:49

@Jargon
They made their bed with the original design, and they released a peripheral for those who wanted "better control" in certain games. Yeah, I am arguing from a realistic business perspective. It don't make no sense, Jargon.

@deathly_hallows
The touch screen alleviates the need to ever "claw" with the 3DS.

Who did Nintendo alienate exactly?

Posted by

anon_mastermind

on: 06/22/12, 20:44

Edited:

06/22/12, 20:46

@anon_mastermind

And my point is there's no reason to care about their business perspective unless you own their stock.

Unless you think that including a second stick on the redesign would have put Nintendo out of business, which is ludicrous.

Posted by

Jargon

on: 06/22/12, 20:46