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."

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@anon_mastermind
Just as long as it ISN'T like the 3DS (or the DS Lite).

I wonder if the sheer size of the thing makes the 3D effect better...

Posted by

Anand

on: 06/27/12, 10:01

Edited:

06/27/12, 10:02

@Guillaume

I have an overwhelming urge to collect coins for some reason now.

Posted by

GameDadGrant

on: 06/27/12, 14:30

Kal-El814 said:

@Deerock69

Like there won't be a special edition/new colors released within a year.

I really like the silver one the UK is getting, dammit! I would be all over that if it launched here. But, its OK- I know I'll probably getting a better color down the road and handing down my blue XL to my son or daughter.

@Anand

READ AND DROOL!!!

Posted by

Deerock69

on: 06/27/12, 16:58

Edited:

06/27/12, 17:00

@Renjaku

Well I'm hoping it's improved considering they said that the 3D and viewing angle is better. They said it looks "more natural" and more impressive, generally. I hope that includes less ghosting.

Can't wait to buy this. And NSMB2 looks better than I thought, it seems it's getting similar treatment to NSMBU, with much better and more varied backgrounds. Seems they learned their lesson a bit.

My first handheld ever to actually call my own! Well, I had one of the gameboys as a kid and Pokemon Red, Mario Land, and Tetris, but I think all but Pokemon (including the system) were used, and I didn't play them all that much. Haha, even as a kid I was never that into handhelds.

Posted by

carlosrox

on: 06/27/12, 19:38

I am more and more cosidering just sticking with my Wii and the 3DS. With this acquisition, there will be 3 of them in the household, and we will be able to play all kinds of cool games together. Plus, if you add up what I will have spent on those 3 systems...249...169...199...I think I'm going to want to get a little bit back out of this investment!

Posted by

Deerock69

on: 06/27/12, 20:07

My desire to have one of these is growing. Hmm.....

Posted by

WrathOfSamus777

on: 06/27/12, 21:56

@carlosrox Do you mean that the game has more varied backgrounds than the first two NSMB games? I feel like the backgrounds seem on par with what we saw in NSMBW.

Posted by

PogueSquadron

on: 06/27/12, 22:08

This looks like a pretty sturdy mofo.

Posted by

Davoid

on: 06/27/12, 22:28

@PogueSquadron
Yeah, I think it looks not only much better, more more variety. I mean, you can also see the scrolling parralax layers like in NSMBU, and I'm pretty sure the other games didn't have that.

Posted by

carlosrox

on: 06/28/12, 01:39

In case you haven't seen yet, the 3DS XL is available for pre-order on Bestbuy's website. I pre-ordered it. I wonder if being a Silver rewards member gets the system shipped out prior to the launch date? Hopefully.

Posted by

gtarrant

on: 06/28/12, 03:20

@gtarrant

I was the first to pre-order at my local Gamestop. Changed my mind from blue to red, because red REALLY reminds me of the color for the Mario DSi XL that I had before trading up to the 3DS. I surely did miss that handheld, and now, minus a few Mario and mushroom decals, I'll be getting it back! w00t!

Posted by

Deerock69

on: 06/28/12, 19:38

HERE's a question I was wondering...

Since the 3DS just scales VC, DS, and DSiWare games...and the 3DS XL is 90% larger...couldn't you use a 3DS to play VC/DS games in their native resolutions without having to use a microscope to see it? DS games would basically be back up to their original size, no? There'd be a border around the screen, obviously, but that sounds nice for people who prefer the crisp look of the DS games in their native resolution.

Posted by

PogueSquadron

on: 07/05/12, 18:59

@PogueSquadron
Yes, it's confirmed that DS games display in their native resolution on the 3DS XL. I'm not sure about VC games.

Posted by

anon_mastermind

on: 07/05/12, 19:06

anon_mastermind said:

@PogueSquadron
Yes, it's confirmed that DS games display in their native resolution on the 3DS XL. I'm not sure about VC games.

Well you can display both DS and VC games in their native resolutions on the original 3DS, so I would assume the same is true of the XL (but they will be closer to actual size).

Posted by

rebonack

on: 07/05/12, 19:53

Edited:

07/05/12, 20:34

Interesting, I never tried doing that with VC games, they look fine to me.

Anyway, here's a hardware review courtesy of ONM

Posted by

anon_mastermind

on: 07/05/12, 20:14

@anon_mastermind

Yeah, when you run GB/GBC games in native res on a 3DS, it actually shows the game inside of the screen of that system (and the image even looks sunken into the system when you have the 3D on). I really like the effect, but it makes the games pretty tiny and less enjoyable, so I look forward to being able to do that at a size where you can actually see it.

Posted by

rebonack

on: 07/05/12, 20:35

Edited:

07/05/12, 20:36

@rebonack

I like that effect, too. I think they even do it for the light (?).

Posted by

Deerock69

on: 07/05/12, 22:09

@Deerock69 I think you're right. And if I'm not mistaken, I think the light even dims as the battery goes down. Little things like that are awesome.

Still, I wish they would add more options like Game Gear games have: you can change the color of the system, choose whether or not there's slowdown accurate to the original system, etc. And you can change these settings on the bottom screen at any time in Game Gear games. It baffles me that to do the system effect with Game Boy games, you have to hold down the start button when starting the game, when there's an entire Virtual Console menu in every game on the bottom screen.

Posted by

rebonack

on: 07/05/12, 23:17

rebonack said:

@Deerock69 I think you're right. And if I'm not mistaken, I think the light even dims as the battery goes down. Little things like that are awesome.

Still, I wish they would add more options like Game Gear games have: you can change the color of the system, choose whether or not there's slowdown accurate to the original system, etc. And you can change these settings on the bottom screen at any time in Game Gear games. It baffles me that to do the system effect with Game Boy games, you have to hold down the start button when starting the game, when there's an entire Virtual Console menu in every game on the bottom screen.

The slowdown bit is amazing - I didn't even know that feature existed with GG games. There are a LOT of Gameboy games that come to a crawl when even the slightest bit of stuff starts happening on screen.

I'm getting more excited for the XL. I hope I can afford it! I want to get WiiU, and we're planning a trip to Disney that's going to put me back around $600. I love the idea though, of getting the sharpness of my DS games back, without having to make the games postage stamp size.

Posted by

PogueSquadron

on: 07/06/12, 20:14

I went to gamestop today on my way to work and put $60 down on a Red 3DS XL so that I'm guaranteed a system. Can't wait! They asked if I wanted to reserve NSMB2 and I said no, I was going digital with it. The clerk looked so sad...

Posted by

Scrawnton

on: 07/08/12, 19:51