Nintendo Announces 3DS XL

[DoctorFinger]

Nintendo held one of their occasional Nintendo Direct webcasts last night to announce - among other things - a new 3DS XL.

The new 3DS XL will feature screens 90% larger than the original 3DS, 4.88" for the top screen and 4.18" for the bottom touchscreen. You'll be able to grab one in North America on August 19 for $199. But be aware that to "make the system available at a reasonable purchase price" the 3DS XL will not ship with an AC adapter. It uses the same one as previous Nintendo handhelds, but it's still a pretty odd omission if you ask me.

[Update] Nintendo has clarified that the 3DS XL will ship with an AC adapter in North America, but not in Japan or Europe.

[Suave Peanut]

In North America, yes, it will ship with an AC adapter.

[JayVe]

Wait, wha?

[Suave Peanut]

Originally Posted by JayVe

Wait, wha?

It's a bigger 3DS.

[Gorvi]

This just doesn't make any sense without the second analog nub. Really, why would they not include that? I'll continue to wait for the redesign that has that.

[JayVe]

Originally Posted by Gorvi

This just doesn't make any sense without the second analog nub. Really, why would they not include that? I'll continue to wait for the redesign that has that.

With this news, a second analog stick is even farther away. You'll be waiting for the 3DSVita.

[Gorvi]

Originally Posted by JayVe

With this news, a second analog stick is even farther away. You'll be waiting for the 3DSVita.

I'll keep waiting then. There's nothing on the 3DS that I feel I have to have right now (for me, I know others have games they love), with the closest thing being Fire Emblem. I just can't understand for the life of me why they wouldn't put the second stick on this unless it's to get everyone to buy yet another 3DS down the line when they finally put that version out.

[MachEnergy]

I like the move towards actual buttons for Start and Select. The current style is a little odd. On that note, I also dislike the Vita's Start/Select buttons. Somebody fix these minute problems for me!

[muddi900]

I don't think they can add a second nub without making the face-buttons useless...

[Zero]

That ac thing is so weird, they can't add that much to the overhead per unit.

[Savok]

Wait until after E3 to announce it to trap anyone waiting to see if there was a revision coming soon. No second nub so there's an added feature for the version after this one. No AC adaptor for half the world.

Fuck you too Nintendo.

[violent]

And just like that, shipping an HD system without HD cables isn't the stupidest launch omission anymore.

[TheFlyingOrc]

What an odd decision. The reason I was holding off on a 3DS was never "Not big enough".

[Rock Bandit]

For those looking to jump in on a new 3DS, you could get it in XL OR you could get it in purple. I hope the correct answer is obvious.

[MagGnome]

Originally Posted by Gorvi

I'll keep waiting then. There's nothing on the 3DS that I feel I have to have right now (for me, I know others have games they love), with the closest thing being Fire Emblem. I just can't understand for the life of me why they wouldn't put the second stick on this unless it's to get everyone to buy yet another 3DS down the line when they finally put that version out.

You just answered your own question.

It's a strange release, either way. What the 3DS needs is more compelling games, not a bigger unit.

[Rock Bandit]

Originally Posted by MagGnome

You just answered your own question.

It's a strange release, either way. What the 3DS needs is more compelling games, not a bigger unit.

One, since when are you no longer impressed with a bigger unit?

Two, the 3DS (imho) has a bunch of compelling hardware both upcoming and on shelves.

[MagGnome]

Hey now, let's keep this clean. Nintendo is a family company.

I'd love to see your list of 3DS games that you find compelling, both out now and upcoming.

[Widgetcraft]

You know, I was going to say something about not understanding the whole XL thing, since it's a handheld and so it should easily fit into a pocket or something... but then I realized that by the time I put the normal sized 3DS into a case, it can never fit into my pockets. I always pack it in my satchel or backpack rather than just having it in a pocket somewhere. So, I guess the XL makes perfect sense, but I still won't be upgrading to it.

[Vandabo]

I have a DS XL, and I much prefer it to the basic DS I used to have. However, I don't really use it "on the go" often. Unless you count using it on the toilet.

[Joshkdmw]

I think if the redesign doesn't have a second analog nub, then it's safe to say they won't be prioritizing it a whole lot. It'll be used for a few games, likely as an option, being phased out almost entirely within the next year. Much like the GBA connectivity for the gamecube.

I'm not sold on bigger screens, myself. The resolution on most games now doesn't seem like it'd be greatly improved by a bigger screen. Even after trading in my 3DS, it's gonna cost 120-150 bucks. Not worth the monetary investment, to me.