Nintendo Announces New 3DS Models for Japan
The Japanese Nintendo Direct that aired today revealed an exciting new iteration of the beloved 3DS – appropriately named New 3DS and New 3DS LL.
The latest versions of the handheld look great, and have many new features to help warrant an upgrade. Here are some of the known features:
- Extra analog stick on the right hand side – designated as the C stick
- Two extra shoulder buttons – designated as ZL and ZR buttons – to compliment the existing L and R buttons
- Data can be moved from current 3DS systems to the ‘new’ systems, but not from new to old.
- Enhanced 3DS viewing from more angles – so you can basically view 3D from more of a side-on angle, and no longer need to sit exactly straight in front of the screen
- Same power adapter can be used as current 3DS models
- Built in NFC reader – just in time for Amiibo
- Supports Micro SD cards up to 32GB
- Supports all 3DS games and most DS games – though it seems there may be a handful of DS games that are not compliant due to the new position of the cartridge slot, which has moved to the bottom of the console.
- Battery life of 3.5 to 6 hours for the new 3DS and 3.5 to 7 hours for the LL – compared to the 3.5 to 5 of the original 3DS and 3.5 to 6.5 of the 3DS XL.
New 3DS and New 3DS LL – notice the SNES-inspired ABXY buttons!
In terms of weight and specs, the New 3DS is faster and bigger than the original, with improved hardware and better battery life. It’s longer and slightly heavier, however the New 3DS LL is actually lighter than its counterpart XL.
New 3DS compared with current 3DS
New 3DS LL compared to current 3DS LL
The New 3DS and New 3DS LL will be released on October 11 in Japan for 16,000 yen and 18,800 yen respectively – just in time for Smash Bros. 3DS really. As for Western releases? Whilst there’s no official word yet, Nintendo of Japan have stated that there will be nothing outside of Japan this calendar year:
As for the overseas markets, our local subsidiaries will separately confirm. However, there will be no U.S. and European launches this calendar year.
In the meantime, let us know your thoughts on the ‘new’ look! Would you be ready to buy one if it was released in your region?
You can check the Nintendo of Japan website for more information.
3DS LL – front view
3DS LL – back view
August 29, 2014
I’m confused about DS compatibility. what games wouldn’t work? :/
August 30, 2014
Not 100% sure but there looks to be a list on the Nintendo of Japan site: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/series/dsi/feature/index.html it’s in Japanese but pretty sure this is the list you will need :) I think though that it’s more to do with games that require any additional hardware, as the new position of the game cartridge slot won’t allow those older peripherals to be used.
August 29, 2014
okay, buy a 3DS LL, move the data to the new system, delete everything on the old one and then sell It… yeah, that’s a plan
August 29, 2014
I just noticed those little colored shapes beside “new” in the logo are the same ones around the Amiibo logo. I’m really excited for these new versions!
August 29, 2014
It is hard to tell without holding it, but I think I’d be more comfortable holding the 3DS XL with a CPP rather than that use that micro “C stick”. My next question would be: will new games that use the C stick be compatible with the CPP? I also hope this is not going to replace the NFC base that Nintendo mentioned briefly in their E3 Amiibo reveal. The wider range 3D seems nice, but I’m sort of a pro locking onto the sweet spot by now.
I don’t usually say this about Nintendo products, but I think I can skip this upgrade.
Now where is my GameBoy Micro…