new Nintendo 3DS and... (excluding North America)

During the Japan-only Nintendo Direct back in August of 2014, the new Nintendo 3DS was revealed for Japanese markets. The new Nintendo 3DS released in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, but Nintendo of America has not officially announced the console nor it's release date yet. (Update: although it has not been officially confirmed, GameStop revealed it's release will be February 13th in America. Trading in a regular 3DS will net you $75 towards a New Nintendo 3DS, and trading in a 3DS XL will net you $100 towards a New Nintendo 3DS.)

 The new Nintendo 3DS will retail for 16,000 Yen, around £93 in UK, around $153.75 US, AU$219.95, and Italy €169.98, while the new Nintendo 3DS XL will cost 18,800 Yen, around £109 in UK, around $172.95 US, AU$249.95, and Italy €199.98.

*AC Adapter Sold Separately
**new Nintendo 3DS faceplates only work on the standard new Nintendo 3DS

Watch the first-ever Nintendo Direct Australia below.




 The new Nintendo 3DS will have it's own exclusive library of games that will not work with older models hardware, for example, Xenoblade Chronicles, originally made for the Wii, is being ported to the new Nintendo 3DS.


new Nintendo 3DS faceplates and corresponding home screen
The new Nintendo 3DS will have improved hardware and specs to become much it's own separate console from the older models of the Nintendo 3DS. These upgrades include:
  • Faster CPU
  • Better 3D screen technology
  • MicroSD-slot instead of normal-sized SD-slot
  • Amiibo support
  • Two circle-pads instead of one
  • New buttons ZR and ZL

The models will have their own set of accessories- such as charging stations- and will come with interchangeable covers, such as the ones shown above and to the left, and each of the patterns shown off so far have a customized home screen counterpart.

Smaller updates include:

  • The speed on the new Nintendo 3DS has greatly increased, with faster downloads, web browsing, and the new feature to watch video files. 
  • The camera has greatly improved, so now you can take better pictures under dim lighting conditions. 
  • You can transfer data through wireless LAN directly up to your PC. 
  • The new Nintendo 3DS' has automatic brightness adjustment, brightness is dependant on your surroundings, therefore improves your battery life. You can play all of your old Nintendo 3DS games on your new Nintendo 3DS console.


Australian Trailer

The picture below shows the differences between the New Nintendo 3DS and the New Nintendo 3DS XL. The new Nintendo 3DS is a little bit bigger than the older 3DS, in length and height.







The MicroSD Card goes on the back of the New Nintendo 3DS. You'll be able to remove the back to put the MicroSD card inside the New Nintendo 3DS system, and you can also replace the batteries if a charger isn't nearby.


Nintendo announced two new bundles coming to the new Nintendo 3DS XL. One of which is Super Smash Bros. 3DS came in November for Japan, and another bundle pack for Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. It seems unlike the new Nintendo 3DS, the new Nintendo 3DS XL will have special designs that are not replaceable or swappable.



new Nintendo 3DS Charging Cradles

The new Nintendo 3DS and the new Nintendo 3DS XL have been confirmed to be region-locked, and we got a new look at the box art for the standard new Nintendo 3DS in Japan. The system looks colorful, and it seems like the new Nintendo 3DS is a console you can create to your liking to make it yours.


Japanese TV Advertisement

What do you think of this brand new console Nintendo showed off? Will you be buying the new Nintendo 3DS? Leave a comment below.

If you would like to know even more about the new Nintendo 3DS, go to http://www.nintendo.com.au/new-nintendo-3ds/index.html


Update 1/9/2014: an ambassador edition of the new Nintendo 3DS model has been launching in the UK for select Club Nintendo members even before it's release date had been announced. 


The new Nintendo 3DS white model comes with special "Nintendo" faceplates, Super Smash Bros. themed faceplates, and the usual packaging fluff. Nintendo had just shipped it's 2nd batch, so UK readers, check your email addresses. It's unknown if this promotion is coming to the US. 

 Images from Nintendo Life. Watch their unboxing of the new Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Edition here:





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