Article: Nintendo Announces 3DS LL\XL

[solidsnakejej]

You can view the page at http://e-mpire.com/content.php/1879-3DS-XL-Announced

[Segitz]

So... no second analogue as a standard, either? What were they thinking?

[tokoshi_x]

My guess is that they were thinking of not wanting to divide the 3DS userbase.

While I am slightly disappointed that there was no second circle pad on this new XL model, I'm not surprised. The games already out for 3DS, and games on the way, play completely fine with only one circle pad on the system. Even games that are compatible with the Circle Pad Pro, that make use of a second circle pad, play completely fine with only one. With the types of games coming out for 3DS, I don't think a second circle pad is as big of a necessity as people are making it to be.

Also, there could still be a chance that Nintendo does still make a 3DS with the second circle pad on the system. This 3DS XL model isn't a complete redesign overhaul like the Phat DS was to the DS Lite. This XL model, I feel, is mainly towards those who prefer larger screens, like with the DSi XL. And while there could have been a second circle pad on this XL model, with how big the system now is, I think with the $199 price tag, Nintendo was certainly trying to keep the price on the system low. So I wouldn't primarily call the 3DS XL the big redesign that many are anticipating, I view it more as another 3DS alternative.

[masteratt]

I was playing my brother's and made the decision I'll buy one when the next model comes and granted I said that hoping next model will have a 2nd analogue but I still like the XL model so I'll probably pick this up.

Any word on a EU date?

[D3adcell]

I kind of like the rounded corners on this over the edged corners of the 3ds. Though the thing that will suck is that if you get one of these it won't be compatible with your circle pad pro, you will have to buy a new one.

[tokoshi_x]

Any word on a EU date?

Same launch date as Japan, July 28. Not sure if they announced an official price yet.

[masteratt]

Same launch date as Japan, July 28. Not sure if they announced an official price yet.

Oh, ace. I was surprised to see it same as Japan so thought release date might have been wrong but ShopTo got it right and it is £180 on ShopTo. It has all the pre-order guarantees so you get the lowest price charged.

Pre-ordered the black&blue one

[Segitz]

But there's no real split (as it would have been with PSP), as you can buy the circle pad addon for the old 3DS anyway. I mean, it wouldn't be ideal, no question, but this situation isn't ideal either, is it?

[Dralor]

Terrible terrible decisions made on this one. Lets make it bigger and add a bigger battery but not add a second circle pad. Then lets sell it for 50 bucks more then the 3DS. Finally lets take out the AC adapter to save money.

[tokoshi_x]

But there's no real split (as it would have been with PSP), as you can buy the circle pad addon for the old 3DS anyway. I mean, it wouldn't be ideal, no question, but this situation isn't ideal either, is it?

It's definitely not. I think the Circle Pad Pro's existence highly contributed to that. With only one circle pad being present when 3DS was revealed and launched, I think Nintendo wasn't fully committed yet to the idea of having two on the system. Certainly the hype around Vita and its two sticks played some part, but I also feel that the Monster Hunter support that 3DS is now getting was a key factor, which was why there was a bundle that had the CP pro and game.

I also think the other reasons may be due to cost and the current momentum of the 3DS. The Circle Pad Pro cost $20. Not sure how much it would bump the price to include it on the system, but the Circle Pad Pro also adds in two extra shoulder buttons. That affordable price is a key reason why 3DS has been gaining a lot of momentum lately, and also the software starting to show up. So I think Nintendo doesn't want to disturb that current momentum by announcing their new redesign just yet, and that they're currently brainstorming ways to have that redesign with the CP Pro's features on it but have also have it at that affordable price range. Because when the DS Lite came out, it released as the same price as the Phat DS, while the Phat DS lowered in price. So whenever that 3DS redesign comes, it will replace the current 3DS design, and not just be a second choice as is the case with the 3DS XL.

Lastly, I feel the support isn't quite there yet for Nintendo to make that type of redesign. There are games out there that make use of the second circle pad, and for some it helps better those experiences, but the amount of games that fully utilize it and really benefit from it just aren't enough. Maybe that will change if the second circle pad was a standard, but I think if there aren't going to be that many games out there that need that second circle pad, Nintendo will be fine with just keeping it as an option and not as a standard.

Terrible terrible decisions made on this one. Lets make it bigger and add a bigger battery but not add a second circle pad. Then lets sell it for 50 bucks more then the 3DS. Finally lets take out the AC adapter to save money.

Unfortunate for Japan and Europe, but the AC adapter will come with the NA 3DS XL.

[OmniStalgic]

I really like the rounded look of the new 3DS...and bigger screen is always welcome...is the screen improved in resolution/look or anything? or just size?

[tokoshi_x]

It's just bigger in size. Resolution is still the same.

[Segitz]

They can't change the resolution just like this. The software depends on the fixed hardware... well... theoretically they could use higher res displays and upscale as a post process independently of the game hardware... but I am not sure how much difference that would make... but looking at old Genesis or Snes games upscaled with high res filter, this makes the games look rather nice, even if the original rendering resolution is very low by todays standards.

[Unspoken]

So from what I've read online, unlike the jump from DSi to DSi XL, the larger upgrade is a much better device as far as the 3D effect and the look of the games. Nothing attested to the sound of the system, as all the articles I'd read explained that they were playing the system while in a busy environment, so sound wasn't a factor of scrutiny. I think if I were to trade in my system for a new one, I'd still just get the purple 3DS, though.

And fret not! A 3DS XL Circle Pad Pro is on the way!