Nintendo 3DS Is Coming!

Nintendo has set the launch day for the U.S. and U.K. release of the new 3DS and 3DS XL. 

Last October, Nintendo announced a surprise; not only were they making a new edition of the 3DS, but they were first planning on releasing it in Japan and October. This was a surprise because no one was expecting a new edition of the Nintendo 3DS, and secondly, Australia is usually last on the list to receive the updates. However, the 3DS went on sale in both the Japanese and Australian market last year, and the U.S. and the U.K. have been patiently waiting ever since. 

Nintendo’s newest handhelds will be released on February 13, but only both sizes will launch in the U.K., where the U.S. will only receive the XL.

The handheld gaming device got some new upgrades including a second very tiny analog thumbstick, built-in NFC which lets you scan Nintendo’s Amiibo figures into numerous games, improved 3D that includes face tracking, and a super fast CPU.  

The handheld gaming device got some new upgrades including a second very tiny analog thumbstick, built-in NFC which lets you scan Nintendo’s Amiibo figures into numerous games, improved 3D that includes face tracking, and a super fast CPU.  

Some new games will only be playable on the new 3DS, including Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, which goes on sale April 2.

In the U.S., the retail price will be $199.99, and they are also promoting a special gold edition of the console, to be paired with The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask to promote the February 12 launch of Majora’s Mask 3D.

It is unclear whether this will be a successful endeavor, because much like the Wii U, the subtle rebrand doesn’t have enough updates for a new generation, and so consumers might not even realize it’s a new product at all.