You Can Supersize Your 3DS For $199 This August
By Chris Davis on June 22nd, 2012 (19 comments)
Last night while you were listening to the scintillating and intellectually stimulating discussions on our podcast, far on the other side of the world, big things were unfolding. Nintendo, in their infinite wisdom, decided to hold another Nintendo Direct live stream to talk about new products and the like. The first broadcast was... painful to watch as it was entirely in Japanese and focused on some very questionable things like an AKB48 3DS game (David just had an aneurism reading this line). The most substantial thing to come from the broadcasts however was the announcement of something that we all knew was coming: a Nintendo 3Ds redesign.
Yes, you read that right. Come August 19th you will be able to buy a larger 3DS dubbed the XL. For $199 you get a 4.88 inch upper screen and a 4.18 inch bottom screen, the former of which providing you with a 90% larger viewing space as compared to the original version of the handheld. Despite the increase in screen size there is no word on whether or not the upgrade boasts a higher resolution. Despite this the system will come with a 4gb SD memory card and a battery life of about 6 hours. For those concerned with battery life though be prepared to be perturbed: the system will only ship with a power adapter in North America. As a "cost saving measure" the European and Japanese versions of the XL (known as the LL in Japan) will not ship with them. Nintendo says that existing 3DS and DSi power adapters are compatible with the system but for newcomers this is a rather stupid barrier for entry.
So yeah, for $30 more you get a bigger, supposedly better system, right? Hold on a tic, it's missing something. Don't know what I'm talking about? Let's get a closer look.
Yup: no second analog pad built in.
Really Nintendo? Are you freaking kidding me? The primary reason people would buy a redesign of the 3DS was the supposition that the system would have a second analog stick. And yet, for some awfully stupid reason, you've decided to ignore this addition. What are you thinking?
Seriously folks, this is infuriating. By refusing to incorporate a second stick into the design they are shooting themselves in the foot... and then stomping on it. The Circle Pad attachment was supposed to address a problem the 3DS had in its design, allowing for games that have an analog camera to be playable on the system. Resident Evil Revelations, the premiere title to properly utilize the attachment, was quite hard to play without it but was a perfectly enjoyable experience when it was put on the 3DS. By not incorporating it Nintendo is basically denying developers an opportunity to create games with camera controls into the game. Beyond that, it discourages ports from consoles and the PS Vita, a system that is going through a very rough patch right now. This could have been the silver bullet to put the Vita in its grave and Nintendo wasted an opportunity. I'm not saying that the Vita should be killed at this point (the system has far more potential than the 3DS ever will) but Nintendo's focus on cost-saving has lost them a significant chance to really hurt Sony.
Nintendo, do us all a favor: just put another analog pad on the damn thing. This was the one thing that was really holding me back from getting a 3DS (well, other than a Majora's Mask remake) and you've just lost a sale.
Get to it, Nintendo, your audience would really appreciate it.
Chris Davis
I am 4Player's video and feature producer. I've been writing about games for years and I enjoy every minute of it. I'm pro-developer and I have a few friends who have gone on to successful careers in the industry. I may only be an amateur but I've got things to say.
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I heard the release date is actually August 19th
Link / ReplyMisread the release date. Fixed, thanks.
Link / ReplyOther than that, it was a brilliant article that definitely displayed the many reasons why I'm not getting this. Plus it looks more plasticy than ever. Nice job Chris.
Link / ReplyI actually really like the new finish on it (at least based on the picture). If it resembles the matte finish of the DSi XL then ill be happy. It sucks about the lack of the analog stick but it is still a purchase for me.
Link / ReplyAre you really going to purchase it Nick? Because, at least from what I know, you barely play your 3DS. The last time I remember you playing it was before the Vita released.
Link / Reply3DS XL also means that the existing Circle Pad Attachment isn't going to fit. So that's another 20 bucks, if and when they make it.
Link / ReplyPlayed all the way through Resident Evil Revelations without the circle pad pro and had almost no problems. I wouldn't really consider the circle pad pro a required attachment anyways. However, it does limit them pretty severely in the games they can design.
Link / ReplyAgreed
Link / ReplyI couldn't agree with you any more
Link / ReplyPoor Vita.
Link / ReplyI'm waiting a year for the 3DS-XXXL which will have support for the attachment that punches me in the balls for buying another 3DS.
Link / ReplyAt the rate Nintendo is churning out upgraded versions of their handhelds you probably won't have to wait a year for that version. By my estimates the XXXL will be available this holiday season!
Link / ReplyI was planning to get one next week so I guess I'll better wait for the XL version to come out.
Link / ReplySeeing as it's only a bigger 3DS I'm not as mad, considering that the DSiXL is just a bigger DSi, it's a consumer choice which size to get, like pants. But I too, completely agree. My question is too why Nintendo didn't take the advantage to include another circle pad ? considering that was one of the critical flaws of the regular sized model. I. This is the chance to fix all the problems, and they should take advantage of these last few weeks to fix it. A Circle pad Pro XL would just be awkward, and after playing the KH:3D demo I wouldn't mind having an extra camera.
Link / ReplyOptions! So many options!
Link / ReplyNo second analog stick? Don't care.
Link / ReplyYay. Sounds.
Link / ReplyA second circle pad isn't necessary for absolutely all games ever made (except MGS 3D). REvelations and The Mercenaries 3D worked just fine without it, and so did Zelda OOT. Super Mario 3D Land sold extremely well and didn't even let you control the camera. It doesn't limit what games developers can make, if anything a second circle pad would limit the games since developers would be obligated (if not outright required) to utilize it simply because it's there. Just look at the 3D on the 3DS; most games don't really need it, and some games just tack on crappy 3D effects because the system has 3D. That's what makes the Circle Pad Pro such a great idea in the first place. It gives developers the option to include "console-like controls" without making them feel restricted to only that. That being said, this bigger version can't use the CPP, so pick your poison. Also, why would they port games from Vita to 3DS, or even vice-versa? I get multiplatform games, but then each version has their own special features, with the 3DS having two screens and 3D, and the Vita having...whatever it has.
Link / Replyokay so, they announce this after e3? like, less than a month after? wtf nintendo? We all knew they would do this but to do this right after a bad e3 showing and to do it with a half- ass version of it? I agree with nick I like the matte finish but I played and beat Revelations and loved the circle pad. When monster hunter 4 come out the xl version is going to have to have a second stick. The sad thing is is that they will have a second attachment just like the circle pad pro again.
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