New 3DS

[pestro87]

Nintendo recently announced that a new iteration of the 3DS will be released in Japan in October, called "New 3DS". It will feature:

- Exclusive games that can only be played on the New 3DS
- A small stick on the right hand side
- Two more shoulder buttons
- More powerful CPU
- More stable 3D - it will adjust the 3D effect when you move your 3DS around
- The bottom screen now has an NFC reader
- Now uses Micro SD for storage



I just pre-ordered a New 3DS LL. I'm pretty stoked about this! Does anyone know where you can pre-order Xenoblade? Thanks

[Xyga]

I'll get an XL when Xenoblade and Bravely Second are available over here.

[ZellSF]

Terrible revision.

I'm getting one eventually, but I don't think Nintendo is doing anything right here. Still looks like the same cheap build quality, the added controls are inconveniently placed and they have not addressed the terrible screen quality.

[Skykid]

Hmm, not sure it's all that bad. If the little thumb stick is solid enough it will be enough to fulfil its purpose (controlling a camera). My only concern is that there are so many existing games that won't be able to utilise it, like Icarus, and the ones that use the current circle pad attachment are few in number and not particularly desirable.

It's going to take while for the hardware feature to become worthwhile, basically, so I'll wait a couple of years and see if it's worth the investment.

Never had an issue with 3DS screen resolution really, but I'm not overly anal about that sort of thing. I can see clearly enough, that's good enough for me.

[Khan]

Nintendo really need to stop with these bullshit revisions, parents will be confused trying to figure out which to buy for their children and to make matters worse seems this new one has a faster cpu and certain games released for it wont work on other 3ds's forcing the die hard to upgrade.

[null1024]

Nintendo releases a new revision or handheld every 3-5 years:
1989 GB! -1996 -1999 GBC! - 2001 GBA! - 2004 DS! - 2006 - 2009 DSi! - 2011 3DS! - 2012 - 2013 - 2015 N3DS!

So, the time is at least right [major releases/ones that have differing compatibility have their name and a !].

actually, now that I've typed that out, I've noticed that Nintendo really has been overdoing the revisions, although this one is right on time [had originally said it was later than normal, recounted the dates] for a ! marked one

The name better change before it gets over here.
Whoever thought "The New 3DS" was a good name for your system that's getting exclusive games compared to the previous one needs to be thrown off a cliff.

seeing the button colors, I'm hoping it gets called the Super 3DS or something.

[brentsg]

Rumors of additional RAM and VRAM also..

Looks great to me, not sure why the complaint of build quality. IMO they are quite solid.
I would like to have seen better ergonomics.
Excited about the 3D improvements..

[BryanM]

Got an eyefull of the extra shoulder buttons, they're in a dreadful dark unknowable forest you must reach out for as a blind man surrounded by vampires.

The official controls for Monster Hunter are increasingly ridiculous to me. You have a thumb on movement, a thumb on your action keys, so where do they put the camera movement controls? On a fucking thumb. The vast, vast majority of the time all you need to do is move the camera left or right. The L2 and R2 buttons on a six axis are perfect for this, you get to control your character and the camera at the same time. Without having to permanently deform and cripple your body parts.

[iconoclast]

This seems like another DSi to me. Who's going to bother making exclusive games for this thing when it's only slightly more powerful than the current 3DS - a system that already has an install base of 40+ million? I guess this update is fine for people who don't own a 3DS yet, but it seems totally pointless for everybody else.

[TransatlanticFoe]

Feeble battery kept me away from the 3DS and the price of the 3DS XL did the same with that revision.

If the battery is a significant improvement and the price is right, I'll probably go for it - it'll be enough to keep me busy until the new consoles a) get some games b) get a price drop. Though based on the Wii U's 2015 roster I might punt for that instead because it's basically going to drop under £200 pretty soon.

That Super SNES colour scheme looks sweet too!

[Skykid]

That Super SNES colour scheme looks sweet too!

I have to admit the SFCness of the white model is giving me the horn, but why the hell can't they do the same scheme for an LL.

I don't want to 3DS on a small screen. It's becoming an annoying Nintendo trend to keep delivering unsatisfactory hardware arrangements.

[pestro87]

Xenoblade Chronicles for the New 3DS will be out in Japan next year

Bummer So are there any games that will be released for the "New 3DS" on launch?

[Doctor Butler]

Nintendo releases a new revision or handheld every 3-5 years:
1989 GB! -1996 -1999 GBC! - 2001 GBA! - 2004 DS! - 2006 - 2009 DSi! - 2011 3DS! - 2012 - 2013 - 2015 N3DS!

I Googled "Game Boy Revisions" and holy shit! The number of re-releases is almost comical:

1989 - Game Boy
1996 - Game Boy Pocket
1998 - Game Boy Light
1998 - Game Boy Color
2001 - Game Boy Advance
2003 - Game Boy Advance SP
2004 - DS
2005 - Game Boy Advance Micro
2006 - DS Light
2008 - DSi
2009 - DSi XL
2011 - 3DS
2012 - 3DS XL
2013 - 2DS
2014 - New 3DS
2013 - New 3DS XL

[Mischief Maker]

I compared a couple games on my DSi XL vs DS Lite to see what difference the stronger hardware made.

The XL was just as prone to slowdown in games like GTA, but showed less screen tearing in games like Sonic Rush.

[Xyga]

Here's something even nicer: http://www.ebay.com/itm/GC-Lynx-/171365 ... 7675.l2557

[BrianC]

The list is missing the backlit AGS-101 variation of the GBA SP (original AGS-001 GBA SP is front lit), which came around the same time as the Micro, if I remember correctly. While accessories for other systems and not stand alone revisions, there's also the Super Game Boy, Super Game Boy 2, and the Game Boy Player.

[Xan]

I compared a couple games on my DSi XL vs DS Lite to see what difference the stronger hardware made.

The XL was just as prone to slowdown in games like GTA, but showed less screen tearing in games like Sonic Rush.

Must be your imagination, because DS games put the DSi in a BC mode that matches the original DS specs. There was like a grand total of 5 cart games which targeted the DSi, all unremarkable.

The question is now whether we will see this repeat itself, or will new games only target the new hardware. Or maybe they will make games that use the full specs of either unit, with differing frame rates/graphics, but I doubt that. In any event, the naming of the new revision is really poor. Can't get much more ambigous than that. With any "New 3DS" auction, one will have to check twice which revision they are buying

[Wooph]

I hope the improved specs have a noticeable impact on game performance, and that it applies even to games released before the New 3DS. The 3DS just feels very underpowered to me, from my experience with Monster Hunter 4.

[BryanM]

There was like a grand total of 5 cart games which targeted the DSi, all unremarkable.

The question is now whether we will see this repeat itself, or will new games only target the new hardware.

There's really no question that there aren't going to be any killer apps coming out for it exclusively. The Gameboy Color came out a decade later after its predecessor, and was a much bigger leap forward.

And even then, Pokemon 2 wasn't exclusive on it. Man, that game could have been massively, massively better looking than it was if it had been.

[Specineff]

Until they get rid of region lock, Nintendo can go die in a fire after drinking a liter of Fluoroantimonic acid.

[Raytrace]

OK I'm intrigued by the supposed wider viewing angle for the 3D, as I actually find that for some reason, it is easier for me to go out of the 3D range on my 3DS XL than on my original 3DS. I don't know maybe the gap between lines is bigger or something. And I agree with Skykid those coloured buttons are the shit. If they bring out Super Mario Sunshine for it, I will be very happy. Still it does seem like a fairly unecessary revision, and if anything it is kindof annoying if there does start to be 'LL exclusive' games .

[Xan]

There's really no question that there aren't going to be any killer apps coming out for it exclusively.

FWIW, there aren't any killer apps on the current 3DS either. How I miss the GBA days.

[Skykid]

Until they get rid of region lock, Nintendo can go die in a fire after drinking a liter of Fluoroantimonic acid.

I think we may as well shelve that pipe dream. They've sold over 40 million units, the region lock has ultimately done little to nothing to hamper their sales.

[pestro87]

I played a bit of E.X. Troopers and Gaist Crusher yesterday on my "New 3DS" LL and my initial impression are:

- The improved 3D is really nice! I can actually relax while playing my 3DS on the max 3D settings. In fact, I'm probably never going to decrease the 3D ever again
- You can use the C-Stick to move the camera around in E.X. Troopers but you need to use the D-Pad to navigate the menus. I think that's the perfect use of the C-Stick and as long as companies use it for that purpose, I'm happy with it.
- Fantastic build quality! It feels like a premium version of the 3DS. Especially with the increased CPU as well.

So far, I feel like it was worth the purchase for me mainly for the improved 3D but the overall build quality is a nice plus!

[Domino]

I still don't get why Capcom will not bring over E.X. Troopers to the US.

I had a regular XL then sold it. As soon as I sold it all the good games that I wanted to play on the 3DS were coming out. Now I want one again but you can't get a regular size 3DS anymore new and there is only the XL or the 2DS.

I'm curious, how's the speakers/headphone amp on the New 3DS LL? One of my big issues of the XL besides the poor PPI was how weak the speakers were. Then again, the Regular Size New 3DS screens are bigger than the Regular Size 3DS. I know the LL is bigger but damn it I love the switchplates!

NoA give us a release date already!

[Mischief Maker]

So what are the *must own* 3DS games, anyway? The only ones I'm aware of are Code of Princess, Shinobi, and Umihara Kawasae 3.

[BPzeBanshee]

I compared a couple games on my DSi XL vs DS Lite to see what difference the stronger hardware made.

The XL was just as prone to slowdown in games like GTA, but showed less screen tearing in games like Sonic Rush.

Must be your imagination, because DS games put the DSi in a BC mode that matches the original DS specs. There was like a grand total of 5 cart games which targeted the DSi, all unremarkable.

The question is now whether we will see this repeat itself, or will new games only target the new hardware. Or maybe they will make games that use the full specs of either unit, with differing frame rates/graphics, but I doubt that. In any event, the naming of the new revision is really poor. Can't get much more ambigous than that. With any "New 3DS" auction, one will have to check twice which revision they are buying

Not imagination. Pokemon White/Black is considerably more smooth in moving between routes/towns against the original model DS, which had some minor stutter. I tested against Lacunosa Town's right-most exit with my original model (not Lite) DS and my 3DS XL. Original specs to something like a DSi maybe (pretty sure the Lite model added more RAM anyway), but not an original DS.

[BryanM]

So what are the *must own* 3DS games, anyway? The only ones I'm aware of are Code of Princess, Shinobi, and Umihara Kawasae 3.

~~~ 60% of the people picking this system up should be doing it for the jRPGs or Monster Hunter, more than likely.

...But seriously, the Mario Golf series is way more fun than a goddamn golf game has any right to be.

Really nothing fundamentally new or transformative has come out since PSX2 days, but that's just a sign of a matured medium. People don't complain about books still just being books.

[shmuppyLove]

Glad to hear you got yours already Per, can't wait to check it out tomorrow!

[BrianC]

So what are the *must own* 3DS games, anyway? The only ones I'm aware of are Code of Princess, Shinobi, and Umihara Kawasae 3.

From what I have played, I feel these are must haves:
Fire Emblem Awakening
Super Mario 3D Land
Mario Kart 7
Super Smash Bros
Kirby Triple Deluxe
Shin Megami Tensei IV
Star Fox 64 3D
Kid Icarus
Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon
Mario Golf World Tour
Animal Crossing
Shinobi
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D
Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D
Legend of Zelda Link Between Worlds

eShop:
Azure Striker Gunvolt
Crashmo
Crimson Shroud
Mighty Switch Force 1 and 2
Steel Diver Sub Wars
3D Space Harrier
3D Super Hang On
3D Galaxy Force II

Dsiware (technically DSi games):
Pinball Pulse
Shantae Risky's Revenge
Metal Torrent
X-Scape
Aura-Aura Climber
Various Art Style games like Pictobits
Starship Defense
Trajectile