Improved 3DS Consoles Announced for Japan, Includes NFC, Circle Nub

arg.
Theres many things that can be improved but splitting the user base is a terrible idea.
Putting different controls and more CPU is essentially a new system, meaning less games sold per system, and likely less total period.

Also, the name is stupid. Whats with Nintendo and picking confusing names?

As someone who got back to OG 3DS after a year and half of XL, I'm already looking forward to the New LL.

It just seems what the XL should have been in the first place: better 3D, better overall design, even better materials (man I hated those cheap plastics they used for the XL's inside).
The new stick looks quite weird - makes me wonder why they didn't slide down the ABXY just a little bit - but I guess it will be used mainly in combo with the new shoulder buttons, maybe holding the console in a different way?

Galdelico said:
As someone who got back to OG 3DS after a year and half of XL, I'm already looking forward to the New LL.

It just seems what the XL should have been in the first place: better 3D, better overall design, even better materials (man I hated those cheap plastics they used for the XL's inside).
The new stick looks quite weird - makes me wonder why they didn't slide down the ABXY just a little bit - but I guess it will be used mainly in combo with the new shoulder buttons, maybe holding the console in a different way?

In the presentation they show how the thumb will position over the stick with the buttons and outline about how natural it feels making it sound like the C stick from the Gamecube era, although for me it feels a bit more like the set up with the N64 controller. Nonetheless Iwata mentioned that the stick will be used in a similar fashion as it did with the GC such as controller camera angles and performing secondary functions.

Darkflame said:
arg.
Theres many things that can be improved but splitting the user base is a terrible idea.
Putting different controls and more CPU is essentially a new system, meaning less games sold per system, and likely less total period.

Also, the name is stupid. Whats with Nintendo and picking confusing names?

I agree although the stick isn't too much anyway as he mentions that its similar to the circle pro pad. However the ZR/ZL buttons could proove to be a sticking point. I think the best thing is to jump on to the bandwagon and preorder one for Xmas! The white one looks sexy with the coloured buttons but i want the XL not the normal one. 

JB you didn't report the interchangable face-plates with accompanying OS backgrounds and themes. This looks so cool! Reminds me of the GB Micro! I just hope that they aren't too flimsy.

I really didn't see this coming at all! I really didn't think they'd make such distinguished changes but with the improved CPU, better 3D screen, interchangable faceplates and the the C-stick I think its worth the upgrade. 

They really really need to fix the name. Hopefully someone will tell them that NEW 3DS is just not going to work! Although i bet this is already on the production line if they want units to be ready for Christmas! 

...Also as if this would get launched in the UK for 105quid! We get shafted so badly on the exchange rate! I expect this to be closer to around 150! 

Darkflame said:
arg.
Theres many things that can be improved but splitting the user base is a terrible idea.
Putting different controls and more CPU is essentially a new system, meaning less games sold per system, and likely less total period.

Also, the name is stupid. Whats with Nintendo and picking confusing names?

But it's quite early to talk about split userbase. The DSi had more power and RAM and yet two years after its release, pretty much all DS games released where still compatible with all systems. Nintendo aren't stupid, dozens of millions of userbase is not something you give up on so easily and they're certainly not expecting everyone to upgrade AGAIN. You can get the NEW 3DS XL experience pretty much by having the NFC addon and circle pad pro attachment, other than the improved speed benefitting the OS and like... two games that I know of so far announced as exclusive for the thing. So much for a split userbase.

I passed on the original XL because I didn't deem it worthwhile and didn't make a huge difference in terms of improvement but... I'm definitely sold this time around. I have the CPP, but never got round to play KH because I didn't like the bulkiness of the CPP but this time round, I definitely will. +, the improved 3D perception suits me as I didn't like having to stay still in the sweet spot of the original model, and finally, one of the speakers on my launch day 3DS has been dead for over two years and I never got it repaired cause warranty wouldn't play without the receipt (bought mine off ebay). So that's like the perfect timing for me to upgrade to what will likely be the definitive version of the system, just as the DSi and DSi XL were to the original DS.

I like it alot, it addresses all the previous issues of the current 3d devices, this would be an upgrade to replace previous 3DSs and not sell along side the old one. There seems to be alot of.... something that needs extra space. We now have all the buttons we need to simulate a Wii U pad which is gonna be good for future projects. Yes im very happy, i was getting sick of addons and after thoughts, this solves alot of issue.

Also yesterday i had a vision and sort of hope its relivant to this . I really want to play 3ds games on my wii u on the big screen, but thought to myself, what is instead of an adaptor or linking accounts and emulating on the system, why not just have the 3ds physicially connect to the wii u and just pass though the video and controls whilst the games play locally as normal on the 3ds, that way theres less messing with save files, garentees the games will run as they'd be running on the 3ds anyway and so on. Im betting there is going to be some sort of video steaming between wii u and new 3ds.

I know how talking about 'exclusive' games on this new system makes some people feel itchy, but If there is one thing that I hope for is that they take advantage of the improved specs to straight-port WiiU Virtual Console to the New 3DS.That would be awesome.

welshwuff said:
Im betting there is going to be some sort of video steaming between wii u and new 3ds.

I'm also hoping for some crossplay functionality. I wonder if this could mean N64 games could be coming to the 3DS? Nintendo really need to unify the Virtual Console accounts and I would say there would be a solid reason to upgrade to the NEW 3DS. 

I'm out of the UK until 2017 so for me this kind of sucks because I don't want to pick up a foreign based unit but I really want one and I want one for Smash! I just want the White to be in XL, I don't like what they have done with the metallic blue buttons. 

In all fairness though i was expecting a revised Wii U model not a 3DS one, this has completely caught me off guard.

I just hope it doesn't fuck up North American/European 3DS sales over Xmas. So many people planning on getting one this holiday season are going to hold off until 2015 for the new model! 

What gets me is that this isn't really another iteration. This isn't simply an improved flavour of 3DS. It is effectively a new handheld. The thing plays games which you can't play on your existing 2DS/3DS. I cannot tell you how pissed off that makes me. How many more times are we to be ripped off?

By the way, its nice to pop back after so long. I hope everyone is well. 

It's going to be just like the Nintendo DSi or Nintendo 64 expansion pack.

A few games that require the new hardware/features, a bunch of others that have additional features with the new hardware but are backwards compatible, and the other 95% that work either way.

Ahh those SNES buttons, lovely.

Mixed feelings tho. This is what the original 3DS XL should have been, with that C-stick on there. And can't say it's too good of a feeling that I won't be able to play Xeno on my own 3DS. I realise it's nothing new for Nintendo and its handhelds, but can't lie it doesn't rub the right way. It's a tempting piece of hardware tho, but I'd be hard pushed to buy unless some of these exclusive games are absolute killer.

Just seriously hope MM3D doesn't go New 3DS exclusive... I'd rather save money. Dumb name, btw.

It also just occurred to me that now there is more processing power, we will very likely see GBA games on the VC market for the new 3ds.

Wow! I'm pretty impressed. Think I'll have to get one of these. Any word on planned European and NA releases?

Sonic_13 said:
It's going to be just like the Nintendo DSi or Nintendo 64 expansion pack.

.

I don't see that at all. In principal, the expansion pack is the same. However, it was an add-on and cost about £20-£30. Nintendo didn't release a separate N64 with the extra power. The DSi was a choice to improve on the DS experience but games were not exclusive to that system. The LL is basically a brand new handheld and plays some games that 3DS users can play and some they cannot play.

( Edited 29.08.2014 19:42 by Anordara )

Anordara said:
The DSi was a choice to improve on the DS experience but games were not exclusive to that system.

All DSiWare titles (and God knows some of there were really good) and a few DSi exclusive cartridges were produced.

I think in all, the way this extra oompf is most likely going to be used is to improve frame rate in some titles. Just liek the expansion pak was used to make some games higher res... Just like certain DS games, compatible with the older hardware were so-called "DSi enhanced" and add extra features on the DSi or ran more smoothly... Here, it could be used to make games which on the original 3DS could only be run at 30FPS in 3D mode, run in 60FPS on the new one. That's just an example.

The new Xenoblade being exclusive to the new model is not just to get people to buy the new one. It could simply not exist on the regular hardware, or else they wouldn't have turned their back on dozens of millions of potential buyers, and besides, it's not like it's a massive exclusive, you can still get it for your Wii, and it can still be played on the Wii U, on a larger screen and more comfortably when you think about it. AND from the look of things, it doesn't look quite as good on the New 3DS either, so talk about early adopters being screwed off. If it was the new Zelda or anything, or the new 3D Metroid, that would be an entirely different story of course.

Am definitely getting the New 3DS (not the XL). With the DS, I skipped the lite and upgraded straight to the DSi which I loved and this is pretty much the DSi of the 3DS line. I can't see there being many exclusive games. DSi had the DSi shop with a few retail exclusives and that's all I see happening with this. The slightly larger screens will be great as I felt the originals screen to be just a tad too small (with the XL being too big for me).

The improved 3D viewing angles, brighter screens and added power and buttons are enough for me to upgrade. Shame we're having to wait till next year and it pretty much makes the Smash Bros XL seem a little off putting to potential buyers knowing there's a better model due next year? :/

Mixed feelings tho. This is what the original 3DS XL should have been, with that C-stick on there.

Totally agree - though that C-stick, really not sure about it - Always thought there was some space below the face buttons, where start/select are now. Originaly 3DS could have been just a teeny bit wider and curved for comfort.

Will defo need to get hands on before deciding.

One thing that I've really felt with the Nintendo 3DS/Wii U era is that Nintendo maybe losing their golden touch when it comes to controllers/form factor - just doesn't seem to be as polished. Don't like the plasticky matt buttons since the Wii U era either.

why not just have the 3ds physicially connect to the wii u and just pass though the video and controls whilst the games play locally as normal on the 3ds, that way theres less messing with save files, garentees the games will run as they'd be running on the 3ds anyway and so on. Im betting there is going to be some sort of video steaming between wii u and new 3ds.

That'd be totally ideal, would be up for something like that - little bolt on adapter that hopefully some modders would turn into a cheap capture unit!

Xenoblade ALONE makes this more substantial then any "exclusive" cart release DSi had. 
(The DSi downloadables, back then, wernt really competition in the same way, so I never really had issues there.)

This stands much higher chance of spliting the base - this isn't adding new features or refining, this is more CPU power and different controls. Thats practically the definition of a new system :-/

My only hope is that bugger all people buy this, because I dont want to miss out on great games and its not good enough to buy a new system after such a short time.

Think about that : 3DS owners have to HOPE this doesn't catch on else they will stop getting games. Thats not a healthy thing for a fan to have to think.

--

Additionally; They are already doing things on this thing they could easily do on the existing 3DS.
PC transfer abilities have no reason to be exclusive to this model. That is simply not a hardware feature. If you got wifi, you can make software to connect to a PC filesystem. You dont need more horsepower for that. 

Here, it could be used to make games which on the original 3DS could only be run at 30FPS in 3D mode, run in 60FPS on the new one. That's just an example.

 doughtfull.
That's not normally how consoles work. Normally they just run it at a lower clock speed to get full compatibility.
No Gamecube had better framerates on the Wii, for example.

Darkflame, you are completely right. Nintendo shafts its punters yet again - but this time even more so. Its like we've all been brainwashed into accepting what is blatantly unacceptable. I don't know what's worse: what's happening or the reaction to it on here.

It is a new system. This isn't in the same ballpark as DSi ware - this is a AAA, star release which is unplayable on my existing 2DS. A disgrace!


( Edited 02.09.2014 20:54 by Anordara )