Nintendo unveil 3DS XL
Nintendo have today unveiled the next console in their handheld armoury with a follow up to the 3DS, the 3DS XL, which will be released next month.
Unveiled in a Nintendo Direct video today, Nintendo revealed their plans to launch the 3DS XL which has much larger screen than its predecessor, 90% larger to be precise.
To be available from the 28th July in Silver and Black, Red and Black or Blue and Black, Nintendo claim that the 3DS XL has a battery life that outperforms that of the standard 3DS, and will also come bundled with a 4GB SD card. Strangely one thing that won’t be included with the 3DS XL is a charger, with Nintendo claiming the decision was made to make sure the handheld would be available at a reasonable price, “…and because so many fans already own a previous handheld…”. Surely it’s much more expensive to bundle an SD card than an adapter, Nintendo?
Appearance wise the 3DS XL appears to be the same design as the 3DS (with the exception of the larger screen of course), with an analogue stick and D-Pad at the left side of the consoel, and the usual 4 buttons at the right as you can see from the images below.
Will the 3DS XL be a success? It’s hard to tell right now. My money would be emphatically on yes because the 3DS has been such a success for Nintendo, and of course the DS before. But Nintendo are taking a bit of a gamble, firstly by second guessing gamers want a bigger screen (Nintendo confirmed in their Nintendo Direct Video processing power remains the same), and an even bigger gamble not to offer an adapter – very 1990′s from Nintendo we think you’ll agree.
We don’t have long to wait to see if the 3DS will be a success with a release date of the 28th July. A price hasn’t been confirmed, but analysts predict the price range will be between £180 and £250.
June 22nd, 2012 – A big year for the Nintendo 3DS system is about to get even bigger. In a Nintendo Direct video on June 22nd, Nintendo revealed plans to launch Nintendo 3DS XL, a new version of Nintendo 3DS with 90 percent larger screens. When it becomes available across Europe on July 28th, the new system will create even more immersive entertainment experiences for users, delivering a wealth of games and video content that can be enjoyed on the go.
Nintendo 3DS XL features an updated form factor and will be available in Silver + Black, Red + Black and Blue + Black. The new system’s battery life outperforms that of the original Nintendo 3DS, and it comes bundled with a 4 GB SD card, which owners can use to store content such as downloadable games and videos from the Nintendo eShop. With upcoming titles such asNew Super Mario Bros. 2 (launching 17th August) being available as digital downloads as well as boxed retail games you will be glad of the extra space.
Even with the addition of the bigger screen, Nintendo’s aim was to still make the system available at a reasonable purchase price. Because of this, and because so many fans already own a previous handheld, an AC adapter will not be included.
Nintendo 3DS XL launches on 28th July alongside New Art Academy, a new entry in the Art Academy series. The larger screens of Nintendo 3DS XL mean users will have even more room to unleash their creativity while enjoying art lessons that teach real-world drawing and painting techniques.
Also launching on 28th July is Freakyforms Deluxe Your Creations, Alive! a Nintendo 3DS game where you can bring your very own creatures to life.
To view the latest Nintendo Direct video which contains more news on upcoming Nintendo products, visit www.nintendo.co.uk/nintendodirect orhttp://www.youtube.com/NintendoUK
