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The new 3DS XL will feature larger screens and improved battery life.
The screen has increased in size from 3.58″ to 4.88″, while the lower screen has gone up from 3.02″ to 4.18″, giving players a total of 90% more screen space, with the unit as a whole measuring at 156 x 93 x 22mm, compared to the original’s 134 x 74 x 21mm size. The battery life will increase from 3.5-6.5 hours when playing 3DS games and up to10 hours when playing original DS titles. It is also a heavier unit, at 336 grams, compared to the original’s 235 grams.
The top screen increases from 3.58″ to 4.88″, while the lower screen jumps from 3.02″ to 4.18″, giving players a total of 90% more screen space.
The battery lasts between three and a half to six and a half hours when playing 3DS games and between six to ten hours when playing original DS software.
In North America, the price will be $199, released in black, red and blue. In the UK, Nintendo have allowed retailers to set their own prices, so while Play.com and ShopTo have set the RRP at £199, they have priced the console at £179.99, while Zavvi has predicted a £249 RRP, despite selling the device for £209.99. Colours-wise, it will instead launch in blue, red and silver and, oddly, does not come with an AC adaptor, although it does contain a 4GB SD card.
Players will be able to transfer all account information, Play Coins, StreetPass Data, unlocked hats and Activity Logs to the new device, but will need their original 3DS to do so.
Curiously, the machine’s new design doesn’t include a second circle pad, meaning that it will need its own version of the Circle Pad Pro to get the best out of games such as Resident Evil Revelations.
Nintendo also confirmed that the new Super Smash Bros game for the 3DS and Wii U will be developed by Namco Bandai.
Nintendo’s Satoru Shibata introduces the 3DS XL here:
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.