Nintendo reveals the "New Nintendo 3DS" and "New Nintendo 3DS LL"

DSi proved to be a nice bump, though.

The DS line is a completely different beast, compared to the 3DS, not to mention that was 6 years ago. This new 3DS does nothing to address the reason it's under-performing, compared to its predecessors, in today's market.

A poor man's second stick, better 3D, more back buttons, worse image quality and whatever else small improvement they made will do nothing more than at least keep sales from dropping too much yet again this year, especially since this doesn't even release in US/EU markets until 2015.
 
Any news on the "region-free-ness" of the New 3DS LL? I may import one if it's finally region free. 2015 is just too far away :(

No final word yet, but I'm optimistic. I'll be getting one near launch, which is only a little over a month away! Not too long until we know for sure.
 
OoT was a remaster, not a port. It'll be fine on any 3ds.

http://tcrf.net/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Ocarina_of_Time_3D

it's an enhanced port. Not a remake. Still contains the original code:

Ocarina of Time: Master Quest was originally developed as an disk-based expansion of the original game for the N64's short-lived 64DD add-on. Ultimately, the system succumbed to poor sales, and the expansion known as Ura Zelda was never released.

Some of the ideas Nintendo had for the expanded version of OoT were channeled into Majora's Mask, while the dungeons with an increased degree of difficulty were first released as part of an Ocarina of Time bonus disc that came with preorders of The Wind Waker, and later included in the 3DS remake with the dungeons mirrored and Link taking double damage.

Accordingly, some of the game's filenames still reflect the expansion's development title and the system it was planned for.

The file zelda_mag.zar, which contains the title logo, also holds g_title_fire.cmab and g_title_fire_ura.cmab. These files correspond to the orange fire that appears on the regular logo, and the green flames that appear on the Master Quest logo.

The texture file used for choosing the Master Quest option from the menu screen is called ura.ctxb.

The mirrored maps used in the Master Quest have "DD" in the filename, a reference to the Disk Drive.

Still can be classed as a "remaster" though, I guess.
 
Yeah you're right, but this is getting ridiculous.


It's unbelievable that Nintendo have also decided to brand this product under the 3DS name when it will have exclusive games that won't work on other 3DS systems.
It's almost feels like they deliberately want to confuse consumers.
It would've been crazier to give it a new name. Nintendo just needs to get the older models off shelves and make sure people know what games are exclusive to the new 3DS.
 
As if yet another 3DS revision will stop the yearly decrease in sales.

Except this time it's not just bigger or a different form factor.

I think people will respond to this, but we'll just have to wait and see, I guess.
 
Definitely going to get one of these. I'm not sure whether I'll get the standard or XL yet though... I kind of want to go to a smaller size from my current XL (I like it, but pixels...) but I dislike the way they colored the buttons on the standard 3DS. I mean, it's a cool throwback to the SNES, yeah, but it makes the buttons stand out too much on the 3DS. I like the XL buttons better, where the letters are color coded rather than the buttons themselves.
 
What games were DSi exclusive? I didn't even know it had them.

There were only 5 retail releases, all shovelware.

I don't see a whole lot of retail software coming out for the n3ds either. 3rd parties aren't going to throw away 50+ million potential customers for a c-nub and two extra buttons.
 
The number of people who are apparently "ok" with nintendo dropping the 3DS completely (The people saying that they should have gone with a complete successor) but are taking massive issue that they plan to continue to offer og 3DS software alongside some stuff that is NEW 3DS exclusive confuses me a bit.



Good news then! You can get the "significant input" features, by which I assume you mean buttons, on your OG 3DS or 3DS XL!
Because if I want to be able to play every game I now need to buy new hardware. Not a true successor (which its still too early for) but a minor upgrade to the same device which will still cost $$$. A legit successor with a bigger improvement would have been easier to swallow.


Also the circle pad pro isnt the same. If a game is designed for the new hardware with those buttons and stick, its highly possible it will require more cpu power anyway (like xenoblade). Would developers really make a New 3ds game for the extra buttons and stick and then keep it gimped so that regular 3ds owners could still play it so long as they had a CPP?
 
So, like the DSi, i'll wait until there is something I need to have, and then snatch up a special edition version of the system.

Unlike the DSi, I hope something comes out before nintendo's next handheld, because I totally ended up skipping the DSi - no killer apps.
 
Damn it, they should've gotten the 3D right the first time. It's practically broken on the XL unless you have the hand stability of a statue, or you have a good 3rd-party grip.

http://tcrf.net/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Ocarina_of_Time_3D

it's an enhanced port. Not a remake. Still contains the original code:



Still can be classed as a "remaster" though, I guess.

Pretty sure you're misreading. What it says is that Master Quest contains code from Ura Zelda, not that 3DS Ocarina contains code from N64 Ocarina. But maybe it does.
 
Also the circle pad pro isnt the same. If a game is designed for the new hardware with those buttons and stick, its highly possible it will require more cpu power anyway (like xenoblade). Would developers really make a New 3ds game for the extra buttons and stick and then keep it gimped so that regular 3ds owners could still play it so long as they had a CPP?

No, they'd just make it so the extra buttons and stick are optional like every other game that used CPP to this point. Simple.
 
I guess nintendo learned nothing from the name WiiU.
I don't think the name is going to be as big of an issue as some would believe. New evokes the same connotation as a numbered sequel.

I'd say it's bigger issue in the world will be the wholesale move to mobile and tablet gaming of the traditional dedicated handheld system owner. It will fail because it ignores current market realities. Holding tightly to a dying paradigm.

This is purely a move to get as large a chunk as possible of previous owner to upgrade padding out the userbase total of the 3DS line. If they keep announcing great exclusive software for it they could potentially do that. In a way "saving" their handheld line for the remainder of this generation. Either way I have no doubt the 3DS will end up being Nintendo's worst selling market leading handheld line.
 
What I most don't understand about this New 3DS, is why Nintendo would deal with market fragmentation for such minor upgrades. I'd think they would want to make more significant improvements that they could market effectively.

Don't get me wrong, I'm going to buy one, but I'm a consumer whore.

Man, imagine Timmy's Christmas when he opens up a brand new New 3DS game that his grandparents bought him, but he's only got a regular 3DS. Imagine the furor when the parents find out they can't return the game b/c they opened it and tried to play it on the wrong system.

Are New 3DS cartridges going to have some sort of different shape so they can't be inserted into an old 3DS?
 
If the res is bumped up all old games would look even uglier, what's the point?
If you can do an exact duplicate like the Vita did with PSP they can scale up better. And with where we are with mobile hardware going it does seem as if that could've been done while being affordable still, but who knows, maybe the 3D ruined the whole thing.
 
If the res is bumped up all old games would look even uglier, what's the point?

Not necessarily if the hardware is upgraded.

If the CPU/GPU is just a more powerful version of what's in the 3DS, and not an architectural change, they can render the games in higher resolution without much effort.
 
2015 for Europe, I wonder how soon their next handheld will come after this?

Nevertheless I am really interested in this, the 3ds has a great library of games, and by the time it is out I will likely be commuting by train again.
 
I can only hope that GameStop has a good deal on trading in the older versions to upgrade to this New 3DS.

I remember back before Assassins Creed 3 came out they were running 100% bonus on systems and I was able to trade my old phat PS3 to cover the entire cost of the AC3 bundle. I think they've done similar promotions but that's the one I remember mostly.
 
Who is this for?

A tiny second analog stick, more buttons and 2-3x boosts in RAM and CPU performance don't sound convincing enough to either compel large numbers of holdouts to jump in or spur a second wave of resales. The Old XL's larger screen and form factor offered a much more immediate, obvious improvement over it's predecessor. I just don't get it.
 
Aw man, this is going to kill the secondary market for original 3DS models. I'd like to upgrade, but I wonder what kind of trade-in value you'd get. I'd also have to know how game transfers work (linked to NNID now?) before giving up my old system. A lot of unanswered questions here.

That being said, a hardware refresh was badly needed and hopefully this signifies long-term software support for the system. Support has been pretty barren this year. What's the point of a better CPU, camera pad, and extra shoulder buttons without new software to use them?

Also, Nintendo, find a way to make this new 3DS stream games to the television (like a reverse GamePad). That one feature would move a lot of units and increase overall market share.
 
Glad I didnt get the XL yet =) I knew we would get some DSi Upgrade of the 3ds in the form of both original & XL ∩(︶▽︶)∩ It pays to be patient. & Just in time for smash bros sorta lol
 
It would've been crazier to give it a new name. Nintendo just needs to get the older models off shelves and make sure people know what games are exclusive to the new 3DS.

Yeah, but the new 3DS will be the target platform for devs in future. They will build their games with c-stick/triggers/nfc support and the bumped cpu in mind.

So as a consumer I will need a new 3DS at some point if i want to play future 3DS games. Similar specs aside, this is basically a new handheld with 3DS BC.
That's why I think Nintendo should have held back and released this thing with better specs and a different name.
 
Yeah, but the new 3DS will be the target platform for devs in future. They will build their games with c-stick/triggers/nfc support and the bumped cpu in mind.

Except they didn't for DSi, what makes you think they will here? It'll be 90% enhanced stuff that's mostly meaningless.
 
Not necessarily if the hardware is upgraded.

If the CPU/GPU is just a more powerful version of what's in the 3DS, and not an architectural change, they can render the games in higher resolution without much effort.
You're applying PC logic to a console, essentially. These games DO NOT vary unless they're programmed to, and in the case of PC they're almost all that way (those that aren't either usually can be modded that way, or are 2D games so it's irrelevant.) This might be something to hope for with New 3DS compatible games, and maybe we'll get lucky and Nintendo will issue patches however they can to get old 3DS games to run/look better, but console games don't just inherently "look better" with stronger hardware and Nintendo's historically been a pain about updating games. The Wii and DS had no such support, and while the Wii U seems reasonably good the 3DS patches seem more like a hacked in solution most of the time.
 
Well, I'm in. I just have to decide which one to get. I vastly prefer the appearance of the New OG 3DS but I love the larger screen on the XL/LL.
 
Who is this for?

A tiny second analog stick, more buttons and 2-3x boosts in RAM and CPU performance don't sound convincing enough to either compel large numbers of holdouts to jump in or spur a second wave of resales. The Old XL's larger screen and form factor offered a much more immediate, obvious improvement over it's predecessor. I just don't get it.

The costs are likely identical for Nintendo (the price between 128MB and 256MB chips, etc are likely the same at this point), and this model will almost certain phase out the old design fairly quickly. It's just a way to clear out the old and then offer a slightly updated model (with almost no cost to themselves) while also getting a few double/triple dippers.

The fact that Nintendo hasn't produced regular version 3DS for awhile seems to go with that IMO.
 
So now that it has all the same buttons and sticks as the WiiU gamepad, does anyone think this new 3DS will be able to be used as a gamepad with the U?

It seems like it might be able to with the extra CPU and all.

You'd think the thing could at least serve as a stupid GamePad so they could release a WiiU without GamePad at a lower price point, but this is Nintendo so you can't always expect them to do the sensible thing.
 
Yeah, but the new 3DS will be the target platform for devs in future. They will build their games with c-stick/triggers/nfc support and the bumped cpu in mind.

So as a consumer I will need a new 3DS at some point if i want to play future 3DS games. Similar specs aside, this is basically a new handheld with 3DS BC.
That's why I think Nintendo should have held back and released this thing with better specs and a different name.

Its smarter for devs to build their games around the old 3DS, and then possibly add enhanced features that take advantage of the new 3DS.

You'd think the thing could at least serve as a stupid GamePad so they could release a WiiU without GamePad at a lower price point, but this is Nintendo so you can't always expect them to do the sensible thing.

That really doesn't seem like it would be a good idea IMO.
 
Because people can still play their old 3DS games, so nothing was really taken from them that they don't already have? The new 3DS is an updated, more powerful version of their device that happens to take advantage of that new power by releasing software exclusive to it. If you have a GeForce 256 card, do you bitch that it does not play Crysis, and that you need at least a GeForce 6800 for it? No. You don't. You shut up and go back to playing Quake III instead.



Jesus Christ, will you stop it with the "big fuck you" bull? This is a device that is more powerful than its predecessor; if it is able to play a game that can't be played on an OG 3DS, why wouldn't someone take advantage of it? Did you make a big fuss when the GBC got Pokemon Crystal as an exclusive?

When this gets released, will your existing 3DS cease to play all current 3DS games anymore? No. Like all new techs, it will have features that an older version will not. This is not done to spite you or anyone; it is just natural for them to take advantage of more powerful hardware. This isn't some big conspiracy to rob you of Xenoblade Chronicles, or any future exclusive New 3DS titles. It is the nature of the beast. If you're raging that your less powerful device is not getting the same stuff that the newer tech has, then you might as well give up technology, bud. Because it fucking marches on.



Did you know that when the DSi was released, the DS Lite was just a little under 3 years old? Did you rage that time too?


Your PC analogy is awful BTW. When Crysis came out it worked in DX9, for people who didn't have 8800 Ultra's.

But showed with DX10 comparisons what you would be getting experience wise with a new dx10 capable card.

If this new CPU, battery life, Media storage format bump means games like Major MASK 3D and other releases won't work on existing, currently retail stocked 3DS's.

Then it's a Sega move and a big fuck you to recent buyer's especially since they had so many huge releases last year, and bundles.
 
Whatever trade in deals Gamestop has , I won't be able to take advantage of because of Nintendo's stupid lack of an account system. I'd have to buy the new 3DS and take it home , do the file transfer from my old 3DS and hope I can profit off of my old 3DS model on Ebay.
 
Aw man, this is going to kill the secondary market for original 3DS models. I'd like to upgrade, but I wonder what kind of trade-in value you'd get. I'd also have to know how game transfers work (linked to NNID now?) before giving up my old system. A lot of unanswered questions here.

Nintendo portables hold their value very well. A lot of the people buying used ones are parents for their kids after all, and more often than not they're either oblivious to newer versions until they gain significant popularity or don't care and just want to go with the cheapest option that still has reasonably modern games. eBay is probably the best place to sell used systems, but keep an eye on Gamestop trade in deals as well; they can have good deals on upgrades though that can complicate system transfers.

Anyway, I suppose I'll probably upgrade to this when it comes out. I'm a bit bothered by how much they moved stuff around (why put the card slot and stylus on the bottom? Why move start and select? Why move the volume slider but okay I actually like that change) and while I didn't like the position of the analog nub at first I tested out putting my finger there on my current XL and it feels fine. Just wonder if I should stick with the XL or go back to the normal size for improved pixel density...
 
i can't wait until some poor fuck gets a 3ds for xmas with xenoblade but he can't play it because his new 3ds isn't a "new 3ds"

name is so bad. i guess they're gonna add another nub to a "new 3ds" cartridge
 
Whatever trade in deals Gamestop has , I won't be able to take advantage of because of Nintendo's stupid lack of an account system. I'd have to buy the new 3DS home , do the file transfer from my old 3DS and hope I can profit off of my old 3DS model on Ebay.

Can't you deactivate the NNID on that 3DS then activate it on another one? I thought that's how it worked on Wii U at least, and there are only issues if you don't have access to the system to deactivate it.
 
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