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[Amir0x]

I want to make this discussion a bit more focused from the endless streams of "OMG" or "SPLIT THE USERBASE FUCK YOU" chatter going on through the excitement of this news and focus on this issue specifically, as it is not necessarily something that has been done very often in the console space. Systems have had upgrades, but it's rare when the same 'generation' of hardware iteration has better specs and segments games based on whether you have the new iteration. On top of that, the system has new buttons which also further isolate previous owners, while giving new owners access to new and better experiences.

So the conversation is simple. What does NeoGAF feel about such a choice? Is it in some way insulting to those who invested in a 3DS before? Is the fact that the new 3DS seem to be very well priced soften the blow? Is it even a blow at all? Should Nintendo have tried to relabel the new system to really highlight the difference? Is this something we'd like to see more of, or less? Why is or isn't this a good strategy?

Edit: I forgot about Gameboy Color. But the point about hardware upgrades remain largely the same.

 

[Salvadora]

It's probably necessary with the planned interconnectivity between the Wii U and 3DS ( + Amiibo).

Don't imagine exclusive games like Xenoblade will happen very often considering the large existing install base.

It's maybe just a cherry on the cake to get people to upgrade.

 

[Storm Kyleis]

As long as there aren't New 3DS exclusives it's fine.

 

[GhostTrick]

I don't think it'll split the userbase that much. One of the main reason being the game that are going to use that new horsepower are likely targeted at an audience that'll likely upgrade their system.

 

[pelicansurf]

The userbase is split, but we love fancy new tech. I think the latter will win out.

 

[BY2K]

Well, the new 3DS seems better in every way possible...

But they basically pulled an Apple. Release a new system, that's pretty much the same as the old one, with big improvements and with a similar name.

I'd say it's smart.

 

[Eolz]

Reminds me of the Gameboy color

 

[jackmurray]

This is for all intents and purposes a new console. More powerful, new methods of control, more functionality, and games that will only run on the new system. Weird naming conventions aside, this is the next nintendo handheld.

 

[Synless]

As long as there aren't new 3DS exclusives it's fine.

Guess you didn't read about Xenoblade eh?

Edit* not "new" per say, but exclusive none the less.

How much more powerful is the CPU?

 

[tnaden]

There were/are a total of 5 DSi exclusive titles. I wouldn't worry.
New buttons are just replacing optional Frankenstick.

 

[Impeccable]

Nintendo should have just gone the whole way and made a new 3DS.

Branding issue like Wii U.

 

[MegaMelon]

At the moment we only know of one game and I can't see us being flooded with games that'll be exclusive to the New 3ds just yet

 

[Silky]

The new 3DS is a stupid name. Why didn't they call it the 'Super 3DS?'

Anyway I don't really think it'll separate the user base mostly because I can't see future titles devoting resources to have features only for that version, instead of supporting all versions universally.

 

[JordanKZ]

This new 3DS is basically the stop gap between the unification of the Console and Handhelds Nintendo has been talking/moving towards for a while now.

This is a stop gap. But I'm pretty sure we'll see exclusives for this thing.

 

[frankie_baby]

It happened with the DS and nobody really noticed/cared, it was pretty obvious it was gonna happen again

 

[Monster Zero]

What did people expect? Xenoblade would have been a slideshow on the OG 3ds,

 

[pixlexic]

If the original gameboy is anything to go by then yes it will be great and keep the machine going for more years with all your library intact.

 

[Vyse The Legend]

There were/are a total of 5 DSi exclusive titles. I wouldn't worry.
New buttons are just replacing optional Frankenstick.

Pretty much this. This happened with the DSi and nothing came of it.

 

[EVOL 100%]

Most games probably won't be New 3DS exclusive. Might be better performance/graphics on the New series though. Xenoblade is most likely a quick port to showcase the strength of the revision and earn some quick cash

 

[KingSnake]

I feel good about it because I don't have a 3ds yet. And I never wanted one until this 3ds LL was announced. There was no more to be done with the old 3ds that wouldn't have split the userbase and made it appealing at the same time. And Nintendo really needed a shock on the handheld market given the decline in sales in the past months.

And if this means a port of Xenoblade, so be it.

 

[jadjei]

I think it kind of hurts for ppl who recently got a 3DS. But for me? I got a 3DS in 2011 and i'm definitely gonna get this revision. Totally worth it.

 

[chip123]

I don't see how it's any different to the Gameboy -> Gameboy Color transition. It was more powerful, had a better screen and exclusive games even if the majority still worked on the original system.

 

[Slixshot]

I think they chose a shitty name. If this was called the Super 3DS, people wouldn't be saying the same thing.

I don't see how it's any different to the Gameboy -> Gameboy Color transition. It was more powerful, had a better screen and exclusive games even if the majority still worked on the original system.

Truth.

 

[Man God]

To be fair they've done this...every single handheld generation except the GBA one.

GBA SP did not see any performance increase...but was a huge change none the less.

 

[Japanmanx3]

The same happened with the DSi and it having its on store. Don't think its a big deal at all.

 

[ZeroX03]

This isn't really a new trend is it? Gameboy Color and DSi.

 

[SolVanderlyn]

This happened with the N64 expansion pak. Some games needed it, but most didn't. I imagine it will be the same thing here.

 

[jblank83]

All anyone has to do is say "Nintendo DSi" and the conversation is basically done.

 

[massoluk]

Gameboy Color and DSi. Same trend. Granted it's much bigger a change due to new buttons thought. Conflicted a bit.

 

[AlphaTwo00]

Remember when Game Boy Colour happened? And when the DSi happened? Both got some exclusives, and others were "better with new hardware"? All I can think of is Pokemon Yellow for GBC, and Sonic Collection(which ran better) for the DSi

It's just the same thing here.

 

[GrantDaNasty]

I haven't hunkered down and picked up a 3DS yet, although I've been meaning to ever since A Link Between Worlds came out, but this seems a bit of an odd development.

I see people making the DSi/Gameboy Color comparison, but I consider the Gameboy Color a successor, considering it came out almost a decade after the original Gameboy. DSi is a weird one, much more similar to the current case. Then again, I never bought a DSi cause I was happy with my Lite.

Opinion is going to be very split I imagine, and while some folks don't mind it that much, I can't fault anyone that feels burned by this.

 

[mrklaw]

There were/are a total of 5 DSi exclusive titles. I wouldn't worry.
New buttons are just replacing optional Frankenstick.

this. And it has NFC built in which would just replace an optional USB accessory for current 3DSes.

CPU bump was talked about for better miiverse use etc so I doubt there will be many exclusive games for it.

 

[urfe]

Isn't there like 40 million 3DS's sold worldwide?

They won't be ignored.

 

[markot]

All anyone has to do is say "Nintendo DSi" and the conversation is basically done.

This

 

[Vox Chaotica]

I bought a launch 3DS, and I've been waiting for something like this in order to "upgrade" my system, so to speak. I am all for more powerful hardware, especially if it means more inter-connectivity with the Wii U and Amiibo.

 

[Nibel]

I love how people try to make this a new thing; Nintendo did this years ago with GameBoy and DS.

Buy it if you want to get Xenoblade, otherwise don't - simple as that.

 

[Spieler Eins]

gameboy colour

 

[Eteric Rice]

This is for all intents and purposes a new console. More powerful, new methods of control, more functionality, and games that will only run on the new system. Weird naming conventions aside, this is the next nintendo handheld.

Nope, it's not. Similar thing happened with the DSi. These are just improvements. The next system will have a completely different architecture.

 

[Percy]

Releasing games where older versions of the hardware can't play some games is total bullshit.

 

[McHuj]

It won't matter.

 

[toddhunter]

I was a day one 3DS buyer because of the 3D, Nintendo's track record with handhelds and well...the 3D looked nifty.

And indeed it was nifty for a little while. Since then though? I have barely touched it and I think the hardware is fundamentally flawed in terms of general design and the lack of a second stick.

So in general I welcome this approach from Nintendo. From the two second look of it, I doubt they have actually delivered on this iteration, but I can easily imagine them getting there next time one they make some obvious improvements.

Now will this work for Nintendo as a strategy? I think it may be problematic. It works for Apple because there is a shitload of content coming out every week. Sure most of it is rubbish, but even if you have been locked out of newer games because you are an iteration behind, it isn't a big problem because you always have "something" to play. In fact you have 5 new games of decent quality (in relative terms) and another 5 more coming out the next week.

Nintendo simply don't have that volume to carry more than one device. If a game comes out that is "new only" that will be a let down for old owners. Now if they have to wait a month or two to the "next game"? Things will get pretty bleak, pretty fast.

So to support this hardware approach properly, Nintendo would have to just about open the flood gates app store style. I've seen nothing to suggest they could do this, even if they wanted to (it would be a massive shift).

Because of this, I see it as a stopgap measure rather than a true revolution for the company. Things might change for them in a few years, but I think it is equally likely we will get a Gameboy 2 that does something completely different.

 

[z0m3le]

Nintendo has done this with every handheld except for GBA. (which had a short life)

Gameboy -> Gameboy Color

DS -> DSi

3DS -> New 3DS

 

[DeuceGamer]

Well, the new 3DS seems better in every way possible...

But they basically pulled an Apple. Release a new system, that's pretty much the same as the old one, with big improvements and with a similar name.

I'd say it's smart.

Yea, I'm fine with it....assuming we still get generation sized leaps.

 

[Phreakuency]

If there are exclusive 'new' 3ds games then the naming is fucking stupid.

Add whatever new features you want, but don't call it just 'new'. You'd think they would have learnt from the Wii U.

Seriously.

 

[Red Liquorice]

I didn't buy a DSi and I probably won't get a "New" 3DS either, as much as I'd like to play Xenoblade on a portable, not so much I'd buy new hardware.

 

[CassSept]

I'm really curious how long they plan to ride the 3DS out now. With waning sales I was sure we will see the successor next year, early '16 at the latest. Now it seems they plan to extend it's life further, until 2017 at earliest. Maybe it's part of a plan to merge/homogenize their handheld and home console ecosystems? 2017 would be sensible for WiiU's successor (5 year life cycle is not far fetched, I doubt this generation will last as long as the previous one did).

 

[UncleSporky]

Most companies won't make New 3DS exclusive games because they won't want to limit themselves to that really tiny userbase.

They may feel more inclined to release more games that support the second stick.

 

[Kingbrave]

Should call it 3ds U.

I didn't get a chance to play Xenoblade before so I guess I will now.

 

[Hermii]

Its pretty much better in every way, and I can't imagine many developers will take advantage of the faster cpu considering how many people already own one. so I think its great.

 

[watershed]

The same thing happened with the DS and DSI line and it didn't matter then. There were very few dsi exclusive games. The same thing will happen hear. There will probably be more games with multiple control options and a few New 3ds only games from Nintendo.