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[NewEraBlood]

All of the comments saying "The DSi! End of discussion!" are ignorant. The DSi had a handful of downloadable games, but the "new" 3DS is getting a full retail release. Now I'm questioning everything. Will I need the new 3DS to play SSB at a solid frame-rate? Will there be more full retail exclusives later?

This just feels like one too many "fuck yous" from Nintendo for buying their damned handhelds. I bought a GBA when they released, only to have to pick up an SP later for a backlight and rechargeable battery. I bought the original DS, only to have the DSi come out (which I bought for the promise of cool software and improved OS). I bought a 3DS, but bought an XL when it came out because I don't have freakishly small baby hands. Now there's an new XL, with improved hardware? Buying the same system a second time is shitty, but now there's a 3rd that is looking like it may be required down the line? How can a consumer not feel like Nintendo is saying "fuck you"?

 

[Peagles]

Probably has been said, but this just seems like a Gameboy Color situation to me.

 

[chadderbox77]

It's not like this was unexpected at all, Nintendo has always done this. I'm surprised that there were people saying that they would never release a version with a second stick.

 

[flak57]

Keyword being entirely. The GBC was an 8-bit system, just like the OG GB line. The GBA was 32-bit; it was the true next-generation system following the GB line. So basically, the GBC was to the GB what the New 3DS is to the OG 3DS. In two or three years, we will get the real successor of the 3DS and I would bet that it will have the updated features of the New 3DS integrated into it.

Something that isn't entirely a new system doesn't get 300 exclusive games. That they held back many of the games in the first 6 months to be backwards compatible doesn't change that.

 

[FLAguy954]

This is how I see it: if you can handle/deal with the incremental hardware revisions Apple spits out, you should treat Nintendo the same. Incremental hardware increase -> new hardware is the norm and no longer the exception of the past.

 

[Vamphuntr]

I'm really disappointed by this announcement. I never buy the same console or handheld more than once and this seems like a way to make people that bought a 3DS buy another one again. I would be ok with it if they did not make games exclusive for it. I'm kind of expecting the 3DS successor to be announced next year too so it seems like a waste of money to me.

The whole advantage to console and handheld gaming is that you don't need to update your hardware, you buy the next generation hardware when it is out, unlike a phone or a PC.

I would love to see the reaction if Nintendo announced the new Wii U with a better GPU with exclusive games for it. Or if MS or Sony did the same.

 

[Father_Brain]

Probably has been said, but this just seems like a Gameboy Color situation to me.

It more likely isn't, because GBC actually had a ton of first- and third-party titles that weren't compatible with the previous GB hardware.

 

[rpmurphy]

I think people are mixing up the term forward-compatibility with backward-compatibility.

Edit: wait, nvm, talking about the games themselves, BC makes sense.

 

[Caffeine]

All of the comments saying "The DSi! End of discussion!" are ignorant. The DSi had a handful of downloadable games, but the "new" 3DS is getting a full retail release.

lol handful i counted for you 223 dsiware games 28 apps, 5 retail games and ~80 ds enhanced carts the new 3ds is getting a single retail release of a wii game that we know of atm.

 

[GhostTrick]

I'm really disappointed by this announcement. I never buy the same console or handheld more than once and this seems like a way to make people that bought a 3DS buy another one again. I would be ok with it if they did not make games exclusive for it. I'm kind of expecting the 3DS successor to be announced next year too so it seems like a waste of money to me.

The whole advantage to console and handheld gaming is that you don't need to update your hardware, you buy the next generation hardware when it is out, unlike a phone or a PC.

I would love to see the reaction if Nintendo announced the new Wii U with a better GPU with exclusive games for it. Or if MS or Sony did the same.

Of course you need to update your hardware. But in more years than any hardware.
In early 2015, 3DS will be 4 years old. In fact, 3DS was announced more than 5 years ago.
GBA to DS transition happened in 4 years. So, it's not really surprising to see a stopgap such as DSi or New3DS.

 

[120v]

IMO the 3DS should've been more powerful from the get go. as a day 1 adopter i as pretty crestfallen to see the thing was basically a portable PS2 with stereoscopics

so this is a good way to play catch up i guess. this way developers have an option to work outside of the original system's parameters. I don't see it "splitting" the userbase anymore than game boy color did, but we'll see

 

[Oxirane]

Do people think that more Old 3DS games will come with Circle Pad Pro support?

 

[Quotient]

Probably has been said, but this just seems like a Gameboy Color situation to me.

Also it was more than decade between Gameboy and Gameboy color.

I don' own a 3DS ( i do own a DS) so this doesn't affect me, but to me it does seem to be bad move for consumers. If Xenoblade is anything to go by, Ninteno may be targeting some big name releases for the new 3DS. Upgrades that don't change the runtime specs of a game like physical device size, screen quality, speakers etc are fine.

 

[Refreshment.01]

Something that isn't entirely a new system doesn't get 300 exclusive games. That they held back many of the games in the first 6 months to be backwards compatible doesn't change that.

Was the DSi a different system than the DS? Since it had like 4 retail releases but hundreds of DSi Ware downloadable games.

Also it was more than decade between Gameboy and Gameboy color.

I don' own a 3DS ( i do own a DS) so this doesn't affect me, but to me it does seem to be bad move for consumers. If Xenoblade is anything to go by, Ninteno may be targeting some big name releases for the new 3DS. Upgrades that don't change the runtime specs of a game like physical device size, screen quality, speakers etc are fine.

You can't deeme it a bad move yet or as consumers getting screwed because we don't have much evidence. What we do know now is that all announced major future releases will work perfectly in the old hardware.

So even in the unlikely chance that detractors end up been correct there's not much reason (as of now) behind their concerns, since their old systems are relevant still.

EDIT: MADE CORRECTIONS FOR CLARITY.

 

[Refreshment.01]

It's nowhere near apple products. First it's a $175 or w/e product versus a $600-700 product released yearly. It'll have been 4 years since they've had a full on hardware revision to the 3DS. How long would you have them wait? You don't want new 3DS adopters to have a faster OS, amiibo support, a better browser, and a second circle pad? Yeah on second thought screw them.

Seriously, things het cleared in the thread just to have a new wave of people still ignorant of the facts.

People we can't (or we shouldn't) make comparisons with Apple because this is a page ripped from Nintendo's book. Do you know them? The people that were making handheld/mobile devices earlier and were releasing revisions and different models inside the same product line.

Those of you continuing with that train of thought come as very oblivious and is hard to take seriously what you are typing.

I'd rather have a whole new system than a stopgap, honestly.

Of course! You clap, like the genie, and that magical handle that reverses the downward trend of dedicated gaming devices appears of thin air. There's no need for R&D and product development,

Yea, putting together a more powerful traditional handheld is the solution, look how the direct competition is killing it with the more powerful hardware.

In honesty let's try to think about the cuarrent climate before going on with rushed conclusions.

and a new CPU.

Again,

why would nintendo release a NEW 3DS with lots of great features and not plan on using these features to their full potential going forward. Nintendo makes some bad decisions but they aren't that clueless.

sincerely encourage you to read the thread before venting since the bolded has been adressed enough. The GBC and the DSi had boosts in CPU and RAM, as well as with some other key features like input methods. The DSi for example had 4X the amount of RAM over the other models.

its not a new cpu.

3ds has 233 mhz Arm 11 cpu with arm 9 for ds support
new 3ds has 566 mhz Arm 11 cpu with arm 9 for ds support

both still use a pica200 gpu same clock.
both use the same screen resolutions pixel density went down on new 3ds.
ram was doubled from og 3ds.
vram went up 4MB from 6MB OG 3ds to 10MB on new 3ds.

computer and embedded hardware is my life, my study, my future profession.

Where is this data coming from? Very interesting btw, so thanks for sharing.

 

[ArtHands]

All of the comments saying "The DSi! End of discussion!" are ignorant. The DSi had a handful of downloadable games, but the "new" 3DS is getting a full retail release. Now I'm questioning everything. Will I need the new 3DS to play SSB at a solid frame-rate? Will there be more full retail exclusives later?

This just feels like one too many "fuck yous" from Nintendo for buying their damned handhelds. I bought a GBA when they released, only to have to pick up an SP later for a backlight and rechargeable battery. I bought the original DS, only to have the DSi come out (which I bought for the promise of cool software and improved OS). I bought a 3DS, but bought an XL when it came out because I don't have freakishly small baby hands. Now there's an new XL, with improved hardware? Buying the same system a second time is shitty, but now there's a 3rd that is looking like it may be required down the line? How can a consumer not feel like Nintendo is saying "fuck you"?

There are DSi retail exclusive titles too. Do some research

 

[johnbone]

I'm really disappointed by this announcement. I never buy the same console or handheld more than once and this seems like a way to make people that bought a 3DS buy another one again. I would be ok with it if they did not make games exclusive for it. I'm kind of expecting the 3DS successor to be announced next year too so it seems like a waste of money to me.

The whole advantage to console and handheld gaming is that you don't need to update your hardware, you buy the next generation hardware when it is out, unlike a phone or a PC.

I would love to see the reaction if Nintendo announced the new Wii U with a better GPU with exclusive games for it. Or if MS or Sony did the same.

Well the good news is that as of this post, the new 3ds doesn't have any exclusives-just a downgraded port.

 

[Peagles]

It more likely isn't, because GBC actually had a ton of first- and third-party titles that weren't compatible with the previous GB hardware.

Oh? Has it been confirmed this isn't the case for the new 3DS line?

Also it was more than decade between Gameboy and Gameboy color.

I don' own a 3DS ( i do own a DS) so this doesn't affect me, but to me it does seem to be bad move for consumers. If Xenoblade is anything to go by, Ninteno may be targeting some big name releases for the new 3DS. Upgrades that don't change the runtime specs of a game like physical device size, screen quality, speakers etc are fine.

I was thinking more in terms of an upgrade that has it own exclusive games, but can also play the previous games. I wasn't thinking of a similarity in time between upgrades (if you want to call them that).

In between we also had Gameboy Pocket I guess. I always thought of GBC as a new generation but generally people correct me and say it's in the same gen. *shrug*

Either way, it doesn't bother me. I'll likely buy both iterations of the new 3DS.

 

[Adam Prime]

Was there one single retail DSi only game ever released?

I have a feeling the only n3DS games are going to be eShop only, like someone already mentioned.

 

[JKBii]

All of the comments saying "The DSi! End of discussion!" are ignorant. The DSi had a handful of downloadable games, but the "new" 3DS is getting a full retail release. Now I'm questioning everything. Will I need the new 3DS to play SSB at a solid frame-rate? Will there be more full retail exclusives later?

I'm sure SSB on 3DS will pay at a solid framerate, and I'm sure most full retail games are going to 3DS. You have to remember, most of the 44 million current 3DS owners will probably not even think about upgrading to a New 3DS. Nintendo does not want to make something new from the ground up for 3DS only to sell to <1/10th of their handheld user base.

 

[Makai]

What if:

• Retail games have to be backwards compatible
• eShop only games do not, and if they are not they do not show up in the shop on older 3DSes at all
• Xenoblade will be an eShop only game

???

This makes sense.

 

[watershed]

For everyone living in fear of super crazy awesome robust console quality original games being made exclusively for the New 3ds instead of for all 3ds systems, please explain to me why?

Keep in mind that Xenoblade is a downport of a Wii game and that the current 3ds also has a downport of a Wii game: DKCR 3D. Understanding that the dsi received only 5 or so retail exclusive games in its lifetime despite selling many millions of units more than the New 3ds can hope to, that the dsi also had beefed up specs including 4 times the ram of the ds, that the dsi received hundreds of exclusive dsiware only because the ds lite didn't have the tech infrastructure to support the eshop, and lastly that the CPP add-on includes all the same inputs at the New 3ds...

...why should anyone believe that the New 3ds is going to bring an all new slate of high quality games that regular 3ds owners will be locked out from?

 

[Zeyphersan]

All of the comments saying "The DSi! End of discussion!" are ignorant. The DSi had a handful of downloadable games, but the "new" 3DS is getting a full retail release. Now I'm questioning everything. Will I need the new 3DS to play SSB at a solid frame-rate? Will there be more full retail exclusives later?

This just feels like one too many "fuck yous" from Nintendo for buying their damned handhelds. I bought a GBA when they released, only to have to pick up an SP later for a backlight and rechargeable battery. I bought the original DS, only to have the DSi come out (which I bought for the promise of cool software and improved OS). I bought a 3DS, but bought an XL when it came out because I don't have freakishly small baby hands. Now there's an new XL, with improved hardware? Buying the same system a second time is shitty, but now there's a 3rd that is looking like it may be required down the line? How can a consumer not feel like Nintendo is saying "fuck you"?

Sure. If "handful of downloadable games" actually means 565 games. And DSi did have some retail exclusive games.

Of course you'll be able to play SSB on the normal 3DS at a solid framerate, that's been spoken about from the start.

You bought an SP because it provided more value for you. You bought a DSi because of downloadable games and a new OS, which you got. You got an XL because you wanted a bigger system. All of these were of your own choice, I don't see how this is Nintendo's fault?

It's like you people are blaming your inability to be happy with what you have on Nintendo

 

[Caelus]

What if:

• Retail games have to be backwards compatible
• eShop only games do not, and if they are not they do not show up in the shop on older 3DSes at all
• Xenoblade will be an eShop only game

???

This will most likely prevent the unnecessary in-store confusion, it'd make sense for the *new* 3DS to only have a handful of exclusives.

 

[sörine]

Was there one single retail DSi only game ever released?

I have a feeling the only n3DS games are going to be eShop only, like someone already mentioned.

There were four total worldwide.

Face Training (Nintendo) EU
Foto Showdown (Alpha Unit/Konami) JP/NA/EU
Picture Perfect Hair Salon (505 Games) NA/EU
System Flaw (Storm City Games) NA

I'm pretty sure Xenoblade 3D will get a retail release.

 

[Vanillalite]

65 nano meter chip max clock is 400mhz thats what 3ds's is at if they went higher it would be overclocking the chip draining battery life and could cause heat concerns for the hardware. just nintendo taking precautions.

Isn't the theory that we'd be getting a die shrink with the new system.

Also I saw the homebrew scene said the OG 3DS had the PICA 200 GPU clocked at 268mhz just like the ARM CPUs.

Not that I disagree on the battery life and the heat, but I feel like we could get a modest bump especially if we had a SoC die shrink for virtually nothing lost.

 

[Agent X]

It has exclusive titles and there's going to be much more coming, don't be surprised when Nintendo stops making "old" 3DS titles altogether.

The N3DS is to the 3DS as the GBA was to the GBC, it's in a different league than say the SP was to the GBA.

A better analogy would be that the New 3DS is to the 3DS what the GBC is to the original Game Boy.

3DS and "New" 3DS is so messed up to me. Like someone said earlier, they should have called it the Super 3DS, at least then it would seem like a new handheld, even if that simply is arguing semantics.

I was thinking the same thing. "Super 3DS" would have been a better name, as it would highlight the fact that this system has noticeable improvements in performance over the original model. "New 3DS" sounds like it could be just a mere cosmetic revision.

 

[Shpeshal Nick]

I don't mind it THAT much as long as the upgrades aren't too drastic. These changes cross that line for me personally where I think it should have just been a successor.

If this IS the successor then like the WiiU, it has a naming problem again.

Personally, I don't see it being overly successful.

 

[flak57]

Was the DSi a different system than the DS? Since it had like 4 retail releases but hundreds of DSi Ware downloadable games.

Yes?

 

[Kanyon]

Don't know if it's already been mentioned, but maybe we'll get an Iwata Asks on the New 3DS? Might go some way in explaining the mindset behind all this. I know the original 3DS and Wii U articles were rather fascinating.

 

[Caffeine]

Isn't the theory that we'd be getting a die shrink with the new system.

Also I saw the homebrew scene said the OG 3DS had the PICA 200 GPU clocked at 268mhz just like the ARM CPUs.

Not that I disagree on the battery life and the heat, but I feel like we could get a modest bump especially if we had a SoC die shrink for virtually nothing lost.

wrote that late ur right max clock is 400 the current 3ds is at 268 they could bump it more.
--------
also to a guy above I put that data together from various tech sites and even neogaf it was also late at night the cpu clock should be edited to 536 not 566.

but of course the new 3ds specs are still rumored and should be taken with a grain of salt they could be more or even less.

 

[Hiko]

I actually think this new 3DS won't have any more impact than the 2DS did. It will just be another 3DS model sitting on shelves, that just happens to have a couple of exclusive games to it. Because no third party in their right mind will make exclusive games for it, and I doubt Nintendo will put anything major for it either. Because that's leaving too much money on the table.

I understand why Nintendo is doing this. They hope to extend the lifespan a couple of more years. But I don't understand how you can look at all the facts and still think that is a realistic possibility. If someone hasn't bought a 3DS by now, this new version isn't going to do anything to sway their mind.

 

[Shikamaru Ninja]

I actually think this new 3DS won't have any more impact than the 2DS did. It will just be another 3DS model sitting on shelves, that just happens to have a couple of exclusive games to it. Because no third party in their right mind will make exclusive games for it, and I doubt Nintendo will put anything major for it either. Because that's leaving too much money on the table.

I understand why Nintendo is doing this. They hope to extend the lifespan a couple of more years. But I don't understand how you can look at all the facts and still think that is a realistic possibility. If someone hasn't bought a 3DS by now, this new version isn't going to do anything to sway their mind.

Creating "expansion pak" games like XenoBlade is not the major perk of the system, I think it is Nintendo wanting Amiibo and Miiverse to be actually functional on the system. These are two important things for their future, and they needed to boost up some of the hardware in order for those two things to be fast and accessible.

 

[Somnid]

Creating "expansion pak" games like XenoBlade is not the major perk of the system, I think it is Nintendo wanting Amiibo and Miiverse to be actually functional on the system. These are two important things for their future, and they needed to boost up some of the hardware in order for those two things to be fast and accessible.

I would add the possibility of Unity and Nintendo Web Framework to that list as well since that's the source of a lot of DD games for Wii U.

 

[maxcriden]

Creating "expansion pak" games like XenoBlade is not the major perk of the system, I think it is Nintendo wanting Amiibo and Miiverse to be actually functional on the system. These are two important things for their future, and they needed to boost up some of the hardware in order for those two things to be fast and accessible.

I agree with you, and these are part of the reasons I don't have any immediate interest in the system since I don't use Miiverse on 3DS much and I don't care about Amiibo based on what we know of it. FWIW, though, do we still expect Nintendo will release an NFC add-on for the regular 3DS? I would think they kind of have to.

 

[Nosgoroth]

I agree with you, and these are part of the reasons I don't have any immediate interest in the system since I don't use Miiverse on 3DS much and I don't care about Amiibo based on what we know of it. FWIW, though, do we still expect Nintendo will release an NFC add-on for the regular 3DS? I would think they kind of have to.

It's announced.

 

[maxcriden]

It's announced.

Oh, yeah, I remember, I just am wondering if they'd change their minds about it to drive sales of the new 3DS. (I doubt it, though.)

 

[Vanillalite]

I agree with you, and these are part of the reasons I don't have any immediate interest in the system since I don't use Miiverse on 3DS much and I don't care about Amiibo based on what we know of it. FWIW, though, do we still expect Nintendo will release an NFC add-on for the regular 3DS? I would think they kind of have to.

While I semi feel you on this I feel like the implementation on the 3ds for things like Miiverse is currently ghetto. So I don't use it much maybe because of that fact.

Maybe if it's faster and more fluid I'd actually use it and care more? Idk...

 

[maxcriden]

While I semi feel you on this I feel like the implementation on the 3ds for things like Miiverse is currently ghetto. So I don't use it much maybe because of that fact.

Maybe if it's faster and more fluid I'd actually use it and care more? Idk...

I hear you doge, I just feel like, is Miiverse worth buying a system for? Like as a feature? Not much for me. And if I decide to get into Amiibos, there'll be the add-on for the regular 3DS. So far, this is a system with a downgraded port (right?) and...otherwise it's just a shiny new thing as a stopgap measure. I don't really see much exciting here.

 

[evilromero]

Yes?

Is that a question?

 

[Vanillalite]

I hear you doge, I just feel like, is Miiverse worth buying a system for? Like as a feature? Not much for me. And if I decide to get into Amiibos, there'll be the add-on for the regular 3DS. So far, this is a system with a downgraded port (right?) and...otherwise it's just a shiny new thing as a stopgap measure. I don't really see much exciting here.

Better build quality and the 2nd stick for Monster.

I'm only inclinded to update because I have the OG which in terms of industrial design is not good to put it nicely. If I had an XL I'd probably pass.

Still not excited though, and I wish they'd waited and given us a real new handheld in a year or so.

 

[maxcriden]

Better build quality and the 2nd stick for Monster.

I'm only inclinded to update because I have the OG which in terms of industrial design is not good to put it nicely. If I had an XL I'd probably pass.

Still not excited though, and I wish they'd waited and given us a real new handheld in a year or so.

Yeah, that makes sense to me. The second stick isn't a big deal to me but I don't play many games where it'd be an issue. Honestly I've got an OG and love the form factor but I know that's not the most popular opinion and I understand it's not universally beloved. I think we'll get a new handheld in 2 yrs or so, at least announced. I guess partly it depends how well N3DS does. As others have said this feels like a stopgap before we get a unified handheld/console OS and "fusion" series of, or single, console(s).

 

[Cipherr]

All of the comments saying "The DSi! End of discussion!" are ignorant. The DSi had a handful of downloadable games, but the "new" 3DS is getting a full retail release.

Oh lord the irony.... Please do some research.

 

[flak57]

Is that a question?

Yes was my answer, the question mark was to see what he was getting at!

 

[Hugstable]

Hmm do you guys think they'll be doing a trade-up program of any kind? My problem is I might just have to spend the full amount in getting a new one anyway, since my 3DS XL is the new ALBW Triforce Gold LE. I love this handheld so much and it's gonna be hard to want to switch to something else, let alone trade it in somewhere to get a new 3DS XL. Those new faceplates are awesome, but that Black and Gold is incredibly sexy.

 

[Zeyphersan]

Hmm do you guys think they'll be doing a trade-up program of any kind? My problem is I might just have to spend the full amount in getting a new one anyway, since my 3DS XL is the new ALBW Triforce Gold LE. I love this handheld so much and it's gonna be hard to want to switch to something else, let alone trade it in somewhere to get a new 3DS XL. Those new faceplates are awesome, but that Black and Gold is incredibly sexy.

Nintendo definitely won't do one, but individual retailers like GameStop just might. If not immediately, then a little ways down the road

 

[Caffeine]

Hmm do you guys think they'll be doing a trade-up program of any kind? My problem is I might just have to spend the full amount in getting a new one anyway, since my 3DS XL is the new ALBW Triforce Gold LE. I love this handheld so much and it's gonna be hard to want to switch to something else, let alone trade it in somewhere to get a new 3DS XL. Those new faceplates are awesome, but that Black and Gold is incredibly sexy.

if i had that i wouldnt even trade in lol its like my midnight purple 3ds i just cant let it go as a sacrafice for a new one lol.

 

[Log4Girlz]

Creating "expansion pak" games like XenoBlade is not the major perk of the system, I think it is Nintendo wanting Amiibo and Miiverse to be actually functional on the system. These are two important things for their future, and they needed to boost up some of the hardware in order for those two things to be fast and accessible.

3ds is the dress rehearsal for their future.

 

[fates]

It feels like the GBC all over again, but in that case you had a huge discernible difference that anyone in the public could pick out (green/black&white to color). In the "New 3DS' case, it might not be so easily picked out by a parent looking to buy gifts and stuff. I kinda feel like they may run into some identity issues in trying to market this to people who don't follow gaming news heavily.