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Everything you need to know about the New Nintendo 3DS and XL in Europe

And then some

Everything you need to know about the New Nintendo 3DS and XL in Europe
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3DS
New 3DS

Nintendo is set to replace its ageing Nintendo 3DS systems with a pair of new consoles - helpfully named the New 3DS and New 3DS XL.

This is a pretty unprecedented move for Nintendo, because it hasn't just added a back light, changed it into a clamshell, or reduced it to the size of a postage stamp. The New 3DS has extra processing power that will let it play more intensive games.

Plus, the new devices can track your head for improved 3D, they can read Amiibo figure data, they feature new buttons and inputs, and you can customise them with faceplates.

We've already reviewed the unit based on a Japanese import of the device. But after having our hands on the final European version of the New Nintendo 3DS for a few weeks, we decided to answer all your burning questions about the new gadget.

Read on to find out everything you wanted to know about the New Nintendo 3DS and XL - and a whole lot more.

How much will the consoles cost?

Most shops are selling the New Nintendo 3DS for £149.99, and the New 3DS XL for £179.99.

Majoras Mask

There's also a The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask version of the 3DS XL with a digital copy of the game and a Skull Kid figure (not an Amiibo!)

Monster Hunter 4

And there's a Monster Hunter 4 bundle of the XL with a digital copy of the game and special design for £209.99.

When can I buy one? Box

The consoles are out on February 13th in Europe.

Is the design different?

For the most part these look like any old 3DS systems. But there are a few differences. For starters: the size.

Size

The New 3DS is bigger than the original Nintendo 3DS in every dimension, and it's a little heavier.

Size

The New 3DS XL is a tiny bit bigger than the original XL, but is thinner and lighter.

The buttons are now coloured: specifically, to match the old Super Nintendo controller buttons. They're completely coloured on the New 3DS, but only the letters are coloured on the New XL.

The volume control is now on the left side of the screen to mirror the 3D slider, and the networking switch is gone altogether. You'll now find that option in the home menu settings.

Start and select are no longer under the touchscreen. Instead, they're under the face buttons like the old DS Lite. The power button is now on the front, flanked by - strangely - the stylus and the card slot.

And the New 3DS is much nicer than the original 3DS. The lid is the same size as the bottom this time (though it doesn't shut fully so there's a slightly odd gap), it's rounded rather than boxy, and it's made of better materials. It's like an XL in miniature, essentially.

How big are the screens?

For starters, the Nintendo 3DS XL and New 3DS XL have the exact same screens - 4.88 inches up top, and 4.18 inches for the touchscreen. So that one's easy.

The New 3DS, however, has slightly bigger screens that its predecessor. The top screen is 3.88 inches - up from 3.53 and the touchscreen is 3.33 inches - a step up from 3 inches.

Top screens:

Top screens

Bottom screens:

Bottom

As ever, the resolution is the same across all the devices so everything looks a little sharper and nicer on the 3DS and New 3DS, whereas the XL units blow everything up to make it easier to see.

So I hear you can change the faceplate?

Yes, but only on the New 3DS - not the New 3DS XL.

On the smaller gadget, you can pop the front cover off and loosen a couple screws to remove the bottom plate. Then it's just a case of clipping on your new cover and doing up the screws.

Wood effect

Nintendo sent us this nice Mario cover with a wood grain effect, but we're actually using this more subtle black design that we imported from Japan.

Sublte

Nintendo has announced that the following 12 faceplates, featuring Mario, Pokemon, and Monster Hunter designs, will be available at launch.

3DS Faceplate What colours do the consoles come in?

The New 3DS comes in black and white. The New 3DS XL comes in Metallic Black and Metallic Blue.

Is the console more powerful?

It is. It has a more powerful CPU and extra RAM that can be used to speed up loading times and push out more gorgeous visuals.

You won't notice any differences in old games that haven't been programmed to take advantage of the extra power, but newer releases are affected. Smash Bros loads up way quicker on the New 3DS, for example.

Eventually games will be released that take such advantage of the new processing power that they won't work on the old systems. The upcoming 3DS remake of Wii RPG Xenoblade Chronicles will be exclusive to "New" systems.

I hear the 3D is better. How so?

It's much better. The New 3DS uses head-tracking to shift its stereoscopic image so the 3D effect continues - even if you tilt your head. Unless you really twist the device, you'll never see that horrible double image again.

If you don't like the headtracking for whatever reason you can turn it off in the settings.

New 3DS What's that weird little nub?

That's the c-stick. It's a second analogue stick that developers can use for extra control. In Majora's Mask 3D, the c-stick controls the camera. In Super Smash Bros, it can be used to perform smash attacks.

What does it do in existing games, and can it replace the circle pad pro?

In existing games that haven't been developed or updated for the c-stick, it does nothing.

It can be used as a replacement for the circle pad pro, though. Use it in Kid Icarus and you can play the game left handed. Use it in Resident Evil Revelations and you can use it to aim your weapon.

It's a little fiddly compared to the large, moveable circle pad. But it works.

Oh, and it has extra buttons?

Yes, there are two additional shoulder buttons called ZL and ZR. They're a little tricky to use without also hitting L or R. Again, developers can use them for additional functions.

In Smash Bros, you now get grab and shield on both sides of the console. And in the home screen, ZL and ZR let you quickly shift through entire pages of apps.

Do they do anything in existing games?

There was already a ZL and ZR on the circle pad pro, so games that supported that device will use the shoulder buttons instead of or in addition to the standard shoulder buttons.

Does it support Amiibo? Amiibo

Yes! There's a NFC reader beneath the touchscreen, so you just have to drop your little plastic Yoshi onto the bottom screen to scan it into your system. Older 3DS systems will need a separate reader peripheral.

Right now you can only register the figures, set nicknames, and delete data. We'll need to wait for games with Amiibo support to arrive in the west before we can do anything interesting with the figures.

What's the battery life like?

Better, though not by much. Where the original 3DS could play 3DS games for three to five hours, the New 3DS can go for 3.5 to six hours.

And where the original XL could get 3.5 to 6.5 hours, you can expect 3.5 to seven hour play sessions on the New 3DS XL.

Can I transfer my stuff over to the new system?

Yes - it's a relatively painless process to transfer eShop purchases, save games, StreetPass Plaza progress, and installed apps from one 3DS to another.

But there is one caveat: the New 3DS and XL use micro SD cards, rather than the larger SD cards of the original system. If you don't have much installed then the 4GB micro SD card in the system will be fine, otherwise you'll need to buy a bigger one.

And what about a power adapter? Is there one in the box?

Nope! Once again, Nintendo has failed to put an AC adapter in the box so you'll need to buy one separately. As ever, it uses the exact same cable as every other 3DS so you can just use that if you're upgrading.

So… should I buy one?

Pile

The New 3DS and XL are better than their predecessors in almost every way. They've got better 3D and better battery life, and they're thinner and lighter which are the measurements that matter.

The 3DS is definitely feeling its age at this point, so upgrading should be an easy choice. But the XL is still a killer machine and it's going to take a little more to convince owners of that console to replace it.

Luckily, Nintendo's got the answer in the form of exclusive software. Like it or not, but your old console will eventually be unable to play certain 3DS games and you'll be forced to upgrade or miss out. Luckily, you'll get a great new gadget in the process.

Got any more questions? Chuck em at us in the comments below.

Mark Brown
Mark Brown
Mark Brown is editor at large of Pocket Gamer