During a Nintendo Direct Friday night, Nintendo announced that updated versions of the 3DS and 3DS XL will be available over 2014 and 2015.
The consoles will be specific to Japan for 2014.
The handhelds will boast an upgraded CPU, will have two extra bumper buttons — ZL and ZR — an extra nub on the right face of the console which will control in-game cameras much like the old Circle Pad Pro used to, primary buttons that have taken on the colour scheme of their comrades on the old Super NES and support for Nintendo’s upcoming Skylanders-like Amiibos.
Nintendo has also confirmed that the new units will boast better download speeds and 3D viewing. 3D improvements are in part due to an improved gyroscope that will track your head movements and improve viewing angles.
Each new handheld will also support removable faceplates to further customise the device. In Japan, these interchangeable faceplates will retail for about $10 AUD each.
Sadly, the improved specifications of the new 3DSes mean that some games — like an upcoming Xenoblade title — will only work on these new 3DS models, which will be identified with new “New” branding on the back of each unit.
Nintendo Australia has yet to confirm the new 3DS and 3DS XL models in the country. The handheld consoles have been confirmed for a 2015 release in North America and Europe.
“Different territories make their own business decisions regarding individual products and timing,” Nintendo of Europe told Eurogamer. “We plan to launch these products in Europe in 2015. We have a variety of compelling portable gaming options for consumers now and through the Christmas shopping season, including a variety of different Nintendo 2DS and Nintendo 3DS XL bundles at retail.”
We’ll keep you up to date on these new handheld consoles.
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