The Nintendo 3DS XL – featuring Nintendo’s biggest screen ever on a console – will launch in Europe in July, along with some new games to take advantage of the expanded 3D experience.
The enlarged screen on the new handheld console is a full 90pc larger than its predecessor, the Nintendo 3DS, but as a whole the new device is just 46pc larger and 100g heavier.
The upper screen measures just under 5 inches, while the lower 3D screen is 4.18 inches, and these are housed in an updated form factor with a slimmer outer edge, lending it a fresher look.
The battery life of the new system is also an improvement on the previous model, offering up to 6.5 hours using 3DS software and up to 10 hours running DS software.
Bigger and better – but at what cost?
Nintendo’s aim was to improve the 3DS without impacting too heavily on the price. To keep costs low, it has decided that AC adapters will not be included with purchases of the 3DS XL, reasoning that most fans will already own one from their previous device. It will still be available to purchase separately for new adopters, as will the cradle with AC adapter.
Users will also get a larger 4GB SD card packaged with device, giving them more space to store content and games downloaded from the Nintendo eShop.
New games preview
In a 32-minute video, Satoru Shibata, president of Nintendo Europe, presents the new device and also previews a number of upcoming games. (Don’t worry, you don’t have to wait long to see the device, which appears at around 2:10.)
The device will launch in Europe on 28 July alongside Freakyforms Deluxe Your Creations, Alive!, which lets you create crazy creatures and bring them to life, and New Art Academy, the latest from the Art Academy series which takes advantage of the new screen size, allowing more room for creative art lessons that teach real-world drawing and painting techniques.
And, of course, Mario gets a new flavour in the form of New Super Mario Bros. 2, which will launch in August.
The Nintendo 3DS XL will be available in silver, red, or blue and demo systems will be available in stores soon.
