3DS XL announced - due in Europe on July 28

NewsPublish Date 22/06/2012 - 9:07am GMT+1

New version of the handheld features larger screens and better battery life.

Nintendo has announced the 3DS XL, confirming the rumours that the 3DS would get a larger redesign. It will arrive in Europe on July 28.

New features include a 4.88 inch top screen and a 4.18 inch lower touch screen - this makes the top screen the largest ever on a Nintendo handheld. A 4GB SD memory card will also be included, instead of the 2GB card in the 3DS.

Nintendo has also revealed the new handheld will run for 3.5-6.5 hours when playing 3DS titles, and up to 10 hours when playing DS games - a large improvement over the 3DS if the stats prove accurate.

Bizarrely, Nintendo announced that the 3DS XL won't ship with an AC adapter, meaning you'll have to buy one separately or use one that shipped with your 3DS, DSi or DS XL.

No price has been announced for the 3DS XL in Europe, but it will retail for $200 in the US.

Images of the 3DS XL can be found in our 3DS XL Image Gallery.

VideoGamer.com Analysis

While the 3DS XL is bigger and will run longer, it's also missing something that was heavily rumoured: a second analogue stick. After the release of the Circle Pad Pro add-on it was assumed by many that any revision of the hardware would come with a second stick as standard, but this isn't the case. There's currently no word on a new add-on that offers a second stick for use with the 3DS XL.

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User Comments

MJTH @ Woffls

It uses the same adaptor as the DSi so it is not to bad... In my opinion they are selling the adaptor separately in order to get as many of the adaptors on the market as possible before the Wii U comes out. The Wii U game pad and controller pro both use the same charger as well so it kind of makes sense (although I'm being optimistic).

I also think I'm in the minority in saying this, but I'm glad that a second C-pad wasn't put on the XL, and hope to god they never do so with any 3DS iterations. It would not only alienate the current 3DS owner market (the loyal fan) but also get split ideas from developers. They would either have to develop for the second stick as standard bunch, the minority, or cater for the single c-pad standard bunch completely losing the point. An then devs would just decide to skip the 3DS altogether making it a flop. Nintendo aren't stupid and realise that would be bad for business. If the c-pad pro wasn't selling at a snails pace things may be different, but not much better.

Posted 16:40 on 22 June 2012

Woffls

Not shipping with an AC adapter is utterly mental. If it used the same one as the DS, then maybe they'd get away with it. It sounds like they had one consumer in mind and made a product for them. Very strange indeed.

Posted 10:56 on 22 June 2012

pblive

Hmm. I want one, but I'm not sure I could justify this and a Wii U at the end of the year.

No, I'll stick with my standard 3DS.

Posted 10:19 on 22 June 2012

atheistium

Gimmie D:<

Posted 10:17 on 22 June 2012

Ghost5

And don't forget that EVERYTHING will carry over if you decide to upgrade. All your Play Coins/Mii Plaza Unlocks/Streetpass/eShop Stuff etc will all be transferred.

I was going to get my Dad a 3DS recently as he steals my 3DS to play MK7 and SM3DL so depending on Price I may just go for an XL for him.

Posted 09:31 on 22 June 2012

Clockpunk

An upgrade already? How much do the AC Adapters sell for seperately?

Posted 09:20 on 22 June 2012

munkee

No AC adapter is a sneaky move. I expect that most people who upgrade would want to sell the older console. So, a huge number of people would rather have an AC adapter in the box.

Does the original second nub fit on this console?

Other than that. Better battery and bigger screen seem pretty cool. I'm not 100% sure who this is marketed to. The original DSiXL was marketed at people with poor sight and the older generation, wasn't it? Do these people want a huge 3D display mutating their eyeballs? Or, is this for the gamers? The people who love the 3DS and just want BIGGER.

EDIT:
I also much prefer the new curvy look.

Posted 09:14 on 22 June 2012