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Nintendo reveal upcoming NEW 3DS and 3DS XL models with Amiibo, more buttons, better battery life and more!

When Nintendo came out with the Circle Pad Pro accessory for the original Nintendo 3DS – which added a second Circle Pad and extra buttons to the 3DS which allowed for even more control; and which Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate made good use of – many asked why a second Circle Pad could not have been a standard feature of the 3DS. When the 3DS XL was released and also lacked the second pad, the complaints became even more vocal.

 

New3DSColours

Colour choices at launch for the New 3DS and New 3DS XL

 

Today in Japan, Nintendo have not only finally heeded the call, but have gone even further. The company announced all new models of their popular hand-held game consoles, the Nintendo 3DS and the 3DS XL (called the 3DS LL in Japan), which along with extra controls, make a number of other additions and improvements over the previous models.

 

3DSXLsizecomparison   3DSsizecomparison

If you actually care that the new models are a few mm bigger in most directions, you probably have an Apple device and/or no shame
(click pictures to enlarge)

 

The real big news of the announcement, however, comes in the form of a small toy.

 

New 3DS XL / Amiibo Stylised Logo

If you’re wondering why this pic shows just the Amiibo logo instead of an actual Amiibo, blame Nintendo.

 

With the new consoles including an NFC Reader, the new 3DS and 3DS XL will come with built-in support for Amiibo, Nintendo’s upcoming range of NFC-enabled figurines. Previously thought to be exclusive to the Wii U, the new addition enables future 3DS games to also offer the ability to allow select Nintendo characters to be stored and shared across compatible games or to use the toys for special in-game functions; and use of the feature in the 3DS version of Super Smash Bros. is already confirmed – what it consists of is yet to be announced, but if one is to make a guess, imagine something like the sticker mode in Brawl, but with an actual physical toy to enhance and make your own character with.

 

New3DSButtonColours

Those colourful SNES-like buttons.

 

As to the controls, the new 3DS and 3DS XL will add a splash of colour to the A/B/X/Y button. The new 3DS gets the more significant facelift with fully-coloured buttons, while the XL simply gets coloured button labels. The colours are the same as those originally used on the Japanese SNES controller, in a nice homage to Nintendo history.

 

New3DSC-Stick

 

…But that’s not what you care about, is it? The bigger news is both devices finally feature a second Circle Pad – well, kind of. Dubbed the “C-Stick” by Nintendo in another homage (this time to the yellow analogue stick of Nintendo’s own GameCube controller), the new stick is much smaller than the main Circle Pad – in fact, it’s roughly the same size as one of the four A/B/X/Y buttons. This isn’t accidental – according to Nintendo’s own Satoru Iwata, while the new control will function like a stick, it’s also designed to be used as though it were a button itself. Iwata also claims the new C-Stick “is easy to use”; with Nintendo releasing a picture showing that the size and positioning of the button should make it easy to control with the same thumb used to press the lettered buttons – it remains to be seen if this turns out to be the case. The new C-stick will be used in Dragon Quest X: Online, Final Fantasy Explorers, and Monster Hunter 4G to control the in-game camera function, and in the upcoming Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS to unleash Smash Attacks.

 

The back of the 3DS now has ZL and ZR buttons next to the L and R, but the game card slot is no longer found here.

The back of the New 3DS XL. Notice anything different?

 

The new 3DS models will also include ZL and ZR buttons on the back beside the existing L/R buttons, thus making the Circle Pad Pro accessory entirely redundant. Because there is no longer space for the game card, the game card slot is now found on new 3DS and XL’s bottom-left side, which seems poorly thought out – surely it’ll be right underneath your left palm thus making it easy to accidentally push the card in and eject it? The space at the top previously occupied by the game card slot now houses the charging port, which has been moved from its original off-centre position.

 

3DSXLbatterycomparison   3DSbatterycomparison

Battery life comparisons (given in minimum to maximum expected time between charges) for the New 3DS XL (left image) and New 3DS (right image) compared to their predecessors
(click to enlarge)

 

Nintendo claim that the new 3DS and XL models also make small improvements on the battery life, with their rated maximum life up half an hour on the XL to 7 hours; and up a whole hour on the regular 3DS to 6 hours. Part of the reason for these gains are due to a new adaptive brightness feature, where the screen will automatically brighten or darken depending on the currently displayed picture, which is also aimed to improve colour quality. Another big reason for the small improvement is a new, more efficient processor – which also grants the new models a small speed boost to make downloads and loading times quicker – though exact specs are not yet known. Speaking of downloads, you’ll also now be able to use Micro SD cards with both new 3DS models, with a new slot located under the bottom covering.

 

 

The new Nintendo 3DS models also have an improved 3D function. With the original 3DS and XL, if you viewed the 3D effect from the side and didn’t stay in the “sweet spot,” the graphics became all blurred. However, the New 3DS has improved 3D, enabling players to continue to see the 3D effect even if viewed from an angle. Using the device’s cameras and gyroscopes, the new 3DS and 3DS XL actually track your face to work out the angle the screen is being viewed from – and will adjust the 3D effect to what’s best for your view. Clever!

 

New3DSPrices

 

Though the international launches of the new 3DS and 3DS XL models is still to be announced, both will be out October 11 in Japan. The New Nintendo 3DS is priced at 16,000 yen (approx. £92.75 at time of posting) and the New Nintendo 3DS XL is priced at 18,800 yen (approx. £109 at time of posting) – given the usual mark-ups, however, I’m personally predicting prices of £129 and £159 when they hit the UK. Sorry, that’s business.


August 29th, 2014 by CrimsonShade
Posted in Gaming, General, Nintendo, Technology | No Comments »

Nintendo Unveils Amiibo Launch Figures (And Pricing)

Amiibo_989

 

Today Nintendo finally gave us some hard details on the upcoming Amiibo launch. These figurines, which take advantage of the Wii U’s (and upcoming New 3DS) built in NFC technology, are now available for pre-order. So if you want to be the cool kid on your block, set aside some cash now. Each figure costs a cool $12.99. Thats a decent chunk of change if you want the entire launch lineup of 12 figures.

 

Amiibo-figures__140610161908

 

The first game to utilize the figures will be Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS, so you won’t have to wait long to summon NPC fighters into your single player game to help you smack down your rivals. Mario Kart 8, Yoshis’s Wooly World and Captains Toad’s Treasure Tracker are also set to get Amiibo compatibility. Other figures are sure to be in the pipeline as well. For those curious, the launch lineup includes:

 

  • Wii Fit Instructor
  • Marth
  • Pikachu
  • Fox McCloud
  • Kirby
  • The Villager (Animal Crossing)
  • Samus
  • Link
  • Yoshi
  • Mario
  • Donkey Kong
  • Peach

Are you excited for the launch of Amiibo? Let us know in the comments below!


August 29th, 2014 by
Posted in Gaming, General, Nintendo | No Comments »

Smashdate! #5: Shulk Forsees A Fight!

 

20130613041609Super_Smash_Bros_4_merged_logo_no_subtitle-1024x491

Smashdate! #5 looks into the future to bring you an all seeing beatdown! This fighter brings a tactical expertise like no other to the battle!

 

Shulk

 

Shulk

Wielder of the legendary Monado, a sword that grants its user the ability to manipulate Ether and see into the future, Shulk enters the arena for the first time. Young and brash, but a talented fighter and tactician, he utilizes the different elements of the Monado to out-manuever and out think his opponents. Shown using a variety of stances and moves, including some impressive counterattacks, Shulk will no doubt prove to be a formidable presence on the field of battle. His Final Smash seems to harken back to the tactics based combat of Xenoblade, seeing him call in party members Dunban and Riki to deliver a devastating chain of attacks. Interestingly, (and true to Xenoblade) Shulk calls out all attacks as he executes them. Though not widely known, due to the release of Xenoblade Chronicles late in the life cycle of the Wii, Shulk is a cult favorite who has been much requested.

 

Shulk Smash Shulk Move Shulk 3DS

 

The Stage Is Set

 

 

Shulk Stage

 

Little was revealed about Shulk’s stage, seen here in the background. However, Xenoblade Chronicles was noted for its massive environments and gorgeous vistas. It would seem only fitting for the Smash Bros. stage to reflect that legacy.

 

 

We have a fan favorite now being included in Smash. Which just leaves me with one question: WHERES MY MEWTWO?!


August 29th, 2014 by
Posted in Gaming, General, Nintendo | No Comments »

Game Trailer:  POKKÉN TOURNAMENT: First Look!

Today the Pokemon Company released a trailer that gave the first look at a new game that they are developing in partnership with Bandai Namco Games. Combining Pokemon with fighting game Tekken, Pokken Tournament is going to be a fighting game… with Pokemon. Finally, a chance to see how skillfully a Fighting-Type can be animated in game.

 

Check out the trailer below!

 


August 26th, 2014 by
Posted in Gaming, General, Nintendo | No Comments »

Animal Crossing, Mega Man, Punch-Out!!! and more get eShop discounts as part of new Nintendo Promotion

As everyone knows, the premise of Nintendo’s popular beat-em-up franchise Super Smash Bros. revolves around characters from several different Nintendo game series, who would never normally meet in their own games, coming together for an all-out brawl. But with the upcoming games Super Smash Bros. for 3DS / Wii U throwing not just more Nintendo characters into the mix such as the Wii Fit Trainer and the Animal Crossing human, but also entries from Namco (Pacman) and Capcom (Mega Man) joining too, Nintendo thinks it might be a good time for us to familiarise ourselves with the games behind the new names ahead of the official launch.

 

Nintendo UK and Nintendo of Europe today jointly announced a new promotion, cleverly – if lengthily – titled “Super Smash Bros. Character Sale: New Challengers“. Starting today (14th August) for one week, Nintendo gamers across the UK and Europe will be able to download select eShop titles for 3DS or Wii U featuring one of Smash’s more recent faces – from the old classics like Pac-Man and the six Mega Man NES titles, to more recent entries such as Animal Crossing: New Leaf – each at a generous discount ranging from 20% to 50% off the original eShop prices.

 

Super Smash Bros Character Sale - New Challengers (UK)Super Smash Bros Character Sale - New Challengers (Europe)
(Click to enlarge) These pictures, tweeted by Nintendo, show the games and discounts offered to gamers in the UK (left) and elsewhere in Europe (right).

 

Punch-out fighter Little Mac gets a double-billing with his two debut games, Punch-Out!! and Super Punch-Out!! both at 50% off. Mii Characters also get two seperate outings, with Wii U owners getting Wii Party U for 30% off (now £24.49 / €31.49); while 3DS owners get Tomodachi Life at 20% off (£27.99 / €31.99) – weirdly, this results in Wii Party U, which is normally five Euros more expensive than Tomodachi Life for the rest of Europe, actually becoming the better deal, now undercutting by just half a Euro.

 

With the surprising introduction of the Wii Fit trainer as a fighter, Wii U users exclusively get Wii Fit U for 30% off this week too (now £20.99 / €24.49). Meanwhile, 3DS owners get the double-whammy of Animal Crossing: New Leaf and Kid Icarus: Uprising also at 30% off each (£24.49 / €27.99 and £20.99 / €24.49 respectively). Always-hungry pill-popper Pac-Man gets his classic arcade outing reduced to 50% off for both 3DS and Wii U. Finally for all you Mega Man fans (yay!), prepare for a Mega week as all six of Mega Man’s original NES outings are 50% off on 3DS and Wii U as well.

 

As the new challengers prepare to square off against unfamiliar opponents in Nintendo’s arena, this week gives Nintendo fans the chance to play their histories for even less than before. Who are you backing?


August 14th, 2014 by CrimsonShade
Posted in Gaming, General, Nintendo | No Comments »

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