Nintendo has announced new models of the 3DS and 3DS XL, which boast a new analog stick, NFC compatibility for amiibo figurines, improved 3D viewing, ZR and LR buttons similar to those featured on the Wii U Gamepad and support for MicroSD.
Related: Xenoblade Chronicles Announced Exclusively for New 3DS and 3DS XL
The announcement was made during a Japanese Nintendo Direct, which highlighted the effect the improved 3D viewing will have on gameplay. With the current 3DS and 3DS XL models, players will encounter blurry images if they tilt the handheld consoles away from their direct line of vision. With the new 3DS models, however, the systems can track the player’s head via the built-in camera, therefore ensuring that there is no blur when the user is playing a game in 3D.
The new 3DS and 3DS XL will feature a variety of covers that are also swappable, meaning that you can purchase new plates for your system in order to fully customize it. Both the surrounding area of the top and bottom screens will be customizable, with Nintendo showcasing some Animal Crossing themed covers during the presentation.
The home screen of the new 3DS can also be changed to a variety of themed displays, meaning that you can match it to whichever covers and plates you choose to purchase for your console.
The new systems have thus far only been announced for a Japanese release, with no word yet on when they’ll be set for an international launch. Eurogamer has received confirmation from Nintendo UK that the new consoles won’t make their way to Europe until 2015, so those in the region who were looking to pick up one of these new consoles in time for Christmas will be left disheartened.
You can watch the unveiling of the new 3DS and 3DS XL in the Nintendo Direct video below. Skip to the 49:00 minute mark to see the systems in action:
The new Nintendo 3DS and 3DS XL will launch in Japan on October 11th, 2014 for 16,000 yen and 18,800 yen respectively. International pricing has not yet been revealed.
