Nintendo announce updated versions of the popular 3Ds handheld consoles last Friday, although there is little information about when the new machine will be available outside Japan. Gamers will be looking forward to the new internals which promise to improve performance, more trigger buttons, and the addition of a tiny analogue stick on the right side of the device.
Carrying the names “New 3DS” and “New 3DS XL” these consoles appear to be getting games that only run on the upgraded hardware. An unusual situation for something that isn’t entirely a new generation of console, although it could be that Nintendo has decided to copy the consumer electronics market and make smaller changes instead of a massive overhaul.
The biggest change to the new 3Ds is the addition of two additional trigger buttons located next to the original L and R triggers on the back of the console. It is conceivable that future 3DS games will require the use of these triggers, although Nintendo has already announced that the upcoming port of Xenoblade Chronicles from the Wii U will require the processing power of the new CPU.
A new nub has been added to the right side of the console, just above the buttons (which are getting colours). This is meant to act as a second analogue stick and negate the need for the Circle Pro add-on. Some have wondered at the efficiency of using such a small button for fine controls. Some other additions include NFC, a Micro SD card slot, and more battery life.
Nintendo is releasing the new 3Ds and 3DS XL in Japan on 11 October; with at least one Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate bundle confirmed. It has been reported that the console is reaching Europe in 2015, with no other release information being available.
[Source: Eurogamer]
