While Nintendo has now removed the limit of the number of times you can transfer a system, you can only do it once a week, and you can't go back to a 3DS from a New 3DS. Get used to leaving the 3D slider all the way up on the New Nintendo 3DS XL (Photo: Simon Crisp/) This snails-pace process was only made slightly more bearable by the sight of adorable little Pikmin carrying representations of our data from one device to the other. However, it turned out to be tediously slow and took more than two hours to complete. With only 3 GB of stored data, we decided to opt for the Wi-Fi all option, thinking it couldn't be too bad. None of these are ideal and all come with their own problems. All need both systems and internet access. As such, there are three transfer options, moving all data wirelessly between old and new systems, transferring core data wirelessly and then re-downloading software, or using a computer to move files from an SD to micro SD. Because 3DS purchases are linked to a device, and not just a user account, it's not as simple as logging in on your new device. That brings us to the transfer process for current 3DS users, which is another low-point for the New 3DS. The super-stable 3D of the New Nintendo 3DS XL changes how you will use the console (Photo: Simon Crisp/) This feels like a bad design and because the New 3DS ships with only a 4 GB micro SD card, users who prefer digital downloads are going to need to do this when swapping it for a bigger capacity card.
Removing the back plate off our console to gain access caused a heart-stopping crack sound, though luckily no lasting damage. If you're still wondering about that missing SD card slot, it's now a micro SD slot and will require a screwdriver and nerves-of-steel to find it under the back plate of the console.
The Select and Start buttons have been moved under the ABXY buttons, like on the 2DS. However, rather than give us a second circle pad, Nintendo has given us a C-stick nub which is said to have been inspired by the Gamecube C-stick, but in truth reminded us far more of the eraser tip cursor controller from an IBM Thinkpad, circa 1992. The big one comes in the form of an additional analog controller above the SNES-themed ABXY buttons with their colored lettering. The C-stick on the New Nintendo 3DS XL (Photo: Simon Crisp/)įlip the lid and you'll instantly notice yet more changes. While some users have complained the position of the power button and game card slot mean you could accidentally eject a game card or power down mid-game, it's not something we experienced in our extensive playing. The game card slot, power button and stylus have all been moved to the front of the console, and there's no visible SD card slot. There are additional ZL and ZR buttons on the rear, no physical Wi-Fi switch, and the volume slider has moved to the top screen. More observant gamers will also notice a number of other changes, before even opening the clamshell console. Compared to the original 3DS XLs, which always felt like they had a touch of the Fisher Price about them, the new models are more grown-up, though their glossy outer shell is an undeniable fingerprint magnet. While we managed to get our hands on the elusive gold Majora's Mask edition, this is also true of the standard offerings. The US$200 New Nintendo 3DS XL looks and feels like a more premium product than previous models. The hard-to-get Majora's Mask edition of the New Nintendo 3DS XL (Photo: Simon Crisp/) Try explaining that to parents shopping for little Johnny's birthday present. To make matters worse original 3DSs and 3DS XLs won't be able to run new New 3DS-specific titles, but the New 3DS will be backwards compatible with 3DS and DS games.
This means stores could have shelves where the Nintendo 3DS, 3DS XL, 2DS, New 3DS, and New 3DS XL all sit next to each other, leaving potential buyers confused and with a headache before they've even picked one up. Now it has chosen to title its upgraded 3DSs the New Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS XL, where *New* is actually part of their potentially baffling name. After the quirkily-monikered Wii, was the Wii U, which many buyers thought was a tablet add-on. In recent years Nintendo has developed a worrying knack for choosing atrocious names for its consoles.
Gizmag recently spent a week with the XL version of the new portable console, to see if it's worthy of your gaming thumbs.
Now, Nintendo is back with the New Nintendo 3DS consoles which promise to fix that with super-steady 3D, while also offering a power upgrade and better controls. When we saw the glasses-free 3D of the original Nintendo 3DS back in 2011, we were suitably impressed, and then promptly disappointed when the effect kept breaking and left us suffering headaches.