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3DS

Four 3DS XL Special Editions Coming to America This Fall

by Neal Ronaghan - September 10, 2014, 12:21 pm EDT
Total comments: 30

Want some Smash Bros. love on your 3DS? How about NES? Or Persona Q?

Four new special editions of the 3DS XL are coming to North America later this year, all for the price of $199.99 each.

The first two, coming out on September 19, are Super Smash Bros. 3DS XL systems that come in either a red or a blue variant. The systems do not come with a copy of Super Smash Bros. for 3DS, which is due out on October 3.

Coming on October 10, exclusively to GameStop, is the NES Edition 3DS XL, which features an NES controller design on the outside as well as red NES-style buttons. The limited edition hardware also comes in a box that looks like a NES console.

Lastly, a Persona Q Special Edition 3DS XL is coming exclusively to GameStop on November 25. This version features the design of the game's Grimoire as well as character art. It does not come with Persona Q, though it does launch on the same day as the game.

There is still no official word from Nintendo of America regarding the New 3DS and New 3DS XL, which are both coming out in Japan in October and are slated for a 2015 release outside of Japan.

Images

Talkback

CericSeptember 10, 2014

Those are cool and all but not a New 3DS not a Sale.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorSeptember 10, 2014

Yeah... want that NES 3DSXL, but I already have 2 3DSXLs and with NEW3DSXL coming out.. no buy.

Ian SaneSeptember 10, 2014

The NES one looks great and if I didn't already own a 3DS I would be all over that one... if I didn't know that the New 3DS is going to make it obsolete within months!  Isn't it rather dishonest to release this so soon to the New 3DS coming out?  The target audience would logically be people that don't keep up-to-date with videogame news but when they see the New 3DS in stores less than a year later they're going to be annoyed.  It relies on the costumer being unaware that a better product, that was already been formally revealed to the public, is due to arrive soon.

And if the public is more aware than Nintendo thinks then these would undersell for obvious reasons.  It really doesn't make sense to reveal the New 3DS prior to Christmas when it won't be released here until next year.  I figure that's NCL making decisions for the Japanese market without taking into account other markets (or maybe even caring, it seems like NCL would rather sell to five Japanese customers than 10 American ones).  NOA has to rely on word not getting out about the New 3DS or 3DS sales will be in the toilet this Christmas.

If I was Sony I would openly advertise that the 3DS is going to be replaced next year to spread the word and torpedo Nintendo's sales.  "Nintendo plans on replacing the 3DS with a new model next year which will support games that are unplayable on the old model, the model they're trying to sell you this year.  But the PS Vita is a current product and will remain so for years to come.  You can rely on the system you buy this year to support the games coming out this year and the next and many more years to come."  The campaign writes itself.  Though I just had an image of a comic superhero called Jimmy Vita fighting against the forces of Mimtendu so let's just say that the execution of the campaign needs to be done right.

Jet PilotSeptember 10, 2014

That NES XL looks hideous with the controller painted on the outside.  They should've kept it simple with the NES gray exterior and then the inside with the colored buttons and d-pad as they did for this edition.

SorenSeptember 10, 2014

Quote from: Ian

But the PS Vita is a current product and will remain so for years to come.  You can rely on the system you buy this year to support the games coming out this year and the next and many more years to come."  The campaign writes itself.

Sony would then have to support the Vita. So there's no way that's happening.

Triforce HermitSeptember 10, 2014

I would bite on the Persona one, but seeing as how they will make that model of 3DS obsolete next year, it would be completely pointless.

I'd honestly consider the NES one if it had concave buttons and a D-pad that wasn't tiny and had the little arrows etched in.I actually was holding out on getting an XL until that Persona Q one got announced, but now that's blown out of the water thanks to word of New 3DS and New 3DS XL. :/ sorry, Atlus. NCL gave you the shaft hardcore.Seriously, I don't care about how much people bitch about it digging into their fingers; I miss concave buttons.

Ian SaneSeptember 10, 2014

Quote from: Soren

Quote from: Ian

But the PS Vita is a current product and will remain so for years to come.  You can rely on the system you buy this year to support the games coming out this year and the next and many more years to come."  The campaign writes itself.

Sony would then have to support the Vita. So there's no way that's happening.

Well I suppose they would have to stretch the truth on that part. :)  But Nintendo has publicly revealed the New 3DS and that it will have exclusive titles that won't work on the existing 3DS so it's not like Nintendo could sue a competitor for libel or slander if they promoted that information.  It's all factual and public information.

How many people on this thread have said that they like one of the models but feel there is no point in buying it?  Yeah, NCL, you just shot NOA in the foot here.  And you have to expect that the target audience for Persona are going to be hip enough with gaming news to know about the New 3DS.  It's not exactly Carnival Games, you know?

TurdFurgySeptember 10, 2014

The outside of the NES one should have been colored based off of the actual NES console and the inside based off of the controller.
The people who design all these special edition Nintendo consoles suck.
There, I said it. I feel better.

AdrockSeptember 10, 2014

Nintendo did something that with the Gameboy Advance SP. That would have been awesome.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorSeptember 10, 2014

In this thread: People complain about Nintendo having announced the NEW3DS before announcing these special editions.

In alternate universe: People complain about Nintendo releasing special editions, then announcing NEW3DS a week later.

UncleBob's got a great point there. At least they're being up-front about what's going on with these.

Unclebob, in spite of your facetious attitude towards this thrad, you've really spotlighted what it is people are complaining about.

We are not complaining about the order of these announcements, but rather the fact that Nintendo is cannibalizing their sales and making a really shitty move here. See, the alternate universe where we don't complain is where these get announced, and they get announced as the first special editions for the western release of the New 3DS XL, and they could play up the fact that the version of the Persona Q model in particular is getting an upgrade from it's japanese counterpart that was only a regular 3DS XL.

Nintendo's not going to make special editions of the new 3DS systems until they've sold a bunch of the standard New ones and they need a sales bump. So like a year from now, or possibly early 2016.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorSeptember 10, 2014

In another alternate universe: People complain about how they want the special editions, but don't want to pay extra for useless features tied to amiibo and some reject Wii game.  They also add in how unfair it is that Japan got the cheaper version of one of the special editions without all the forced-in extras.

AdrockSeptember 10, 2014

I feel like, if anything, Nintendo is telling people they don't need to upgrade with these special editions. Sure, there are some benefits, but a regular 3DS will be perfectly fine for most people. The target market for New 3DS are people who don't know any model and enthusiasts who own multiple models anyway. Anyone else who upgrades is just a bonus.

Am I the only one who doesn't care that Nintendo is releasing New 3DS? It's on them to prove to people like me that we should upgrade. So far, they haven't. Either Nintendo commits some serious exclusives and risks underwhelming sales, or we all just keep playing our 3DSes and act like nothing happened. I'd bet on the latter. Nintendo is releasing New 3DS primarily for Amiibo, another thing I'm not committed to supporting. With what Nintendo has announced, I haven't come across a scenario where I don't win, unless you count no Circle Pad Pro support in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS, and even then, the Wii U version is not far behind.

StratosSeptember 10, 2014

I have half a mind to sell off my blue 3DS XL and buy this NES one...then buy a NEW 3DS XL next year so I still end up with two like I planned.

The kind of people who they figure the new ones will appeal to probably already own a 3DS. These editions are meant for new people and collector types who'll buy multiple things (the internal Nintendo corporate term for such users is "UncleBobs").

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorSeptember 10, 2014

I dunno man.  I do want the NES edition, but just can't see dropping the money on it at this point. ;)

You say that now...

NeoStar9XSeptember 10, 2014

I would be really excited by these new models as I have yet to buy a 3DS XL but I know the New 3DS exist. I don't want to buy an XL only to find out that the new model is releasing in January or February. I want to have the C-stick built in along with the extra buttons for Monster Hunter 4 and Smash Bros. I don't see a benefit personally of getting one of these now. I almost wish I didn't know about the new model.

I'm putting UncleBob down for a blue Smash XL and a NES XL.

SorenSeptember 11, 2014

Quote from: NeoStar9X

I don't want to buy an XL only to find out that the new model is releasing in January or February.

But it's a 3DS with NES things drawn all over it! Nostalgia all over your face! It's the video game equivalent to checks with little poodles on them.
http://38.media.tumblr.com/0b8c67d47944e510b20ff9713439b004/tumblr_mq5h7jbf9i1rabtndo1_500.png

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

Nintendo's not going to make special editions of the new 3DS systems until they've sold a bunch of the standard New ones and they need a sales bump. So like a year from now, or possibly early 2016.

Oh! well, you got me there, J.P. It's not like Iwata talked about how the New 3DS LL is going to have a http://puu.sh/buCop/4e0580ee3d.jpg Red Smash Bros themed one and a http://puu.sh/buCue/e4bdaf2ed5.jpg Monster Hunter 4G New 3DS LL.

I stand corrected. That's usually not Nintendo's m.o. but I guess they're doing it that way this time.

Ian SaneSeptember 11, 2014

Quote from: Adrock

Am I the only one who doesn't care that Nintendo is releasing New 3DS? It's on them to prove to people like me that we should upgrade. So far, they haven't. Either Nintendo commits some serious exclusives and risks underwhelming sales, or we all just keep playing our 3DSes and act like nothing happened. I'd bet on the latter.

My attitude is that I don't know if the New 3DS will matter or not so I might as well wait and see.  I have a 3DS anyway but if I didn't I would be waiting just to see if the New 3DS is worth my while.  Though realistically unless the price difference was really major I would pick the New 3DS over the old model simply because it can do all the same things plus more.  Why buy a 3DS now if I know there's an upgrade due soon?  At the very least I should get a look at the upgrade before making my decision.  I don't own a Wii U but if NCL revealed a Wii U+ next month there is absolutely no way I would buy a regular Wii U for Christmas.

Also with Nintendo treading water in the console front it would be pretty bad if they also bungled their handheld division with questionable decisions.  Ask Sega fans how important it is that your favourite company not mishandle their business.

AdrockSeptember 11, 2014

Quote from: Ian

My attitude is that I don't know if the New 3DS will matter or not so I might as well wait and see.  I have a 3DS anyway but if I didn't I would be waiting just to see if the New 3DS is worth my while.

Well, I guess you finally calmed down from this:

Quote from: Ian

Oh fuck this!  I just bought a 3DS last year for Pokémon!  This is effectively a new system.

This is effectively the DSi all over again until further notice which changed so little about how people perceived the DS line. It didn't even sell that well. The difference this go around is I already did the hand-me-down thing with my brother. As a consumer, I feel like I hold all the cards. If I upgrade, it's because they offered something worthwhile, but ultimately, I can choose not to upgrade.

I fell for the special edition color/model thing once. I really wanted that Ice Blue Gameboy Pocket. I didn't have a Gameboy Pocket at the time, but that color forced my hand. While it understand the desire to wait for New 3DS, if someone wants a 3DS today, there's more than enough to justify a purchase and moving forward, the bigger, more important releases will most likely still be available on the more pervasive regular 3DS.

Quote from: UncleBob

In another alternate universe: People complain about how they want the special editions, but don't want to pay extra for useless features tied to amiibo and some reject Wii game.  They also add in how unfair it is that Japan got the cheaper version of one of the special editions without all the forced-in extras.

I didn't get to mention it in my other post, but I love you, UncleBob. <3

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorSeptember 11, 2014

As well you should.

The lesson here is: People will find a reason to complain about anything.  Worry less about the complaints of others and worry more about things that actually effect you.

Mop it upSeptember 11, 2014

The NES one looks like it could just be a faceplate for the NEW 3DS.

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