Circle Pad Pro accessory will ruin your Nintendo 3DS XL’s silhouette for $20

Posted on 18/04/2013 by Sharif Sakr

Is it worth adding a lop-sided $20 piece of plastic to your already-substantial 3DS XL in order to gain a second analog thumb stick? It's a good question and finally one worth asking now that Nintendo has announced that the currently Japan-only Circle Pad Pro for the XL will start shipping in the States tomorrow. When we went hands-on last year, we found that it added predictable amounts of girth and also blocked the cartridge port, but compensated by making the handheld more comfortable to use, not least by adding larger shoulder buttons as well as the thumb stick. It's also worth pointing out that the smaller 3DS version of the accessory enabled better controls for left-handed players in Kid Icarus, so there could be some subtler benefits too. We've embedded our hands-on video after the break, so you just need to hold a $20 bill up against your screen and decide which looks better.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Nintendo

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Via: NeoGaf

Source: Nintendo

Luigi edition Nintendo 3DS LL gives Mario’s brother his due, but only in Japan

Posted on 18/04/2013 by Jon Fingas

There must be some kind of unstated rule that Nintendo can never give the US a special edition handheld without releasing some Japan-focused models. While the company was busy promising Americans an Animal Crossing 3DS XL of their very own, it was also introducing a Luigi edition 3DS LL for its home country as part of its "Year of Luigi" theme -- not fair, Nintendo. The system is decked out in a camouflage-like pattern that pays tribute to Mario's oft-neglected sibling, and it should ship with a preloaded copy of Mario and Luigi: Dream Team just to drive the point home. Local gamers will get the distinctly-patterned 3DS LL on June 18th, but there's no word on an XL equivalent for the US so far. We'll just have to make do with Mario-colored devices instead.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Nintendo

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Via: Destructoid

Source: Nintendo

Animal Crossing-flavored Nintendo 3DS XL bundle costs $220, arrives this June

Posted on 17/04/2013 by Ben Gilbert

A new Nintendo 3DS XL portable game console is headed to North America and Europe this June (in addition to Japan), and it's got a fancy limited-edition body intended to entice Animal Crossing fans. The $219.99 console bundle includes a digital copy of Animal Crossing: New Leaf -- the upcoming 3DS iteration of the long-running sim series -- and the new white console. For those playing along at home, the game itself costs $34.99 and a new Nintendo 3DS XL costs $199.99, which makes this limited edition bundle a steal all things considered (even without dragons). It's also quite a pretty device, so that certainly doesn't hurt either.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Nintendo

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Source: Nintendo Direct

Pikachu Yellow 3DS XL coming to the US on March 24th, is super-effective against your eyes

Posted on 14/03/2013 by Mat Smith

Poor American Pokémon trainers that have been eying up eBay listings and import sites can breathe a sigh of relief. Nintendo has announced that the special edition yellow 3DS XL -- emblazoned with Pikachu, no less -- will arrive in the States before the end of the month. Priced at $200 and packaged with a 4GB SD memory card, it'll arrive the same day as the latest Pokemon Mystery Dungeon game -- that's March 24th if you've got your pokédiary out. Walmart, Target, GameStop and Toys R S will all be stocking the handheld, although quantities are limited, so get your trucker cap, pokéballs and unerringly small backpack ready to brave those chains in a few weeks.

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Nintendo announces ‘mint white’ 3DS XL, Tomodachi Collection bundle for Japan

Posted on 12/03/2013 by Richard Lawler

Just in case your desire to catch them all extends to Nintendo 3DS variants, the company announced today that in Japan it's releasing a new mint white edition of the 3DS XL (called the LL in its home country) April 18th. Priced at 18,900 yen just like the (many) others, it keeps the styling simple with a green lid and white casing. Also arriving on the same day is a special edition bundle commemorating the latest Tomodachi Collection life simulation game, priced at 22,800 yen and showing off a more distinctive splotchy look. You can get all the info straight from virtual Iwata's news desk in the Nintendo Direct video embedded after the break while we keep an eye out for new models -- like that slick transparent demo unit -- crossing onto US shores this summer.

Filed under: Gaming, Nintendo

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Source: Nintendo Japan

Charizard 3DS XL burns through Japan’s Pokémon Centers in December, snag one if you’re lucky

Posted on 28/10/2012 by Mark Hearn

Nintendo is notorious for releasing awesome limited edition hardware abroad, but here in the US of A, we tend to get the short end of the joystick. Case in point, the house that ~~Mario~~ Miyamoto built is releasing a Charizard-themed 3DS XL on December 15th in Japan for ¥18,900 ($237). Available exclusively at Pokémon Center stores, aspiring buyers will need to complete an order form and win (yes, win) a drawing for a chance to purchase one of these beautiful monsters. Winners will have from December 15th through January 14th to claim and purchase their prize. As for you unlucky entrants, you'll have the opportunity to indulge in one of America's favorite pastimes -- buying Nintendo collectibles online at an extremely high markup.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Nintendo

Charizard 3DS XL burns through Japan's Pokémon Centers in December, snag one if you're lucky originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Oct 2012 03:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joystiq, Kotaku | source

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Nintendo reports continued first-half losses for 2012, is waiting on the Wii U

Posted on 24/10/2012 by Mat Smith

Nintendo's reported its financial results for the first of half of the year, and things are still a little rocky. Net sales in the last six months have decreased 6.8 percent compared to the same point last year, while net income continues to drop, this time by 27,996 million yen. As of September 2012, Nintendo has now sold over 22 million 3DS units (three million more since last quarter), while the Wii remains just shy of the 100 million milestone, settling at 97.2 million units sold. Nintendo looks to be in a similar position to last year, with customers still waiting for the company's next big console to appear -- and the gamesmaker hoping they will. Laying blame at the strong yen, the company has dramatically cut its forecast for the rest of the year, down from 20 billion ($250 million) to 6 billion yen ($75 million), pinning its hopes on 3DS sales ahead of the Wii U's global launch later this year.

Filed under: Gaming, Nintendo

Nintendo reports continued first-half losses for 2012, is waiting on the Wii U originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 03:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pika? Yes, pika: this very yellow Pokemon-themed Nintendo 3DS XL is heading to Europe this year

Posted on 04/10/2012 by Ben Gilbert

The incredibly bright, somewhat terrifying yellow Nintendo 3DS XL that Japan got last month is now heading to Europe, according to a Europe-specific Nintendo Direct press conference this afternoon (via Joystiq). The Pikachu-themed 3DS doesn't have a solid release date just yet, but it's said to arrive at some point in 2012. A price also isn't included (though it costs ¥18,900/$238 in Japan), nor is it known if the device will be exclusive to one retailer -- in Japan, you can only buy a 3DS XL plastered with Pikachu's indifferent smirk from a Pokemon Center. Regardless, it's clearly super, super cute, and we'll have more definite information on it soon.

Does this mean it's coming to the US? Keep those poke-fingers crossed, trainers.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Mobile, Nintendo

Pika? Yes, pika: this very yellow Pokemon-themed Nintendo 3DS XL is heading to Europe this year originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joystiq | source

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Nintendo releasing three new 3DS XL bundles in Japan

Posted on 03/10/2012 by Jamie Rigg

If you live in Japan and aren't already red-shelling on a Pokémon or risqué edition 3DS XL, maybe one of these three new bundles will inspire you. For the minimalists: the Monster Hunter Tri G bundle complete with all-black 3DS XL (known as the LL in Japan), releasing November 1st for 21,800 yen (approximately $280). Following one week later (on the 8th) is the Animal Crossing: Jump Out bundle with white and pattern handheld, setting you back 22,800 yen (approximately $290). And, for the same price, the pièce de résistance of the trio -- a New Super Mario Bros. 2 bundle with black and embellished red XL, expected November 15th. If you're the importing type, or just want to see how good the Japanese got it, then check out the gallery below and pick your favorite.

Gallery: Japanese 3DS XL bundles

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Nintendo

Nintendo releasing three new 3DS XL bundles in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget Japan | source

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Circle Pad Pro for 3DS XL spotted at TGS, we go hands-on (video)

Posted on 21/09/2012 by Sean Buckley

Nintendo is starting to make a habit of quietly releasing products at trade-shows they don't attend. Kyoto's premiere gaming outfit still isn't present on the TGS show floor, but Capcom has once again seen fit to trot out the firm's latest kit: The Circle Pad Pro for 3DS XL. Just like last year's model, this beefy cradle puts the already large 3DS XL outside the realm of pocket-ability, trading the handheld's slim profile for a luxuriously thick grip. Indeed, the fatty accessory makes the console quite comfortable to hold, adding a smooth, slightly contoured back, larger shoulder buttons and, of course, that all important starboard analog pad.

The new Circle Pad's bulk is slightly more forgivable for the size of its host device. Yes, the attachment makes the XL a bit more unwieldily, but its supersized form already made it a non-contender for most pants pockets. Sadly, the accessory still sports its predecessor's greatest fault: it blocks the 3DS' cartridge slot. Gamers will have to get used to undocking their console, or else make a habit of buying more downloadable titles. Mum's still the word on pricing and availability, but the accessory was shown with a copy of Monster Hunter 4, which is due out in March of next year. We wouldn't be surprised to see it show up in early spring. Hungry for more? Check out our gallery below for an eyeful, or peek past the break for quick video overview.

Gallery: Nintendo Circle Pad Pro for 3DS XL