The New Nintendo 3DS XL is an upgraded, larger version of the Nintendo 3DS handheld console. Released in 2015, it offered improvements over the original 3DS XL, including a faster processor, enhanced 3D viewing, new controls, and built-in amiibo support.
Key improvements over the original 3DS XL
- Super-Stable 3D: The most significant upgrade was the use of face-tracking technology. An inner camera automatically adjusts the 3D images based on the player’s viewing angle, providing a stable 3D effect even if you move your head. This fixed the “sweet spot” problem of the original 3DS, which required players to hold their head still to maintain the 3D effect.
- Enhanced Performance: The console featured a more powerful processor and double the RAM of the original model. This resulted in faster loading times for games and applications like Miiverse, as well as smoother performance in demanding titles.
- Additional Controls: Nintendo added a C-Stick (a small analog nub) and two extra shoulder buttons (ZL and ZR). The C-Stick offered more intuitive camera control in compatible games, while the extra shoulder buttons expanded the control options for players.
- Built-in Amiibo Support: The New Nintendo 3DS XL came with a built-in NFC reader in the bottom screen, allowing players to use amiibo figures to unlock extra content in compatible games without an external adapter.
Other features
- Larger Screens: The New Nintendo 3DS XL retained the large screen sizes of its predecessor, with a 4.88-inch top screen and a 4.18-inch bottom touchscreen, offering a more immersive gaming experience.
- Backwards Compatibility: The console was fully backward compatible with the vast library of original Nintendo 3DS and DS games.
- Exclusive Games: A few games were developed exclusively for the “New” line of systems due to their more powerful hardware. The most notable of these was Xenoblade Chronicles 3D.
Legacy and discontinuation
The New Nintendo 3DS XL represented the peak of Nintendo’s glasses-free 3D gaming technology. However, as the Nintendo Switch gained popularity and became the company’s focus, the 3DS family was gradually phased out. Nintendo officially ended manufacturing of the New Nintendo 3DS XL in 2019, followed by the entire 3DS family in September 2020.