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Redesigned 3DS Circle Pad puts an analog stick under your index finger
Dual-analog controls are pretty standard these days -- two analog sticks on either end of a control pad designed to fall directly under the user's thumbs. Hori's new 3DS slide pad accessory throws this notion out the window: it installs a second control pad on the same side as the handhelds primary input, putting the slider directly behind the console's L button. The accessory is built specifically to accommodate Monster Hunter diehards, but it's not as odd as it sounds: Japanese gamers have made a habit of modifying Nintendo's analog accessory into obtuse and unexpected configurations. Hori's layout is designed to allow players to move their character and manipulate the camera with just one hand, freeing up their right thumb for attacks and in-game actions. The accessory (available in both 3DS and 3DS XL variants) is available in Japan only, for now, to the tune of 2,980 yen.
Nintendo promises 'more inclusive' games in wake of #Miiquality campaign
When Nintendo designed Tomodachi Life, a bizarre life-sim that puts the company's Mii avatars in an exaggerated parody of reality, it probably didn't expect to provoke a marriage equality campaign. Community cries for 'Miiquality' petitioned Nintendo to add same-sex relationships to the title, but the company's initial response was sterile and dismissive. "Tomodachi Life was intended to be a whimsical and quirky game," Nintendo said. "We were absolutely not trying to provide social commentary." Intentional or not, the lack of same-sex relationships caused a stir. Now, Nintendo is apologizing officially.
Nintendo responds to marriage equality campaign for its bizarre life-sim
Nintendo has no problem with its Mii-based Tomodachi Life being off-kilter, but when it comes to the handheld game's same-sex avatars being able to wed, well, that's a different story. Tomodachi Life is all about the interactions and relationships between an island full of Miis, and as two characters' dating progresses they'll eventually walk down the aisle, unlock a bigger home and have children -- so long as one is, say, Mario and the other is Princess Peach. A fan called the gaming giant on this, urging the internet to use the "#Miiquality" hashtag across social media when requesting that the company change its stance. Nintendo's response? It told the Associated Press that it "never intended to make any form of social commentary" with the 3DS game's launch. "The relationship options in the game represent a playful alternate world rather than a real-life simulation. We hope that all of our fans will see that 'Tomodachi Life' was intended to be a whimsical and quirky game, and that we were absolutely not trying to provide social commentary."
This one-of-a-kind 3DS has your name on it, proves you're a Pokemon Master
You wanted to be the very best? (Like no-one ever was?) Here's the proof that you made it. Japan's annual Pokemon tournament kicked off this week, with the grand prize (aside from proving that it was worth all those hours of walking around in grass) of a limited edition, well there's only one, 3DS XL. With a Mega-Charizard sticker design on the front, and the victor's name engraved on the back, it's likely the ideal prize for whoever earns it -- and maybe even a nice little nest egg waiting to mature.
Nintendo put limits on 3DS StreetPass sharing so it can add features later
StreetPass data swaps are handy for 3DS owners who want to expand their games with other players' content, but they limit the number of new people you can accept at any one time. Ever wonder why that is? As it turns out, Nintendo has been futureproofing the service all along. The company's Kouichi Kawamoto tells Kotaku that the 10-player connection cap in StreetPass Mii Plaza leaves headroom for larger data exchanges. While Kawamoto isn't saying what additional info gamers could send to each other, he notes that Nintendo will only lift the cap if it decides that there's nothing more to add. There aren't any current plans to raise that ceiling, he says. The news will no doubt frustrate players tired of clearing their StreetPass queues, but it does hint at an eventual reward for their patience.
Mario and Luigi get a Nintendo 3DS XL bundle in silver, shipping now for $200
In order to properly celebrate what it's calling the "Cyber Monday of Luigi," Nintendo has outed a new limited-edition version of its 3DS XL handheld. The silver-clad unit has the two brothers on its outer lid while arriving preloaded with Mario & Luigi: Dream Team right out of the box. The $200 package is available today and follows on the heels of the pricier Zelda-themed gold version that arrived last month. Of course, color choices have been plentiful for the Nintendo faithful, should that gamer that you're shopping for have rather specific aesthetic sensibilities.
Nintendo sells 300,000 more Wii U consoles, but over two million more 3DS handhelds
Nintendo's just released its financial results for the last three months, and while hardware sales have increased substantially, it still made a loss. Wii U sales have rebounded significantly. Following price cuts mid-year, it's added 300,000 more users (almost double the 160,000 sold in the three months prior), but Nintendo remains a long way from its aim of 9 million consoles sold by March 2014. So far, it's sold 3.91 million units total. Software sales hover just below 20 million in total, with Nintendo pointing to strong sales of Pikmin 3 and its Wind Waker remake helping to reach the five million mark. However, as the company frankly put it: "Wii U hardware still has a negative impact on Nintendo's profits," due to that aforementioned mark-down. This has resulted in a net loss of 8,024 million yen (around $82 million), compared to a quarterly profit earlier this year of $88 million. Meanwhile, handheld gaming continues to boom. Nintendo sold another 2 million 3DS and 3DS XL consoles, putting the current lifetime total at 35 million -- and this is before it sees the fruits of two of its biggest portable game launches: Pokemon and Monster Hunter. Nintendo looks likely to capitalize on its handheld success, with more than a few special edition handhelds coming soon, as well as its cheaper 2DS model, which has already gone on sale. NPD reported last month that Nintendo's 3D handheld (in all its iterations) outsold all other gaming hardware in September. The company has also started testing new different business methods, launching its first online hardware store in the UK. For now, it's likely to remain a testing bed. Nintendo didn't offer up any hints that it'd be expanding the service elsewhere any time soon, although it plans on "accelerating digital distribution of packaged software" across both of its consoles.
Yes, of course Nintendo is releasing its Zelda-themed 3DS XL in the US as well
Quit sending those mean letters to your European cousins, full of bitterness and jealousy that they're getting a shiny gold Nintendo 3DS XL with the Triforce emblazoned on its outer shell this holiday and you're not. Not only is it rude, but it turns out that Nintendo's releasing the same 3DS here in North America alongside the launch of The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds on November 22nd (something you may have already surmised). You might get it in a nicely wrapped box, even! The bundle, game included, costs $220 (a $20 savings) and launches the same day as Xbox One -- though we get a feeling that the two consoles are marketed to slightly different crowds.
3DS XL gets more colorful in Japan, orange and turquoise are the new black
Given how many 3DS XL liveries Nintendo has teased of late, collectors are liable to go broke trying to catch 'em all. Fresh out of Japan is yet another pair of the gaming giant's extra large -- or LL -- handhelds , except this time they're sporting orange and black (just in time for autumn!) and turquoise and black color schemes instead of game-specific branding. Come November 28th, you'll have the privilege of dropping 19,900 yen ($204) for a bundle that includes a 4GB memory card, carrying pouch and the previously a la carte AC adapter. Sure, last year's bundles may have let you hunt monsters, but these new models are cheaper even after subtracting the price of a free game. Who said Nintendo never gave you anything?
Zelda edition Nintendo 3DS XL spotted in GameStop ad with $220 price
Americans wanting that flashy Zelda edition 3DS XL may not have to import a European model. If GottaDeal.com's leaked copy of GameStop's Black Friday flyer proves to be accurate, Nintendo's gold-colored handheld should be available in the US for $220. As overseas, stateside buyers would get both a Triforce-adorned 3DS XL and a download code for A Link Between Worlds. Nintendo hasn't confirmed an American launch, so don't plan your shopping trip just yet; we've reached out to the company for details. Should the Zelda bundle come to the US, though, it may satisfy gamers (and gift-givers) looking for a truly stand-out system this holiday.
Report: Gamestop circular shows Zelda 3DS coming stateside
It's that time of year again, when caveman artifacts paper advertisements are once again relevant to our hyper-connected little corner of the world. Gamestop's Black Friday circular has purportedly leaked, containing within its pages confirmation that Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds-themed 3DS XL bundle will be available in the U.S for $219.99. Considering that the bundle (originally announced only for Europe) is headed to Australia exclusively through EB Games, we see no reason why it shouldn't/couldn't make it here in time for the annual post-Thanksgiving carnival of souls. We've reached out to Nintendo for official confirmation and will update with any new information we can scrounge up.
Zelda's Triforce and Luigi's silhouette grace two new 3DS XL handhelds headed to Europe
The year of Luigi rages on with today's news that a Luigi-themed Nintendo 3DS XL handheld is headed to Europe next month. It joins a Triforce-emblazoned 3DS XL that's also set to arrive next month: the former on November 1st for £179.99 ($290) and the latter on November 22nd for £199.99 ($318). Of course, the Zelda-themed version is a touch more expensive as it packs in a code for upcoming 3DS game The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (a game that would otherwise cost £33). We're still waiting to see EU-wide pricing. Neither edition is dated for release in North America just yet (the Luigi version is already available in Japan), but we suspect it won't be long before the special edition consoles are headed across the Atlantic. Should you wish to pick up one of the EU-bound handhelds, they'll only be available through Nintendo's new UK website.
Nintendo's new Pokemon XY edition 3DS XLs get Legendary on September 27th
Kids love colors. Kids love Pokemon. Collectors love limited editions. And that's all you need to understand about Nintendo's 3DS marketing strategy. So, what's a Xerneas and an Yveltal? They're Pokemon things -- Legendaries, in fact -- and we have no idea. But we do know Nintendo's two new Pokemon XY edition 3DS XLs are going to sell out like a Miley Cyrus concert sponsored by Blow Pops and Build-a-Bear when they hit stores on September 27th. The plus-sized systems come in two striking color combos -- blue/black and red/black -- and feature a pre-loaded digital copy of the game, as well as abstract sketch designs of the aforementioned deer-like, fairy Xerneas and hawkish, dark and flying-type Yveltal. Nintendo hasn't priced these two custom cash cows just yet, but consider yourself warned: if you don't act fast and catch'em all when they hit, you can can count on them being as rare to find as the Pokemon they represent. Update: Turns out these new bundles don't include digital copies of Pokemon XY. The game will be available for purchase separately.
How would you change Nintendo's 3DS XL?
Nintendo's 3DS XL had a bigger screen, was more comfortable to hold and doubled its internal storage. What did it lack? No secondary analog stick, a compelling digital content offering and any sort of oomph under the hood. Those three were nearly deal breakers for our reviewer, who said the handheld was good, but not enough to convince you to upgrade. But was our own Mr. Smith right to damn the console with his faint praise? Share your experiences of owning this device with us in the comments below.
Refurbished 3DS XL handhelds available from Nintendo starting at $169
If you've been waiting for a price drop before upgrading to a 3DS XL, Nintendo has the next best thing for you: a refurbished trio of its up-sized 3D handhelds. They typically run $200 new, but you can get a redone unit for $170, or $180 with a 16GB SD memory card, in red, black or blue direct from the manufacturer. If you don't mind dropping the XL, a reworked aqua blue or midnight purple 3DS has lowered from April's price of $130 to $120, or $50 off compared to new. In all cases, Nintendo refurbs come with a one-year warranty and -- aside from the possibility of some "minor cosmetic blemishes" -- the Japanese manufacturer assures us that its quality standards are "VERY high". (Their caps, not ours.)
Nintendo brings not-so-stealthy black 3DS XL to North America on August 11th
Looking for a (slightly) less conspicuous take on the 3DS XL? If you live in the US or Canada, you'll get it when the all-black version of Nintendo's giant handheld reaches those countries on August 11th. Don't expect any bonuses with the subtler color, though. The darker-hued 3DS XL costs the same $200 as before, and it's virtually identical to the Japanese version that launched last fall. It's shipping at the same time as Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, however, which makes it a decent consolation prize for gamers who can't get a Luigi edition 3DS LL to call their own.
Japan gets a pair of exclusive Pokemon X and Y 3DS XLs, world seethes with envy
Nintendo has a history of releasing snazzy special edition hardware outside of the U.S. and two Japan-only Pokemon X & Y 3DS XLs have now been added to it. The blue passive-3D dual-screen handheld features a pair of new legendary pocket monsters -- Xerneas and Yveltal, if you're curious -- and is out October 12th. The second of the duo is going to be more elusive than a Mew. To snatch a metallic gold 3DS XL (also with Xerneas, plus a slew of others), being in Japan to coincide with X & Y's release isn't enough: fighting off the rest of the trainers at Pokemon Center retailers October 12th is on the bill, too. May the best Pokemaster -- with 22,800 yen ($227) -- win! You didn't think The Big N was gonna make it easy to catch 'em all, did you?
3DS owners get the gift of free WiFi from O2 in the UK
3DS owners in the UK will have at least one less thing to gripe about starting today: connectivity. Not that the British arm of the gaming giant hasn't been incredibly proactive about lining up WiFi partners, but the deal struck with O2 grants customers free access at yet another 7,000 hotspots. That includes major chains such as McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Costa Coffee, Debenhams, House of Fraser and Toby Carvery, not mention several major venues and arenas. This expansion of Nintendo's gratis network keeps DLC and new games within easy reach at almost all times, since the country's major airports, hotels and a few other fast food chains are already covered. Now Nintendo just needs to strike a deal with a few of the nation's optometrists. All that extra play time is certainly going to strain a few eyes.
Nintendo Japan announces white 32GB Wii U, Wiimote quick charger
An official extended battery for its Wii U Gamepad isn't the only thing Nintendo Japan posted on its website tonight, as it also added a white option for the Wii U 32GB Premium set, a 30th Anniversary Luigi special edition 3DS XL and quick charging option for the Wiimote. Surveys surfaced earlier this year suggesting a fast charging option on the way for the Wiimote, and in Japan gamers will be able to add the accessory -- consisting of replacement battery / backplate and charging stand, pictured after the break -- starting July 13th for 4,200 yen ($41) , and 2,625 yen ($26) for the battery alone. That should allow not only faster charging, but also longer battery life than Wii gamers have been used to. July 13th is the same day the white Wii U premium will arrive as well, coming at the same price and packing the same accessories as the existing black 32GB console. Finally, Nintendo listed all the details for the special Luigi edition 3DS XL announced recently on Nintendo Direct. Of course, none of these are the games that even Iwata admits the Wii U needs, but a few more choices can't hurt, can they?
Nintendo 3DS XL Circle Pad Pro review: just like the original, but bigger
Nintendo seems to have a knack for repeat performances. Nintendo DS? Quickly supplanted by the DS Lite -- and the DSi didn't last too long either before it was succeeded by the DSi XL. Even the 3DS saw a revision, when it was supersized last summer. These redesigns typically don't change more than the device's size, but when the 3DS XL was announced, some gamers were left wanting. Didn't the original 3DS get an accessory specifically to address the lack of a second analog pad? Why didn't Nintendo take the opportunity to add dual-analog controls? Well, if that happened, Nintendo couldn't release an encore Circle Pad Pro accessory, could it? Let's take a look at the 3DS XL Circle Pad Pro and see what's changed.%Gallery-188710%
