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1.84M New 3DS units shipped in 2014, Wii U up to 9.2M
The New 3DS is off to a "good start" according to Nintendo, after the enhanced handheld shipped 1.84 million units by the end of 2014. The company launched the New 3DS and its XL variant in Japan back in October, before bringing them to Australia the following month. The New 3DS' arrival helped take the "3DS family" beyond the 50 million mark, and as of December 31, 2014, the 3DS total is 50.41 million units shipped worldwide. On the other hand, Nintendo says 3DS sales haven't grown sufficiently in North America and Europe this fiscal year; both regions are waiting for the New 3DS to launch there next month. Between April and December 2014, Nintendo shifted 7.08 million 3DS systems worldwide. While the Wii U has gathered steam in recent months, it's still tracking a long way behind its handheld sibling. Nintendo shifted 1.91 million consoles worldwide during the busy holiday quarter of October to December 2014, taking its nine-month figures to 3.39 million, As of the end of 2014, its two-year lifetime total is 9.2 mllion systems and 52.87 million software units.
Nintendo of America addresses lack of non-XL New 3DS systems, bundled chargers
Yesterday's announcement of a North American release date for the New Nintendo 3DS XL left a few unanswered questions for fans looking forward to the platform's non-XL hardware variant. Today, Nintendo addressed those concerns.
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, limited edition 3DS launches next month [Update]
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate will launch on February 13 worldwide, Capcom announced during this morning's Nintendo Direct livestream. The game will be accompanied by its own themed (new) 3DS XL, featuring a brushed silver cover and blue logo. The latest Monster Hunter game launches on the same day as the standard, red and black versions of the new 3DS. Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (Monster Hunter 4G in Japan) is the updated version of Monster Hunter 4, which first launched in September 2013 in Japan. 4G reached Japan in October 2014. Update: Nintendo offered a new trailer for the game, found after the break. Additionally, GameStop announced that the Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate 3DS XL will be exclusive to the retailer, and is available for pre-order today. The system will come with the game pre-loaded on it for $230, and customers will have to pay for the bundle in full upon pre-ordering it. [Image: Nintendo]
Majora's Mask New 3DS coming February 13
With the launch of the New 3DS XL stateside, there will also be a Majora's Mask 3D limited edition released on February 13. The bundle will feature a gold-tinted New 3DS XL featuring five of the game's masks, which transform Link into various characters from the Majora's Mask universe. The remastered Nintendo 64 game will launch on February 13 as well. Hopefully we'll have more than three days to snag it before an angry moon crashes into us. Update: The unit appears to be sold out at GameStop, currently listed as "not available." [Image: Nintendo]
New 3DS arrives February 13, priced at $199
Coinciding with recently revealed marketing materials, Nintendo announced this morning its New 3DS will launch in North America on February 13. The new handheld is an upgraded version of the current Nintendo 3DS XL, with the addition of an analog pad and faster processor. The system will launch in red and black versions. The new handheld will be priced at $199. "If we're honest, there really wasn't much difference from my now-obsolete 3DS XL at home on initial handling," Engadget Senior Editor Mat Smith wrote about the device during Tokyo Game Show. "There are no games that appropriately make the most of the analog stick (at least, not yet). Here at TGS 2014, with Monster Hunter 4G, the right stick was assigned to camera duties, a role it shared with the d-pad and, er, about a third of the touchscreen too." [Image: Nintendo]
Rumor: New 3DS reaches North America next month
The New 3DS, an upgraded version of the existing Nintendo 3DS XL with a faster processor and additional joystick, may launch in North America as soon as February 13, according to an unverified photograph posted to NeoGAF. The image, seen above, depicts what appears to be official signage. It clearly mentions the New 3DS model and says "Available 2.13." According to Kotaku, this is an official Gamestop promotional poster, though Nintendo has yet to officially confirm the image's claims. The timing of the leak raises this rumor's prominence – Nintendo is scheduled to unveil a wide swath of information on its upcoming plans tomorrow morning during the first Nintendo Direct of 2015. If the company is going to announce the North American launch of the New 3DS model, that's where it will happen. We'll keep you updated on any announcements the console manufacturer may make. [Image: vinnygambini/NeoGAF]
New Nintendo 3DS comes to Europe as Ambassador Edition
Nintendo fans have been eagerly anticipating the 'new' 3DS and 3DS XL handhelds since they were first announced last August. Both models hit store shelves in Japan last October, followed by Australia and New Zealand a month later, but since then we've heard very little about an international release beyond "2015." Now, Nintendo is taking its console tease even further with a new Nintendo 3DS 'Ambassador Edition' for Europe. The company is offering the special handheld to select Club Nintendo members and, weirdly, it isn't limited to people in the original 3DS ambassador program. So if you have an active Club Nintendo account, you should probably check your inbox or head here to see if you're eligible.
New 3DS 'Ambassador Bundle' revealed for EU, shipping early
Nintendo of Europe is offering the New 3DS early to its "most loyal customers," as revealed by emails sent out this morning. The company invited a limited selection of Club Nintendo users (and only them) to buy the "Ambassador Edition" bundle, priced $180/€200 and only available to order until January 12. The New 3DS only has a "2015" release window in Europe, like North America, but screencaps sent to Joystiq show the Ambassador Bundle is ready to be delivered within three to five days. That tallies with Nintendo's terms of sale, which indicate delivery should be made by January 23. We've reached out to the company to confirm the details. As attested to by multiple reports, Nintendo's outline of the bundle notes the system itself has a value of £156/€170 (in USD that's $237/$202). That may prove to be the baseline price when the New 3DS hits Europe's store shelves. In Japan the system costs 16,000 yen ($134).
Bandai Namco on board with amiibo, One Piece gets Nintendo-themed costumes
Bandai Namco has signed on as the first third-party publisher to offer amiibo support with its recently launched Nintendo 3DS action game One Piece: Super Grand Battle X. Nintendo Everything (via a Shonen Jump magazine magazine scan captured at Arlong Park Forums) reveals that Nintendo's figurines will unlock exclusive costumes within Bandai Namco's manga-based brawler as part of a forthcoming update. Series protagonist Luffy will wear Mario and Luigi costumes after players scan matching amiibo, while Sanji boasts an optional Fox McCloud outfit and Zoro can dress up as Link. Amiibo support is enabled in 3DS games via the NFC-compatible New 3DS hardware revision or a standalone peripheral. North American releases for the New 3DS and One Piece: Super Grand Battle X have not been announced. [Image: Bandai Namco]
New 3DS easter egg turns Mario beats into Breakout fun
Over in Japan, one clever customer found a mini-game hidden in the New 3DS browser. Tap out in rhythm the first six notes of the Super Mario Bros. theme and voila, Breakout! Here's a suggestion for a name when the New 3DS heads West: "URL only break my heart." [Image: Nintendo]
Report: 3DS XL on the way out in Japan
The super-size 3DS XL is about to be downsized in Japan, at least according to new details spotted on Nintendo's website. As Siliconera reports, Nintendo's 3DS site lists "ending production soon" notices for the seven XL colors available in the country. Nintendo's not announced anything formally, but it does seem the XL will soon be an ex-device in Japan While Nintendo's notices indicate the regular 3DS is to remain in production, the company's gaze looks to be shifting to the New 3DS. Both the XL and regular versions of the enhanced handheld continue to top Japan's sales charts, and according to data tracker Media Create they're matching the strong initial pace of the DSi, itself an iteration of the DS. Media Create estimates the New 3DS, which launched in Japan back in October, will reach 1.2 million sales by the end of 2014. Of course, there's no similar news of XL discontinuation for North America or Europe, where the New 3DS is still waiting on release dates.
Aonuma: Majora's Mask remake will be different on New 3DS
The upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask will offer a different experience when played on Nintendo's revamped 3DS hardware, series producer Eiji Aonuma told Famitsu this week (via Nintendo Everything). While Majora's Mask 3D will retain the same visual quality and presentation across 3DS hardware generations, Aonuma hints that additional features are in store for New Nintendo 3DS early adopters. "Please wait for the opportunity to discuss how playing on the New 3DS differs at a later date," he told Famitsu. The New Nintendo 3DS, announced in August and released in Japan last month, features an enhanced CPU, additional shoulder buttons, and a second "C-stick" analog pad. A North American release date for the New Nintendo 3DS is not yet known. [Image: Nintendo]
Nintendo 3DS review (2014): a good reason to give 3D another shot
Nintendo's original 3D handheld launched in 2011 and three years is a seriously long time in tech -- especially for Nintendo. Fortunately, it's been a hit -- over 44 million units sold so far -- following a tradition of handheld console leadership that started way back with the original Game Boy. (And if you've seen Nintendo's recent depressing earnings reports, you know that handhelds are why Mario is still able to even make ends meet.) So here's not one, but two hardware refreshes. Yep, two models, one bigger than the other (sound familiar?), both of which arrive with new buttons, a second (gasp!) analog stick and some new 3D screen assistance that means I now willingly switch on the 3D effect while playing games. Whoa. For now, it's launched in Japan and parts of Asia, and it's also coming soon to Australia and New Zealand. I'd bet the cost of a new 3DS that it'll make its way to the rest of the world at some point; it's just a matter of when. This is the New 3DS and New 3DS LL, and if you already have an older model, you'll probably want to consider an upgrade.
Final Fantasy Explorers ditches 3D, uses new 3DS' C-stick
Final Fantasy Explorers will not use the 3DS' stereoscopic 3D functions, Siliconera reported. The game will make use of the new 3DS and 3DS XL's buttons and C-stick, however, controlling the third-person game's targeting and lock-on mechanics. It will also be compatible with the Circle Pad Pro, unlike a certain popular Nintendo-published fighting game that launched recently. Square Enix isn't the first publisher to dismiss the handheld system's 3D capabilities to some degree; Nintendo's own Pokemon X and Y limited their use of the stereoscopic 3D visuals to the game's battles. The console manufacturer even launched an entire version of the system without the 3D functions roughly one year ago, the Nintendo 2DS. Final Fantasy Explorers will launch on December 18 in Japan. While both US and European trademarks exist for the game, it hasn't yet been given a release date elsewhere. [Image: Square Enix]
Japanese New 3DS ad is sweeter than Pixy Stix
A dapper Link? A regal Pikachu? A Kirby that is somehow more kawaii? Brush your teeth after you watch this Japanese New 3DS commercial, folks. We wouldn't want you to get a cavity.
Engadget goes thumbs-on with new 3DS XL
There was always that one kid in your fourth-grade class who "had a cool uncle" that worked at Nintendo, and "totally knew" about all the fancy doodads and thingamajigs the company was working on. Well, we've got a cool uncle too: His name is Engadget, and he's gotten some hands-on impressions of the recently-revealed new 3DS XL model. It was Engadget Senior Editor Mat Smith who had the privilege of toying about with Nintendo's new hardware, and his initial impressions have left him ... well, not exactly jumping for joy, but not weeping in woe either. "If we're honest, there really wasn't much difference from my now-obsolete 3DS XL at home on initial handling," Smith wrote. "There are no games that appropriately make the most of the analog stick (at least, not yet). Here at TGS 2014, with Monster Hunter 4G, the right stick was assigned to camera duties, a role it shared with the d-pad and, er, about a third of the touchscreen too." At least when it was getting use, the new stick felt responsive and pleasant. Smith also noted that the new ZL and ZR triggers on the back of the device were "appropriately spaced" so that users shouldn't have problems with accidentally bumping the wrong button. The new 3DS and 3DS XL launch in Japan on October 11. As for those of us stateside and in the Europe/Australia regions, well ... we can hope. [Image: Engadget]
Don't you step on my blue suede Pokemon New 3DS
Nintendo's New 3DS is getting Poke-themed limited editions in Japan to mark the launch of Pokemon Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby. The red Groudon and blue Kyogre systems are coming to the country's Pokemon Center stores alongside the games on November 21, and both handhelds feature suede faceplates for that extra luxurious feel you've always craved maybe when capturing pocket monsters. If you want in it's 19,000 yen (around $177) a piece, and they don't come with copies of the games. The New 3DS itself launches in Japan on October 11 in both regular and XL models, and its New features include the right-hand analog C-stick, ZL and ZR shoulder buttons, built-in NFC tech, greater battery life, improved CPU and customizable faceplates, suede or otherwise. As for when the New 3DS launches outside of Japan, Nintendo's ruled out bringing it West in this calendar year. But you can nab Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby when the two 3DS remakes launch in North America on November 21 and Europe on November 28. [Image: The Pokemon Company]
New 3DS models will be region-locked, (th)womp (th)womp
If "no region-lock" was on your list of desired features for Nintendo's new 3DS models, well ... we hope the addition of a C-stick, ZL and ZR buttons, built-in NFC and a better CPU will make up for that feature not making the cut. GameSpot has confirmed with Nintendo that the new 3DS and 3DS XL will, like their currently-available siblings, be region-locked. We can't say we're surprised, considering Nintendo has a longstanding history of region-locking their hardware, and it's not just limited to handhelds, as both the Wii and Wii U are also region-locked. Still, at least now we have confirmation. [Image: Nintendo]
Joystiq Weekly: Amazon buys Twitch, Madden 15 review, Early Access feature and more
Welcome to Joystiq Weekly, a "too long; didn't read" of each week's biggest stories, reviews and original content. Each category's top story is introduced with a reactionary gif, because moving pictures aren't just for The Daily Prophet. PAX Prime 2014 is already underway, but as fun as joining a swarm of people buzzing around video game displays can be, you don't even have to leave the house to get this weekend's highlights. Well, unless your house is a black hole for Internet and phone reception ... The point is, Joystiq is on the front lines of PAX Prime, ignoring sensible limitations to bring you a slew of news and previews. With this morning's proof that survival in numbers is a relative concept in Don't Starve Together and a reminder that thinking every MOBA is interchangeable is a mistake when it comes to Gigantic, the good stuff is already underway. There's always yesterday's reveal of Xbox One and PS4 versions of Saints Row 4 too, as well as a new, standalone expansion called Saints Row: Gat out of Hell. Stick with us until PAX Prime's conclusion on Monday, September 1, and in return we'll tell you all about the show's highlights without subjecting you to the dreaded PAX Pox. For now though, we've got a full recap of this week's news, reviews and features. Amazon's surprise acquisition of Twitch, Nintendo's new 3DS models, reviews of Madden NFL 15 and The Walking Dead's season finale, an examination of what makes Early Access such a valuable space to developers ... it's all arranged neat and orderly-like for you after the break!
Wii JRPG Xenoblade Chronicles coming to new 3DS
Nintendo is bringing back Xenoblade Chronicles for the new 3DS, and the new 3DS alone. The Wii JRPG was announced for Nintendo's newly unveiled handheld during its Direct stream this morning, and according to Gematsu and Siliconera, it'll only run on the new 3DS and not the older model because of the new system's enhanced CPU. Monolith Soft's revered game hits Japan in 2015, the same year Xenoblade Chronicles X is due to hit Wii U. To check out the reveal trailer, head on past the break. If you're wondering if you should care about a 2010 JRPG coming to the new 3DS, check out our five-star review.
