New Nintendo 3DS

Lore & Background

The New Nintendo 3DS was first announced during a Japanese Nintendo Direct presentation on August 29, 2014. It launched in Japan on October 11, 2014, with the standard-sized model available in black and white, and the XL variant in metallic black and metallic blue. Over 38 different face plate designs were available at launch in Japan, showcased in a television commercial featuring J-pop performer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. 230,000 units were sold in its first two days in Japan. The system was released in Australia and New Zealand on November 21, 2014, and in Europe and North America on February 13, 2015. In North America, only the XL model was initially released; Nintendo of America representative Damon Baker stated they did not want to confuse consumers and that the face plates were not enough reason for the smaller system's release. A social media campaign emerged calling on Nintendo of America to reconsider. Production of the standard-sized New Nintendo 3DS in Japan ended in July 2017, ahead of the New Nintendo 2DS XL release; the XL model remained in production until July 2019.

Reader's Guide

The New Nintendo 3DS represents a mid-generation hardware refresh that extended the 3DS platform's capabilities without breaking compatibility. Its upgraded internals—four processor cores, 256 MB of RAM, and NFC support—enabled exclusive titles like Xenoblade Chronicles 3D and improved performance for existing games. The addition of the C-Stick and ZL/ZR shoulder buttons provided functionality equivalent to the Circle Pad Pro add-on, while the Super Stable 3D feature used face tracking to improve the autostereoscopic display. The system maintained backward compatibility with DS, DSi, and 3DS games, and introduced SNES Virtual Console titles with a Perfect Pixel mode. Despite criticism of the microSD slot placement behind the rear cover, the system was praised for its performance, control options, and 3D quality. The standard model's interchangeable face plates offered customization absent from the XL variant. The New Nintendo 3DS ultimately bridged the gap between the original 3DS and the eventual New Nintendo 2DS XL, serving as the final major revision of the 3DS hardware line.

Did You Know?

• The New Nintendo 3DS uses face tracking software to adjust the autostereoscopic 3D effect based on the player's viewing angle.
• Some units were produced with IPS panels for one or both screens, but most retained twisted nematic panels; there is no known correlation between model number or production date and display type.
• The Japanese model could pay for Nintendo eShop software using prepaid FeliCa-based transit cards such as Suica.
• The standard New Nintendo 3DS features interchangeable front and back plates, similar to the Game Boy Micro.