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Nintendo New 3DS XL · Nintendo
New 3DS XL
Nintendo's large-screen update of the 3DS, with a faster quad-core processor, face-tracking 3D, a C-Stick and built-in NFC for amiibo, for anyone comparing it with the original 3DS or Nintendo Switch.
- Type
- Handheld
- Output
- –
- Memory
- 262 MB
- Storage
- –
- Weight
- 329 g
What reviewers say
Reviewers agree face-tracking makes the glasses-free 3D far more stable and usable, and welcome the faster processor, quicker downloads and extra shoulder buttons. Both found the C-stick nub awkward. GamesRadar found battery life no better than before and the XL's large screens noticeably low-resolution, and IGN noted that no charger comes in the box.
From ign.com and gamesradar.com
Specifications
Report a wrong or missing specPerformance
- Type
- Handheld
- CPU
- ARM11 MPCore, 4 cores, 804 MHz
- GPU
- DMP PICA200, 268 MHz
- Memory
- 262 MB
- Disc drive
- No
- CPU
- Quad-core ARM11 MPCore at up to 804 MHz (original 3DS security research)
- GPU
- DMP PICA200 at 268 MHz (Copetti)
- Memory detail
- 256 MB FCRAM plus 6 MB VRAM (original 3DS security research)
- Storage detail
- Games on Nintendo 3DS game cards; a microSDHC card is included, with capacity stated on the box (Nintendo UK manual)
- Storage expansion
- microSD cards up to 2 GB and microSDHC cards from 4 to 32 GB
Display and video
- Built-in screen
- 4.88″ LCD, 800 × 240
- Built-in screen
- Upper 4.88-inch 3D LCD (106.2 × 63.72 mm) with Super-Stable 3D, 800 × 240 (400 pixels per eye in 3D), 16.7 million colours; lower 4.18-inch LCD touch screen, 320 × 240
- Audio
- Stereo speakers; headphone jack
Design and power
- Battery life (maker's claim)
- Up to 7 hours
- Weight
- 329 g
- Battery life detail
- Nintendo 3DS XL battery (SPR-003); about 3.5–7 hours with 3DS software and 7–12 hours with DS software; charges in about 3 hours 30 minutes
- Colours
- Metallic Black, Metallic Blue at the European launch (Nintendo UK)
- In the box
- Console, stylus, microSDHC card, AR cards; the Nintendo 3DS AC adapter (WAP-002(EUR)) is sold separately
Connections
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi 802.11b/g (2.4 GHz); NFC; infrared (Nintendo UK manual)
- Controller
- Built-in Circle Pad, C-Stick, D-pad, A/B/X/Y, L/R and ZL/ZR buttons; motion and gyro sensors; stylus
- Backward compatibility
- Nintendo 3DS, DS and DSi games
Pros and cons
Pros
- 4.88-inch upper 3D screen, with face tracking that keeps the 3D effect stable
- Quad-core processor and 256 MB of RAM; some games only run on New 3DS models
- C-Stick, ZL and ZR buttons, and built-in NFC for amiibo
Cons
- About 3.5 to 7 hours of battery life in 3DS games
- Still 400 × 240 per eye on the upper screen
- No charger in the box in Europe
Closest rivals
Model | Type | Output | Memory | Storage | Weight | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handheld | – | – | – | 253 g | Oct 2014 | |
| Handheld | – | – | – | 260 g | Oct 2013 | |
| Handheld | – | 640 MB | 1 GB | 219 g | Oct 2013 |
Previous model: 3DS XL.
Sources
- cdn02.nintendo-europe.com/media/downloads/support_1/new_nintendo_3ds/NewNintend…
- nintendo.com/en-gb/News/2015/February/New-Nintendo-3DS-and-New-Nintendo-3DS-XL-…
- nintendo.co.jp/corporate/release/en/2014/140829.html
- nintendo.co.jp/corporate/en/history/index.html
- smealum.github.io/3ds/32c3
- copetti.org/writings/consoles/nintendo-3ds
Photo: Nintendo
- Metallic Blue New Nintendo 3DS XL, open front view: nintendo.co.jp/corporate/release/en/2014/img_140829/photo2.jpg
- Metallic Black New Nintendo 3DS XL, open front view: nintendo.co.jp/corporate/release/en/2014/img_140829/photo2.jpg
- Metallic Blue New Nintendo 3DS XL, closed top view: nintendo.co.jp/corporate/release/en/2014/img_140829/photo_colors.jpg
- Metallic Black New Nintendo 3DS XL, closed top view: nintendo.co.jp/corporate/release/en/2014/img_140829/photo_colors.jpg
