As you were aware last week Will and I were each taking a break off work and relaxing, in typical fashion the days I was out of the country Nintendo broke some pretty big news. So here’s a quick catch up of the news Nintendo’s news from the end of last week and start of this week.
New Nintendo 3DS Models revealed:
Yes, Nintendo have revealed new 3DS and 3DSXL models. The new models feature a new c stick, new colour button scheme, changeable covers for the console and NFC built in. Full details and Screens:
Better 3D
Second stick
NFC built-in
Coloured buttons
More buttons
Better battery (up to 7h)
Now compatible with microSDCard
You can back up data on your PC via wireless.
You can also transfer data wireless instead of having to pull the microSD card out.
Browser improved, now works with HTML5
CPU improved, makes browsing Miiverse / eShop much faster.
You can switch designs now (covers)
Gyro sensor
Next up was a new character being added to the Smash Bros Roster. Shulk from Xenoblade Chronicles had been rumoured for quite some time, and now it’s official.
Pic of the day. From Xenoblade Chronicles, Shulk joins the battle!! He’s not the type of character that would usually appear in the Smash Bros. series, but we worked really hard to make it happen. We’re very happy with how he turned out. This stage is Gaur Plain.
Shulk’s sword, the Monado, slashes enemies with a beam when activated, so it can strike from long range. What really makes this weapon unique is that when the Monado Arts are activated, it can change Shulk’s features and abilities! Emerge victorious in battle by changing your abilities strategically!!
Awesome news indeed!
– Murr
EDIT.UPDATED.EDIT.UPDATED
It would appear I overlooked a massive bit of news that Xenoblade Chronicles is being ported to the 3DS, but will only be able to work on the new 3DS models.
This version of the game will only be able to be played on the new 3DS hardware, meaning owners of the older hardware will be locked out. “The remake is something they’ve previously wanted to do for the Nintendo 3DS, but were not able to due to its lack of CPU power, but now that it’s getting a boost with the newer version, it has been made possible,” Siliconera reported
Woops!
– Murr
I think the new 3DS models are a good idea. There’s nothing wrong per-se with the current models, but the addition of a couple more buttons and especially an extra analogue stick will help greatly, as well as the added power. I think we’ll see more examples of games such as Xenoblade Chronicles, which will only work on the new models because of the extra CPU power, or perhaps that need the extra buttons or another stick. I can understand why they’ve had to do this, but I’m a little disappointed I won’t be able to play it on my dinosaur original 3DS. As for whether or not I’ll buy the new model? Depends how much it is/how poor I am when it comes out 🙂