Nintendo has announced that the New Nintendo 3DS and its bigger brother the New Nintendo 3DS LL have been privy to a success more uproarious than expected.
In its latest financial report, Nintendo has claimed that over 400,000 New 3DS units have been sold in the mere three weeks that it has been available in Japan. This goes beyond the figures of all of the previous remodelled systems from the DSi onwards and has caused a number of retailers to be unable to meet the demand, for which Nintendo has personally apologised.
Nintendo attributes the system's success to the many new enhancements that the system provides over its older version, and express confidence in the device's future:
We feel that the new “super-stable 3D” function, new “C” stick, and accelerated CPU of the new models have been well-received by our consumers.
With the new models in addition to the consecutive release of games which could be double-million sellers, we are confident that Nintendo 3DS will establish a presence in the market in the year-end sales season in Japan.
Nintendo also reports that due to the unmitigated success of the New 3DS many developers are eager to create new software for the machine, and also says that "there are many other unannounced titles to come".
In the midst of all this success, the Japanese giant has declared that the reason for not introducing the system to the West is due to the limited number of big titles arriving in Europe and North America before 2015.
So the New 3DS is off to a tremendous start, but will you be clamouring for one once it's been released in the West? Let us know in the comments section below!
[source nintendo.co.jp]
Comments 81
This reminds me, I need to start saving up money for one. If not everyone will be buying one and I will be very sad. And super jealous.
Please hurry and come to the UK!
Well this is good news.
Great, now let us buy one dammit.
if only it had higher resolution
Is this fair, because the DSI and the DSIXL were separately released, yet the new3DSXL and the new3DS were launched simultaneously .
Looking forward to owning one...dang wait..
@chiptoon I feel your pain, this is why I am getting the small version because I hate looking at my 3DSXL and counting pixels.
I cant wait for it to release in the UK .Whenever that is?
This is good for Nintendo, but it sucks for us, in a certain sense. Since the N3DS is so successful, many developers will inevitably start creating games for it, some of which will not run on a regular 3DS, so we're even more pressured to get the N3DS, otherwise we're possibly going to miss out on some really great games...
"there are many other unannounced titles to come".
I guess this will prolong the life of the 3DS.
I don't care if there are big new releases in North America or not, I want one now! My gaming backlog is huge currently, and I'd like to get through it with those nice new screens and better 3d.
I hope they don't release anything that is a must have (zelda, fire emblem) because I don't want to have to buy it. Though I would if there was a must have title for it.
Can't wait to import mine from Japan!
Well that's good news that devs wwant to develop for the 3DSn.
More games are always a good thing, either on cart or Indies on the eshop.
@Mikeopferman I hope they release a new Zelda and Mario (3d land 2) for the new 3ds, and a port of the prime series would be amazing since Xenoblade is being ported I don't see why not or even n64 and GameCube VC/port could happen with the 'C' stick there.
It would give the handheld a few more years before a successor would be really needed.
I love the SNES button one. Totes gonna get it to replace my XL next year.
I'd attribute ithe New 3DS/New 3DS LL's success more to Monster Hunter 4G, but it's good to see that they're selling well either way.
Couldn't just tried to bundle it in the US (November launch perhaps) with the upcoming games like Pokemon...or even bundle it with SSB3DS since it is is apparently the first game available that will utilize the "c" stick. That will assure strong sales for NN3DS in this upcoming holiday, and west just dont be like 1 year late for get it. MH4U should keep it steady in the west for the 2015.
Gosh!! I JUST WANT IT NOW SO BADLY!!! ;^P
"there are many other unannounced titles to come"
Metroid 5, please!
I guess I'm still one of the only ones that hates the invention of the N3DS. I just don't really see it as necessary...I'll end up getting one anyway to play the new games but I would have preferred if they stuck with the 3DS a bit longer.
If they can't keep up with demand in Japan that would explain the delayed western launch better than software. Though having it release in March w/ MHU makes sense.
As for new software I'd bet having NFC built in means more titles will make use of the amiibo, that tiny little white portal probably want inspiring widespread software development.
And as for people upset about new games for the new model, March will be 4 full years, that's pretty much long enough for an entire new hardware generation. Its 4 generations if you drink Apple flavored kool-aid.
My sympathies do go out to anybody who gets a 3DS this Christmas who only finds out afterward that a new model is coming - probably early next year. Tightrope for Nintendo - announce early, lose the all important holiday sales of he current model, announce late and PO people who bought 1 this holiday. It's a lose-lose scenario for public relations, win-win for $.
Def gonna get one, on launch day.
Starting to bring out the big guns
This can wait until more games are released for it.
I'll have to wait and see if anything must-have besides Xenoblade is released for it. I have that on the Wii, so I'll need a compelling case to put money into another handheld.
Just 21 days to go... Still gotta finish paying off my preorder before then.
Damn, I need to buy 2 . . . .
I just know Reggie is gonna give us !/;(:_;$# purple buttons. But is still wantwantwantwant.
the success came at the expense of screwing 'old' 3ds owners, I don't think this would work well for Nintendo in the long run (i.e, when they release a new console people would know not to buy at launch and wait until they release the 'new' version of that console)
I can't see the New 3DS selling out in Australia 5 weeks before Christmas .......
But then again ..... think I'll preorder to be sure !!!
What about the DS Lite?
If find it hard to believe that wasn't a big sales jump from the previous fugly DS Fat.
Limiting the list to only go back as far as the DSi is maybe a bit telling imo.
How many are new owners vs people replacing their current device.
In addition, how many are going from XL to New?
I'm willing to wait til Summer for mine, that's when some of the better games will be announce (I hope).
Put me in the camp of "will only buy when some exclusive must buy games are announced/released".
So I have to update my PC battlestation, buy some games for Wii U and PC, and save up for the New 3DS.
thx nintendo
@sinalefa I doubt that the new 3DS will have exclusives that many like the 3DS. Because keep in mind that the 3DS still has some games that are coming up and since the new 3DS has the same interface as that of the 3DS with minimum differences, I feel that the exclusives will most likely be only digital because they would have to say in the box art new 3ds only exclusive and since that's going to confuse many, It'll be hard for Nintendo to quickly discontinue the 3DS software and go with the new 3DS software immediately.
I'm actually kind of glad for this.
I was looking for an excuse to justify upgrading to the XL version, and now I have such an excuse lol.
I haven't purchased a 3DS just for this. I really wanted that Persona Q-themed 3DS, but...
@Kirk - so cynical,
Anyway, it's possible that going back to GBA and GB micro etc...they simply don't have accurate sales data to compare. I'm sure they have accurate date for number shipped, and quarterly gains etc...
It's also likely that the numbers aren't even in the same ballpark. The DS is the best selling gaming device of all time, isn't it? That or PS2, right?
@Action51
I'm always cynical when it comes to big companies like this feeding me their sales data, marketing spiel and whatever else and especially when it's important they make a good impression on the ole shareholders.
If this is selling so well, then why are they making North America and Europe wait for it...?
Hopefuly getting mine on launch! I'm so glad I waited a little more before upgrading to the XL!
Sigh....could've released at christmas.. my 3ds is breaking down....
All I want from this system other than Xenoblade is an exclusive Neptunia game starring Blanc.
@rjejr
Almost enough for a new gen, but it still won't be. I highly doubt we'll see many exclusives for the system, since that'd be a waste of resources that could have been saved for the true next gen handheld in 3 years. We'll most likely be seeing enhanced games that run fine on old 3DS, but are best on New 3DS.
@Yorumi
Nothing this gen, but they've made plenty of DS games before (mostly Japan only) and a few Wii games. None of the Re;birth games will run on New 3DS (environments are doable, but definitely not those models), but I wager that Hyperdevotion Noire would run just fine on the system. What I'd like to see is a Blanc SRPG using that engine (or heck, get IS to co-develop it rather than Sting), this time without a lame faceless protagonist.
If CH and Iffy ever decide that New 3DS has enough of their niche audience owning it, they might make a game or two for it. Should be cheaper than Vita development, right?
@AVahne - "I highly doubt we'll see many exclusives for the system,"
I don't think we'll see a lot of "exclusives" either, but I do think having the NFC built in will encourage developers to make amiibo ready games for 3DS moreso than just that silly infra-red portal. And more games using the 2nd stick nub that could also could have been played w/ the CPP. In a way either of those game types will be out-of-the-box exclusive in that peripherals will be needed to play them on the old 3DS systems So only kind-of sort-of exclusive Though w/ the new horsepower I fully expect there to be at least 1 or 2 other "major" titles, along w/ Xenoblade Chronicles, that can only be played on the new system.
@Kaze_Memaryu This was my #1 problem with "New 3DS" since Day 1. Yes, the features may be appealing and useful, but the business practice is simply sneaky. While for now we've only heard of Xenoblade announced, but who knows, as time will tell, I wouldn't be surprised if eventually all major 3DS games are exclusive to the "New", which is a big insult to adopters of the regular ones.
why do I want one when I already have a 3DS? lol. That Nintendo magic hey!
Can't wait 'til my Australian import arrives this December!
@Chubblings The Xenoblade port wouldn't have been able to run on an original 3DS, so you're not missing out on anything. The majority of users will still have an older model so they're not going to lose out on all of those software sales to sell a few more New 3DS's. If something ends up an exclusive then it'll likely be a game that couldn't have been created the way they want with the lesser technology.
Even the gameboy color? :>
I want this new system for the bigger screen and the coloured buttons.... the xl is just too big to fit in my jacket.
@Yorumi I completely agree. There's nothing wrong with size revisions (like XL), but complete hardware revisions that end up excluding your current user-base is shoddy business practice. I've got nothing against Nintendo, but when they do things like this, it's really sad, especially since they're the only major handheld video game device in the market at this point (Sony completely mishandled the Vita), so whatever they put out will be bought.
@BlackSpy You're comment goes great with your profile pic.
Hooray.. Now PLEASE give us these beauties soon in the west.. If Australia can have it, surely we can too!
@rjejr Honestly some people don't care. I've made a point of warning everyone that is looking to buy a 3ds at my store and while some are willing to wait most of my customers are like "I want x limited edition (usually the NES one since I'm at gamestop), or I'll just trade it in when the new one comes out, or My kid won't care/notice."
@Ryu_Niiyama - Probably a lot of people won't care - mostly people buying them for themselves at Gamestop, especially those looking to pick up a special edition - but kids who get them for Christmas and the parents who pay for those Christmas presents may care. So I do think the timing of both the announcement and the release matters, the further after Chirstmas the better.
A lot of those people you're talking too may not care b/c we don't have a date yet, if you told them Jan 15th maybe they would wait, but if it's June 15th maybe nobody wants to wait that long, we just don't know. Nintendo may not even know yet depending on how many they can produce and how well they keep selling in Japan, but it has to be close to MH4U, which also isn't dated yet.
Any games exclusive to the new 3DS, I bet will be compatible with Nintendo's next handheld. Yu-Kai Watch would be a great game to release at the same time. It's gonna be a big hit and the 3D effect is brilliant innit.
What is exactly surprising here. Everybody has been asking for a 2nd control stick for the camera SINCE THE PSP.
It was Nintendo themselves that disagreed with putting it on the system, then created the Circle Pad Pro when criticism came for it, then did everything in their power to make getting a Circle Pad Pro difficult and discourage developers from supporting it.
No big titles next year? How about big titles NOW like, oh, I dunno, SMASH BROS.?! What the hell, Nintendo, give us this awesome machine!
Basically this means they'll want to release it in the west. They aren't going to announce anything before Christmas - that would hurt sales. I'm gonna guess at a March release, because we usually get new handhelds around that sort of time.
I only want one for Monster Hunter.
Wow, that's really hard to believe it already sold more than the DSi
Huh it's true this thing is printing out money for Nintendo i wish i can get it sooner,but Nintendo has the idea to screwing it's fans over.
@DualWielding 3 to 4 years after launch? That's a heck of a long time to wait.
My Import New 3DS is now pre-ordered at Playasia!
@rjejr I think more Amiibo compatible games will encourage more sales of New 3DS Also, if Nintendo push a few 'Must Have' games like Xenoblade then EVERYONE will have to have a New 3DS. . . Remember people - the more systems sell, the more profit Nintendo makes, means we get better games. . .It's all good!
If you listened to me sooner Nintendo we would've been had this system... 2 years overdue imo. As much as I want this, I'm not sure if I will even get one by the time it's released in NA unless I start seeing some mandatory reasons, and for me, the XC port is not a good enough reason since I've already played it on the Wii.
@Alex_Olney I think the headline ought to be "Fastest-Selling Remodeled Handheld System" instead of "Best Selling", as the 3DS XL, DS Lite and Game Boy Advance SP sold far more than 400,000 units lifetime.
They will not have my money until i see a zelda speacial edition
The new 3DS XL day 1 for me!
Already?! Well, if it means that Smash won't take 50 billion years to start up, I'll take it.
Will I have to buy the new 3ds to play new games or will I be able to play the new games on my current 3ds?
I've gone through the comments and it seems some people think one way, then some another so I'm confused.
I'm really not surprised, because it's their best designed model yet. Everything is better, though I'm still not a fan of the name.
Personally I can't wait to get the New 3DS LL. Although I'll be torn between bundles if there is a Xenoblade one as well as the MH4U they've already shown.
waiting 4 it!
@DualWielding it's almost been 4 years since the release of the original. Handhelds become outdated quicker than home consoles. If the 3ds was released 2 years ago I would agree. At least it's not every year like phone companies
o_0
Well played. I guess Nintendo does know what they are doing.
"This goes beyond the figures of all of the previous remodelled systems from the DSi onwards and has caused a number of retailers to be unable to meet the demand"
Well, so much for the rampant marketing rhetoric of dedicated portable consoles going the way of the dinosaur...
I still have the original 3DS. It has survived through a warranty repair after a random system firmware/software failure while playing SMT: Devil Survivor Overclocked, a replaced top screen after guarding my hip when I slipped onto a wooden floor, and a broken R button/cable array which I replaced myself. While I would prefer to have the improved hardware, I am reluctant to give up on this one. Until an overwhelming bevy of benefits becomes available, I will keep using the original.
@Kirk "What about the DS Lite?"
Considering the DS Lite has crushed pretty much everything else in handheld gaming history, I doubt anything would look good next to it. ;P
How ironic, that the great lighthouse beacon of yesteryear becomes "that unseemly yet bright reminder of our past" in growth-based economics!
And I'll have you know, my good ol' DS Phat didn't suffer from the Lite's infamous "broken L/R button syndrome"!
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...