Nintendo is very keen to emphasize that the 3DS has plenty of life in it yet, and Nintendo of America has made a few notable announcements to emphasize that point. Perhaps most exciting for Pokémon fans and lovers of limited edition systems is a new variation on the way to North America.
The Pikachu Yellow Edition New Nintendo 3DS XL arrives on 24th February and will have the usual recommended price of $199.99; it doesn't include any bundled games. There's no word yet of a release in Europe.
It's a handsome design, so here's hoping stores get decent stock. Are any of you planning to get one of these?
Comments (59)
Nevermnd that link I posted, it's old.
I wonder if the inside will be yellow as well.
Another Pikachu 3ds? Another Pokemon special edition console? How many times is gamefreak/Pokemon company going to do this?
Not for me. I don't need 5 3ds handhelds. I'm sure this will sell good.
When will they release the kirby edition then the princess peach edition or the limited bowzer edition
Nope. There's only space in my heart for the regular N3DS.
@flapjackashley2 Yes it's all yellow & has the multicolored buttons like the smaller New 3DS models. It was released in Malaysia about 2 months ago.
@0upshroom7 Until people stop buying them.
Still $199? And without a game? And you wonder why Switch is $299 @ThomasBW84 Well that's why, it's easily $100 better tech than a 3DS XL - 720p screen is about 4x the resolution, Nvidia tech is much newer and easily better, 2 removable Joycons for multiplayer, and TV out. That's worth more than an extra $50 no matter how you look at it.
That said, who's laying out $200 for a New 3DS XL in 2017? I'm guessing very limited supply, this is a collectors item, not a gaming console. Probably 90% of the people who buy this already own a 3DS device, New, original or 2DS.
LOL. No need to wait until 24 Feb 2017 just for USA Region Yellow New 3DS XL Pikachu edition. Actually, in my country Indonesia, that New 3DS XL has already arrived when Japanese version has been released. And yes, it can play USA region 3DS games because the machine is ASIA Region (distributed by playasia). Asia region in Indonesia has a Circle symbol with Green & Blue color, the country that mentioned inside the circle are: Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and Uni Emirat Arab (UAE). That Asia region still counted as USA region since it mentioned NTSC-U.
I'm so lucky...
I want it. I never got around to get the first Pikachu one.
@flapjackashley2
Yes. Yellow Outside and Inside with 4 colored ABXY Buttons just like smaller New 3DS.
@rjejr I think I've said in some editorials, but I think Nintendo really needs to consider a price cut. I think it's coming, but the huge success of Sun and Moon has emboldened them to keep the price high to milk it further. Even with the New model I suspect there's a very VERY healthy margin from manufacturing.
I think if sales drop sharply in Spring ( I suspect they will) we'll see a formal price cut in Summer / Fall, ideal for pitching 3DS as a fun and affordable system later in the year. Plus they'll have the huge demand for last year's cheap Black Friday smaller New 3DS as evidence of demand for a drop.
@UK-Nintendo There's already a princess peach edition, only sold in Japan and Europe:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Console-Nintendo-3ds-Neuve-Club-Nintendo-Pack-Princess-Peach-Rare-/201787971919?hash=item2efb80194f:g:dXUAAOSw9NdXpzR0
But I wouldn't mind the other two suggestions!
Oh, bloody hell. I know they haven't announced it yet for Australia/Europe, but I have a feeling that it's inevitable.
I needed to replace my MH4 New 3DS XL (the battery is faulty), so I splurged on an Animal Crossing New 3DS XL, but it's so childish/effeminate looking. I mean, I love cute things, but this is Hello Kitty-levels of cute. Going public with Pikachu-levels of cute is more socially acceptable, and having one of these instead would have been preferable. =P
@maceng : They were never "sold". They were given away in a Club Nintendo contest shortly after the launch of the original 3DS. I imagine that those selling them (WHY!!?!!!!!) would be selling them for a fortune. I think I opted for a Toad model myself.
Oh yes, my bad.
I bought a Princess Peach for my daughter when she was 3 years old. Been keeping it (I live in America, so I had to buy an European eshop card) till she is 7 (next week).
@DanteSolablood Well yeah of course
That's adorable.
Its so cute.... But I'll stick with my Black Friday new 3DS.
The 3DS really needs a price cut, though.
Should really have come with Pokemon Yellow pre-installed.
The question is... Will it have an IPS (in plane switching) top screen, instead of a cheaper TN (twisted nematic) top screen?
As I'm sitting here, playing my regular N3DS with a Pikachu coverplate, I feel incredibly compelled to get this N3DS XL version...
On one hand, it's a really nice design that'll no doubt become a collector's item in the future (most LE 3DS XLs seem to retain their value). On the other hand, it releases literally a week before the Switch. Like, c'mon, Nintendo!
@sillygostly Replacing the battery had no effect? If you haven't tried it yet, it's worth a shot...
Come on Nintendo just give the US an orange New 3DS XL please! Enough with the pikachu editions
....Actually I kinda like this one. But that's besides the point!
@PlywoodStick : I intend to replace the battery at some point. It's just a bit of a bother seeing as I'll need to contact Nintendo directly to do so. Seeing as the Switch is not backwards compatible, I intend to keep all of my 3DS/DSs, and I'll consider grabbing a 2DS and maybe even another 3DS or two when they become clearance items.
At least this Pikachu 3DS has better camera placement on Pikachu.
They should have released this with Sun/Moon a couple months ago.
Anyone know if I can reserve this thing, checked amazon and they are just selling the foreign version for way too much.
Really Nintendo!? I just got the Black Friday Exclusive New Nintendo 3DS (the Mario-themed one), and NOW you decide to announce this?
Great job Nintendo! You are killing the Switch before it is even out!
Not a bad design, but I'm still holding out for a standard N3DS system.
@ThomasBW84 "but I think Nintendo really needs to consider a price cut. I think it's coming,"
I think you've been saying in editorials "I think it's coming" for 2 or 3 years now. Has 3DS been the same price since it's price cut in July 2011? That's 5 1/2 years. I know 3DS XL has been $199 since launch, and I think that's 4 1/2 years. 4 1/2 years, no price cut, they don't even pack in a game. "New" or not, every electronic needs a price cut after 3 years.
"we'll see a formal price cut in Summer / Fall"
Now here's the crux of the problem. People saying Switch is too expensive at $299 at launch March 3, but New 3DS XL and it's 5 year old tech is still going to be $199 until the summer or fall. How could Switch have been less than $299 at launch compared to $199 3DS XL. It easily has the better hardware to warrant an extra $100. And it has better hardware than the 4 year old $299 (US price) Wii U and it's the same price.
So while I agree a $249 Switch would have made people very happy, it's not realistic compared to their current hardware prices. Even if those current hardware prices should have been cut years ago, the fact is they weren't, Ntineod kept them high, and Nintneod is launching Switch at $299 and nobody should be surprised about that based on the current prices of their other 2 consoles. $249 was always a "pipe dream hope" for people wanting Switch to sell 30 million out of the gate, $299 was a "realistic expectation" for anyone paying attention to how Nintendo operates.
$249 would have been good w/o the dock though, give people a choice. Japan is paying a comparable $262 w/ the dock, so they are almost getting it for free anyway. I'd guess that 29,980 Yen number went over better than $299 in the west. $269 in the west would have been comparable to Japan and split the difference between realistic and unrealistic expectations. Maybe when New 3DS XL gets a price cut Switch can get a cheaper option in the west as well? Or at least bundle in MK8D, they always bundle in Mario Kart - even w/ the Wii Mini and that didn't even have online.
This is really tempting me. But I just can't justify having two 3DSes though even if one is just a regular old 3DS XL... I hate to part with my Pink and White XL but for the sake of not just having extra systems laying about, it might be time to trade the ol' gurl in.
It's tempting as I still only have my original 3DS... but why can't Nintendo just give us a budget regular sized New 3DS? You know, one that people can actually find.
@sillygostly You mean an Animal Crossing 3DSXL or an Animal Crossing New 3DS?
@wiggleronacid Here in the States, both the 3DSXL and the 2DS have gone missing for already two full months. Not on Amazon, not on Gamestop, not on Walmart, BestBuy or Target. Only merchants at Amazon are carrying it usually with a 50% overhead.
I think that retailers were playing the waiting game on the Switch to see whether it will eclipse the 3DS or not.
I'll be buying it for sure. I was about to buy the Japanese version (for US$215), but then they started selling a NSTC-compatible one that is usually distributed in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Singapore (but at US$310) and plays US games.
I'm a big time collector (have all but one of the Pokemon-themed 3DS XL -the Charizard one-, as well as a couple of 2DS -yellow Pikachu and the new Sol & Luna blue 2DS -on the way).
Big whoop! Active Boeki has been distributing the North American version of this New Nintendo 3DS XL in Southeast Asia and the Middle East since November 18, 2016 - same day Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon were released.
@Anti-Matter This the console packaging you were referring to, right?
ERG so cute. I'd get it...if I had any money. Which I don't. And if I did it would be going towards a Switch instead.Too bad the cheap(ish) coverplates probably would look pretty terrible on a red N3DSXL, which is what I've got.
I do like this version, but I'd have rather seen a 'Raichu' or 'Rotomdex' N3DS XL. So much potential.
Totally getting this,
I bought the last brand new Pikachu Edition 3DS XL in my town for $199.99 at launch. I recently saw a used one at my local Half-Price Books though for $299.99. I should get this one just to re-sell for profit.
This is pretty adorable, but I'd still only be using the N3DS to play SNES Pilotwings and I want that, but I don't $200 want it.
I really hope that they cut the price for the N3DS XL, preferably shortly after the Switch release (though SOONER would be great too).
@HopeNForever
Yup. That's right.
It sold 3,200,000 IDR or US$ 200++ for the cheapest price at my local store.
@NTELLIGENTMAN please don't do that. scalping isn't cool, just let someone who really wants the damn thing buy it.
Oh boy, can't wait to see it going for ten times the original price two minutes after it's sold out.
Set your alarms early for February 24. Nintendo only produced 11 of these.
ill stick to my bight orange one, i loves it! on a side note, i look forward to seeing what different colours the switch comes in the future. im hoping for brown or spiced orange...
@maceng : I specified that I have the Animal Crossing New 3DS XL (the one that comes bundled with Happy Home Designer).
My money is being saved up for an OLED TV to play switch on
Would be nice for my Pikachu case, but if I'll buy a second N3DS XL it would be after price cut (probably after Switch is out) and I wil use different case anyway so it wouldn't even show the motive. Still it sucks there's not one for Europe...
I need this in Australia!!
Is this a Gamestop/EB Games exclusive in North America? I have only seen pre-orders go up on their websites. Nothing from Amazon, Walmart, Target etc.
What makes me really made about this is that I would love to have it however, the fact that I have the Galaxy already is fine. But, what REALLY makes me mad is that Nintendo will ONLY make like 2m of these and then expect people to do what they want. I would love it if I didn't have to trade in my purple one... Come on. I wish I could of gotten the Pika first.
@Nintendofan83 I preordered mine through BB Canada. It's sold out now though
@Pokefanmum82 I guess the pre-orders were slow to go up on other websites. I actually got mine through BB Canada, too. They actually lasted a full day so I had a chance! Nintendo products are usually gone within minutes.
Got mine!
I think I'll just wait for Nintendo to announce a limited edition New 3DS XL for Fire Emblem Echoes. Which they're most likey going to do since they made a 3DS for Awakening and Fates.
Tap here to load 59 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...