Long live the 3DS / 2DS, as the portable family keeps ticking along with a helping hand from the Pokémon franchise. One of the first notable releases of 2018 will be the Virtual Console arrival of Pokémon Crystal on the 3DS eShop, due for release on 26th January. Different regions are celebrating in various ways, with Nintendo of Europe jumping in with a cool New 2DS XL model based around Pikachu (above) and a 'boxed' version of Crystal. You get a download code with the latter, but you also get a nice cardboard box to line-up on the shelf along with your other games.
The official Nintendo UK store has now opened pre-orders on both options, including a cool little Pikachu mug as a bonus with the system. Both products are available to pre-order now (for the 26th January release) and are limited to one per customer - links to the pages are below.
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Are you tempted to get a box for your Crystal download or to buy a shiny bit of hardware to kick off 2018? Let us know in the comments.
Comments 20
They must think we're all MUGS
You buy a box just to download the game?
@1UP_MARIO
Only mugs will buy that New 3DS Pikachu! It's so awesome!
@1UP_MARIO BOOM
Purchased! I wouldn't usually spend money on boxes (if we're being completely honest), but as Pokémon GSC are my favourite games of all time, I just had to. So now I have the original GSC and their boxes complimented by 3DS GSC boxes. Go... me?
@RadioShadow not 3ds but 2ds
@Xaessya : It's an idiotic practice designed to exploit the helplessly materialistic. I would happily pay a slight premium to have the game on a cartridge, but a box with a code? Forget it.
@sillygostly In Japan IIRC, you get the game code, a Magnet for the fridge that looks like the cart and a game manual.
But seriously Nintendo why isnt this coming to America?? T^T. You literally released a NTSC U/C Version in Asia already!! -.-;
https://www.play-asia.com/new-nintendo-2ds-xl-pikachu-edition/13/70bj8d
hope they bring out some more 3DS / 3DS XL models.
Preordered this morning, simply because haha. No for real I don't use the 3D feature anymore and been rocking my original 3DS for some time. Nice to have the XL updated model without the 3D.
@Steven_the_2nd : And I reiterate that it is totally unnecessary. The software includes an electronic manual anyway. If I'm going to waste space on a box/case, there'd better be a cartridge or else it simply isn't worth it.
Pre orders have been open in Aus all week. If they offered Pokemon Crystal and a mug here too I would have bought it already.
This is why they discontinued the face plate systems. With changeable face plates there was no reason to buy special edition systems like this.
I don't really care though. I have owned 4 3DS, and played for literally thousands of hours. Then the Switch happened. Now my 3 remaining 3DS systems are collecting dust next to my Wii-U and PS4.
Amazing that people buy empty boxes nowadays.
@sillygostly Oh yeah I agree its totally crazy to buy a paper box for a code. I am just saying at least in Japan you get some cool physical nick-nack type things that are in the physical box.
I'm surprised that you guys find a box with nothing but a piece of paper in it acceptable nowadays. Especially when the Japanese get a much better version of said box with some extras in it.
@SM4SHshorts Shame on you for supporting Nintendo's scummy business practices. You should be ashamed of yourself.
@Timsworld Oh man, so sorry you feel that way!
Enjoy your day though!
@SM4SHshorts Right back at ya.
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