For all the jokes about Nintendo’s conservatism, sometimes they really can surprise you. A Japan-only Nintendo Direct presentation on Friday revealed that the company is working on a “New 3DS” and “New 3DS XL,” which will sport a second analog stick, more buttons, built-in NFC functionality, and more.
Yes, you read that right. Nintendo has grafted three additional buttons onto the New 3DS (a second analog stick and two new trigger buttons up top). The handheld has also been given a power boost, allowing for “Super Stable” 3D play and built-in NFC functionality for Nintendo’s upcoming line of Amiibo figures. A bigger set of screens will also give gamers a better look at the new 3D effects.
To wring every bit of power out of the New 3DS, Nintendo has announced that games designed to run exclusively on the new hardware will be produced. The first such game, a remake of Xenoblade Chronicles, will be available in Japan this October alongside the launch of the New 3DS itself.
So where does that leave 3DS fans in North America and Europe who want to get their hands on this new handheld? They’ll have to wait until 2015 as Nintendo has no plans to release the New 3DS in either territory until next year.
