Nintendo 3DS XL Announced, Sports 90% Bigger Screens

Nintendo has confirmed that a brand new version of its 3DS handheld console is coming this summer, in the form of the 3DS XL (or 3DS LL, as it’s known in Japan), which sports much bigger screens as well as an improved battery.

Nintendo introduced the 3DS last year and, unfortunately for the company, it wasn’t that big of a success. Only when Nintendo slashed the price by 30% and released some quality games did the 3DS manage to actually start selling.

Now, after the apparent success of the older DSi XL, Nintendo has confirmed that a bigger and beefier version of the 3DS is coming, in the form of the 3DS XL.

The new handheld platform will be launched quite soon, on July 28, in Europe, and August 19, in North America, and will be priced at $199.99/€199.99.

As you can tell, the XL is a much bigger version of the standard 3DS, with screens that are 90 percent larger than the current ones. As such, the top screen jumps from 3.53 inches to 4.88 inches, while the bottom touchscreen increases from 3 inches to 4.18 inches.

Besides the bigger screens, the console is also fitted with a larger battery that allows it to play 3DS games between 3.5 – 6.5 hours, and DS titles for 6-10 hours. The 2GB SD card bundled with the console has also been expanded, as it now measures 4GB.

Sadly, at least in Europe and Japan, Nintendo won’t be selling the AC adapter for the 3DS XL, as it’s going to sell it alongside the charging cradle as a special package. North American consumers, however, will get the AC adapter, which is the same one included with the 3DS.

Three games will arrive with support for the 3DS XL, in form of Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, TheatRhythm Final Fantasy and New Art Academy.

Three colors are also available at launch, in the form of combinations between red, blue, silver and black.

Check out a few images with the Nintendo 3DS XL below.