Does Nintendo releasing yet another version of its popular 3DS handheld make any sense?
Well, sort of.
While the 3DS’ sales have improved drastically over the last two years thanks to the release of a number of high-quality titles, the system’s sales have stagnated recently. Taking a page out of Apple’s playbook and releasing an incremental update of an already released product, isn’t necessarily a bad idea if Nintendo is interested in a quick sales spike, but there are a number of downsides to this strategy, especially if they don’t want to frustrate their loyal fans.
Unfortunately releasing the New 3DS will also fragment the console’s user base significantly, with some games being designed to run only on the more powerful New 3DS and not the original 3DS. So far Xenoblade Chronicles is the only title announced that’s set to take advantage of this feature, but more games are sure to follow once the New 3DS is released at some point in 2015.
The handheld’s other changes are interesting and include an extra analog stick, making it easier to port old school GameCube titles and even pared down versions of Wii U games, to the new 3DS, is a great idea. Although it does look extremely small and awkwardly placed (I’ll need to go hands-on with it first before passing judgment). Sticking with this same thought process, the additional shoulder buttons will also allow developers to create different, more console-like experiences on the 3DS, which isn’t a bad thing when it comes to a handheld device.
And the good things about the new console don’t stop there. While I haven’t used the 3DS’ 3D effect in years and still feel like 3D is little more than a gimmick, it’s nice to see Nintendo has found a way to improve the technology, especially since having a direct field of view was one of the main problems with the first 3DS’ 3D capability. The built-in NFC technology that’s set to work with Nintendo’s upcoming line of amiibo toys is also great, as I’m sure I’ll be spending a silly amount of money on figures when they’re released later this year.
In general, the New 3DS looks like a big improvement over the 3DS and 3DS XL in terms of its general build quality and look – yet another reason to purchase the revamped console. I’m also a big fan of its SNES/Famicom coloured face buttons.
But in true Nintendo fashion, the New 3DS’ name doesn’t make much sense and will likely cause confusion among unsuspecting consumers, similar to how many people still think the Wii U is just a touch screen tablet-like device for the Wii. Consumers now need to choose between the 2DS, 3DS, 3DS XL, New 3DS and New 3DS XL – this is a wide range of products with very similar names.
To the average person thinking about upgrading, the New 3DS sounds probably just like a product they already own but with a fancy new build, and unless Nintendo somehow makes it clear the New 3DS is a brand new, more powerful device with exclusive games, people are going to be very confused.
Nintendo’s digital ecosystem also isn’t exactly friendly to people who use multiple 3DS handhelds, unlike other consoles like the PlayStation 4, Xbox One or even iPad and Android devices. Games can only exist on one system at a time and moving digital titles from your old 3DS to the fancy New 3DS, will likely use the same overly complicated and annoying system that’s already in place for data transfer.
While I agree the 3DS is in need of a minor refresh and see the New 3DS as what will probably end up being a worthwhile purchase, the Nintendo needs to solve its archaic digital policies first and also find a better way to market the device, at least in the U.S.
It’s not like this is the first time Nintendo has released portable consoles featuring incremental upgrades. Remember the Gameboy Advance, Gameboy Advance SP and Gameboy Micro? This has been their strategy for a long time and for the most part it’s always worked.
We need more than just a fancy new device though. It’s time for the company to modernize its digital strategy, especially now that the New 3DS is equipped with extra buttons and hardware to facilitate cross-play with the Wii U.
But no matter how you look at it, the ‘New 3DS’ moniker really needs to be changed if the handheld has any chance at success.
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