Nintendo Ends 3DS Production in Japan; Releases 2DS XL

Earlier today, Nintendo posted an announcement on its official Japan website regarding the end of the New 3DS console production in the Land of the Rising Sun. The company will no longer produce the white, black, and limited edition models of the base New 3DS.

Earlier today, Nintendo posted an announcement on its official Japan website regarding the end of the New 3DS console production in the Land of the Rising Sun. The company will no longer produce the white, black, and limited edition models of the base New 3DS.

There is no word whatsoever if Nintendo will continue supplying the Japanese market with the 2DS, New 2DS XL, and New 3DS XL versions. It remains uncertain whether the western 3DS lineup will be affected by the above announcement.

According to industry analysts, the announcement for the discontinued 3DS production in Japan comes as no surprise. Over the past few years, the New 3DS has been sidelined and players’ attention was captured by the XL console versions. The 3DS XL features a larger screen, which seems to be the better option when it comes to displaying 3D visuals. Players who have a limited budget can also opt for the less expensive Nintendo 2DS device.

The company has also released the Nintendo Switch console, that has quickly become a bestseller. However, it was befallen by serious supply shortages. Consequently, Nintendo faced a barrage of criticism and promised July availability. At the time of writing, it is still unclear whether the Switch will be re-stocked.

The news about the ended 3DS production coincides with the launch of Nintendo 2DS XL. As announced earlier, the 2DS XL version will be first released in Australia and New Zealand. Its US debut is scheduled for the middle of August.

Unlike the entry 2DS, the 2DS XL comes with a clamshell design. It enables users to play 3DS games but does not produce the 3D effects. As for the display size, it is the same as the 3DS XL’s.

Although the 2DS XL is lighter than its 3DS XL counterpart, Nintendo representatives claim that this does not make it any less powerful. It also has a built-in NFC support for Amiibo functionality. US-based players will be able to put their hands on a black and turquoise version, while in Japan, the 2DS XL will be available in white and orange.

Tracy has been working for RealGear since the first day it went online. She reads every e-sports related newspaper and website. She is a huge Twitch.tv fan and a gamer with a soft spot for Lineage 2, WoW, and Guild Wars 1 and 2. She says she does not suffer from PvP insanity, she enjoys every minute of it. Tracy defines herself as a person who’d spend two hours customizing a character rather than indulging in an activity that would not be as nearly rewarding as playing games and testing hardware.

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