Nintendo late last week announced plans to launch a larger version of its 3D handheld gaming console, the 3DS. Dubbed 3DS XL, Nintendo named a $200 price tag and an August 19 release date for gamers in North America, and a July 28 release date for shoppers in Japan. However, it wasn't immediately clear when gamers in the United Kingdom could expect the 3DS XL to arrive in stores.
The good news is that those in the UK will actually get their hands on the 3DS before the U.S. launch. Nintendo has since confirmed that UK gamers will get the device on its European release date of July 28, the same date that the console goes on sale in Nintendo's native Japan. Pricing has not yet been confirmed, but UK readers can expect to see the 3DS XL in black, blue, and white when it arrives on shelves next month.
The Nintendo 3DS XL features a top display that measures in at 4.88 inches and a bottom display that measures 4.18 inches. This is compared to
3.53 inches for the top display on the 3DS and 3.02 inches for the 3DS's bottom display. The new also ship with a 4GB SD card and will be available in red and black, black and silver, or white in Japan, and red or blue in the United States.
Oddly enough, Crave UK reports that Nintendo is going to be selling the 3DS XL in Europe with no charger. The company says it's aiming to keep the price down and reasons that "so many fans already own a previous handheld." A charger will be available to purchase separately, but pricing for the accessory is not known. As we said before, UK pricing for 3DS XL has not yet been confirmed, but the U.S. price is $200, which is just over £128.50.