Nintendo has confirmed the UK release date for its updated New Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS XL consoles. Launching on February 13th, the New 3DS will be available in matt white and black while the New 3DS XL will be available in metallic blue and metallic black.
Nintendo announced the release date during its latest Nintendo Direct presentation online. The New 3DS consoles won't just be carbon copies of their current counterparts, though, as they each have improved 3D capabilities, a new CPU and built-in NFC support for Nintendo's Amiibo figurines.
The Super Stable 3D now has head-tracking technology built into the front-facing camera, so the stereoscopic glasses free 3D will be maintained even if you move your head a lot while gaming. The faster CPU, meanwhile, allows for faster loading times and quicker download speeds. It's still compatible with all the current 3DS games out there, but the new CPU allows it to play more advanced games as well, such as Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, which is coming exclusively to the New 3DS and New 3DS XL on April 2nd.
You'll be able to customise the appearance of the New 3DS as it has interchangeable front and rear panels. Nintendo confirmed that 12 sets of cover plates (pictured above) will be available when the console launches, with more coming very shortly. New 3DS XL owners, on the other hand, will have to make do with the standard metallic finish.
Amiibo support will be built into the console's lower touchscreen, but games such as Super Smash Bros will need to receive a free software update to enable the feature before you can use it. Nintendo didn't announce a date for this during its Nintendo Direct presentation, but we're sure it will be soon after launch, if not on the same day.
It doesn't sound as though the consoles will come with charging cradles in the box like the old 3DS, though, as Nintendo said these will be available to buy separately and will come in both black and white.
Nintendo also announced a new Fire Emblem game being developed by Intelligent Systems (who also made the excellent Fire Emblem Awakening) for 3DS, and release dates for the upcoming Majora's Mask 3D and Monster Hunter 4, both of which will be launching February 13th, the same day as the New 3DS and New 3DS XL hit shop shelves.
Nintendo hasn't announced pricing for the New 3DS and New 3DS XL just yet, but we're hoping they won't cost too much more than the current 3DS and 3DS XL, which are currently priced at £150 and £200 respectively on Nintendo's UK Store.