The Nintendo 3DS XL (originally Nintendo 3DS LL in Japan, and iQue 3DS XL in China and shortened to 3DS XL and 3DS LL) is a handheld system by Nintendo. It was first announced on June 21, 2012 via a Nintendo Direct broadcast. In a similar manner of the Nintendo DSi XL to the Nintendo DSi, it features a larger screen as well as a greater overall size than the original Nintendo 3DS model. The Nintendo 3DS XL screens are 90% larger than the Nintendo 3DS model (top screen: 4.88 in - 124 mm, bottom screen: 4.18 in - 106 mm), and the battery life of it is increased by 86%, while the weight of it is increased by 46%. However, instead of replacing the 3DS, the Nintendo 3DS XL was sold alongside the 3DS. The 3DS XL was discontinued in Europe and Japan in February 10, 2015, which is the same day that Europe also discontinued the original model, but both are still in production in other parts of the world. The 3DS XL has the biggest screens of any Nintendo handheld.[4]
The Nintendo 3DS XL was released on the same day as New Super Mario Bros. 2 for Nintendo 3DS in North America.
Nintendo 3DS XL is slightly more expensive then the original version. In order to reduce high prices, Nintendo did not include AC Adapter in European countries and Japan. However, Nintendo included the AC adapter in North American countries and Australia.
When it was first released it only came in blue and red.
A Pikachu themed 3DS XL, named Pikachu Yellow, was sold in Japan at Pokémon Centers.[5] It was also released in Europe.[6]
The 3DS XL includes a 4 gigabyte SD card instead of the 2 GB SD card included in the original 3DS.
Despite Nintendo stating the 3DS XL was not intended to replace the original Nintendo 3DS, the 3DS XL and the 2DS seem to have replaced it. All, but two colors of the Nintendo 3DS (purple and pink) have been discontinued, and even they're not as easy to find. Furthermore, the 3DS XL and the 2DS have replaced the 3DS in advertisements, and the original 3DS all, but disappeared from Nintendo's official website.
