The New 3DS launched in Japan in October 2014 and in North America in February 2015

Nintendo released the original 3DS in March 2011. The New 3DS — the upgraded version with a faster processor, better screen, and built-in amiibo support — came out in Japan on October 25, 2014. North American customers could buy it starting February 13, 2015. Europe received it a week later on February 20, 2015.

The New 3DS was not a completely new console line. It was a mid-cycle refresh, similar to how phone makers release "Plus" or "Pro" versions of existing models. Nintendo kept selling the original 3DS alongside the New 3DS for several years, so both versions existed in stores at the same time.

There was also a smaller version called the New 3DS XL, which had the same upgrades but a larger screen. The New 3DS XL arrived in the same regions on the same dates as the standard New 3DS.

Key Takeaways

  • The New 3DS came to Japan in October 2014 and to North America in February 2015, about three and a half years after the original 3DS launched.
  • The New 3DS was a faster, upgraded version of the original 3DS, not a completely separate console.
  • Nintendo sold both the original 3DS and the New 3DS in stores at the same time for several years.
  • A larger version called the New 3DS XL released on the same dates as the standard New 3DS.

What made the New 3DS different from the original

The New 3DS had a processor that was about 40 percent faster than the original 3DS. This meant games loaded quicker and ran more smoothly, especially games that pushed the hardware hard. Some games released after 2015 would not run on the original 3DS at all — they required the New 3DS's faster chip.

The screen was also better. The New 3DS had an improved 3D display that worked at wider angles, so you did not have to hold it perfectly still to see the 3D effect. The original 3DS's 3D screen only worked if you looked at it straight on.

The New 3DS added built-in support for amiibo figures — small Nintendo collectibles that unlock content in games when you tap them to the console. The original 3DS could not read amiibo without an extra accessory.

Why Nintendo released an upgraded version mid-cycle

The 3DS was already four years old when the New 3DS came out. Game developers were pushing the original hardware to its limits, and some wanted a faster processor to make their games run better. Nintendo released the New 3DS to give developers more power without abandoning the millions of people who already owned a 3DS.

This strategy let Nintendo extend the 3DS's life without forcing everyone to buy a new console. People who owned the original 3DS could keep playing their games and buying new ones. People who wanted the latest version could upgrade to the New 3DS.

How long Nintendo sold the New 3DS

Nintendo discontinued the New 3DS XL in January 2020, about five years after it launched. The standard New 3DS was discontinued earlier, in 2017, because the XL version outsold it. By the time Nintendo stopped making the New 3DS XL, the Nintendo Switch had already been out for two years and was the company's main focus.

You can still buy used New 3DS consoles from secondhand markets, but new ones are no longer manufactured. The original 3DS is also out of production.

The New 3DS and the Nintendo Switch are different products

People sometimes confuse the New 3DS with the Nintendo Switch because both are Nintendo handhelds. They are completely separate systems. The New 3DS plays 3DS games and original DS games. The Switch plays Switch games and cannot play 3DS or DS games.

The Switch launched in March 2017, about two years after the New 3DS came to North America. Nintendo eventually phased out the 3DS line entirely to focus on the Switch, which became much more popular.

Where the New 3DS fits in Nintendo's handheld history

Nintendo's handheld timeline goes: Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, DSi, 3DS, New 3DS, and then Nintendo Switch. The New 3DS was not a new generation — it was an upgrade within the 3DS generation, like how some phone makers release a "refresh" of the same model year.

The original 3DS introduced the idea of 3D gaming on a handheld screen without glasses. The New 3DS kept that feature but made it work better and added processing power. When the Switch came out, Nintendo moved away from 3D screens entirely and focused on a console that could dock to a TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play New 3DS games on an original 3DS?

Most games work on both, but some games released after 2015 require the New 3DS's faster processor and will not run on the original 3DS. Check the game's box or the store listing to see if it says "New 3DS exclusive" or "requires New 3DS".

Is the New 3DS XL the same as the New 3DS?

They have the same processor, speed, and features. The only difference is screen size — the XL has a larger screen. Both versions have the same game library and the same amiibo support.

Can I play 3DS games on a Nintendo Switch?

No. The Switch is a completely different console and does not play 3DS or DS games. If you want to play your 3DS games, you need to keep your 3DS.

Why did Nintendo stop making the New 3DS?

The Nintendo Switch became Nintendo's main handheld console, and the company wanted to focus its resources there. By 2020, the Switch had been out for three years and was much more popular than the aging 3DS line.