The original 3DS launched in 2011, and Nintendo released the New 3DS in 2014

Nintendo released the original 3DS on March 27, 2011 in Japan and North America. The handheld arrived in Europe on March 25, 2011. The system introduced autostereoscopic 3D — a screen that showed depth without glasses — as its main feature.

The New 3DS came later, on October 11, 2012 in Japan. North America and Europe got the New 3DS on February 13, 2015. This was a hardware revision that added a faster processor, better cameras, and improved 3D tracking. Nintendo also released the New 3DS XL, a larger version of the same hardware, on the same dates.

The original 3DS stayed in production alongside the New 3DS for several years. Nintendo discontinued the original 3DS in 2012 in most regions, though it remained available in some markets longer. The New 3DS and New 3DS XL continued selling until Nintendo stopped production in 2017.

Key Takeaways

  • The original 3DS released in March 2011 in Japan and North America, with a European launch five days later.
  • The New 3DS launched in Japan in October 2012 but did not reach North America and Europe until February 2015.
  • The New 3DS added a faster processor, dual cameras on the back, and improved autostereoscopic 3D tracking compared to the original.
  • Nintendo discontinued both the original 3DS and the New 3DS line by 2017, replacing them with the Nintendo Switch.

What made the New 3DS different from the original

The New 3DS had a faster processor — a quad-core ARM CPU compared to the original's dual-core. This allowed newer games to run better and load faster. The system also added dual cameras on the back, letting games use 3D depth for gameplay rather than just visuals.

The 3D screen itself improved. The original 3DS required you to hold it at a specific angle to see the 3D effect. The New 3DS added eye-tracking technology that adjusted the 3D image as you moved, so you could tilt the handheld and still see depth. This made the 3D feature much less frustrating to use.

The New 3DS also included a built-in microSD card slot, while the original required you to buy one separately. The New 3DS XL came with a larger 4.88-inch screen versus the original's 3.53-inch top screen. Both versions of the New 3DS added a second analog stick on the right side, which the original lacked.

Why the gap between Japan and Western releases

Nintendo released the New 3DS in Japan first because the Japanese market was the priority for the company's handheld systems. Japan had been the strongest market for the original 3DS, and Nintendo wanted to test the revised hardware there before committing to a worldwide rollout.

The two-year gap between the Japan launch and the North American and European release was unusual. Nintendo later explained that they wanted to ensure the New 3DS had enough exclusive games and features to justify the upgrade for Western audiences. By February 2015, the system had a stronger library and clearer reasons to buy it over the original.

How long each model stayed available

The original 3DS remained in stores for about a year after the New 3DS launched in Japan. Nintendo discontinued it in most Western markets by 2012, though some retailers continued selling remaining stock. The system had a five-year run overall, which was solid for a handheld.

The New 3DS and New 3DS XL had a longer shelf life. They stayed in production from 2015 until September 2017, when Nintendo officially discontinued both models. By that point, the Nintendo Switch had launched in March 2017 and was becoming the company's focus. The Switch was a hybrid device that worked as both a home console and a portable handheld, making the dedicated 3DS line less central to Nintendo's strategy.

The 3DS library grew after the New 3DS arrived

Many of the best 3DS games came out after the New 3DS launched. Titles like Fire Emblem Fates, Pokémon Sun and Moon, and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D took advantage of the faster hardware. Some games, like Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, only ran on the New 3DS because the original hardware could not handle them.

The original 3DS still had a strong catalog, including The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, Super Mario 3D Land, and Animal Crossing: New Leaf. But the New 3DS gave developers more room to work with, and the library reflected that. If you bought a New 3DS in 2015 or later, you had access to nearly the entire 3DS game collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still play original 3DS games on a New 3DS?

Yes. The New 3DS is backward compatible with all original 3DS games. You can also play DS games on both systems. The only games that require a New 3DS are a small handful of titles that needed the extra processing power.

What happened to the 3DS after 2017?

Nintendo discontinued the 3DS line to focus on the Nintendo Switch. The Switch combined a home console and portable handheld in one device, which became Nintendo's main platform. The 3DS online store closed in 2023, but the systems still work for playing games you already own.

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

The hardware is identical — same processor, same features, same game library. The only difference is screen size. The New 3DS XL has a 4.88-inch top screen, while the regular New 3DS has a 3.53-inch screen. The XL is heavier and bulkier but easier to see.

Why did it take so long for the New 3DS to reach North America?

Nintendo has not given a detailed public explanation, but the delay likely came down to ensuring the system had enough exclusive games and features to justify the upgrade. The original 3DS was still selling well in the West, so there was less urgency to replace it immediately.