Nintendo has finally gotten around to releasing the latest iteration of its hand-held gaming systems in the US, under the very literal name of “New Nintendo 3DS.” While GameStop employees nationwide are already bracing for a holiday season of trying to clarify to clueless gift-givers whether they want a new New 3DS, a used New 3DS, a used old 3DS, a used old 3DS XL, a new 2DS, etc., Nintendo hand-held fans are wondering if they really need to upgrade.
One could be forgiven for being unsure what’s even so new about this New 3DS. At a glance, the new system has an extra pair of shoulder buttons and a small nipple-like stick over the right buttons that operates like the nipple-like “TrackPoint” for which IBM/Lenovo laptops are notorious. This gives it the same built-in functionality as the Circle Pad Pro accessory for the old 3DS. And…that’s about it. It has a shinier finish and moves the volume toggle from under your left hand so you’re not constantly bumping it. So what?