Why Yanks Only Got The Jumbo 3DS
When the New 3DS was revealed in Japan, the whole world found out about it for the first time. It came in two size models, just like the Old 3DS, and there was no reason to assume the same wouldn’t happen elsewhere. It happened in Europe. It didn’t in North America.
The demographic that wanted the smaller model was now outraged, especially when they discovered the cool faceplates that could attach to the pocket-sized New 3DS were not an option for the XL size. Why wouldn’t Nintendo release two models at once? They did before!
Today, thanks to Nintendo Life, we finally have an answer out of Nintendo as to why. But fair warning: you’re not going to like it.
The reason there’s no regular-sized New 3DS in American stores, says Nintendo of America senior manager Damon Baker, is because releasing two models would be too confusing. “Look, the face plates are super cool, but we’re a different market,” said Damon. “And now we have clear differentiation between those three systems. Before, there was a very limited difference between the 3DS and 3DS XL: other than size.”
He continues, “It was the same resolution, same functionality… now, there’s the 2DS, 3DS, and New 3DS XL, all of which have their own functionality and features. The different price points give it a clear message for consumers. The core audience… we weren’t going to win with them on that decision. But we had to think about expanding the user base, we had to be able to market it and make it easy to pick up for consumers.”
The counterpoint to this is blatantly obvious. To begin with, you named your product “New 3DS.” You used the same logo only with a small “New” on top. You used nearly the same shell design and the same packaging. You kept the old model on the market, in two sizes, and the new model is typically sold right next to it. And….you’re….worried….about….what exactly?
IT’S GONNA HAPPEN. IT’S TOO LATE. You’ve been confusing grannies for years; why make an effort to stop now?