When the Nintendo 3DS XL launched, the original 3DS had already been out for some time, but when the updated New Nintendo 3DS launched in February, the tables turned: only the New Nintendo 3DS XL came to the U.S., and it didn’t seem like the smaller model would ever return.
Yesterday at the GameStop Managers Conference in Las Vegas, Nintendo announced that the New Nintendo 3DS is finally returning to U.S. store shelves in its smaller original design, complete with Famicom-style colors on the face buttons. The only catch: the smaller version of the handheld will only be available as part of two upcoming bundles.
The first bundle launches on September 25 and features the upcoming Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer. In addition to the game, the bundle also features one Amiibo card and two cover plates — which aren’t available for the larger New Nintendo 3DS XL at all. The bundle will retail for $220.
If you aren’t a fan of the Animal Crossing games, there is another option. On October 30, a Hyrule Edition of the New Nintendo 3DS will be released exclusively at GameStop stores to complement the upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes. Unlike the standard handheld, this model is gold and features the Hylian Crest on the front. The system will sell for $200.
“More than 15 million systems in the Nintendo 3DS family have been sold in the U.S. alone,” Nintendo of America vice president of sales and marketing Scott Moffitt said. “These new models offer additional fun ways to experience some of the great upcoming Nintendo 3DS games launching in the next few months.”
If you want a standard New Nintendo 3DS in its standard color scheme without buying a bundle, it would seem that you’re out of luck for now. Nintendo may release the console on its own in the future, but for now the Hyrule Edition is the only option for those who want to get their hands on the portable without buying a bundle.
