Nintendo representative explains why North America only got the New 3DS XL

Rep says that releasing both New 3DS systems would be confusing to consumers
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  • Friday, February 20, 2015

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Nintendo Life interviews Nintendo senior representative Damon Baker, who explains why the smaller-sized New Nintendo 3DS did not come to North America. He explains that releasing both the New 3DS and New 3DS XL systems would have caused confusion to the consumers.

The New Nintendo 3DS in black...
...and white.
Look, the face plates are super cool, but we're a different market. 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. 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.
  -- Damon Baker  


This statement follows a vague previous statement that different markets need different products, and that Nintendo of America determined the New Nintendo 3DS XL was more appropriate for the North American market.

Even though no plans have yet been announced for the smaller-sized system to see a North American release, it has not been ruled out.