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New Nintendo 3DS XL

RED-001 · 2015–2019 · handheld console

Specifications

Cpu: ARM11 MPCore quad-core, up to 804 MHz + ARM9 at 133 MHz (coprocessor for DS/DSi backward compatibility)
Ram: max: 256 MB FCRAM (fixed, not upgradeable) · base: 256 MB FCRAM
Media: Nintendo 3DS Game Card; backward compatible with Nintendo DS Game Cards (DSi-exclusive titles not supported)
Output: Built-in 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, StreetPass/SpotPass, NFC (amiibo) reader built into the bottom screen, C-Stick and ZL/ZR shoulder buttons added over the original 3DS, two outer cameras plus an inner camera, stereo speakers, headphone jack, microphone
Battery: Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion, approx. 3.5-6.5 hours with 3D on, longer with 3D off
Display: Top: 4.88-inch autostereoscopic (glasses-free 3D) LCD, 800x240 (400x240 per eye), with face-tracking 3D that holds the effect off-angle; bottom: 4.18-inch resistive touchscreen, 320x240
Storage: base: 4 GB microSD card included · options: microSD card slot, larger cards user-replaceable
Release Price: $199.99

Variants

Models

New Nintendo 2DS XLJAN-0012017 budget variant in a clamshell shape (unlike the original flat 2DS) that drops the autostereoscopic 3D effect but keeps the New 3DS internals, C-Stick, and NFC.

Sizes

New Nintendo 3DS (standard size)RED-001Smaller-screen sibling launched alongside the XL: 3.88-inch top / 3.33-inch bottom displays, otherwise identical CPU, RAM, and feature set. Interchangeable faceplates on some regions, unlike the XL's fixed shell.

Upgrade paths

storage

microSD card, practically up to 2 TB with modern cards (officially rated for up to 32 GB SDHC at launch) · Slot is under the back cover; system requires a format/transfer step when swapping cards via Nintendo's data management tools.

~$10-30 for a card

EASY

other

Custom firmware (Luma3DS and related homebrew) for emulators, ROM backups, and system-wide theming · Entirely software-based entry points existed for most of this system's life; no soldering or disassembly required, though Nintendo patched some exploits in later firmware.

free

EASY

battery

Same-capacity replacement battery · Requires opening the case with a small screwdriver; no higher-capacity official upgrade exists.

~$15-25

MODERATE