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New Nintendo 3DS XL: meet the new boss, better than the old boss (pictures)

The upgrades to the New Nintendo 3DS XL may seem slight, but they make a world of difference to the player experience.

Michelle Starr
Michelle Starr is CNET's science editor, and she hopes to get you as enthralled with the wonders of the universe as she is. When she's not daydreaming about flying through space, she's daydreaming about bats.
Michelle Starr
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New Nintendo 3DS XL

You can't see it in this 2D picture, but the head-tracking software makes the 3D comfortably viewable even on an oblique angle.

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New Nintendo 3DS XL

On first glance, it appears there's little difference between the New 3DS XL and the old one. Although subtle, most of the differences are improvements.

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New Nintendo 3DS XL

One change in particular isn't for the better, though. You have to remove the entire back plate in order to change the micro SD card.

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New Nintendo 3DS XL

The face buttons are now colour-coded, Start and Select are on the side and a new C Stick will have varying functions, depending on the game.

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New Nintendo 3DS XL

The volume button has been moved from the bottom half to the top.

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New Nintendo 3DS XL

On the New Nintendo 3DS XL, the stylus and game card slot are on the front of the device, rather than the rear.

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New Nintendo 3DS XL

This is because the rear is home to two new, smaller trigger buttons.

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New Nintendo 3DS XL

What these trigger buttons will be used for will again depend on how the developer decided to implement them.

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New Nintendo 3DS XL

The D-Pad and thumbstick have retained their egonomic position.

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New Nintendo 3DS XL

Nintendo has completely removed the Wi-Fi toggle; Wi-Fi connectivity is now controlled from within the console's settings.

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