Semantic Nonsense: New 3DS face/off

News that supplies of original 3DS models have all but dried up and Nintendo of Europe letting the cat out of the bag to select Club Nintendo members only can mean the New 3DS will soon sweap across the word. The time draws near for those of us who feel the need to upgrade to decide whether to get the XL or the regular-size version (though I’m SUUUUURE there’ll be a New 2DS for the rest of you…).

The original 3DS XL was the way to go over the regular 3DS in many ways: its larger screen was easier on the eyes and it was easier to stay in the 3D sweet spot. The case itself was smoothed out as opposed to the 3DS’ odd sandwich-stack shape and easier on the hands.

However, with a slightly larger screen, case improvements and a vastly superior 3D tech, the New 3DS cuts into the advantages offered by the 3DS XL. This makes me feel much more comfortable going with the smaller unit to take advantage of aore significant difference than size: faceplates.

A feature not seen since the Game Boy Advance Micro (I have a Famicom/Iron Man plated one, and haven’t used my SP since buying it), faceplates are an obvious answer to the custom case madness that occurred through the original DS/DS Lite/Dsi/DSi XL lines. A lot of people wouldn’t mind having a special DS, but couldn’t justify (if even afford) buying a whole new system every time they liked the looks of one.

So, hopefully the assumption that faceplates will replace the dozens of special editions that everybody made as soon as the feature was announced turns out to be correct. Though the rest of the world won’t get even half the faceplates that will be available in Japan, they should be very import-friendly.

While I doubt this’ll happen, it would be nice if some classic custom cases took on new life as faceplates for the New 3DS. Here’s some old favorites of mine that I just couldn’t flush money on when they were released.

Nintendo DS: Pink Mew Edition

So rare that it is still said to be a mirage by many experts. Only a few people have seen it worldwide.

. . .

Don’t judge me; Mew’s my favorite Pokemon. This number was only sold Pokemon Centers in Japan.

Gold Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass DS Lite

The first limited edition DS I ever coveted, and this one came out before I even owned one! Sadly, the money just wasn’t flowing then, and I would eventually buy a used cobalt blue regular DS two years later.

Final Fantasy III DS Lite

Most of the Final Fantasy cases were understated black-on-white designs, and this one’s no exception. But I think it’s the most elegant of the bunch.

Dragon Quest Monsters: Terry’s Wonderland 3D edition 3DS

Japan-exclusive slime-covered goodness. Sadly, faceplates can’t help the fact the game never was localized.

Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary 3DS

One of many special editions rendered moot by not being a 3DS XL. Far and away my favorite Zelda case, though.

To round off the list, here’s a couple of sweet-looking custom cases that were released recently enough to be 3DS XLs:

Fire Emblem: Awakening 3DS/3DS XL

Persona Q 3DS XL

Should I bother to upgrade, I’d probably invest in faceplate versions of most of these classic DS-family cases. Here’s hoping that if Nintendo doesn’t feel like reprinting old designs as new faceplates, a good dozen or so Etsy users will.