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3DS XL screen reduces glare

Eddie Makuch
By Eddie Makuch, News Editor

Nintendo hardware designer says company specially treated all reflexive LCD screen layers on new portable to significantly reduce glare over 3DS.

The upcoming supersized 3DS XL will boast 90 percent larger screens than the current 3DS, and those screens will also be significantly more glare-resistant. During a 3DS-focused Iwata Asks feature on Nintendo's website, company president Satoru Iwata quizzed a room of engineers about how they went about reducing glare with the larger screens.

This new screen cover will help reduce glare on the 3DS XL, Nintendo says.

This new screen cover will help reduce glare on the 3DS XL, Nintendo says.

"On a LCD screen there are basically three reflective layers, which all of them reflect and cause glare. So this time, we specially treated all the layers," research and engineering division designer Takashi Murakami explained. "Reflectivity on the Nintendo 3DS was about 12 percent, but we decreased that to about 3 percent."

Iwata went on to explain that Nintendo has been concerned over glare levels since the Game Boy Advance. He said in the past, Nintendo did not pursue glare-reduction measures because of cost concerns--a nonissue this time around thanks to advancements in technology.

The 3DS XL will make its debut in Japan on July 28 in white, red and black, and silver and black color variants. The North American version will be out on August 19 for $200 and will come in blue and red color schemes.

Eddie Makuch
By Eddie Makuch, News Editor

Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He works out of the company's Boston office in Somerville, Mass., and loves extra chunky peanut butter.

100 comments
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jinilthedon
jinilthedon

I understand nintendo is really supporting the 3DS fans or whatnot,but from a consumers perspective,it is really a shame and it seems very unprofessional for them to release a broken 3DS at launch and fixing this late ?What about the millions of consumers that have already bought the 3DS ?They need to understand not everyone can buy 2 or 3 handheld systems on a weekly basis and i didnt expect this atrocity from nintendo,well at least do your homework next time nintendo.

The_Mighty_KELP
The_Mighty_KELP like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @jinilthedon I beg to differ. I purchased a normal 3DS, and it was very much not "broken", thank you very much. It was perfectly fine. I traded it in for the larger model, and it is a great improvement. However I know many people who still have their original 3DS and they have no problems with it at all. The XL is not a "fix" for a "broken" handheld, it is a different iteration for people with different needs.

moviequest14
moviequest14

 @jinilthedon New models are released all the time.... how many psp models have there been? ds? gameboy? Try to name a portable that HASN'T had an upgrade. I purchased 3ds within the month after launch and I'm fine with this being released. I obviously thought the 3ds was worth what I payed for it or else I wouldn't have (payed for it). I certainly wouldn't call foul on Nintendo for doing what is practically the inevitable.

Iamshmee
Iamshmee

 @jinilthedonReally? What nintendo handheld doesn't have a better version release? The Gameboy had the Pocket and Color, The Advance had the SP and Micro, the DS had the Lite, DSI, and DSIXL. There's probably at least two more 3DS' till the next release. Oh and the VirtualBoy isn't a handheld so don't try defending it. Always expect these things from Nintendo, your mind is misleading you, they aren't that amazing.

tightwad34
tightwad34 like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

This is the first time I have ever heard of any system reducing the glare on the screen. I bet only a small percentage of us will even notice it.

mutley89
mutley89

What's the point in this? the screen brightness is so weak, even on the brightest setting you can't see the screen outside anyway.

tightwad34
tightwad34 like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @mutley89

 Funny that I have actually never played mine outside. I must try it now to see if this is true. Oh, wait I hate the sun!

soulless4now
soulless4now like.author.displayName 1 Like

I never had a problem with glare since I only play mine in the house. =P

This comment has been deleted

Iamshmee
Iamshmee

 @Gelugon_baat I doubt it would be an issue as the blur is probably due to the background image being far away. Being a couple millimeters above the screen probably won't make a difference.

jbaba
jbaba

I have Vita but i love 3ds XL too ;) 

UnwantedSpam
UnwantedSpam like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 7 Like

I never had a glare problem with my 3DS. But then again, I never go outside.

 

What is an outside, anyway?

Pr0ving4Gr0undz
Pr0ving4Gr0undz

 @UnwantedSpam What's the point buying in handheld device if your not going to take it outside?

broly180
broly180

I PRAY I HOPE YOU ARE A FAIL 3DS XL AND VITA WILL WIN.......................

lily_tiger
lily_tiger like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

"in the past, Nintendo did not pursue glare-reduction measures because of cost concerns"

 

Meanwhile, in the present, Nintendo becomes more and more irrelevant.

Flint247
Flint247 like.author.displayName 1 Like

I am fine with my 3DS screen, but this is good.

 

The 3DS system(s) is getting better by the minute. :)

 

And it is not milking just because they are making a model that PEOPLE ASKED FOR. Besides, companies always have to keep moving, planning future systems and models to stay in business. If you really think it is milking, then do not buy the system when it comes out. No one is forcing you to buy it or complain about it when it appears.

LinkLuigi
LinkLuigi like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

Just so long as it doesn't have that annoying issue where closing the game would have the top screen with those parallel scars on it.

Zonno
Zonno like.author.displayName 1 Like

Have there even been good 3DS games released yet?

jbizzel84
jbizzel84

 @Zonno no but me maybe not an open minded gamer but i have always loved mario and 3d land was very awesome to me and there are alot of games from ds to play but its like the PS vita still fresh and not alot of games on the table

Razer361
Razer361

 @jbizzel84  @Zonno but the 3Ds has more games than the Vita

jbizzel84
jbizzel84

well i tell you what i had taken a two year break of gaming to focus on my life but life has been null and voided like a bad check these days therefore i had missed that piece of childhood like pleasure with gaming so i just got back into it and i am playing the VITA now and its a fun experience i am a man of always seeing something more out of something new to the world. i like to experience a new gaming experience and the VITA is new. besides the 3ds is wonderful. i cannot wait for the official release date and price of the WII U so that i can preorder it cause i want to play that zombie u game and experience zelda in hd on the wii u 

Razer361
Razer361

 @jbizzel84 OK, man, I don't blame you, I would buy a PS Vita if I could afford it, too.

jbizzel84
jbizzel84

 @Razer361 look whoever you are i type faster than i think sometimes when im making a valid statement to something. and thanks for the auto correct dictionary i know what its called but it might as well be called the psp vita seeing that the psp is nonchalant nowordays. and like i told you person, i dont give two paper plates in a snow storm about how many titles each has cause i have all systems so 3ds ps vita ps3 xbox it all works the same to me. all im saying is, is that nintendo is a "smart" company and they have been for many years cause i have grown up with their consoles in my household and sony to me is trying to be one of the monacures of the future and i invested in the ps vita cause i see potential in the porduct as it relates to the ps3 and if microsoft decides to come out with a portable device then i will buy that too.

Razer361
Razer361

 @jbizzel84 No, I believe the 3DS has more games than the Vita, although I believe that won't be the case in a few months. Also, it's called PS VIta, not PSP vita

jbizzel84
jbizzel84

 @Razer361 in terms of what? volume? just cause the 3ds supports the ds titles doesnt make the 3ds have more games last i recalled they only have the same amount as the vita and it has been out for a little longer than the vita and with psp titles the vita has a good line of games although yes you have to download them from the ps store cause the vita doesnt have a slot for psp games i give the nintendo the advantage there. the other advantage is that the 3ds supports more software add-ons as well thats fine. i have a PSP vita and even though the lineup is not all there i give it 6 months and it should be just fine. i dont hate the 3ds i just prefer the vita at this point. even though i can get the 3ds if i really want it. i like nintendo and i am a big fan of their software. so therefore it dont really matter who has more. it matters in your gaming preferences. cause u can buy all the titles that 3ds has but you can only play them one at a time.

Vickman178
Vickman178 like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Zonno Wow, I'm assuming you haven't been paying attention to the 3DS otherwise you never would have said that.

 

I don't feel like typing all the names of the games, just go have a look for yourself!

edinko
edinko

I really like nintendo even the idea of the bigger 3ds is nice BUT - for me this is the hardware version of DLC milking.In this case this was maybe the plan like DAY1 DLC. To sell ppl the 3 ds twice.

And considering that the 3ds is in itself really looks to me  subpar hardwarewise it may very well be just a planned money grab with a big profit margin. Similar to the WII in the history.

Is not a fact of course just a suspicion. I suspect there will be more. After all this ppl bought the second one there will be some LITE version and so on and so on. Like i said. Hardware DLC milking.

I doubt there is a valid reason why this bigger screen couldnt be in the first version. ANd if tyou wiuold ask them they would just lie with a classic smokescreen of PR BS

n0matter
n0matter like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

Every Nintendo/Sony handheld has had multiple iterations ever 1.5 years.  And no one is being forced to buy them.  I'm not sure why you think this is some big conspiracy theory.  People asked for a bigger screen and they got one.  End of story right there.

redluigi11
redluigi11

 @n0matter have you seen how many psp models there are

n0matter
n0matter

 @redluigi11 There are four, including the PSP Go.  Compared to the DS, DS Lite, DSi, and DSi XL.  What's your point?  That's exactly the same for both companies.  And the DS was actually in circulation longer than the PSP.

Razer361
Razer361

How well will the 3d work on a bigger screen anyway?

abHS4L88
abHS4L88

 @Razer361 

It's supposed to be a lot better due to the larger screen, although the sweet spot will be a bit farther I think. 

Megavideogamer
Megavideogamer

Reducing the glare on the 3DSXL screen is a good improvement. But why doesn't North America receive the same colors as Asia?

abHS4L88
abHS4L88

 @Megavideogamer 

Because apparently Americans don't care as much about colors and crazy designs (my sister still wants the Peach themed 3DS) as the Asians do. 

Thirdrail1
Thirdrail1

I am sad we only get red and blue. But happy about the rest of it. Can't wait to pick mine up. My favorite iteration of the Zen pinball games is going to look so much better on that larger screen.

interrasteral7
interrasteral7 like.author.displayName 1 Like

In my opinion, Nintendo either you add the second analog stick to the 3DS XL or you might lose some of your fans.

abHS4L88
abHS4L88

 @interrasteral7 

Or they can add it in and piss off at least 75% of their existing user base, which one seems like the better idea?

interrasteral7
interrasteral7

 @abHS4L88

 Well there are people still pissed off of Nintendo that still has not put the second analog stick to the 3DS XL.

abHS4L88
abHS4L88

 @interrasteral7 

Nyko is coming out with a sleeker version of the circle pad pro which will basically make the 3DS just look longer but also add to the battery life. I'm not getting because I have no need for another circle pad and it's only at home when I play my 3DS for extended periods of time. 

 

But yeah, most 3DS games and the upcoming ones don't even require dual analogs so I don't know why people want it to badly. Dual analogs are mainly for vigorous type gameplay anyways and that's not the kind of gaming I want on my handheld.

interrasteral7
interrasteral7

 @abHS4L88

  Nintendo made the Circle Pad Pro for the 3DS compare to Sony who would not make the second analog stick to the Playstation Portable. In my opinion, the disadvantage of the Circle pad Pro is that it is heavy to carry the 3DS with you. The advantage is that you could use it as a second analog stick in some of the games that are compatible with it.

abHS4L88
abHS4L88

 @interrasteral7 

Those people need to accept that it's never going to happen. Take a look at handheld history, never has a developer ever upgraded the controls of a handheld unless it was a completely new system. Even Sony recognized this with the PSP (users wanted two analogs but Sony never delivered until the Vita).

 

Yes Nintendo made the mistake of leaving it out in the first place but it's a decision they cannot go back on now. The best is making it an option at least, but not part of the system. 

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