Japanese video game giant, Nintendo, is planning to release a bigger and refined video game player, the 3DSXL.
The 3DSXL will be a bigger and better gaming device than its predecessor, the 3DS. The device will be priced from $199.99, with features like touchscreen (4.2 inches diagonally), larger 3D display attached above (4.9 inches diagonally).
The Japanese company which had tasted success in its Wii video game console in 2006, released 3DS, which had the ability to show 3D images without the need for 3D glasses. The company had been working on the 3D images for decades. Nintendo believed that 3DS was the future of gaming. But after getting a poor response from consumers, they've slashed prices by a third. After the price cut, the device dropped to $169.99 which resulted in its first annual loss in decades.
"The platform business is a business of momentum. If the public labels a platform a failure it's hard to overcome that," said Satoru Iwata, chief executive Nintendo in an interview to The Wall Street Journal.
Iwata also said that the company had gone back to work right after the sale of 3DS. Based on the consumer feedback, Nintendo developed a bigger screen. The development was slowed down due to the price limits. But he was positive that 3DS XL will hit profits.
Iwata said the company had learnt from the mistakes and the sales of 3DS XL has grown fourfold since its release in Japan on July 28 and in Europe the sales had doubled. Nintendo is gearing up for the launch of Wii U, which boasts of better image quality, faster animations and touchscreen controller.
The main reason for the rise in sales of Nintendo was their critical mass of games, said Lewis Ward, analyst IDC. "Software delivers the type of experience people are willing to pay for," he said.
Iwata believes Nintendo games sales will go up, "It's not just hardware, but with the launch of a new console, we see a spike in software sales."
New games like New Super Mario Bros. 2 will also feature in 3DS XL, he said.
