The 3DS lineup is getting another sibling — a cute and adorable one, to be exact.
Even if all eyes are on Nintendo's upcoming hybrid console Switch lately, the company's New 3DS handhelds are still getting some slight TLC. There are still excellent games aplenty headed for the console this year, and now, a new specially themed New 3DS XL will also be released, which is great timing for those aching for a 3DS refresh.
Pikachu Yellow Edition
The special New 3DS XL variant, called the Pikachu Yellow Edition, is coming stateside, The Verge reported. The variant features a cartoon drawing of the beloved Pokémon mascot on the upper clamshell, with the whole system dipped in a bright and sterling shade of yellow.
It's not the first time for Nintendo to slap Pikachu's cutesy face on 3DS systems. In 2013 it released a Pikachu-themed 3DS XL that featured Pikachu's face front and center on the system, according to Game Rant. That one featured a more vivid drawing of Pikachu as seen on the animated series and promotional artwork. The New 3DS XL edition seems to be more understated, with the iconic pocket monster's outlines only a few shades more overt than the handheld's predominant color.
Of course, the difference between the two is that the New 3DS XL is slightly more powerful, features a more accurate 3D effect, is loaded with a faster CPU, rocks a new C-stick, and has better battery life.
The Pikachu Yellow Edition isn't actually new. Folks over at Japan have actually been privy to the special variant for quite some time now, the device having been made available last November to commemorate the release of Pokémon Sun and Moon.
New 3DS XL Solgaleo And Lunala Edition
Last year, Pokémon celebrated its 20th anniversary, and Nintendo went gung ho with special edition systems. The U.S. launch of the most recent mainline Pokémon entries was accompanied by a special edition New 3DS XL system that featured both of the game's legendaries.
While Nintendo believes the Switch won't replace the 3DS family, the notion of two handhelds coexisting together is one that's difficult to swallow. If anyone can still remember, the original DS also wasn't supposed to replace the Game Boy Advance, and the exact opposite happened. Many believe the Switch will indeed replace the 3DS lineup, but with more than 60 million 3DS systems lying around, publicly dropping support of the console seems slapdash.
Pokémon Stars
What's in store for the 3DS's fate remains to be seen, but with whispers of Pokémon Stars looming close to the Switch's road map, Pokémon could find itself making headway in the Switch's direction in no time at all. Come on, a mainline Pokémon game with console-level graphics that's portable? That's bound to sell.
The New 3DS XL Pikachu Yellow Edition hits shelves Feb. 24, retailing for $199.99. The system doesn't arrive bundled with any special software, which is kind of a bummer, but for those who ache to have Pikachu emblazoned onto their New 3DS XL, this is surely a must-get.
Getting a New 3DS XL Pikachu Yellow Edition? Feel free to sound off in the comments section below!
