Nintendo’s 3DS XL handheld will be passing the torch to its newest sibling in the country of its origin. The 3DS LL – as the 3DS XL is called in Japan – will be ending production in the country soon.
The line is being discontinued in Japan following the release of the New 3DS LL, which came out in the company’s home country in October. The handheld’s discontinuation was relayed by Nintendo’s website, where the page for the 3DS LL has the notification, “ending production soon” as it was translated by Siliconera.
Nintendo hasn’t said just when they’ll discontinue production of the old Nintendo 3DS XL model yet. The company also has not shared any specifics as to when the New Nintendo 3DS line will be released outside Japan.
Nintendo of Europe executives have said that they didn’t expect the handheld to to release any sooner than next year. Internationally, the New 3DS does not have a release date for North America yet outside of an unclear 2015 date.
The “New 3DS” and its “XL” model will reportedly boast all new graphics capabilities and camera control. It will also release with 2011’s Xenoblade Chronicles originally for the Wii.
The news comes on the heels of the original DS’s ten-year anniversary. The precursor of the 3DS’s two-screen format has sold over 150 million units worldwide to date.
Via Nintendo & Siliconera