Nintendo is releasing in Japan a limited edition of a new model 3DS with a Super Famicom theme. The product is actually a 3DS LL that is better known as the larger 3DS XL model in the West.
Nintendo announced that the 3DS Virtual Console will play Super Famicom and Super Nintendo games. SNES games will be exclusive to the new Nintendo 3DS and won't run on the company's original 3D handheld.
A new Nintendo 3DS XL model will be released on the Japan's market. The model is based on Nintendo's own classic Super Famicom console and will come with the Famicom's trademark monochrome color scheme. The top of the new model will come with the usual 3DS accessories and power supply and will feature the familiar-looking Super Famicom logo on the back.
According to Geek, when the clamshell of the new mode 3DS is opened fully, the back casing looks like the top of a Super Famicom. If you flip it over, you will notice that the buttons are matching the coloring of the Super Famicom and the controller plastic uses the same gray as the original Super Famicom. The face buttons from the Famicom's controller will come in the blue, red, yellow, and green colors.
Fans of the original Super Famicom would like to see the limited edition Nintendo 3DS released as well across Europe or in the United States. However, unfortunately this is not going to happen. The Super Famicom themed 3DS release is limited exclusively to Japan, according to Polygon. Nothing stops gamers to import the limited edition 3DS but due to Nintendo's use of region locking on its hardware in this case they would be limited to playing Japanese versions of 3DS games.
The Super Famicom themed 3DS will be launched on the Japanese market in April. Its official price tag will be 21.600 yen or US$190, according to Nintendo. For comparison, in the United States a standard black 3DS XL comes with a price of $175. Because it's a limited edition and also postage costs and import duty, gamers importing 3DS from Japan can also expect a premium added to the price.
