The lastest Iwata Asks feature focusses on Nintendo’s latest hardware release…
- Upper screen’s size was decided when they were done prototyping
- Set screen size goal that makes the 3D more appealing
- To do this, Nintendo used a Special Process model for Big LCD TV
- They also used a new method to reduce energy consumption
- This discovery came late in the game, which is why it was held off for 3DS XL
- Found that 100 ppi was suitable for 3D effect
- The speaker setup was a tough one to tackle due to the new beveled edges
- They considered moving the speaker positioning to the lower half of the 3DS
- The discovery of a longer speaker was found, which is what they went with
- The speaker is slightly smaller than the 3DS speaker, but they optimized performance
- The plastic resin used with the 3DS XL contributed to the size
- Durable resin means a more difficult forming/coloring process
- The systems ended up needing a double coating
- Multiple calculations were done to make sure they could get use space in the best way
- The 3DS XL is 0.1 thicker than the DSi XL
- Iwata says the beveled edges makes for a more comfortable hold
- Nintendo’s design target was “Bigger screens but with more comfort”
- Battery has been moved to the center of the unit
- A new technology was used for the coloring of the system
- Nintendo used this technology to paint other accessories, but this was their first time using the process for a system
- Nintendo considered price while making the unit, trying to keep it reasonable
- Work on the 3DS XL was done in secret within Nintendo
- Special attention was paid to the hinge in order to strengthen it
- There was also special attention paid to the battery cover
- The 3DS XL also has less of a reflection aspect than the 3DS
- Anti-reflection paint coatings were really expensive
- The 3DS XL comes with a movie pre-installed that talks about 3D
- Nintendo considered making a new AC Adapter but decided to stick with the old one
