The New Nintendo 3DS is available now in Japan, and we've been spending some quality time with the system — as you'll already know if you've checked out our review and hands-on video.
One of the most common questions we've had since getting the console relates to overall speed — is it really that much faster than the 2011 original and the 3DS XL? To answer this query we've put together a short video which compares the relative speeds of a New 3DS and an XL model when performing basic tasks — such as booting up, loading the eShop, dropping back to the Home menu, downloading content and loading a game. As you can see, the newer system is considerably faster than its forerunner.
Comments 88
The video is private.
Of course, it's the New 3DS. That said, I'm impressed by the speed the 3DS goes to the Home Menu when playing a software..
Yeah. Can't see the video.
You tube video is available in Japan but rest of world...2015
This video is private.
What's with the private videos? :C
Dat private speed though
I wanna be in the secret youtube viewing club!
That white 3ds has a lot of games
I would like to see more videos of the LL/XL. Seems most video makers bought the medium model sadly. Also wasn't able to view this video file
Seems a little bit faster
Loved the music
Video's live now, it seems this went up earlier than planned due to a complicated technical problem — or the time was set incorrectly...
@Damo @ThomasBW84
My question is, does it play games (that suffered framerate drops on the old 3DS) smoother/better?
Vroom vroom!
@ThomasBW84 Why do you schedule articles anyway? I notice NintendoLife likes 5pm 2pm 8:30 etc
@123akis Because we like to, and it's how we roll. It's how we approach content, to try and give news, reviews and features a fair shake in terms of being visible for a sensible amount of time, as well as simply stickying articles.
@BensonUii I think Nintendo's said it won't improve performance in that way in older games, but I'm only 95% sure of that. Something to check, maybe when the Aus models land.
Hmm... I don't think my 3DS XL is as slow as the one in the video. I must be imagining it.
@123akis It may also be because those times match up well with browsing habits, or even encourage certain browsing habits like when to check for new goodies.
@Of_Folsense It can definitely depend on how much data is on your SD card, or the SD card itself.
With all the music, photos, screenshots, streetpass and spotpass data, downloaded games and miscellaneous stuff on my 3DS XL SD card, it CAN take quite a while to do some things.
The only major difference is the load time for Super Smash Bros. The other load times aren't that important to me.
@123akis
Check every xx:00, xx:05. . They rarely post when it's xx:01-04, 06-09.
@ThomasBW84
Thanks! I'm curious if it'll improve it or make it worse since the older games aren't optimized to run on it.
Wow.
There may be something wrong with the 3DS XL on the right, maybe a slow SD card or something? I compared my 3DS XL when it showed the eShop being loaded, and mine was around 8 seconds faster. But then mine took longer than it did to load Miiverse.
Maaan Smash Bros loads quick on the new 3DS though. That was amazing.
Not significantly fast, but fast enough.
@ThomasBW84 can you do a vidéo of a battery test with all the 3ds ? I'd like to know if the new 3ds and the old xl really have the same autonomy
@RupeeClock
Makes sense. I've got a full 8gb in mine, and I can see someone with a 16 or 32 being much slower.
If that's the case, I hope they're using the exact same SD cards for both 3DSs in the video.
@Of_Folsense I thought the same about my regular 3DS so I compared it with the XL on the video and sure enough, they were exactly the same speed.
That Smash Bros. loading speed!
@Of_Folsense Not possible, the New 3DS takes microSD, the original 3DS takes regular SD.
That said, you could use the same microSD in each system by means of an SD adapter, that's what I do.
I'm so excited for the new 3DS. Seems like everyone has been raving about it.
@Of_Folsense exactly what I thought when I was watching it. My 3DS seems faster. I'll check the speed now, anyway. :/
Edit: Darn it! For a second I thought my 3DS was faster than the New 3DS (the signing in screen went off on my 3DS before the one on the New 3DS) but it's totally close. Let's see the others....
Hope this New 3DS is on its way to NA soon, I just can't stand the long opening loading sequence in Super Smash Bros. 4.
Important speed question that I haven't seen addressed... Is the speed of loading up and switching between the Streetpass games improved? I love me some street pass puzzle pieces and the battle game, but loathe the slow load and transitions. I guess this depends on whether the system sees it as "one" piece of software or a selection... Thanks in advance
On the older model, Smash Bros. forces a full reset of the system after closing. Which is quite interesting in a sense.
Dayum! Thats some speed difference!
When does this come out in the US again? Because the wait is starting to become a tiny bit unbearable...
Omg what's the name of the song?
@MasterGraveheart I LOVE your avatar.
Also, I never realized how slow the 3DS is in a lot of ways until I saw this. I can only imagine how fast the New 3DS will feel when I get one whenever it's finally released in the West.
i always did have problems with some nintendolife pages usually get the it is too big and makes you cancel warning
Well when they announced the new 3DS I hated it and said(I believe on this site) that I wouldn't be picking it up. But hearing more and more about it and reading the reviews on it, I think I've changed my mind on it.
Also time is money, so maybe with all the time that this will save during loading, it'll be a worthwhile investment.
@ThomasBW84 Hmm the first game that comes to mind is Pokemon XY.
IIRC in multi/triple battles. When detailed pokemon are onscreen, the framerate drops (IIRC beedrill caused a lot due to the flapping wings)
Would it be possible to test that?
The loading times don't bother me, never have really - maybe I am too patient ha. Only thing I wanna know is :-
is the speakers slightly better on New 3DS XL ?
Someone on hear said the yellow tint isn't that bad, so hoping thats right. I think I am likely to upgrade, and I never do that normally!
Wow, I have a totally different take from watching this video... The old and the new 3ds are slow! I don't have one (my last was a DS phat) . Nintendo really needs to work on this, people will judge these both to be slow add most likely their phone are much faster... That is one of my big problems with the Wii U. ( I love my Wii U! So no flame!!!!) Is the slowness and outright make work of the OS. It's like Nintendo goes out of their way to make you have to tap again also loading is way to slow.... Loading up a game should be much quicker. I really miss the old cart days...
I don't know about anyone else, but my 3DS has been very slow since the Smash Demo was loaded on my system. I hope this was not done deliberately in the last update
@Ootfan98 not noticed that, but I will check again in a bit
The download speed for the eShop would have made more difference for a bigger game than 3D Space Harrier, and Smash Bros. loads super fast. Besides that, all this video confirmed for me(once again), was that I'll get the New XL eventually
Dang what a huge speed difference! I've been needing a new 3DS model anyways as my has been collecting some wear and tear over the past 3 years. also my camera doesn't work on it anymore.
It's almost not that fair a comparison when you consider that the original 3DS has significantly slowed down after the last few updates. Too bad we can't compare a 3DS from before that point to the New 3DS.
My 3ds xl is so slow now it hurts, waiting for it to turn on and to even load my games ._. and i haven't even used half of my 4gb sd card o.o
Doesn't themes also make the 3DS slower to select stuff? seems like you got to wait a bit longer to go into something with the Zelda theme.
@Undead_terror I can confirme that
Pink is your favorite color? No kidding! I would never have guessed! =_=
My 3DS XL ain't that slow, and I've got about 40 games downloaded on it. I'm lucky, I suppose...
Hope I got the money for it
@Sam_Sofka You and me both
ITS NEEDS TO COME OUT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Tobias95 your luke avatar fits your comment perfectly!
Still want that NES one !
@Gridatttack
All giratina-origin triples battle. Framerate is nearly nonexsistant.
Thank you vary much for this vid. It's convinced me to get one. My internet and 3DS are not friends so hopefully this will bring them closer.
This New 3DS is going to be great. So many new and improved features. I like that the eshop is faster now. Pretty awesome considering I download most of my games.
It partly matter on how much games you have on the system. If the 3ds XL, has more games on it, it might contribute to a fair amount of time. Plus, Who really cares if you have to wait 15 more seconds just to get on the internet, or the e-shop? Really?
@Link506 Almost everyone
My XL doesn't take that long to load Smash Bros.
Lucky me?
@TeeJay Almost everyone wants to buy a whole new expensive 3ds just have 15 seconds shaven off loading times?
Definitely a good speed bump, but the biggest improvement seems to be with loading Home menu resources, which is probably an improvement in RAM more than CPU. It looks to me like it's able to store the menu graphics etc. in a separate area of memory thus making it quick and easy to bring up the home menu even when software is running. It's great to see the download speed improved, though.
@Link506 That and the fact that it had 2 new shoulder buttons, better 3D image visualization, free Amiibo scan feature, an extra stick, faster CPU, microSD card support, custom faceplate option, and its own NEW library of upcoming games.
I'm so ready for 'New' 3DS! 2015.......pfffffft.
@retro_player_22 Sorry, It's still not worth it in my book. I still love my 3ds XL too much.
@Link506 It's up to you man, that's why we can make choices.
I just ordered mine, should be delivered to me by tomorrow (Japanese mail is usually quick). I got the Monster Hunter 4G pack.
HOLLLLYYYY CRAP!! I knew SSB was taxing the system but damn, this video really puts things into perspective.
Definitely getting a New 3ds XL
The music on this video is incredible!
Just a hunch but we won't see the new 3DS in the US until late January or early February! I think Nintendo wants to sell as many Wii U's in its strongest region during the busy shopping time of the year without sinking those sales with a new device!
I'd imagine the eShop speed is more about better WiFi hardware (regular and XL use 802.11g, whereas the N3DSs are 802.11n?), allowing faster download of data and greater range from the router.
With Smash, that's down to RAM mainly. In a regular 3DS or XL, the OS is being swapped with one from the game itself that does less but doesn't require as much (hence why you see when exiting that it looks like it has to reboot itself) so the game can use up as much of the 128MB of RAM the system has. With the N3DS and its 256MB of RAM, the system's OS doesn't require swapping, so that time for swapping is completely cut.
Whatever the case may be, I'm likely not going to get an N3DS mainly because of next-gen not being far off. It will be 4 years come February for Japan (March for all other major regions), so it's possible in about 2 years, the next-gen handheld will be out, which has all the N3DS has, plus actual next-gen stuff. Already made one upgrade this gen (from 3DS to XL), and this is the first time I have ever done so with so many revisions done with past Nintendo consoles/handhelds.
@plunkettmonster I can wait 'til January, but I'm not sure about February... ;-;
Really makes the regular 3DS look so slow in comparison. Smash 4 has been the first actual game (so not the Eshop or other apps) where the start-up time kinda bugs me, so nice to see it'll a lot better with the N3DS. Thanks for making this video Nintendo-Life!
@BarryDunne LOL
Nice......
Nice......
Yep... Its fast enough that you can try and melt your "new" 3DS if you try hard enough X3
@Mus1cLov3r. I am with you on that notion, I want it ASAP!
@Discostew I imagine they need all the revisions to keep the unit valid on the market. There is a new iteration of a phone or tablet every year so it makes sense for Nintendo to revise systems more often now.
@plunkettmonster I'm not sure I'll be able to save all of my Christmas money until January, much less February!
I'm seriously baffled by how long it took for the icon on the top screen for Smash 3DS to show on the regular 3DS XL. Watching that, I can't help but think "there's no way it takes that long on my XL...right?" I'm thinking about turning mine on and timing it with the video to be sure. That seems like forever, lol.
Okay, just booted my cartridge at the same time as the video and it matched almost exactly, ugh. I think mine showed the icon just a bit faster, but not by much. It's just so painful to watch next to a New 3DS loading it
I am more interested in the 3d screen than the loading speed. Can someone compared the old and new 3DS's screen? You can't play with 3d on if you're on a bus or train, slight movement will disrupt the 3d effect, I hope the new one is better or I won't buy it.
Good 20second difference loading up the eshop
I got the XL and i'm happy with it but man will i jump on the new model, a second stick, much faster speed (hate waiting for going to menu, closing game, internet etc) and the new buttons.
Any idea when its suppose to come to Europe?
Good video!
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