New Nintendo 3DS XL coming to USA with exciting new features -- new Zelda too!

I can't tell you how much I hate modern home console gaming. Every time I find a spare minute to play my Xbox 360, I am faced with system and game updates -- this is the same on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 too. Hell, I spend more time installing updates than actually playing. Don't even get me started on waiting for the damn games to load.

In my day, we had cartridge-based game consoles, and we liked it. Sure, they didn't hold much data and are much more costly to produce than optical disks, but we could pick up and play without nonsense. Luckily, the Nintendo 3DS retains cartridge-based games (and downloads too), leading to a more positive experience. The latest variation of the console, unimaginatively named "New Nintendo 3DS XL", has all-new exciting features, and is finally coming to the USA. Will you buy it?

"The New Nintendo 3DS XL system will launch in the US on February 13 at a suggested retail price of $199.99. New Nintendo 3DS XL offers a number of new enhancements designed to offer the smoothest and most engrossing portable gaming possible. New Nintendo 3DS XL features a wider range of controls with the addition of a C Stick and ZL/ZR buttons, super-stable 3D via face-tracking technology and built-in NFC functionality that allows for communication with amiibo figures", says Nintendo.

The company further explains, "the system also enhances certain games like Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS with amiibo functionality, faster processing speeds and more control options when compared to the Nintendo 3DS system. In addition to the standard hardware in New Red and New Black, two other New Nintendo 3DS XL designs will be available at launch: a system featuring artwork inspired by The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D and one based on Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate available exclusively at GameStop with the game pre-installed. The three stand-alone New Nintendo 3DS XL models and the Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate bundle will all be available on February 13 at suggested retail prices of $199.99 and $229.99, respectively".

If you already have a 3DS XL, upgrading is a hard pill to swallow. You will need to decide if the upgrade is worth the cost. However, for those of you like me, using an older small-screen 3DS, this new console is a no-brainer, as we will get a bigger screen and the new features. I am most excited about the NFC compatibility, as the amiibo figures are so cute.

Nintendo has also announced that The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D will launch the same day as the new console. Keep in mind, this game will run on existing 3DS hardware. With that said, some future games will require the new version.

Will you buy the newest 3DS XL on February 13? Tell me in the comments.