Reggie explains why a white 3DS XL didn’t release in North America
Posted on September 18, 2012 by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News
When the 3DS XL launched in Japan, white was made available as one color. There was additionally a silver and black option that also came out in Europe. Meanwhile, a white or silver color variation still hasn’t reached North America.
There is reasoning behind Nintendo of America’s decision not to release a silver/white model. Reggie Fils-Aime explained to IGN that these colors tend to underperform on the market. It sounds like a white/silver 3DS XL could hit the North American market in the future, but it’ll be more of a limited product rather than a mass product.
“We have launched silver- and white-colored GBAs, DSes, DSis, and in our [North American] market they don’t sell very well. So instead of approaching this lighter-colored product as a mass [product], we’re going to look at the opportunity on a much more limited basis. You might see a limited-time offer with a white or silver 3DS XL, or we might colorize it slightly differently. But in terms of an ongoing SKU, the consumer has responded in our marketplace and said that, for a handheld gaming device from Nintendo, that kind of white or silver doesn’t sell nearly as well as blue or red or even pink.”
