Nintendo’s Pikachu Yellow Edition New 3DS XL Looks Stunning

We unbox the new and very yellow Pikachu 3DS XL!

Buying a new video game system on launch day is wonderful, and if all goes well, you’ll enjoy this new piece of hardware for several years and perhaps even a lifetime… at least until the company releases another model in a different color, or themed after one of your favorite video games. This is what Nintendo did with its New 3DS XL and the gorgeous Pikachu Yellow Edition. Rest assured that it plays Pokémon Sun and Moon just as well as the New 3DS XL models that have come before it, but if you’re obsessed with Pokémon and especially the color yellow, how do you resist buying this?

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Answer… you shouldn’t!  Nintendo’s attention grabber is a welcome variant to an already impressive design. Thankfully, we had the privilege to unbox one of these beauties and have plenty of pictures to share, in case you can’t decide whether to add the Pikachu Yellow Edition to your shopping cart.

First, the box! If you collect video games and memorabilia, then you’ll want to hang on to the packaging when your shiny new Pikachu Yellow Edition New 3DS XL arrives on your doorstep. We love everything about this box, from the yellow lines to the many Pikachu poses and then the system itself. Seriously, how does someone not do a double take after seeing this New 3DS XL on the store shelf? Impossible!

This might be the smallest of details, but we love that Nintendo put Pikachu on the cardboard flap that allows you to open the box. From this position, it looks like Pikachu wants to help open this New 3DS XL.

 What happens when you gently open the flap to the box? More Pikachu!

OK, here it is, the Pikachu Yellow Edition New 3DS XL!  Whereas some video game system variants are subtle, Nintendo made the most iconic Pokémon the focal point. Side note, and in our opinion, this Pikachu design resembles the type of sketch you’ll see in one of our favorite 3DS games, Pokémon Art Academy. Pretty stylish.

Flipping open the system reveals so much yellow! We dig it.  Say what you will about the color, but the Pikachu Yellow Edition New 3DS XL stands out. Even the d-pad is yellow! We also like what Nintendo did with the face buttons, where instead of adding color to the letters, they applied it to the buttons.

 To compare, we brought in one of the original New 3DS XL launch systems.

Then we closed both handhelds to show the stark contrast between the first 3DS XL and the Pikachu Yellow Edition.

Finally, we have the 3DS turned upside down (we made sure to protect the screen). Notice how Pikachu extends to the underside of the system. Nintendo didn’t have to do that. It could have cut off the tips of Pikachu’s ear and tail, but we feel this is another example of the love that went into designing this system.

Now you’ve seen the Pikachu Yellow Edition 3DS XL! We don’t know if this will be the last variant in the 3DS hardware lineup, but if it is, Nintendo chose a wonderful send-off to one of our favorite systems. That said, there’s a chance these Pikachu 3DS XLs will be tough to find, so if you see one online or in the store, you might want to add it to your video game collection.


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Author
Christopher Buffa
Christopher lives to help people beat their favorite games. He is a huge Nintendo Switch fan, and spends countless hours playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Bring on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Arms!