Nintendo debuts improved 3DS system with new 'Animal Crossing' video game

Nintendo is stepping up its handheld 3-D game with another new 3DS system.

The New Nintendo 3DS system will first be available in the U.S. on Sept. 25 for $219.99 with the new Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer game. The system and game comes with two cover plates for customizing the 3DS' look and an amiibo card.

The New 3DS touts the same improved controls and new face-tracking features for better 3-D as the New Nintendo 3DS XL ($199.99), which hit stores in February.

Retailer GameStop on Oct. 30 will launch an exclusive golden Hyrule Edition New Nintendo 3DS XL system ($199.99,) timed to the Oct. 23 release of The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes (sold separately). Nintendo announced the new models at the GameStop Managers Conference in Las Vegas. ​

“More than 15 million systems in the Nintendo 3DS family have been sold in the U.S. alone,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of sales & marketing in a statement. “These new models offer additional fun ways to experience some of the great upcoming Nintendo 3DS games launching in the next few months.”

The face-tracking feature helps players maintain a consistent experience as their viewing angle shifts. The New 3DS models include a new "C stick" that sits near the four face buttons, and ZL and ZR buttons along the top. They also have built-in near-field communication (NFC) functions that let players bring amiibo figures into the game. (For more details, visit the Nintendo site.)

Also coming Sept. 25, a Nintendo 3DS NFC accessory ($19.99) that lets players with older 2DS and 3DS models read Animal Crossing amiibo cards.

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