I could forgive Nintendo for releasing DS after DS over the last few years. Piracy was running rampant and, while Nintendo were never really very far ahead of those trying to crack the system, in my mind it justified their constant new releases and re-revisions. I've just checked and there's still no way to play downloaded 3DS games on the 3DS yet and so the newly announced 3DS XL seems like a slap in the face to people who bought to original.
Does it have two circle pads? Achievements? Any of the other constantly requested features? Nope, it's just bigger. Which means that there will be more revisions down the line, especially considering the current Circle Pad Pro attachment will not be compatible with the 3DS XL.
Perhaps the only plus (other than the bigger screen and, presumably, meatier feeling when holding) is that you'll get a 4GB card with the handheld instead of the 2GB, although the cost of having more GBs is that there will be no AC cable or charging cradle, available to buy separately but not put in the box. So far, that last point only applies to Europe and Japan, so the US may get one included.
The 3DS XL will be available of July 28th.
