The Nintendo 3DS XL sure is a sexy little machine. Just check out that screen and think about all the naughty things you could do with that extended battery life, and, well, let's just say that picking up Nintendo's new handheld is more tempting than ever.

That is unless you've had your eye on that alluring white Japanese system or the silver/black configuration that British gamers have managed to get their hands on. Unfortunately, those haven't come stateside, but why is that exactly? Speaking with IGN, Nintendo of America boss and giant purple pikmin Reggie Fils-Aime revealed that those colors just don't seem to sell very well here in North America. 

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.

Wait for Nintendo of America to look into it? Yeah, I think I've heard that one before. I'd like to say I'm surprised by this, considering how unappealing the standard aqua blue and fire red models look, but this seems like yet another light slap in the face for having those darned "niche Japanese tastes." Sometimes I feel like I born on the wrong side of the Pacific. Sigh, one cosmo black unit please.

Legacy Comments (will be imported soon)

Gamescook

PrinceHeir

i want a white 3DS XL!!!!!!

valid core

They always over poll .

Erison

Apple disagrees with you Reggie. And is making bank by doing so.

therealdanhill

I have a white DS Lite, an aqua 3DS, A purple GameBoy color, a red GameBoy Advance SP, a Grey NES, a black N64... come at me 'Tendo.

FlyingWalrus

i like my aqua blue 3ds so fuck you

rancor09

vita will have white in the u.s. and it will sell.

moo99

My blue 3ds is great. My wife loves the color, too. I try to avoid buying black stuff, period. My phone, TV, desk, computer, chairs, speakers, headphones, and are all black. Black sells well because it's the only damn thing out there, and some people are concerned with things matching.

AlucardsQuest

A slap in the face? This isn't on the level of censorship or even a lost game... it's just a color scheme. Paint yours if you're so upset with the colors they've chosen. I picked a blue one simply because the hot chick at Gamestop suggested it, but that's only good for a smile... it doesn't enrich my life. Import one if you're such a stickler for colors and shut the hell up crybaby!

ctg867

The thousands of fucking white iPhones I see all over my campus begs to differ.

Also: the Wii, much? That sold what, 40 million copies in the US? And why the hell are you launching the Wii U in white?? What the fuck is wrong with you, Nintendo?

Samsneeze

I love when Nintendo tells me that I only buy certain things. It's like they're completely oblivious to the fact that those are the only things that they let me buy.

(This comment is more about localization in general.)