If you read my blogs, you guessed.. I'm an imagery freak and I love them on my blogs :T, they make them SO MUCH Happier!!. Today I will be writing one solely dedicated to visual stuff, and whats better, yummy 3D gadget visual stuff!

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Every special edition 3DS has a story behind it, and every 3DS color has one story too! I'll be writing everything I know about each one :3

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Aqua Blue

The Aqua blue Nintendo 3DS was the first 3DS the world met, it was showed in 2009's E3 event by Iwata (Nintendo's CEO) himself, and alongside the Cosmo Black, it was the first 3DS to reach final consumer's hands. Available in North America on March 27, 2011 and officially discontinued by Nintendo of Japan on May 12, 2012. Some stores still have some new Aqua Blue units, but you'll soon only find these used or refurbished because they will eventually run out.

Cosmo Black

Perhaps the most simplistic 3DS color out there, available since launch day and first seen on 2009's Nintendo E3, its still in production.

Flame Red

First release in North America on September 9, 2011 alongside Star Fox 64 3D. Was available in Japan at first. Unlike it seems, this Red 3DS version is not the same those spotted on E3's showcase, those in the E3 event seemed to have a darker red color, from the official pictures.

Ice White

Available in Japan and Europe only. Its only available as a separate purchase in Japan, in Europe is part of a Super Mario 3D bundle. Reacher consumer hands in November 3, 2011 at Japan and wasn't previously seen at E3.

Pearl Pink 3DS

Has alternative names such as Lavender Pink, Coral Pink and Misty Pink. Was first released in Japan, and reached Americas December 4, 2011. Its also part of a Nintendogs + Cats bundle.

Midnight Purple 3DS

This 3DS color was spotted during the reveal E3, reached consumers hands in North America on May 20, 2012 the same day Mario Tennis open release. Apparently, the color spotted in E3 is exactly the same of the final unit. It is not available in Japan.

Cobalt Blue

Available only in Japan since March 22, 2012, is not part of an specific bundle. It was not spotted during the E3 event and seems to replace the Aqua Blue unit. No mentions of it coming to Americas or Europe.

Green, Orange

Alongside the first Red and Purple units ever seen, those were spotted during the reveal's E3. No special versions were released with any of these colors and no mentions have been made about them coming to consumer's hands.

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Special Editions

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Monster Hunter Tri G-Themed

This is an special edition designed for the Monster Hunter Tri-G bundle exclusive to Japan, released december 2011. Seems to be an white 3DS with a custom design beneath the transparent shell.

Mario-Themed

There are 3 types of super Mario themed special edition 3DSeses. They are contest exclusive Nintendo 3DS; "any Club Nintendo members who bought two Nintendo 3DS games between October 2011 and January 2012". Reports suggest roughly 3.000 units of these, probably 1.000 for each kind. They are Japan exclusive. Probably one of the rarest special editions out there, if not most valuable since they are Nintendo exclusives.

Zelda Edition

The Zelda edition was sold as a bundle with Ocarina of time 3D. Some research suggests that it was available at a special price during some black fridays, its likely to find some of those still unpicked lying around. It was made as part of the 25th anniversary of the Zelda franchise. Many Nintendo fans that didn't pick a 3DS at launch picked this special unit, suggesting that it might be the most popular special 3DS around.

Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D Edition

This unit is sold together with MGS:Snake Eater exclusively through Konami's website, its a japan exclusive. So far, its the only special 3DS to feature a tactile detail.

The upper shell has a snake "skin" design whose the touch truly resembles snake skin itself!

Kingdom Hearts DDD Edition

Japan exclusive, comes bundled with Square Enix's latest entry to the Kingdom Hearts franchise. Has a custom design beneath the transparent shell, apparently, the unit itself is black.

Dragon Quest Monsters: Terry's Wonderland 3D-Themed

Set to launch May 2013, comes bundled with the game respective to the design theme, the unit itself is Ice White. Exclusive to Japan.

Fire Emblem: Awakening-Themed

First released in May 2012 for Japan, will now reach Americans one week after the launch of Fire Emblem: Awakening (4 Feb 2013). Comes with the game pre-installed and seems to have the same kind of design concept used in the Zelda edition.

New Love Plus 3DS

Will be available for purchase exclusive via Konami's website. Its a Japan exclusive and will most likely come with the Love Plus game pre-installed or bundled. There are 3 versions for this special unit.

The CoroCoro Comics 35th Anniversary-Themed

A Japanese comic magazine promoting the commemoration of its 35th anniversary with a special 3DS unit. eBay deals can be found in US, this is a Japan exclusive 3DS.

SD Gundam G Generation 3D-Themed

Bundled with the SD Gundam G Gen game in Japan, released 22 december 2011.

Heroes of Ruin

According to the event details, there are only 3 units of this kind. Available through an online promotion via the game's website, winners of this unit were chosen at Random. It didn't come with the game installed as it hadn't launched and the feature was not available at the time. This is one of the few special units to have an overall custom system color and interior design.

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Pikachu and Charizard Nintendo 3DS XL

Those Japan exclusives are available only through pre-order at the Japanese pokemon center stores. Amazing queues were formed the day they launched!

Animal Crossing New Leaf 3DS XL

Comes Pre-installed with Animal Crossing. Yet another Japan exclusive, unfortunately

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Custom Paint 3DS Service

There is a service in Japan for custom painting your own 3DS. You can chose to either to buy a brand a new 3DS from their site and receive it painted or send your own unit, (can be an international shipping) for it to be custom painted. Everything can be customized, but the frontal buttons (d-pad, slide-pad, abxy, start and select). The process is made entirely by hand and the device has the external shells disassembled in the process.

The paint job costs roughly ~244 USA Dollars (converted from Yen). If you chose to pick a new Japanese unit painted it will cost ~550 USA dollars in total. International Shipping is not included.

Official Dezaegg's page for the Nintendo 3DS explaining the paint process

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I would like to note that some special units might have escaped my sight! I didn't include iQue's special Nintendo 3DS XLs on purpose. (iQue: China's Nintendo partner brand seller)

~Thank you for reading, Gleeok out!

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Aid Sources:

ds.about.com

nintendo3ds.wikia.com

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Paint Community official Review list - 3DS Reviews and bonuses!

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