PDP Nerf Armor Cases for New Nintendo 3DS XL

Accessory manufacturer PDP released a line of Nerf Armor cases for the New Nintendo 3DS XL. The products, officially licensed by Nintendo, appeared on Amazon listings in August 2015. The protective cases were made available in three colors: Blue, Green, and Pink.

Protective Features and Materials

The primary feature of the PDP Nerf Armor is its construction, which leverages the familiar texture and properties of Nerf foam. This material is known for its soft, impact-absorbing qualities, providing a layer of protection against drops and bumps. The case’s exterior is covered in this textured foam, which also enhances the user’s grip on the relatively large handheld, potentially reducing the chance of accidental slips during gameplay.

Inside the armor, the design incorporates molded plush support. This soft interior lining is meant to cradle the console, preventing the plastic shell of the New 3DS XL from getting scratched by the case itself. The structure relies on a snap-on bracket system, which allows the armor to be securely fastened to the handheld without requiring complex installation. The combination of a firm frame and a soft foam exterior aims to offer comprehensive protection without adding excessive bulk.

Design and Console Accessibility

PDP designed the Nerf Armor to protect the console while maintaining full functionality. The case features precise cutouts that allow access to all of the New Nintendo 3DS XL’s buttons, ports, and other features. Users can access the power button, volume slider, and 3D depth slider without obstruction. The design also leaves openings for the headphone jack, AC adapter port for charging, and the infrared port.

The case ensures the game card slot and the stylus holder remain accessible, so games can be swapped and the stylus removed as needed. All primary gameplay inputs are unimpeded, including the D-pad, Circle Pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, and the Start and Select buttons. Critically, the design accommodates the hardware revisions specific to the “New” model, providing clearance for the C-stick nub and the additional ZL and ZR shoulder buttons.

Compatibility with 3DS Models

While marketed for the New Nintendo 3DS XL, the PDP Nerf Armor is also compatible with the original Nintendo 3DS XL model. The two handhelds share a very similar form factor and physical dimensions, allowing the case to fit both versions securely. This dual compatibility made the accessory a viable option for a wider range of 3DS owners.

The New Nintendo 3DS XL itself was released in North America in February 2015. It introduced several key upgrades over its predecessor, which this protective case was designed to safeguard. These enhancements included a more powerful CPU, which resulted in faster loading times and quicker navigation of the system’s home menu and eShop. The hardware also introduced the C-stick, a small analog nub that provided enhanced camera control in compatible games, along with the ZL and ZR buttons. A significant feature was the built-in NFC reader located under the bottom screen, allowing players to use Amiibo figures without a separate peripheral.