I'm not sure how Nintendo is going to convince current 3DS owners to upgrade. Big games like Pokemon OR/AS and Smash Bros will stay on the old 3DS. Xenoblade is a niche RPG at best. We'll see how it does but I think it would have been a lot smarter for Nintendo to jut get a brand new handheld ready for 2015.

They should have a trade in programme. Its a good upgrade but it screws over all the people that bought the original. Will they be left out of games that is only possible with the other thumb stick and improved processor?

Nintendo have already announced that from 2015 that all new Nintendo published 3DS games will be for the 'new' version only so yeah it will sell as well as the original 3DS did at the beginning.

How many?  ⇒⇒⇒ Alot, Specifically? I'll say at least 10mil. If 2DS can do 3mil+ in the west, im damn sure this will do double its lifetime. (Japan will help with that)

You know the price? ⇒⇒⇒ Yes we have an estimate of the price, have you not opened your eyes? Its actually a bit cheaper than wat 3DS/XL is in japan. So probably equivalent to $160/$190 in US

You know the games?  ⇒⇒⇒ Yes Xenoblade Chronicles + All DS Games + All 3DS Games + and Future Installments.

You know what the competition is?  ⇒⇒⇒ In fact i do! Its Vita + Mobile

Predict, genius.  ⇒⇒⇒ ⇒⇒⇒ ⇒⇒⇒ I did, anymore smart questions, just ask because im a genius!!!

I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that there won't be a monetary upgrade program.

Lol, no it won't. It's $90 cheaper and has hundred more games. And it has system exclusive games. It'll sell astronomically better.

Its nigh-100$ cheaper than the 3DS when it launched with an actual game catalog.

Xenoblade is niche, but it's a niche title that is extremely popular to the more hardcore gaming fanbase and those are the kinds of people who purchase more games.

Pokemon isn't going to release on this console because it's a casual gaming franchise.  Most of the more casual gamers aren't going to purchase or have parents who will purchase a console like this for them so soon after they purchased the last one.  It'd be stupid if Nintendo released Pokemon exclusive to this system.  However the system is closer to the Wii's power, so we may actually see games like Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 on the system, ports from the Wii that may get some of the more casual fanbase with expendable cash to buy into the system. 

Nintendo is also going to phase the original 3DS and XL out soon after this console releases, so these new games will sell not only to those who already own a 3DS and are willing to upgrade, but people who have yet to pick a 3DS up as well. 

There was one question in my post. How many?

The rest were statements.....

So, 10m when it's all said and done?

You do know this is most probably replacing the current 3DS line and not an addition to it like the 2DS was, right?

Xenoblade was a niche RPG. With the publicity it's gotten from Smash, it's sequel, Smash, being the poster child for the New 3DS, Smash, how impressive a handheld game it will be with a map size supposedly larger than Skyrim, and especially Smash, it will be a huge reason for people, specifically snobby hardcore gamers, to buy the system.