Nintendo announced on Thursday that it will release a new Pikachu-themed Nintendo 3DS XL.

The latest version of the popular handheld gaming console pays tribute to the Pokémon franchise icon with a bold yellow color and image of the electric rat creature.

The new Pikachu Nintendo 3DS XL will be available in North America on March 24, according to Ubergizmo.

The game system is currently priced the same as the standard edition 3DS XL at $199.99.

Users will also be able to get their hands on a free game thanks to a new Nintendo promotion for people who purchase the Pikachu Edition Nintendo device, according to Engadget.

After the customer registers the device along with either Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity or Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon with Club Nintendo between March 21 and April 30 will receive a code to download one of five Nintendo 3DS games for free.

The five free games include: Super Mario 3D Land, Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask, Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone!, Star Fox 64 3D and Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive!

Nintendo put Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity on its top 10 list of best games for the 3DS for 2013 in January.

The gaming company also recently announced that Pokémon Rumble U will appear as a downloadable game for the Wii U eShop starting in Japan this spring, according to a report by IGN on Tuesday.

The new game for the Wii U will feature all current Pokémon species that includes 649 creatures. Players will be able to see 100 Pokémon battle all at once on Rumble U.

No official release date was set for when the game will reach North America and Europe.

The games are action-Role Playing Games (RPGs) that put players in direct control of various Pokémon. The franchise has become a global sensation with several television series, movies, games and toys.

Tags: pikachu nintendo 3ds xl pokemon