Is a 3DS XL really a big enough upgrade from the 3ds?

[ZeldaPrime]

Best Buy has the XL on sale soon, and I've been a nice person this year. What games look/run/function better or worse on XL? My 3ds is in rough shape, and I hate glossy finishes, I prefer matte finishes. Are the buttons and circle pad on XL better/worse? Is a $160 price tag enough to warrant the upgrade? And lastly, what color of the XL is better?

[KingBroly]

Yes.

Except the speakers. They're so low.

[ZeldaPrime]

What if I have headphones? And which color is the best? I really wanted NOA to announce the black, or even silver XL here. And is the battery life really that much better? I'm sick of my 3ds dying while in sleep mode, and during hardcore Kid Icarus: Uprising sessions.

[Battlestriker123]

Get one. Get a blue one. It's amazing. Way better than the original. And with Best Buy having that great of a deal, it's hard to turn it down!

[MigueelDnd]

I actually just bought a blue one yesterday, and I'm really enjoying the change. The transfer was a mess, but after all was set up and done, I realized how good my choice was when I started playing Paper Mario on the big screen. Worth it, IMO.

[Jerome]

What games look/run/function better or worse on XL?

The extra screen size is a benefit overall, and could make some games requiring precise stylus work a bit easier, though you might have to move your hands further to reach on-screen buttons in games that primarily use the physical controls, and the system's significantly greater weight could make games that require holding the unit with one hand more tiring. There is one big disadvantage to the display, in that in addition to the pixels being larger, the gaps between them are as well. This means images don't look as sharp or clean, even if you hold the unit farther away. This may not bother you, but if you're a stickler for image quality like me, it could be an annoyance.

My 3ds is in rough shape, and I hate glossy finishes, I prefer matte finishes.

The interior is indeed matte, which you've said you prefer, but keep in mind the outer surface still picks up fingerprint oils quite badly. I was surprised at this.

Are the buttons and circle pad on XL better/worse?

The face buttons have a softer, shallower click and feel a bit spongier, the D-pad is a bit more comfortable due to a slight increase in its size and slight decrease in the sharpness of its corners, and the circle pad is very similar, but due to its slightly smaller diameter and slightly more pronounced lip, it might grip your thumb a bit better.

Is a $160 price tag enough to warrant the upgrade?

Well, I surely wouldn't pay $160 more just to upgrade. I resold my original model (which I kept in near-mint condition) and only had to add about $20 more. If you're going to keep your 3DS, I don't know that it would be worth it, unless you just like to collect systems.

And lastly, what color of the XL is better?

That's entirely subjective. Both are nice shades of their respective colors. I picked blue, could have just as easily gone for red.

[Mirr0rR3flection]

The bigger screen alone is worth the upgrade. Once you go XL, you'll never want to go back, trust me.

The color you choose is all up to you. Plus now that you mention your 3DS dying on you sometimes, you should keep it plugged into the charger during sleep mode or long play sessions. I play alot on my bed so thats what I do. The 3DS XL has a better battery life than the original if I may add. Doesn't die as fast anymore if I'm away from a charger imo. xD

[Popple]

YES! I picked one up last Sunday and haven't regretted it one minute. The form feels a lot better. I'm not a big fan of the colours that are out now but I don't really care now that I bought it. Actually, my favourite thing is to play the GB VC games on the larger screen. They actually look pretty great on the bigger screen (hint: hold Select when starting the game and see how SMALL the original Game Boy screen actually was!). The only thing I'm disappointed with are the speakers. As others have mentioned - they are super quiet. I haven't done any comparisons but, to me, they even sound quieter than the regular 3DS speakers. Other than that, it's a worthy upgrade. I never did the DSi XL upgrade so the XL is completely new to me but I love it.

[beaus27]

I have only limited experience with the original 3DS(store display and a friend's system).
My Blue 3DS Xl, is my first 3DS and I LOVE IT! The quiet speakers are a let down.
I have heard of the 3DS upper screen "glare problem" (where you see your reflection), well that's been corrected with the XL.


Word of caution, the raised ridge surrounding the touch screen can still cause problems on the upper screen when closed. I sent my 3DS Xl back to NOA a week after I got because I noticed tiny scratches forming a line on the upper screen. Not one retailer had screen protectors at the time, a week after launch.
I am not shouting or angry here: GET A SCREEN PROTECTOR! After that I still use the piece of foam that came back with it and a screen cleaning cloth as added cushion.
Love my 3DS XL!!!

Otherwise, get it! I pre-ordered the blue and then wanted to get the red, but none were available.
"What color to get?", that's completely up you.
Happy gaming!

[J0RdAnN]

The white one is Amazing but NoA still hasn't released it here...

[Mirr0rR3flection]

The white one is Amazing but NoA still hasn't released it here...

They claim it wouldn't sell well here.

So they'll probably save that color for special bundles.

[ZeldaPrime]

Any good brand of screen protector? I SUCK at applying them

[Mirr0rR3flection]

I recommend the ones Hori makes. I believe you can buy them off Amazon.

I suck at applying them too. XD (I could only successfully put the bottom screen protector… )

[beaus27]

Any good brand of screen protector? I SUCK at applying them

I got 3 packs of Hori screen protectors from Amazon. Late August/September, they sold FAST!
I think GameStop sells them, check their site.

Advice for applying them, be patient and when I screw up,I use packing tape to lift the protector up and try again.
I also use Scotch tape to grab the individual hairs and dust bits off the screen & screen protector.

[krzysio87]

Any good brand of screen protector? I SUCK at applying them

I got 3 packs of Hori screen protectors from Amazon. Late August/September, they sold FAST!
I think GameStop sells them, check their site.

Advice for applying them, be patient and I screw up,I use packing tape to lift the protector up and try again.
I also use Scotch tape to grab the individual hairs and dust bits off the screen & screen protector.

Personally I apply the screen protector in a steamy bathroom; less airborne debris. Anyway, practice makes perfect; my first few attempts were atrocious. If you're worried about mistakes buy Chinese knock offs from deal-extreme so it's no big loss if you screw up.

[ZeldaPrime]

Alright, I've made up my mind of getting it. Now.....I seriously need to decide what color/colour! (US colors/colours, that is!)

[Sammet]

Most things have been touched on already so I thought I'd mention that I've found the build quality to be significantly better on the XL than on the original, especially on the hinge. It doesn't have the loose floppy feeling anymore and feels more sturdy. (I've got the silver one over here in the UK)

[beaus27]

I want ask other 3DS XL owners this, because I want to know if just my XL that does this or all XLs.
At the home screen, with the cursor on the game cartridge icon, when you pull out the stylus, it causes the icon to spin. The speed at which you pull the stylus out corresponds to the rate the game icon spins. Slowly, icon spins slowly. Pull the stylus out fast, the icon spins like a top.

[Popple]

I want ask other 3DS XL owners this, because I want to know if just my XL that does this or all XLs.
At the home screen, with the cursor on the game cartridge icon, when you pull out the stylus, it causes the icon to spin. The speed at which pull the stylus out corresponds to the rate the game icon spins. Slowly, icon spins slowly. Pull the stylus out fast, the icon spins like a top.

All of the icons spin based on mic input. If you blow into the mic, you can see the same effect.


And now for a PSA: Best Buy has just put all of their N3DS XL systems ON SALE for $159.99! Even the Mario Kart system! Now is the best time to get one!

EDIT: The Mario Kart N3DS XL doesn't show up in the list linked above but just search '3ds xl' on the Best Buy site and it should be the first to pop up and it'll be discounted as well.

[ZeldaPrime]

That's why I was think about getting one! I just got the blue 3ds XL Mario kart 7 bundle for $159.99! Too bad I'll have to wait 'til the 25th to open it :/

[beaus27]

That's why I was think about getting one! I just got the blue 3ds XL Mario kart 7 bundle for $159.99! Too bad I'll have to wait 'til the 25th to open it :/

...wait I am confused. I was under the impression this was an average day purchase.
You know weeks in advance what you're getting for Christmas and you have to wait until then to enjoy it.
That sucks, but congratulations!

[ShadowWild]

Just bought the Mario Kart Bundle... Awesome purchase! But I am transferring my save data on the SD cards using the computer. I followed the instructions for Mac from nintendo. But the files from my old sd card (2g) won't copy onto the 4 gb. Memory is not the problem, I have 3.3 gb left...

[ZeldaPrime]

Was Mario Kart 7 re-downloadable through the eShop on the XL? I asked NoA and they said I'd have to re download it because the card it's on is switched to the old 3ds. Also, I was able to seamlessly transfer my files from my 2GB SD to an 8 GB one on Mac. I deleted the files in the bigger memory card, then copy/pasted the old one to it. I was using a USB to SD adapter, though.

[Popple]

Was Mario Kart 7 re-downloadable through the eShop on the XL? I asked NoA and they said I'd have to re download it because the card it's on is switched to the old 3ds. Also, I was able to seamlessly transfer my files from my 2GB SD to an 8 GB one on Mac. I deleted the files in the bigger memory card, then copy/pasted the old one to it. I was using a USB to SD adapter, though.

Yeah, after doing the 3DS to 3DS system transfer, it will wipe MK 7 from the 3DS XL but it will show up in your purchased section of the eShop so you can easily re-download it.

[Mako]

Yes, I think it is an all around better system. Bigger screens, longer battery life, better finish, better design, better stylus placement, and so on. I wish they would have upgraded the speakers a bit though. I know this from playing someone else unit though. Personally, I will buy one the minute they release it in black. I'm similar to Batman in that regard.