New 3DS vs New 3DS XL: What's Your Pick?

LAssamLaksa on 01/12/2014 - 14:56
Last edited 01/12/2014 - 16:51

Hi guys,

I currently have a 3DS XL and I'm thinking of eventually upgrading to either the N3DS or the N3DS XL.

Just wanted to ask which would you choose, and why? Or has anyone already bought either of them and are willing to share their experience?

At the moment I am VERY VERY undecided. I really love the N3DS's color buttons and swappable faceplates, but I'm afraid I won't be able to get use to the sudden drop in size from the XL to non-XL. I've tried playing Super Smash on my friend's old 3DS, and my god it's tiny. I keep getting lost in the chaos! Didn't get to play enough times to find out whether I'll eventually get use to that, but I love how everything looks bigger on the XL (albeit the not-so-great pixel density). Also the 3DS is so much lighter than the 3DS XL which makes clearing streetpasses on the go way more feasible (and also not look like i'm carrying a bomb in my pockets)

Poll Options

  • 9
    N3DS
  • 22
    N3DS XL
  • 3
    Neither (will stick to old model forever)
Gaming Game Console Nintendo

Comments

  • enidan on 01/12/2014 - 15:09

    I bought the new 3DS XL and I found it to be lighter than the original 3DS XL. Screen size is still the same, but it does have better 3D.

  • twig on 01/12/2014 - 15:20
    +1

    new 3DS (non-xl) is slightly bigger than the original 3DS (non-XL), which makes it more comfortable to hold for longer.

  • IdLikeToBeATree on 01/12/2014 - 15:47
    +1

    I've got the N3DS. I had a 3ds, then 3ds xl and could NOT go back to the tiny 3ds. But the N3DS screens are bigger than the original and a good midway point, bigger without being terribly pixelated. The white is also amazing

    • AssamLaksa on 01/12/2014 - 16:55

      Oh, so you reverted back from having an XL to the N3DS? Was it easy getting readjusted?

      • IdLikeToBeATree on 01/12/2014 - 20:11

        I haven't really got to play on it just yet, only about 10 minutes :( but seemed great to me so far

        • AssamLaksa on 01/12/2014 - 20:36

          Do tell me about your experience once you've had the chance :) Would really like to hear your experience of shifting from an XL to a non-XL, which is the dilemma I'm facing about with the N3DS! Cheers

        • IdLikeToBeATree on 01/12/2014 - 22:57
          +1

          @Encipher: It's been put away until christmas so will be a while sorry. But I definitely didn't think damn, I wish I bought the XL when I was using it :)

        • lamerthanlam on 02/12/2014 - 14:36

          @Encipher:

          I shifted form the XL to the new non-xl. Loving it so far. Screen size hardly bothers me. I like the smaller size which makes it that much more pocket-able.

        • AssamLaksa on 02/12/2014 - 15:05

          @lamerthanlam:

          So you didn't face any difficulties from the sudden drop? I'm just afraid of Smash Bros becoming a massive pain because when zoomed out, the characters get sooooo tiny

        • lamerthanlam on 02/12/2014 - 17:02

          @Encipher:

          Nope. It might be smaller than XL but still bigger than OG 3ds.

        • IdLikeToBeATree on 02/12/2014 - 20:53

          @Encipher: I think smash bros will be tiny regardless of which 3ds you are using :(

        • AssamLaksa on 03/12/2014 - 10:14
          +1

          @jumpo: Yeah it's already tiny enough on the XL, i'll probably need a magnifying glass for the non-XL..

  • Sage on 01/12/2014 - 16:29
    +1

    New 3DS for the faceplates and portability.
    The New 3DS has much more improvements over the original 3DS than the New 3DS XL has over the 3DS XL.

    I'll probably end up getting both anyway.

    • AssamLaksa on 01/12/2014 - 16:59

      I don't have the money to get both :( I'll have to choose one or the other T_T

      do you use streetpass mii plaza a lot? i play that all the time and have gotten thousands of hits, so even if i bought both, i can only transfer my collection of mii's to one of the consoles :/

    • kathmandu-jeff on 01/12/2014 - 19:16

      Buy the transparent covers so you can put your own picture behind it.

  • Linkwick on 01/12/2014 - 16:31
    +2

    I'd personally be sticking with New 3DSXL. Have the "old" XL, and wouldn't go back to smaller screen or battery life, even as cool as faceplate-swapping or the SNES-coloured buttons are.

    Plus the New XL will still fit in my current (awesome Waterfield) case. :-D

    • Sage on 01/12/2014 - 18:39

      battery life and screen size is improved on the New 3DS.

      • Linkwick on 01/12/2014 - 22:36

        I meant I'd go for the longer life of the 2 N3DS batteries. :-)

  • leonheart1 on 01/12/2014 - 19:35
    +1

    I got the n3dsxl and never really considered the n3ds to be an option.
    -Longer battery life
    -Bigger screen, lower pixel density BUT you have to sit back a certain distance for 3D to work and you can barely tell the difference at that distance anyway.
    -Loads faster than the n3ds for some reason. (source, if anyone can explain this, I'd love to hear it)
    -Price difference isn't much once you add in the price of the faceplate.

    • Sage on 02/12/2014 - 00:05

      I notice on the loading times video the New 3DS has a spotpass notification while it's loading. it's probably processing it instead of just loading the game up.

    • AssamLaksa on 02/12/2014 - 10:12
      • longer battery life = very important factor for me too
      • yeah i'm not actually bothered by the pixel density actually
      • An extra couple of seconds of loading time doesn't really bother me…
      • but that ability to customize it is so tempting!!! ugh…
    • lamerthanlam on 02/12/2014 - 14:38

      The loading time is probably because the screen presses to load SSB aren't synchronised.

  • rbrb on 02/12/2014 - 08:57

    I always go XL. I never need to put it in my pocket and rarely use it outside of home so I prefer the larger screen.

    • AssamLaksa on 02/12/2014 - 09:46

      i use it out of home all the time mainly to clear streetpasses, and after awhile of clearing streetpasses while walking, my hands get really tired from the weight

      • Linkwick on 02/12/2014 - 10:18

        My current XL fits in my front jeans pockets fine. A bit bulky, but still fits in.

  • cameronjbs on 02/12/2014 - 13:51

    N3DS screens are larger than the 3DS, the 3D is better on both models, but if you're looking for personality and ease of carrying (making street pass majorly easy, it fits in my pocket with my mobile, iPhone 6), then go with the N3DS, I've already got two face plates, and have found it much easier to find accessories (screen protector, carry case, spare stylus) for the N3DS than the N3DSXL. The N3DSXL only comes in black and blue at the moment.
    For functionality and ease of use, I will always recommend the 2DS, the button layout is by far the best and nicest to use, no chances of hand cramps. I've found that both the 3DS and 3dsxl regardless of new or old to be a little bit cramped because I have large hands. But both I've gotten used to it.
    Price isn't really an issue for either, because the difference is marginal.
    They both come with the new charging docks, which make charging a heap easier.

    • lamerthanlam on 02/12/2014 - 14:39

      CORRECTION.

      They both come with an OPTIONAL charging dock.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join