Is there anywhere you can play a 3DS or 3DS XL before buying it?

Jesmond on 29/01/2015 - 21:34

I'm trying to decide which one will fit my hands / be more enjoyable.

I currently have a 3DS (not the New version) and had an older DSi XL. I found the pixelation of the XL to be almost unbearable at the time. I understand the software is getting better and higher resolutions are probably more common now, and at the time the XL concept was new, so less thought was probably put into the overall experience for these larger screened devices. Maybe the blown-up appearance isn't as big a deal with the 3DS XL?

Gaming

Comments

  • BargainQuail on 29/01/2015 - 21:46
    +2

    Shops like jb and eb usually have display models you can try out

  • the frost on 29/01/2015 - 22:20
    +1

    I have the old 3DS XL. I like the way it feels in my hands, and the screen size, but it doesn't fit in my pocket well. The New 3DS (non XL) looks like it has a slightly bigger screen, so it might be a happy compromise for you.

  • GoldPhoenix0 on 29/01/2015 - 22:43
    +1

    You should be able to find a console to test out at many JB/EB Games stores with a demo running on it (most likely Smash Bros). As someone who has access to both the (non-new) 3DS and the New 3DS XL, from the games I have played on it, I have not noticed any pixelation, and it actually looks just as nice or clearer (as in you can notice smaller details on the larger screens without a cost to quality).

    As you mentioned, the portability is compromised slightly due to the larger size of the device, where it would rarely fit in your pocket comfortably, but then again, the 3DS was never really comfortable even when it did fit, so I generally had it in a bag of some sort.

    How it feels in the hands, I don't notice much of a difference. I still rarely use the C-Stick, mainly because I haven't needed to use it for anything but Smash Bros (where I just forget it's there) or the MH4 Demo, which was slightly more useful. You shouldn't have much trouble transitioning, but that is just me and could differ from person to person.

    Overall, if I did upgrade from my 3DS to any of the new models, the better battery life and larger screens would make me lean towards the new 3DS XL, but even though I would use it primarily for portable purposes, the extra size/weight wouldn't make much of a difference.

    Good Luck with your choice though, try one of the stores mentioned to get a feel for the device and make a decision from there.

  • FrankMcFuzz on 30/01/2015 - 12:36
    +1

    A cool friend's house. If you're like me, and you don't have any cool friends, you just have to go with what random strangers on the Internet say.

    As a random stranger on the internet, I would like to say I am an owner of the 3DSXL, and I personally think it's amazing. I prefer it over the smaller one, but there are obvious pros and cons. 3DSXL does not fit in the pocket comfortably enough to be efficiently portable, but there's also almost no quality loss in the visuals despite being a much larger screen. 'Blown up visuals' is definitely not an issue. There are minute graphical details; of course the smaller screen has sharper visuals, but I've never chosen to play my 3DS over my 3DSXL. But I'm a crazy person.

    As a sensible person who likes to contradict themself, I would actually say you're better off getting a New3DSXL, rather than a regular 3DSXL because new games are going to be utilizing the features of the New3ds.

  • bargainhunter774 on 03/02/2015 - 21:47

    If you're in Melbourne you can check out the EB on Swanston St. They have all three local models as demos. The White model looks nice, but to me the screen and physical size feel a bit too small.

    Sure, the DPI is a bit better on the smaller model. But as the 3DS graphics aren't stellar by various other measures for me the bigger, more immersive, screen wins out.

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