3DS vs 3DS XL - Nintendo 3DS

#1 Edited by MrHadouken (58 posts) - 3 months, 7 days ago

I want to upgrade as soon as possible, since Fire Emblem Awakening came out. But I just can't decide, the only thing really stopping me from getting a Select/Home/Start pad on the original compared to the XL's buttons. Are they really that bad? I've also heard about the 3D slide randomly switching on?!?!

My only concern with the XL is the size for traveling with it, and I've also heard the XL is made with a cheaper plastic, not sure how true that is?!?! I really like the big screen, and I do tend to play at home a lot more than out.

I went out to best buy to buy one today, and just could not decide. So any and all help is appreciated.

#2 Edited by FinnianWhitefir (5 posts) - 3 months, 7 days ago

I bought a XL after reading all the "There's no reason to get a normal instead of a XL". I like it. The screens don't seem all that big and I think I'd hate having a smaller one, though I'm sure I wouldn't notice if I never handled a XL.

The Select/Start/Home buttons are super mushy and weird feeling, but I press one once a day at most and often not at all, so I don't see where it matters. Maybe if you played a RPG that used Start for a menu, but I don't think many do these days.

I never had problems with the 3D slider. I often turned it to 75-100% for Ghost Recon and it was nice and added a lot. I also sometimes turned it to 0 and it worked fine. I'm mostly catching up on DS games so it doesn't effect me. Sometimes my fingers inadvertently slide the sound volume on the left due to my hold on it, so maybe you're hearing about people accidentally moving the slider without realizing it.

I hate the screen hinges being wobbly, it's not a problem while I'm playing because I'm sitting/laying in place and it doesn't move, I guess it's supposed to keep the hinges from cracking like DS ones did, but it feels cheaper or lower quality.

Edit: Plus the battery life is supposed to be better, and the 3DS XL battery life is low enough that I couldn't imagine it being 30%+ worse.

#3 Posted by awadnin (275 posts) - 3 months, 6 days ago

I bought both systems, and I think 3DS XL is superior in every aspect except mobility. In my case, mobility is not important for me, because I don't carry my handhelds in my pocket usually.Therefore, I traded my 3DS to get a new 3DS XL.

#4 Edited by egg (894 posts) - 3 months, 6 days ago

Does japanese circle pad pro work with XL? That's the main thing that would keep me from getting an XL. If the japanese one works then I guess that's ok. (though I'd prefer being able to get one from a store instead of having to order online) It's a shame though that some US versions of games don't work with it, even though the japanese versions do.

#5 Posted by CoverlessTech (738 posts) - 3 months, 2 days ago

Circle pad pro is not locked to regions. So you can import and use them on a NTSC 3ds.

Some ebay sellers always have really cheap ones with free shipping to boot.

#6 Posted by MedalOfMode (232 posts) - 3 months, 2 days ago

Final Result: Epic Win Of XL!

#7 Posted by Kerned (1119 posts) - 3 months, 2 days ago

I love my XL and can't imagine having a "normal" sized 3DS. It would be far too small to be comfortable, and the smaller screen would be a real drawback. Yeah, the start and select buttons feel weird, but it's absolutely not a big deal. They function, they're just mushy.

The XL is certainly too big to fit in your pocket, but I throw mine in my bag (in a case) when I need to take it somewhere. Like you, I play way more at home than out and about, so it's not an issue for me anyway. As far as the plastic feeling cheap, I don't see that as a problem either. I like the plastic used on the 3DS better, but there is nothing wrong with the plastic they used for the XL. My 3D slider has never randomly switched on (or off).

Just get the XL. The pros far outweigh the cons, and it feels to me like the adult-sized version of the hardware. It's a nice fit in the hands, and has good sized screens. The standard 3DS seems tiny by comparison and I think it would be uncomfortable to use for long stretches.