3DS or 3DS XL?

Misdreavus

Misdreavus

Thanks to the Dream Radar, I'm getting a 3DS (well done, Nintendo!). Which model do you recommend I get? My inclination is the XL since it's the "updated," more recent model, but I've heard some people discouraging others from buying them. They say that the "stretched" screen (same exact resolution) occasionally causes a blurry/unclear picture in some games, the increased size prevents it from being carried in a pocket and makes it a bit heavy to hold in 1 hand, and it doesn't come with a charger (annoying, but hardly a deciding factor to me). On the other hand, I've also heard that it is more pleasing to the touch than the original model, the shoulder buttons are better, the battery lasts longer, and of course there are many who appreciate the extra screen size.

What do you all think?

EDIT: Please see my 2nd post on page 2.
 
Do you suffer from gargantuanism? Do you dislike the idea of a console being portable? If you answered yes to those questions, get the 3DS XL. If not, 3DS original

Also if you're getting a used one try to get it with the Ambassador Program
 
3DS XL has more battery life, but it is a lot harder to handle (I'm not really a fan of the matte either, but that's my own choice.) Another really good thing to note is that the 3DS XL comes with no charger, so if you got a dsi just use that charger.
 
If you're remotely tall the 3ds may be a bit small for you (it's definitely small for me). The battery life on the 3ds is also very short, but it's definitely portable.

I don't think the screen resolution would be a big deal, so it probably comes down to if the size is a big negative or a non-issue (or positive).
 
Thanks for the replies everyone.

Zacchaeus said:
Do you suffer from gargantuanism? Do you dislike the idea of a console being portable? If you answered yes to those questions, get the 3DS XL. If not, 3DS original

Also if you're getting a used one try to get it with the Ambassador Program
Click to expand...
Haha, I suppose the answer to both of those questions would be "no." I'm not interested in getting a used 3DS.

Nightmare Jigglypuff said:
3DS XL has more battery life, but it is a lot harder to handle (I'm not really a fan of the matte either, but that's my own choice.) Another really good thing to note is that the 3DS XL comes with no charger, so if you got a dsi just use that charger.
Click to expand...
I do have a DSi but I'm not sure when I will be getting it back. Either way, as I said in the first post, the lack of an included charger is an annoyance to me, but not enough to really influence whether or not I buy that model.

billymills said:
If you're remotely tall the 3ds may be a bit small for you (it's definitely small for me). The battery life on the 3ds is also very short, but it's definitely portable.

I don't think the screen resolution would be a big deal, so it probably comes down to if the size is a big negative or a non-issue (or positive).
Click to expand...
I'm average height. I have mixed feelings about the larger screen.
 
mostly depending on price range and how much you're gonna use it. honestly i use my 3ds now a lot for music, game and going on the internet when im too lazy to turn on my computer. however this results in me having to charge it up every single day. so it's up to you
 
DracoMihawk said:
mostly depending on price range and how much you're gonna use it. honestly i use my 3ds now a lot for music, game and going on the internet when im too lazy to turn on my computer. however this results in me having to charge it up every single day. so it's up to you
Click to expand...
Price really isn't an issue. My usage will probably vary... I'll use it a lot (hours a day) when a new Pokémon game comes out or a VGC is upcoming, but other than that, probably not very much. I don't see myself using it for music or internet like you do (I never use my DSi for those)... I'd just use my laptop or iPhone for that.

I'm starting to lean towards the original 3DS after a friend of mine told me his DSi XL is indeed too big to fit in most pockets and can be blurry at times.

EDIT: Since I'm also a big Zelda fan, I'm thinking I may get the Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary 3DS Bundle. I was going to want Ocarina of Time 3D anyway. The battery life of the original model does concern me a bit though...

Also, JRank kindly pointed me to an IGN article confirming that, contrary to popular belief, the North American 3DS XL will come with an AC adapter.
 
I would get the 3ds XL

-Better battery life
-Start, Select, Home are actual buttons
-The top screen is almost 2 inches bigger
-DS games look better on it than the regular 3ds
 
You can get a 3rd party battery that lasts 6 hours on maximum settings for those of you who are worried about battery life. I run mine on the 3rd setting for the backlight with power saving mode turned off. I get around 5 hours on it that way. Honestly turning the backlight on max burns your eyes faster...not like most people care anyways. 9.9

Edit: noting that I have a 3DS not a 3DS XL. I also prefer it's smaller size.
 
If you're going to be using it as a portable, 3DS. If you're going to be using it primarily at home and never on a bus or train or anything, get a 3DS XL. Pretty simple choice!
 
Just so I have this clear:

Are all DS games coming out now only playable on the 3DS or can my newly acquired DSi still play them for a little...
 
Matthew said:
Just so I have this clear:

Are all DS games coming out now only playable on the 3DS or can my newly acquired DSi still play them for a little...
Click to expand...
DS games work on DSi and 3DS.
3DS games work on 3DS.

This is like asking if GameCube games will only be playable on a Wii.
 
Firestorm said:
DS games work on DSi and 3DS.
3DS games work on 3DS.

This is like asking if GameCube games will only be playable on a Wii.
Click to expand...

Reading comprehension, mate. I'm asking if they're still continuing making DS games or if they're all 3DS games.
 
Smaug said:
Is the 3DS closer in size to the original DS, or to the DS Lite?
Click to expand...
I can't say for sure since I don't have a 3DS or a DS Lite, but I'd say the 3DS is closer in size to the DS Lite.

X5Dragon said:
Which ever has a color that suits you and a bigger battery (factoring in weight).
Click to expand...
Color is a very good point. The 3DS XL will only come in red and blue in North America, neither of which I'm crazy about on it (I'd get the red if I were to buy one).

Disposable Puppets said:
I would get the 3ds XL

-Better battery life
-Start, Select, Home are actual buttons
-The top screen is almost 2 inches bigger
-DS games look better on it than the regular 3ds
Click to expand...
Do you have any more info on that last point? I will be playing DS games on it a lot, but what I've read says that the "stretched" graphics on the XL can result in a blurry/unclear picture.

Firestorm said:
If you're going to be using it as a portable, 3DS. If you're going to be using it primarily at home and never on a bus or train or anything, get a 3DS XL. Pretty simple choice!
Click to expand...
Well, I will use it primarily at home, but will take it with me to Pokémon TCG league and tournaments sometimes, as well as use it at VGCs. I never travel by bus or train, but I fly once in a blue moon, and would likely take it with me when I do.

EDIT: The Zelda 3DS was a limited edition and is no longer sold in stores (now it's only sold online for double its retail price), so if I were to get a 3DS, I'd just get Cosmo Black or possibly Flame Red (both look much better than the red 3DS XL in my opinion).
 
Misdreavus said:
I can't say for sure since I don't have a 3DS or a DS Lite, but I'd say the 3DS is closer in size to the DS Lite.

Color is a very good point. The 3DS XL will only come in red and blue in North America, neither of which I'm crazy about on it (I'd get the red if I were to buy one).

Do you have any more info on that last point? I will be playing DS games on it a lot, but what I've read says that the "stretched" graphics on the XL can result in a blurry/unclear picture.

Well, I will use it primarily at home, but will take it with me to Pokémon TCG league and tournaments sometimes, as well as use it at VGCs. I never travel by bus or train, but I fly once in a blue moon, and would likely take it with me when I do.

EDIT: The Zelda 3DS was a limited edition and is no longer sold in stores (now it's only sold online for double its retail price), so if I were to get a 3DS, I'd just get Cosmo Black or possibly Flame Red (both look much better than the red 3DS XL in my opinion).
Click to expand...


pimpin purple looks good. and dont worry about the stretched graphics resulting in a blurry picture, if the xl is like the 3ds there will be an option to change it back to its original resolution
 
Matthew said:
Reading comprehension, mate. I'm asking if they're still continuing making DS games or if they're all 3DS games.
Click to expand...

let's be real, you didnt articulate what you meant in a sensical way; firestorm may have missed what you meant, but not because of poor reading comprehension on his part, but rather due to your misleading post
 
Buy the XL. The number 1 reason for me is that the 3DS being so chunky and not curved corners is that it is really horrible to hold and can actually hurt your hands. I much prefer handling my old DS lite, so much easier and more comfortable.
 
I work at a business that doesn't allow you to have any electronic devices inside the building. No cellphones/watches/tablets/games/etc. I carried my DS Lite in my pocket so I could play with some friends on breaks from 2008 till last October when I got my 3DS. I've carried my 3DS ever since then. I would like a 3DS XL, but I probably won't get one for the same reason I never got a DSiXL, its just too big. I like being able to slip my 3DS in my pocket and not having my tiny pockets bulge all over the place. Its not only nice for places like work or school that may not want you carrying a 3DS in your pocket, but its also just nice for someone like me who carries a ton of stuff in your pockets (wallet in the back right, keys and pocket knife in the front left, 3DS and cellphone in the front right, as well as some work tools like a box-cutter, multi-screwdriver, pen, putty knife, and marker in the tiny little cellphone pocket depending on if my pants have carpenter or cargo pockets or not).

For me the fact that the 3DS is smaller is just so much nicer because its more discrete and leaves more room for the stuff I need to carry in my pockets.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top