Maybe this would have been more appropriate in the 3DS vs. 3DS XL thread, but whatever.
I bought a 3DS XL yesterday. In Australia they are charging around $250, but I got mine for around $280 or so with New Super Mario Bros. 2. Considering the game costs $70, I saved around $40 for the 3DS which is ok by me!
For those who don't know how the sizes compare, here's a comparison:
I like the increased size of the screen and I feel a bit less cramped when I hold it. For what it's worth, the XL does actually fit in my pocket so I COULD take it out with me if I wanted to. I normally prefer to play at home though so whatever.
Other minor changes:
- The shoulder buttons are bigger. I always thought that the shoulder buttons on the old 3DS were a bit flimsy, so it's a nice change.
- The stylus is held in the side of the machine like the old DS, as opposed to at the back near the cartridge holder. The stylus location on the old 3DS used to bug me a bit so I guess it's a good thing, but it's not a system seller obviously.
- The stylus itself is more like the DS one, rather than the adjustable one from the old 3DS. This isn't really an improvement, but the change is noted nonetheless.
- The 3D adjuster sort of locks more firmly into place when you shut it off completely. I assume it's so you don't turn on the 3D by accident while you're playing. Not really a big deal.
- The Start, Select and Home buttons are more sensitive so you don't have to push them as hard.
That's all I can think of at the top of my head. I should say that part of the incentive of getting this is that my old 3DS is a bit screwy. I might have posted it in the old thread or this one, but the L button on my old one doesn't work anymore, and it's all sratched up. Basically I had an excuse to replace it. I probably wouldn't buy the XL if you have the old one and it still works fine. If you don't have either yet then the only reason not to get the XL is if the extra price is offputting. The old version works just fine so....
This may be a bit of a general bump but with NSMB2 I thought I'd ask what everyone thinks of it, and if this money centric mario game is worth buying.
The game is great if you look at it on its own merit. It looks great, it controls great, etc. However, it does feel like a complete retread of the Wii version. The actually level design, while not bad, isn't particularly revolutionary. Almost all of the music is taken directly from the Wii version. The boss fights are somewhat similar, as are the world themes. If you have the Wii version then it might not be worth paying full price for it. The new power-up, the gold flower thing, isn't really that awesome. I liked the Wii power ups better, but I did love how the Mega Mushroom as returned!
However, the cannon levels are fun. Unlike the Wii version, where you are simply blasted to a new world, you actually get launched and are running at high speed. You have to jump to avoid enemies and collect coins, and when you reach the end you end up in a new world. lol I didn't explain that very well but you kinda have to experience it yourself.
The coin thing is a complete gimmick. The ultimate goal of NSMB2 is to collect 1000000 coins. I'm half way through and I'm not even close! You are going to have to work HARD to get them. From what I've read, the reward is really lame so I probably won't bother.
Hopefully something more interesting will happen towards the end, because it feels like it's going through the motions. But that's what sells I guess.
