My 3DS XL review for your reading pleasure, my friends! My New Super Mario Bros. 2 review is right around the corner. I just want to finish all the secret content! Yes, it's really taking me this long. For now, see what I have to say about the 3DS XL! See you in a few, short hours.
Doesn't it feel like the 3DS just launched? I remember being outside in NYC, waiting in line with a mass of Nintendo fans, all waiting to get their hands on Nintendo's latest portable gaming machine. While that might seem like it was yesterday, here we are a year deep into the system's life. Not surprisingly, that event is being celebrated with the first redesign of the system. After the 3DS' rocky start and return to profitability, is the 3DS XL the perfect way to re-introduce the 3DS to the public?
What's the most important thing about the 3DS XL? Well, you don't have to worry about missing out on any games if you don't purchase it. Unlike the jump from DS Lite to DSi, the 3DS to 3DS XL transition is purely cosmetic. You're not going to get any added functionality. Any games that are playable on the 3DS will play on 3DS XL, nor is there any content that will be 3DS XL only.
That's really fantastic news, especially this early in the 3DS' life. You don't want to split the userbase already. If you have a 3DS and don't have extra cash on hand, you can rest easy knowing that your funds can go to 3DS games without missing out on content. The 3DS XL is for those of us that have yet to take the plunge into 3DS gaming, or the others out there that just like the portable's style.
Style...that's the name of the game with the 3DS XL. This baby is nothing but a cosmetic remix of the original 3DS, but man is it nice. In all honesty, the only trade-off that might make people upset is the bigger size. If you didn't like the DSi XL, you're not going to enjoy the 3DS XL. This is a bulky system, even though it comes in a bit smaller than the DSi XL. As long as you don't mind more girth in your pocket (dirty minds), it's going to be very hard to resist this beefy brother.
I'm warning you, you might not want to look at the 3DS XL screens in person. They are going to be very, very hard to ignore. I mean that in a good way. Trust me, looking at the 3DS XL will make it so much harder to go back to the 3DS. When I got my DSi XL, I couldn't bring myself back down to the DSi. I have that same exact feeling with the 3DS XL. When you're talking about screen size, bigger is definitely better.
Things are even more pleasing to the eye when you look at that gorgeous upper screen. The bigger widescreen format does wonders for just about any 3DS game you can play. It also makes your 1:1 pixel ratio for DS/Virtual Console games that much closer to perfection. As a matter of fact, if you're looking to make that 1:1 experience that much better, the 3DS XL is going to be a godsend. It may not be spot-on with all types of games, but it'll definitely be better than what the 3DS offers.
If you're worried about system weight, I really don't think you should. The 3DS XL is definitely heavier than the 3DS, but it's not nearly as hefty as I thought. I've been putting in a lot of time with the system, but I've never felt fatigued from holding it. There's definitely more to hold, but it should make for a more comfortable gaming experience.
On the 3DS and DSi, I found myself getting hand cramps after playing for a number of hours. I didn't find that to be a flaw of those systems, but something that just happened with my hands. I'm very happy to say that the hand cramps have disappeared with the 3DS XL. The size helps me to space my hands out a lot better, giving them a chance to stretch a bit while I play. I've heard that quite a few of you have the same hand cramping issue, so hopefully the 3DS XL works out those kinks for you as it did me.
Like I said earlier, there really aren't any downsides to the platform. Besides the upgrade in size, the only other thing I can gripe about is the speakers. The speaker quality is definitely fantastic, just as good as the 3DS. Personally, I feel that the 3DS XL's speakers are a bit quieter than the original 3DS. I don't think they're a huge difference, but I've played the same game on both the 3DS and 3DS XL, side by side, and it does seem that the volume pumped out of the original 3DS is a bit more buff. It's not a dealbreaker by any means. I'm guessing most of you guys play with headphones anyway!
The screen size is definitely the biggest seller with the 3DS XL. If you're looking to buy the system, that's the factor that'll be the make-or-break point for you. With that said, there are a few more little details that might add up to merit a purchase. It's the small things that you'll notice after time spent with the system, thing you'll really come to appreciate.
For example, the stylus placement on the 3DS XL feels a lot more natural, since it's been moved from the back of the system to the side. It may be a slightly smaller stylus, but the positioning really does make it feel right at home. Tie that in with the more clicky-style buttons, which I happen to prefer. The satisfying click feels better to me than the more 'mushy' 3DS buttons. On top of all that, you have the completely redesigned Select, Home and Start buttons. These are hands-down better than the original 3DS. Instead of bubbly semi-buttons, we now have nice, long, flat buttons to press down on. This makes it much easier to reach down and utilize any of the three.
The 3DS XL serves many important purposes for Nintendo. Along with the launch of New Super Mario Bros. 2, the 3DS XL is almost like a second launch for the system. New hardware with a Mario game can be a killer combo, pushing even the most reluctant gamers into giving the system a look. This redesign gets the ball rolling for another push from Nintendo, with which they can take the 3DS in a different direction commercially. The bigger screens will also make the system more appealing to those that compare the 3DS to Vita, or those that just like bigger portables due to their ease of use on the eyes.
Do you need a 3DS XL? If you don't have a 3DS already, I would absolutely say yes. If you were looking for a time to jump in on the 3DS, this is absolutely the time. Given the choice between the two, my head nods fully in the direction of the 3DS XL. What about those of you that have a 3DS already? That choice is completely up to you. Trading in your 3DS for an XL certainly seems like the best option. I'd say go hands-on with the system at a demo station and see how you feel. You'll definitely be pleased with the purchase no matter what. Just do whatever is best for your wallet!
The 3DS XL is sure to be the first of many 3DS redesigns. It seems like Nintendo is working in reverse, starting with the large (size-wise) revision of the 3DS and then taking things wherever they go. You could always say you're holding out on the next 3DS redesign, as one is sure to come. With that said, I doubt we'll see a redesign with bigger screens than this. When you see those screens in action and feel the bigger system in your hands, it's hard not to fall in love right away.
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Great review, but did you mean "Given the choice between the two, my head nods fully in the direction of the 3DS" XL?
I'm not really interested in one because it's so big, I much prefer my handhelds to be small, I love my Gameboy Advance Micro. I like them to fit nicely in my pocket, even the size of the regular 3DS is kind of big for that. But, I really like the looks of the Start/Home/Select buttons, and the placement of the stylus. I'm surprised to hear the stylus is smaller though, I figured it would be one of the big ones like the DSi XL.
I'm so tempted to just buy one when it launches, but I just don't really NEED one right now. I want it, but I think I can wait for a sale. The bigger screens are VERY tempting for me, especially since I never owned the DSi XL. Grr.
What I'm wondering is if crosstalk has been resolved in this hardware revision. No 3DS XL review I've read has addressed this. Crosstalk is that problem that occurs when the stereoscopic 3D is too intense, which causes parts of one view to bleed into the other. Here's a more descriptive definition from Wikipedia:
"In stereoscopic 3D displays, "crosstalk" refers to the incomplete isolation of the left and right image channels so that one leaks or bleeds into the other - like a double exposure, which produces a ghosting effect."
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crosstalk_(electronics)#section_2
Crosstalk is annoying, so it'd be killer if the 3DS XL fixes that flaw.
Its a bought for me already, I've been and still a owner of a dsi-xl trust me its fricken sweet
However the sound isuses is a bit disappointing for I thought the original 3ds speakers were just loud enough to not be too quite, I really hope they are not to quite....
But one thing no one has said about including RMC is what iwatta said about fixing the screen glare on the 3ds-xl screen, the original 3ds had a heck of a glare I would like to known did the 3ds-xl improve on this as they said they did!
Now I have to pick which color fits me?
I had the blue 3ds and I rather get a different color this time, however(I wanted silver!!!
But the red looks like it can draw so much attention that it would be hard to bring it to work with me lol...
And at work the place is painted blue everywhere, much easier to camouflage it there
I have stated on these forums several times, I don't have a 3DS. I have tried many times to save up money to buy one and when I got real serious about purchasing one, 3DS XL was announced.
I recently purchases a DSi XL (late June) and love it!!! I find myself in shock how light it is relative to it's overall size.
Playing my DS Lite after playing my DSi XL is not as bad as I feared. Sure the screen is smaller but the overall size and compact feel of the DSL is what throws me off, not the screen size.
I have my 3DS XL Blue reserved and I could be more excited. Already got three 3DS games waiting...
I'll upgrade if they give us a 3DS U with
- 4 shoulder buttons
- a second stick
But it's kind of unlikely because a 16:9 touchscreen for the Wii U controller images (even if it's half the resolution) is just too big for a 3DS
i already paid for mine... sadly, ive been 3ds-less for over 3 weeks or so.. the 19th cant get here soon enough. its going to be.... eh... fun... to start from scratch again! great review, though, rmc
I have a current 3DS, and am very excited to move on to XL handheld gaming. Just a little over a week more of waiting!
I sure do wish I could justify getting one of these. Maybe down the line if/when my current 3DS breaks. That screen size is awesome, I'd love to give SM3DL another go on it. Does the added size of the screen increase the depth of the 3D as well?
@Darth Vader To some people, yes. I have heard that super mario 3D land is a game you should try on the 3DS xl and compare it to the old 3DS. It's quite amazing from what i have heard
Anyone know if the bigger screens make the jaggies look more or less noticable?
I got my 3DS XL on the day of its release in Europe and it's absolutely gorgeous. Definitely better than the original model. Bigger screens also mean advantage in some games (Mario Tennis Open, Mario Kart 7 etc.)
Thanks for the review, Kevin!
You still get crosstalk. It appears to be the same as before, maybe a touch less if increased screen size leads to a bigger sweet spot.
Jaggies are probably just as noticeable as before. What is MORE noticeable is compression and the effect of soft edges. Character portraits in Tekken appear incredibly crisp on the 3DS, but on the XL suddenly they seem a little soft or compressed. The edges around the title of Rhythm Thief are perfectly fine on 3DS, but in XL size they seem horribly soft.
Generally speaking, graphics are softer and darker on the XL, due to the black in between each pixel (less of an issue on the touch screen for some reason). Going back to Tekken where everything is incredibly crisp, there's a throw that Alisa does where she flies in and out of the screen, very impressive on 3DS but didn't do anything for me on the XL. Played NSMB2 on the XL today, and it reminded me of NSMB1 on DS in terms of the resolution not being high enough for the screen size, and making things look a little blocky. I am confident it will look perfectly crisp on the normal 3DS screen. I also find games to be more immersive on 3DS, perhaps as a result of the crispness issue. There's only 1 game that I'd rather play on the bigger XL screen, and that's Resident Evil Revelations, but even then we are still awaiting the CPP which I use.
I do prefer the d-pad and face buttons on the XL, and screen glare is significantly decreased, but let's face it - if there's a 3rd 3DS, these improvements will be carried over (hoping it will be the size of the 1st gen 3DS). If you have large hands the XL will be better for you bit I have small hands and the 3DS is a perfect fit, and I can reach anywhere on the touch screen with no effort, something that would be lost if I 'upgraded'.
So imo, 3DS > 3DS XL. Save yourself some money and stick with the original.
Does it still have the yellow tint that the newer 3DSes have?
@mintgreen
Thanks for the informative reply! It's disappointing to see that crosstalk is still an issue, but that's all the more reason to stick with my perfectly fine 3DS, instead of rushing out to get an XL. Instead, I'll be saving up for the Wii U!
Preordered............
There isnt a single thing the 3ds original does better
I'm planning to get an XL with some help from my rewards. After I transfer all my vc/dsiware/3dsware games, I plan to sell my regular 3ds to a pal at a price where it benefits both of us. Cheaper than what it would be resold at, but more than what I would get for it.
Eh, I have a hard time believing these people that say the original is better when literally every review states otherwise. I'm more inclined to believe it's people being shy with their money and creating excuses to feel better about sticking with an older model. This seems to happen with all hardware revisions.
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