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Nintendo 3DSXL 3030078.00 Game System - 4.88" LCD Display, 3D Ready, 3D Recording, Internet Browser, Red
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
81 of 94 people found the following review helpful
By Jawwaad
Fun:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well, I just came back from Target about 30 minutes ago and I picked up my 3DS XL. I picked up the red and black one. As soon as I took it out of the box I could see that this was well worth the money. IMO, the overall design is much better than the original 3DS. When you open the lid, you a hear a click that assures you that the hinge is tightly fastened. The screens are beautiful and the size of them are great. The original 3DS's screen is dwarfed compared to the 3DS XL's as it's 90% bigger. The stylus is now on the side rather than on the top which I think is a better place for it, as it's easier to get to in the middle of a game. The outer shape seems to have a more rounded design than the original 3DS. There is no docking station for recharging this time but rather it went back to the original cord in the back. Also, if you have an old DS XL case, then the 3DS XL will fit in it. I have one that I bought from BB last week for $1.99. Also, the 3DS XL comes with a 4GB card rather than the 2GB that comes with the original 3DS.
I popped in Mario 3D just to see how the picture was and I was amazed on how vivid the colors are and how the game fits perfectly as on the DS XL, people complained that the games seemed a little blurry because of the size enhancement. I've registered it on clubnintendo.com and now I'm in the process of tranferring my data from original 3DS to my XL. It's taking awhile but it was a snap making the transfer. Here's the video I used for it.
How to Transfer Files From a 3DS to a 3DS XL on youtube
Update: My system has now been fully transferred and everything from my original 3DS is now on my 3DS XL including the Ambassador Program info. Took about 20 minutes give or take. Also, you have to first do a system update on your 3DS XL before you start the transfer so you'll have to connect your 3DS XL to your WiFi connection before anything. The 3DS XL comes charged about 50% straight out of the box, so you can make the full transfer without having to charge it first. Also, for everyone who doesn't actually own a 3DS but plans on getting one, spend the extra $30-$40 and get the XL. You definitely won't be disappointed.
Update #2: Well, I've played a few games so far such as MK 7, Mario 3D, SSF IV, and Heroes of Ruin, and I must say, it's great. With my original 3DS, I really didn't use the 3D aspect of it on games because I tend to move around a lot while playing and the "sweet" spot was very small to really maintain the 3D effect but it's much bigger on the XL. Super Street Fighter IV is beautiful in 3D on such a nice sized screen. The bigger screen also added a lot of depth in MK 7 as it looks like you are really driving down a road. This bigger screen really makes me appreciate the 3D aspect of the 3DS and it's games. The 3D XL really makes me glad to be a Nintendo fan and I can't wait to see what they have their sleeves in the next coming months and years as far as games. I think the 3DS's library might be able to top the DS's in a couple of years and we all know that won't be an easy job but I think now we have a near perfect handheld gaming device.
I popped in Mario 3D just to see how the picture was and I was amazed on how vivid the colors are and how the game fits perfectly as on the DS XL, people complained that the games seemed a little blurry because of the size enhancement. I've registered it on clubnintendo.com and now I'm in the process of tranferring my data from original 3DS to my XL. It's taking awhile but it was a snap making the transfer. Here's the video I used for it.
How to Transfer Files From a 3DS to a 3DS XL on youtube
Update: My system has now been fully transferred and everything from my original 3DS is now on my 3DS XL including the Ambassador Program info. Took about 20 minutes give or take. Also, you have to first do a system update on your 3DS XL before you start the transfer so you'll have to connect your 3DS XL to your WiFi connection before anything. The 3DS XL comes charged about 50% straight out of the box, so you can make the full transfer without having to charge it first. Also, for everyone who doesn't actually own a 3DS but plans on getting one, spend the extra $30-$40 and get the XL. You definitely won't be disappointed.
Update #2: Well, I've played a few games so far such as MK 7, Mario 3D, SSF IV, and Heroes of Ruin, and I must say, it's great. With my original 3DS, I really didn't use the 3D aspect of it on games because I tend to move around a lot while playing and the "sweet" spot was very small to really maintain the 3D effect but it's much bigger on the XL. Super Street Fighter IV is beautiful in 3D on such a nice sized screen. The bigger screen also added a lot of depth in MK 7 as it looks like you are really driving down a road. This bigger screen really makes me appreciate the 3D aspect of the 3DS and it's games. The 3D XL really makes me glad to be a Nintendo fan and I can't wait to see what they have their sleeves in the next coming months and years as far as games. I think the 3DS's library might be able to top the DS's in a couple of years and we all know that won't be an easy job but I think now we have a near perfect handheld gaming device.
66 of 79 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally, Nintendo delivers on the 3DS' potential (an in-depth look at the improvements and differences over the original 3DS)
August 21, 2012
Fun:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If one looks at the 3DS with an unbiased, objective point of view, there is a lot to love. It was basically a next-gen successor of Nintendo's vastly successful DS console, with the horse-power of a console somewhere between the Gamecube and the Wii. It utilized a very cool 3-D effect that, when done right, really adds to the overall immersion of the gaming experiences available on it. Everything was an improvement on the original DS. Granted, it also had some caveats and issues as well. The 3DS XL does a very good job delivering the goodness of the original 3DS, while making vast improvements over its smaller brother original. In this review, I will focus on the differences and improvements this model makes on the 3DS line. I'll warn you right now, this is a long review. If you don't like long reviews, then you may want to skip this. :P
Screen Size: With a title that includes "XL," obviously the increase in size is the biggest difference between this and the original 3DS. It may be easy to hear that the screens are 90% bigger than the original, but it really is a stark difference when you take the system out of the package and see it for yourself. The XL's screens are HUGE compared to the original. It's comparable to the jump between the DSi and the DSXL, for those savvy to what that means, but in this case its even bigger because the top screen is in a widescreen format. Despite the size increase, the picture is still crisp and pops with nice detail. I thought that because the screen would be bigger, but with the same resolution as the original, the XL's picture would be distorted and fuzzy, but that's not the case here. I've put the screen detail and quality through rigorous testing since buying the system, playing many different games, and the bigger picture really makes the scenery more detailed than I ever noticed before. It's no exaggeration to say that the games actually feel new due to this greater detail. It's great!
Screen quality: Instead of the top half of the XL having a shiny, glossy finish of the screen and the area around it that the original featured, the 3DSXL features an almost "smoothed over" finish that was meant to lessen glare from the sun or other lights from bothering your eyes. It actually makes quite a difference. The trade-off is that the back-lighting seems just a smidgen less bright, but not much at all. One of the biggest problems I had with the original 3DS was the problem of "ghosting." It was especially frequent in games with areas of high contrast. This was a common issue people had with the original 3DS, but I haven't noticed it much at all yet with the XL. This is a big plus for me, because that ghosting was one of my biggest gripes with the original. I made my peace with it though, because ghosting naturally occurs from time to time with the tech being utilized in the 3DS, but to have it mostly gone here is a real treat. The colors in the XL seem brighter and a bit more vibrant as well. The touch screen is really nicely made, and seems to be a slight improvement on the original, but the difference is negligible. The saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," comes to mind.
DS backwards compatibility: Honestly, this is one of the best things about the 3DXL. If you look up comparison videos of the first 3DS playing original DS games and a DSi playing DS games, the 3DS is surprisingly inferior. The colors are more bland, the resolution is fairly fuzzy, and if you choose to play it in its native resolution to fix that blurry smudginess, the screen becomes so small it's hardly worth doing that. The XL makes drastic improvements in all of these areas. The colors are just as bright and beautiful as playing on a normal DSiXL. Due to the larger screen size, playing in a native resolution still leaves ample room for playtime and is no longer the cramp experience the first 3DS offered. If you choose that route, the screen will be close to a normal DSi. Even if you don't, the picture is still decent at full-size, shockingly. This fantastic backwards compatibility is a real plus in the 3DSXL's favor and should not be understated. Massive improvement here.
Build quality: Much like the new DSi and DSiXL made notable improvements in build quality to their predecessors, so does the XL refine the design of its predecessor. Instead of an outer glossy finish, there is a sleek matte exterior that makes the XL feel more heavy duty and refined. It definitely has a better build quality than the original. My original 3DS' top screen hinge became fairly loose and the lock-in positions a little weak after just one instance where I accidentally jostled it. The hinges on the XL click and lock into one or two set angular positions before locking into the flat position and I know there's no way this thing is going to break easily at all. That's a really nice improvement. The system is surprisingly slick in its form too. It's about the same thickness as the original (which is kind of clunky in comparison, let's be honest), and even weighs less than expected, despite the larger screen and button size, and this size and shape really comes across as a mature, sleek gadget from Nintendo. I felt the same way about their classy DSiXL system too. The buttons are also vastly improved. The home, select, and start buttons are actual separated buttons that have a bit of click to them, which is a vast improvement. The other buttons have more "squish" to them, but still click in a satisfying way. All-in-all, the buttons feel very balanced, if that make sense. They're very similar to the DSiXL's button quality, which is to say, very nice. The 3-D and Volume slider are also different. When all the way off, the 3-D slider clicks into position, and when you want to turn the 3-D effect on, you must click it out of position and then slide it to your desired position. Both the volume and 3-D sliders seem more heavy duty. They stick and stay in position very, very well. A lot of small details add up in this system, to be sure.
Battery life: In my personal experience, the original 3DS had battery life that lasted about 4-5 hours with the 3-D slid up, 5-7 without 3-D, and roughly 6-8 hours with DS games. The 3DS XL is supposed to last 3.5-6.5 hours with 3D, 6-8 without, and 8-10 with DS games. It's not a HUGE improvement, but every bit counts. If you're like me and play a lot of the time with the system plugged into the wall, it won't really matter all that much anyway, but for those who want to play on the go, this is a really nice improvement over the original.
Sound: Supposedly, the sound tech in the 3DSXL is pretty close to the original, but I (and others, I've checked) have noticed some differences. The speakers on the XL seem a bit quieter than the original. Not a ton, mind you, but it's noticeable. The speaker volume level seems to depend on which game you're playing too. 3D Classics: Kirby's Adventure seems just as loud as before, but better now. I tend to play my 3DS with these amazing headphones on, and the difference becomes really noticeable then. The sound from the XL with headphones seems a lot more detailed and ambient than before, and the volume level is fine. The highs, mids, and lows are distinctive with no aspect overpowering or distorting the others. Much like the visuals, I'm hearing things in games I never heard before, and it has enhanced my experience even further. Great stuff here, and a very pleasant surprise!
Memory: The 3DSXL comes with a 4 GB SD card, making for a much bigger space for storage than the 2 GB SD card included with the first models. This is nice. I almost filled my first one up and still had a lot more games to get. Granted, you can buy any sized SD to use with the 3DS after some formatting, but having more space right off the bat is nice.
Any issues?: In many ways, the 3DSXL is what the 3DS should have been from the beginning, and it's a fantastic little handheld. It's not quite perfect though. For one, where's the second analog slider? There's ample room under the right-hand face buttons for it, but alas, no slider. It's not a problem that bothers me much, but I must note it because there are many who will view it as an issue. Imagining the boat-peripheral they're making for this system makes me giggle a bit. It conjures up visions of Nintendo releasing a laptop-sized 3DS with trigger buttons, lol. I understand they kept it out due to tech/power/space optimization, which makes sense. Personally, I never cared much for a second slider, and not having one has pushed developers to come up with some really creative things in the past on the DS and 3DS alike. I also find the design of the XL to be, like the original, cramped and painful to hold after a while, especially in high-action games. It's definitely better, don't get me wrong, but the cramping is still there a bit. I am waiting for CTA-Digital to release a Sega Saturn-esque hand grip for the system. :D Perhaps the most annoying thing about this handheld is the d-pad. It works just as well as the one before, but now it's extremely "clicky." I don't mean the button clicks when you use it; that has always been the case with the 3DS. What I mean is, now the d-pad seems to be looser in its area, and so makes this "clickety" sound against the bracket if you lift your thumb off of it even if only for a split-second. It can be really annoying. One more personal gripe: the color choices. Really Nintendo? Bright blue and red? The DSiXL had really mature, fetching color options that made the system feel like an adult's gadget. These slick red and blue colors are a lot less subtle and elegant. Read more ›
Screen Size: With a title that includes "XL," obviously the increase in size is the biggest difference between this and the original 3DS. It may be easy to hear that the screens are 90% bigger than the original, but it really is a stark difference when you take the system out of the package and see it for yourself. The XL's screens are HUGE compared to the original. It's comparable to the jump between the DSi and the DSXL, for those savvy to what that means, but in this case its even bigger because the top screen is in a widescreen format. Despite the size increase, the picture is still crisp and pops with nice detail. I thought that because the screen would be bigger, but with the same resolution as the original, the XL's picture would be distorted and fuzzy, but that's not the case here. I've put the screen detail and quality through rigorous testing since buying the system, playing many different games, and the bigger picture really makes the scenery more detailed than I ever noticed before. It's no exaggeration to say that the games actually feel new due to this greater detail. It's great!
Screen quality: Instead of the top half of the XL having a shiny, glossy finish of the screen and the area around it that the original featured, the 3DSXL features an almost "smoothed over" finish that was meant to lessen glare from the sun or other lights from bothering your eyes. It actually makes quite a difference. The trade-off is that the back-lighting seems just a smidgen less bright, but not much at all. One of the biggest problems I had with the original 3DS was the problem of "ghosting." It was especially frequent in games with areas of high contrast. This was a common issue people had with the original 3DS, but I haven't noticed it much at all yet with the XL. This is a big plus for me, because that ghosting was one of my biggest gripes with the original. I made my peace with it though, because ghosting naturally occurs from time to time with the tech being utilized in the 3DS, but to have it mostly gone here is a real treat. The colors in the XL seem brighter and a bit more vibrant as well. The touch screen is really nicely made, and seems to be a slight improvement on the original, but the difference is negligible. The saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," comes to mind.
DS backwards compatibility: Honestly, this is one of the best things about the 3DXL. If you look up comparison videos of the first 3DS playing original DS games and a DSi playing DS games, the 3DS is surprisingly inferior. The colors are more bland, the resolution is fairly fuzzy, and if you choose to play it in its native resolution to fix that blurry smudginess, the screen becomes so small it's hardly worth doing that. The XL makes drastic improvements in all of these areas. The colors are just as bright and beautiful as playing on a normal DSiXL. Due to the larger screen size, playing in a native resolution still leaves ample room for playtime and is no longer the cramp experience the first 3DS offered. If you choose that route, the screen will be close to a normal DSi. Even if you don't, the picture is still decent at full-size, shockingly. This fantastic backwards compatibility is a real plus in the 3DSXL's favor and should not be understated. Massive improvement here.
Build quality: Much like the new DSi and DSiXL made notable improvements in build quality to their predecessors, so does the XL refine the design of its predecessor. Instead of an outer glossy finish, there is a sleek matte exterior that makes the XL feel more heavy duty and refined. It definitely has a better build quality than the original. My original 3DS' top screen hinge became fairly loose and the lock-in positions a little weak after just one instance where I accidentally jostled it. The hinges on the XL click and lock into one or two set angular positions before locking into the flat position and I know there's no way this thing is going to break easily at all. That's a really nice improvement. The system is surprisingly slick in its form too. It's about the same thickness as the original (which is kind of clunky in comparison, let's be honest), and even weighs less than expected, despite the larger screen and button size, and this size and shape really comes across as a mature, sleek gadget from Nintendo. I felt the same way about their classy DSiXL system too. The buttons are also vastly improved. The home, select, and start buttons are actual separated buttons that have a bit of click to them, which is a vast improvement. The other buttons have more "squish" to them, but still click in a satisfying way. All-in-all, the buttons feel very balanced, if that make sense. They're very similar to the DSiXL's button quality, which is to say, very nice. The 3-D and Volume slider are also different. When all the way off, the 3-D slider clicks into position, and when you want to turn the 3-D effect on, you must click it out of position and then slide it to your desired position. Both the volume and 3-D sliders seem more heavy duty. They stick and stay in position very, very well. A lot of small details add up in this system, to be sure.
Battery life: In my personal experience, the original 3DS had battery life that lasted about 4-5 hours with the 3-D slid up, 5-7 without 3-D, and roughly 6-8 hours with DS games. The 3DS XL is supposed to last 3.5-6.5 hours with 3D, 6-8 without, and 8-10 with DS games. It's not a HUGE improvement, but every bit counts. If you're like me and play a lot of the time with the system plugged into the wall, it won't really matter all that much anyway, but for those who want to play on the go, this is a really nice improvement over the original.
Sound: Supposedly, the sound tech in the 3DSXL is pretty close to the original, but I (and others, I've checked) have noticed some differences. The speakers on the XL seem a bit quieter than the original. Not a ton, mind you, but it's noticeable. The speaker volume level seems to depend on which game you're playing too. 3D Classics: Kirby's Adventure seems just as loud as before, but better now. I tend to play my 3DS with these amazing headphones on, and the difference becomes really noticeable then. The sound from the XL with headphones seems a lot more detailed and ambient than before, and the volume level is fine. The highs, mids, and lows are distinctive with no aspect overpowering or distorting the others. Much like the visuals, I'm hearing things in games I never heard before, and it has enhanced my experience even further. Great stuff here, and a very pleasant surprise!
Memory: The 3DSXL comes with a 4 GB SD card, making for a much bigger space for storage than the 2 GB SD card included with the first models. This is nice. I almost filled my first one up and still had a lot more games to get. Granted, you can buy any sized SD to use with the 3DS after some formatting, but having more space right off the bat is nice.
Any issues?: In many ways, the 3DSXL is what the 3DS should have been from the beginning, and it's a fantastic little handheld. It's not quite perfect though. For one, where's the second analog slider? There's ample room under the right-hand face buttons for it, but alas, no slider. It's not a problem that bothers me much, but I must note it because there are many who will view it as an issue. Imagining the boat-peripheral they're making for this system makes me giggle a bit. It conjures up visions of Nintendo releasing a laptop-sized 3DS with trigger buttons, lol. I understand they kept it out due to tech/power/space optimization, which makes sense. Personally, I never cared much for a second slider, and not having one has pushed developers to come up with some really creative things in the past on the DS and 3DS alike. I also find the design of the XL to be, like the original, cramped and painful to hold after a while, especially in high-action games. It's definitely better, don't get me wrong, but the cramping is still there a bit. I am waiting for CTA-Digital to release a Sega Saturn-esque hand grip for the system. :D Perhaps the most annoying thing about this handheld is the d-pad. It works just as well as the one before, but now it's extremely "clicky." I don't mean the button clicks when you use it; that has always been the case with the 3DS. What I mean is, now the d-pad seems to be looser in its area, and so makes this "clickety" sound against the bracket if you lift your thumb off of it even if only for a split-second. It can be really annoying. One more personal gripe: the color choices. Really Nintendo? Bright blue and red? The DSiXL had really mature, fetching color options that made the system feel like an adult's gadget. These slick red and blue colors are a lot less subtle and elegant. Read more ›
28 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Fun:
4.0 out of 5 stars
When it comes to "more", the 3DS XL is the perfect solution: each screen is nearly double the size of the original 3DS and the feel of peering into it is a bit more relaxing to my eyes than the time I spent with the smaller-screen original.
If you're new to the idea of the 3DS, it is Nintendo's excellent follow-up to their handheld DS, DS Lite, and DSi consoles, with one huge difference: the top screen produces 3D visual effects without the need for any special glasses. This feature works very well, but there are some very important considerations when using either size of unit:
- You shouldn't play more than an hour at a time without taking a break: this technology really can strain your eyes
- While the American Optometrists' Association has cleared the 3DS sceen for everyday continuous use, Nintendo of America strongly urges that children limit the time they spend using the unit to short sessions, and that children under 7 not use the 3D aspect at all.
- The effect works well when your eyes and the screen are properly balanced, but you have to train yourself to minimize how much you move your head or the unit while playing to keep your eyes properly focused.
This last part is really the only drawback to the 3DS technology, and the reason I tend to waver between full-on 3D and fully off: when it works, it's worth getting the full experience, but if it doesn't, pulling the slider back doesn't change the fact that your eyes have dropped out of the 3D 'sweet spot'. When you play a game with 3D aspects to it, tilting the screen screws up the effect. This doesn't sound like a big deal until you try to play a game like Starfox 3D 64, which is best flown by tilting the unit to steer the spaceship; or Kid Icarus, which flies you around on the screen but expects you to hold the unit, bang the shoulder buttons, and still manage to hold the stylus and work it across the touchscreen constantly throughout gameplay. When 3D is completely off, you can better see, but of course you don't get to see any depth to the game. When it's completely on, I find myself having to hold very still in order to keep my focus. More passive gameplay titles like Mario work better because it's easier to keep the unit fairly fixed while you play and the environment is more 'layers of side-scrolling' than it is 'immersion in a 3D box'.
While 3D is the showcase of the unit, there are a LOT more added features that aren't immediately obvious. For example, if you choose to close the lid of the unit and have it standby rather than power it down, Nintendo have given the 3DS and 3DS XL a technology called "StreetPass" that will cause you to swap data with other people who happen to walk by with a 3DS in standby mode. You can also earn gold coins by walking--the unit acts as a pedometer and with every 100 steps will award you a gold coin, which can be redeemed in some games for various goodies. Wi-fi is integrated into the 3DS so you can play with friends over the Internet, or you can play locally with friends nearby using this technology. The 3DS offers Netflix (available as a separate download) for watching movies. The Nintendo Store is integrated into the unit so that you can download games or other content (such as videos) onto the unit. The 3DS has a slot for an SDHC memory card (4GB, included) and you can load one or more cards with games or content. Last, the 3DS boasts a camera that can take 3D pictures: its twin lenses snap images that pop right out of your 3D screen.
If you have an older DSi or 3DS, there's good news: you can transfer your old files--pictures, videos, and game saves--to your new unit fairly simply. Like the 3DS, it contains a 3D Camera that can shoot 3D pictures and video, which has been tremendous fun to play with. There are several more apps on the unit, such as:
- 3D Sound: record and play pack sounds
- Mii Maker: like the Wii, you can make one or more Miis (avatars of your player)
- StreetPass Mii Plaza: congregate with other Nintendo gamers, collecting Miis, trading items, and even co-oping your Miis with other players in little battles
- AR Games: for those of you new to the idea, there is an amazing 3D technology that involves laying out special "AR Cards" on a flat surface and interacting with them through the camera and controls. This is probably the greatest showcase of the 3D technology I've seen so far. I took the main card, placed it on the table, and so long as the camera could see the card, it created all sorts of 3D games to play. The unit visually warped the tablecloth into a mini-golf course, made it look like a fish pond that I could fish from, and as I walked around the table plinking arrows into pop-up targets, I even got to fight a dragon that I could move behind or to the side of...all appearing to be happening on the tabletop in front of me. It blew me away.
- Nintendo Zone: allows you to pull down unique content "at participating locations"...I'm thinking the best example of this is my daughter getting to download a special Pokemon at her local GameStop. In this case, SpotPass lets you walk through an area and automatically receive goodies of various sorts.
There are some people who are unhappy with the sound quality of the 3DS XL. While I found the speakers to be plenty loud for one person playing at arm's length, others may be experiencing different quality depending on the Sound Settings. There are better or worse headphones or earbuds to use, but also there are options for "Surround", "Stereo", and "Mono". Depending on how you are listening and what you're listening with, Surround might work better or worse than Stereo. I've also noticed sound adjustments in the music player that only apply to playback of music and not to the system as a whole.
If you're looking for a fun new hi-tech handheld, the 3DS fits the bill. It has a lot of extra features beyond being just a game device. The 3D technology is fairly impressive, but more to the point you will get more enjoyment of 3D out of the XL's bigger screen.
If you're new to the idea of the 3DS, it is Nintendo's excellent follow-up to their handheld DS, DS Lite, and DSi consoles, with one huge difference: the top screen produces 3D visual effects without the need for any special glasses. This feature works very well, but there are some very important considerations when using either size of unit:
- You shouldn't play more than an hour at a time without taking a break: this technology really can strain your eyes
- While the American Optometrists' Association has cleared the 3DS sceen for everyday continuous use, Nintendo of America strongly urges that children limit the time they spend using the unit to short sessions, and that children under 7 not use the 3D aspect at all.
- The effect works well when your eyes and the screen are properly balanced, but you have to train yourself to minimize how much you move your head or the unit while playing to keep your eyes properly focused.
This last part is really the only drawback to the 3DS technology, and the reason I tend to waver between full-on 3D and fully off: when it works, it's worth getting the full experience, but if it doesn't, pulling the slider back doesn't change the fact that your eyes have dropped out of the 3D 'sweet spot'. When you play a game with 3D aspects to it, tilting the screen screws up the effect. This doesn't sound like a big deal until you try to play a game like Starfox 3D 64, which is best flown by tilting the unit to steer the spaceship; or Kid Icarus, which flies you around on the screen but expects you to hold the unit, bang the shoulder buttons, and still manage to hold the stylus and work it across the touchscreen constantly throughout gameplay. When 3D is completely off, you can better see, but of course you don't get to see any depth to the game. When it's completely on, I find myself having to hold very still in order to keep my focus. More passive gameplay titles like Mario work better because it's easier to keep the unit fairly fixed while you play and the environment is more 'layers of side-scrolling' than it is 'immersion in a 3D box'.
While 3D is the showcase of the unit, there are a LOT more added features that aren't immediately obvious. For example, if you choose to close the lid of the unit and have it standby rather than power it down, Nintendo have given the 3DS and 3DS XL a technology called "StreetPass" that will cause you to swap data with other people who happen to walk by with a 3DS in standby mode. You can also earn gold coins by walking--the unit acts as a pedometer and with every 100 steps will award you a gold coin, which can be redeemed in some games for various goodies. Wi-fi is integrated into the 3DS so you can play with friends over the Internet, or you can play locally with friends nearby using this technology. The 3DS offers Netflix (available as a separate download) for watching movies. The Nintendo Store is integrated into the unit so that you can download games or other content (such as videos) onto the unit. The 3DS has a slot for an SDHC memory card (4GB, included) and you can load one or more cards with games or content. Last, the 3DS boasts a camera that can take 3D pictures: its twin lenses snap images that pop right out of your 3D screen.
If you have an older DSi or 3DS, there's good news: you can transfer your old files--pictures, videos, and game saves--to your new unit fairly simply. Like the 3DS, it contains a 3D Camera that can shoot 3D pictures and video, which has been tremendous fun to play with. There are several more apps on the unit, such as:
- 3D Sound: record and play pack sounds
- Mii Maker: like the Wii, you can make one or more Miis (avatars of your player)
- StreetPass Mii Plaza: congregate with other Nintendo gamers, collecting Miis, trading items, and even co-oping your Miis with other players in little battles
- AR Games: for those of you new to the idea, there is an amazing 3D technology that involves laying out special "AR Cards" on a flat surface and interacting with them through the camera and controls. This is probably the greatest showcase of the 3D technology I've seen so far. I took the main card, placed it on the table, and so long as the camera could see the card, it created all sorts of 3D games to play. The unit visually warped the tablecloth into a mini-golf course, made it look like a fish pond that I could fish from, and as I walked around the table plinking arrows into pop-up targets, I even got to fight a dragon that I could move behind or to the side of...all appearing to be happening on the tabletop in front of me. It blew me away.
- Nintendo Zone: allows you to pull down unique content "at participating locations"...I'm thinking the best example of this is my daughter getting to download a special Pokemon at her local GameStop. In this case, SpotPass lets you walk through an area and automatically receive goodies of various sorts.
There are some people who are unhappy with the sound quality of the 3DS XL. While I found the speakers to be plenty loud for one person playing at arm's length, others may be experiencing different quality depending on the Sound Settings. There are better or worse headphones or earbuds to use, but also there are options for "Surround", "Stereo", and "Mono". Depending on how you are listening and what you're listening with, Surround might work better or worse than Stereo. I've also noticed sound adjustments in the music player that only apply to playback of music and not to the system as a whole.
If you're looking for a fun new hi-tech handheld, the 3DS fits the bill. It has a lot of extra features beyond being just a game device. The 3D technology is fairly impressive, but more to the point you will get more enjoyment of 3D out of the XL's bigger screen.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
As Promised
I Purchased this for my daughter's birthday and, she does enjoy using it. The quality/ appearance was the same as advertised and, shipping time was also consistent with promised... Read more
Published 2 days ago by Fernie Brooks
5.0 out of 5 stars
I love the features on this
I just wish that i could afford more games for it as some of the games are a little pricy
Published 18 days ago by Ms Constance M. Ferro
4.0 out of 5 stars
Over all is awesome but....
Im gonna start saying that i waited for 11 months to be able to buy it. A friend was going to gift it to me but he couldnt do it when expected so i had to wait all that time for... Read more
Published 21 days ago by Lady White
4.0 out of 5 stars
First Game Console
Thisis the first game console I have owned so I cannot compare it to others, but it seems okay. It holds a charge for a long time and the game loads quickly. Read more
Published 23 days ago by Deanna Concidine
5.0 out of 5 stars
EXCELLENT
PRODUCT QUALITY, VERY NICE AND COVER MY EXPECTATIONS, EXCELLENT EXCELLENT CARE AND ATTENTION, highly recommend them. THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL THE CARE PROVIDED.
Published 26 days ago by Mariela Rosales
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good overall improvement over 3DS
I was a 3DS early adopter, having loved the DS and being a bit too caught-up in the 3D hype. That means I did get burned on that, having bought the original for the full launch... Read more
Published 28 days ago by Yu-jin Chia
5.0 out of 5 stars
3DS XL is much better than regular 3DS
If you are thinking of buying a new 3DS buy the XL. I bought the 3DS at launch and was very happy with it, but the XL version made it a million times better. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Johnnie Esquivel Piedra
4.0 out of 5 stars
It's cute
It has a lot of cute little features but honestly I got it for the games and that's all that matters in the end. The 3D can be a bit off at times and you may get double vision. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jared J Boteler
5.0 out of 5 stars
AWESOME
Recieved it in a very timely manor. It was as described. Works excellent. A pleasure doing bussiness!!:) Looking for Super Mario 2, at agood price,
Published 1 month ago by raynedrop
4.0 out of 5 stars
Its good yet has some flaws
My reviews might not be in major detail on the product but rather I'm going to pinpoint the exact problems and the reason why I may like a product, and what Nintendo can do to fix... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kenshin
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