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Some background before we begin: I'm a PC gamer, mainly, and this was my first hand-held console purchase since the GameBoy. That said, my expectations are pretty high from a performance and usability standpoint.
I was really unsure if I would like the 3DS XL before it arrived. After updating the system (which can be painfully slow, compared to the faster speeds some may be used to on a wired connection on other consoles or computers), I was really pleasantly surprised about how much I ended up liking this thing, even with all of it's pitfalls (more on those later).
Look and Feel:
The Lime Green edition 3DS XL I got came with Super Mario World pre-installed, which was a nice bonus. It looks absolutely fantastic. The black interior that you'll be looking at most of the time is subtle, but when paired with the lime green skin on this model, the combination really makes it look like a more premium device rather than just a toy. It's a bit thinner than I expected, and because of this, holding it can be sort of awkward in some situations (laying down on the couch or in bed trying to play, for example). Holding this while sitting up is not much if a problem, and I found the joystick and button configuration to be quite comfortable. I have not yet encountered a game that relies heavily on the L and R triggers, but from what I can tell, I hope I don't encounter one any time soon. The bumpers on this thing are placed somewhat awkwardly and it makes using them less than pleasant. Luckily, no game that I own uses these and I don't see many FPS-type games for this platform, so I won't ding the unit for this. Honestly, not much can be done about the placement of these bumpers anyway.
The build quality is quite nice as well. It's still a plastic construction, but feels like it will hold up well if I take care of it.
Usability (Software, UI, App Store, etc):
I came to this platform without really knowing what to expect from a UI or app store perspective. First, the UI is incredibly simple on this device, which I find to be a plus. The UI doesn't have much room for power users, but it does it's job well enough. I'm pretty surprised that Nintendo didn't do more here to beautify the interface, but whatever. It works just fine and is so simple, a child could use it, which is the point I suppose.
The app store is alright, but has limited sort and filter options when trying to find an app/game but aren't exactly sure what you want. I had this problem when trying to find out what apps ran on the 3DS, but wasn't able to filter down very well to see the type of app that I wanted.
Let me now move on to my experience using this little thing: I love it, despite the minor pitfalls I mentioned about (and more that I will mention below). Gaming on this thing and playing titles in 3D is a real treat. It's super small, portable, and the quality of games out for this device is rather higher than I expected. The first game I played was Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and I absolutely loved it. I never expected to put 40+ hours into a handheld game so quickly. The social options are extremely limited on this device, but that's okay. For me, the 3DS is all about playing great games, classics and otherwise, by myself and enjoying that single player experience. This console definitely delivers on that promise of simplicity.
To wrap up:
PROS:
- Decent display
- Battery life is decent
- Games for this console are fun!
- Looks and feels wonderful
CONS:
- No AC wi-fi. What. The. Heck. By now, this needs to be a standard. The download speeds that I get on this device for even the smallest apps is extremely slow on the 2.4 Ghz band. My wireless network functions extremely well on the 5Ghz band, but unfortunately, this device will only function on 2.4. Keep that in mind if you have a congested 2.4 network like I do, since all of that bandwidth is now split up between even more devices.
- No power-user options, and a lack of social features that I'm used to on playstation and PC (such as chat parties and easy ways to find friends)
Excellent device. Would recommend for anyone looking to game on a budget, or on the go.
There is a newer version of this item:
Nintendo New 3DS XL - Super NES Edition + Super Mario Kart for SNES
$1,244.94
(1,889)
Only 2 left in stock - order soon.
$1,244.94
(1,889)
Only 2 left in stock - order soon.
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From the manufacturer
Face Tracking 3D & Faster Processing Power than Nintendo 3DS
Using the inner camera, face tracking 3D provides an improved 3D gaming experience from a wider range of viewing angles compared to Nintendo 3DS. The New Nintendo 3DS Xl system adjusts the 3D “sweet spot” based on the location of the user’s face.
Improved processing power allows for faster loading of applications, such as Miiverse and games. Plus the improved CPU performance allows you to enjoy faster speeds for downloading software.
Built in amiibo & NFC support and C Stick for Enhanced Controls
Enhance your compatible games with amiibo figures. Simply tap your amiibo on the touch screen and discover the power inside.
The C Stick opens a new world to your games. With certain games, you can freely control the in-game camera to get a new point of view.
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|---|---|---|---|
| Plays 3D games | In 2D and face-tracking 3D | In 2D | In 2D |
| Compatible with Nintendo 3DS software | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Compatible with New Nintendo 3DS exclusive software | ✓ | ✓ | |
| C stick and ZL/ZR buttons | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Built in NFC reader | ✓ | ✓ | |
| AC adapter included | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Screen size | Upper: 4.88 inches (diagonal) Lower: 4.18 inches (diagonal) | Upper: 4.88 inches (diagonal) Lower: 4.18 inches (diagonal) | Upper: 3.53 inches (diagonal) Lower: 3.02 inches (diagonal) |
| Dimensions (open) | 6.4 in. × 6.3 in. × 0.8 in. | 6.4 in. × 6.3 in. × 0.8 in. | 5 in. × 5.66 in. × 0.8 in. |
| Dimensions (folded) | 3.7 in. × 6.3 in. x 0.8 in. | 3.4 in. × 6.3 in. × 0.8 in. | N/A |
| Weight | Approx. 11.6 ounces | Approx. 9.2 ounces | Approx. 9.2 ounces |
Reviews with images
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 8, 2016
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 19, 2017
I bought this to upgrade from a regular 3DS XL. This model comes with beefier computing power, improved 3D, and a few design changes. It utilizes microSD cards as opposed to full-sized ones, so be aware of that. A 4GB microSD is included inside the system, but if you want a larger one I recommend upgrading immediately, as it is simpler not to transfer later. I believe the maximum size it accepts is 32GB. It is very annoying to access the microSD and is the reason I knocked off a star. My sister bought one of these (in black) when they first came out and immediately damaged the system getting the back plate off, and had to buy a whole new system because of it. Nintendo tells you to use the stylus as a pry-bar to pop the back case off but I couldn't get that to work. I just had to pop it off with my fingers, which was harrowing and I could tell- it would be very easy to accidentally break it. Be careful and don't let your kid do it. There are also tiny screws that require a precision screwdriver. I happened to have one as I work on computers, but not everyone does. Anyway, if all goes well, you won't have to access the card often (or possibly ever) but still. Not a great design choice.
The screen resolution looks much clearer than the old model, as well; that was something I was not expecting. EDIT: Apparently, Nintendo changed the top screen to IPS on the New 3DS XL. It shows! It looks amazing. Note: this is for the XL model only. The improved 3D really is so much better. The 3D was barely usable on the old models beyond a couple seconds of "Oh huh, cool," then shutting it off again. I may actually play some games in 3D now! The case color is also fantastic. It does not have a matte finish, so it collects fingerprints, but since the color is light, it isn't terribly noticeable. It has a yellowish sheen when the light hits it right too. Just great.
It says so on the box but it DOES NOT come with a charger. If you don't own one already you MUST buy one separately. They are about $15 from Nintendo I think.
Also! This system comes with a game pre-installed. If you are upgrading from an older system and perform a system transfer, you must re-download the game from the Nintendo eshop. It will not prompt you automatically to re-download it, you must do it manually, but it is a free download.
I want to make a note that as of right now, it is unnecessarily difficult to purchase one of these systems. The Amazon retail price is $199.99 and you should not pay any more than that. Nintendo products in particular have long had a problem with resellers or "scalpers" purchasing mass quantities of their products and selling them for much more than MSRP and unfortunately, this is no exception. Amazon has been opening this product for purchase for random 6-8 minute intervals around 2-4 times per day. It was incredibly difficult to get an order in for this. You might try waiting and seeing if this gets restocked in any notable quantity, because it is genuinely not worth the $350+ price that resellers are charging for it.
TLDR; Be careful if you need to access the microSD card and don't pay far over the MSRP of $199.99. Great looking system and plays games smoothly. DOES NOT COME WITH CHARGER.
The screen resolution looks much clearer than the old model, as well; that was something I was not expecting. EDIT: Apparently, Nintendo changed the top screen to IPS on the New 3DS XL. It shows! It looks amazing. Note: this is for the XL model only. The improved 3D really is so much better. The 3D was barely usable on the old models beyond a couple seconds of "Oh huh, cool," then shutting it off again. I may actually play some games in 3D now! The case color is also fantastic. It does not have a matte finish, so it collects fingerprints, but since the color is light, it isn't terribly noticeable. It has a yellowish sheen when the light hits it right too. Just great.
It says so on the box but it DOES NOT come with a charger. If you don't own one already you MUST buy one separately. They are about $15 from Nintendo I think.
Also! This system comes with a game pre-installed. If you are upgrading from an older system and perform a system transfer, you must re-download the game from the Nintendo eshop. It will not prompt you automatically to re-download it, you must do it manually, but it is a free download.
I want to make a note that as of right now, it is unnecessarily difficult to purchase one of these systems. The Amazon retail price is $199.99 and you should not pay any more than that. Nintendo products in particular have long had a problem with resellers or "scalpers" purchasing mass quantities of their products and selling them for much more than MSRP and unfortunately, this is no exception. Amazon has been opening this product for purchase for random 6-8 minute intervals around 2-4 times per day. It was incredibly difficult to get an order in for this. You might try waiting and seeing if this gets restocked in any notable quantity, because it is genuinely not worth the $350+ price that resellers are charging for it.
TLDR; Be careful if you need to access the microSD card and don't pay far over the MSRP of $199.99. Great looking system and plays games smoothly. DOES NOT COME WITH CHARGER.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Chãrlîę
New 3ds con pantalla 3ds mejorada
Reviewed in Mexico 🇲🇽 on January 19, 2019
karlfish
Great product, annoyingly long sign-up procedure
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on January 3, 2017
