Nintendo 3DS XL Blue
9.4
10
149
149
Handheld awesome-ness!
Picked up the Blue/Black 3DS XL a couple days ago, and for the most part, I am pleased with the purchase.
6/18/13
A comprehensive evolution of recent handhelds.
The 3DS was the first actual step the handheld industry took since the introduction of the original DS. The DS lite was an improvement similar to that of the GBA sp (which added a backlight and closeable screen), because it sported greater portability by giving the system a sleeker, slimmer design, and adding a compartment for the stylus. The DSi system was a negligible addition, it boasted a camera, greater fragility, and a software update or two (DSi ware was really all there was). The DSi XL had no real improvements except a better niche for the stylus (for the head of the DSi stylus protruded from the provided space, unlike the previous system), and possibly a bit more durable.
But the 3DS added the first 3D aspect to handheld gaming, and a more impressive way of putting it was that it was the first gaming system to have self-sustained 3-Dimensional effects (with consoles you would need a 3D TV, which I am under the impression makes no real difference for the vast majority of games). The downfall of a self-sustained 3D system is that, since there is no form of ocular assistance (ie. glasses), the proper viewing window may be somewhat narrow, given the size of the screen and the way the effects are handled.
The 3DS XL's larger screens boast a larger "viewing window" for such 3D effects, and an purported increase in battery life (depending on 3D settings and most visible while the system is in a sort of "sleep-mode"). But all of this comes at the sacrifice to the system's portability.
Those are the only true improvements to the system itself, of course some people may find the larger systems more maneuverable, but as I, personally, have gotten older, I have not been met with any such issue with portable gaming systems (larger or smaller, both fit reasonably well and allow decent play), and as such it may seem that I severely downplay the aspect of a larger system. I feel that for those people for whom the system size (namely too small) is an issue will buy this item for that very reason, many others who have bought this system merely crave every new addition to the gaming franchise (some have a wider franchise base than others), others will think that the extra ~$20 will mean something so they pay it, very few take anything else into consideration when choosing the 3DS and the 3DS XL, and to be honest, those seem to be the only real reasons (unless you're a hardcore gamer and you'd love the extra battery life, but for most cases that niche will invest in portable chargers [car or USB port chargers] or get one of those "extra battery packs" for their system. All of these options being cheaper and more efficient).
6/18/13
Great System
To sum it up, it has a lot of improvements over the original 3DS, bigger and better screen, glare reduction, better battery, and the list goes on. The only con I have is that I can't fit it in my pocket, but because it's small enough to fit almost anywhere, you can take it almost everywhere you want, it was a vast improvement to the previous system I own, the DSi, it's a little heavier, but no less outstanding. For the price it's great, and if you haven't gotten a 3DS yet, I recommend it be this over the original, so that you can play any of the new 3DS games coming out, especially if you're a Pokemon fan looking forward to X & Y, or games like Monster Hunter 4 which will hopefully be coming out around X-mas or Q1 2014.
6/5/13
Great Gaming Console
i really like this 3ds xl it looks great the games are awsome it has a really good price overall 9/10
5/6/13
Awsome new handheld
a 3ds is like a dsi but with the new upgrades of 3d.Not only are there new games that you cant play on a dsi, but also it has new stuff that can be uploaded.Stuff likeAR cards,swapnotes,netflix and nintendo video.Flipnotes hasnt came out yet but Nintendo is working on making flipnotes 3d with even more features than the regualar flipnotes.You should bey one they are awsome
4/28/13
Incredible - 9.5/10.
Nintendo's 3DS XL sticks out from the rest. I don't own a regular 3DS, but I've played one a few times, and I have a DS Lite. The size of it, the rounded and glossy design, and the overall performance is brilliant. The main point for the 3DS XL was to have a bigger 3D handheld, and it does the job well. Some people complain about not being able to put it in their pocket, but the positives of a bigger handheld totally outweigh that minor issue. The screen size is great, and even older DS games look nice on it. Unfortunately, the graphics don't look as crisp as they would on the smaller 3DS because of the resolution. But when you have larger screens, 3D games just look awesome. The design is excellent and I love the way it looks. It doesn't get totally covered in fingerprints like my DS Lite does, and the shape is rounder and fits in your hands better. The buttons click nicely and the circle pad is way cooler than that old d-pad. The 3D slider is cool because it can click onto 2D mode, so if you are game reviewing or something, you won't accidentally turn the 3D on. The locations of the buttons are convenient, but I found myself changing the volume all the time by mistake. The built-in apps are pretty good. The AR games are fun, the eShop is a quick and easy way to download games and apps, but the internet is kind of crummy. But you wouldn't buy a 3DS XL in the first place if you only wanted to browse the internet. I strongly recommend this system for people who love handheld gaming and whoever enjoyed the older DS models like I did. The collection of 3D games is kind of small right now, but we've already gotten several masterpieces for this system. And with games like Pokemon X and Y and a new Super Smash Bros. coming up, it's definitely worth getting this thing.
4/23/13
The future of portable gaming.
After saving up the $200 for this system I was SUPER pumped to go and get my new system! But, I WAS TOTALY RIGHT TO BE PUMPED! The top screen is HUGE, almost rivaling the Wii U's gamepad screen. The 3D is gorgeous and I LOVE the new joystick thingy. One thing I am a TINY bit disappointed is the quality of the screen. It is a bit pixelated but you barely, barely notice. Pros: EPIC 3D, all the features and more of the Wii, some features from the Wii U, EPIC joystick thing, can play your old DS games. Cons: Slight lack in screen quality, the max volume is lower than the 3DS,
4/22/13
Awesome + 3D = Nintendo 3ds
This system is the bomb. This is truely the best handheld yet! Nintendo really out done themselves this time. The ability to have 3D in a video game without glasses is a wild jump into the future. I got this system on christmas in 2012. I just couldn't stop playing. If your getting the system I say you should get Crush 3D, Super Mario 3D land, and Rayman Origins. If you don't like those games then you should the ones below me.
4/8/13
Fun but boring
I loved the ds when I first got it. I mean it was mind blowing! I played and had it for a while now. I like the upgrade from the regular ds. My two sisters have one but they are not good compared the the XL. One they have 2gb memory while I have 4gb. Two my screen is like 2 times larger then theirs. Three theirs break more easily then mines. They need case's and I don't. The only problem is that they get boring fast. There are not much to do in 3ds games. I love rpg's, fantasy and adventure games. They have games like theses on the 3ds but are two short. So I would recommend this system for people who enjoy family games
4/3/13
Finally a handheld I like
I will say, that I could not see the screen on my DS Lite without reading glasses. So, I sold it, and then went and bought the 3DS XL Blue. I will say, that I have no problems seeing the screen on the XL at all. It makes the regular DS games larger and clearer even, and I can read the long text on RPGs no problem. And then there's the 3DS games in 3D. Sounds better. Looks better. IS BETTER. I never liked handhelds with my problems seeing such small screens, but the 3DS XL fixes that problem. I love it, especially since that handhelds are where most JRPGs go now. You won't have problems seeing the XL's screen, trust you me.
1/17/13