3DS XL First Impressions/Previews

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This looks great. May bite if it comes down in price temporarily around Christmas. Come on Amazon - have another price war with Tesco!

*Q: does it come with a dock?
 
This video gives people quite a good idea of the jaggies. Look at the blocks, specifically.

yDzwD.png

the homescreen isn't really a good reprensentation because those "preview" pics themself seem pretty low res, add the white background which makes a high contrast and you got a worst case scenario.
 
What is all this "sweet spot" is even smaller talk?

That's a huge issue if true.

So far Eurogamer has been the only place to suggest the sweet spot was smaller. But given how they wrote the article I'm not sure if they were talking about the sweet spot or cross talk or something else.



lol. I'd like to know how this is measured.

I don't know what you guys are worried about in the article. He seems mostly positive on it, and the worries about pixelated look for games and easier to lose sweet spot were already known.

Dammit. I figured he was talking about crosstalk. I've never had a problem with the sweet spot.

Maybe I'm reading it wrong. I took this section of the article to mean he was losing the 3D (seeing double) a bit while not focused on the centre of the screen.

Powering through Rhythm Thief or Super Mario, the 3D effect still looks lovely most of the time - and the bigger screen arguably makes it more of a feature, since it's really filling your entire view now - but if you're hacking away at a game that encourages you to spend a lot of time looking away from the centre of the playing area - at the UI, for example - you're going to notice a touch more image separation than you got with the original 3DS.


Most all of the other reviews that even mentioned "the sweet spot" at all said it was larger and better on the XL

About the Jeuxvideo.com preview, they say the bigger screen puts an end to losing the sweet spot if you move your hands or your head. They say it's a big difference with the original 3DS.

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Looks really good in that video, but I will hold out until there are some better colors. Also there's a good chance they'll be a holiday bundle with a game and a special color system. Nintendo loves doing that. It's usually a $10 savings over buying a system and game separately.
 
Is there any indication that the packed-in NSMB2 game is a digital copy already on the system or via redeemable code, or is it the physical cartridge?

Also, what is up with Amazon and DS systems, both 3DS and regular DS varieties haven't been sold by Amazon in months. Is there a reason for this? I wanted to order an XL from Amazon, but they clearly aren't offering it for sale, which is bewildering.
 
Is there any indication that the packed-in NSMB2 game is a digital copy already on the system or via redeemable code, or is it the physical cartridge?

Also, what is up with Amazon and DS systems, both 3DS and regular DS varieties haven't been sold by Amazon in months. Is there a reason for this? I wanted to order an XL from Amazon, but they clearly aren't offering it for sale, which is bewildering.

?
 
Is there any indication that the packed-in NSMB2 game is a digital copy already on the system or via redeemable code, or is it the physical cartridge?

Also, what is up with Amazon and DS systems, both 3DS and regular DS varieties haven't been sold by Amazon in months. Is there a reason for this? I wanted to order an XL from Amazon, but they clearly aren't offering it for sale, which is bewildering.

What is this about? I haven't heard such a thing from Nintendo or anyone to suggest NSMB2 is packed-in with the system.
 
Looks exactly the same as the original 3DS:

t006p.png


I'm actually surprised to be honest. I was expecting the XL to look much jaggier than it does.

I'm glad you posted this. I don't have my 3DS with me (at work, but I wish I could!) but I was sure it was the same.

Plus it seems the general feedback is that the games look softer on the bigger screen, not more jaggedy?
 
Plus it seems the general feedback is that the games look softer on the bigger screen, not more jaggedy?

since the resolution is the same but the screens are bigger, I would assume any jaggies that are present should be slightly more noticeable.

However, those blocks on the SM3DL preview screen look extremely jaggy on any 3DS, especially if you turn the 3D off.
 
I'm about 90% sold on the XL (in blue, but I'd be happy with most any hue of blue.)

The size difference doesn't seem like a big problem, especially since I play mostly at home and usually wear cargo pants with big pockets. And you get so much more screen size comparatively. Plus the smooth edges just look way more comfortable to hold.

My main issues are these:

The sweet spot. First reports said it was more forgiving on the XL. I've never really had issues with it on 3DS except in Pilotwings and occasionally StarFox, but I don't want it to be a problem.

Stylus games. Games like Kid Icarus and Theatrhythm that require you to hold the system in one hand while using the stylus with the other. I'm not sure how comfortable that will be with a heavier and bulkier system.

Digital games. There were some games I was considering buying digital (Animal Crossing for example) but if I get a 3DS XL I'll be keeping my 3DS, so that option kind of goes out the window because why would I buy a version that's locked to one system when a cart can be played on both interchangeably?


One other thing I'm curious about is the stylus. I'm happy to see it moved back to the side, but I'm wondering if it's by any chance the same size as the DSLite/DSi styluses were. I have a nice metal stylus that I bought for my Lite, and it fit well in the DSi's slot as well. It'd be cool if I could fit it snugly in the XL's stylus slot too.
 
I'm about 90% sold on the XL (in blue, but I'd be happy with most any hue of blue.)

The size difference doesn't seem like a big problem, especially since I play mostly at home and usually wear cargo pants with big pockets. And you get so much more screen size comparatively. Plus the smooth edges just look way more comfortable to hold.

My main issues are these:

The sweet spot. First reports said it was more forgiving on the XL. I've never really had issues with it on 3DS except in Pilotwings and occasionally StarFox, but I don't want it to be a problem.

Stylus games. Games like Kid Icarus and Theatrhythm that require you to hold the system in one hand while using the stylus with the other. I'm not sure how comfortable that will be with a heavier and bulkier system.

Digital games. There were some games I was considering buying digital (Animal Crossing for example) but if I get a 3DS XL I'll be keeping my 3DS, so that option kind of goes out the window because why would I buy a version that's locked to one system when a cart can be played on both interchangeably?


One other thing I'm curious about is the stylus. I'm happy to see it moved back to the side, but I'm wondering if it's by any chance the same size as the DSLite/DSi styluses were. I have a nice metal stylus that I bought for my Lite, and it fit well in the DSi's slot as well. It'd be cool if I could fit it snugly in the XL's stylus slot too.

They say the weight is about the same
 
I dont know why anyone hasn't mentioned this but I noticed that the 3ds xl's screen translates very well on a camera compared to the OG 3ds. Kind of like how off screen footage of vita's screen looks good.
 
Hmm, some sources claim that battery has improved by only like a half hour, why others claims that we have a 6-10 gaming scenario here.

Who should we believe?
 
So far Eurogamer has been the only place to suggest the sweet spot was smaller. But given how they wrote the article I'm not sure if they were talking about the sweet spot or cross talk or something else.

Most all of the other reviews that even mentioned "the sweet spot" at all said it was larger and better on the XL

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I'm not giving my own impressions, only the impressions from the EG article, so I don't know what you want me to say.



Hmm, some sources claim that battery has improved by only like a half hour, why others claims that we have a 6-10 gaming scenario here.

Who should we believe?

Trust no one. It depends how they're testing it. What they're playing, brightness, wireless, 3D on / off. If you take the range from the low end and high end of the impressions, you can probably guess how your play style will translate.
 
UK gamers - want to trade in your 3DS for an XL, but want to keep your official charger without buying a new one at a rip off price?

Buy a £1.49 usb charger on amazon and a 99p usb to wall socket adapter. Keep your official Nintendo charger at home, and trade your 3DS in with the amazon purchased charger.

At Blockbuster we were instructed that any charger is fine as long as it works.

Game and gamestation should have a similar policy - if not, Blockbuster will allow it.
 
UK gamers - want to trade in your 3DS for an XL, but want to keep your official charger without buying a new one at a rip off price?

Buy a £1.49 usb charger on amazon and a 99p usb to wall socket adapter. Keep your official Nintendo charger at home, and trade your 3DS in with the amazon purchased charger.

At Blockbuster we were instructed that any charger is fine as long as it works.

Game and gamestation should have a similar policy - if not, Blockbuster will allow it.

Do you allow the customer time to transfer over from old to new? How much are you offering for 3DS trade in at the moment?
 
Bahaha. The normal 3DS is running out of battery.

I had a giggle at that too.

Y'know it sounds silly but I think the battery life would annoy me a lot less if those flashing lights weren't so violent and in your face. For some reason that just makes the whole thing more annoying.

I hope the XL sticks to the older more smoother style to let you know the battery is low.
 
UK gamers - want to trade in your 3DS for an XL, but want to keep your official charger without buying a new one at a rip off price?

Buy a £1.49 usb charger on amazon and a 99p usb to wall socket adapter. Keep your official Nintendo charger at home, and trade your 3DS in with the amazon purchased charger.

At Blockbuster we were instructed that any charger is fine as long as it works.

Game and gamestation should have a similar policy - if not, Blockbuster will allow it.

Interesting to know. How much are Blockbuster offering for 3DS' right now? Both cash and store credit?
 
UK gamers - want to trade in your 3DS for an XL, but want to keep your official charger without buying a new one at a rip off price?

Buy a £1.49 usb charger on amazon and a 99p usb to wall socket adapter. Keep your official Nintendo charger at home, and trade your 3DS in with the amazon purchased charger.

At Blockbuster we were instructed that any charger is fine as long as it works.

Game and gamestation should have a similar policy - if not, Blockbuster will allow it.

Oh, something to "allievate" lack of an AC Adaptor in the box, at least...Good idea, Blockbuster / Game / Gamestation. At least, this :P
 
Digital games. There were some games I was considering buying digital (Animal Crossing for example) but if I get a 3DS XL I'll be keeping my 3DS, so that option kind of goes out the window because why would I buy a version that's locked to one system when a cart can be played on both interchangeably?

Why would you keep the old 3DS and why would you be switching between them?
 
Do you allow the customer time to transfer over from old to new? How much are you offering for 3DS trade in at the moment?

I don't work there anymore, but its £70. Not huge, really and maybe less than game.

And the transfer being allowed depends on the store team I guess.
 
I think, technically speaking, the "sweet spot" should stay exactly the same, since the angles of view can't change on the 3DS [XL]. You always have to be looking at it exactly in the middle, because the distance between your eyes is only a few inches.

Realistically, the MAXIMUM sweet spot distance is the distance between the average person's eyes, which is only a few inches. That's obviously something Nintendo controlled and precisely measured with the first 3DS, so there's absolutely zero reason to think it would have changed, at all.

In all actuality, the "sweet spot" can't get any better. I'm 90% sure of this. On the plus side, that also means it's highly unlikely it got any worse. The sweet spot is always simply the amount of distance between your eyes.

The only thing that could theoretically improve is the "fuzziness" (otherwise known as image overlap) between each displayed image (to each of your eyes) on the screen. But that's highly unlikely that changed, either.

Bottom line is that you guys should absolutely stop worrying. It's probably exactly the same, which is why we're getting reports of it being either "better" or "worse" - people are dumb and have confirmation bias.
 
Found some nice shots from a review.

nintendo-3ds-xl-hands-on-11.JPG


Full review: here


Man, Zelda is going to look amazing on this thing.

The screens of XL seem to have far better quality, although Nintendo stated they use same materials

And indeed, the new size and vibrance make Zelda justice in a big way :)

I esepcially loved that comment in the review

"While the 3D effects on the standard model often pop nicely, they've too often felt cramped. Take the XL for a spin, and you'll feel like you're discovering glasses-free 3D all over again."

Also i suppose the touch controls in the lower screen will be far easier/better to use since it is bigger
 
I esepcially loved that comment in the review

"While the 3D effects on the standard model often pop nicely, they've too often felt cramped. Take the XL for a spin, and you'll feel like you're discovering glasses-free 3D all over again."

You're right, that's a great quote. I just can't wait until I can try it for myself. It's gonna be awesome.
 
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