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3DS XL First Impressions/Previews

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Newegg finally put up the preorder pages for both the RED and BLUE 3DS XLs.

Free Shipping, and no tax for most states. Since Amazon isn't selling the 3DS XL Newegg is probably the best alternative.

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I preordered the blue one
Thanks for the heads up, got the red one pre-ordered now. I've been waiting on them since all other places have tax for me. :)
 
3D immersion is definitely a plus, sure. Sweet spot I've heard conflicting reports on, but I have no problem with the OG's sweet spot, I've adjusted to holding it steadily. Quality of screen... my understanding is that the screens are identical, quality-wise? So really it just comes down to size and pixel density. 3DS games have always seemed pretty "HD" to me, due to the nice DPI, I just hate to lose that.

I am lured by the build quality and comfort from largeness, though. But also turned off by how it looks on the outside of the system, and the lack of pocketability. I'm just used to DS redesigns being much easier to want, I guess, and the XL here is giving me a lot of reasons in the Against column. I guess I never bought into the DSiXL either, though. "Bigness" just aint that much of a plus for me in my handhelds. Gimme a 3DS micro, if anything!

Some of my biggest "wants" for 3DS XL are the battery life, larger screens, smooth edges (which look far more comfortable than the standard 3DS's beveled edges,) and the increased DPI for DS games running at 1:1. (I felt let down when I first played DS games on 3DS compared to on DSi.)

So last night I borrowed a DSi XL to play around with, since I don't have access to a 3DS XL and the two units are nearly identical in size and weight. Obviously the DSi XL's DPI is terrible so I ignored that, but the screen size is generally similar I imagine (for the touchscreen at least.) My game of choice was Elite Beat Agents because I wanted to get a feel for stylus-heavy games on a larger screen, and what I found was that the heavier system combined with the larger range of motion required made the game more difficult to play. Afterward I moved on to a little NSMB just to get a feel for the system as it plays without a stylus.

Once I was done there, I set down the DSi XL and grabbed my 3DS to play the same games and compare. The moment I opened my 3DS and had it in my hands, I did a complete 180 and am now about 95% sure I don't want a 3DS XL. It all came down to comfort. The standard 3DS just felt so much lighter and the smaller size was much more comfortable for me (worth mentioning: I have fairly small hands for a guy.) It just felt "right" in my hands. I then proceeded to play some EBA and NSMB on my 3DS in both stretch mode and 1:1 and found both experiences superior to the DSi XL.

Obviously it all boils down to opinions, as I've heard tons of praise for the DSi XL and now the 3DS XL too. But for me, I felt like a little kid whose hands were far too small for the system I was trying to play (again, this was a DSi XL, not a 3DS XL.) I still want to try a 3DS XL firsthand, but I expect that will only solidify my decision to pass this time.

If you're even remotely on the fence like I was, I suggest trying to get firsthand experience before committing. Especially if you've never used a DSi XL or if you typically prefer smaller handhelds.

On the bright side, if Nintendo comes out with another revision in a year or two that's similar in size to the 3DS/DSi, I'll probably be sold in an instant.

Sorry for the wall of text.
 
On the bright side, if Nintendo comes out with another revision in a year or two that's similar in size to the 3DS/DSi, I'll probably be sold in an instant.
Wouldn't be surprised at all if their next revision is "3DS lite" or something, like a streamlined version of the current size with the XL's design...I wouldn't even mind having both (so I'd carry it around more often), but only if Nintendo gets over their stupid one system per user mindset. Hopefully they'll figure it out with their whole network thing by then.
 
Yeah but it's out in a month you'd think they would start preordering by now. Is there some evidence that they aren't selling it in the US? I'd rather buy from Amazon for release date prime.

August 19th is a Sunday, you can't get release date delivery for anything released on a Sunday, can you?
 
I have, really. But I just don't discount the visceral "want" that can come from actually handling something in the real world. All of the rationale in the world can't do crap against being a consumer whore.

Well, that's true. It's never a bad thing to save $200 (or more if you're in Europe).

I would like a 3DS XL myself but I am very resistant to replacing something that is working fine, so it can wait until a more appropriate time. This is not like a GBA -> GBA SP situation where it was moronic to not upgrade.
 
Amazon is, it's just in a sign up to be notified when available status.

Red/Black

Blue/Black

Yeah but they aren't available for pre-order. But in Canada they are releasing on the same day and amazon.ca is already taking pre-orders. see below


Amazon Canada has them available for pre-order and will be shipped and sold by Amazon.ca

blue/black

red/black

Yeah but it's out in a month you'd think they would start preordering by now. Is there some evidence that they aren't selling it in the US? I'd rather buy from Amazon for release date prime.

Evidence?

Just that NO Nintendo hardware is currently being sold by Amazon.com and it's been that way for AWHILE now.. i think almost a year. You can only buy Nintendo hardware from overpriced third party sellers on Amazon.com.

Amazon is selling Nintendo hardware in all other countries EXCEPT the US. So obviously NoA and Amazon.com have some kind of problem with each other.

A few weeks ago I had to buy the DSi XL from Newegg cause Amazon.com wasn't selling it. Unless Amazon.com and NoA kiss and makeup before the 3DS XL is released it looks like I'll be getting that from Newegg too.
 
So pretty much silver is metallic-ish (obviously, otherwise it'd be grey), blue is the same type as silver only in a blue color, and red is solid, mickey mouse red? :-/ Why isn't red metallic-y?
 
So pretty much silver is metallic-ish (obviously, otherwise it'd be grey), blue is the same type as silver only in a blue color, and red is solid, mickey mouse red? :-/ Why isn't red metallic-y?

They are all metallic, except for the white one because we havent seen a real picture of it yet


Edit: Beaten
 
Really? Red didn't look like it was...did I miss the picture where it showed it better or was it in impressions? Is it just that its a much darker and more solid color or does the red just not show the metallic as well in pictures like blue and silver does?
 
I don't follow this thread closely but I was reading an article about the 3DS XL and they said it won't come with a charger?? WTF? is that true???

I'm this close to buy a 3DS XL but that article pushed me away :O

btw... I'm talking about North America and when I say North America I'm talking about US and Mexico!!

I need aswers pronto! D:
 
I don't follow this thread closely but I was reading an article about the 3DS XL and they said it won't come with a charger?? WTF? is that true???

I'm this close to buy a 3DS XL but that article pushed me away :O

btw... I'm talking about North America and when I say North America I'm talking about US and Mexico!!

I need aswers pronto! D:

It comes with a charger in NA and Australia, only in EU and Japan it comes without one.
 
3D immersion is definitely a plus, sure. Sweet spot I've heard conflicting reports on, but I have no problem with the OG's sweet spot, I've adjusted to holding it steadily. Quality of screen... my understanding is that the screens are identical, quality-wise? So really it just comes down to size and pixel density. 3DS games have always seemed pretty "HD" to me, due to the nice DPI, I just hate to lose that.

I am lured by the build quality and comfort from largeness, though. But also turned off by how it looks on the outside of the system, and the lack of pocketability. I'm just used to DS redesigns being much easier to want, I guess, and the XL here is giving me a lot of reasons in the Against column. I guess I never bought into the DSiXL either, though. "Bigness" just aint that much of a plus for me in my handhelds. Gimme a 3DS micro, if anything!

I haven't seen the XL but I agree with your line of thought and am trying to decide whether or not to upgrade. And I'm leaning toward no. I'd probably have to actually use the XL in order to change my mind. Here's my check box:

+ Bigger size would be easier on hands
+ Better battery life
+ Better build quality (I'm afraid my OG's screens will scratch themselves again)
+ Bigger screen should be nicer to have
+ DS games will be 1:1
+ Apparently better 3D effect

- My portable would be no longer portable (fit in jeans, etc)
- DPI will be lower and image quality is huge for me
- Trade in might not be worth the price difference
- Insecure about my game downloads. Might lose ambassador stuff?

I think I'll hold off for a true 3DS revision, such as a Lite model. XL might be worth it if I didn't already own a 3DS. But it's logical that with the XL, the image quality will appear worse and that it won't fit in my pocket. And those are two rather major things.
 
Your ambassador games do go over. Everything goes over just as you had it before. Trust me, I did it when I switched my launch blue 3DS to the Zelda 3DS.

Also...this is the true 3DS revision. What else do you want?
 
@Glass Joe

I added some things

+ Bigger size would be easier on hands
+ Better battery life
+ Better build quality (I'm afraid my OG's screens will scratch themselves again)
+ Bigger screen should be nicer to have
+ DS games will be 1:1
+ Apparently better 3D effect
+Stylus on the side
+No more screen scratching
+3d slider is better, and clicks off
+Better Buttons all around and the home/start/select are now buttons
+The light's are better


Your cons
- My portable would be no longer portable (fit in jeans, etc) - legit but not really issue




- Trade in might not be worth the price difference ( its a 60 dollar trade in, so its basically 140)
- Insecure about my game downloads. Might lose ambassador stuff? ( you wont loose anything)


- DPI will be lower and image quality is huge for me ( This is not an issue, the game looks exactly the same
 
I think it's because so many people complained about the screen scratching thing that happened with launch units.

Shame if amazon doesn't get the XL , I have credit :( amazon pls
 
Some of the comments I read regarding amazon pulling the 3ds where:

-Screen scratching
-hinge problems (non existent but people where cautions because of the DS issue)
- 3ds boxes not handle properly by amazon ( bend and scratch boxes / poor packing) <- This happened to me
-Too many exchanges /returns
 
Some of the comments I read regarding amazon pulling the 3ds where:

-Screen scratching
-hinge problems (non existent but people where cautions because of the DS issue)
- 3ds boxes not handle properly by amazon ( bend and scratch boxes / poor packing) <- This happened to me
-Too many exchanges /returns

Except Amazon.com stopped selling ALL Nintendo hardware. So to me that suggests whatever the issue is between Amazon.com and Nintendo it goes beyond whatever issues the 3DS was having.

Why would they stop selling the Wii, and DSi, just because people returned the 3DS? Amazon had already been selling the DSi and Wii for years.

I honestly don't know why Amazon.com stopped selling Nintendo hardware.

Video Game Hardware has always been low profit for retailers, thats why you'd see stores bundle hardware with cheap crap no-one wants just so they can make more profit. ...I wonder if it's possible if Amazon.com wants a better deal on Nintendo hardware so they can make more profit selling it at retail price?

Or it could be an entirely different reason. I don't know.
 
Played it myself. It actually is that much better.

Tried it out at comic con as well. There really is a night and day difference in the quality of the screens and color. I couldn't even notice a difference in jaggies in MK7 when comparing it side by to side to my 3DS. I was already thinking of getting the XL in the first place, but trying out in person definitely sold it to me.
 
Newegg finally put up the preorder pages for both the RED and BLUE 3DS XLs.

Free Shipping, and no tax for most states. Since Amazon isn't selling the 3DS XL Newegg is probably the best alternative.

yy4M4.png

I preordered the blue one

well, after thinking about it for a few hours I preordered from Newegg too. Got the blue one too.

If Amazon US and Nintendo of America patch things up and Amazon.com starts selling Nintendo hardware again before the 3DS XL release I'll just cancel and order from Amazon, as I'm sure prime shipping will probably be faster.

Last year when Amazon.com stopped selling 3DS's they put up this chart under the product description of all Nintendo handhelds... but not under Sony's handhelds.
jd45u.png
 
Just that NO Nintendo hardware is currently being sold by Amazon.com and it's been that way for AWHILE now.. i think almost a year. You can only buy Nintendo hardware from overpriced third party sellers on Amazon.com.

Amazon is selling Nintendo hardware in all other countries EXCEPT the US. So obviously NoA and Amazon.com have some kind of problem with each other.

My guess is Amazon is pulling Wal-Mart's game and forcing Nintendo to sell the hardware cheaper just for the benefit of having it directly sold through Amazon.

Either that or the problem they have with each other starts with R, ends in E and has EGGI in the middle.

*shrugs* it's just a guess...
 
Man, the press pic of blue really does look like shit

So happy it's metallic :)

Anyways, I'll probably stroll into GS on the 19th and pick up a blue one. Doubt I'll need to preorder it
 
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