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3DS XL First Impressions/Previews

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Even through the headphone jack? That fucking blows.

not true at all. volume is perfectly fine and in my case almost too loud. I'm using a pair of auvio headphones with surround sound on. I've actually had to keep the volume halfway just to hear my phone sitting two feet from me.
 
I'm using a pair of in-ear headphones, and I feel like it could be a little louder. Then again, this could be Nintendo keeping me from having to wear hearing aids before 30.
 
Does Nintendo's warranty cover dead pixels?
yes they do

http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/3ds/en_na/ts_system.jsp?menu=screen%20image%20problems

Either Screen has a Small, White (or Other Color) Dot on the Screen

Situation:

A system screen has one or two small dots on the screen
These dots can be any color
This can be most apparent when playing darker games or games with more motion (like racing games)



Information:

With a small number of Nintendo 3DS screens, one or two dots on the screen may appear to be 'stuck' on a particular color, such as white or red, or the pixel may be black/off.

This effect is caused when a particular pixel (the dots that make up the screen) is not working properly.

This situation is common in many LCD devices (PC monitors, televisions, cell phones, etc.)

These issues are considered within LCD manufacturers' quality specifications.

This issue will remain limited to those pixels, and will not get any worse.

Use the system for a few weeks to determine whether this interferes with the enjoyment of game play.



Still Not Resolved:

If, after using the system for awhile, the tiny dot is too distracting, the Nintendo 3DS does carry a one-year warranty.

We are happy to inspect and, if necessary, fix the system at no charge within the warranty period. To start the repair process, click here.
 
Just brought one home. Went with red. Coming from a DSi...HOLY GOD THESE SCREENS ARE MASSIVE.

Still don't own any 3DS games, but DQIX will hold me over until I buy Mario Land 3D.
 
Got mine yesterday. Volume is fine and I really prefer this to the 3DS

So this low volume issue is not the norm then? I have been playing with mine the last few days (3DS XL that is) and have noticed it has to be cranked up to max to hear anything at a decent level. I have also tried it with external speakers and had to have both at max. I have stereo selected in the options too.

I have also noticed that the lower half of my volume slider is useless. I get zero sound until I reach the half way mark on the slider, anything below this is silent. That can't right can it? Anyone else's do that or is mine faulty?
 
So this low volume issue is not the norm then? I have been playing with mine the last few days (3DS XL that is) and have noticed it has to be cranked up to max to hear anything at a decent level. I have also tried it with external speakers and had to have both at max. I have stereo selected in the options too.

I have also noticed that the lower half of my volume slider is useless. I get zero sound until I reach the half way mark on the slider, anything below this is silent. That can't right can it? Anyone else's do that or is mine faulty?

There are many of us that have reported that we think the volume is terrible compared to the DSi XL and 3DS. You can look at Youtube videos as well where they'll have the 3DS XL turned up loud and then turn on the 3DS or DSi XL for comparisons and you can tell a difference immediately. The other handhelds will drown them out.

So I think the worse speakers are the norm. I was able to manage with them, but you have to keep them at max all the time. With the DSi XL I have to turn them down halfway or so.
 
There are many of us that have reported that we think the volume is terrible compared to the DSi XL and 3DS. You can look at Youtube videos as well where they'll have the 3DS XL turned up loud and then turn on the 3DS or DSi XL for comparisons and you can tell a difference immediately. The other handhelds will drown them out.

So I think the worse speakers are the norm. I was able to manage with them, but you have to keep them at max all the time. With the DSi XL I have to turn them down halfway or so.

Thanks mate. Before I live with it though, I am going to have a play on some demo units in a few local stores, just to see if they are as low as mine. If not then I will exchange mine instore for another one.
 
So this low volume issue is not the norm then? I have been playing with mine the last few days (3DS XL that is) and have noticed it has to be cranked up to max to hear anything at a decent level. I have also tried it with external speakers and had to have both at max. I have stereo selected in the options too.

I have also noticed that the lower half of my volume slider is useless. I get zero sound until I reach the half way mark on the slider, anything below this is silent. That can't right can it? Anyone else's do that or is mine faulty?

I've experienced the same. I play in quiet spaces so I'm not bothered by it too much, though I can imagine noisy environments would be a problem, even with headphones.

That said, I think the quality of the sound is very good. I picked up a 16G card and dumped 10G of video game soundtracks onto my 3DS XL. With a nice pair of headphones, my music sounds great. It even sounds good through my Slime Speaker. :-)
 
Can anyone tell me if the experience of playing RE Revelations is better playing on XL instead of 3DS? Graphic difference? Bigger screen = better?
 
Can anyone tell me if the experience of playing RE Revelations is better playing on XL instead of 3DS? Graphic difference? Bigger screen = better?

Of course it's better. Bigger screen, more comfortable handheld. I'd be impressed if you could find a game that ISN'T better on the XL.
 
Can anyone tell me if the experience of playing RE Revelations is better playing on XL instead of 3DS? Graphic difference? Bigger screen = better?

I found it to be very disappointing. The bigger screens don't do much except ruin the image quality.

J/k I still haven't received $20 copy from Amazon. I'm expecting nothing short of great.
 
So this low volume issue is not the norm then? I have been playing with mine the last few days (3DS XL that is) and have noticed it has to be cranked up to max to hear anything at a decent level. I have also tried it with external speakers and had to have both at max. I have stereo selected in the options too.

I have also noticed that the lower half of my volume slider is useless. I get zero sound until I reach the half way mark on the slider, anything below this is silent. That can't right can it? Anyone else's do that or is mine faulty?

It's the norm.
 
The volume output of the 3DS XL via the speaker or the headphone jack is low. Very very low.

Its true with over the ear headphones, but have you tried in the ear earbuds? I hate these kind, cuz they always want to fall out of my ear, but when the are in my ear the sound is so much better. Make sure they are noise canceling.
 
Wow I find the volume with headphones more than loud enough I don't put it near max. I don't doubt other people I think people just have different tolerances for loudness I guess.
 
I found it to be very disappointing. The bigger screens don't do much except ruin the image quality.

I have never had an original 3DS so can't really compare, but I have just got my XL yesterday and find the screens very nice.

I have to say I am not a huge fan of the 3D and been playing my first 3DS game (OoT) in 2D and loving it. When switching to 3D I find the game gets very pixely and bitty compared to 2D so I think I will keep the 3D slider clicked off. Just a quick question, do all games get this pixely/shimmery appearance when using 3D, or is Zelda prone to this more than other games?
 
I've heard some games has images stretched when playing game on XL.

You heard wrong. DS games stretch and mostly look bad (Strange Journey is seriously a cancer to the eyes on the XL) but 3DS games all look great.


I have never had an original 3DS so can't really compare, but I have just got my XL yesterday and find the screens very nice.

I have to say I am not a huge fan of the 3D and been playing my first 3DS game (OoT) in 2D and loving it. When switching to 3D I find the game gets very pixely and bitty compared to 2D so I think I will keep the 3D slider clicked off. Just a quick question, do all games get this pixely/shimmery appearance when using 3D, or is Zelda prone to this more than other games?
Zelda is the worst offender to me, the 3D is absolutely garbage in it. I had some ghosting with the 3D on as well so I always had to play in 2D. Nothing else I've played is all that offensive in 3D.
 
I have never had an original 3DS so can't really compare, but I have just got my XL yesterday and find the screens very nice.

I have to say I am not a huge fan of the 3D and been playing my first 3DS game (OoT) in 2D and loving it. When switching to 3D I find the game gets very pixely and bitty compared to 2D so I think I will keep the 3D slider clicked off. Just a quick question, do all games get this pixely/shimmery appearance when using 3D, or is Zelda prone to this more than other games?

Check the spoiler, wasn't actually being serious.
 
Its true with over the ear headphones, but have you tried in the ear earbuds? I hate these kind, cuz they always want to fall out of my ear, but when the are in my ear the sound is so much better. Make sure they are noise canceling.

Yes, I use the same in-the-ear headphones that I use for my iPod/iPhone. They're great. The problem is that the 3DS's audio output is low even on the highest volume setting.

Wow I find the volume with headphones more than loud enough I don't put it near max. I don't doubt other people I think people just have different tolerances for loudness I guess.

It's not a problem in a quiet house. It becomes really noticeable on flights, in airports etc.
 
Check the spoiler, wasn't actually being serious.

Oops, my bad, sorry missed that bit!

I notice that Amazon has a Hori hard case for the XL to pre-order. Anyone imported this already and is it any good? I like the look of the "man purse" that's been mentioned on here but I'm looking for a harder pouch type case.
 
Just got my 3DSXL (Red, just because it's my favourite TF2 team) and four games. Starting with Theatrhythm Final Fantasy. Really enjoying it. Also got SM3DL, OoT, and Kid Icarus Uprising. Save THOSE guys for later. :)

It's a bit of an adjustment over the DS Lite (which I also love,) but it feels good in my ham-sized hands. I didn't notice a low volume output, neither with nor without earbuds, but then again I didn't own the original 3DS, or maybe I'm just easy to please.
 
Wow I find the volume with headphones more than loud enough I don't put it near max. I don't doubt other people I think people just have different tolerances for loudness I guess.

It depends on a lot of things. If you're using buds the volume should be enough but if you're going for full size headphones then it's really a struggle.
 
It depends on a lot of things. If you're using buds the volume should be enough but if you're going for full size headphones then it's really a struggle.

I've been using full size headphones in nosy conditions and the volume was still more than enough.
 
I've been using full size headphones in nosy conditions and the volume was still more than enough.

Some headphones are more sensitive that others. Most high end headphones would not have enough volume in the XL but that's a very niche portion of users. Some people have more sensitive ears as well so that makes a difference. Also there's a difference between being able to hear everything and having it loud enough for it to sound "good". For most people I think volume should be enough but I'm not surprised at the complaints as at all.
 
Just came back with a Red 3DS XL from the store but the system seems to be overriding the 3D slider sometimes, like when starting Mario Kart 7, for example, it doesn't matter if the slider is off or at max depth, the game always starts in 3D. Only after the start screen the game starts to follow the slider settings. Same thing happened with Kid Icarus and also wit some system menus, like the eShop.

Also, it seems way harder for me to find a sweet spot for the 3D in comparison to my old 3DS.

Am I out of luck here? :(
 
Just came back with a Red 3DS XL from the store but the system seems to be overriding the 3D slider sometimes, like when starting Mario Kart 7, for example, it doesn't matter if the slider is off or at max depth, the game always starts in 3D. Only after the start screen the game starts to follow the slider settings. Same thing happened with Kid Icarus and also wit some system menus, like the eShop.

Also, it seems way harder for me to find a sweet spot for the 3D in comparison to my old 3DS.

Am I out of luck here? :(

Sounds like you're not turning 3D off. And yeah the sweetspot is a pain in the ass to find now, but fortunately I'm enjoying most every game I own without 3D.
 
I got my blue XL(my first 3ds) a few days ago for free using some reward points from Sears. Here are my impressions:

-build quality is nice enough
-I like the blue, has a metallic look
-dpi can be distracting
-netflix is awful on this and I will never use it
-I like the feel of the dpad, nice and firm
-both of my screens seem to be the same color so that is a relief
-comfortable to hold with a nice weight to it.
-ui is clunky
-eshop doesn't have enough games (why can't I buy the ambassador games yet?)
-$2 for a calculator app? surely you jest
-no opinion on the 3d since I mostly blind in my left eye
-street pass features seem interesting but I don't see my self carrying this big thing around with me when I am out of the house

I picked up splinter cell 3d for $5 as my only game because I am poor and can't afford actual nintendo games. I must say that I am completely regretful of that decision. I played about 5 minutes of the game and I don't think I will ever play anymore. Ugh, so frustrating to play. I'm going to pick up Zelda OoT tomorrow with a gift card, so I should at least have something to play soon.
 
-eshop doesn't have enough games (why can't I buy the ambassador games yet?)

Unfortunately Nintendo refuses to sell anything other than Gameboy and Game Gear games, which really hurts the Virtual Console's appeal.

The eShop originals is where it's at: Mutant Mudds, Mighty Switch Force and VVVVVV are three of my favorite games on the system, digital or retail.
 
Unfortunately Nintendo refuses to sell anything other than Gameboy and Game Gear games, which really hurts the Virtual Console's appeal.

The eShop originals is where it's at: Mutant Mudds, Mighty Switch Force and VVVVVV are three of my favorite games on the system, digital or retail.

Japan has quite the list of Famicom games right now. Mega Man 2 and Ninja Gaiden especially stand out.
 
Well I was all set on getting the XL and then Frys had to go and have the og 3ds on sale for $150. Now I don't know what to do.

Most folks seem to think the XL is worth the extra moolah. After playing one for about 10 minutes at a local Target, I'm sold. The XL fixes all of my gripes with the original--larger screen, better buttons, and more comfortable to hold, while only being slightly larger to carry around. 3d still deemed iffy but i can live with that.

If you're willing to go used, you should be seeing a lot of OG 3ds on Craigslist and the like for around $100. If I can't find a gamestop in stock this weekend, that's my plan. Sell off the old red 3ds to make the XL hurt less.
 
I went back to the original 3DS for the first time and holy shit- how was I ever content with that screen? It's tiny, it actually strains my eyes. But before the XL I was fine with it.

Crazy how much better the XL is, it's not even a comparison.
 
I went back to the original 3DS for the first time and holy shit- how was I ever content with that screen? It's tiny, it actually strains my eyes. But before the XL I was fine with it.

Crazy how much better the XL is, it's not even a comparison.
I came to the 3DS off of the PSP and the DSi XL. I was never happy with it.
 
I went back to the original 3DS for the first time and holy shit- how was I ever content with that screen? It's tiny, it actually strains my eyes. But before the XL I was fine with it.

Crazy how much better the XL is, it's not even a comparison.

This was always my stated opinion prior to the XL coming out. I came to the 3DS from the DSi XL, and the 3DS OG was nothing but a disappointment. I was never fine with the 3DS. It's not hyperbolic to say that playing your games again on the 3DS XL is like playing them for the first time. It's that much better. Definitely worth the price difference between the OG and XL.
 
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