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3DS XL First Impressions/Previews

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Piercedveil said:
I'm assuming this is the yellow tint
Click to expand...

I've noticed a slight hint at times, but at others it all looks fine.
The main screen looks nothing like that however; there was pictures going about when the XL came out where I was sure someone had put some shit over the screen, but who knows.

Defects are possible though. However the colours do look stronger in 3D so that yellow tint could be connected to whatever battery saving stuff they did with the XL which am sure Nintendo suggested was connected with how the screen displays the images.

But this is not something I've ever noticed, least in the light am looking at the screen.
 
Chopper said:
Just this week I have noticed scratches in the form of small dots that run along the edge of the screen where it rests on the bottom screen. I was a victim of screen scratches first time round, so I'm prtty mortified. They're not visible when the screen is on, currently. If they get any worse I'll call Nintendo. Still not fixed, I'm afraid.
Click to expand...

Yep, this issue is not fixed. I have discovered the same thing. Gone back to having to use a cloth between the screens.
 
sigh

Suffered a 1' drop last night. My wife was playing something and handed the XL to me. I didn't have a grip on it and she thought I did. It took a nice tumble and landed face down. One of those few occasions I was happy we have carpeted floor. Unfortunately the screen wobbles now. I doubt anything is broken.

Anyway, I found a wobble solution after watching this guy's video. I ended up using a couple of rubber feet from the bottom of a headset dock at work. I placed both of them just a bit wider than the cameras and in roughly the same place on the hinge. There is still a bit of wobble, but the XL screen is heavy enough that I doubt you could completely eliminate movement.

Edit: Here is my fix...

plantronicsshoes.jpg
wobblestopper.jpg


Pardon crappy image quality. The web cam is all I have at work.
 
1' drop onto carpet? I'm surprised anything went wrong, that seems a pittance compared to what these things can usually endure.
 
I just got my XL.

Honestly, it's not a worthwhile upgrade. The cons just nag me.
- The stylus is shorter, albeit thicker.
- The speaker volume is NOTICEABLY softer.
- Why did they not make the "3D" label light up anymore? :(
- As expected, pixel density would obviously be worse, but whoever said it wasn't bothersome is a masochist.

A few nice pros though:
- MATTE FINISH. Handheld devices should ALWAYS be matte to avoid fingerprints.
- 3D transition from On to Off is seamless. On the original 3DS, you will definitely notice the brightness drop as soon as you hit "on" with the slider.
- Stylus slot is on the right side, finally.
- 3-4 top screen tilt levels.
- Vertical 3D viewing angle is vastly improved. Horizontal is as bad as the original.

Unless you really REALLY want the big screen, just skip on the XL if you already have the original. Pixel density is nagging. Going from my cheap Android to my regular 3DS made me notice the poor pixel density. The 3DS XL makes the phat look like it has Retina.
 
The pixels aren't as bad as having a handheld so small it's unplayable after 20 minutes. I thought it was quite the significant upgrade from the abysmal OG 3DS, but to each his own.


It really depends on hand size I guess.
 
I actually have pretty big hands. When I first got my regular 3DS I got a few cramps like when I got my PSP-2000.

I've tried several of my games. KH:3D and SML3D look better for me, but the rest not that much. The pixellation of Theatrhythm sprites really stick out.

Now to do a system transfer before going to bed.
 
What is it exactly about the OG 3DS' size and form that induces so much more ire than the DS Lite and DSi ever did?

Unquestionably for me the XL is more comfortable to hold, but I never had problems with the DS Lite and likewise do not on the OG 3DS. (EDIT: unless using the d-pad of course, that shit is just not good.)
 
I just got my 3ds XL. I got a blue one and I have to say, I loved the color as soon as I saw it with my own eyes.

I have to say... I'm extremely happy with my purchase.

here are my pros and cons.

PROS.
-System transfer went perfect, I still got my ambassador games and my eshop history.
-The screen is freaking beautiful
-The battery life is increased noticeably
-The matte finish is great
-Loving the new home, select and start buttons.
-Maybe it's just my idea, but the circle pad feels better, too.
-DS games look a lot better, less "washed out", and with better resolution.
-3d "sweet spot" a lot easier to find, and less "tiresome" for the eyes. Probably because of the bigger screen.

CONS:
-3d light thingie
-The menus looks blurrier (i'm assuming it's because they are bitmaps... however, games looks great)
-volume is indeed softer (I usually play with headphones, so, it's not a problem for me, but it will be for some people)
-no elegant metallic retractable stylus, just a plastic one, like the DS.
-emm.. less portable?

it's a great system, I encourage people to upgrade. =)
 
Wolf Akela said:
I just got my XL.

Honestly, it's not a worthwhile upgrade. The cons just nag me.
- The stylus is shorter, albeit thicker.
- The speaker volume is NOTICEABLY softer.
- Why did they not make the "3D" label light up anymore? :(
- As expected, pixel density would obviously be worse, but whoever said it wasn't bothersome is a masochist.

A few nice pros though:
- MATTE FINISH. Handheld devices should ALWAYS be matte to avoid fingerprints.
- 3D transition from On to Off is seamless. On the original 3DS, you will definitely notice the brightness drop as soon as you hit "on" with the slider.
- Stylus slot is on the right side, finally.
- 3-4 top screen tilt levels.
- Vertical 3D viewing angle is vastly improved. Horizontal is as bad as the original.

Unless you really REALLY want the big screen, just skip on the XL if you already have the original. Pixel density is nagging. Going from my cheap Android to my regular 3DS made me notice the poor pixel density. The 3DS XL makes the phat look like it has Retina.
Click to expand...

Can't say I'm personally bothered by the stylus size.
Yes, distinct lack of volume is kind of a bother, but I mostly have on silent.
I always felt the light up 3D kind of tacky and cheap.
Pixel density was actually not as bad as I thought it would be.
I love myself matte finish too, but I care more that it suits the design.
I never had a 3DS so don't know about viewing angles or that screen.

I frigging love my 3DSXL
 
here are some of the games i tried:

-Zelda Ocarina of time: looks gorgeous
-Mario land 3d: also great
-Pro Evolution Soccer 2012: this one was weird, most of the stuff looked better, but the players look a lot less detailed (maybe it was just my idea, or I didn't notice it before on the smaller screen)
-Pushmo: looks great
-Mutant Mudds: I can't go back to play it on a regular 3ds screen, it looks awesome.
 
Zeer0id said:
What is it exactly about the OG 3DS' size and form that induces so much more ire than the DS Lite and DSi ever did?

Unquestionably for me the XL is more comfortable to hold, but I never had problems with the DS Lite and likewise do not on the OG 3DS. (EDIT: unless using the d-pad of course, that shit is just not good.)
Click to expand...

The size I was not bugged about. It was the design. Tacky and cheap is how I would have described it. The choice of soft buttons (the XL is only marginally better, because it still feels soft masked with separated buttons), cheap feelin slider, strange larger-lid design, odd multi-tone colouring, and off-set awkwardly placed screen on the top panel. Just too much to not like.
 
How do DS games look on this thing? I never had the chance to get a DS, I'm hoping to buy all the games I missed when I eventually buy a 3DS XL. :)
e.g World ends with you, 999 etc
 
I tried EBA and it was okay. I'm neutral on it.

I haven't tried using native res though.

mrkgoo said:
The size I was not bugged about. It was the design. Tacky and cheap is how I would have described it. The choice of soft buttons (the XL is only marginally better, because it still feels soft masked with separated buttons), cheap feelin slider, strange larger-lid design, odd multi-tone colouring, and off-set awkwardly placed screen on the top panel. Just too much to not like.
Click to expand...

XL soft buttons feel like triggers to me. Anything is an improvement over the OG's soft buttons. The speaker holes and the label on the 3D slider makes the thing feel pretty cheap though.
 
Persona86 said:
How do DS games look on this thing? I never had the chance to get a DS, I'm hoping to buy all the games I missed when I eventually buy a 3DS XL. :)
e.g World ends with you, 999 etc
Click to expand...

They look awesome in 1:1 mode, of varying quality in stretched mode.
 
mrkgoo said:
The size I was not bugged about. It was the design. Tacky and cheap is how I would have described it. The choice of soft buttons (the XL is only marginally better, because it still feels soft masked with separated buttons), cheap feelin slider, strange larger-lid design, odd multi-tone colouring, and off-set awkwardly placed screen on the top panel. Just too much to not like.
Click to expand...

That's all fair and good, and while I'm not a big "aesthetics person" I can appreciate the shortcomings of the OG 3DS in that regard. Also the goddamn d-pad. :P

I'm just really curious though, did the many people who seem to find the OG really uncomfortable feel the same way about the DS Lite and DSi, or is there something specifically about the form factor here which makes things far worse.
 
Wolf Akela said:
I just got my XL.

Honestly, it's not a worthwhile upgrade. The cons just nag me.
- The stylus is shorter, albeit thicker.
- The speaker volume is NOTICEABLY softer.
- Why did they not make the "3D" label light up anymore? :(
- As expected, pixel density would obviously be worse, but whoever said it wasn't bothersome is a masochist.

A few nice pros though:
- MATTE FINISH. Handheld devices should ALWAYS be matte to avoid fingerprints.
- 3D transition from On to Off is seamless. On the original 3DS, you will definitely notice the brightness drop as soon as you hit "on" with the slider.
- Stylus slot is on the right side, finally.
- 3-4 top screen tilt levels.
- Vertical 3D viewing angle is vastly improved. Horizontal is as bad as the original.
Click to expand...

Are you compare the stylus with the original 3DS? The stylus seems identical to the one used for DSL/DSi/DSi XL, no? I had no issues with it.

I don't see how they could change the pixel density. It's the same resolution as the 3DS. In the DS line, they all have the same resolution.

Having the stylus slot on the right side is a big plus for me.
 
Yeah XL is just the better system. Theres no benefit to the smaller model. Even the build quality is far superior, so if you really wanted a smaller screen, wait for 3DS Lite or some sort of update to the smaller model (if they keep supporting it that is).
 
does anyone else's 3DS XL have like a "hollow" spot on the back where the plastic/aluminum (what ever it is) flexes in a bit when your holidng it? Its a bit annoying, nothing I'd return it for, but still makes it feel cheap. like just a little pressure on the lower part of the backside of the system makes it bend in a bit.
 
The 3DS XL has totally rekindled my love of this system. I still have my old 3DS, but all of my games have a new lease on life on the XL, looking like GameCube games on the glorious new screens. The form factor -- the matte finish, smooth design, improved ergonomics, real Start/Home/Select buttons and new stylus location -- make the system more comfortable to hold and play as well: I don't suffer hand fatigue with RER and 3D Land like I used to, and even Kid Icarus is easier to play since the system distributes its weight differently. The screens can't scratch each other anymore -- if you look at the side of the XL when it's shut, you can see light on the other side, proving they don't touch -- and I like how there's a distinct click on the 3D slider between 2D mode and and 3D.

I like the XL so much, in fact, that I expanded the included 4GB card to a 32GB card and downloaded Layton and NSMB2. I did a second playthrough of RER on it, and have been revisiting 3D Land, Pushmo, etc. Pilotwings and Mario Kart look especially glorious. You have to readjust to the 3D sweet spot but it's still there all the same and I'd say even stronger than ever, yet easier on the eyes; my brother who always plays in 2D mode was able to comfortably complete a race in Mario Kart in 3D, since the new screens make the effect more natural.

My biggest concern going in was how some people got a yellow tint, but there is no yellow tint whatsoever on the screen. Don't be deceived by the startup screen where you first put in your name, birthday, etc -- it's easy to forget since the original 3DS was a year ago, but the startup screen has a different colored background from the Home Menu. Once you're at the Home Menu, the background is as white as ever. The colors here are perfect.

Also, I was concerned about pixel density, but the image looks as good as ever. I can faintly make out individual pixels if I look closely at certain colors, but I have to be looking for it, and it doesn't bother me since the screen is still of a size where the image as a whole comes together perfectly, crisp and clean with vibrant colors and sharp detail.

I highly recommend upgrading. :)
 
Pagusas said:
does anyone else's 3DS XL have like a "hollow" spot on the back where the plastic/aluminum (what ever it is) flexes in a bit when your holidng it? Its a bit annoying, nothing I'd return it for, but still makes it feel cheap. like just a little pressure on the lower part of the backside of the system makes it bend in a bit.
Click to expand...

Mine does this. And, yeah, it's annoying.
 
Yep. I'm tempted to open the thing up and start stuffing paper into open spaces to get rid of some of the squeak and squirm. It gets considerably worse after awhile.
 
Mine got really squeaky too, but it seems to have gone away. Fingers crossed it doesn't come back, though it never really bothered me that much.
 
Pagusas said:
does anyone else's 3DS XL have like a "hollow" spot on the back where the plastic/aluminum (what ever it is) flexes in a bit when your holidng it? Its a bit annoying, nothing I'd return it for, but still makes it feel cheap. like just a little pressure on the lower part of the backside of the system makes it bend in a bit.
Click to expand...

Ya it gets mentioned all the time, I think most XL's have it. My family has 3 3DS XL's and they all do. My other family members seemed to have just learned to live with it but me..... I super glued that shit on mine day 1 lol, so much better now. That sorta thing bothers the shit out of me, I'd never get use to it.

Just a dab in the gaps on the inside and everything was fine, yea the battery is under it but I'll worry about that when/if I ever need to. In the meantime, enjoying a perfect for me feeling 3DS XL ftw.
 
Neiteio said:
lots of stuff

I highly recommend upgrading. :)
Click to expand...

I haven't been able to find a store where I can try one out. I'm thinking I'll take a look at Best Buy tomorrow. You sound pretty happy with your purchase and I think I'd really enjoy the bigger screens/build.

Probably not a good idea for me to blindly order one off of Newegg though, since I want to make sure it looks all right to me first :P


Any chance someone could post a picture of a DS game in 1:1 mode compared to a stretched image? That'd be really cool as well since I plan to play Pokemon White 2.
 
Piercedveil said:
I haven't been able to find a store where I can try one out. I'm thinking I'll take a look at Best Buy tomorrow. You sound pretty happy with your purchase and I think I'd really enjoy the bigger screens/build.

Probably not a good idea for me to blindly order one off of Newegg though, since I want to make sure it looks all right to me first :P
Click to expand...

First time I saw it was in a store right next to the original 3DS, I was SURPRISED at the difference in screen size, pictures are one thing but seeing it in reality is another.
 
Persona86 said:
First time I saw it was in a store right next to the original 3DS, I was SURPRISED at the difference in screen size, pictures are one thing but seeing it in reality is another.
Click to expand...

My main concern is that I'm going to notice the pixels too much. Such a big screen for such a low res.
 
Piercedveil said:
My main concern is that I'm going to notice the pixels too much. Such a big screen for such a low res.
Click to expand...
Check it out in stores. I honestly think the XL looks great. It's just so immersive. Almost a little jarring with something like Mario Kart where I now feel the Banzai Bills on Airship Fortress are actually going to hit me, lol.
 
Piercedveil said:
My main concern is that I'm going to notice the pixels too much. Such a big screen for such a low res.
Click to expand...

I' ve played a few hours of White 2 on my girlfriends XL, It looks good man, some people say it's not exactly the same as in a DSi XL screen. But I didn't notice a difference.

You really should try it out and see for yourself.

I do notice that yellow tint but that doesn't bother me really. It could only bother you if you see both systems side by side.
 
Piercedveil said:
My main concern is that I'm going to notice the pixels too much. Such a big screen for such a low res.
Click to expand...

You can notice it but if you went from playing the XL back to the original like I have, it's almost pathetic.

And I say this liking the original model very much.

The colors seem better on the XL, the screen size making the graphics bigger is like night and day compared to the original.

The form factor and especially the controls of the XL for me are WAY better(circle pad easily better, d-pad easily better and the buttons are improved).

I was worried the games would look shitty because of the larger screens and same resolution but to be honest, while there is a difference, the only advantage the original 3DS has over the 3DS XL is..................sound.

The speakers are noticeably louder on the original though I am already used to the XL ones.

I can go back to the original while my XL is recharging but it's not a pretty sight and feel.
 
The U.S. stealth release of the Pink 3DS XL and Best Buy's lack of a new 3DS XL bundle has all but confirmed to me that there wont be a new color within the next month.

I have just waited to upgrade for this long because I hoped they would have a black/silver/white colored bundle by now (well, and I didn't have the money when the XL first came out). Honestly, I don't even care about the colors that much, and with more and more 3DS games coming out (Cave Story 3D, Crash-Mo, Paper Mario) I think I'm finally ready to pick up a Blue XL.

Worst case scenario Nintendo releases a mind-blowing-ly fantastic new color/bundle (Transparent? Purple/Yellow combo? NES/Famicon?!?!) that I absolutely must have in the next month and I'll just sell/return my blue for it. But once I get my Blue I doubt I'll care enough to sell/return it for a different color anyways.
 
Rodney McKay said:
The U.S. stealth release of the Pink 3DS XL and Best Buy's lack of a new 3DS XL bundle has all but confirmed to me that there wont be a new color within the next month.

I have just waited to upgrade for this long because I hoped they would have a black/silver/white colored bundle by now (well, and I didn't have the money when the XL first came out). Honestly, I don't even care about the colors that much, and with more and more 3DS games coming out (Cave Story 3D, Crash-Mo, Paper Mario) I think I'm finally ready to pick up a Blue XL.

Worst case scenario Nintendo releases a mind-blowing-ly fantastic new color/bundle (Transparent? Purple/Yellow combo? NES/Famicon?!?!) that I absolutely must have in the next month and I'll just sell/return my blue for it. But once I get my Blue I doubt I'll care enough to sell/return it for a different color anyways.
Click to expand...

I have to keep waiting for a white model. It looks like a giant DS Lite, nostalgia to my ears! (And eyes.)
 
The 3D slider on my XL just broke. It just flaps about, not adjusting anything, stuck in 2D.

And I don't have proof of purchase because I paid cash and the receipt got thrown away.

FML.
 
Chopper said:
The 3D slider on my XL just broke. It just flaps about, not adjusting anything, stuck in 2D.

And I don't have proof of purchase because I paid cash and the receipt got thrown away.

FML.
Click to expand...

Is the warranty 90 days? Maybe if you call Nintendo they'll still honor it w/o a receipt since XL hasn't been on the market for that long.
 
Should be a year, I'd imagine.

You shouldn't need a receipt, either. When your system is sold it gets scanned and communicated, apparently. When I called in an issue awhile back with my OG 3DS not reading memory cards, they knew when and where it had been bought. SPOOKY.
 
Alex said:
Should be a year, I'd imagine.

You shouldn't need a receipt, either. When your system is sold it gets scanned and communicated, apparently. When I called in an issue awhile back with my OG 3DS not reading memory cards, they knew when and where it had been bought. SPOOKY.
Click to expand...
Man, I hope so. I mean, I registered it as soon as I bought it. And I'm a very loyal customer! I'll give them a call in the morning.

*crosses fingers*
 
Chopper said:
Man, I hope so. I mean, I registered it as soon as I bought it. And I'm a very loyal customer! I'll give them a call in the morning.

*crosses fingers*
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's a year, I checked, plus I think you got bonus months if you registered it? Not sure, might've been something else I'm remembering

But anyway, when I sent mine in, they never asked for a receipt, they certainly don't need one if you're registered.
 
Alex said:
Should be a year, I'd imagine.

You shouldn't need a receipt, either. When your system is sold it gets scanned and communicated, apparently. When I called in an issue awhile back with my OG 3DS not reading memory cards, they knew when and where it had been bought. SPOOKY.
Click to expand...

Oooh, awesome.


And, yes, spooky. :|
 
Alex said:
Yeah, it's a year, I checked, plus I think you got bonus months if you registered it? Not sure, might've been something else I'm remembering

But anyway, when I sent mine in, they never asked for a receipt, they certainly don't need one if you're registered.
Click to expand...
Well, if you fill in one of the forms on their repairs website here in the UK, you need to check a box confirming you will include proof of purchase before you are able to print off your postage label.

I sent a statement with my OG 3DS when I got the screens repaired. We'll see.

But I'll be fucking livid if they won't fix it.
 
I'm going to be a dissenter of this love-in for the XL.

I've owned a red XL since its US launch, and had a Flame Red prior to that... and I just don't love the machine. It's too big, and too heavy, and looks too fat. (Perhaps part of it is the color? The white Japanese ones look better.)

The battery life is nicer than the old one, and viewing angles are better, but portability feels really poor. I don't know how Japanese gamers brings it around every day to street pass. It adds a lot of bulk to your bag.

Ergonomics are about the same. It's easier to grip, but it also feels too large to hold comfortably.

The interior also feels somewhat cheaply made, due to the feel of the plastic.

I also find the large pixels to be really ugly. I wish for a "retina" display on a Nintendo portable soon.
 
Conrad Link said:
I super glued that shit on mine day 1 lol, so much better now. That sorta thing bothers the shit out of me, I'd never get use to it.

Just a dab in the gaps on the inside and everything was fine, yea the battery is under it but I'll worry about that when/if I ever need to. In the meantime, enjoying a perfect for me feeling 3DS XL ftw.
Click to expand...
Could you by chance take pictures of your super glue job, or describe how you did it a little more in detail?

I returned my XL to the store for another one and the plastic back creaks on that one too (although it's on the other side with this one). I called Nintendo for a repair and they said something like that is not covered under the warranty. The more I read impressions the more it sounds like this is just a widespread issue. It is possible to get a perfect one though, my brother in law has one and the back cover is flush/tight and solid as can be.

So like you the only way I think I am going to be happy is if I super glue it. I doubt I will ever take the battery cover off for any reason and it would make me much happier.
 
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