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[Zing]

I really want to like the XL, but I noticed even the other blue XL has some slider buzz. It's annoying because I frequently play in the same room as others and don't want to wear headphones. I also want the 3D on. But I'm trying to play Animal Crossing and it buzzes every time I select something in inventory (very often) or when I'm playing 3D Land, etc. That combined with the lower volume and sensitive 3D sweet spot night make this not worth it.

It's funny how the DS XL was originally created and marketed for old people who can't see well, and now it's the default 3DS in stores for anyone over the age of six. Although, Nintendo had no choice. The original 3DS was designed to sell for $250. I'm sure they didn't want to keep selling it for $80 less than planned. They had to come up with a much cheaper redesign.

 

[Zing]

(Bear with me, this is ultimately on topic.)

After a week of strictly using the XL, I decided that, overall, I preferred the original 3DS. I felt as though it was too big, too heavy, speakers too weak, and 3D sweet spot too small. As soon as the seven day transfer limit had been reached, I transferred back to my Cosmo Black 3DS and have been using it heavily for the past 36 hours.

Here are some of the thoughts I have had in this short time using the original 3DS:
Man, my palms hurt from these edges.
I can't see shit with all these reflections!
This d-pad is stiff as hell!
Why do all the buttons creak?
I think I am getting eye strain from this.

When I initially switched to the XL, one of my thoughts was, "I can see how people would feel there is no going back." I don't know why my thoughts changed over a week, but now I am fully convinced. There truly is no going back. I spent about an hour on the XL again last night and the only major complaint I have is the 3D sweet spot, but even that pales in comparison to the problems I mention above with the original 3DS.

To make a long story short, late last night I put in an expedited order for a black and pink system (for me and daughter respectively). I still have the refurbished red XL, but I have six days until I can transfer my account. I am hoping the order arrives by Monday.

 

[Bboy AJ]

Great post. Interesting to have first hand experience of someone who went from, to, then back, and back again.

 

[maxcriden]

Zing, I am right there with you. The OG is really where it's at. I tried to tell AJ this all along!

 

[Bboy AJ]

Zing, I am right there with you. The OG is really where it's at. I tried to tell AJ this all along!

He's going back to the XL!

 

[maxcriden]

He's going back to the XL!

Apparently my skim-reading skills are not what I thought

 

[Davey Cakes]

The OG 3DS is shit soup. I don't understand why Nintendo can't just get it right the first time.

I understand it's new hardware but the DS Lite, DSi and DSi XL were all excellent. The 3DS XL is a bit of a return to form but it's still not perfect.

 

[Zing]

Sorry if my recent post wasn't clear. I was a die-hard staunch defender of the original 3DS. I've held out all this time. I've tried the XL many times in stores and have even bought (and quickly returned) the XL once. Everything about it seemed cheap and the original seemed like sculpted perfection. This price piqued my curiosity and I read the "Iwata Asks" regarding the XL. It made me realize that even though it was designed with a priority on cost, the components and overall engineering are inherently superior.

Even up until I switched back to the original on Monday, I was unconvinced. It wasn't until I tried using the original again that the flaws became clear. "Ignorance is bliss". I still feel the aesthetics of the original are better, but everything else suffers. It seems like every aspect of the XL design was based on fixing past problems, even down to the moulding process making it easier for them to apply custom designs. In contrast, the original 3DS is simply a new system using their DS Lite engineering.

I'm not one of those people who don't know any better and just assume the XL is superior. I'm also not one who had any complaint against the original 3DS and has been looking for a fixed version. I really thought the original was perfect. If I am able to be converted, then I'm not sure how there are any supporters left.

Thanks for reading. Now, back to your regularly scheduled program.

(Counting down days until I can perform system transfer back to an XL…)

 

[Zing]

My daughter's XL to replace her Pearl Pink 3DS with the pink Animal Crossing pouch.

After two days of use, she says she likes both systems. I think she just prefers the pink interior of the 3DS, but otherwise she prefers the XL. Although, I suspect she would use whichever type I chose to use because she "wants to match". I told her she has a week to decide.



Replacing my Cosmo Black 3DS. Shown here on the Nintendo charging dock that I had to import from Japan because, despite the XL being their primary product and the charging dock being extremely useful, they no longer offer the dock for sale in North America. Fortunately, the cost to import is actually less than it would have cost to buy here, since shipping is less(!) and there is no tax.

Unfortunately, the XL is just sitting there taunting me due to…



On the bright side, the "2 days" is marked at 5pm, so I really only have until tomorrow to wait. I'm holding off on continuing with a few of my games (NSMB2, Mario Golf) until then. For now, I just play Animal Crossing, Picross, and Pushmo.

I have the older red and blue reversible pouches on the way to hold this thing. I used the Mario and Luigi Club Nintendo pouches with my 3DS, but they are too small for the XL.

Quick note on condition of the systems. The Pink one does have a buzzing 3D slider when volume is turned up. Black one doesn't seem to, but I haven't used it much and I expect it will also buzz. Everything else seems fine. Screen colour temperature is normal, etc.

There shouldn't be anyone on the fence about the XL or the 3DS in general with these prices. Just do it.

So ends the saga.

 

[elhav]

Zing makes me wanna buy it.

My poor wallet

 

[dhlt25]

Argh I really want an XL, the OG 3DS has started to feel really small to me, esp. after I got my note 3 last year. I have been playing it even less than the vita despite having more game I'm interested in, I tried MU3 and OOT recently on the OG and everything is just so tiny, I can't really play game like that anymore. Problem is, it really feels like Nintendo will announce another rev soon and I don't want to miss out on that. Another reason is the region lock thing, I want to import a LL for DQ but I also want an XL for US games.

 

[Zing]

I don't see another revision coming. They went all out to cut costs on this one. The design and materials were chosen for cost and ability to customize the casing. It's similar to the DS Lite and will be with us until the next portable running Wii U OS.

 

[Meffer]

I also don't see any other reason for Nintendo to make another revision. They could be a higher quality model but that wouldn't be profitable.