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3DS XL First Impressions/Previews

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After around a week with the XL, I used my old 3DS to set it up for my sis and set up streetpass. HOLY. SHIT. It looks incredibly tiny, and I'm left wondering how I ever used it! lol

So glad I never had a DSi XL :p
 
Anyone else's bottom edge a little sharp where the black strip meets the back colored part? Mine hangs out just enough to feel sharp on my hand if my pinky finger rests to support the system.
 
Is there anywhere to check how much space an eShop game takes? I was thinking of getting NSMB2 as a download but I can't find that info anywhere on the shop.

Also is the touchscreen fingerprint resistant? I still have a phat DS that has never been fingered before and I don't want to taint the XL if it's not.
 
Is there anywhere to check how much space an eShop game takes? I was thinking of getting NSMB2 as a download but I can't find that info anywhere on the shop.

Also is the touchscreen fingerprint resistant? I still have a phat DS that has never been fingered before and I don't want to taint the XL if it's not.

Try to purchase it.
 
Does the 3DS XL handle DS games that bad?

See, I'm a bit torn. I have been debating which system to get for a week now--either a DSi XL or a 3DS XL. For starters, I'll be playing more DS games than 3DS just because they are cheaper and I haven't played very many at all (and the 3DS library is still pretty small). I have a big RPG backlog library to dive into.

I was going to go with the DSi XL because I hear the 3DS systems handle DS games lousy, but why not just purchase the latest and greatest for a bit more and future proof myself (and let me play 3DS games). So then I started leaning towards the 3DS, thinking I can always play in 1:1 mode for DS games...though I want an XL model for the extra size, which is why I'm considering a Nintendo handheld again finally.

There are pros and cons for each and it is driving me nuts. Grab a used DSi XL (or a new one even) and play DS games wonderfully or get a 3DS and get the benefit of new games though have to sacrifice DS game quality.

Aye carumba. I wish I could see how the games really look running side by side, to see if the 3DS's image handling of DS games is really that terrible.
 
Been looking for old DS games to play on my XL since this is my first handheld. Why are they still so pricey? SuperMarioDS, Spirit Tracks, etc. You'd think the DS just came out or something and not the 2nd iteration of the 3DS
 
Been playing Ocarina of Time on the XL, and it looks great. Best possible OoT experience, hands down (literally, as it plays better with direct touch versus stylus).
 
I bought New Super Mario Bros. 2 with my 3DS XL. It's good, classic Mario gameplay. But I went out and bought Super Mario 3D Land. Wow, what an amazing game. Feels like a true successor to Mario 64. In fact, in terms of my favourite Mario games, it's easily #2, right next to Galaxy.
 
Does the 3DS XL handle DS games that bad?

See, I'm a bit torn. I have been debating which system to get for a week now--either a DSi XL or a 3DS XL. For starters, I'll be playing more DS games than 3DS just because they are cheaper and I haven't played very many at all (and the 3DS library is still pretty small). I have a big RPG backlog library to dive into.

I was going to go with the DSi XL because I hear the 3DS systems handle DS games lousy, but why not just purchase the latest and greatest for a bit more and future proof myself (and let me play 3DS games). So then I started leaning towards the 3DS, thinking I can always play in 1:1 mode for DS games...though I want an XL model for the extra size, which is why I'm considering a Nintendo handheld again finally.

There are pros and cons for each and it is driving me nuts. Grab a used DSi XL (or a new one even) and play DS games wonderfully or get a 3DS and get the benefit of new games though have to sacrifice DS game quality.

Aye carumba. I wish I could see how the games really look running side by side, to see if the 3DS's image handling of DS games is really that terrible.

Funny you should ask, here is a comment I just posted on another forum about how playing my new 3DS XL made me buy a DSi XL a few days later:

I bought a DSi XL wednesday and been playing it like a mad man. I play it on the couch, on the bed, on the can, I play it during lunch hour. I play it on the can at work. You get the idea.

I just can't believe I waited this long to get one. I should have done it years ago, but it took the 3DS XL in my hands to realize how meaningful the size upgrade is. I used to think I cared about pixel density... turns out I don't. What I do care about is screen real estate and 1:1 pixel mode. Every game looks and plays (ergonomy) significantly better than it did on my Lite, which I sold today.

Some would say buying a 3DS XL and DSi XL in the same week is overkill. I would actually agree with those people. Had I anticipated this turn of event, I would have held off on the 3DS XL. The DS library still has so much to offer me, and the 3DS titles I'm most excited about won't come out until next year.
 
Here is a comment I just posted on another forum where I hang out, which might help with your dilemma (to put you in context, I own a 3DS XL since Sunday):

I bought a DSi XL wednesday and been playing it like a mad man. I play it on the couch, on the bed, on the can, I play it during lunch hour. I play it on the can at work. You get the idea.

I just can't believe I waited this long to get one. I should have done it years ago, but it took the 3DS XL in my hands to realize how meaningful the size upgrade is. I used to think I cared about pixel density... turns out I don't. What I do care about is screen real estate and 1:1 pixel mode. Every game looks and plays (ergonomy) significantly better than it did on my Lite, which I sold today.

Some would say buying a 3DS XL and DSi XL in the same week is overkill. I would actually agree with those people. Had I anticipated this turn of event, I would have held off on the 3DS XL. The DS library still has so much to offer me, and the 3DS titles I'm most excited about won't come out until next year.

So you notice a big difference in DS game quality on the 3DS XL vs DSi XL?
 
First ignored user I've had on the GAF. This place get its share of stealth trolls, but thankfully not as bad GameFAQs. Disappointing I've had to use the blacklist here at all.

Played some more OoT3D today. Took me FOREVER to get through the forest temple. I've been cruising through it thus far based on my one and only original playthru back when it came out on N64. I'm amazed I've been able to recall so much so quickly in fact. However, the forest temple confused the hell out of me for quite a while >.<

I mainly fired it up to see if the screen temps were noticeable at all during play since I frequent the map/item touch screen. Not noticeable at all. They look the same. Again, the only time I've noticed a temperature difference is when browsing the web.
 
So you notice a big difference in DS game quality on the 3DS XL vs DSi XL?

Yes, absolutely. It's the combination of 1:1 pixel mode and huge screen that makes DS games look amazing. I know some people are fine playing them on a 3DS, and more power to them. But for me, the difference is paramount.
 
Does the 3DS XL handle DS games that bad?

See, I'm a bit torn. I have been debating which system to get for a week now--either a DSi XL or a 3DS XL. For starters, I'll be playing more DS games than 3DS just because they are cheaper and I haven't played very many at all (and the 3DS library is still pretty small). I have a big RPG backlog library to dive into.

I was going to go with the DSi XL because I hear the 3DS systems handle DS games lousy, but why not just purchase the latest and greatest for a bit more and future proof myself (and let me play 3DS games). So then I started leaning towards the 3DS, thinking I can always play in 1:1 mode for DS games...though I want an XL model for the extra size, which is why I'm considering a Nintendo handheld again finally.

There are pros and cons for each and it is driving me nuts. Grab a used DSi XL (or a new one even) and play DS games wonderfully or get a 3DS and get the benefit of new games though have to sacrifice DS game quality.

Aye carumba. I wish I could see how the games really look running side by side, to see if the 3DS's image handling of DS games is really that terrible.

This is word-for-word the dilemma I have as well. I already have a DS lite but I've been wanting a bigger screen for text-heavy games. My current leaning is to find a good deal on a DSi XL somewhere and just be content with that for a while, or until the 3DS library gets better.
 
Yes, absolutely. It's the combination of 1:1 pixel mode and huge screen that makes DS games look amazing. I know some people are fine playing them on a 3DS, and more power to them. But for me, the difference is paramount.

dsi xl is the supreme way of playing ds games. I totally agree.
Mine is so old it's starting to have trouble reading ds carts and the battery loses it's charge quickly. It's time to get another one before they are discontinued, especially with Pokemon B/W 2 coming out!

Polygonal games don't look too bad on the 3DS but sprite based games are fuzzy and a little washed out.
I play regular ds games on the dsixl where they just shine.

Crisp vibrant pixels and great sound. GREAT sound. Love that system.
 
dsi xl is the supreme way of playing ds games. I totally agree.
Mine is so old it's starting to have trouble reading ds carts and the battery loses it's charge quickly. It's time to get another one before they are discontinued, especially with Pokemon B/W 2 coming out!

Polygonal games don't look too bad on the 3DS but sprite based games are fuzzy and a little washed out.
I play regular ds games on the dsixl where they just shine.

Yep, every DS game looks better on the DSi XL but sprite based ones in particular look glorious.

and great sound. GREAT sound. Love that system.

Don't forget it's also lighter hence more comfortable IMO than the 3DS XL.

I love my 3DS XL, just saying. =P
 
1:1 DS mode on a 3DS XL will probably not stack up to a DSi XL. However, it won't look any worse than playing on a DS Lite or DSi, and you do have the added advantage of the circle pad for the various games that benefit from it.

If you just had a 3DS, I could see a DSi XL being a possibly worthwhile investment. But with a 3DS XL? Ehhhh, seems unnecessary.
 
Anyone else's bottom edge a little sharp where the black strip meets the back colored part? Mine hangs out just enough to feel sharp on my hand if my pinky finger rests to support the system.

My defective XL (mis-matched temp screens, stuck pixels) has that. It feels like the colored covers weren't attached properly. Kinda hurts using it after awhile too. Hopefully Nintendo works out their various quality control issues.

As for the DSi XL, I was about 3 days away from getting one when they 3DS XL was announced. Saved me 130 bucks. 3DS XL is the best option for me. Most DS games look fine stretched, and for those that dont I simply use 1:1, and on top of that I have full access to retail 3DS games and both DSiware and 3DS eshop titles.
 
Is the Mario 64 DS remake playable using the circle pad? I wanted to enjoy that game so badly, but it was borderline unplayable (and objectively worse) on the DS than playing it on the N64.
 
How does it control now compared to the original?

Easier to run in circles with the circle pad. Much improved in that regard. Don't expect it to feel like an analog stick though, as I said it only detects direction not pressure, so you still need to press a button to run. It's good now, but I wouldnt call it the ideal Super Mario 64 experience. If your main complaint was how crappy it played with the dpad, your complaint has been rectified.
 
Easier to run in circles with the circle pad. Much improved in that regard. Don't expect it to feel like an analog stick though, as I said it only detects direction not pressure, so you still need to press a button to run. It's good now, but I wouldnt call it the ideal Super Mario 64 experience. If your main complaint was how crappy it played with the dpad, your complaint has been rectified.
Thanks.

And yeah, running circles and making minute adjustments to direction were my biggest complaints. I can deal with holding down a button to run. Looks like I need to re-purchase this one...and probably other games I gave up on due to the lack of analog control (or a close enough approximation to this).
 
So I got my 3ds in the mail yesterday from the BST thread. All was well and I really enjoyed it. Little did I know today I would receive an XL as a gift. :P

Other than speeding through 3D Land and booting NSMB2 for a bit, I tried a handful of DS games on it;

Metroid Prime Hunters: much easier to play and control with the Circle Pad and bigger screens.

Mario 64: See above.

Kirby SuperStar: looks gorgeous!

Puzzle Quest: easier to enjoy due to the bigger touch screen
 
So I got my 3ds in the mail yesterday from the BST thread. All was well and I really enjoyed it. Little did I know today I would receive an XL as a gift. :P

Other than speeding through 3D Land and booting NSMB2 for a bit, I tried a handful of DS games on it;

Metroid Prime Hunters: much easier to play and control with the Circle Pad and bigger screens.

Mario 64: See above.

Kirby SuperStar: looks gorgeous!

Puzzle Quest: easier to enjoy due to the bigger touch screen

3DS is a fantastic system! Which color did you get?

^_^
 
Really love the XL so far and I hated the flimsiness of my launch 3DS which I sold. Kingdom Hearts is fantastic and so is NSMB2 thanks to the Koopa Kids. Tried the RE: Revelations demo and am itching to pick that up now too.
 
I was quite dissapointed to find out I have misplaced my copy of Star Fox 64 3D... to me it seemed one of the best ways to demonstrate how awesome the 3D effect would appear on the XL
 
Really love the XL so far and I hated the flimsiness of my launch 3DS which I sold. Kingdom Hearts is fantastic and so is NSMB2 thanks to the Koopa Kids. Tried the RE: Revelations demo and am itching to pick that up now too.

Ditto, Revelations looked really nice and KH did too.
 
OH no! Anyone else top screen sorta have some back and forth wobble to it? the two clicks don't lock it in place and when i shake the unit the top screen sorta flops around.
 
so how did the color wars end? Blue or Red?

I have both at the moment. Unfortunately the broken one I'm replacing is red. I love the red so much more than the blue. It's very Mario-esque.

Playing with the XL over the last two days made me realize how crap the original 3DS is.

Playing with the original 3DS the past year made me realize that. Truly a bad gaming handheld. So happy it only took a year for the XL to emerge.
 
Satisfied with my 3DS XL. Maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me, but I think the top screen improved shortly after initial use. I turned down the Brightness to 2 with Power Save set to On. Just played the downloadable games and Theaterhythm so far. Seems like Theaterhythm got easy on slower songs, but a little more difficult with faster songs. Need to check out Super Mario 3D Land, as well as Ocarina of Time 3D. I would like to see an announcement on the Circle Pad Pro for the 3DS XL soon. I need to resume my RE Revelaitons campaign, but I don't see myself playing it without the CPP.
 
OH no! Anyone else top screen sorta have some back and forth wobble to it? the two clicks don't lock it in place and when i shake the unit the top screen sorta flops around.

I noticed mine does this, dunno I guess its just 'normal?'

so how did the color wars end? Blue or Red?

Silver! :P

Nar, I'd say Blue out of those two. But even Red is nice looking. Its all up a really nice looking machine.

Playing with the XL over the last two days made me realize how crap the original 3DS is.

Even ignoring the obvious giant awesome should have been these to begin with screens, just such important other things like comfort and d-pad being actually nice to press on the XL now just make me in love with the system so much.

Going back to the original I find things I don't like about it and screwing up my nose now lol.

The bigger screens were just always a must have for me, I really hated going back down to smaller ones after my DSi XL but just had to force myself to. :( When other people were saying boo to a redesigned 3DS so early, even as a day 1 3DS owner I was always wishing for an XL version sooner rather than later heh. I'm just so glad we got it quite early into its life so we will have it for a majority amount of the awesomeness.
 
So...I'm enjoying this device. I got maybe 6 hours into KH:3D. Broke in Netflix with an episode of Woody Woodpecker. Played some demos, browsed the net, ...and so on and so forth

The couple negatives: It's super-crampy, and the UI is sterile as hell...music and all. Not more boring than Wii's interface, but still. Oh, and the speakers are low
 
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