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[Neuromancer]

I wonder if it'd be possible to patch in higher volume via a system firmware update...? God I hope so.

Did you turn surround off? That may help a little.

(My wife is cool with me wearing headphones on the couch next to her, if she needs me she can always reach over and give me a good smack.)

 

[Letep]

So what's the final word on playing DS games on this thing? I've heard so many things over the course of the 3DS and 3DS XL's life that I don't know what the latest consensus opinion is.

Games look great either full screen or in 1/1 resolution.

 

[Nemo]

Is dr Lautrec worth it for 10 bucks? Can't even find an OT for this game, I don't mind it being a Layton ripoff when it has good people behind it

 

[perorist]

How exactly does a rounded plastic stylus scratch a plastic screen to hell and back?

Because the stylus plastic is harder than the screen plastic? It doesn't matter if it's rounded, there's still only one point of contact. I'm guessing you've never owned a mirror-back ipod or a pair of glasses as even a regular paper napkin can scratch those up with a little pressure.

As for why use a screen protector even if you can't see scratches during gameplay, it's to keep your belongings in good condition, of course. It also keeps the resale value high. I'm not going to search for the post in this thread, but someone had their OG 3DS trade-in declined by gamestop when they saw how scratched the bottom screen was. Then the user smugly told them it had a screen protector on it and then was able to trade up towards a 3DS XL.

Stories like "making the touch screen less responsive" or "diminishing the 3D effect" are utter and completely made-up bullcrap unless you're using the thickest, crappiest brand ever or something. With $7 screen protectors on my XL I can't even tell they're there, and have had no issues with touch screen response at all.

 

[Alex]

I saw one in the GameStop yesterday when I went to pick up Tekken Tag 2. It had NSMB2 which I own on a purple 3ds. I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. The slide pad feels dinky.

I couldn't easily adjust to the 3D effect with this one. It might be because it was bright in the store or because it was nailed down, but I just seemed to have to be pretty far away from the unit to get the effect to look right and see the whole screen. Almost at arms length.

Still, there is something to say about how they smoothed out some of the horrible edges, and the screens seem somehow magically big for the thickness of each side.

All the buttons are too small, it's a shame because they're nice and clicky now.

 

[the_painted_bird]

Does anyone feel very strongly about their transition over from the OG 3DS to the 3DSXL? I mean, do you think it was a good move? I'm on the fence, can't decide if it will be a very significant upgrade for me or if I should just hold onto my 3DS. A larger screen is so appealing, but does anyone regret the move? Or did anyone pick one up to supplement their original 3DS? I can't decide, I want opinions!!

Edit: also are screen protectors THAT necessary in your opinion? The screens still scratching themselves?

 

[Drago]

...I'm really starting to get sick of the Blue color

Have replacement shells (preferably silver) shown up yet? I know that it's a bit complicated to get the top shell off but the bottom should be easy enough

 

[Peru]

Does anyone feel very strongly about their transition over from the OG 3DS to the 3DSXL? I mean, do you think it was a good move? I'm on the fence, can't decide if it will be a very significant upgrade for me or if I should just hold onto my 3DS. A larger screen is so appealing, but does anyone regret the move? Or did anyone pick one up to supplement their original 3DS? I can't decide, I want opinions!!

Edit: also are screen protectors THAT necessary in your opinion? The screens still scratching themselves?

Are you going to play epic 3D games like Zelda and Monster Hunter? If so you should get one. The experience that changed the most for me was playing Mario Land 3D - the big, colorful levels just open up in a new way.

 

[Kai Dracon]

Does anyone feel very strongly about their transition over from the OG 3DS to the 3DSXL? I mean, do you think it was a good move? I'm on the fence, can't decide if it will be a very significant upgrade for me or if I should just hold onto my 3DS. A larger screen is so appealing, but does anyone regret the move? Or did anyone pick one up to supplement their original 3DS? I can't decide, I want opinions!!

Edit: also are screen protectors THAT necessary in your opinion? The screens still scratching themselves?

For myself, no regrets on the move. The pixel density of the screen doesn't bother me (free scanlines lol). The build quality and weight balance in the hands is superior. The big screen, for me at least, makes it a 'miniature console in the hands", must like the Vita. But despite how large the XL seems when closed, it's not that huge. It's still fairly portable.

In practice the battery life improvement has worked out so far. While on paper it's not that much more when playing 3DS games at max brightness, when combined with lid suspend it seems to go a lot farther. I don't play on max (one step down) and do keep power saving on. It seems to make a big difference.

I did get Hori screen protectors because I have games like Elite Beat Agents, and don't want to take the chance.

The ONLY downside is that yes, the speakers are softer. There's no way around that. The volume through headphones is adequate, so I just got a small set of Sony ultralight portable headphones, problem solved.

 

[Bumhead]

Does anyone feel very strongly about their transition over from the OG 3DS to the 3DSXL? I mean, do you think it was a good move? I'm on the fence, can't decide if it will be a very significant upgrade for me or if I should just hold onto my 3DS. A larger screen is so appealing, but does anyone regret the move? Or did anyone pick one up to supplement their original 3DS? I can't decide, I want opinions!!

Edit: also are screen protectors THAT necessary in your opinion? The screens still scratching themselves?

I don't use protectors and haven't got any scratch issues.

As for the upgrade, the 3DS XL is for me everything that the original 3DS should have been. The form factor, aesthetic design, comfort, larger screens and general build quality are all a step up, in my opinion.

 

[the_painted_bird]

Thanks for these responses, I think I'm going to pick one up to supplement my original.

 

[shadyspace]

Are these readily available? Put in any zip code on Gamestop.com and it says there's no stock within a 100 miles. Hoping it's a glitch because I plan to get one today.

 

[Setre]

Finally bought an XL and really like it. Don't know what it is about it but I think it's better than the "slim" design. Feels more sturdy and less like a toy.

 

[Bulzeeb]

hi guys, i've been thinking on finally buying my 3DS XL but I don't know if I should go now or wait for some black friday sale, any advice?

 

[iammeiam]

hi guys, i've been thinking on finally buying my 3DS XL but I don't know if I should go now or wait for some black friday sale, any advice?

I'm holding off because Nintendo always does some kind of software/DS bundle for Black Friday and often with new color options. So I'm going to try to refrain from purchasing the big October/November 3DS releases and hope they bundle Style Savvy or Paper Mario with a new color 3DSXL for cheaper than purchasing each separately.

 

[Bulzeeb]

I'm holding off because Nintendo always does some kind of software/DS bundle for Black Friday and often with new color options. So I'm going to try to refrain from purchasing the big October/November 3DS releases and hope they bundle Style Savvy or Paper Mario with a new color 3DSXL for cheaper than purchasing each separately.

yeah, that is what is holding me back, well November is just a month and a half away so I guess I'll wait

 

[braves01]

I don't use protectors and haven't got any scratch issues.

As for the upgrade, the 3DS XL is for me everything that the original 3DS should have been. The form factor, aesthetic design, comfort, larger screens and general build quality are all a step up, in my opinion.

This is my opinion, too. The d-pad alone would make it worth the upgrade.

 

[Baconsammy]

I'll echo almost all of what's been said on this page. New design is everything the first 3DS should have been. I won't concur that DS games look "great" in full screen mode. They don't. They look alright. In 1:1 they look great, though. As long as you never use a DSiXL, DS games stretched on the 3DSXL won't look as bad since you'll have nothing to compare it to. Going from the DSIXL immediately to the 3DS OG last year was horrible. Made me hate the 3DS even more. It's a shame it didn't launch very well, but hopefully over the holidays it will do well.

 

[hardcastlemccormick]

I don't really care for massive handhelds, but I want the XL purely for the better build quality. It's my only concern with the OG 3DS. Well, battery life too.

 

[Baconsammy]

Maybe it's because I had a DSiXL for a year and an iPad, but the 3DS XL doesn't feel "massive" to me. Whereas holding an iPhone to game or a 3DS gave me hand cramps, the 3DS XL really hasn't unless a game requires a ton of shoulder button use.

 

[Drago]

The biggest screen I've ever had on a Nintendo handheld was the DSi screen.

the 3DS XL literally shocked me at first with how big it was, lol. Now when I use it, I wish the screens were even bigger

 

[braves01]

I don't really care for massive handhelds, but I want the XL purely for the better build quality. It's my only concern with the OG 3DS. Well, battery life too.

Battery life is better than the OG from what I can tell, but it's still not great. Unless you're planning on carrying the XL around in the back pocket of your skinny jeans, the size is fantastic. Once you see the OG and XL next to each other, it's impossible to go back.

 

[Rodney McKay]

I'm holding off because Nintendo always does some kind of software/DS bundle for Black Friday and often with new color options. So I'm going to try to refrain from purchasing the big October/November 3DS releases and hope they bundle Style Savvy or Paper Mario with a new color 3DSXL for cheaper than purchasing each separately.

yeah, that is what is holding me back, well November is just a month and a half away so I guess I'll wait

Me three. I've tried the XL twice at different demo stations and I just LOVE how much better the buttons and D-Pad feel.

I'm just not a big fan of the current US colors, so I hope there is a silver, white, black or yellow unit (yellow or transparent would be my dream) this holiday season. The red color seemed OK when I saw it, but the blue was a bit bright for me.

 

[Drago]

Have replacement top and bottom shells (preferably silver) shown up yet?

Guess I'll ask again.

Also, does anyone know where I can find the taking apart of the 3DS XL that details how to remove the top shell?

 

[hardcastlemccormick]

Maybe it's because I had a DSiXL for a year and an iPad, but the 3DS XL doesn't feel "massive" to me. Whereas holding an iPhone to game or a 3DS gave me hand cramps, the 3DS XL really hasn't unless a game requires a ton of shoulder button use.

Battery life is better than the OG from what I can tell, but it's still not great. Unless you're planning on carrying the XL around in the back pocket of your skinny jeans, the size is fantastic. Once you see the OG and XL next to each other, it's impossible to go back.

I had the DSiXL and it was too big for me, but the OG 3DS is just right. And I've had iPads, laptops, Kindles, everything. Not sure what it is, but the XL size stuff is far too large.

But even a small increase in battery life is good, and build quality is better. Here's hoping for an OG redesign.

 

[Eusis]

I had the DSiXL and it was too big for me, but the OG 3DS is just right. And I've had iPads, laptops, Kindles, everything. Not sure what it is, but the XL size stuff is far too large.

But even a small increase in battery life is good, and build quality is better. Here's hoping for an OG redesign.

I think for the DS the DSi form factor was perfect though I don't mind DSi XL at all, but for the 3DS the XL works best. Once you start cramming analog sticks/nubs in addition to D-Pads and buttons you're simply going to need to be bigger, it's why the Classic Controller's a dead end for dual analog design. Plus 3DS games just feel like they should be on a bigger screen, maybe it's because of the PSP but it simply isn't right to play Resident Evil Revelations on anything smaller than XL screens.

 

[shadyspace]

Probably not such a big deal for being who aren't as OCD as me but the thing I love the most about the xl so far is that I don't feel like I'm dirtying it up every time I put my hands on it. Get fucked glossy finish.

 

[Necrovex]

So, um, important question for everyone with a 3DS XL. I was going to finally play Kid Icarus on my 3DS XL until I discovered that when I plugged in my earbuds, the audio becomes fucked up. As in, it sometimes work for my earbud, but in most cases, the system ignores the earbud's existence.

If it helps, these are my earbuds.

 

[shadyspace]

you change the audio setting to headphones?

 

[Gamer @ Heart]

I had to cancel my preorder because i got a new phone instead. I am now in the camp that is praying for new colors come black friday. It broke my heart to finally have my purple 3DS dream become reality, only to have the XL make me force to skip it.

 

[Necrovex]

you change the audio setting to headphones?

I'm in the sound option, and I only have three available choices: Surround, stereo, and mono. Nothing works. :-(

 

[NeoRausch]

So, um, important question for everyone with a 3DS XL. I was going to finally play Kid Icarus on my 3DS XL until I discovered that when I plugged in my earbuds, the audio becomes fucked up. As in, it sometimes work for my earbud, but in most cases, the system ignores the earbud's existence.

If it helps, these are my earbuds.

Stupid question: have you really put the plug into the headphonejack? I had that problem with original 3DS. I had to really force it in when it was new.

 

[eighty(one)]

Yeah I'd like to know that too. I skipped the DS generation and have been thinking about picking up some of the classic titles to hold me over while waiting for the next batch of must have 3DS games.

Also any suggestions on DS games that have aged well and are must plays?

On the subject of screen protectors, I use one for the bottom screen only. Don't see the need to protect the top screen.

I missed the DS generation too. I've started to collect harder to find, but visually sumptuous DS games. These are the ones I've picked up lately that are pretty impressive:

Aliens: Infestation (Sega/Wayforward)
Dragon Quest IX (Level V/Square Enix/Nintendo)**
Legendary Starfy (Nintendo)**
Zelda Phantom Hourglass (Nintendo)
Zelda Spirit Tracks (Nintendo)**
Magical Starsign (Nintendo)
Mario & Luigi Bowser Inside Story (Nintendo)**
Metroid Prime Hunters (Nintendo)**
Okamiden (Capcom)**
Resident Evil (Capcom)
Simpsons (EA)
Star wars Force Unleashed 2 (Lucas Arts)
Super Princess Peach (Nintendo)
The World Ends With You (Square Enix)**
VIEWTIFUL Joe (Capcom)**

**= impressive/exceptional

 

[Necrovex]

Stupid question: have you really put the plug into the headphonejack? I had that problem with original 3DS. I had to really force it in when it was new.

Now I simply feel silly. I felt scared that if I really shoved my earbuds in the XL, it would cause damage to it. After reading this post, I decided to be a tad more aggressive with it, and volia! No more problems with the audio on my 3DS XL. Thank you, Weird.

 

[Pikma]

Off Topic:

How good are Etrian Odyssey II and Suikoden Tierkreis, guys? I saw them the other day at $15.99.

 

[Wolfe]

Probably not such a big deal for being who aren't as OCD as me but the thing I love the most about the xl so far is that I don't feel like I'm dirtying it up every time I put my hands on it. Get fucked glossy finish.

Right on.

 

[aidan]

Off Topic:

How good are Etrian Odyssey II and Suikoden Tierkreis, guys? I saw them the other day at $15.99.

Great RPG, mediocre to bad Suikoden game (but still better than Suikoden IV).

 

[Santiako]

Off Topic:

How good are Etrian Odyssey II and Suikoden Tierkreis, guys? I saw them the other day at $15.99.

EO2 is outstanding, Suikoden I haven't played.

 

[Oxigen_Waste]

Hey, does the charger from the regular 3DS work on the XL? Was going to turn in the regular for the XL, but if that's the case I'd rather sell it on ebay sans charger. Well?

 

[hunnies28]

Yes. Charger works for both. You're good.

 

[hunnies28]

Guess I'll ask again.

Also, does anyone know where I can find the taking apart of the 3DS XL that details how to remove the top shell?

I'm in my phone now so I won't bother looking for the article but I recall one that does a step by step ( From blue shell to white shell). I think its was ign.


Sorry for double post

Edit: what do you know? First google search result
http://www.ign.com/wikis/nintendo-3ds/3DS_XL_Shell_Swapping

 

[Drago]

So I was scouring eBay and I came across this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-Box-Hard-Metal-Cover-Case-For-Nintendo-3DS-XL-LL-Silver-/251148185110?pt=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item3a79992e16

It's not a shell... but it looks like it could fully cover up the shell color.


Also found this:

And another thing:

want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want

more awesome pics:

mmmmm

 

[MikeHaggar]

just want to chime in and say that i LOVE this machine. i've owned a gba sp, psp, ds phat, and ds lite over the years and none of them really got much play (to the point where i often wondered why i even bought them and eventually traded them in). i've been logging a bunch of time on the XL since i've bought it. in fact, i've already spent more time playing on it than all of the other portables i've ever owned combined. i highly recommend this thing to anyone that's on the fence.

 

[shadyspace]

Yep yep yep. I actually feel like a 3DS owner now, not just some dude who bought a 3DS.

 

[MNC]

187 Euro's for red 3DSXL + AC Adapter. Good deal?

Ok editing my post for some more questions:

Are the red 3DSXL's really the ones with more yellow tint on screen?

Low quality speakers? Or just same speakers as always? (Also I game with earplugs pretty much always so doesn't matter that much)

3D on kind of is faux-AA since it alternates between two screens constantly thus making jaggies less visible?

 

[Pikma]

187 Euro's for red 3DSXL + AC Adapter. Good deal?

Ok editing my post for some more questions:

Are the red 3DSXL's really the ones with more yellow tint on screen?

Low quality speakers? Or just same speakers as always? (Also I game with earplugs pretty much always so doesn't matter that much)

3D on kind of is faux-AA since it alternates between two screens constantly thus making jaggies less visible?

1. That's hard to proof since there's so many out there but going for what we've seen in this thread, I believe that's quite possible, they may have a higher rate.

2. I didn't notice that big of a difference, if I didn't read that here I wouldn't have noticed though, they're ok in my opinion.

3. Yes, kind of, but it totally helps the textures to look a little bit better.

 

[Boney]

Off Topic:

How good are Etrian Odyssey II and Suikoden Tierkreis, guys? I saw them the other day at $15.99.

I'd try to jump straight to III or IV if I could. II is really slow for my tastes, but it's the easiest.

 

[honorless]

Are the red 3DSXL's really the ones with more yellow tint on screen?

Low quality speakers? Or just same speakers as always? (Also I game with earplugs pretty much always so doesn't matter that much)

3D on kind of is faux-AA since it alternates between two screens constantly thus making jaggies less visible?

I unfortunately no longer have a DSi to compare, but the screen doesn't seem particularly warm on my red unit. I don't think there's any correlation.

The speakers are lower in quality compared to the DSL/DSi at least. (I never owned an OG 3DS.) It's no dealbreaker though, and if you're using headphones you're bypassing the problem.

That's not how the 3DS displays 3D. It aims every other line of the display at a different eye. Personally, I see the jaggies just as clearly in 3D as in 2D. Some games do use the extra processing power to add AA when 3D is switched off though...

 

[true Gek]

I'm in

 

[Pirabear]

Is it recommended to wipe the 3DSXL screens with a (very lightly) damp cloth before applying a screen protector? Feels like I'm just moving the dust around with a dry cloth.