Topic: 3DS vs XL

I'm contemplating getting a 3DS but I'm not sure whether to go for the XL or whether just the normal 3DS would be ok.

Is the XL more comfortable to hold, or is it just down to personal preference of having a larger screen?

I personally find it a lot more comfortable to hold since I have big hands. The larger screens also make a huge difference in my opinion. I'm currently going through RE:R again and the larger screens really make it a lot more enjoyable.

Most people find stylus placement to be much better on the XL too

this must be the 20th thread about this topic.

many people say the xl is better due to bigger screens and more comfortable to hold. i think it is not comfortable. i will stick with my normal 3ds

I had an original 3DS at launch and was pissed the XL got announced just a year later, but I upgraded immediately and much prefer the XL. Better 3D, much comfier to hold with better curved sides although the original 3DS had the better thumbstick, the XL's thumbstick slips off my thumb sometimes and the XL seems a bit quiter than the original 3DS in my opinion but what makes the XL truly shine is that DS games look much better on the XL.

If you're planning to play DS games on the 3DS, make sure you go for XL as DS games looked awful on the original 3DS, with washed out colours and fuzzy pixels, the XL improved this alot. Oh and gone is the ugly green 3D light on the original 3DS which annoyed the hell out of me.

my ds games look pretty normal on my 3ds

Having a 3DS and 3DS XL side by side running the same DS game makes it pretty apparent how awful it looked on the original 3DS. Google it, you'll see plenty of discussions how much improved it is on the XL.

I prefer the XL. I had both, compared, and got rid of the regular one. It really depends though. If your older, I would go XL, but I could see a kid liking the regular 3DS more.

I upgraded to the XL and find it a great improvement. My only preference for the original would be the greater portability. The XL is fine for when I have a jacket or bag to hold it, but in the warmer months, when I like to wear shorts, I don't carry it around for StreetPassing.

i dont get why "older" people would get the 3DS Xl and "younger" people would get the 3DS.

i dont like the design of the 3DS XL and it's too heavy for me. no i am not a child im in the mid 20s

If you don't have a 3DS already, the XL is the only serious option, you can't enjoy long play sessions and deep games as much when you have to look at the original 3DS its tiny screens.

The XL model is MUCH more well-designed. Actual start and select buttons, bumpers to help prevent the original model's screen-scratching problem, a lovely matte finish, improved D-pad placement, improved stylus placement, a better stylus in the first place, an improved 3D slider, and improved headphone jack placement. This, in addition to the bigger screens, make the XL a much better investment.

It seems to me DS games look nicer on XL, too. If that matters.

In 1:1 pixel mode the screen is almost identical to a DS Lite's on the XL. WAY better than the tiny 1:1 display on the original 3DS.

Well, it doesn't really matter. That was just my opinion. People are going to get whatever, anyway.
The reason why I said that is because, people are saying if you have bigger hands to get an XL. Kids have small hands usually, and a getting a 3DS at all should make a kid happy. It wouldn't necessarily be because it's cheaper, but paying the extra price for an XL might not even matter to a kid.
Maybe I'm just assuming, but it really doesn't matter which one you get in the end. You have a 3DS no matter which one you get.

I had to make the same decision and I ultimately decided for the XL and happy with my choice, but to help you decide this is what I found after reading multiple reviews for both

XL Pros.

Bigger Screens
About an extra hour and half of battery life
Better stylus placement
2 GB bigger memory card
Hardware buttons for star/select

Pros for the original XL:
More Portable
Comes with a charging cradle
Supposedly have better sound out of the speakers

I don't carry it around in my pockets and normally play with headphones so those were not issues for me, would have been cool to have a charging cradle but the benefits of XL outweigh that I think.

Of course there's the thing about looks and all that which is subjective, there are more color options for the original 3DS (in the west)...

Thanks for the input everyone! Ill more than likely go with the XL. Bigger screen suits me better for playing. Specially if its going to be over prolonged time.

For the screen and controls. It feels heavier bolted to the stand. IMO, it's more comfortable than the smaller, lighter original model.

3DS XL has been ordered and is on its way! should be here tomorrow or Wednesday.

Congrats!

On the topic of the original 3DS model, I play Pokemon on it all the time (100+) hours, and have experienced no adverse reaction to the visuals. In other words, the graphics are almost indistinguishable to those on the DS product line. Connoisseurs only!