Topic: 3DS vs XL vs 2DS

I own a 2DS but not the XL, the 2DS is actually pretty good for me, so what if you can't fit it into your pocket, if you have a sweatshirt that doesn't zip up (His the pocket then just put the system in that wherever you go)

Putting a $170 game system in your pocket sounds like a disaster waiting to happen anyways. Accidentally throw your keys (Or something of that nature) and watch as your system gets scratches to oblivion. (Even with the clamshell, it could easily jiggle around until it sandwhiches itself into it and gets to the screens.

@8BitSamurai @Svaethier thanks!

Glad to hear you two find the 2DS to be comfortable

It actually interests me a lot because of the location of the buttons (specially the start and select ones, it will probably feel more natural to play VC games like that)... Yeah, the big screens on the XL are amazing to play DS games and virtual console, but normal 3DS games look weird at times.

How are the screens in terms of brightness and color? Bright like the 3DS? The XL is kinda dim in that department.

You make more confident towards "upgrading" to a 2DS... About scratching it.... I would obviously get a case and screen protectors for it so I guess that's not much of a problem.

@8BitSamurai
I don't put other things into the pocket of my non zipped up sweathshirt, only my 2DS, plus if you get the carrying case for the measly 10.00 at Wal-Mart then you won't get scratches on it anyways since it'll be in the carrying case while inside your sweatshirt

@Morpheel

The brightness is actually pretty good, probably better than the regular 3DS's but then again I wouldn't know, I'm guessing it'll be different to some people

@Morpheel
It's brighter than my 3DS by a good bit, and all around a better screen. (Although it couldn't hold a candle to my Vita-1000)

@Svaethier
Oh no, I was agreeing with you. I meant putting the 3DS without a case into your front pocket or something.

@8BitSamurai
Well then yea, you don't want to do that xD
I carry my 2DS whenever I feel like to my nearest NintendoZone don't know why people whine about it's portability when you can find ways to carry it around with you without the system needing to have a clamshell design

Thanks! I guess that makes it easier to decide. (I just wish there were nicer color options, white+green would be an instant purchase lol).

Brighter screens are always better.

(Well, obviously, if the screens were better than the Vita's it would be an expensive 3DS!)

Edit: also, considering I can fit my iPad mini in my pocket, I don't think I'll have much problems transporting this.

I've owned 2 original 3DS' and 2 XL's and I've gotta say I will never go back to the original. Once I upgraded to the XL I realised just how great it was and couldn't handle the original anymore. Yes, it's not perfect, the volume is a bit low, the resolution is obviously a bit worse, but those larger screens just make such a big difference to a game. Other great design features to me are: rounded edges are much easier on the hands, better buttons, stylus on the side, no more infuriating glossy fingerprint magnet surfaces and the weird cake layer design is gone. It's still portable too, it fits in most of my pockets. Now I've got the Zelda 3DS XL, I'm content and don't need to buy a new colour.

After playing with the XL, the original just seems like a prototype

I have both and I think there is a place for both the original 3DS and the 3DSXL. The sharpness of the original 3DS along with better sound stands out, while the bigger screen on 3DSXL is a better vehicle to convey the immersion stereoscopic can bring, all while it's much more ergonomic for many people. I'm personally all for sharpness, and that being said the 3DSXL does a tremendous job delivering something that on paper (e.g. negative effects of scaling) does not sound that good.

I prefer my cosmo black 3DS thank you. I don't care about big screens as long as the 3D effect to me is fine.

Honestly, the only thing the 3DS Lite(what I call the OG 3DS now) has going for it is that it's the most portable. other than that, 2DS and 3DS XL are better.

Oh, and 3DS XL master race.

I am currently debating whether to switch up to a XL, but judging from this thread it does seem very much 50/50 between the love for 3DS and XL.

At the risk of putting this thread on a slight tangent, I know Nintendo brought out the 2DS recently, but does anyone know whether there are any rumblings for an upgrade for the main or xl 3ds lines in the near/distant future?

The 3DSXL is the better system, the 3D flourishes much better due to the screen size. I does not have the hinge problem, it does not scratch the top screen requiring the hassle to have cloth between the screens, it does not cut in you hand palm, it does not cramp you hands up with extensive L and R usage, it has better battery life, less reflection, the list goes on and on. The only downside are the less louder speakers (often mistaken as worse sound quality) and graphics are less sharp from the same viewing distance. The latter is mostly a theoretical issue, since games scale tremendously well on the XL. In short, look around, the XL is everywhere and is sold the most, it's an upgrade.

I would say the 3ds xl is the better model of the 3! The bigger screen does make a huge difference also the buttons are way better then the regular 3ds! If you get one id recommend buying it from amazon! I just ordered mine 2 days ago and i got a new black 3ds xl for $189!

My hands are pretty darned large and I always felt like I was close to crushing the original 3DS and extensive use of the shoulder buttons would cause finger cramping. I could never go back from my XL.
That being said, I prefer using the d-pad for VC games and most platformers and for my large hands, the d-pad on my niece's 2DS is even better positioned than the one on my XL. Go figure.

@CountWaveula
I actually don't notice a difference in brightness when I plug my 3DS in with the charging cable, maybe the launch models don't have that.

After just getting an XL, I can definitely say it's the model to get. Those humongous screens make playing 3DS games so much more immersive, especially with 3D. That combined with small improvements everywhere else and you have a superb console.

Well TBH, At first I never wanted a 3DS XL, but after my normal 3DS console started to malfunction, I saw the perfect opportunity to get an XL. So.... if you want, you can buy an XL. If you want something cheap, and hate the 3D, 2DS is your best bet.

I finally got a 2DS (though I still havent obtained screen protectors so I haven't played a lot with it). I can say it is a charming 3DS model, it looks much better in person and fits perfectly in my hands. I can also say some other things I noticed:

-at first the buttons and pads feel "cheaper" compared to the XL and Original (O) models, but the feeling disappears after some time.
-it is comfortable, like a mutant GBC.
-the screens look great, as usual.
-the screen is "cool", like the O instead of "warm" like the XL.
-there's no "super awesome hidden 6th brightness secret setting" and the screen is about as bright as my XL's, but since the screen is cool it's less noticeable.
-the sound is louder and doesn't sound that bad.
-the top screen is deeper into the system, and it kinda looks like 3D because of that.
-I keep trying to adjust the screen because I'm not used to seeing the top screen at that angle lol.
...
-it fits my pocket! (Carrying bag and all)