Topic: Keep 3DS XL or Return it and wait for New 3DS XL

Hello, I am a new member here, and I have a pressing question to ask you all.

Late last week, I ordered a 3DS XL online (it is a bundle and comes with Mario and Luigi Dream World; I also bought Pokemon Y separately). This is my first handheld console since the Gameboy Advance. My main purpose for the 3DS XL is this: I live in the US and the fall/winter seasons here are quite dark and chilly. As such, I bought the 3DS XL as an indoor pasttime for the fall/winter seasons. I might play it after winter, into Spring 2015 or Summer 2015. However, I anticipate a change in my life circumstances in 2015 that would likely limit the amount of free time I have available. I want to share this background with you because I think it is relevant to help you answer my question.

Today, I discovered that Nintendo is releasing a "New 3DS XL." Most of the games I want to play have already been released: the two I bought, Zelda Link Between Worlds, Mario 3D, and maybe Fire Emblem Awakening, Super Smash, or Mario Kart. However, I am concerned that (i) games released from now on would not be compatible with the 3DS XL I bought, and (ii) the 3DS XL's value would drop precipitously, such that if I were to sell it used in Spring 2015, I would hardly get back much for it.

The 3DS XL and games I bought are all still unopened. I don't know if I should open them, or if I should return them to the online store and wait for the New 3DS XL. (The online store allows returns, no questions asked so long as the product is unopened, for up to 30 days from purchase). Any advice as to what I should do? Thanks.

Currently, we don't even know how far N3DS support will reach. Every dev could jump the CPU train, or they ignore it. Who knows? So I would actually advise you to keep your XL. If your free time will be that much more limited in the future, there's no point in getting an improved version of what you have already. Enjoy what you have, and whenever you hear about an N3DS title you'd like to play, ask yourself: do I have the time for it? If yes, and you have at least 3 games where you thought that, then you may regret your decision.

But for now, it's not really worth waiting for. You already got your stuff, so make the best of it! ^_^

More importantly, we don't know when exactly will the new systems release.

I say keep your current one and then trade it in for a new one when you decide to buy one.

I would not worry about the forward compatibility issue at this point. I would not expect that many important games will be incomparable in the foreseeable future.

That said... if I was you, I'd return it and save your money for the new model. If only for pure practicality purposes. Sure it'll be annoying to wait. But at least you won't be more annoyed when you really want that extra C-Stick.

Well if you're not gonna be able to play it during 2015 and the main reason you bought it was to kill time during this winter season then I say keep it. I'd really like the new 3DS but I'm not in your situation. Might as well have this system and enjoy it then getting a system you probably won't get much usage out of. I don't really know when the 3DS is going to be released which is another problem. It could be 2015 just like the EU version but then again NoA would be stupid not to take advantage of the winter holidays and black friday.

Thanks for your replies so far. How likely is it that Nintendo would release the New 3DS XL in the US by December 2014? I can wait until then, but given my circumstances, I do not want to wait past December 2014.

Pretty sure they confirmed 2015, so its not likely to be available at Christmas.

Both...lol. Keep it until you nab the New system, whenever that happens.

Personally I'd think since you've been out since the GBA you're really not at a loss. Why not wait 6 months roughly speaking and just get the correct new hardware so that everything works. It's not like you can't play those games you picked up on that model too. Keeping both would be a bad idea, and buying one to lose like a 1/3 of the value or more on it to get the other isn't great either.