Forums

Topic: New Nintendo 3DS XL Vs. Old Nintendo 3DS XL?

Posts 1 to 20 of 37

hmp8982

I am trying to decide which one to get for my son for Christmas. He has played the new one on display in stores and loves it. He also loves his older brother's. He's almost 4 though.. so i'm not sure what to do. Whether to spend less money and get the older 3DS XL or spend more and get the new one which may or may not have new games eventually that he wouldn't be able to play on the old 3DS XL. I would already turn 3D off for him in parental controls since he is too young for that. I know we want to go with the 3DS XL.. just not sure which model. He obviously is not a hard core gamer or anything.. and he doesn't care about some of the things that someone who plays the games hardcore would. I'm just trying to decide which way is the best to go. I want something that will last him awhile, which has me leaning towards the new one. But I don't really know much about it.. or if he would really be missing much if we get the older one? Any advice?? Thank you all so much!

hmp8982

LaserdiscGal

He wouldn't be missing anything at all as the only exclusive game is Xenoblade (which is a very tough JRPG).

Honestly if you're looking to save cash on a 3ds, get a 2DS- it has all the same functionality as the 3ds and the size/shape are more child friendly.

LaserdiscGal

3DS Friend Code: 0688-5519-2711 | My Nintendo: pokefraker | Nintendo Network ID: pokefraker

hmp8982

Well.. we are sure we want the 3ds XL.. we want one that folds like that. He is use to his brother's. We have looked at the 2ds and aren't to fond of it.. It's size is like the regular 3ds screen right? Not like the XL?

Will games that continue to come out still work on the older 3ds XL as well? Or will new games that come out not be compatible with that one?

hmp8982

Pokefanmum82

the games will still work on the older ones. Plus they still sell them so I doubt that there are any new games coming out that are exclusive to the NEW 3DS XL.

Want: Harvest Moon: One World, Story of Seasons: Pioneering Town, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

Finished the Alola Dex.
Now playing New Horizons, Wrath of White Witch and Sword

hmp8982

that's good to know. I'm just having trouble making a decision.. lol

hmp8982

hmp8982

One thing I dislike is the lack of color options in the new 3ds xl!

hmp8982

Pokefanmum82

if you want the newer one but don't like the color option, you can get the Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer New 3DS bundle which comes with removable cover plates that you can change. The only downside is a smaller screen.

Want: Harvest Moon: One World, Story of Seasons: Pioneering Town, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

Finished the Alola Dex.
Now playing New Horizons, Wrath of White Witch and Sword

simonthomas6

@hmp8982: I would recommend trying to get the normal sized new 3ds its at a cheaper price then the XL. Though personally I like the bigger size on the XL.

simonthomas6

Switch Friend Code: SW-2765-4632-4215 | 3DS Friend Code: 1736-0144-0759 | Nintendo Network ID: simonthomas6

ejamer

For someone 4 years old there is no good reason to get the New 3DS XL.

Why pay extra for a New instead of the old version?

  • if you care about the exclusive games (Xenoblade and Binding of Isaac - neither appropriate for that age)
  • if you care about "super stable" 3D (a selling point for me, but not for your child)
  • if you want the extra nub on the right-hand side, only useful for some games (nice to have, not necessary and probably not used in any games your child will be playing)
  • you care about slightly faster processing speeds, or the ability to transfer files directly to your computer (again, nice for me but not useful for kids)

I'm a fan of the New 3DS system... just don't see the extra cost being justified in your circumstance.

Personally, instead of worrying too much about the color of the system I'd focus on getting a nice looking case to help protect it. This comes from having a 3- and 5-year old at home with games. They treat their consoles well, but bumps and drops happen.

ejamer

Nintendo Network ID: ejamer

hmp8982

ejamer wrote:

For someone 4 years old there is no good reason to get the New 3DS XL.

Why pay extra for a New instead of the old version?

  • if you care about the exclusive games (Xenoblade and Binding of Isaac - neither appropriate for that age)
  • if you care about "super stable" 3D (a selling point for me, but not for your child)
  • if you want the extra nub on the right-hand side, only useful for some games (nice to have, not necessary and probably not used in any games your child will be playing)
  • you care about slightly faster processing speeds, or the ability to transfer files directly to your computer (again, nice for me but not useful for kids)

I'm a fan of the New 3DS system... just don't see the extra cost being justified in your circumstance.

Personally, instead of worrying too much about the color of the system I'd focus on getting a nice looking case to help protect it. This comes from having a 3- and 5-year old at home with games. They treat their consoles well, but bumps and drops happen.

thank you so much for that advice! Do you think that new games that come out over time will still be able to be used on the Old 3DS XL?

I definitely agree with all of what you said. My biggest concern.. is how long it will last. I hope it will last him awhile! As well as new games in the future.. if they will still work with the old one (games for his age). I probably will get a case. My son has an ipad so he is use to taking care of things. But I do know that bumps and drops happen! lol

hmp8982

Zizzy

If you don't want him to miss out on any future New 3DS only games, get the new one. Plus, he'll probably be stoked on the brand new model.

Zizzy

3DS Friend Code: 4425-1585-6021 | Nintendo Network ID: Zizzy147

hmp8982

Thanks! I'm leaning towards the new one just for that. I do think it will last longer as well.

hmp8982

maceng

@hmp8982: Not really.

I don't think that many games will be only playable on the New 3DS: it will mean less lessfor the game developers.Also, the sound on the old 3ds XL is better than on the new ones.

Also, a bundle of the old 3DS XL with Super Mario 3D Land is coming next black Friday, for just 130 bucks.

maceng

hmp8982

maceng wrote:

@hmp8982: Not really.

I don't think that many games will be only playable on the New 3DS: it will mean less lessfor the game developers.Also, the sound on the old 3ds XL is better than on the new ones.

Also, a bundle of the old 3DS XL with Super Mario 3D Land is coming next black Friday, for just 130 bucks.

Thanks! So overall, do you think the differences are pretty insignificant as far as a young child would go? I hope the games won't become only for the New 3DS XL.. That is my only concern. As I hope he has it for a good while!

hmp8982

MarioCrossing

@hmp8982:
Hi there!

I can tell you right now that new games will still be coming out for the rest of the 3DS family. While there is a couple of exclusives, not a whole lot is coming. There is far more 3DS users that own anything from the OG 3DS, 2DS or OG 3DS XL that are potential customers for these games. Making it only for the revised version would be pointless unless it is only possible on the new console, for example, Xenoblade.

If you want to be futureproofed and for him to have the newest thing, then you can go ahead and pay the extra $50 or whatever it is for the new 3DS. But keep in mind that the New 3DS has better processing power, which could make the experience more enjoyable for him if he is not patient. Although, it's not too big of a deal.

Honestly, at this point in time, the 3DS XL is a good way to go, and so is the New 3DS. It really comes down to if he plans on playing the couple of games that have been exclusive, however, they are still releasing games for the whole family. He will be good for a while, even if they did stop making games for it, the library for the 3DS is huge! Anything from old classic games from the virtual console to the DS games, and of course the newer titles being 3DS titles are great. No matter what choice you make you will be getting him something that will probably last him a long time with the massive library available.

MarioCrossing

Sisilly_G

At present, there are literally only TWO, yes TWO games exclusive to the New 3DS, and they are (as mentioned above) Xenoblade Chronicles 3D and The Binding of Isaac. I would not expect that number of increase anytime soon (at least not by much). Yes, there will be some more games that take advantage of the slightly more powerful CPU in the New 3DS, but I would imagine them to have a negligible bearing on gameplay (if any) and your child will not benefit from them, particularly at such a young age (as he shouldn't be viewing the 3D display until he is at least 7 years of age). If you can find an Old XL for a cheap price, then by all means do so, but it is not worth paying significantly more for something from which your son will find no additional benefit.

However, the New 3DS also has NFC functionality built in, so if your son is responsible and can take care of fragile objects and is interested in amiibo figurines and/or amiibo cards, then you might want to consider the New 3DS XL (the old 3DS will require a separate accessory in order to do the same thing). All in all, it's not worth paying a premium for, but if there isn't much of a price difference between the two, and if you can trust such a young child with an expensive device, then go for it. My little brother was/is quite responsible and he had a regular DS at the age of six. He poked the game card slot until it could no longer read DS games, he broke the hinge and chewed on the tip of the stylus. From the sounds of things, I would hope that your son would not be as reckless and irresponsible.

"Gee, that's really persuasive. Do you have any actual points to make other than to essentially say 'me Tarzan, physical bad, digital good'?"

Switch Friend Code: SW-1910-7582-3323

hmp8982

Thanks to both of you!! Yes, he does like the amiibo figurines. We have a Wii U and he enjoys playing with those and the infinity characters. So with the new one, the capability to use that is built in.. but in the old one you would need another accessory?? That may be all the difference.

hmp8982

MarioCrossing

@hmp8982:

I believe that the accessory amiibo reader is around $20.

http://i.imgur.com/MJzl4Q6.png (Price comparison)

Honestly if he likes the amiibo it wouldn't hurt to go with the new one as well, there is some slight differences and the price will come to around the same. Really depends on retailer though.

MarioCrossing

hmp8982

Yeah.. I noticed that when I looked up the accessory. I think the new one is going to be the best bet.
Where do you usually find the best deals? Amazon?

hmp8982

Pokefanmum82

you might want to want until black friday and see what deals they will have on the NEW 3DS XL

Want: Harvest Moon: One World, Story of Seasons: Pioneering Town, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

Finished the Alola Dex.
Now playing New Horizons, Wrath of White Witch and Sword

This topic has been archived, no further posts can be added.