Thread: 3DS or 3DS XL??

Ok well I'm not sure if this goes here but mods feel free to move it.

As most of you all know, Pokemon X and Y have been announced for 3DS and so the 6th generation begins in 9 months. (If you didn't, here's an announcement trailer ) This means for me and alot of others to go out and buy a 3DS.

So which model do you recommend to get? A normal 3DS or a 3DS XL? Which one do you prefer/think is better?


I kind of was curious as to which one people liked more and also wanted to know which one I should to buy.

I read reviews online before buying it, most reviews basically said:

"A 3DS XL is more comfortable to hold with smoother edges that don't dig into your palms, it feels less cramped, good if you have big hands, it has longer battery life, the stylus is at the side instead of at the back which makes it easier to get, it has a bigger screen but not a better resolution so the images are a bit stretched"
(one review said the 3DS had better speakers, though, if that means anything to you)

I have a 3DS XL but not a 3DS so I don't really have anything to compare it with. You could ask me stuff about owning one if you want but I haven't played with it in a year because it's 2013 lol but seriously I haven't played with it in a long time, around 3 months, I think because I was busy with other things so...idk

It depends on personal preference and your particular priorities. I could go back and forth with reviews, but as someone with a preference for compact, classy-looking things and quite small hands, I much prefer the 3DS. For my use, the XL seems too clunky, I don't personally think it looks very nice (I dislike the size of it and matte looks cheap to me) and the battery life isn't enough of a plus to persuade me over those personal negatives. I do think overall the XL is an improvement technically and in physical usability (save for the issues my friends have had fitting it into pockets), especially for someone with larger hands, but I am certainly sticking with my plain ol' 3DS because screen size, softer edges, stylus placing and even battery life improvement still aren't enough of a concern for me to use something I don't personally like the look or size of.

^ Like my dear partner said, it's all about preferences. Though I prefer the 3DS XL, and having owned a DSi XL previously I just couldn't go back to the smaller screens. Plus considering I like playing for hours on end at times the longer battery life appealed to me big time, and the rounded edges makes it much nicer to hold. There's also the start, home, and select buttons unlike on the 3DS they're actual buttons on the XL which I personally prefer. The only two cons in my opinion are not fitting in pockets, and it gets scratched up kinda easily (though this may relate to my clumsiness).

Definitely the 3DS XL. Why? Well, from what I've seen, the screen is just so mind-blowingly, ranbow-puke-inducingly large that it's hard to resist.

I prefer the regular 3DS. The XL is too big for my tastes, and with Streetpass and its encouragement to carry it around with you, I'd rather have something that's easy to carry. Mine fits just snugly into the pockets of my jacket and cargo pants, so I don't think an XL would be able to be carried like that.

It's all personal taste, though.

I've never used a 3DS XL but I have a suspician that the larger screen will have an impact on the graphics of games. Also it's just bigger and clumpier, the 3DS screen is a nice size and feels good to hold. It's exactly the same as the DSi XL and why I preferred the regular DSi.

I say if price isn't an important factor you should just go ahead and get the XL. After all, if price isn't a deciding factor in a choice you might as well get the expensive thing.

I have a regular 3DS and find it just fine. I dont feel I need the larger screen. I dont have big hands so my 3DS is perfectly comfortable to hold, and isn't the regular model cheaper? I feel i don't need the 3DS XL personally.

I own both the 3DS and the 3DS XL, and I prefer the 3DS XL. The matte finish of the XL seems to be less of a grime magnet than the glossy finish of the 3DS (and I'm obsessed with cleanliness, so it isn't like I stick my hands in dirt or grease before playing). The stylus isn't in an annoying location (and you don't have to extend it) like with the 3DS. I also like the larger screens and I don't really notice much of a difference in the graphics when playing a 3DS game on an XL versus a 3DS. DS games look worse on the 3DS XL than the 3DS, but I shrink down my DS games (you just press Start and Select while a DS game is loading), so it isn't really an issue for me. Finally, I like that the 3DS XL comes with a 4GB SD card rather than a 2GB SD card, although if you are going to be downloading a lot of retail size games or eShop only games, you'd want to upgrade to an SD card larger than 4GB.

In terms of portability, the regular 3DS is more portable if you want to stick it in a pocket. If you are going to stuff it in a book bag, then it doesn't matter.

I don't know where you are located, so if color is something that is important to you, I'd check out which colors are available in your region for both systems. In any case, the 3DS will have more color options.

And of course, the 3DS will probably be cheaper than the XL.

I bought the standard 3DS. When I buy a handheld I want to actually be able to put it in my pocket and easily carry it around. Making it bigger just seems weird and backwards to me:P

If you want to be able to carry it around easily, 3DS. If you want a miniature laptop, XL.

I grew up on a GBA, so I prefer and I'm used to the smaller screen. However, I've heard that the XL makes the 3D viewing a little less harsh on your eyes because the cameras/projectors are placed slightly farther apart.

I bought the standard 3ds in the purple. Since I have smaller hands, I prefer holding the smaller DS. I don't feel the need for a larger 3DS anytime soon. It would just be harder for me to carry to work and such, and easier to drop(since I'm clumsy).

If you want something to put in your pocket and save money, the 3DS.

If you want a bigger screen and money is not important to you, the 3DSXL.

I prefer the 3DS because it's smaller and fits in my pocket. It's also easier to carry. 3DS XL is nice and all but I don't see myself switching to one in the near future.