Originally Posted by TimesTicking First time owning a 3DS XL and I feel like the 3DS XL was cheaply made. I am thinking of returning this for a 3DS but will that be worth it? I am having a tough choice since its my first Nintendo handheld.

The build quality is said to be better on the XL. It's less creaky, no lines on the screen, start select and home are buttons, not little panels.

I want to make the jump to the XL but I afraid as soon as I do an XL with a 2nd circle pad will be announced.

Originally Posted by Buried On Mars I want to make the jump to the XL but I afraid as soon as I do an XL with a 2nd circle pad will be announced.

How long will you keep living in fear?

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Originally Posted by Buried On Mars I want to make the jump to the XL but I afraid as soon as I do an XL with a 2nd circle pad will be announced.

I think they would have done it by now or when releasing the xl.

Originally Posted by Buried On Mars I want to make the jump to the XL but I afraid as soon as I do an XL with a 2nd circle pad will be announced.

Just get the XL and trade it in if they announce an upgraded system. No reason to deprive yourself of super happy awesome fun times just because maybe there will be something better down the road. Live in the moment!

I am trying to decide between the regular 3DS and the XL. I am leaning toward the original because it comes in a color I like (midnight purple) and the XL's screen worries me in terms of PPI. On the other hand, I hear people all over the Internet raving about the XL and how it is so much better than the original 3ds, so I have doubts. Is the difference in pixel density not as much of an issue as I fear? Also, does one feel "cheaper" than the other?

Originally Posted by Flutz I am trying to decide between the regular 3DS and the XL. I am leaning toward the original because it comes in a color I like (midnight purple) and the XL's screen worries me in terms of PPI. On the other hand, I hear people all over the Internet raving about the XL and how it is so much better than the original 3ds, so I have doubts. Is the difference in pixel density not as much of an issue as I fear? Also, does one feel "cheaper" than the other?

I don't find the XL screen to be bad at all and don't notice any issues, but if you are particularly concerned about that then it could be a factor. The XL is heavier and has better build quality and a better hinge (perhaps better buttons too). I am really digging the XL and the huge screen.

The XL at times feels too heavy though and my hands get uncomfortable (probably my small hands rather than button placement or anything) and it sometimes makes me wish that I went with the 3DS.

Overall you should pick your console based on the size and form factor, not the color. You won't even notice the color of the console when you're playing a game, and besides, you can buy skins if it really bothers you. You could even make your own.

http://www.gelaskins.com/store/gaming

I really want one too, but I'm still holding out hope that the Pikachu one will come stateside...

Originally Posted by Yamato I don't find the XL screen to be bad at all and don't notice any issues, but if you are particularly concerned about that then it could be a factor. The XL is heavier and has better build quality and a better hinge (perhaps better buttons too). I am really digging the XL and the huge screen. The XL at times feels too heavy though and my hands get uncomfortable (probably my small hands rather than button placement or anything) and it sometimes makes me wish that I went with the 3DS. Overall you should pick your console based on the size and form factor, not the color. You won't even notice the color of the console when you're playing a game, and besides, you can buy skins if it really bothers you. You could even make your own. http://www.gelaskins.com/store/gaming

The XL actually feels lighter to me because the weight is distributed in a greater surface area than the original 3DS, which feels really dense and would cramp my hands.

I love the XL and for me it's much more comfortable to hold and play at a distance (helps eye strain) than the regular 3DS.

I recently picked up a fantastic padded grip/case for it that my brother recommended:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?tag=cheapassgam08-20&ie=UTF8&psc=1

It makes the XL have a nice all around cushion for protection and the cushioned bottom grip makes holding the XL even more easier to hold. Highly recommended if you are looking for a case for your XL.

Originally Posted by ratzombie The XL actually feels lighter to me because the weight is distributed in a greater surface area than the original 3DS, which feels really dense and would cramp my hands.

Makes sense. I've never held a 3DS for more than a minute so I can't really compare.

Originally Posted by antlp89 I love the XL and for me it's much more comfortable to hold and play at a distance (helps eye strain) than the regular 3DS. I recently picked up a fantastic padded grip/case for it that my brother recommended: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?tag=cheapassgam08-20&ie=UTF8&psc=1 It makes the XL have a nice all around cushion for protection and the cushioned bottom grip makes holding the XL even more easier to hold. Highly recommended if you are looking for a case for your XL.

Thanks, I'm going to check out some youtube videos and reviews and see how I like it.

So, the XL has been out for what, 7 months now? Are we less than a year away from the "not quite XL, but bigger than the original" 3ds? Maybe with better resolution? Or would that kill the games? Did the Gameboy Micro have the best resolution among the gba's?

I was just thinking last night how much i love the larger screen on the XL.

Originally Posted by nickerous So, the XL has been out for what, 7 months now? Are we less than a year away from the "not quite XL, but bigger than the original" 3ds? Maybe with better resolution? Or would that kill the games? Did the Gameboy Micro have the best resolution among the gba's?

If they want to go bigger than the XL, that's fine, but smaller? I hope they just let the regular 3DS die off, if they haven't already (don't actually know if it's still available).

And no, the GBA Micro's screen had the same resolution as all of 'em. It was the worst GBA compatible system, as had the smallest screen and wasn't backwards compatible, and lost the handy flip too.

Originally Posted by Wolfpup If they want to go bigger than the XL, that's fine, but smaller? I hope they just let the regular 3DS die off, if they haven't already (don't actually know if it's still available). And no, the GBA Micro's screen had the same resolution as all of 'em. It was the worst GBA compatible system, as had the smallest screen and wasn't backwards compatible, and lost the handy flip too.

It's screen was pretty high quality though, and it had real backlighting unlike the original model of the SP (And of course the original GBA). I would say it's the second-best GBA model after the revamped SP.

I upgraded to an XL when they launched, and just yesterday played a normal 3DS for the first time since then and HOLY CRAP does that screen seem tiny!

Definitely go XL if you can.

Yeah, no downside IMO. And yeah, just seems absurdly tiny. I had a time going from my DS XL and PSP to the 3DS, and of course Vita isn't helping either The 3DS XL screens are much more reasonable sized and graphics look great.

The resolution still looks weird to me. It always looks washed out. Do DS games look all right?

Smaller would be better, the 3DS is too bulky. Thinner, maybe, not necessarily smaller.

Doesn't look washed out to me. DS games look fine too.

I just upgraded to a 3DS XL about 2 weekes ago from a regular 3DS. WOW there is a huge difference, I love the bigger screens and the XL feels so much better in my hands. I would highly recommend upgrading if you are thinking about it!