I recently re-bought a 3DS with the TRU deal... and all I can say is after playing Super Mario 3D Land, and Mario Kart 7 the current iteration of 3DS hardware design does not do the games justice at all. The power of the system is just fine, but the design needs a revision NOW. The second a 3DSi comes out I'm selling/trade this thing in, it's terrible... but it doesn't have to be.
The screen is too small, the controls hurt my hands after 10-15mins of play, the whole device feels plasticy and cheap, the menu software/online store is atrocious. It's too bad because playing these recent big games has changed my mind about what the 3DS can be in the future... a phenomenal handheld, a portable Gamecube essentially. Nintendo needs to get that hardware revision out before next holiday IMO.
If I could have a 3DS with a 4"-4.3" screen, (hopefully) improved 3D viewing angle, much improved cameras, 2 circle pads, better battery life, and a revamped eShop/online/online functionally... this system would be a monster, probably my favorite handheld ever.
The eShop needs game demos! It's also kind of ridiculous that we don't already have NES, SNES, and GBA games up for download... how hard can it really be to implement that Nintendo?? The sad thing is even if we did have them I wouldn't even buy them after seeing how tiny the NES ambassador games play on the current 3DS' screen... no option to stretch them out for full screen, and because the current screen is only 3.5" you're essentially playing NES games in thumbnail. My eyes strain to see details that small.
Long story short, if they come out with a new and improved hardware model, and get the online together the 3DS would be perfect. Right now though, it feels like it's already forgotten.. Nintendo needs to make some announcements, or show some signs that they're working on making things better. An update with some useless Spot Pass/Streetpass junk isn't going to cut it. I want some REAL features.