My 3DS XL Review

I finally upgraded to a 3DS XL last week. I've had my OG 3DS since launch day, and I've used it for just about everything you can imagine. The 3DS is a fantastic system that’s totally worth owning, but the original build had its share of issues. This is my first XL system, since I skipped the DSi XL, and the size is certainly something I’ll have to get used to. What really put me over the edge though was the release of the Pokemon X and Y editions, which are sexy as hell and totally worth it.

So Sexy.

For starters, to only real problem I ever had with my launch day 3DS was the battery life. The wireless features take a pretty massive toll on the battery, and even with less liberal use, the system could only handle 8 to 10 hours at a convention. I never had any problems with screen size or brightness, and I never fully filled my default 2 GB SD card. Even so, the battery life promises I heard about the XL were enough to get me interested, and I’m happy to report that those promises are easily kept. With semi-regular use my XL can last upwards of 50 hours before the low battery indicator even turns on.

The other improvement that I consider really valuable is the improvement of the quality and placement of the buttons. The regular 3DS could leave my hands frozen in raptor claw positions after extended gaming sessions, but the XL seems to have been designed for human hands. The Start, Select, and Home buttons are also real buttons now, instead of strange, plastic sheet covered depressions, and feel much more responsive. The circle pad is also improved, but it’s difficult to explain the change. Both the new and the old versions are coated in some sort of rubber/plastic hybrid that gives the pad its grip, but the new version seems to be slightly less porous, so it doesn't absorb skin oil as much and doesn't become dirty or slippery from use. This also causes it to have less grip, but they made the center “pit” deeper to compensate. It’s a small change, but a noticeable and welcome one, since the old circle pad tended to leave a ring on the upper screen when closed for a while.

As I mentioned before, this is my first XL, and I will say that the size is minimally problematic. While in its case it barely fits into standard jean pockets, but alone it doesn't have much trouble. This got me to thinking though, who exactly does Nintendo keep making XLs for? Every secondary model of Nintendo handhelds has been made to either cater to a different demographic, or to improve basic functionality of a system. The Game Boy Pocket was made to be a more portable version, and the Game Boy Color added Color. The Game Boy Advance SP added a hinge design and backlighting, and the Game Boy Advance Micro was made for Japanese businessmen to play on the go. The DSi added a camera and a real menu system, and the DSi XL was created to tap into the emerging demographic of older and elderly gamers with failing eyesight. The 3DS XL doesn't offer any of the features targeted at that demographic that the DSi XL had like the oversized stylus and the muted colors, but it was still designed to be that size. I would have honestly preferred a 3DS Lite, with all of the button and battery improvements but without the increased size. Regardless, the improvements are better than advertised and if the increased size doesn't bother you then the 3DS XL is a worthy purchase whether you are upgrading or getting a 3DS for the first time.