Nintendo New 3DS XL - Black

I get that question a lot from friends and family. The Switch is out, and it’s better than everyone could have ever hoped for from Nintendo, and the New 2DS XL is much cheaper and plays the same games. Yet here I am, with my New 3DS XL. And I LOVE this thing. Summary: The New 3DS XL’s face-tracking 3D, rich library of games, and faster processing power make it the premium 3DS system. The design on the cover is unique and cool. However, knowing the flaws the system has and what other options are available is extremely important before making this purchase. Details below. For this review, the term “older 3DS model” refers to the original 3DS, original 2DS, and original 3DS XL, and the term “newer 3DS model” refers to the New 3DS, New 3DS XL, and New 2DS XL. The real main reason I bought a New 3DS XL is my original 3DS XL started having problems; it couldn’t read game cartridges as quickly as it used to, and the volume slider started adjusting itself. I had replaced my circle pad at least twice from playing Smash, which voided my warranty (if not for having the device for so long). I still wanted to play Smash and all my other games in all their glory, though, so instead of repairing the old system, I got a New one. While it is just an upgrade in my case, the New 3DS XL has renewed my interest in the 3DS for a few reasons. Number one is processing power. Those upgrading from a newer 3DS model or buying a 3DS for the first time won’t notice a difference, but people upgrading from the older 3DS models definitely will. The device is extremely fast when loading menu options or performing simple tasks, like downloading software or updates. Of course, cartridges load a little quicker, too. Games that require more processing power like Smash or Generation 7 Pokémon are noticeably faster to start up on the newer models. If you have an older 3DS model, you’ll know that these games require the system to entirely restart when exiting the software, much like normal DS cartridges. However, with the newer 3DS models, these games just close much like other software does - they just take you back to the Home Screen, no restart required. This makes the newer 3DS much more efficient on the go. For example, when playing with friends on the school bus ride for a field trip, you can easily switch games in a matter of seconds with a newer model in comparison to a matter of minutes with an older model. Number two is the selection of games. If you’re not satisfied with the incredible library the 3DS has, all 3DS models have backwards compatibility with original DS games, too, making the 3DS’s collective library one of the most rich and diverse. While it is true that the 3DS does not have any 10/10 IGN games (and probably won’t see one in its lifetime, since Nintendo will most likely stop pushing the 3DS no later than 2019), game experiences like those found in Animal Crossing: New Leaf and Fire Emblem Awakening have yet to be replicated on the Switch at the time of writing. Number three is the face-tracking 3D, or “Super-Stable 3D,” as Nintendo calls it. The New 3DS and New 3DS XL have a second front-facing camera that tracks facial movements and adjusts the 3D to fit the angle of your point of view. You’ll know it’s activated because a little red light in the second camera will glow (it’s not glaring or bright, but it’s just enough to know it’s on). I watched video reviews of face-tracking 3D online, but I didn’t know how much I would enjoy it until I tried it out on my friend’s New 3DS XL. I have recently begun playing Mario Kart 7 again. I had the 3D almost always off when I played it on my old 3DS XL, since it was hard to keep my face straight to look at it and admire it, but on the New 3DS XL, it adjusts well, even when I have glasses on, and I have almost exclusively played it with 3D on since I transferred my save data to the new system. An advantage the New 3DS XL has over the Switch is the price. When compared to the Switch, the 3DS is obviously cheaper on the outside, but the price goes much deeper than that. For a Switch to be fun for everyone, you either need several Switches or several controllers, be they Joy-Con or Pro. The best Switch games cost around $60, maybe a little less if you hunt online or buy used games. The 3DS, on the other hand, only requires other people to have the console. Most games are $40 max, but some of the best were dropped to $20 because of the Nintendo Selects Program (this, unfortunately, does not include Smash, Mario Kart 7, or any main series Pokémon game). In my case, I had a ton of 3DS and DS games already and just needed a faster, more reliable console to continue playing them. While one might argue that the requirement that everyone needs a console to play is steep, I think having a 3DS to play with others also allows everyone who owns a system to enjoy the single-player games as well. Also, all DS models also have DS Download Play, allowing anyone with a DS to wirelessly connect and play together as long as at least one person has the game in question. Undoubtedly, the most popular game to use this feature is Mario Kart DS/Mario Kart 7: as long as one person has one of these games, everyone else can join in. A New 3DS XL can play an original DS game with an original Nintendo DS, but keep in mind that an original Nintendo DS can’t play a 3DS game at all, even through DS Download Play. Why buy this New 3DS XL over the 2DS models (2DS and New 2DS XL)? The main reason is the face-tracking 3D. It is well worth the price on games like Mario Kart 7 and Animal Crossing: New Leaf - games that utilize it well definitely have a more enriched experience, and I can no longer imagine how they’d play without it at this point. However, I will say that if 3D is not your incentive for buying any 3DS or 2DS model, then investing in a New 2DS XL is a better option: it’s cheaper, comes with a charger, and plays the same games. Why buy this specific SNES version of the New 3DS XL? While the other New 3DS XL colors might be cheaper, the New 3DS XL based on the SNES is definitely one of the cooler designs. The colors are perfectly toned, and the design is not a sticker on the cover: it is indeed plastic. There is no texture, but the device still pops. The device also does not have a metallic luster like the New Black or New Red models: it has a matte finish, which means it won’t shine in someone’s eyes when you’re playing outdoors. Plus, the SNES edition comes packed with a download code for Super Mario Kart, which, while not the same as Mario Kart 7 or 8, is still loads of fun to play. Other notes - commenting on reviewers’ issues: One debate in the reviews discusses TN and IPS screens. I have played on my friend’s New 3DS XL, which has a top IPS screen, and it does appear brighter, but the colors also look a bit too strong. 3DS software was designed with TN screens in mind, so I personally am more comfortable with the TN screens this device comes with. My system also doesn’t have any scan lines or anything on it (it just looks like my old 3DS XL screen). If you desperately need an IPS screen for some reason, the New Black model is the one that most likely has them, but Nintendo sometimes mixes and matches. The SNES edition, though, always has TN screens, so keep that in mind when purchasing. One source of negative reviews is the lack of charger. This, while a bad move on Nintendo’s part, should not dissuade you from buying this system if you want its design and functionality. Chargers are often less than $10 at this point, and third parties are coming out with 3DS-to-USB cables to let you use your portable charger with your 3DS (which, I have to say, comes in really handy on long trips without access to power, especially if you’re using StreetPass). The other main source of negative reviews is the complicated system transfer, which requires a user to take off the back panel using a screwdriver to replace the MicroSD card that the system comes with. I did end up damaging the back panel on one side, but it’s completely unnoticeable, and I didn’t remember until writing this review, weeks after I replaced the SD card. The transfer didn’t take more than half an hour for 8-16 GB, but it is still a significant portion of time you might need to sit down and monitor to ensure nothing goes wrong. My best suggestion is to buy a 32 GB Micro SD right off the bat. If you plan on downloading games, 32 GB is the maximum size the system can take naturally, and after installing it, you wouldn’t ever need to take off the back panel unless your battery needs replacement, which for me on my original 3DS XL system, has never happened. Overall, this New 3DS XL is, unexpectedly, the premium 3DS. Its face-tracking 3D, rich library of games, and faster processing power push it above and beyond all other 3DS systems. While $200 is steep when the 2DS and New 2DS XL are much more manageable in price (and the Switch is just around $100 more), understanding which model suits your needs becomes all the more important. If you want the top-of-the-line 3DS system with all the new features, this system is the one for you. However, if the price is too steep, I would drop to the New 2DS XL, and if you don’t want to be left behind with older games, I would invest in a Switch.

Amazing product! Actually, I think this is what the original 3DS should have been like, particularly with regard to the super-stable 3D. And I was not disappointed in the least by the previous version. If you haven't bought a DS system yet, and this is your entry into portable gaming, I highly recommend this system. I didn't expect to be impressed when I bought the precious model 3DS XL, but I was, so much so it gave me the confidence to buy the Wii U and know I would like it. The 3DS XL was my first Nintendo system since GBA SP and GameCube more than a decade ago, and is what got me to enjoy gaming again (wish I had more time to play, but weekends are fun because I have this and the Wii U). Believe me, as someone who has the previous generation 3DS XL also, the super-stable 3D performs better than I expected, and truly is super stable. I liked how I could aim weapons, like the bow and arrow in Zelda by rotating the console to look around and aim (which makes it very easy to be quick and accurate, especially compared to using the circle pad to aim), but on the previous version of the system, I had to turn the 3D off to do it because I would see double every time I rotated to aim, which would make me miss. With the super stable 3D, you can move all around and the 3D stays 3D and stable, which means now I can aim great using the 3D and no longer need to switch it off ever. It also makes it so much more comfortable on the eyes, and doesn't cause strain over long periods like the older system sometimes did. I've seen some people say it's not worth upgrading if you have the previous generation 3DS XL, but for me, the super stable 3D is worth it. And since I have Amiibo's I used with my Wii U, I like that I can use them for my 3DS now also. With regard to the extra C-stick, it's nice, but I only have one game that supports it since only the newer games are starting to take advantage of it. On my previous 3DS XL, I bought the Circle Pad Pro for the extra stick, but I hated that it made the system too bulky to be considered truly portable. The XL barely fits in your pocket as it is, so it just wasn't worth hauling the CP Pro around for what little it did. That said, I'm glad the new generation XL has it built in. The C-stick does not work as comfortably and easily as the CP Pro did, but like I said, it barely gets used even when it's supported. It does work decently, though, and it is pressure sensitive. It's a lot like when laptops had that crappy little rubber joystick in the middle of the keyboard to control the mouse/pointer. But unlike that situation, where it was a pain to use to control a pointer, it is much more appropriate and easier to use for the purpose of controlling external camera angles (the typical purpose in games). The New 3DS also has the additional shoulder buttons like on the CP Pro. All in all, it is not a feature that alone is worth upgrading to this system from the previous generation. The only other thing there is new about it is the faster processor. The New 3DS XL does perform noticeably faster than the previous, but it's not like the previous version was slow, so it's not a major selling point with regard to upgrading. All-in-all, I'm happy about my upgrade. But I am a working adult who grew-up with Nintendo, and so I have my own money to buy things to fill my spare time. As a parent, I probably wouldn't be ready to fork out the money for my kid to upgrade from the previous 3DS XL (unless you're rich and like to spoil your kid). If they have the first 3DS version, I'd consider buying them the upgrade, but not and upgrade from the immediate predecessor. Like I said, the super-stable 3D made it worth the buy for me, and I would consider it the greatest selling point if you are considering upgrading. I bought a PSP (the predecessor to the PlayStation Vita portable console, upon which the Vita is based), and I did not enjoy playing it very much for very long. It was packed with features, but it just didn't hold my attention. That's what I worried would happen when I first bought the 3DS XL, but it was totally different. In terms of fun, the 3DS smokes the PSP/Vita to me. The Nintendo system is just way more fun to play, and I can't describe it in any other way other than I don't get bored 15 minutes later like I did with PlayStation's system.

This 3DS XL allows you to play more recent games from the 3DS library while still evoking childhood memories of the Super NES design. It is just as playable as any other 3DS XL, but with the added benefit of looking like a SNES. It's bigger than the original 3DS and easier to see. It has the same familiar grey and purple design. It seems to have the typical Nintendo quality and durability, at least from my perspective.

As someone who during the DS generation convinced there was no point to upgrading to a DSi when my original brick DS worked fine and played every game, this is admittedly a bit shocking. The New 3DS is not simply an upgraded 3DS, but in some ways a jump comparable not to the DS to the DSi, but from the DSi to the 3DS. I will start with the changes to the hardware's features. The volume slider has been moved from the lower left side of the handheld to the upper left, meaning there is almost no situation where your game-play will be interrupted by your hand accidentally adjusting the volume. As well the power button is no longer on the face of the console with the other buttons, but not on the right edge of the bottom half of the device, further away from the more excited of thumbs. The position of the stylus and cartridge slot have also been moved, to the front of the console with the power button. I personally like this change, but I know some might have preferred the stylus to be moved to the right side like the 3DS XL The only fault I have with the new design is the method of storage, or rather, how to get to the storage. The 3DS allowed for a wide variety of SD card types, however the New 3DS only allows for micro SD, which limits how much you can put onto the device at once. Swapping sd cards out, requires you unscrew the back of the console, which while not difficult, is a turn off for some. Especially if they make an error and the back plate doesn't screw back on perfectly. Then there is the main selling point, the New 3D. The 3D tracking when advertised seemed to me like Kinect-type technology. Yes, it may be functional in some situations but there seemed to be to much of a margin for error to be useful. I was incorrect. The 3d tracking has up until this point had no flaws, and has worked exactly as marketed. Combined with the added power means you get both the 3d effect, and a more stable frame per second. Games like Terraria are a good example of the difference in ability, though unfortunately that game at the moment does not support 3d. For that, Kid Icarus Uprising is where you should go. The original 3DS was a great piece of technology, and if you cannot afford the upgrade you still have a quality piece of hardware, but if you can afford the next step, I recommend it. With heavy emphasis. This is not a DSi, this is not a patch to enable folders or themes. This is what the 3DS was meant to be, its true potential finally accessible. Let the games begin.

I bought this thinking was a NEW 3ds and that it was gonna just be a bit used but man This wasnt just used, there were signs the console was clearly opened due to wear marks on the screws for the housing. They opened this console at somepoint either to refurbish the housing or to change the case. Im not sure if the put a diffrent case (wich makes no sense since the case they used is a beat the heck up case) on it or what but they clealy did a poor job refurbishing it if it was refurbished. Housing integrity is compromised when you open and close it (the shell case they used was clearly not official nintendo or placed on incorrectly or the wrong one) it came with scuff marks all over all though screens seem like they are in good shape. So far all the software related features work just fine but i havent tested a physical game yet wich considering how it came out of the box im worried. It would have been fine if it was just slightly used but clearly this thing was owned by an angry toddler. Not worth the price since for 40 bucks more you can buy a brand new one thats never been used. Maybe if it was sold for 80 bucks or less it would have been fine cause this thing is BEAT UP, but atleast it works i guess. Not recomended as a gift since it looks like it did a tour in Vietnam and came back with some stories but aside from the straight up lie that this was a NEW 3ds and the conditiin it was in it does technically work. Hope this helped.

Probably the best 3ds seller on here. The price seems a bit steep, but they really do make a solid attempt for it to be worth it. Mine even came with a free game! Only issue is that the back cover screws were over tightened, and the screws are stripped, so it is going to take some effort to remove the back cover to replace the sd card with mine. The top of the shell is also decently scratched up, which isn't preferable but isn't major. That said, the console also came with an sd card! A pretty decent sized one at that, around 64gb from what I can tell. Way better than the service and 3ds I got from the Amazon Renewed store. Edit: Originally I was going to rate this a 5/5, but unfortunately the back cover screws are so over tightened and stripped they are near impossible to remove. That is a pretty major issue considering the sd card slot location. I really wanted to give this 5 stars, but that is really bad. This will not affect all consoles, but they should not be tightening the back screws to this extent. The back cover is physically warped due to the sheer amount of over tightening. The top left back cover screw was so over tightened that the plastic actually melted around the screw. Idk if this was due to the seller or previous owner, but needless to say i will need a new back cover. All in all this seller is excellent, and my issues are probably a one off, but they are important to note. If the seller reaches out with more information I will update my review. Again, if not for that issue with the screws this would easily be a 5/5 purchase.

I am a big gamer, always have been since I started playing Final Fantasy 1 on the NES when I was a toddler and have owned the Game Cube, Nintendo 64, Game Boy, and DS Lite. However, I took a break from Nintendo during the Wii years because I was so enamored by the PlayStation and PC games that I just didn't have time. The past couple of years I have really gotten back into games and have wanted to be caught up on all of the latest, greatest things. Last year I ended up impulsively buying a Switch. I had a Mario craving that couldn't be filled alone by my Raspberry Pi...I wanted something new and different. I love the Switch a LOT, but how does it stack up to the 3DS (or 2DS)? Is it worth owning both? Or is one better than the other? I had a DS Lite from a long time ago, but I haven't used it in forever. I started playing Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp on my iPad and suddenly has a HUGE desire to play a real console Animal Crossing game - the last time was the GameCube. And I realized my only real option was to get Wild World and use it on my Lite (which really looks pitiful now, to be honest) or get a 3DS and Animal Crossing: New Leaf. The price is not so bad - a really pretty SNES edition system that comes with a classic game for under $200? And I get to play Animal Crossing. But it turns out the 3DS is much more than that. It now has a massive library of over 1,200 games and even though the system is pretty old now, they STILL are making new games for it and sales are still up. I thought maybe I was being greedy by buying this when I already own a Switch, but they are for completely different things. The Switch is still in its infancy and although the few blockbuster exclusives it has are amazing (like Zelda and Super Mario Odyssey), it has no backwards compatibility and there are not many games for it, and not many coming out in the very near future. With the 3DS you have a HUGE selection of classic games. I'm talking about the original Super Mario World and other Mario titles, all of the old Zelda games, the Zelda games on the 64 in RE-MASTERED 3D, Pokemon games, and it works with all older DS games too, so I'm able to use my DS Lite games with it. So basically, the Switch is great for new massive hits, some ports (mostly recent like Skyrim or Wolfenstein) and has also surprisingly become a hub for indie games. The 3DS has a completely different selection of games - older ports, more Mario, Pokemon and Zelda games, etc. So they are completely different. And now is a great time to buy the 3DS because the price is really good and the value is high, yet it's still a current gen system that is still making new games - you can't really go wrong with it. I'm sure the Switch will have a great future too, but it's definitely not as established yet. As far as the console itself, the SNES special edition is really beautiful and is very nostalgic to me. The battery lasts a lot longer than the Switch, and the 3D feature is interesting. I did a lot of research on whether or not I should get the 2DS XL or the 3DS XL. The 2DS was primarily thought of with children in mine (they can't break off the hinges for example and there is no 3D for eye strain), but it's certainly not only for children. A lot of people prefer the design and the price on that is really good right now too - about half of a 3DS XL. I would suggest looking up some YouTube videos and seeing which you would prefer to hold for hours on end. I have to admit, I don't use the 3D as often as I thought. If you are switching your eyes back and forth from game screen to a television screen for example (I watch and game a lot at the same time) it won't stay stable and will be kind of annoying. Overall, I am extremely happy with the 3DS XL and am proud to own both it and the Switch. The library is huge, the price is at an all-time great value, and it's still a relevant and exciting system.

I wasn't so sure about buying the new 3DS at first because the last time I had the 3DS, it was when they first hit the shelves. After owning it for two years, I sold it on eBay because there were so few games for it. So I went out on a whim and bought the new 3DS because of the super smash brothers title and right off the bat, there were miles of improvements compared to the first one. First of all, i got the black one and it's first impression was glorious. The outside of the system looks something like shiny woven carbon fiber. It is incredibly sleek. The c-sick was weird at first, but as I played 3DS super smash, I quickly found it to be amazingly helpful. The face tracking 3D made a massive improvement on the whole idea of 3D gaming. It's far more crisp than the first one. It even works at night because it has an infrared light and camera on the front of the system The battery life is surprisingly impressive for it's massive 3D screen. With power saver mode on and at brightness set to 3, it lasted me 8-10 hours of solid super smash brothers. It's also worth pointing out that the amiibo compatibility was a sweet touch for this system. The system is faster and smoother from a processing point of view as well. Games load very quickly and play even smoother. For super smash wii u, it turns out that you can use the 3DS as a controller to play on the wii u. I was skeptical about this as well, but I was again surprised when this also worked flawlessly Overall, I think that the new 3ds is MASSIVELY improved over the original and is definitely worth it. I would suggest it to anyone teetering on the fence. Get it when the price drops. The only complaint I have is that the system time can only be in military time and theres no way to change it if you live in the US. It doesn't come packaged with a charger, but a DSi/DSi XL or any 3DS charger will work for it, as long as the charger is light gray, so as long as you purchased a system since the the DSi was released, you will be fine. At least they made the new 3ds backwards compatible with the old chargers. It only has one rather short stylus and it is quite difficult to find replacements from reliable third party sellers. Otherwise it's wonderful! 10/10 for a sweet system 7/10 for the charger and accessory issue So about an 8.5-9/10 overall