I ordered this for myself as a Christmas present, and I don't mind telling you that I am VERY impressed!! The difference between this and a standard 3DS is a lot greater than you may think. I realise that compared to the resolution of the PS Vita this will seem quite inferior, and after the cost of the Vita dropped not only here on Amazon but also in the high street just prior to Christmas, I was beginning to think I had made the wrong choice, I can assure you, I didn't. The build quality is sublime and it feels very heavy and sturdy in the hand and gives the impression of a top quality product, especially when "locking" the screen to one of the 2 fixed positions. The buttons and the analogue controller feel pretty much the same as a standard 3DS so no problem there. Some people have complained that unlike the Vita, there is only one analogue stick present, and I must admit that the inclusion of a second would have been a great idea if Nintendo had decided to go ahead (apparently their president said the unit was not large enough?). As it happens though, I have bought Metal Gear Solid for it, in my opinion a game that probably would benefit from a second analogue stick to control Snake with, but I didn't really notice to be honest. Rumor has it that a version of the famed Circle Pad Pro is going to be made to fit the XL anyway, so it's just a matter of time.
With regards to the screens, this is obviously where the new version shines, although Nintendo have not updated the resolution from the original 3DS (Upper Screen)800 x 240 WQVGA resolution. (Lower screen) 4.18 LCD touch screen at 320 x 240 QVGA resolution. It still works, and for those of you who own a collection of original DS games, by pressing and holding the start button when turning on the power, the game is portrayed in it's original resolution, albeit with a black border. I happen to think that although there is slight pixelation when playing an original DS game on the bigger screen (in this instance New Super Mario Brothers) it still works and is very pleasing on the eye!! With regards to the 3D aspect of what the larger screen means, it simply shines. I have played quite a bit of the pre loaded Super Mario 3D Land and it looks amazing!! Admittedly you have to ensure that the screen is held directly in front of you to fully appreciate the effect and the depth of field, but on a larger screen as a glasses wearer I found that the effect was much less debilitating and potentially headache inducing than my daughters standard 3DS.
Another key feature regarding build quality are the Select, Home and Start buttons. On the 3DS XL they are actual buttons, and not something similar to a simple rubber dome configuration covered in a thin sheet of plastic with the relevant titles denoted in a white print, reminiscent of a cheap pocket calculator from the mid 80's. These are buttons you can see being physically pressed and have the words laser etched in to them. Just a small piece of detail, but one that lends itself well to the overall build quality of the unit. I found though that the sound volume compared to the original has been reduced at least without earphones. It is loud enough but at the same time noticeably quieter than the standard version.
With regards to the included 4gb Memory Card, I have since swapped it out for a 64gb SDXC version. I did do some research on this, and after reading that someone had used a 128gb SDXC card to store their information, games, photo's etc, I decided to take the plunge. This works very well, but only AFTER you have converted the card to be in a FAT32 file system. This is quite an old file system by modern PC standards and an SDXC when first used is in the exFAT file system. Copying the included cards data from one to the other is also very easy, simply creating a new folder copying the content from the included SDHC card and then copying it back to your now FAT32 SDXC card. You get the picture, tons more space in terms of blocks possibly too many, and having already made good use of the Nintendo eShop all the titles I have downloaded work perfectly with no flaws, glitches or otherwise. Again, the large screens are far superior when playing old classics like Super Mario Land (Game Boy Dot Matrix Display & Super Mario Bros 8 Bit pixels and colours).
I was surprised to see that the European version of the unit comes without a PSU and this is something that Nintendo need to rectify as to buy an official one from Amazon (PSU only) is if I remember correctly, only approx £7 plus P & P, hardly a fortune. I paid £189.99 at the beginning of December for mine, and yes, won't deny that seeing it now for £20 less is a little annoying, but not the end of the world. I certainly would not rate this product 1 star as another reviewer has done, solely because a PSU is absent from the packaging?! If you hover your mouse pointer over the picture of the box, it magnifies it and the text printed on the box stating this is clearly legible, so if you look properly, you will see that a separate PSU is needed before you click add to basket.
Overall this version is brilliant, from the build quality to the sheer size of the screens compared to the original 3DS!! Anyone looking to buy a current generation handheld, or a 3DS, the XL really is a no brainer especially as they themselves are still in the region of £130 without the inclusion of a title to get you started. I must admit I would have preferred a cartridge containing Super Mario 3D Land to be included separately in the box, but it being pre installed on the included memory card is a very handy feature, and means until you have played it to death, is always there for your amusement, before you decide to erase it.
There is a newer version of this item:
Nintendo Handheld Console - Black/Blue 2DS with Pre-installed Mario Kart 7 (Nintendo 3DS)
£144.99
(1,157)
Usually dispatched within 4 to 5 days
£144.99
(1,157)
Usually dispatched within 4 to 5 days
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- Orbitron Mains Charger For Nintendo DSi, DSi XL, 3DS, 3DS XL, 2DS and 2DS XLOrbitronNintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS
From the manufacturer
Nintendo 3DS XL
(more styles available)
Nintendo 3DS XL
Product Overview
Bigger screens mean bigger fun with Nintendo 3DS XL. 90% larger than Nintendo 3DS, it’s an even more immersive gaming experience. With a wealth of 3D games and video content to discover, plus three cameras to capture stunning 3D images, the fun never stops with Nintendo 3DS XL.
Product Details
Thanks to the 3D Camera, you can capture memories in a truly unique way. You can even record up to 10 minutes of 3D footage with the included memory card. The Nintendo 3DS XL also comes with an extended battery life, so you can enjoy up to six and a half hours of gaming on the go.
With a 4GB SD Card, you’ll have loads of space to save your downloads from Nintendo eShop. On top of software purchases you can also view trailers and see software rankings, so you can make your Nintendo 3DS as individual as you are.
A host of exciting features, as well as the ability to play all your favourite Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo DS titles, make Nintendo 3DS XL much more than a games console. StreetPass lets you swap your game data with other users as you pass them. And thanks to SpotPass, you can receive new game content, videos, trailers and news automatically, and play online with others over Wi-Fi.
With its smooth clamshell design, housing two huge screens full of fun, Nintendo 3DS is perfect for players of all ages. And thanks to Parental Controls, you can easily restrict content by the game’s rating, regulate the use of wireless connectivity, such as the internet, or turn off the 3D settings.
Key Features
- Bigger screens than the Nintendo 3DS
- Plays Nintendo 3DS games in 2D and steroscopic 3DS
- Backwards compatible! - Plays Nintendo DS
- Supports local and online multiplayer (wireless internet connection required for online play)
- Connect to Nintendo eShop - download games & applications (wireless internet connection required)
- StreetPass - exhanges game data with system owners you pass on the street
- Parental Controls - manage content accessed by children
Nintendo 3DS
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Nintendo 3DS XL
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Nintendo 2DS
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New Nintendo 3DS
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New Nintendo 3DS XL
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New Nintendo 2DS XL
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| Customer Reviews |
2,343
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2,740
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1,157
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328
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280
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1,490
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| Price | £159.99 | £249.95 | £144.99 | — no data | £399.99 | £194.95 |
| Plays 3D games | In 2D and 3D | In 2D and 3D | In 2D only | In 2D and face-tracking 3D | In 2D and face-tracking 3D | In 2D only |
| Plays Nintendo 3DS games | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plays Nintendo 3DS games | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Top Screen Size | 3.53 inches | 4.88 inches | 3.53 inches | 3.88 inches | 4.88 inches | 4.88 inches |
| amiibo NFC Reader/Writer | Sold Separately | Sold Separately | Sold Separately | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in |
| Clamshell Design | ✓ | ✓ | Slate design | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Installed Game Included | No | No | Yes (pre-installed game may vary) | No | No | No |
| Colour/Pattern Options | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Includes SD Memory Card | 2GB | 4GB | 2GB | 4GB | 4GB | 4GB |
| Packaged with Charging Power Adapter | ✓ | Sold Separately | ✓ | Sold Separately | Sold Separately | ✓ |
Nintendo 3DS Hardware and Software
Perfect for players of all ages and experience levels, The Nintendo 3DS family makes gaming easy and accessible.
With a library of amazing titles to choose from, including fan-favourites from the Mario, Pokémon and The Legend of Zelda series, online play and more, they are a must-have for every member of the family.
Bought as a Christmas present for my mum and she loves it...
My mum loves the 3DS XL. It was bought as a Christmas present for her along with Animal Crossing and she hasn't stopped playing on it since.There is only one bad things about it which is why I didn't give it a full 5 stars. When buying it I noticed Amazon recommended buying it with a 3DS XL adaptor. We wondered why 'cos normally electronic devices come with the adaptors and thought oh it's just one of those Amazon promotion things that got it wrong (like sometimes Amazon does suggest other things that are irrelevant that other people might have looked at afterwards).We didn't notice that right at the bottom of the Amazon listing it does state that the adaptor is not included. This isn't made clear at the top of the amazon listing, and is only mentioned right at the bottom of the page after all the specs, and everything have been listed (something which if you just click buy now your likely to stop scrolling before you get to), it is also mentioned in the image of the product in the bright yellow box, but you can only make out what it says if you mouse over the image and see the bigger image (Amazon should really make this warning big enough to read in the small preview image), but if your buying a 3DS XL most of the time you won't bother mousing over the image to see the larger image because you know what a 3DS XL looks like!So you can imagine the disappointment on Christmas day when my mum opened the box, got the 3DS-XL out was about to play it and we were all like where's the AC adaptor? and being Christmas day we couldn't get her one till Boxing Day (we also found out that her old DS adaptor doesn't work with the 3DS-XL). Luckily though my sister had a 3DS and was able to lend her the adaptor on Christmas Day - the 3DS adaptors work with the 3DS-XL, but the original DS adaptors don't.I understand they've possibly done it for environmental reasons to reduce the number of adaptors lying around doing nothing and make it more eco friendly - but you'd think that on the box they'd put some clear hint to this that is visible from a preview, like maybe calling it "The Eco edition" or showing a green symbol, which tells you it's environmentally friendly edition which might not include adaptors.Other than that it's a very good console, but sorry Nintendo for being cheapskates and omitting the AC adaptor, and amazon for not making it clear enough in the images you only get 4 stars.
Top reviews from United Kingdom
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- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 January 2013Style Name: White with Super Mario 3D LandVerified Purchase
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 December 2012Style Name: Pikachu Yellow Limited EditionVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
-
YolandeReviewed in France on 5 August 2013
Jeux video
Style Name: Animal Crossing White Limited Edition with Animal Crossing: New LeafVerified Purchase -
TODOMEDAReviewed in France on 14 December 2013
attaque éclair !!!
Style Name: Pikachu Yellow Limited EditionVerified Purchase -
Marie - Hélène GALReviewed in France on 30 June 2015
Ma 1ère DS
Style Name: White with Super Mario 3D LandVerified Purchase -
LuisReviewed in Spain on 1 May 2020
Muy bonita y entretenida, no se porque no las siguen fabricando
Style Name: PinkVerified Purchase -
Maxim SchnakenbergReviewed in Germany on 18 September 2024
Super Qualität schnelle Lieferung
Style Name: Black/RedVerified Purchase
