Poll: Which one to buy? 3DS or 3DS XL?

[Scarim Coral]

With Pokemon X and Y coming closer (well it's still months away) it's high time that I should buy a 3DS (althought I am tempted by the upcoming Animal Crossing New Leaf game) but I'm not too sure which versions to get, the normal version of the XL version.

So I want to know to those who own one, which versions do you own?

At the moment I kind of tempted to buy the 3DS from this toy store because it come with a bundle (a selected game and accessory) for £130 which is far cheaper compared to the XL on its own but yet again I saw the Fire Emblem 3DS XL version online for £200... (that is quite steep compared to the many over game 3DS XL version that are out at the moment.)

While the non XL version is cheaper (especially when my work hours has been cut back and upcoming future spending) but XL battery life is longer. Granted I don't think the 3DS battery life won't be that much of a problem since the only time I can think of when I won't have a nearby plug to recharge it is on my two hours train trip when visiting my mate in the city (I better fully charge it before I go) going out and return (4 hours in total). Also I intend to play the game keeping the 3D at its minimal (I'm not into the gimmick but to play the game at its longest.)

I have read that the XL doesn't got that AR in it but you can buy an adapter for it so is it a big deal on missing that out if I bought the XL?

 

[Tomaius]

Scarim, I've been facing the exact same dilemma. I'm gonna go with the 3DSXL version, I figure what I save in electric bills will help to even out the more expensive cost.

 

[Tethalaki]

I'd recommend the XL purely because of this:

Spoiler: Size comparison picture

The increased size as well as the improved battery life is what made me get an XL over a normal 3DS.

 

[Scarim Coral]

I'd recommend the XL purely because of this:

Spoiler: Size comparison picture

The increased size as well as the improved battery life is what made me get an XL over a normal 3DS.

I forgot to mention that the phyiscal size of the XL isn't that important to me (I don't have big hands). I suppose I would favour the non XL in term of sizes as I do carry it around sometime (well in my bag but I put other stuff in my bag aswell) or does the XL size is still a benefit?

 

[Hazy992]

I bought a 3DS XL, it's definitely more comfortable in the hand than the original. I think partly because of it's size (better for adults) and because it has rounded corners.

Plus the extra battery life and screen size is nice.

 

[Autotelic]

Bigger doesn't automatically mean better. If they were the same price, I would go for the smaller 3DS because I have tiny girl hands and would prefer the portability. As for battery life, how long are you going to be playing games for at a time when you don't have access to somewhere you can recharge? Do you actually need the extra battery life?

 

[Eduku]

The bigger screen and longer battery life were the main draws for me. That, and Amazon randomly dropping the price by £10 a few days before it came out.

 

[Nyaliva]

I got the Zelda special edition 3DS when it was out at full price and about three or four months later the XL came out. While I thoroughly enjoy having a special 3DS, if I was going to pay full price anyway (rather than a bundle price which the normal 3DSs were on sale with), I'd probably want the XL because it's smoother, larger and probably some other things that I don't know about. Since you can play 3DS games on XL but not the other way around, if money isn't a problem, XL is probably better. A case is the only accessory you really need and in the end, after you get Pokemon, I'd say you'd be like me and just buy games off the eShop for less than $10 each for all eternity.

EDIT: Captcha: nope, chuck testa
...I don't think anything else need be said.

 

[Dragonbums]

I got a normal 3DS simply because at the time of purchase they had a nice sale, and despite battery life I didn't like the XL look.

However they are coming out with a slew of new skins that quite frankly, really make me jealous that I didn't get an XL (Although it wouldn't matter because I would've already bought an XL anyway.)

Don't get me wrong though, I really do like my original 3DS. Midnight purple is an especially beautiful color and I'm glad I chose that over my default black choice.

 

[JayRPG]

You would eventually regret getting a regular 3ds, if not immediately regret it.

I was pretty much forced to upgrade after feeling totally inadequate while playing pokemon with all my friends who have the XL.

Apart from the longer battery life, the screen is just so much nicer, even though it didn't up the resolution, the picture just looks so much better, the 3D looks so much better... It's hard to explain but overall the XL is just a much nicer product.

 

[Souplex]

The small one has a hardware defect where the frame of the lower screen scratches into the upper screen. Still playable, but annoying.
The XL is also more durable from what I hear.
The battery life on either system is fine, just don't have the brightness on max, and you'll double the battery life.

 

[Something Amyss]

I'd recommend the XL purely because of this:

Spoiler: Size comparison picture

The increased size as well as the improved battery life is what made me get an XL over a normal 3DS.

Yeah, couldn't imagine using the smaller one. I replaced my broken DS Lite with a DSi XL, and the standard 3DS seemed like a downgrade.

 

[Brotha Desmond]

From what I understand the XL stretches the image.

 

[ohnoitsabear]

I got an XL after using a DS Lite for years, and all I have to say is that the big screens are awesome.

 

[Sir Christopher McFarlane]

One of the benefits I enjoy from the Extra Large model is what the bigger screen does for JRPGs. Japanese takes much less space to write than English, so their games come with a good font size in the small DS portables. When it gets translated to Indo-European languages though, they compensate for the lack of space having this incredibly small font that irritates me a lot, especially when reading is a major activity in the game, which is nearly always the case.

 

[Lazy Kitty]

Seeing as the screen on the 3DS XL is bigger, I think it is the only choice.

 

[Denamic]

I'd recommend the XL purely because of this:

Spoiler: Size comparison picture

The increased size as well as the improved battery life is what made me get an XL over a normal 3DS.

I forgot to mention that the phyiscal size of the XL isn't that important to me (I don't have big hands). I suppose I would favour the non XL in term of sizes as I do carry it around sometime (well in my bag but I put other stuff in my bag aswell) or does the XL size is still a benefit?

The larger screens are way more comfortable playing on. Much less strain on your eyes. It's just a lot better overall. I wouldn't have it in my pocket, but when it's in a bag anyway, the increased size is negligible. Well worth the increased comfort.