New Nintendo 3DS XL Review

It's time for an upgrade...

I’ve had a pretty solid run with my original 3DS over the past two years, mowing down Goombas and Koopa Troopas, going in and out of walls both Hy and Lo (yes, I did that on purpose), and beating the ever loving crap out Nintendo mascots- ALL IN 3D! When it comes to the 3DS’ library of games, they brought some of the real power to the handheld, even coming out better than half the other games coming out on other consoles or handhelds nowadays.

The old 3DS. In all its glory.

Sadly though, it’s starting to look like the end for my handheld. On my top screen, there’s these two long parallel scratches on both sides of it, and my right shoulder button doesn’t work unless I blow into it, which only makes lasts for about 5-10 minutes. It was time for an upgrade.

Enter the NEW Nintendo 3DS XL, which basically looks and costs the same as a regular XL, but with some new buttons and more power under the hood. The question is: is it worth the upgrade instead of just getting a regular 3DS XL?

The NEW Nintendo 3DS XL. In all its glory.

One of the major problems from the original 3DS was its 3D capabilities. One tiny bump or movement to the device led to the 3D picture being distorted, making you have to keep your eyes straight on the screen, and not to move at all. For the New XL, they’ve placed a special camera to follow your face up to a certain extent. Wherever your face moves, the 3D screen follows and keeps a constant image. It’s a pretty solid improvement for those who do enjoy the 3D imagery in their games, and for those who would want a consistent picture while playing on the bus or anywhere else.

The sensor next to the 3D camera.

Again, the overall layout of the New 3DS XL is much like the regular XL, except this includes two new shoulder buttons (ZL and ZR) and a small C-stick for the games on the 3DS that use more complex control schemes like Monster Hunter and Metal Gear Solid 3(D). The new shoulder buttons are nicely placed nearby the original buttons and are fairly easy to reach. 

All it takes is two little bumps.

However, the C-stick is a bit more of a mixed addition. I wouldn’t say it’s much of a stick, but more of a button with finger-sensitive movement to wherever you drag it to. Because of this, the use of it on your games can vary. When it comes to using the C- “stick” for camera controls on games like Majora’s Mask and Codename S.T.E.A.M’s demo, it’s fine. But when using the “stick” on a game like Moon: Chronicles, an FPS, it was awful to move around the camera with. I think the reason for this is because of the fact that it feels like a button, is that it can be difficult to get it to move it where you want it to, particularly when you want it to go down. It’s kinda weird. They should’ve made it like the regular circle pad, but instead, they decided to go with this “stick”. It’s just weird.

See what I mean by "stick"? It's practically a button.

The most important feature in the New XL is the device’s upgraded processing power. Some of this upgraded power gives the New XL the ability to load up games and apps as well as faster and stronger internet connectivity.

Here’s an idea of how fast the New XL is compared with the original with some of the games I tested for it, as well as loading up a website on the browser and downloading the demo for Bravely Default:

Super Smash Bros. 3D:
Original: 43.82 secs.
NEW XL: 20.49 secs.

Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask:
Original: 11.62 secs.
NEW XL: 9.26 secs.

Internet Browser (Target site: IGN.com):
Original: 8.76 secs.
NEW XL: 4.06 secs.

Demo download (Bravely Default):
Original: 9 minutes, 42 seconds
NEW XL: 4 minutes, 12 seconds

These show that the New 3DS XL has faster loading times that can either cut a game's loading time by one or two seconds, or severely in half like Smash Bros. Plus, the internet connectivity is double than what the original 3DS did for the internet and downloading demos. 

Two 3DS's. Two remastered Zelda games.

The New XL also features Amiibo support for certain 3DS releases, but that will have to wait until a potential future review, because right now, there's only one game on the 3DS that I can recall will accept the Amiibos right now, and that's Smash Bros.

However, the biggest thing when it comes to the New XL’s upgraded power is that bigger titles such as Xenoblade Chronicles can be ported to the handheld. However, they can be played on that 3DS ONLY. That starts to give off the idea that if you did want to play Xenoblade or any other game that can’t be played on your regular 3DS, then it feels like they’re forcing you to upgrade to this device, making all the earlier editions of the 3DS inferior. Unless Nintendo follows up on more of these power heavy games, then you’re going to possibly waste $240 or so on a New 3DS XL, all just to play Xenoblade. And even with that, if this is your first 3DS, you need to fork over another $10-20 for an AC Adapter, since the New XL doesn’t come with one. It’s really strange that they didn’t put one inside the overall package this time. Why? Did they think the people who bought the thing already had one? I just don’t get it. 

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The New Nintendo 3DS XL is a nice handheld that costs the same as a regular XL, and is a good upgrade for those who are sick of their old 3DS or who want to get into the 3DS and its solid lineup of games. Even though the C-stick doesn’t do any big favors, the system does have some awesome upgrades under the hood, particularly the improved 3D capabilities. Though if you do have an earlier version of the 3DS, it wouldn’t hurt to stick with it for a bit longer if you are just going to get the new device because of one exclusive game. You can still play the majority of the 3DS library with it.

Final Verdict: Think about it first.

Reasons: Are you willing to get a New 3DS because you are sick of your old or broken one? Or are you getting it just to play Xenoblade Chronicles when it comes out?

Good: Improved capabilities and faster internet speeds.
Same price as regular XL (Good for those who don’t have a 3DS).

Bad: C- “stick” and lack of AC adapter.
3DS titles exclusive to ONLY this version.

The Tri-Force of the 3DS.

Edited by Dan Cordell