Hardware Should I get a 2DS or 3DS XL?

[l14muk]

I currently have an original 3DS, but it has a really floppy hinge so is being returned.

I have been playing Pokémon Y on it and I get cramp/pain in my right thumb from pressing the ABXY buttons.

Not sure if I should get a 2DS as the buttons are higher, or get a 3DS XL as its bigger hopefully I wouldn't get the gaming cramp.


I do like the 3D feature but not that bothered by it. I am annoyed you can't get an official charging dock for the 2DS. And the screens are a little small, but fine.

I hate touching cables, so keep plugging it in to charge will annoy me, whereas with the 3DS XL, I can buy the dock and just place it on there to charge. Not messing about with cables!

Whichever I get it has to be from a certain store, because I have some vouchers. The 2DS is £89 and the 3DS XL is £179.99. Not sure if the 3DS XL is worth the extra £80 (USD$133).
I could buy games with the money left over from getting the cheaper 2DS.

Has the 3D experience been improved with the 3DS XL?


What do you guys think I should do?




The type of games I would play on it are:
New Super Mario Bros 2
Pokémon Y
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Professor Layton
Zelda
And maybe Luigi's Mansion when it comes down in price a little.
If that helps....

 

[Ulieq]

For 3ds games

3ds XL>2ds>3ds original

If you don't mind small screens, get a 2ds. I find the 3d effect it games not worth it, plus it is oftentimes difficult to play with the 3d on as small angle changes can mess up the effect and cause deep eye strain in a very short period of time.

Another major concern is the analog button.

Ont he 3ds xl, the analog button is over a mattte plastic surface, making it difficult to be precice with the button as it is like moving a plastic button on sandpaper.

On the regular 3ds, the analog is over a smooth surface, and so its MUCH smoother to move the analog button.

I have yet to test a 2ds analog button, so Im not sure if its the rough surface like the xl or a smooth surface like a regular 3ds.

 

[l14muk]

Thanks.

Still really unsure though :/

 

[Langin]

This is a rather good question, it really depends on what your budget is and how big your hands are actually. I have rather small hands and I tried a 2DS which is perfect for my womanhands(I love my hands ;o; ) while I own a 3DS XL.

I'll put so pro's and cons in a list for you

3DS XL

+ Better battery
+ Bigger screen
+ 3D effect which helps in a few 3DS games
+ Clamshell design so it's easier to take with you

- Pricey compared to the 2DS
- Build of the device is made for adults(could also be seen as a pro)

2DS:

+ Nice build quality, can really handle a lot
+ If you really hate a clampshell design this is prefect
+ Cheaper then both the 3DS XL and the original 3DS
+ Lovely price

- Misses 3D effect
- Battery is less then the one found in the 3DS XL
- Harder to take with you
- Monospeaker

I'd say 3DS XL since you have the 3D effect, you can take the console with you(easier) and the battery lasts longer.

 

[link6155]

Well both the 3DS XL and 2DS have a matt finish rather than the glossy 3DS style, so I assume that the 2DS also has the "sandpaper" that Ulieq has talked about. I would get the 2DS if you do not care for the 3D effect and just want to be able to play 3DS titles. If you have big hands, like bigger screens, and want a somewhat portable system, the 3DS XL is the way to go. Both have better battery than the original 3DS, but the XL will have a much better battery life.

 

[Ulieq]

If you get a 3ds xl, mod the area underneath the analog with an acrylic material. I bet nail polish would work great, so that the analog moves easily, even with a good amount of pressure.

 

[SG]

Do you really need to ask? The 2DS is of poor quality whereas the XL has a bigger screen and 3D capabilities - if you don't like the 3D in some games then you can always switch it off - the bigger screen themselves are worth having the XL for, plus the build quality, the fact that it can close shut unlike the 2DS, plus you say that the 2DS can't get a dock. Oh, and you get stereo/virtual surround sound - since the original DS, Nintendo's portables have had sound that can rival the immersion of headphones, so there's that as well. I've also had no problems with the analogue slider.

Plus even though you (like me) are in the UK, they still have loads of great bundles out at the moment like the Zelda, Luigi 25 year anniversary, Mario & Luigi and a few more special editions. And it doesn't matter if you already have the game that the special edition is styled after - it just comes with a download code which you can sell on.

If you didn't already have games for your 3DS, I would say import one like I did, it was totally worth it for cheaper games and better treatment from NoA vs NoE. Although you do have vouchers to get rid of, although they could be used for accessories like a stand (and a UK charger).

 

[The Real Jdbye]

I currently have an original 3DS, but it has a really floppy hinge so is being returned.

I have been playing Pokémon Y on it and I get cramp/pain in my right thumb from pressing the ABXY buttons.

Not sure if I should get a 2DS as the buttons are higher, or get a 3DS XL as its bigger hopefully I wouldn't get the gaming cramp.


I do like the 3D feature but not that bothered by it. I am annoyed you can't get an official charging dock for the 2DS. And the screens are a little small, but fine.

I hate touching cables, so keep plugging it in to charge will annoy me, whereas with the 3DS XL, I can buy the dock and just place it on there to charge. Not messing about with cables!

Whichever I get it has to be from a certain store, because I have some vouchers. The 2DS is £89 and the 3DS XL is £179.99. Not sure if the 3DS XL is worth the extra £80 (USD$133).
I could buy games with the money left over from getting the cheaper 2DS.

Has the 3D experience been improved with the 3DS XL?


What do you guys think I should do?




The type of games I would play on it are:
New Super Mario Bros 2
Pokémon Y
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Professor Layton
Zelda
And maybe Luigi's Mansion when it comes down in price a little.
If that helps....

Actually yes, the 3D experience is far better on the XL, but that's just the side effect of bigger screens. Bigger screens = longer distance between the two camera angles = more depth. It works really great on the XL, you notice it a lot better and the XL has better battery life as well.

You might want to buy yourself a Gateway 3DS flashcart and save the money you'd spend on games, if you're doing that make sure you get a 4.5 or below 3DS, the easiest sources of this are the MK7, Super Mario 3D Land and Monster Hunter 3 3DS XL bundles, although the two first are in white color which is not my personal preference. If you can find the MH3 bundle it's in black and a good choice. The SM3DL bundle is no longer being manufactured but as it's such an old bundle you may find it at a reduced price compared to other bundles, as they want to get rid of it. I found it by chance at a local electronics store at a reduced price. All of these bundles are guaranteed to come with a sufficiently old firmware.

 

[jagerstaffel]

Why is it the least talked about feature of the 2DS is the buttons? Not many people seem to realize the 2DS has rubber membrane buttons, that is, squishy like a console controller. Whereas the 3DS and 3DS XL have metal contact buttons, those metal buttons tend to stick after many, many presses. The 2DS is perfect for fighting games (if you don't use the L button much), or for games where pressing that A button is more common than the Y button. My 3DS A button is already getting a little flat, and it's just 6 months old on regular use. I can imagine the 2DS lasting for quite a lot of time, since my DS Lite is still great too.

 

[lambstone]

Why is it the least talked about feature of the 2DS is the buttons? Not many people seem to realize the 2DS has rubber membrane buttons, that is, squishy like a console controller. Whereas the 3DS and 3DS XL have metal contact buttons, those metal buttons tend to stick after many, many presses. The 2DS is perfect for fighting games (if you don't use the L button much), or for games where pressing that A button is more common than the Y button. My 3DS A button is already getting a little flat, and it's just 6 months old on regular use. I can imagine the 2DS lasting for quite a lot of time, since my DS Lite is still great too.

Yeah but rubber membrane degrade over time.

 

[Fatefinger]

i never liked the 3D effect when i played the store demos. When they announced the cheaper 2DS i figured that was more my style.
so I recently bought a 2DS to replace my 3DS XL. ,and i like this design better than the standard DS design. I never liked how the hinge factor ever since my ds lite's hinge cracked ,and later completely broke.
To me 2DS is alot more comfortable ,and almost feels like an updated version of the original Gameboy design . I like the button layout better ,and the larger shoulder buttons. The only way i'd change from my 2DS would be if they made an XL version ,or a version with a second circle pad.

 

[jagerstaffel]

Yeah but rubber membrane degrade over time.

Everything degrades over time. But it's worse for the metal contacts because there's dual degradation's to worry about: the metal contacts plus the plastic sticker holding it into place.

Look what just showed up on GameFAQs: http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/997614-nintendo-3ds/68801520

 

[SG]

I think that all this stuff with the buttons sticking could be down to natural oils or residue the hands that rubs off onto the 3DS and works its way down. I wash and dry my hands before I use my machine.

 

[lambstone]

I think that all this stuff with the buttons sticking could be down to natural oils or residue the hands that rubs off onto the 3DS and works its way down. I wash and dry my hands before I use my machine.

You probably should wear gloves too. Just to be on the safe side.

 

[lordofthereef]

The 2DS is phenomenal in terms of grip IMO. It rivals the GBA (original), which still remains Nintendo's best handheld and terms of grip in my eyes.

I do prefer the larger screens and the fact that the XLs come in limited editions. I would have highly considered the 2DS had I not already had a couple CLs around the house. The 2DS also isn;t currently compatible with gateway, so there's that...

 

[SG]

You probably should wear gloves too. Just to be on the safe side.

Laugh all you want, my A Link Between Worlds 3DS XL will always work properly so neh!