Hardware Sell me on a N3DS...

[eightbitminiboss]

So, I currently have a day one N3DS XL. The Pokemon 20th Anniversary N3DS is coming out at the end of the month. I've been thinking about getting one. Currently I preordered it on Amazon in the event I do decide to get it.

Could I maybe get pros/cons? I know I'd be losing the IPS top screen on my XL. Maybe some input from Europeans who have had N3DS'es since day one? Still like it?

 

[nero99]

It's basically just like the the Xl but well, smaller and with a different screen. You can't really notice any screen difference (I own a jap imported n3ds and USA n3ds Xl). But I'd have to say the pros and cons are the same for each, except the regular normal size version is more portable and a bit more comfortable to hold if you have small hands.

 

[zoogie]

It's not an improvement over the XL in my opinion.

I've had a JPN n3ds since nov 2014 and a animal crossing since last fall.

 

[eightbitminiboss]

Yeah, I know it's not a upgrade in any sense. I'm just wondering if I should/shouldn't take the lateral move.

 

[nero99]

Yeah, I know it's not a upgrade in any sense. I'm just wondering if I should/shouldn't take the lateral move.

Well, it does come with the Pokemon red and blue games (a $20 value for free)or at least that's what I heard.

 

[eightbitminiboss]

Well, it does come with the Pokemon red and blue games (a $20 value for free)or at least that's what I heard.

Yeah, it's both games and 2 sets of cover plates. But that's minor.

 

[Lucifer666]

well I imported a japanese N3DS when those first came out

I still use mine everyday, love it a lot more than my XL

I admit the XL's lovely because of the size, and i sometimes attach my game grip and play smash on it instead of my N3DS, but i never take the thing out of my house. it also pixelates a lot of games and I came to appreciate the dpi of my regular N3DS really quickly. also the super stable 3D thing makes 3D usable with the fuzziness hardly noticeable. its pretty stable

 

[zoogie]

Yeah, I know it's not a upgrade in any sense. I'm just wondering if I should/shouldn't take the lateral move.

It wins if portablilty is near the top of your priorities. For screen quality, stay with the XL.

Little things:
XL pros
easy power button
comfy sized stylus
looks nice
dsi mode is nicely sized in 1:1 pixel mode
XL cons
annoying backplate (removing and replacing)
big
reg pros
easy install/replace backplate.
faceplates
colored buttons
small
reg cons
power button needs hard stabbing with fingernail
throwback toothpick stylus from DS phat days
gba micro like dsi 1:1 mode
little less battery life
same-ish price as XL
only in special edition bundles for US

 

[NekoMichi]

I think most points have been covered here already.

A few other things:
The non-XL model has a matte surface as opposed to the glossy XL, this is less likely to attract fingermarks and generally stays cleaner. It's much more portable and while it doesn't have an IPS display, the flipside is that you avoid the scanline issue affecting several IPS display users.

 

[aos10]

you can put it in your pocket.

 

[NekoMichi]

you can put it in your pocket.

TAKE MY MONEY NOW!
(Portability' one of the main reasons why I got a regular N3DS after XL)

 

[eightbitminiboss]

Well, I slept on it. Decided to keep the preorder and ordered some accessories from Play-Asia since regular N3DS accessories out here aren't in high demand, particularly Hori screen protectors.

Thanks all.