Nintendo 3DS LL (XL in the States) - Circle Pad Pro XL!

[EddieA]

The question is does anyone care about the 3D?  The only game I really used it on was Ghost Recon because it made the various levels of the battlefield pop out so you could better judge distance on your weapons and abilities.

I know it makes games look less smooth, but I play every game in 3D and can't imagine playing them any other way.  The 3D adds such a nice sense of depth, it's worth putting up with a few hassles.

[Bullwinkle]

If it has 3D, I play in 3D.

[farley2k]

When I first got a 3DS I played with the slider a lot but I could never get to where I could see 3D effects anyway so I always have it off. 

[Ridah]

This thing is coming out in August, right? Why aren't they letting us pre-order it yet, I wonder?

I already sold my 3DS on Amazon to put towards the XL.

[CeeKay]

This thing is coming out in August, right? Why aren't they letting us pre-order it yet, I wonder?

I already sold my 3DS on Amazon to put towards the XL.

Gamestop is taking pre-orders, but Amazon doesn't even sell the regular 3DS anymore-  if you look it's all 3rd party vendors 'fulfilled by Amazon'.

[farley2k]

First review I have seen

From Engadget

Wrap up.

After playing with the 3DS XL, we returned to the original only to find it difficult and awkward to use in comparison. The new size is an improvement in so many ways, including ergonomics and playability. The bigger screen makes 3D gaming less tiring, and offers a larger sweet spot for Nintendo's all-important gaming effect, while the curved edges simply fit your hands better. Competition remains tough, however. The Vita remains clearly ahead technically, while Nintendo banks on its strong in-house software team to bring in the customers. Pitch Resident Evil: Revelations against Uncharted, or Super Street Fighter IV 3D against Marvel Vs. Capcom 3, and it's clear to see on those big ole' portable screens which has the most potent hardware. But if you've been waiting out for a 3DS Lite before taking the plunge into 3D waters, then we can't help but recommend Nintendo's latest. We just hope the company can give its online content offering a shot in the arm soon, as it's really starting to age the hardware.

[CeeKay]

it's going to be playable at the San Diego Comic-con (july 12-15th), so I imagine we'll be seeing a bunch more impressions.  best part is you don't need a CC ticket:

As well as its booth at the show, Nintendo will also have a Nintendo Gaming Lounge that'll be open to the public - you won't need a ticket to Comic-Con to get in.

[Ridah]

1Up's Comic Con impressions are very positive as well.

I understand why Nintendo didn't add the second analog stick. They basically screwed up by not including it in the original design, so now they have to live with that decision (well, we have to live with it). Adding it now could risk sending mixed signals to developers and fracturing the market.

[farley2k]

There is no way they could have added the second stick.  As you said it would fracture the market and they are too savvy for that.

[Purge]

You mean like the WiiMotion Plus, which, oh, a fraction of a PERCENT gets used, but is included in new consoles?

[CeeKay]

There is no way they could have added the second stick.  As you said it would fracture the market and they are too savvy for that.

but not savvy enough to put in a second stick in the first place 

[Lordnine]

There is no way they could have added the second stick.  As you said it would fracture the market and they are too savvy for that.

Actually, I don’t think it would splinter the market much at all.  The types of games that would benefit from it the most are already being made by larger studios and already put multiple control schemes into their games (Resident Evil, Kid Icarus, etc).  This means they would have the time/money to optimize their games for both layouts.  Games from smaller studios would do what they are now, design games that don’t rely on a second control stick.   Having two control sticks doesn't mean every game has to use them but if gives freedom to designers that want to go the extra mile to support them. 

WiiMotion Plus is an entirely different case because you use motion controls for multiple actions so there is no alternative to it within games.  Either the game works or it doesn’t.

[CeeKay]

This thing is coming out in August, right? Why aren't they letting us pre-order it yet, I wonder?

I already sold my 3DS on Amazon to put towards the XL.

Gamestop is taking pre-orders, but Amazon doesn't even sell the regular 3DS anymore-  if you look it's all 3rd party vendors 'fulfilled by Amazon'.

just an update:  you can sign up for 'notification of availability' on Amazon now:

Red
Blue

[Blackjack]

Penny Arcade Report checks it out:
http://penny-arcade.com/report/editorial-article/the-power-of-toys-par-plays-with-the-3ds-xl

I'd be curious how Tom Clancy's Shadow Wars looks on it (i.e., does it become too "jaggedy" on the big screen) as that's about the only 3DS title I had some interest in.

Supposedly it's still reasonably pocketable, though I suspect you'll get some, "Is that a Nintendo 3DS XL in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me" comments. 

[Kurt Stevens]

If Amazon would get these in stock, I'd probably order one.  I've got over $100 in amazon credit to spend and that would make it a lot more attractive to order.

[CeeKay]

dangit, you mean we're not getting the Pokemon edition?

[msduncan]

Gave my wife my 3DS and picked one of these up today.   It is glorious.

[farley2k]

I picked one up as well.  Love it!  It is great to have the huge screen the DS XL had gotten me used to again.

[Lordnine]

How bad are the jaggies on 3D games?  I could never stand to play 3D games on the original DS because it was just too hideous. I assume it’s nowhere near that bad but the thought of going back to worst graphics is not overly appealing.

[CeeKay]

drop test

[CeeKay]

Amazon is finally selling these, no more being stuck paying a Amazon 3rd party seller more than retail 

[MonkeyFinger]

So what are the 'system seller' games for this thing? I've got a non-3D XL and thought about trading up to the 3D version but didn't really see a game that would have made it worth while. Are there any such games currently out or in the pipeline? 

[CeeKay]

So what are the 'system seller' games for this thing? I've got a non-3D XL and thought about trading up to the 3D version but didn't really see a game that would have made it worth while. Are there any such games currently out or in the pipeline? 

here's my lists of games to get when I finally get another one (buying one has been put on hold until after I get the Wii U):

Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance
Super Mario 3D Land
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (re-buying it)
Harvest Moon: A New Beginning
Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion

there are more but those will be DS titles, but since you already have one I won't list them.

[Lordnine]

So what are the 'system seller' games for this thing? I've got a non-3D XL and thought about trading up to the 3D version but didn't really see a game that would have made it worth while. Are there any such games currently out or in the pipeline? 

I have a pretty big collection of 3DS games.

Here are favorites for the system

Super Mario 3D Land 9/10
Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars 8/10
New Super Mario Bros.s 2 8/10
Resident Evil: Revelations  8/10
Pushmo 8/10 (Anyone who owns a 3DS and doesn't pick this up from the eShop should feel bad)

Good games that are either flawed or only going to appeal to certain people

Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance 7/10
Final Fantasy: Theatre Rhythm 7/10
Mario Kart 7 7/10
Cave Story 3D 7/10
Mighty Switch Force 7/10
Zelda: Ocarina of Time 7/10 (I know most people love this one)

Games that I love but have one fatal flaw

Kid Icarus: Uprising 6/10 ( I want to love this game; it does everything I like in a game but the controls are complete rubbish)
Starfox 64 3D 6/10 (I love the game but it’s just too short to pay full price)

Games to pick up for $10 or less

Pilot Wings Resort 5/10
Steel Diver 5/10

As for upcoming games

Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon
Paper Mario: Sticker Star
Animal Crossing 3DS
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Mirror of Fate
Harvest Moon: A New Beginning

[MonkeyFinger]

Thanks guys. 

[CeeKay]

Circle Pad Pro XL is also coming, apparently.

hands on with the Circle Pad Pro XL.

[Teggy]

What are people's experience with the XL battery life? I put it into sleep mode last night with I think about 50% battery and it's dead today. Is leaving wireless on a killer?

[MonkeyFinger]

Been wondering the same thing myself. When I put it in 'sleep mode' it sleeps like my dog does, legs moving running after rabbits or some such... lights keep churning away and it eats up whatever is left of the battery way faster than I recall my non-3D version doing.

[Autistic Angel]

The battery in the 3DS XL provides marginally better battery life than the regular 3DS, even with the larger screens.  Just like the original, "Sleep Mode" means the unit is still constantly polling the local wireless bands for StreetPass and SpotPass content, as well as measuring vibrations for the internal pedometer.  It drains the battery something fierce.

I always turn my 3DS completely off when I'm not using it.  That makes a big difference.

-Autistic Angel

[EddieA]

The battery indicator also seems to be off the mark on the XL, at least for me.  It takes a lot longer to go from 100% to 50% than to go from 50% to dead, and it seems to go from 25% to dead in minutes.

[Teggy]

Well I ran a few errands during lunch and stopped into both McDonald's (that is supposed to have Spotpass) and Gamestop and didn't get a single Streetpass hit

[The Grue]

Well I ran a few errands during lunch and stopped into both McDonald's (that is supposed to have Spotpass) and Gamestop and didn't get a single Streetpass hit

I travel a good bit for my job and there are trips where I don't get a hit.  It is certainly better than when the system launched....it took me months to get my first hit.  Then you go to a place like PAX and all you do all day is clear out StreetPass hits.

[CeeKay]

Well I ran a few errands during lunch and stopped into both McDonald's (that is supposed to have Spotpass) and Gamestop and didn't get a single Streetpass hit

I travel a good bit for my job and there are trips where I don't get a hit.  It is certainly better than when the system launched....it took me months to get my first hit.  Then you go to a place like PAX and all you do all day is clear out StreetPass hits.

ditto.  take it to a gaming convention and you'll find you get plenty of hits.

[The Grue]

Finally bit the bullet and imported a Circle Pad Pro XL from Japan (though off Amazon).  Was $40, but even though I felt Monster Hunter Ultimate was playable with that virtual D-Pad, I just knew it would be that much better with the CPP.  It is.

[Teggy]

I got my first hit today! Took the puppy to play group at Petsmart and got a burger at 5 Guys and ran into someone at some point. Yeah, bummed I forgot to get PAX east tickets this year because that would have been a perfect start.

I also realized that you actually have to log into the app for the McDonalds thing to work 

[The Grue]

I got my first hit today! Took the puppy to play group at Petsmart and got a burger at 5 Guys and ran into someone at some point. Yeah, bummed I forgot to get PAX east tickets this year because that would have been a perfect start.

I also realized that you actually have to log into the app for the McDonalds thing to work 

The McDonald's thing (and Starbucks as well) basically is just a free Internet connection.  I know if I pass a Starbucks, it will get on the Internet and I could potentially get SpotPass type stuff without actually having to launch the Nintendo Zone.  You're not going to get Miis from that, though, unless it is a special visitor like Miyamoto (which we got recently) or Reggie.  Most of your Miis will come from StreetPass and you have to be passing an actual person.

[CeeKay]

Nintendo now has the Circle Pad Pro XL up for ordering in the US at $19.99.  it starts shipping 4-19.

[The Grue]

Nintendo now has the Circle Pad Pro XL up for ordering in the US at $19.99.  it starts shipping 4-19.

Yeah, I saw this yesterday and of course it happened....I basically paid double the price to import it because they never made any mention that it was coming here and not a few weeks later do they quietly put this up on their store page.