New Nintendo 3DS

While my original 3DS served me well over the years (despite needing multiple repairs due to being a dodgy Cash Converters thing) I finally decided to upgrade to the New model after seeing the difference for myself. And while it's not an improvement in EVERY area, it's definitely the superior model by a massive margin. First, I'll list the cons, because there are so few. Keep in mind that I don't like the XL models, due to being unnecessarily heavy and bulky, as well as having the screens be twice the size while the resolution stays the same. In laymans terms, the XL models have really blurry screens, while the standard ones have crisp, clear ones. So this will only be comparing the standard size Old and New 3DS. Cons: The stylus on the old 3DS was a really nifty hollowed out metal rod with a plastic tip that could extend to twice it's normal length, while the new 3DS stylus is just a short plastic pen reminecient of the original "phat" DS. The "C-Stick" as Nintendo call it works well - if anyone remembers old laptops, it's the exact same little nub that they used for their mouse pointers - but it's not quite as good as an actual analog stick. So be prepared to get used to the way it works. The included SMB protocol software (referred to as "microSD Management" in the system settings where it is found) has a horrible artificial bottleneck to it's upload and download rates. This is pretty bad because the micro SD card is behind the back plate, which is screwed on, forcing you to physically remove the disk (yes, it IS a disk, look it up) if you're a fan of loading your little SD full of music or other large files. If you're a warranty-voiding homebrew fiend, there are user-made alternatives that use FTP and don't suck, but if you were, you wouldn't need this review, would you? This isn't a limitation of SMB itself, just of the N3DS' native SMB client. Or, to put it in short, slightly more technical terms - the new 3DS normally has a wi-fi bandwidth of 600 KB/s minimum, up to roughly 1 MB/s, but the SMB client has a hard time pushing past 20 KB/s. Nintendo didn't take advantage of the system's increased power to improve the frame rates of old, choppy games such as Metal Gear Solid 3D. Normally, I'd shrug this off as some kind of technical limitation, but basically every custom firmware package on the homebrew scene includes options to do just that, and while it (obviously) reduces the battery life due to working the CPUs harder, it does in fact work wonders for some the framerates of some games. This doesn't apply to newer games that have native compatibility for the stronger hardware - games like Kirby: Planet Robobot. It doesn't come with a charger. It says so on the box, which is clearly shown on the screenshots of the box. Don't whine when you don't get a charger. It uses the same charger as the original 3DS and the DSi models. If you don't have one spare, order one with it. Pros: The increased system power does more than just "make things load faster" - even on vanilla firmware, it comes with many perks. Most notable is the web browser. The "Spider" browser used by the old 3DS was incredibly bare-bones, completely lacking video support, tabbed browsing, and generally being lackluster for anything more than just browsing GameFAQs while playing. Plus, you can't use it at all while playing Smash or Monster Hunter 4 on that hardware. Same with Miiverse. The only way to watch YouTube on it is to rely on an incredibly crash-prone app that is nothing more than a clunkily modified Spider browser under the bonnet anyway. The New 3DS' increased power comes with a new browser, called Skater. It's similar to Spider, but it supports tabbed browsing, can load bigger web pages, and supports gorgeous 3D video, both the split screen kind and the 3D glasses type. It's so good, that objects can pop right out of the screen at you, and you'll even start seeing double vision at realistic times! (if it makes you uncomfortable, just turn the slider down a tad) No, you don't need the glasses. The system handles it for you - you just need to pick the right setting. (and turn the 3D up, obviously) Plus, you can use it while Smash Bros. or Monster Hunter 4 are paused in the background with no penalty whatsoever. The built-in amiibo support is far more convenient than having to lug around a separate adapter which requires infrared. Don't actually touch the screen with them, though - they might scratch it. (they sure scratched my Wii U GamePad - at least that doesn't have the NFC hardware in the screen) Try hovering them over the screen instead. Some people can even put them on the back of the system - that might be an Ambassador-only thing, however. The New 3DS is designed for theft protection from the ground up. The cartridge slot and stylus holder are both held close to the user's body, the SD Card slot is hidden behind the screwed-tight back plate, and there's space for a wrist strap on the top right of the system, perfect for slipping the strap on before taking the device out of your pocket. While it doesn't come with a wrist strap, it's rather easy to find strong ones. The "Super-Stable 3D" works as advertised, automatically adjusting the 3D based on where your head and eyes are, even in the dark. It's fast enough to barely be noticable, and prevents the major O3DS annoyance of holding the system at a very specific spot ahead of you. There's an optional feature to have the screen backlights automatically brighten or dim themselves based on the real-world lighting while using 3DS software. 3DS software is anything that isn't a DS, DSi, or GBA game. (Although only Ambassadors get access to the very limited GBA Virtual Console selection - there are various technical reasons I won't go into here, but they're also the reason that the autobrightness won't work when running them, unlike every other Virtual Console title) The New 3DS can play some games the Old 3DS cannot - most notably Xenoblade Chronicles 3D and SNES Virtual Console titles. The superior wireless card in the New 3DS slashes the download times for eShop titles significantly, as well as the eShop itself booting faster thanks to the stronger CPUs. All in all, if you're buying a 3DS for the first time, get this model. If you have one already, consider if you actually want the upgrade. It's a really nice upgrade, but might not be worth the price point, depending on your usage habits.

Bought this for christmas present for my girlfriend. Delivery was on time, however upon opening the package and turning on the 3DS, I was prompted with the language selection start up screen but the whole touch screen was unresponsive. I have tried all the buttons, clean the screen with a dry cloth, hard resetting the console and also going to the calibration screen (which was also completely unresponsive). I had to contact the manufacturer (Nintendo) and send the console for repair. Extremely disappointed with the product I have received and likely would not get the console back on time for christmas.

I loved the cover plater I had to buy a screw driver, I really think when you are paying this much for hardware Nintendo could afford to package the relevant sized screwdriver with it so I am knocking a star off for that, doesn't come with a charger either which is also a bit cheap luckily I had one from my last 3DS so didn't matter to me just be aware if you don't that you will need to buy one, they should do a USB charger so people can plug it into other devices to charge would be simpler and smaller to package. As for the console itself it feels so much more robust than the previous 3DS I had and the DS Lite and the integral second thumstick is easier to use than my old circlepad pro and the way it is responsive and pleasant to use. The game Xenoblade Chronicles is very interesting I am a big fan of the Fire Emblem, Monster Hunter and Etrian Odyssey and Advanced Wars style of games as they are absorbing and great value for money. Xenoblade has it's own real time combat system not like the turn based of Fire Emblem which is still quite new but enjoying getting to grips with it and the wandering exploring bits feel a bit like a mini Skyrim in places, the graphics although a little retro are still pleasing to the eye and the story is interesting as well and the sound is decent and you get a feeling of exploring a vast environment and I think RPG players will like it a lot.

I have previously owned and enjoyed nearly every iteration of the DS and then the 3DS, so naturally did sell my 3DS XL and bought the New 3DS (a ridiculous name for a really fantastic product). I went for the regular version rather than the XL as I do prefer the smaller size and lower weight of the smaller version, as well as I really liked the idea of the cover plates. I have not regretted my purchase at all and it is the best 3DS product so far (I assume that the XL is just as good, though I have not had a chance to use it- the reviews seem positive). It is a good looking device. I am using the Mario wood plates and they look good against my black 3DS. It also makes it feel nice to hold as well. The viewing angles are much improved- I don't lose the 3D effect nearly as often. The volume slider is much better on the top screen rather than the bottom like on the old 3DS XL- I always used to accidentally change the volume. I have not accidentally ejected the game cartridge like I worried I might. It connects to the 3DS store much quicker, where there is a lot of games to chose from, both new games and classics. I wish they would put on old Gameboy Advance and DS games though. The game selection is good, I recommend any DS newcomers that are unsure to browse Amazon for DS and 3DS games and see if there are any games that you would really like to play- I think, whatever genre you enjoy most, there will be games that you will enjoy. Overall I do like the new 3DS, I have not had any cause to use the C stick, but it seems to function as it should. I would recommend to buy the New 3DS or New 3DS XL, depending on your requirements. Please do ask any questions.

It arrived quickly and was packaged in bubble wrap nicely. Only issues are that once I opened the pink case and picked the ds up I noticed it felt sticky. Had some weird sticky patches as shown in video and when I removed the cover plate found more inside. Had to clean it all out. Also the micro card had pictures and videos of whoever owned the ds before hand as well as videos of their family from like 2015. Thought it should've arrived both cleaned, checked and old media deleted. I checked the ds turns on and plays games as normal but would've been nice if the seller had checked it properly as was detailed in the description.

I first discovered not too long ago that there was a new 3DS, completely went under my radar! I previously saw this device advertised in Japan as the new 3DS LL, however after finally purchasing this product, I'm extremely pleased! There have been so many more improvements than the initial 3DS that I previously purchased, it's very comfortable to hold, visually it is appealing and the 3D is actually playable! I think that the previous 3DS needed definite improvements on its use of 3D as it was an eye-sore to play with, the new 3DS however I tend to play more often than not with the 3D feature, the toggle is more reliable as it's easier to play games with, it's more responsive and stretches a little further for better gameplay. The buttons are beautifully laid out, the new C button I was actually unsure about, simply because it's just a hard rubber nub. Once I tested it out, it WORKS with Monster Hunter 3 for the 3DS as the circle pad pro. It's much more convenient, the screen in general looks better quality as well as the screen closing and opening is much smoother and less flimsy than the older device, if you have a few extra pounds to spend, this is definitely the 3DS you want. My only 'complaints' are that the cover plates (if you decide to get different ones) tend to be rather expensive for the plastic you're purchasing. I however may get some in the future as it looks beautiful on the new 3DS. I also believe that the camera quality needs work, the camera is more or less the same as the old one which is a disappointment as the camera tends to have a little motion blurring if you were to move it. However I sometimes take pictures and I can use them for casual graffiti and changing sound clips is pretty fun! All in all, I'd rate this a 5/5 because Nintendo have out-done themselves with this one.

Dead pixels and cracked and dirty corners. What a waste of £264.

Good Device but as it dose NOT come with any means of charging it! I find it very very poor indeed