Nintendo 3DS Review: A comparison between models of 3DS family

Nintendo 3DS

The Nintendo 3DS is the first to come in its family, so any old Nintendo 3DS handheld that you can get at the moment should have the eldest age. As a result, you should expect the device to be more prone to scratches after all these years, but hey, if you want to get one with mint conditions, you had better ask the seller.

As the direct successor of the Nintendo DSi that has generally great design and build quality, the original Nintendo 3DS shares the same feeling as the very first Nintendo DS Lite I bought for dumping Game Boy Advance paks. The Nintendo DSi, though I don’t own one, shares the same feeling, both lightweight and durable. Because all of these systems are very old, their hinges are quite get rusty and you can feel it to a little bit loose. It’s very normal for these folded devices, so don’t panic if you get one.

In the whole 3DS family, you can think of the original Nintendo 3DS to be the smallest and lightest. It is exactly like my Nintendo DS Lite and I remember that it is very close to the Nintendo DSi. So if you want a pocketable 3DS system, the original Nintendo 3DS will be a perfect system. Being the lightest, playing with the original Nintendo 3DS is a blissful experience, one that I would like to bring with me when I want a quick gaming session in gym.

With the smallest screen, the old Nintendo 3DS can produce more pixels per inch than any others in the same family (albeit the Nintendo 2DS with the same screen). It is bigger than my old Nintendo DS Lite, as well as provides more colors. So to say, if you want the most pixel density, the old Nintendo 3DS would be your first choice in the whole family. Perfectionists will think others to be a little bit more blurry (I am not a perfectionist, obviously).

One subjective reason for my liking of the smaller Nintendo 3DS to other members in the same family is its location of the 3.5 mm headphone jack to be right in the middle of the bottom, as I sometimes play the 3DS in dark, when my wife sleeps next to me. The location makes me plug my earbuds a lot easier than using the Nintendo 2DS (which I usually trade off by reducing the volume to very low instead). It isn’t the unique design feature, but it is a plus for getting the first Nintendo 3DS.

I also like the retractable stylus of the Nintendo 3DS, which is the only thing that I’ve experienced. My Nintendo DSi XL that I still use for DS games doesn’t have, and everything beyond the old 3DS doesn’t seem to have, either (if I recall correctly).

And don’t forget that you have a SDHC card that is easy to access in the Nintendo 3DS, unlike the New Nintendo 3DS. If you are going to dump 3DS card to store on SD card, it would be a nightmare if you buy new ones on “New” 3DS models. The old Nintendo 3DS, however, is super easy to add new games.

The external Wi-Fi enabler is on the right side of the Nintendo 3DS, which is a very useful and stable feature to quickly access your device to Internet. Many people won’t like it because it could be accidentally turned off, but for me, the convenient thing is what I prefer.

Finally, I love the LED 3D notification on the right side of the Nintendo 3DS’s screen. It is unique, attractive and exactly what I need to know if I turned it on by accident (lmao). Sadly, the 3D feature in the old Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL is really unstable, making me turn it off most of the time. Still, the LED notification is one-of-its-kind, and I dare say I love it.

However, there are disadvantages of buying a Nintendo 3DS that you should be aware of. Like I said earlier, this is the oldest version that has been halted production for a very long time (since 2014 if I recall correctly). So, it’s very hard to get one at good conditions. The hinge might be loosen and affect your experience for sure.

One thing I don’t really like about the Nintendo 3DS is its D-Pad position, which is way too low to the bottom. As a result, using D-Pad is not as comfortable as other members in the 3DS family, making playing DS games a bit struggling. I also don’t like the stylus position on top, which is quite out of reach when I in need of using it. Perhaps these design problems are well-concerned by Nintendo, as they changed both positions from the Nintendo 3DS XL to the final New Nintendo 2DS XL.

While the Nintendo 3DS has a very different shape and order of the HOME, START and SELECT buttons, they are very hard to press. The bigger Nintendo 3DS XL shares the same location, but it differentiates these buttons apart, making pressing them a lot easier. I also hate the volume location, as I accidentally low down the volume sometimes.

It seems there is no limited edition for the Nintendo 3DS, so you can’t find a fancy one. Actually, Nintendo discontinued the products, so I don’t think it would be a reason not to get one old Nintendo 3DS, but whatever suits you better.

One more thing, the Nintendo 3DS has a glossy finish, which is very different from its direct bigger brother. I don’t know if you like glossy or matte finish, so I would just state the fact.

Nintendo 3DS XL

The Nintendo 3DS XL is released one year after the Nintendo 3DS, which serves the same way the Nintendo DSi XL did to the Nintendo DSi. Being a bigger model, the Nintendo 3DS XL is supposed to have bigger form, bigger screens and even bigger battery life.

First, the Nintendo 3DS XL has bigger dimensions, and heavier weight. The impact of bigger size to users may vary depending on each individual, but I myself enjoy the bigger version. Even with my average hands, the bigger Nintendo 3DS XL feels much better in my hands, thanks to its weight distribution. And I don’t think the Nintendo 3DS XL is heavy, as I still use the New Nintendo 3DS XL with even heavier weight up until now.

For me, the bigger screen is just better to spot minor details, and I don’t really care about the pixel density. The Nintendo 3DS XL has an almost similar screen size to the PlayStation Vita, but it is more pocketable. I can put the Nintendo 3DS XL into my jeans’ pocket (not slim jeans), but the experience is nowhere near the first Nintendo 3DS with its size. It isn’t a problem because I always put my handhelds into a crossbody bag.

The stylus position is moved to the side of the device, similar to the Nintendo DSi XL. Its D-Pad position is higher than the first model, so using D-Pad buttons is a lot better. It retains the same position for HOME, START and SELECT buttons, but they are made to be separated, which are easier to press than the old Nintendo 3DS. However, their locations are not okay for me, as I don’t which one to press when playing in darkness.

The same easy-to-access SDHC card slot is on the right side, as well as the same Wi-Fi enabler, so I don’t think I need to repeat these same advantages again. These things are completely removed from the New Nintendo 3DS XL that I love the most, and I wish for everyday that they are included in this enhanced 3DS system.

However, there are many things I don’t like when getting a Nintendo 3DS XL. It is still old enough to have bad hinge, and matte finish is more prone to scratches. So, if you’re going to blind buy one Nintendo 3DS XL, make sure you’re aware of these problems.

If you used a previous Nintendo DSi XL, you would expect the Nintendo 3DS XL to use IPS screens. Sadly no, every model of Nintendo 3DS XL would use TN panels for its screens, which isn’t really a problem for me, but I don’t know if it would be the same for you.

One subjective reason that I don’t like the Nintendo 3DS XL is its thin and long stylus, which isn’t as comfortable to hold and use as the New Nintendo 3DS XL. Also, this is the first unit to remove the LED 3D notification, so I would likely to blame it, too.

Both headphone jack and proprietary port’s positions are not in the middle, making blind plug is very difficult. Again, I need a few gaming minutes before sleeping, but I don’t want to wake up my wife. The volume location is still bad, but I don’t know why but I never accidentally slide up or down using this Nintendo 3DS XL.

New Nintendo 3DS

Being the enhanced version of the original one, the New Nintendo 3DS has slightly bigger dimensions as well as a bit heavier. Still, it is very similar to the old Nintendo 3DS in terms of compact and pocketable size.

Being the smaller model, the New Nintendo 3DS improves a little bit bigger screen than the old Nintendo 3DS, but reduces the pixel density a bit. I always find the bigger screen better, and nearly the same pixel density as the best, I guess many people will choose the New Nintendo 3DS to be the best of both worlds.

Perhaps the best thing to have a New Nintendo 3DS is its A, B, X, Y button group’s colors. It reminds me a lot to the SNES era and I honestly love the color selection a lot more than the plain color of other 3DS versions. I know limited editions of the Nintendo 2DS and New Nintendo 3DS XL also offer the same color setting, but they are very hard to get.

I love both headphone jack and proprietary port’s positions of the New Nintendo 3DS, because they are all in the middle, and blind plug is a lot easier than, said, the Nintendo 3DS XL. There are changes for positions of HOME, START and SELECT buttons, and they are all better than the previous Nintendo 3DS.

One more thing that you would love the New Nintendo 3DS is its ability to customize the front and back cover plates. Changing plates is the best way to renew an old device as the New Nintendo 3DS. Also, because the device is newer, I feel the hinge of the New Nintendo 3DS is a lot better than the original one.

The disadvantage of the New Nintendo 3DS that should be mentioned is the SD card slot behind the back plate. So whenever you want to eject the SD card, you need to remove the back plate. If you use both skin and cover for the New Nintendo 3DS like me, you would hate the process of removing and inserting SD card. I mean, a lot.

The stylus of the New Nintendo 3DS is on the bottom of the device, and everything is fine until it is a bit loosen and drifts away from its slot. You had better take care of your stylus, or you will lose it one day.

New Nintendo 3DS XL

The New Nintendo 3DS XL is more similar to the New Nintendo 3DS than the old 3DS XL was to the first model. So you can expect the same stylus, headphone jack and proprietary port’s locations, and the advantage and disadvantage of each location to me. Only one thing, bigger stylus is more comfortable to hold, and it is less likely to be loosen from its slot.

Being the bigger model, you would expect the bigger screen and bigger battery life. It is the same as the Nintendo 3DS XL, and I truly feel the bigger screen to be the way to enjoy 3D effect of 3DS games. I also prefer the bigger lower screen when I need to touch-play, and once you go big, you never can go back.

Big size means it is no longer pocketable, which is a sad news. Adding more features into the body, the New Nintendo 3DS XL is even heavier than the Nintendo 3DS XL, but honestly, even my wife get used to its weight quickly and she has no longer used the smaller model ever since. Still hers, the same user, prefer the Nintendo Switch Lite over the standard Nintendo Switch for much lighter weight. So, I really don’t think the difference in weight my affect your gaming experience, but your mileage may varies.

However, there are more disadvantages to the New Nintendo 3DS XL, besides its inability to access SD card easily and bottom stylus position. First, it doesn’t use the same colors for its A, B, X, Y button group outside, but in-text. And it’s very difficult to tell the difference if you just have a glance. So, the button colors are much less to my liking.

Second, I want the New Nintendo 3DS XL to have cover plate swap. Its glossy finish is very prone to scratches, unlike the original Nintendo 3DS. Why did Nintendo limit features of their best 3DS model? I don’t know the answer.

But remember, if you’re looking for the best build quality, great design (minus the access to SD card), a lot of limited editions and a chance of having dual-IPS screens, the New Nintendo 3DS XL is your best bet. Even when you’re quite unlucky, you will get one IPS screen for either upper or lower screen anyway.

Nintendo 2DS

The only no-hinge handheld in the 3DS family is the Nintendo 2DS, a low-cost device which is quite similar to the Nintendo Switch Lite at the moment. It removes the 3D effect, but for the design, you only lack the 3D slider.

No hinge means the Nintendo 2DS is lightweight but not pocketable, but I really like to use the Nintendo 2DS. In fact, I only keep an “Old” Nintendo 2DS and “New” Nintendo 3DS XL, because I feel that’s all I need to enjoy a huge 3DS library. Sadly, Nintendo closed eShop and there are so many hard-to-find games physically.

There are so many things I love about the Nintendo 2DS. First, its buttons’ positions are so balance that I never have hand fatigue while playing the Nintendo 2DS in my life. HOME, START and SELECT buttons are located in the same way as the “New” models, and I find no problem remembering which one is. There is a Sleep slider, because the Nintendo 2DS can’t be folded to sleep, and the slider is super great to use.

You will have very big trigger buttons, as well as a big HOME button to press. I believe the bigger trigger buttons prevent any of my hand fatigue from long gaming sessions. If you’re looking for the most comfortable 3DS system, even for your kids, the Nintendo 2DS is certainly your go-to option.

One more subjective reason to like the Nintendo 2DS, this is the only system with limited transparent edition. Yes, it is.

However, there are many disadvantages of the Nintendo 2DS. I don’t want to mention the obvious headphone jack and proprietary port’s positions, so I will say new things. For example, the volume slider of the Nintendo 2DS is the most difficult to adjust. So, instead of struggling to adjust low volume when playing before sleep, I choose to mute the device. Also, the Nintendo 2DS has only a mono speaker, so audio quality is not as good as its brothers.

One thing I don’t find others mentioned is the D-Pad buttons of the Nintendo 2DS is the only one in 3DS family without clicky feeling. If you prefer the D-Pad buttons from either the Game Boy Advance or Nintendo DS Fat, you will like the Nintendo 2DS. For me, I prefer the New Nintendo 3DS XL, Game Boy Advance SP and Nintendo DSi XL’s D-Pad.

New Nintendo 2DS XL

I don’t personally own a New Nintendo 2DS XL, mostly because I heard the infamous broken hinge and bad build quality of the device. Moreover, because the device is made later in the 3DS’s life, the New Nintendo 2DS XL tends to have more expensive price than a New Nintendo 3DS XL. As a result, I find it pretty overpriced.

Other than that, if you don’t like 3D effect (I don’t know why you don’t at least try), you should get the New Nintendo 2DS XL. Though it is as big as a New Nintendo 3DS XL in size, it is very light. As a result, I find it more pocketable than the 3DS XL counterparts.

The best part of the New Nintendo 2DS XL is its big screen without any distraction. No speaker, no volume and 3D sliders on the upper part. As a result, I find the screen of the New Nintendo 2DS XL to be a little bit more beautiful. However, I must remind you that the New Nintendo 2DS XL only uses TN panels for its screens.

Again, we have the easy-to-access microSD card on the bottom of the handheld. There is a cover for both the SD card and the game cartridge, so the New Nintendo 2DS XL is the only in the family that guarantees no accidental removal of the game card.

The New Nintendo 2DS XL has a good headphone jack position and a not-so-good proprietary port location. The volume slider is again, easier to be accidentally slide up or down if you focus too much on your games. Moreover, you should hear of the bad speaker location of the New Nintendo 2DS XL? It is bottom facing, so it is not as loud as the front facing speakers of other 3DS members.

Also, I really don’t like putting the stylus beside the headphone jack. I feel taking the stylus out a bit challenging when using with headphones, but hey, I must confess that I don’t have much time using this system, so that’s just my guess.