3DS XL (Blue/Black): My first 3DS I got back in high school in 2013. I recently fixed it, but didn’t have the means to before then. The hinge had broken years ago from repeated use. I originally didn’t like the idea of getting a “new” 3DS XL model as I found the non face tracking 3D just fine (still do actually) and I didn’t like how buttons and the game slot were moved around.
“new” 3DS XL (Galaxy): Once the hinge broke on my old 3DS XL and the new Pokemon games coming out at the time Sun and Moon were said to run much more sluggish on the older 3DS models I decided to bite the bullet and upgrade to the “new” model at the end of 2016. The upgrades are nice on the newer model for sure but the older ones work just fine too in my opinion though the higher processing power is definitely the best improvement of all.
Original 3DS (Fire Emblem Awakening Special Edition): At the end of last year (2023) I came across a Fire Emblem Awakening Special Edition original 3DS that I just fell in love with and my adult savings let me make sure a purchase. It is such a gorgeous blue (my favourite colour) that normally isn’t a colour on the North American original 3DS. Also the sparkly gradient affect is just too pretty for words or even pictures to show. Fire Emblem is also a fave series of mine I just love that console so much. Once I was able to play it I also realized I greatly prefer it to both XL models I had. The size was much nicer to hold and the picture on the screens are so much crisper (same number of pixels but more Pixels per inch). I quickly transferred my secondary 3DS (the original XL) to this console. I really wanted to transfer my main console over but alas “new” consoles are unable to transfer back to an “old” console model. Sad.
“new” 3DS (black with various coverplates but the Mario Hanafuda ones are my fave): Since I loved the smaller original 3DS so much but couldn’t transfer the majority of my digital titles over I ended up looking into the regular size “new” 3DS. I managed to find one earlier this year (2024) and the rest is history. It’s not quite as pretty as the sparkly gradient affect on the original 3DS but otherwise it’s my absolute fave model. It has the upgrades of the “new” models but a more convenient size than the XLs. It is actually is slightly bigger than the original 3DS but only a little which makes for a nice in between. The changeable coverplates are super nice too even if they are hard to find in North America. I was so glad I got to transfer my main 3DS content over to it as well.
Many people think I’m crazy for having 4 3DS consoles. Which yeah I probably am and totally could sell both my XL models if I had to as I only use the two smaller 3DS models now (especially now that I’ve fixed the hinge on my original XL), but I’m very sentimental about them as I’ve had both for a very long time and have tons of gaming hours on them. Maybe one day I will but for now I’m just too attached.
Here’s a picture of my “collection”
Original 3DS XL top left with Pokemon case.
Original 3DS top right (pictures don’t do it justice)
“new” 3DS XL bottom right
“new” 3DS bottom left (with star coverplates)
Not my picture but below are the coverplates I normally use on my “new” 3DS now.
I also thought about getting a 2DS because I thought they looked neat, but never got around to it. My cousin modded his 3DS XL and I'm conflicted about doing the same to my DS now that the shop is closed. I just don't want to risk ruining the system because I truly love it.
