Presentation/ Feel:
The NN3DS XL feels lighter than the OG XL (actually made me realize how heavy the old model really was). The glossy finish on it really gives it a sleeker look and feel. It also adds a slight better grip to it. The additional button placement fits like a glove on your fingertips. Also the placement of inserting games on the bottom makes more sense since you can just eject them w/o flipping your 3DS over on the upper side.
Graphics/3D/Sound:
This is where the NN3DS XL excels. The graphics look significantly sharper than the OG XL graphics. They also smooth out some of the rough edges on the existing 3DS games a little. Also the 3D effects rarely double now. The improvement is so big in this department I feel like finishing Super Mario 3D Land, Fire Emblem: Awakening, and Ocarina of Time ALL over again since the 3D effects and graphics look noticably sharper! The speaker's are also a bit more louder and clearer than the OG 3DS/3DS XL.
Controller:
The 2nd best thing the NN3DS XL excels in. The additional buttons fit perfectly on the end of your fingers and are easy assessable. The gloss on the system also adds a better grip as well. As for the additional C-Stick, it works more like a Pointing Stick on a laptop than your traditional C-Stick. Surprisingly this works better than expected, and adds to the sleekness of the device (as oppposed to having 2 regular C-sticks and possibly making the system longer in width).I tried the 2nd C-stick on Smash and Majora's Mask and little pressure is needed, so it's a nice twist on an old idea.
Hardware/Software:
This is the NN3DS XL main weakness. The Camera still sucks (simple as that 
). Also the improved internet browser, although faster, still fails to those on Tablets and Smartphone devices. I do have a MAJOR problem with switching Micro SD cards however. Really for the passed 10 years, changing memory cards on any mobile device (including Smartphones and Tablets) is a rather painless experience. This is the first portable device where I needed a Screw driver to add a Memory card of any sort to it. Nintendo REALLY went backwards instead of forwards here IMO. Although changing it is not really a hard thing to do, it's still rather annoying. Compare this process to just opening a compartment with your fingers and pressing a Memory stick out, just with your hand. I don't really understand Nintendo's logic here at all o.O.
The software from the eShop downloads much faster though. Also the processor is much faster on games (Smash loads MUCH Faster and doesn't reset the system no more when you exit it like on the OG 3DS and OG XL). Battery life is also better as well (from my personal experience it adds about 1-2 more hours) It also has Amiibo functionality, but I haven't tried one yet. Will update to add this. Youtube and Netflix looks better but still not as good as your standard mobile devices today (and Netflix still takes a some time to load).
One thing that is over exaggerated is the System transfer from the old DS, 3DS, 3DS XLs to the NN3DS XL. I didn't need a PC, nor a SD/Micro PC reader to do this. I just chose the Wireless transfer option and in less than 45 mins EVERYTHING was transfered (granted I only needed to transfer 2GBs of memory from the old one to new one). Don't believe everything you read.
Final Verdict:
The New Nintendo 3DS XL really excels in it's main purpose: PLAYING GAMES. IMHO the upgrade is well worth it considering I want to go thru my library of 3DS games I beat once again so I can experience them with sharper graphics and a more stable 3D. This is including games like Resident Evil: Revelations and Kid Icarus: Uprising where the C-stick made the experience much better. Sound is better too. I currently can't imagine playing Majora's Mask in any other way. I also can't wait to see what exclusives it gets or what future games take advantage of it's new controllers!
If however your going to use it for anything else than NON-GAMING Purposes (Taking pics, web browsing, netflix) YOUR IN FOR A BAD TIME! (Although Youtube works alright on it).
PROS:
- Better Graphics/3D
- Better Sound
- Better Controllers/C-Stick and more trigger buttons added
- Sleeker Design
- Lighter
- Better eShop downloads
- Faster load times for games.
CONS:
- Some disassembly required to change Micro SD cards.
- Camera still sucks.
- Internet Browser and Youtube still rather average.
- Really no other use for it besides gaming.
Presentation/ Feel: 9.0/10
Graphics/3D/Sound: 9.0/10
Controller: 9.0/10
Hardware/Software: 5.0/10
Final Verdict: 8.5/10
Loses 0.5 points due to how annoying changing Micro SD cards is compared to it's predecessors and other devices like it.
Happy Gaming!
