Nintendo 3DS / 3DS XL Advise

RayCon

Hi ... my daughters communion coming up and she hinted she wants to buy a "Nintendo DS" with whatever money she receives.

I know nothing about DS's ... I can see there's 2DS, 3DS & 3DS-XL's (I think) ... anybody want to help me in explaining the difference and where to get the best deals on bundles.

We have a Wii at home that she loves playing Mario Cart on ... other than that it's mostly Wii sports and Just Dance so I'm guessing Mario related games would be where she'd like to start with the DS.

Any help .. much appreciated.

delly

I'd advise against the 2ds, they are entry level and don't fold like the others. That leaves you with the standard 3ds and the 3ds xl which retail at around €195 and €235 respectively, for a bricks and mortar store. You will find cheaper online however if preferable, and can get bundles with certain games already included. Both versions have had an updated model this year, but some stores still sell the old versions, so note if they state that it is the new version.

The main reason to go with the XL is for the larger screen. It doesn't have extra features other than size, but as the price difference has reduced lately, it is worth the extra amount. The only reason not to pick an XL would be if a smaller child couldn't handle the extra weight, but this shouldn't be an issue in your case.

Myrddin

The New3DS seems to have hit a nice sweet spot for size & functionality, I'd recommend that against the XL for a younger person

CiDeRmAn

I would go with the New 3DS every time.
Its a lovely machine, I'm certainly very pleased with mine.

RobbingBandit

You can get a New 3DS XL from tesco direct this weekend for £139 or a New 3DS with three free games in Argos for €199.99. offer number 4 iirc on the argos page.

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/new-nintendo-3ds-xl-139-using-code-tesco-direct-2206609

Nollog

What age are communion people nowadays?

If she's under say 6, a 2ds is sturdier because there's no hinge to break.

Otherwise 3DS (not XL, XL is too big for a child), if she's not interested in 3D.
New 3DS if she gets the money and likes 3D.

New 3DS is worth it, it's faster and the 3D works.
Also she can get faceplates to make it look like Yoshi, or some less-good character/colour/pattern as she likes.

The name is confusing, the New 3DS looks like this: http://i.imgur.com/2Fwh2Ou.jpg

Banjo

My daughter's 6. She's young for her class and she's not communion age. I think it's more like 8? It's in 2nd class now I think.
Also, my daughter can be trusted with a 3DS as long as you make sure she puts it away properly when she's done (ie doesn't fling it on the couch to be sat on later) and would know she'd been short changed with a 2DS Just sayin'....

There is no "props" button for your yoshi comment. Shame

RayCon

Thanks for the replies folks .... for the record she's 8 (and a half !!)

delly

RayCon wrote: »

Thanks for the replies folks .... for the record she's 8 (and a half !!)

Best to let her try the 3ds and 3ds xl to see what she thinks. My daughter is 8 and will be getting an XL shortly, but she is comfortable with it and its size. In saying that, she has had a ds lite since 4, regularly plays pc games with keyboard and mouse, and also uses the PS3 when permitted. That's what comes of being a gamers daughter, but her time on the devices is metered, as well as having a good level of understanding to mind the hardware.