The New Nintendo 3DS &3DS XL: Are They Really New?

I remember when Nintendo first announced the new 3DS XL, alongside its sister the new 3DS, not to be confused with the existing 3DS XL and 3DS of course. Back then it was being referred to as the 3DS XL LL and 3DS LL respectively. A few thoughts struck me as I clasped my face in my palms. Firstly, 'that's a lot of random letters.' Followed by 'that’s a lot of 3DSs.' I realise that console makers are known for remodelling their consoles in a bid to keep a fresh appearance, but the 3DS family has become a bit ridiculous.

In the beginning we had the 3DS, launched in 2011. The 3DS XL brought us a bigger screen in 2012. I could see the logic in increasing the size, but the time gap could have been longer. For 3DS owners like myself, the announcement of an update mere months after purchasing the first felt like an insult. Then came the 2DS in 2013, and to be frank I’m still not sure why. The unique selling point of the 3DS was the 3D in many ways. It distinguished it from the original DS in more so than updated graphics, but the release of the 2DS took focus away from the 3D aspect. Also, it doesn’t close like the rest of the family, making the 2DS closely resemble Cousin Itt from the Adams Family. This then brings us to the new Nintendo 3DS and 3DS XL. Do we really need them?

They offer some improvements to the past models; both have bigger screens than the 3DS, although the same size as the 3DS XL. These screens have apparently got improved 3D ability, which overcomes the original 3D problem that it limited you to looking directly at the screen. You had to have your head positioned exactly a 30cm ruler’s distance away, with your eyes pointed directly at the screen's centre, and make sure there wasn't a strong wind to tilt your gaze or you would end up with a fragmented image.

I have owned a few too many of these
 to mention without embarrassment

The new 3DS and 3DS XL are also said to have a quicker processing power than older consoles, and have been redesigned slightly in regards to button colour. As well as this, the positions of the stylus, volume slider and game cartridge is different. The buttons do look nice in a purely superficial way, but I don’t agree with the relocation of the stylus. I am a creature of comfort, therefore the stylus should be found on the top of devices or the right-hand side to avoid confusion (it doesn’t take much). Cartridge and volume slider movement doesn’t really bother me much. The start/select buttons have moved too, and actually they have improved in ease of use but not aesthetics.

The biggest draws for these new consoles come from the new C-stick and exchangeable faceplates. The C-stick allows for two joysticks, which comes in handy. Most gamers have become accustomed to movement and camera being controlled by separate analogue sticks, and handhelds that offered a single stick always feel a bit clunky. Directional pads can never quite live up to the precision of an analogue stick in my opinion. The C-stick is about the size of a pea and looks like it is made of a rather uncomfortable rubber substance, and I was a bit unsure of whether the new addition would be welcome. After giving it a try, however, I found it quite accommodating, responsive and all-round a nice new addition. It is very similar in appearance to the mouse nubs some laptops have sitting at the heart of their keyboards, but these have a tendency to be too responsive and often shoot the mouse off to an unknown screen edge at the lightest touch. Thankfully, the C-stick doesn’t and actually feels like you are slowly rotating a normal analogue stick despite not actually moving itself. The C-stick feels good and gave me a reason to play Monster Hunter 3, which I enjoy more now as it is easier to control. I was very impressed by this and it outshines some full controllers, and is a definite improvement on the 3DS Pro that Nintendo launched a few years ago (this was a bulky add-on that clipped to the side). 

I feel the need to mention that new shoulder buttons have also been added, but I have yet to find a use for these.

The exchangeable faceplates are a nice touch for people, like myself, who like to buy new devices when the old one begins to bore them. I look forward to the release of new designs, and the changing of plates is as simple as unscrewing two screws and unclipping the old plate. They also announced two limited editions, a Majora’s Mask edition and a Monster Hunter 4 edition. As a life-long Legend of Zelda fan I fell in love with the Majora’sMask edition on site.

I may be a nerd, but now I'm a happier nerd.

I haven’t really noticed a dramatic improvement in the 3D effect. Although, I tend to play it with the effect off unless I am watching a particularly stunning cutscene.  I have noticed that the device looks flatter and feels a bit lighter, although neither is too noticeable.

Lastly, a word on data transfer. Nintendo have issued various step-by-step guides that help to transfer data from your old device to the new. As someone who is an avid player with a lot of game-time this was essential. The process was nail-biting to say the least. As I watched a cute little animation of Pikmin moving my data, the thought that I had accidentally deleted years of my life made me feel ill (I can hear you judging me over there). Thankfully, the process went smoothly, and no data was harmed in the transfer.

If you are looking to buy the new 3DS or 3DS XL then I would say it would be worth it, but on a few conditions. One, that you do not already own a 3DS and you have been looking for a reason to buy one. Two, that you own an old 3DS and think the increased screen size of a 3DS XL is worth it (it is). But I would not advise those who already own a 3DS XL to buy the new one. The C-stick is a great addition, but I would hold out on buying one until major games are released that can't be played without it; like Xenoblade Chronicles. Unless you are like me, and can’t stand being behind in all things new and shiny.

 Size comparison image from Gomgom54, Nintendo tree from Pinterest

Student Essentials - Wireless Range Extender

I have something to admit, I am one of those people who are more than a little set in their ways. Nothing demonstrates this better than my university housing record. Most students will probably start in halls before floating between landlords for the rest of their degree.

 Not me no, I found a house I liked in my first year and stayed put. I got a little adventurous during my second year. Switching rooms to one upstairs, but now for third year I am happily back in my downstairs cave. I’m happy like this, the room may be small, but its cosy and I have had good times there. Honestly, when the landlords come to get me out they will probably find me growing on the walls; a bit like the cursed crew of the Flying Dutchman from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. Except hopefully, I won’t have sold my soul and my skin will have slightly less barnacles growing on it.

To demonstrate my technical know how:
 I have no idea what this is about.

The only real problem with the room is that it is a wireless dead spot. For my first year that wasn’t too bad. Yes, I was cut off from technology when I was at home. But it meant I left the house a lot more, instead of using Facebook to socialise I used my actual face! However, now that I am in my final year the workload makes a good connection a bit essential.

You may think we students spend our whole time slacking off, hell even I think that of certain students. But we do a lot of work and in this age a constant connection is needed for this. I could go back to using the uni’s facilities for work, but this means trekking to campus. This is great on nice days, let’s face it though, I live in Britain and the majority of the days it is going to be cold, wet and I’ll probably be set upon by wolves; seriously, some days you just can’t leave the house for those things.

So this year I took affirmative action, well I bought something shiny, (Firefly reference for the win!) I got myself a wireless extender, luckily Argos were having a sale and I found a few cheap(ish) options. I hammered in the code for the TP Link Wi-Fi extender or TL-WA850RE, but I call it Jeff.

As technology know-how goes I am somewhat limited. Restricted to being able to plug stuff in and pray that it does what the box tells me it will. Luckily this model has an easy set-up, which was: plug it into a spare socket, press a button on the front and on our router and then place it between said router and my room.

The difference was immediate, enough that I constructed a review for it. I can actually now have a signal throughout my cave without having the door open. Better yet, I can stream videos, whole videos, without getting hypnotised by those swirling circles. Just think with that kind of help I may be able to write my dissertation, so long as I don’t watch too many videos.

For a student like myself I have to recommend a Wi-Fi extender like this. It really is an essential for university; make sure you put one on your packing checklist. Also I recommend a packing checklist, but that’s for another post.

I’m not being paid by T.P Link and hopefully prove this by suggesting you buy any model of extender, regardless of brand. But the model I have is great, plus it comes with a three year warranty. This means that when I need a work break I can play keepy-ups with it too.

If you do find areas in your home have issues with dropping Wi-Fi then definitely give one of these a go. They are small, simple to use and usually cheaper than buying another box to re-route the signal. Definitely a student essential.

T.P Link image from PCAdvisor, Info graphic from biztech magazine