User:Resoru/Sandbox/Nintendo 3DS XL

The Nintendo 3DS XL (ニンテンドー3DS LL) is a Nintendo 3DS portable game console revision produced by Nintendo. As with the Nintendo DSi XL, the 3DS XL features larger screens and longer battery life than the original 3DS.

Specifications
The 3DS XL retains most of the features of the original 3DS. It still has glasses-free 3D.

The screens are 90% larger; the top screen is 4.88 in and the bottom one 4.18 in, while still preserving the resolutions. The battery life increase is rated at 86% (1750 mAh lithium-ion battery, lasting 3.5 to 6.5 hours compared to the previous 3 to 5 hours on 3DS games and 6 to 10 hours compared to the previous 5 to 8 hours on original DS games), while the weight of the console increased by 46% (336 grams). A 4 GB SD card comes packaged with the 3DS XL instead of the 2 GB card included with the standard 3DS.

In order to reduce costs, Nintendo did not include an AC Adapter with the Japanese and European versions. However, an AC Adapter was included with the North American, Australian, and Korean releases. A Nintendo DSi, DSi XL or 3DS AC Adapter (Model Code: WAP-002) is compatible with the 3DS XL, and will also be available for purchase separately or in a bundle with a 3DS XL Charging Cradle. The 3DS XL is intended to complement the original Nintendo 3DS console, not replace it, as both models remain in production.

The stylus is also larger on the XL model.

History
Nintendo has a history of releasing incremental upgrades to its handheld consoles.

Announced during its Nintendo Direct broadcast on June 21, 2012, the Nintendo 3DS XL (Nintendo 3DS LL in Japan ) was released in Japan (¥18,900) and Europe (€199.99/£179.99) on July 28, 2012, and was released in North America (US$199.99) on August 19, 2012. Australia and New Zealand (A$249.95) saw the launch of the new handheld on August 23, 2012. In both Japan and North America, it was released on the same day as New Super Mario Bros. 2.

On November 1, 2012, North American retailer Gilt announced a pink and white 3DS XL bundle which could be purchased with either Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask or Style Savvy: Trendsetters. Within a few weeks, the pink and white standalone version was available at major U.S. retailers such as Best Buy and Target.

Critical reception
The console received generally positive reviews, although reviewers were generally not enthusiastic about the console. Reviewers generally recommended the console to new buyers of the 3DS line, although not so much to current owners of a 3DS. Kotaku called it "a very good gaming machine, possibly the best portable gaming device ever." They said the console "is a good size. It plays great games. Its battery lasts a cross-country flight." Gizmodo gave the console 3.5 stars out of 5.

The Verge spoke positively of the build quality and design choices, saying the console improved on the original.

The Verge noted that the larger top screen makes more obvious problems with aliasing and low-resolution textures. It did, however, say that the 3D felt more immersive. "Where the 3DS felt like peering through a peephole into another world," they said, "the XL is almost like stepping through a door." On the other hand, Destructoid said the 3D effect on the XL was more subtle than on its predecessor.

A reviewer for Destructoid said the XL was easier to use with his large hands.

The Verge noted lowered sound quality from the original, the result of smaller speakers.

Both The Verge and Gizmodo complained of low-quality cameras.