Question for XL users

[Quill]

I went out today and bought myself a new nintendo 3ds xl as a late christmas present, since my old 3ds is starting to show it's age... but after getting it home and playing around with it a bit, I realized it's just TOO big. Way too big. I have tiny hands, and I can't actually hold the XL in one hand steadily, or reach the touch screen with my thumbs without shifting my grip.

I'm debating exchanging it tomorrow for the non-XL n3ds but if they don't have it in the colour I want I might have to reconsider exchanging it or just returning it or what. I'm not quite sure what to do.

So I'm just wondering, did anyone else have a hard time adjusting the XL like ths, and did you eventually overcome it or does it still seem too big?

 

[Halloqueen]

I had to get an XL because my Midnight Purple 3DS decided that it had served its purpose and started having issues on the bottom screen. I didn't have much of an adjustment period because my hands aren't that small and I have long fingers.

Considering your predicament, I would suggest exchanging it for the non-XL New 3DS. Unfortunately it is only currently packaged in a bundle with Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer, which makes it more expensive than an XL or a New 3DS XL. This also means it only comes in one color, but they apparently sell faceplates that you can apply if you don't want Isabelle.

If you don't care too much about the New 3DS exclusives, you could look for another original 3DS or a 2DS instead.

 

[Belle of Pripyat]

I have a 2DS, a 3DS XL and a New 3DS XL. I have small hands, but they're all comfortable to hold. You should definitely exchange or return your XL if it bothers you. I think you'd be much happier with a regular 3DS.

 

[Hermione Granger]

I overcame it. It just took some getting used to. I have the New 3DS XL and it was quite a transition from my regular sized one. In my case though, I can reach the buttons and everything else just fine.

But, it's definitely a process to get used to. I got so used to my 3DS XL that when I lent it to my boyfriend for a period of time, I had to use my old 3DS and I just shouted "IT'S SO TINY!!??!"

The only downside I can think of is that some graphics look better on the XL compared to the regular size. However, keep whichever on makes you more comfortable. ^^

 

[himeki]

If you live in Europe, you can get the normal sized one without the bundle

 

[Cress]

If you live in Europe, you can get the normal sized one without the bundle

Since they said XL instead of LL, I'm guessing that they aren't.

Also in NA, faceplates aren't sold ANYWHERE, so you'll have to buy the bundle with HHD and you're stuck with the Isabelle faceplates unless you decide to import.

I personally love the XL though. The bigger screens are so nice.

 

[HoopaHoop]

i like the XL better.. i have the regular one too and i bought some faceplates for it.. but somehow to play some of games, i like them on XL

 

[himeki]

Since they said XL instead of LL, I'm guessing that they aren't.

Also in NA, faceplates aren't sold ANYWHERE, so you'll have to buy the bundle with HHD and you're stuck with the Isabelle faceplates unless you decide to import.

I personally love the XL though. The bigger screens are so nice.

it's called the xl in Europe tho

 

[Beardo]

I mean, I carry around my iPad all day, so my XL doesn't seen so big. I always have it closed when I'm walking around with it, then turn it long ways. Regular 3DS is like DS Lite sized.

 

[mirukushake]

If it's that hard to use the XL, you might as well go for the regular n3DS.

I bought the small n3DS first, then got XL, and I never went back. I prefer the IPS screen on my XL since it doesn't fade out at angles quite as fast and doesn't have quite as much of a yellow cast as the TN on the smaller model, plus it feels more immersive. However, both are great systems.

 

[NerdHouse]

or reach the touch screen with my thumbs without shifting my grip.

You must have some tiny hands O_O

After playing my New 3DS XL for awhile now, anytime my friend hands me her regular 3DS I'm always amazed at how I could even play one when I had it. I would never go back to a smaller unit.

 

[Jake]

Keep it. I had the exact same problem when I first upgraded to an XL and I ended up having an anxiety attack over it. Give it a few weeks before you make up your mind, that's what I did and I ended up loving my XL.

 

[Squidward]

I have small hands but I just hold it in both hands. I've never had any problems and I was careful not to drop it.

 

[Alienfish]

So I'm just wondering, did anyone else have a hard time adjusting the XL like ths, and did you eventually overcome it or does it still seem too big?

Common first feeling I guess. I have kinda tiny hands but long fingers so it's no probs. Also I love the big clear screens and size.. 's no probs for me holding it.

 

[KaydeeKrunk]

I've only had the XL and my hands are kind of little but I still work it just fine, I feel like the regular would be so tough for me because I have a hard time enough trying to touch little things on some games or when drawing/pixeling on the screen is even hard for me, it always registers wrong and I have to keep un-doing. Last time I used a regular was back on the first DS and I remember that was even harder so I like the bigger screens. =]

 

[Luxanna]

I used the 3dsXL for 2 years, and I upgraded to the New 3dXL and i loved it xD. I went back to gamestop and noticed they had the Animal crossing New 3ds. So I went to exchange but I didn't realize it was the regular size so when I open'd it I was thinking it was so small -hehe- But after a few hours I got used to it already.

 

[Quill]

Thanks so much for all the responses guys!

I've decided I might as well keep it. I have a thing for zelda editions of nintendo consoles, so the one I bought is the Hyrule edition and it's so gorgeous. I didn't realize you couldn't get it in the smaller size, or even that the HHD bundle was the only non-xl n3ds... so with all that in mind, and assuming that I likely will get used to it eventually, I'm just going to keep it and hope it works out.

@ everyone who expressed incredulity at my thumbs not reaching the touch screen: I guess that was misleading? I can definitely reach the touch screen with the tips of my thumbs, but just the edges of it. Anything in the centre of the touch screen I have to shift my grip with one hand to be able to reach. It's just annoying but I'll survive. My concern with the one-handed thing is that I like to carry my 3ds around with me when I'm doing tedious ACNL stuff like plot resetting or PWP farming, with the same actions over and over, and I like being able to walk around in-game while holding the 3ds with only one hand :/ that's not going to work with the XL though, but it's not exactly a deal breaker, just an annoyance.

But yeah, I do have super small hands. I'm fully grown at 4'11", though, so if they were any bigger it would be weird.