Nintendo 3DS XLClassic Handheld
Classic HandheldDiscontinued
Nintendo 3DS XL
Nintendo · Released Aug 2012 · 3DS XL (SPR-001)
The larger original 3DS: bigger screens and better battery for the same glasses-free 3D library and DS backward compatibility.
8.7
out of 10
$199
Launch price $199
Pros
- +Big screens and better battery than the original 3DS
- +Glasses-free 3D and a huge library
- +Backward compatible with the DS library
- +Excellent eShop and Virtual Console
Cons
- −No second stick or extra triggers (pre-New 3DS)
- −Low-resolution panels
- −No charger included in some regions
What can it play?
Emulation performance by platform, based on real-world testing.
Full speedPlayableLimitedNot supported
Nintendo 3DSFull speed
Nintendo DSFull speed
Game Boy / ColorFull speed
Full specifications
Hardware
- Chipset (SoC)
- Nintendo (ARM11 + DMP GPU)
- CPU
- Dual-core ARM11 @ 268 MHz
- GPU
- DMP PICA200
- RAM
- 128 MB
- Storage
- Internal + SD 3DS Game Card + SD card
- Weight
- 336 g
- Dimensions
- 160 x 93 x 22 mm (closed)
- Cooling
- Passive
Display
- Size
- 4.88″
- Resolution
- 800x240 (autostereoscopic 3D top)
- Panel
- Autostereoscopic LCD (top) + touch LCD
- Refresh rate
- 60 Hz
- Touchscreen
- Yes
Battery & Connectivity
- Battery
- 1750 mAh
- Real-world life
- ~5 hours
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n)
- Bluetooth
- None
- Ports
- 3DS card slot, SD card, Stylus, 3.5mm headphone
- Expandable storage
- Yes (microSD)
Controls
- Analog sticks
- 1
- D-pad
- Yes
- Face buttons
- Yes
- Analog triggers
- No
- Gyroscope
- Yes
- Hall effect sticks
- No
Software & custom firmware
Ships with: Nintendo 3DS Home Menu
Also plays natively: Nintendo 3DS cards, Nintendo DS cards, eShop / Virtual Console
Custom firmware
Our verdict
Value8.4
Build8.4
Screen7.0
Performance7.0
The 3DS XL super-sized the original 3DS with bigger screens and noticeably better battery life, making the glasses-free 3D more comfortable and the games easier to read. It predates the New 3DS, so there is no C-stick or extra shoulder buttons, and the panels are low-res, but it remains a popular, affordable way to enjoy the enormous 3DS and DS libraries.