If you're hellbent on getting your nipper or yourself a 3DS, then the XL is the obvious choice. However, without the additional thumbstick, Nintendo has once again failed to deliver the means to comfortably explore 3D environments.

I must say, this is a really great revision of the original Nintendo 3DS. I definitely love the size..the Nintendo 3DS always seemed a bit too small to me and so I'm happy with the increased 90% larger screen size.

The graphics are pretty terrible except on the Mario games, but the processing is alright. Personally I think that the PSP is much better as a portable console!

This jumbo 3DS console is just that -- a super-sized edition of the existing Nintendo handheld. The bigger screen is the main attraction, but as it's considerably heavier and doesn't offer a sharper picture, there's not much here to persuade 3DS owners to upgrade.

Big bright screen; Rounded design is comfortable; Well-placed buttons

Heavy; Bigger screen shows up graphical flaws; No charger in the box

At least Nintendo’s honest. The “New Nintendo 3DS XL” name isn’t flashy. Nor does it stick in your head like Wii and Wii U. But it’s direct, and to the point: This 3DS is most definitely new, sporting features that haven’t existed on earlier models of the handheld. But does it offer enough to justify plunking down another $200 for one? Let’s consider. The improved 3D is a big positive. Nintendo launched the OG 3DS in 2011 on a wave of “glasses-free 3D” hype. The feature worked, but only just. You got a convincing 3D effect on the tiny screen if you remained perfectly still, but any movement at all broke the illusion. The image doubled, rendering your game unplayable, and headaches (real and metaphorical) ensued. The New 3DS fixes that problem almost completely with face-scanning tech that knows where your face is and adjusts the 3D display on the fly. The result leaves you with significantly improved range of movement, even with the 3D effects set to max. Games that use the built-in mo...

Excellent glasses-free 3D; New guts theoretically promise more technically impressive games; Existing 3DS catalog enhanced by new improvements;

No proprietary cord for charging out of the box included; Extra tools required to swap storage cards; Convoluted system transfer process from older models;

After playing with the 3DS XL, we returned to the original only to find it difficult and awkward to use in comparison. The new size is an improvement in so many ways, including ergonomics and playability.

Bigger screen improves the 3D effect significantly; Improved battery life under some conditions; More comfortable to hold and use

Digital content still lacking; No secondary analog stick; Not the most powerful of handheld hardware

For Nintendo's harshest critics, the 3DS XL is likely to come across as a missed opportunity. Why no second d-pad, when the existence of the Circle Pad Pro suggests that Nintendo should have included it in the original version of the console?

Tweet When we first got some brief hands-on time with the 3DS XL a few months back, it was a bit of love at first touch. Having played with it considerably more since then though, the first love has become a full blown love affair. The reason, in part, however, has remained the same: namely because...

Larger screen makes for greater immersiveness; Excellent build quality; Increased battery life; Reasonable price

Power cable not included; Still no integrated second analog stick

After barely a year, Nintendo is already upgrading its 3DS handheld with a supersize model. While the company is known for updating kit – it did so several times with the Game Boy and DS – the 3DS XL isn't the big leap forward from the original that many gamers were expecting.

The 3DS XL isn't readily available in stores yet in this country. Data Blitz has some units for sale, but they're the European version. Thankfully they include a free charger with the price, which isn't too far off from the listed overseas retail-P10,500.

Great; big screens; Better; sturdier; more attractive case; Better designed and relocated buttons; Better stylus placement; and better stylus; Better battery life

Still got underpowered cameras; Lousier; weaker speakers; Still no second analog stick