How Can I Tell If I Have a 3DS XL or a New Nintendo 3DS XL?
As a long-time Nintendo gamer and fan, this is a question I‘ve been asked a lot recently. With the variety of 3DS models released over the years, it can get confusing! Don‘t worry though – there are some clear ways to tell which version you have.
The quickest way is to check for the additional ZL and ZR shoulder buttons. If your 3DS has these extra buttons alongside the standard L and R buttons, you have the superior New Nintendo 3DS XL model.
Read on as I comprehensively compare the differences between these two handhelds. With sections detailing exclusive features, technical specs, and even benchmark performance, you‘ll soon know for sure if yours is the enhanced New 3DS XL or the older 3DS XL!
Shoulder Buttons and Controls
As mentioned already, the key distinguishing feature visually is those ZL and ZR shoulder buttons on each side.
The regular 3DS XL only has one set of shoulder buttons (L and R), while the New 3DS XL includes a second set of triggers (ZL and ZR).
This allows more flexibility in controls for games, especially camera controls using the additional second analog stick…
C-Stick and Extra Joystick
Yep, alongside the extra shoulder buttons, the New 3DS XL uniquely has an additional C-stick analog joystick on the right side.
This allows dual-analog controls similar to a traditional game controller. The C-stick lets you control in-game cameras much more comfortably than on earlier 3DS models.
Several titles like Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate and The Legend of Zelda: Majora‘s Mask 3D take advantage by enabling manual camera control with the C-stick. It‘s a huge upgrade for the 3DS!
Built-In NFC Support
The New 3DS line also introduces built-in NFC support via an NFC reader/writer between the analog controls.
This near-field communication tech enables awesome features like scanning amiibo figures to unlock bonuses in games. Some examples include…
- Unlocking costumes in Super Smash Bros for Nintendo 3DS
- Gaining random power-up bonuses in Ace Combat Assault Horizon Legacy Plus
- Obtaining legendary weapon drops in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
This is way more convenient than using a separate NFC reader accessory on older models.
Exclusive Games Library
Thanks to its upgraded internals (see specs below!), the New 3DS XL has access to exclusive games the older 3DS XL can‘t play.
Notable examples include:
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3D – an open-world JRPG not possible on predecessor systems
- Fire Emblem Warriors* – acclaimed hack-and-slash spin-off entry in the franchise
- Super NES Virtual Console – play classic SNES games via Virtual Console downloads!
In total over 20 games have released exclusively compatible with the New 3DS XL‘s extra power.
Technical Specifications Comparison
| Specification | Nintendo 3DS XL | New Nintendo 3DS XL |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | July 2012 | February 2015 |
| Weight | 336 g | 329 g |
| Dimensions | 156 x 93 x 22mm | 160 x 93.5 x 21.5mm |
| CPU | 268MHz ARM11 MPCore | 804MHz ARM11 MPCore |
| RAM | 128MB FCRAM | 256MB FCRAM |
| Battery | 1300mAh | 1750mAh |
| Battery Life | 3.5-6.5 hours | 3.5-7 hours |
| Display Size | Top: 4.18", Bottom: 4.18" | Top: 4.88", Bottom: 4.18" |
| Display Resolution | 800×240 px (400×240 px per eye) | 800×240 px (400×240 px per eye) |
| Cameras | 0.3MP Front, Dual 0.3MP Rear | 0.3MP Front, Dual 0.3MP Rear |
As the table shows, the New 3DS XL features a faster CPU, double the RAM, longer battery life, and a larger top display.
These hardware improvements allow the New models to outperform old 3DS XL units. Independent testing by Ars Technica showed average framerate improvements of around 1.5x in games like Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate.
Real-World Performance and Benchmarks
To demonstrate those hardware gains, players conducted profiling on load times across both systems.
In the popular game Monster Hunter Generations, loading the Cheeko Sands area took:
- 38.84 seconds on the old 3DS XL
- 26.37 seconds on the New 3DS XL
That‘s a 32% faster load time thanks to the New model‘s upgraded internals!
On paper the New 3DS XL doesn‘t seem a massive leap over previous models. But in practice, the hardware and software optimizations make a really noticeable difference for an enhanced overall experience.
Verdict – New Nintendo 3DS XL Is the Superior Model
While the 3DS XL marked a big step up from past DS models, the New Nintendo 3DS XL takes portable gaming to a new level. With extra controls, built-in NFC, exclusive games, and measurably faster performance, it‘s absolutely the model I recommend for Nintendo fans.
Checking for those ZL and ZR triggers is the easiest way to know you‘re enjoying cutting-edge 3DS gaming on the New XL model!
For anyone still unsure which system they own, I hope breaking down those key differences into sections has cleared things up. Let me know in the comments if you have any other 3DS questions!
