Not just any Nintendo 3DS but THE Nintendo 3DS XL

I have always been a massive fan of Nintendo. As a child, I used to play the original Game Boy. Even though it was in 2D and the graphics weren’t exactly amazing, I was addicted and played it until the batteries went dead. Many, many years after my Game Boy officially died on me, I received a Nintendo DS as a present and I quickly fell in love with it. It was pink, cute and light enough to carry in my handbag. I spent many hours (which should have been spent studying for my exams at the time) playing Nintendogs where I would lovingly feed, walk and wash my dogs. My addiction soon moved to The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass and Harvest Moon DS, where I would get stuck and instead of wasting precious time, I would then ‘google’ for walkthroughs. Yes, I probably should have figured it out myself, but you know!

Although there have been many releases of the Nintendo DS (all the way to the DSi XL), I never felt the need to part from my pink DS until now, where I am excited to hear that Nintendo is set to unveil the latest 3DS XL.

The 3DS XL is set to be released in Japan and Europe on July 28, North America on August 19 and Australia and New Zealand on August 23, 2012. Like the DSi XL, this revision of the 3DS also offers increased screen sizes, and this time with a 4.88-inch top screen and 4.18-inch bottom screen – a 90% increase from the original model! It also comes bundled with a 4GB SD card and improved battery life, which will purportedly average from 3.5 to 6.5 hours. The refreshed portable gaming handheld comes in two colors, with a red front and black rear as well as a bright blue/black model.

Despite the small differences between the original 3DS and this one, as well as some negativity from the critics, I am looking forward to getting my hands on one. Although my pink Nintendo DS has served me well throughout the years, I think it’s time to move on to a new love.