Nintendo for Christmas but 3D or 3DXL - for 8 year old? Is the XL worth the extra £?

[bluepapermonkey]

I am out of my comfort zone here but have taken MN advice on other threads to go for 3D and switch it off to avoid eye-strain but retain ability to buy latest games.

I will be buying for 6 and 8 year old. Is the XL better? Is it worth the extra money? Or is smaller better for their little hands ( I am assuming the actual console is bigger, not just the screen)?

All experience/opinions welcome.

Oh, and if you can recommend (or steer me away from) certain games that would be great too!

Thanks in advance.

I would defo go for the xl. The normal 3ds hurts my eyes and even dd1 (10yo) struggled with it a bit.

She has a normal ds xl and much prefers it.

Cant go wrong with Mario!

Ah, thank you! That's really useful on size.

And ta for Mario -even I've heard of that one!

Is Nintendogs any cop does anyone know?

Dd enjoyed it on the old ds. Didnt have it 3d.

yes was going to post exactly the same as Mike.
we have the 3ds and the 3d really hurts my eyes so i make the kids keep it off or just on low.
tried out the xl in game and it's soooo much nicer to look at!

sorry i tried the 3ds xl out in game and it was much nicer to look at even with the 3d on properly. the bigger screen just helps!

so that's what i would go for

I'm getting the 3ds for Xmas so I can play the Zelda game (a link between worlds) but that's for me and I'm 35 not 10. Have been playing the Zelda series since I was about 10 mind you...

We bought the 3dXL for dd last year, I think the larger screen is much easier on the eyes but hate the 3d so definitely do recommend that you switch that off.

The only disadvantage to the xl is that it's a bit heavier/clunkier to carry around, but not a major issue IMO.

jointhedots... have you seen the limited edition zelda console?

Oh yes! Zelda. Dd loves that.

My mind is made up. Thank you lovely MNetters!

Yes, as said, go for the XL.

In terms of games, the Lego Star Wars, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Batman etc. games are all brilliant.

Even though mine are too young to have watched anything but the Star Wars movies, they love the games. And no one dies in them.

Animal crossing and Pokémon are good too.

Nintendog&cats

moshi monsters

pokemon

sonic

mario and mario cart

animal crossing

my sims

I have Bundaberg... We shall see what Santa (DH) gets me this year, but fingers crossed!

Normal 3DS not XL is most popular among children at my DS's school, they don't seem to like the 3DSXL, but why not pop in somewhere with the DC, where both 3DS and XL version are on display and see which they like, they may prefer a certain colour.

Star wars lego or any of the other lego games

Nintendogs

Fifa if they like football.