The 3DS isn’t a simple redesign along the lines of the DS Lite or DSi XL, this is an entirely new gaming system which will do more to immerse you in the gaming experience than any console that has gone before. That isn’t simply down to the massively improved graphical performance which we’ve come to expect with new hardware. For the first time ever, you will be able to experience 3D visual effects without glasses. It’s a technology which can’t be demonstrated on TV or any computer screen. The only way to know how well it works is to experience a 3DS first hand.

If you're interested in the Nintendo 3DS, check out 3DSBuzz.com for daily news on the best games. I do everyday (although that's partly because I run it).

Glassesless 3D may be headline grabbing and impressive to show off to your friends but it’s really just the tip of the iceberg. How would you like a new surprise every time you open your 3DS? Put your 3DS into “sleep mode” and carry with you when you go out. If you pass anyone else with a 3DS, the two will interact. Depending on the games you have played, they can interact differently. For example if you have played Street Fighter IV 3DS and pass someone else who has played it, a battle will take place in your pockets without you even being aware of it. When you next open your Nintendo 3DS you will find who you battled and how your fighter performed. If you won, you’ll be rewarded with special unlockable content.

StreetPass isn’t the only reason to get out and about with your 3DS. The system keeps track of how much you’ve walked with your console and rewards you for doing so with game coins which can be spent on in-game content. It’s the ultimate pedometer!

There’s still much more which I’m not going to go into detail on but here’s a quick list:

• Bring Miis from your Wii
• Take a photo of a friend to instantly create their Mii
• Take 3D photos and videos
• Augment Reality – for example, watch a Nintendogs run around on your hand
• Collect photos of friends and battle them in Face Raiders
• Edit and play with sounds or music

This is all included with your 3DS. We haven’t even touched on the most important aspect yet – 3DS games. With more games in development for the 3DS than any other system in history at this point in its life, there is sure to be something for everyone. Weather it’s Nintendogs + Cats, Mario Kart 3D or maybe Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D is more your style, there’s something for everybody.

Are you already planning whether to get a blue or a black 3DS? If you are, head over to 3DS Buzz for lots more info.

Pictured: DSi XL Vs. DSi

	DS	DS Lite	DSi	DSi XL
Screen Size	3″	3″	3.2″	4.2″
Pen Stylus
Built-in Game
Wide Viewing Angle
Camera Dictionary
Cameras
Web Browser
SD Memory Card Slot
Demo Download
Music Playback
Internal Storage
DSiShop
Sleek Design
GBA Compatable
Weight	275g	218g	214g	314g
Battery Life (hours)	10	19	14	14-17
RAM	4MB	4MB	16MB	16MB
Price (click to buy)	N/A*	£100	£120	£140

*The original DS is no longer in production.

Click here for Amazon’s special DSi XL deal which includes a free accessory kit, free delivery and a game for £10 (the best deal around if you ask me).

Hopefully this price comparison will be useful for anyone who has decided they want a Nintendo DSi XL and now just need to decide where to buy. DSi XL usually comes with free shipping since most online stores pay the postage on items over a certain price. There are exceptions though such as Asda who charge £5 for delivery and Argos (who charge around the same amount but I can’t remember how much to be honest and I’m typing this on a train so can’t go to their website and check).

The list now contains lots of Nintendo DSi XL bundles. Because of the way the comparison chart works, it doesn’t track certain DSi XL bundles where the buyer needs to select the items they want (it only works when the bundle is ordered as a single item on the website). As far as I know this only affects the Amazon offer where you can get a choice of games and choice of different coloured accessory packs for just £10 more.

If you’re wondering where I go to buy DSi XL consoles (and you probably aren’t but I’ll tell you anyway), I got my first one from Play-Asia and the second from Amazon. I don’t advice buying from Play-Asia since I only went there to get the console before it came out in the UK. If you do buy from there, the console’s menus will be in Japanese and you will only be able to change the language to other Asian languages. On top of that you will have to pay an import tax of around £30. Now the DSi XL is available the UK, there really isn’t any reason to order from their anymore unless you’re very keen to play Japanese exclusive DSiware from the DSiShop (while the DSiWare is region locked, cartridges can be used in any region).

My English DSi XL.

When I bought a UK DSi XL I ordered it from Amazon. As I mentioned above they have a good deal where you get a game and an accessory pack for just £10 extra. Unfortunately the offer wasn’t available when I made my order but, lucky for you, it is now. Actually the reason I ordered from Amazon was because they are very reliable and 99% of the time have the cheapest offers on. On top of that they do a great pre-order deal where you pay the lowest price between the time of placing your order and the release date. It’s not much use to anyone looking to buy Nintendo DSi XL consoles now as it has already been released but useful to know if you’re planning on pre-ordering games or anything in the future.

One final thing I want to say about the DSi XL, which a lot of people are asking about, is if they are compatible with R4 and R4i cards. The good news for people wishing to use their extra large console to play homebrew games (and please only use the R4i for that, any other uses are illegal and immoral and hurt the industry we love) is that the version 1.4 compatible R4i card I bought worked perfectly well. I would go as far as saying drawing apps like Colors DS benefit more from the increased screen size than most commercial games.

If you’re interested in taking the leap to the 3rd dimension of gaming, you should check out the Nintendo 3DS. You’ve probabl heard about about how the 3D effects have wowed millions of people around the world but there’s more to it than that. To me the most important thing is the amazing line up of games on the system. It’s got everything from Nintendogs 3DS to games for more traditional gamers players like Mario 3DS.

Are you buying online? Which colour are you getting and where from?

DSi XL

DSi XL Bundle – Free accessory pack plus 1 game for £10 extra.

Standard DSi

DSi Bundle – Free accessory pack plus 1 game for £10 extra.

DS Lite

This DSi XL started life in Asia, then came to Europe and is now in North America. Here you can see Jason from Zelda Universe who won my DSi XL finally doing the review of the console I would have done if my camera’s battery hadn’t ran out three months ago. Sorry about the long wait. You can give Jason him some youTube stars too if you find the video useful.

If you didn’t win but still want the console, take a look at the DSi XL price list to compare UK deals and order today.

Carla, who won the competition was good enough to take this photo to thank Mr Monkey for picking her.