I'm gonna get a 3DS... tell me just about games.

[Jagosaurus]

I've never seen a scratch on my 3DS. The Hori screen protector protects the entire top screen

Yup, was referring to those w/o protectors. I don't have anything on my XL. I've seen several in the wild with the bottom "box" scratched into the top screen.

When I'm not playing, I keep it in a hard case I got from Toys R Us for $10 - with a microfiber cloth closed in it.

Great system man. I'm loving mine.

[casterofdreams]

I've never seen a scratch on my 3DS. The Hori screen protector protects the entire top screen

Although I don't see the XL having the same problem it was a pretty big deal with the original. Amazon.com released a statement awhile back saying that it will no longer carry 3DSes until Nintendo fixes the problem. They were getting too many returns from the same problem. Naturally Nintendo denied there was an issue. I had the issue on mine but you can barely see it when playing in a dark room.

[gtmtnbiker]

I'm also a member of the 3DS XL club and I really enjoy the system. I know some of you don't like Nintendo's lack of account system but I still went ahead and have made numerous digital only purchases. Some of my favorites are:

PicrossE
Gunman Clive
MegaMan 2,3,4
Legend of Zela - Oracle of Ages, Oracle of Seasons
Mutant Mudds

The stylus placement was a big win for me. It drove me nuts to pick up my kids 3DS and have to spend seconds trying to find the stylus. Then again, I'm not sure why I don't have the same problem with the Wii U which has the stylus in the same place as the 3DS.

[alienjesus]

The stylus placement was a big win for me. It drove me nuts to pick up my kids 3DS and have to spend seconds trying to find the stylus. Then again, I'm not sure why I don't have the same problem with the Wii U which has the stylus in the same place as the 3DS.

Because it isn't.

The 3DS stylus is on the top on the left hand side, really close to the cartridge slot. The Wii U stylus is on the top on the right hand side, further out from the centre, near the R button.

I imagine it's the left hand side thing. Especially if you played any earlier DS consoles where it was either on the top right or in the right side of the console.

[Jmustang1968]

Stylus placement isn't much of an issue for me as I rarely use the stylus.

[ZenErik]

I also highly recommend the micro fiber cloth between the screens. Especially if you ever take your 3DS outside the house. Both the regular 3DS and the XL have issues with the bottom screen bezel scratching the top. It's happened on my own XL. If you never take it out of the house and never have it in a pocket, backpack, suitcase, etc then you may not have this problem.

And as someone who has owned the original 3DS and the XL, I wouldn't recommend the original 3DS over the 3DS XL. The only situation where the original 3DS might be better is if you're trying to fit it into a small handbag. Which is generally only an issue for women. But if you tend to use small handbags then be warned. Even then, I'd still recommend the XL for a better experience.

Recommended games:
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
Fire Emblem Awakening
Super Mario 3D Land
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Virtue's Last Reward
SMT: Devil Survivor Overclocked
SMT: Devil Summoner Soul Hackers

And Shin Megami Tensei IV. It's not out yet, but I do not expect a disappointment there.

[Ziggy]

Speaking about games that are coming out, I'm absolutely stoked for Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. There's also the Yoshi's Island sequel coming out, and while I'm not a big fan of the original, it looks really good.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Why would I tell you about the games when we can talk about screen scratches, the XL, stylus positioning, and battery life??

You like Phantasy Star and Phantasy Star Online right? Check out Phantasy Star 0 (regular DS game).

If you've never played Chrono Trigger, get the DS version. Much better than the PSX port and of course it's cheaper than the SNES original.

I can't believe I forgot Ys I & II is also on the DS. Though if you have it on PSP already you may not need it. The DS version does actually have an attack button though, if you didn't care for the bump battle system.

Radiant Historia may be the best original (non-ported/remade) JRPG for the DS.

And lastly, since you've played Phantasy Star and Final Fantasy, it's about time to get into the Dragon Quest series. Four DQ games are on the DS - IV, V, VI, and IX. IX is the only original one, the rest are remakes.

Yeah I know I'm recommending a bunch of DS RPGS, but the system was an RPG powerhouse. Ranks right up there with the SNES and PSX.

[noiseredux]

Why would I tell you about the games when we can talk about screen scratches, the XL, stylus positioning, and battery life??

You like Phantasy Star and Phantasy Star Online right? Check out Phantasy Star 0 (regular DS game).

Yeah that's on my list for sure. Anyone know if it's still online?

If you've never played Chrono Trigger, get the DS version. Much better than the PSX port and of course it's cheaper than the SNES original.

I played the PS1 port. I wouldn't be opposed to giving it another go.

I can't believe I forgot Ys I & II is also on the DS. Though if you have it on PSP already you may not need it. The DS version does actually have an attack button though, if you didn't care for the bump battle system.

Are those the only Ys games on DS (in English)?

Radiant Historia may be the best original (non-ported/remade) JRPG for the DS.

And lastly, since you've played Phantasy Star and Final Fantasy, it's about time to get into the Dragon Quest series. Four DQ games are on the DS - IV, V, VI, and IX. IX is the only original one, the rest are remakes.

Yeah, the only DQ games I have any experience with are like I and VIII. The latter, not much. But DQ1 was my first-ish RPG (w/ Final Fantasy) back in the day.

Yeah I know I'm recommending a bunch of DS RPGS, but the system was an RPG powerhouse. Ranks right up there with the SNES and PSX.

It does certainly seem that way. There's lots of interesting looking stuff from Aksys, Atlus, XSeed, etc on there.

Oddly, the one DS RPG I've probably been interested in for the longest time is FF 4 Heroes of Light. Nobody ever seems to talk about that one, but it looks to me like a really cool throwback to the 8/16bit days of FF.

[BoneSnapDeez]

There is also Ys Strategy on DS. It's technically in English - the PAL version, that is. It's JPN/PAL only. Don't bother unless you're a Falcom fanatic like I am.

(sites like GameFAQs list for Ys games on DS - but this is because the Japanese versions of I and II were split into separate games.)

4 Heroes of Light is solid, but challenging and a bit clunky. I liked it, but it's certainly an acquired taste.