Nintendo 3DS XL, Silver - Mario & Luigi Dream team Limited Edition

I have a few points I'd like to make about this system - as well as some accessories that I purchased - to assist you with your purchasing decisions. I love purchasing items on Amazon because I get to read such excellent product reviews from other customers. Some are overly glowing, some are much too harsh, but with all of the comments you can get a general idea for what you are getting before you buy.I bought the 3DS XL with Mario & Luigi Dream team built in. There are other bundles to choose from - Mario Kart, Pokemon X&Y, Zelda, others I'm sure - and each has it's own color and art design on the case along with the included game. I purchased the Silver bundle because I wanted the included game and it was not much more expensive than the standard console. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FXOP1JII promptly upgraded the included 4GB SD card to a 32GB SDHC SD card to increase my 'block' capacity. 32 might be overkill but I would recommend around 16 if you are going to download games. If not, then the included 4GB card should work, but a quick note on this topic: It is much more convenient to purchase and download titles from the Nintendo E-Shop than to purchase an actual game cartridge. All of your games built in versus needing to carry and switch out cartridges that can be lost or destroyed. In fact, you should only purchase cartridges for the following reasons: (1) you might want to resell your games individually at a later date (2) you would like to share the game with someone who also owns a DS console, or (3) you can purchase the cartridge for less than the cost of the game at the E-store. If you see a game for $40, that is likely the e-store price as well.Regarding games: This is why you would buy this gaming console. Most reviews I saw were parents or grandparents bragging about how well received this was as a christmas gift for a child. As ever, Nintendo has many games that appeal to the young and the old - but I am an adult male, and after playing my niece's console I bought one for myself (I also own a Wii and an XBox 360). I immediately downloaded: Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (the best reviewed game ever, for any gaming platform), Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (Gamespot's best game of 2013 winner, again, for any gaming platform), and Super Mario 3D land (excellent reviews, great game). I also own Fire Emblem: Awakening (so far, awesome) and Mario Kart 7 (I love this series). And these very awesome, very well reviewed, and very affordable e-shop titles: Steamworld - Dig, Pushmo, Crashmo and Colors 3D. This is now an epic time killing device that will make cross country flights and train commutes seemingly shorter. Or even better, if you find yourself in a position (as I do) where the television viewing selection in this house is not to my liking, but I don't want to be off by myself being anti-social, I can just sit there and play Pushmo or something. If something comes up, all you have to do is close the system - that's it. No need to pause, or get to a point where you can stop. Just shut it and put it down. Also, strangely, if you leave the system on and walk around with it the built-in pedometer will track your steps and seemingly gives you points(?) for walking.... weird.Fair warning: the best gift that I ever received in my whole life was an original Nintendo NES for Christmas many, many years ago. We got one way after everyone else we knew in our neighborhood already had one, but since we waited ours came with Mario, Duck Hunt AND Track and Field with the PowerPad! It was so awesome... except for that stupid dog in Duck Hunt. And then we got Dragon Warrior for free included with some Nintendo magazine subscription or something and my bro and I were in heaven. Nothing will ever top getting a toy like that as a kid, so fair warning that I am forever biased towards Nintendo products. But this console encapsulates all of the things that make Nintendo great, and I understand why the children and grandchildren who received one of these from other reviewers as a gift were so freakin excited.

I own the DSi and after a couple years of holding out I finally jumped on the 3DS. Too many great games to hold out any longer. To be honest, I really wanted the Zelda XL. I was really conflicted. However, I don't have a lot of disposable income and logic dictated that I really shouldn't spend nearly the cost of 2 games at retail extra for the Zelda one. I was slightly put out, but that didn't last long. The M&LDT edition is really gorgeous up close and even though Zelda is my favorite franchise, Mario comes in at a close second. Plus, I may not have bought M&LDT on its own, and since having a copy of A Link Between Worlds was a necessity, it was almost like getting a free game. Additionally, the Nintendo Club offer of Pokemon X or Y this month was a nice bonus as I haven't played a Pokemon game in years. The preloaded things look like fun, though I haven't tried them yet. Nintendo enthusiasts, even ones who think they can't get into handhelds, will like find something to love in the 3DS. And I'm really happy I sprang for the XL, as my DSi looks positively puny by comparison.As an aside, I'm really loving the Bravely Default demo. And I don't really play JRPGs except for a few Final Fantasy titles. Of course, the two are often considered similar in reviews, maybe that's why I find it so entertaining and engaging. Be sure to look into it if Final Fantasy was in any way up your alley. Cheers, and happy gaming!

I have recently moved to the US from England and couldn't bring my TV, PS3 or Wii but I missed gaming and frankly my phone didn't cut it! Having always been a Nintendo fan (the SNES, N64, NGC and Wii all being great) I decided to have a look at the 3DS. I haven't owned a portable gaming machine since the GameBoy Advance so I was initially sceptical. However, after looking through the dozens of great games for the 3DS and the relatively low price I decided to buy one!I bought this one as I wanted the XL screen and the game is essentially free and not to mention fantastic! Dream Team is a good, classic RPG with hilarious Mario & Luigi moments with some great twists in there which has given me hours of fun. The 3DS XL itself looks really nice with the subtle Mario and Luigi gold outlines on the silver background. I will never say that this is a replacement for a PS3 or Wii but it satisfies my new game and retro-game desires all in one little package. The screen resolution is good and the 3D isn't bad although most often I have it turned off.I would happily recommend the system to anyone who loves gadgets, Nintendo, gaming and portability.