3DS - Regular vs XL

I have a dilema. While I have already pre-ordered both version of MH3U, I have yet to purchase a 3DS. Reason being... I don't know how the game "feels" better. With the Regular version with the circle pad pro, or the big XL version.

A little background: Have always played with the PSP in "Claw" form, and then got the "pro controller" for the Wii and customized the PSVita to imitate the Wii pro controler format.

I "tried" the gamepad while playing the MH3U Demo and completely disliked it. Went to the pro-controller right away. Looking at the 3DS, it just looks like it is the WiiU gamepad, without the right stick... Why put the sticks above instead of below??

Anyways, to those that have used the pro controler, would it be best to get the 3DS XL, or is the Circle pad pro a must if you want to play MH properly?

I wanted the 3DS XL cause I was going to also buy the Custom MH Gunmetal casing that Capcom is selling for it. Purely visual, but bad ass imo.

Should I try to adjust to the Wiiu Gamepad while the game hasn't been released yet?

Why they put the sticks above instead of below…i do not know… but as for me, i always use the controller pro. I do fine with the gamepad, but the controller is comfortable for me. I do however, want to master the gamepad without feeling weird or awkward, so everything will be good when I play on the gamepad itself when the software update hits in April.

My suggestion.. is the 3DS XL. Why? IMO, I played the demo on both the regular 3DS and the 3DS XL, and found it a lot easier to play on 3DS XL. At first, the virtual D-Pad was a major disappointment because I’m so used to playing claw on the portable versions of MH. But of course, you have to adapt to the new changes and accept what we get in order to play MH. And, I wouldn’t say the circle pad pro is a must, I honestly don’t know because I never used one, and play MH very comfortably on the 3DS XL without it.

Only other tip I can give is to practice...practice… and practice with the virtual d-pad and the gamepad (if you plan on using the GP sometime in the future). It’s a new game and a new way to play, and you will most likely play the shit out of it lol, so might as well train yourself to use the controller properly!

... Well a few things. I've been playinh MH since it came out in the west and videogame for much longer. I never get "Stuck" on controls or any particular play style so bare with me.

3DS vs 3DSxl: There are a few differences. Some will prefer the smaller 3DS over the larger XL due to hand size and portability. Though the XL is slightly thiner it is a bit wider and longer though still fits in my pokets without any case on.. Most people with loose fitting jeans will be fine or if you are use to carry around a PSP you will be fine with the XL.

Some other differences. the XL has more curvey buttons and to fit your fingers a bit better and the top 3D screen has been enhanced to help with screen glare a lot better. The resolution is the same on the XL as it is on the regular 3DS though the Pixle shpe is different which make the pixles smoother and appear to be more tightly compact.
The speakers are a more ovular shape and seem a bit more quiet on the XL so a pair of headphones is a must but are better positioned to the left. The home, select, start buttons on the xl are actual buttons as opposed to just a covering which makes them a bit more sturdy, however, overall the regular 3DS feels more sturdy. As far as 3D effect the XL seems to do it better and more smoothly due to it's size.


The CPP on the XL looks better and is more streamlined. On both versions there will soon be 3rd party versions out that also include additional battery space.



The Slide Pads above the "D" pads pretty much end the need for clawing all together and on most games make it more efficent to be able to Tap the d pad with the base of the thumb while never actual removing it from the slide pad.

It's a learning process but on many games the new placement of the control sticks (slide pad) above the "D" pad becomes quicker and more effeciant.


For those who find it difficult to adjust the CPP is a good option.


In the end, both the XL and regular 3DS have very good positives and few negatives depending on each persons indivedual play style. There are also other differences depending on the clasic/retro games you are playing and weight but in the end the main decision will fall to screen size and and system size. if you want something smaller and quicker to use.. go with the regular 3DS.. something with more surface area get the XL.


Also.. this may help:

Another thing to keep in mind is you can customise the touchscreeen in the full game. You could make the touch d-pad bigger or smaller if needed to my understanding.

Hmm... great stuff... my main concern was that the regular 3DS was the only one that had a CPP. After reading here and looking up that information, I am happy to see it does have a CPP.

3DS XL it is! Plus I am happy that I can also get the Gunmetal Casing with MH Art!

Thanks all.

Sephastus wrote:

Hmm... great stuff... my main concern was that the regular 3DS was the only one that had a CPP. After reading here and looking up that information, I am happy to see it does have a CPP.

3DS XL it is! Plus I am happy that I can also get the Gunmetal Casing with MH Art!

Thanks all.

You need to preorder it then as it's limited numbers and will be shipped out probably the first week of april.. And looks great!

dcj91x wrote:

Sephastus wrote:

Hmm... great stuff... my main concern was that the regular 3DS was the only one that had a CPP. After reading here and looking up that information, I am happy to see it does have a CPP.

3DS XL it is! Plus I am happy that I can also get the Gunmetal Casing with MH Art!

Thanks all.

You need to preorder it then as it's limited numbers and will be shipped out probably the first week of april.. And looks great!

I was pre-ordering it the moment I had posted my reply here. All done, and on its way ^_^. Too bad I have to wait till april to get it/show it off. :-P

You'll be very pleased with the XL. Traded in my 3DS for an XL, way more comfortable and I don't feel as claustrophobic while I play.

dcj91x wrote:

The resolution is the same on the XL as it is on the regular 3DS though the Pixle shpe is different which make the pixles smoother and appear to be more tightly compact.

Its immediately noticeable seeing as how few games actually have AA on the 3ds. Monster hunter I believe does(?) but I never buy systems for one game in particular.

I may be fairly biased, but I have several good points(the aforementioned jaggies because noone besides capcom gives a shit, the massively needless size for a handheld to name two), but I will give the xl props on one thing, in that its designed better. As in it doesnt cause smear marks to fucking appear every time you open it. Atleast thats what ive noticed it with the few hours spent with my friends xl.

Also that bronze color is nasty, especially when compared to the light blue the regular 3ds case has.

^ I all depends. I am a steam punk fan and love spending hours mining in monster hunter... So the "brown" bronze color looks great to me.

Where as the baby blue just looks just a little too girly. But that's the great thing about it and having two different 3DS versions. You get to CHOOSE which best fits you. Every one is different and believe it or not, that's ok.

So i just played the demo(yeah finally), yeah it doesnt have antialiasing, meaning its going to look comparatively worse on the XL. (also its actually driven me to buy a CPP because the controls are somehow worse than the psp's, but thats a different story)

Also you can choose? I was under the impression that it was exclusively blue for reg 3ds and bronze for XL.

No, I think its blue for regular 3ds and brown for XL. dcj was saying that you yourself can choose, neither one is really "better" just different. one might be "better" for you because of preference, but it might be the opposite for someone else.

I have had both consoles since their launch.

Undoubtedly the XL is the better system. The only con is price- and it's worth the difference.

I've played MHFU for about two years and I am happy to say that on the regular 3DS the controls are nearly identical. I find it very easy to use.