Nintendo Switch 2 vs Nintendo 3DS XL
Nintendo Switch 2 ($449) vs Nintendo 3DS XL ($199.99) — side-by-side specs, weight, pros and cons to help you pick the right console.
Nintendo
3DS XL
$199.99
Vaulted, no longer sold
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Nintendo Switch 2 | Nintendo 3DS XL |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449 | $199.99 |
| Weight | 534g | 336g |
| Display | 7.9" LCD 1080p HDR | 4.88" 3D top, 4.18" touch |
| Battery | 2–6.5h | — |
| Storage | 256GB + microSD | — |
| Controllers | Joy-Con 2 (mouse mode) | — |
| Compat | Switch 1 backward compat | — |
| Output | 4K/60fps docked | — |
| Weight | 534g with Joy-Con 2, 401g console | 336g with battery, stylus and card |
| Screens | — | Glasses-free 3D top screen, touch bottom screen |
| Controls | — | Circle Pad (no C-Stick) |
| Colors | — | Blue / Black, Red / Black, Silver / Black, Pink / White |
Pros & Cons
Nintendo Switch 2
- 7.9" 1080p HDR display
- Switch 1 backward compatible
- 4K docked output
- Best portable exclusive library
- Mouse-mode Joy-Con 2
- LCD not OLED
- Game cards still used
- $449 + $60-$70 first-party games
Nintendo 3DS XL
- Big 4.88 inch glasses-free 3D top screen
- Plays the 3DS and DS libraries
- Four US colors
- Foldable clamshell with a stylus
- 336g, the heaviest of the family
- One Circle Pad, no C-Stick or ZL and ZR
- amiibo needs a separate NFC reader
- No longer made
Nintendo 3DS XL is the better value at $199.99. Both are part of our curated console index — tap through to check current pricing.
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