# New Nintendo 3DS XL

8 Hacker News commenters recommended New Nintendo 3DS XL and 1 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 3 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** Recommended as the peak of handheld gaming, with easy custom firmware and better 3D than the original. Some critics say the 3D effect doesn't wow.

## Why people recommend it

- Easy custom firmware and hacking (2 comments): "It's easy enough to jailbreak/install CFW on them and get it set up so you don't have to worry about it." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50316508)) "I have both a hacked New 3DS XL and a hacked Switch OLED and both are incredibly good." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46841972))
- Best handheld gaming device (2 comments): "It's about the peak for handheld gaming." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50308379)) "Honestly I'd say that's the New 3DS XL." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46841963))
- Better 3D than original (2 comments): "just like in the New Nintendo 3DS (the original 3DS used a simpler but worse system)" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46797359)) "The 3D experience on the New model was so much better than the old ones." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46885767))

## What people warn about

- 3D effect doesn't impress (1 comments): "the actual 3d seemed neat but it didn't wow me" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46843468))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Nintendo Switch](https://hackerapproved.com/p/nintendo-switch.md): 143 recommend
- [Playdate handheld console](https://hackerapproved.com/p/playdate-handheld-console.md): 43 recommend
- [Sony PlayStation Portable](https://hackerapproved.com/p/playstation-portable.md): 24 recommend
- [Nintendo 3DS](https://hackerapproved.com/p/nintendo-3ds.md): 21 recommend
- [Nintendo DS](https://hackerapproved.com/p/nintendo-ds.md): 18 recommend

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=New+Nintendo+3DS+XL+handheld+console&tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "New Nintendo 3DS XL", https://hackerapproved.com/p/new-3ds-xl/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).