I bought a 2DS XL for myself last weekend, as the old 2DS I have screen is broke & the wifi is crap. So far I love the 2DS XL & think of it as a fancy little handheld spaceship. xD But, there's some stuff about it that I don't like too. I mean I do love how much lighter it is then the 3DS XL's & how much smaller the side of the screen is by comparison.
Screen size comparison:
Side by side comparison:
What I don't like is the dust cover;
It's a pain to always have to pop it out in order to pop in a 3DS cart, seriousry why the heck is this thing here/ I mean yea, it makes the console look all nice & sleek but.. It's just a pain to have to fool with.
*Note: My husband Jing thinks that Nintendo did this to encourage more game downloads. Which could be true.
Something else.. Is that the 'home menu' which is on the left side of the console as shown above, makes me think that it's the 'off button' when the off button is on the right side of the console on the front. Usually with most 3DS XL's the home button is smack dab in the middle, with the 2DS XL; not so much.
*Note: Jing doesn't like how it's not very easy to grab onto the smooth sides in order to open the console up. Personally I'm fine with it, since the 3DS Galaxy is a lot like this in design.
CONCLUSION:
How the 2DS stacks up.
I give the 2DS XL a 8/10. It has a few things I don't personally like about it, but as a handheld console it's great for what I need it for. Another complaint of mine is the stylus is way to small for adult hands. Be sure to purchase an extra stylus with this console if it's your first 3DS console is my advice. :3