I've been checking out the 3DS lately, but without any real interest in buying. I basically ignored the system until after playing through Lego City Undercover on my Wii U. I saw there was a prequel on the 3DS, so I investigated a few games, but ultimately decided it was a waste of time and money, since I have more than enough games to play already.

Skip forward a month, and I have been blazing through my current games. Based on the Wii U schedule, I might actually run out of things to play next year! So I start checking the 3DS again since time is no longer a concern. I am also happy to see the Miiverse system update. The price, however, was too high. I was also turned off by the relatively poor graphics, compared to home consoles. I again decide that it is a waste.

However, yesterday I found myself at Toys R Us killing time. I see a 3DSXL with Zelda on it, so I start playing. I am immediately sucked into the game. It was at the "eastern palace" and I feel just like I am playing A Link to the Past, but with awesome 3D effects. That five minutes actually playing the system sealed the deal. I had to have one. I decide I will wait until Boxing Day to buy the system plus a bunch of games.

Fate again tempted me, as late last night, I discover the system is on sale at Shoppers Drug Mart for $130. I wake up this morning, grab the flyer, and head to the mall. Shoppers themselves were out of stock, and Toys R Us only had the pink colour. I happen to walk by The Source, so I stop in and ask if they have it in red. A few minutes later he comes out of the back room with one in hand. It's even an O.G. big box system, the one with the charging cradle! I price match and leave happy.

I stop by EB Games, and trade in Assassin's Creed straight up for Link Between Worlds, thanks to a promotion they have, offering many $40 3DS games for free if you trade in a game worth $17 or more.

Welcome home…

Congrats man, I love my 3DS XL. I much prefer the 3DS XL over the regular 3DS, but I'm sure you'll enjoy the experience regardless.

Zelda was an excellent game too, have fun!

Awesome story and congrats! I also am the proud owner of the red big box but no longer have that particular system. I'm surprised those boxes are still out there. You now have about 40+ excellent new games available to you.

Thanks for the heads up on that trade in deal at EB, might have to trade some 360 games I don't want for Link Between Worlds.

you are going to love the 3ds! Lots of great titles already. Check out cave story 3D, fire emblem awakening, pokemon x, luigi's mansion dark moon, and a ton of others!

Enjoyed the story!

You're going to really enjoy your 3ds, guaranteed. There are SO many great games.

Congrats on getting a 3DS - you won't be disappointed. Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is nothing short of amazing. Check out Fire Emblem: Awakening, Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, and more when you get the chance.

awesome!
oddly shoppers drug mart has a lot of good sales on video game stuff at times
they were selling the rest of their wii u 8gb consoles for 180$ not too long ago im pretty sure which is decent

recently bought a 2DS at wal mart for 90$ and im happy with it i hated the 3D part of the 3DS and im fine with the new design

I had put buying a 3ds for a long time, then the xl was announced but even then my interest was not that strong then I got a chance to play Luigis Mansion Dark Moon and that sold me, then I got Awakening, Sticker Star, Zelda Ocarina, Code of Princess and a few others plus recently Zelda ALBW I still ask myself why did I wait so long? I love it even playing NDS games is bliss with the xl screens. Now just need more Rpgs and all will be percect.

Your name is Zing.

I got my 3DS XL a few months ago and it was the best modern gaming purchase I've made yet. I absolutely fell in love with Super Mario 3D Land, Luigi's Mansion, and Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and I play all 3 games very regularly, especially Mario 3D Land which I have beaten 3 times now. There is just something special about this system and other games such as Monster Hunter 3 and the upcoming Bravely Default are on my hit list, there is just so much to love about the 3DS and it's library of games that I can't blame people for buying it and making it the #1 video game machine in the world.

I couldnt play 3DS unless it were on the 3DS XL. I owned an original 3DS back when they came out and it hurt my eyes and gave me a headache.

I bought the 3DS Zelda Edition in 2011, and used that until recently when I bought a XL. Love it.

Hell yeah, I'm on my 3rd 3DS (Reg --> XL --> Zelda XL) and I absolutely love them. I am wrapping up Link Between Worlds when I currently have time, and I have to say I think this is the most enjoyable 3DS title for me thus far. I thoroughly loved Animal Crossing, MK7 and NSMB2 as well.

I haven't even been able to touch the Paper Mario, Luigi's Mansion and the Kingdom Hearts game yet.

Seriously too many titles to pick from! Enjoy!

You're doing yourself a great disservice if you own a 3DS and have not played fire emblem awakening.

You have chosen a great system. I don't really use the 3d at all but Ocarina of time in 3d was amazing. The only thing I didn't like was shooting arrows in 3d.

Whatever you do OP, don't overlook the original DS titles.

That was a great read. Still play my plain white 3DS.

Congratz on your news system. Youare going to have a blast with it

They have Nintendo News on the 3DS?  Sweet!

I'm pretty much in the same boat. Got it for Zelda but now there are a lot of games I'd like to play for the system. That new Yoshi's Island game looks awesome. 

I'm still playing through Zelda. I've been playing a lot of Mario Kart 7 online, and a bit of Super Mario 3D Land. I am used to the 3D effect, and I can't see ever playing with it off. It adds a lot to my enjoyment of the games.

I also gave myself Animal Crossing for Christmas, but I am still on the fence about this game. I tried the GameCube version years ago and couldn't get into it. I have the same feelings here. I understand the game, but it just feels lacking any sort of human interaction. Why do I care if I build a bridge or decorate my house if no one else will ever see it? I suppose if I had a handful of friends playing the game as well, I'd have some incentive. I initially thought this would be a great game to play with my daughter, but the time sink is so large and so slow that I'd rather play other video games, board games, puzzles, etc instead.

I'm also going back and re acquiring a few DS titles. It feels embarrassing, since I once had a large DS collection, but sold it all about five years ago.

If you didn't like AC the first time, you probably wouldn't like New Leaf. It's not for everyone, you need to be the type of person to enjoy doing menial little tasks as you work towards a goal.

I wouldn't mind picking up Animal Crossing Wii if I find it in a bargain bin new for say $10-$15 or so (for some reason the DS version is a bit more expensive) but the fact that there is no more retro games is a major strike in my book. GC version is good enough for me.