Why I’m Waiting on the New Nintendo 3DS XL

So, I canceled my preorder on the NewNintendo 3DS XL.

For me, that kind of a big deal, as I’d bought both the original 3DS and the 3DS XL on their respective launch days in  2011 and 2012 (I wrote about the 3DS XL when I got it here). Even when I tell myself that I’ll wait on picking up a new console or handheld, I most often end up getting them right when they come out. I’m always lured in by the newest and best gaming experience this is why I have an XBox One, PS4, Vita, WiiU and 3DS, as well as a gaming PC.

And so, I’d preordered my New 3DS XL at GameStop a few weeks ago, planning on strolling in this Friday and picking it up, probably with a copy of Majora’s Mask.

But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that there is really no reason for me to get a New 3DS XL at launch. For starters, I don’t have time to play Majora’s Mask right now. We’re knee-deep into Dying Light and Dragon Age: Inquisition for upcoming Co-Op Critics podcasts.

I’ve also started a Minecraft and Disney Infinity 2.0 series with my son (I used my preorder refund to get more Infinity stuff), so Majora’s Mask would be sitting for a while. I’m also not huge into the Monster Hunter series (although I’d love to have it finally ‘click’ with me), so there are no games I absolutely must play at launch.

Finally, and maybe the biggest reason I’m holding off, I missed out on the Monster Hunter and Majora’s Mask bundles, which both featured limited edition versions of the New 3DS XL. I put my preorder money down on the red one, but I just wasn’t feeling it after I did.

So, I’m waiting for two things before I take the plunge–a game that takes advantage of the new features that I’ll feel compelled to buy when it launches, and a new color or design. I’m guessing that we’ll get both of those things before the holiday season rolls around. For once, I’ll wait and see.