We are a family who loves to travel and over the years we’ve used a number of different ways to keep the kids entertained while on the road or in the sky including books, travel bingo, tablets, and everything in between. The kids are great and we almost never hear, “Are we there yet?” but in order to keep it that way I’m always on the lookout for new ideas. That’s why we were excited to be sent a New Nintendo 3DS XL and games to go along with it for our recent travels.
What Makes The New Nintendo 3DS XL Different?
The New Nintendo 3DS XL is a handheld game console that can project 3D stereoscopic effects without the use of 3D glasses or other accessories.
It has Face Tracking 3D which enhances the 3D effect by using the system’s inner cameras to adjust images based on your viewing angle, so you can become completely immersed in the game.
It has a larger screen, longer battery life, and a greater overall size than the regular 3DS. It has improved CPU performance for faster loading times so you can spend more time playing. The new ZL and ZR buttons offer more options then ever. This is fantastic if you are going on a long trip. It gives the kids more options and they can play longer keeping them entertained along the trip.
The New Nintendo 3DS XL isn’t just a gaming system. It can keep kids entertained with the new and improved internet browser. They can surf the web and watch videos easily.
Nintendo 3DS Sound is a fun way for kids to make their own music too.
Not only can they record sounds but they can speed them up, slow them down, and mix them in a variety of ways.
Kids can also use it as a pedometer. It records kids steps which they are sure to rack up quite a few while traveling.
On top of that it can be used as a camera and can take photos on your trip. In fact, the camera in the New Nintendo 3DS XL has been improved and photos taken in lowlight will have better results. Photos, music, and other files between a PC and the microSDHC card via a wireless network. So when kids get back home from vacation they can send their photos right to the family PC so everyone can relive the memories.
Recommended Games
The New Nintendo 3DS XL is also backwards compatible which means you can still play all Nintendo 3DS games and nearly all games from Nintendo DS and DSi. So when getting ready for your trip pack up all the old games and bring them along too.
Super Mario 3D Land
Our absolute favorite video games always center around Mario. When we saw that SuperMario 3D Land was available for the New Nintendo 3DS XL we couldn’t wait to play it. Even though this is a post about how to keep kids entertained while traveling, Dave and I grew up with Mario and it keeps us entertained as well.
It takes everything we love about Mario and turns it into 3D. There are new (and some new to us) features that take the game to another level including: a Tanooki suit, 3D visuals that make it easier to jump and judge depths and distances, Mario can do rolling somersaults and run fast with a dash move, and there are new enemies as well including a piranha plant that spits ink to block the player’s view. This game is fantastic and so much fun! If your kids are Mario fans this is one game not to miss on your next trip, it will entertain them for ages.
Super Smash Bros.
In Super Smash Bros. compete with memorable characters like Mario, Samus, and Pikachu, Mega Man, Little Mac, and more in the new mode “Smash Run” mode that is exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS line. Kids can even compete as their own Mii characters! In Smash Run mode up to four players have 5 minutes to fight solo through a huge battlefield against recognizable enemies from every major Nintendo franchise and multiple third party partners. This game will have kids fighting against friends and family locally and online or battling random challengers across the world online in “For Fun” or “For Glory” modes making sure you’ll never hear “I’m bored” on the way to or from your vacation destination.
Pokemon Omega Ruby & Pokemon Alpha Sapphire
These Pokemon games for the New Nintendo 3DS XL are reimagined and remastered to take full advantage of the 3D effects. There are new Mega Evolutions of past Pokemon, new characters and stories, new areas to explore, new ways to find and catch Pokemon, and new ways to travel. There are so many new things in these games that they provide hours of entertainment for Pokemon fans making time fly by when traveling.
The New Nintendo 3DS XL has many amazing features and it can be used in so many ways (as a game console, camera, and web browser) that it is sure to keep your kids entertained while traveling. There are a wide variety of games to choose from that are fun for kids and kids at heart!
That looks like something my son would love to have on our road trips. Thanks for the great review.
What a great way to turn down time into learning time. Keeps the kids quiet for other passengers too so everyone wins!
I love all the improvements to this gaming system. This would be a perfect gift for my grandson.