Should I buy a 3ds xl if I did not like the ds or dsi?

Well that depends. Will you be getting many games with your 3DS? Because DS had some good stuff and a lot of it. Any system you buy is only as good as the games you get for it.

Maybe im looking at this wrong? Get a 3ds its backwards compatible, so your getting double the game library. You dont even need to have the 3d is on for games

What genres do you like? Considering the 3DS is overall lacking in just about every genre (except fighting games and life simulators) compared to the DS, I would not recommend getting a 3DS as it pretty much is more of the same except with better graphics and 3D.

With that said, I would recommend you look at some of the 3DS's games and see what it has to offer in your preferred genres. After all, not everyone needs to own 10+ games to be satisfied with the system.

@hydralisk86: I stated lacking in the every genre when compared to the DS. And even then, I noted a couple of exceptions.

might as well get a 2ds if you dont mind a smaller handheld then

id say...only get it if you leave home a lot...like school or work...

if you mostly stay at home then maybe its not for you.

I guess it's difficult to say: when I purchased the 3DS I first left it aside for three months for lack of games (of interest); then I thought I'd buy a Japanese 3DS since there are more games that interest me (and which don't come to the West); unfortunately the 3DS is region locked.

To be honest, I'd rather propose considering buying a PS Vita instead (if you don't own one yet), there are quite some interesting games coming to the Vita this year.

yes you should.

Really depends on what kind of games you like to play. 3DS has a little of everything but it's better if you're going out a lot and want a game to play on the go. Whenever I'm home I don't really touch the 3DS too much anymore.

But then I could just as easily blame Borderlands 2 for that, and not so much the 3DS not having enough to play, since I have plenty to play for it, but not the time to invest.

Im saying no..why?..my primary gaming system is console..handheld is pretty much secondary..& with 3DS its usage is like my DS ..a secondary gaming device. Use console more than my handheld. :P

The 3ds is already better than the ds. I never cared for the DS second screen, and the 3ds doesn't seem to force touch down your throat. The game design feels more akin to the gba than the ds, imo.