PixlBit

Absolutely. Go with the XL the original is so uncomfortable you'll need grips so might as well pay $20 extra. Games I think you should get are Luigi's Mansion, Fire Emblem, Mario 3D Land, and Pushmo/Crushmo. And Pokemon and Zelda when they come out.

Also you should check out the Phoenix Wright games if you don't have a phone that can play the iOS HD remakes. Trials and Tribulations is the best point and click adventure game I've ever played and the new 3DS PW looks fantastic as well as PW vs Layton

...I knew yours would be the first comment lol. I was mainly thinking of buying the system for X and Y, Fire Emblem, and Shin Megami Tensei IV. What Zelda games are out for 3DS? Last Zelda game I played was TP.

OoT 3D, Link's Awakening, Oracle of Ages/Seasons, and A Link Between Worlds is on the way.

I love my 3DS XL. Bigger screen, bigger wow. I've bought a bunch of games for it this year. TC Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars is an excellent turn based strategy game by some of the guys who did the original XCOM. I love that. I got Fire Emblem: Awakening, Etrian Odyssey IV, and Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon last Spring, and I want to pick up Shin Megami Tensei IV, Mario & Luigi Dream Team ASAP. I've preordered Etrian Odyssey Untold, which is a remake of the first Etrian Odyessy game, out Oct. 1. The sound on the 3DS is really great. That stands out to me. There's nothing not to like about getting one this year. I'm super happy with it. 

Never even heard of shadow wars, but it sounds like my cup of tea!

It was available at the launch of 3DS. I think it got overlooked as just another liscenced game, but it's great.

I can't comment on the size and i'm not the best on games since I have very few games on my backlog, but trust me that the 3DS is a very good console, and it's great for those who missed the DS (like me). As for games, if you want a smooth start, on the DS start with New Super Mario Bros, Mario Kart DS and any of the DS Pokemon games, while on the 3DS, Super Mario 3D Land should be good enough.

This may sound like Heresy, but I don't like mario kart... especially seeing as how CTR is infinitely better. I'll definitely look into the rest though! Last Mario game I played was Sunshine...

Our own Jesse Miller convinced me to go with the XL because the way the original is designed the lip around the bottom screen actually scratches the top screen when closed. As far as your question, absolutely. I don't even play portable games very much, but I have adored my 3DS so far. I've put a ton of hours into Fire Emblem and Project x Zone, and I've been working my way through Super Mario 3D Land, which is a really great Mario title.

How is Project X Zone? I heard it's batshit insane, but is it worth playing?

It's totally insane and you can chuck the story right out the window. What it does great is give players tons of fan service for the characters and games that are represented. I'm about 18 hours in and my only real complaint is that the battles can drag on way too long. The battlefields are huge and the enemy AI doesn't move until you're within striking distance.

No question about it, I've had a 3DS XL now for just over 2 weeks, and I love it! There's plenty of great games, including Luigi's Mansion 2, M&L: Dream Team, Pokemon coming out soon, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, not to mention a plethora of great downloadable titles and virtual console games (game boy, game gear, GBC, and NES games). There's no reason NOT to get this handheld! 

 I'm skeptical because I'm mainly a pc gamer who hasnt played a handheld since I was like... 12 with the GBA. I just want a nintendo console, and this seems better than the Wii for me.

If I had the money I'd go for an XL. I received 3DS small as a present and I felt bad upgrading because it was a gift. It's on my desk at all times so I'm always playing something on it. If you've never had a DS, then you should look into DS games as well as 3DS is backwards compatible. The Nintedo eShop has a lot of nice games too. I would say my games to get are:
Mario 3DLand
Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time
Fire Emblem

I'm also anticipating Pokemon X/Y this holiday. 

Fire Emblem and X and Y are my main draws atm. How much of an upgrade does OoC have?

I don't have one, but I'd get one for Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, Batman: Arkham Origins, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, etc.

You can see the DS games I own on my collection. Elite Beat Agents is awesome. Actually, I could see myself buying a 3DS, one of my aforementioned games, and a few used DS titles. 

 Yeah, a link between worlds should be awesome. What is Elite Beat Agents?

Goofy Japanese ryhtym-action game with a variety of pop music and little comedic stories before each level. 

EBA got a spot on my top 21 games list. It's a lot better than you think it would be

That's why I remember the name!

Fire Emblem Awakening was awesome, and I tend to hate those types of games.  Steamworld Dig was a wonderful little distraction.  Currently working my way through Link's Awakening and hope to actually finish it this time.  I puts out an hour or two into Resident Evil Revelations and it has been pretty good so far.  

I've already finished RE Revelations on PC and it was pretty good. Fire Emblem is my main draw here.

I just bought an xl a couple weeks ago and I'm enjoying it a lot.  Just Fire Emblem and Shin Megami Tensei IV alone is worth the 3DS.  I'd spend the extra $20 on the xl.  

Those are my two biggest draws!

Sure, I agree with everyone, get the XL model. I have the original one which is fine for me but I do wish I had the Fire Emblem Awakening XL but it was only released in Europe.

Just googled the fire emblem 3ds... that thing looks awesome!

I'd say go for the XL model, can't comment on it myself since I don't have that one but the 3DS (it's the same as an XL, just smaller) is great. It has a good if not great library of game out right now and alot of great games coming out for it later this year. And Pokemon X&Y is what's going to start that wave of great games.

I can recommend these games since I have them:

Super Mario 3DLand

Mario Kart 7

Starfox 643D

TLoZ: OoT3D

New Super Mario Bros 2

Kid Icarus Uprising, the controls are hit and miss with people but the game is great.

DOA: Dimensions

And here are some eShop titles:

Mighty Switch Force

Mighty Switch Force 2

Colors 3D If you like to draw

And I'm sure you'll find some things you'll like there.

Hope you enjoy your 3DS/XL when you get it, and if you get MK7 let me know so we can do some mp.

Really not a fan of mario kart, but the rest I'll definitely look into. How much of an upgrade is Zelda and Starfox?

Okay, this is what you're gonna do. 

Buy an XL with

Fire Emblem Awakening

SMT IV

Soul Hackers. (a bit old school but I like it)

Tales Of The Abyss

Super Mario 3D Land

and a whole bunch of other stuff already listed here plus stuff I didn't list because 10 hours of work and several beers are making me forget.

Do it.

That's hopefully enough to convince you.
lol

Seriously though, it's a pretty cool system and I like it a lot.

Hmm, I'm pretty sure everyone else convinced you, so I'm just gonna say I'm gonna buy a 2ds because I'm on a tight budget and I wanna have as much money as possible to spend on the games for the system.

I normally don't use the 3D unless it's absolutely a requirement to play a game which is usually isn't