Honestly, if you were there in October 2013, you remember the shift. It wasn't just another game release; it was the moment Pokémon finally stepped into a three-dimensional world. But for many of us, the software wasn't the only draw. The 3ds xl x and y pokemon limited edition consoles—specifically the Red and Blue versions featuring Xerneas and Yveltal—became instant icons. They represented a bridge between the pixelated nostalgia of the DS era and the high-fidelity future Nintendo was promising.
People still hunt for these things on eBay and Mercari. Why? Because Nintendo nailed the aesthetic before things got a bit too "minimalist" with later hardware iterations.
The design that defined an era
Most modern special editions feel a bit lazy. A small logo here, a different colored joy-con there. Boring. The 3ds xl x and y pokemon systems were different. They featured sprawling, intricate line art of the legendary mascots etched directly onto the top shell. The Blue version showcased Xerneas and Yveltal in a silver, reflective foil-style print that looked incredible under direct light. The Red version did the same, but the high-contrast black and silver on that deep crimson plastic just popped.
It felt premium.
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When you held one, you weren't just holding a toy. You were holding a piece of the Kalos region. The finish was matte, which was a godsend compared to the fingerprint-magnet gloss of the original 3DS models. It’s funny how we overlook things like "grip texture" until we’re twelve hours into a shiny hunting session in the Friend Safari and our hands aren't slipping.
Nintendo released these consoles about a month before the games actually launched. It was a brilliant, if slightly frustrating, marketing move. You could buy the hardware, stare at the box art, and feel the hype build for Pokémon X and Pokémon Y while you waited. Interestingly, these didn't actually come with the games pre-installed in the North American market, though some European bundles did. It was a "bring your own cartridge" situation that many collectors actually preferred because it kept the internal SD card clean for DLC and Patches.
Why Kalos changed everything for the hardware
The 3DS XL was already the superior way to play, but Pokémon X and Y pushed the hardware to its absolute limit. You’ve probably noticed the frame rate drops during horde encounters or when the 3D effect was toggled on during a Mega Evolution. It was a struggle. The original 3DS screen was just too small to appreciate the new 3D models designed by Ken Sugimori’s team.
Moving to the 3ds xl x and y pokemon edition gave players that 4.88-inch top screen. It made the scale of Lumiose City feel massive.
The specific versions people forget
While the Red and Blue Xerneas/Yveltal editions are the ones most people talk about, we can't ignore the "Premium Gold" version released in Japan. It was a Pokémon Center exclusive. It featured a much more subtle, elegant gold etching of the legendaries and the three starters—Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie—on a white base. If you see one of these in the wild today, expect to pay a massive premium. It’s the "holy grail" for many who find the standard Red and Blue versions a bit too loud.
The North American variants were surprisingly durable. Unlike the "New" 3DS XL models that came later, which famously suffered from peeling paint on the edges, the original XL finish on the Pokémon editions held up. I’ve seen units that have been through the ringer—backpacks, plane rides, soda spills—and the Xerneas/Yveltal art is still crisp. That’s a testament to the manufacturing quality Nintendo was hitting in 2013.
The secondary market reality check
If you're looking to buy a 3ds xl x and y pokemon console today, you need to be careful. The market is flooded with "reshelled" units. These are standard 3DS XLs that have been stripped and placed inside cheap, third-party plastic shells made to look like the limited editions.
How can you tell the difference?
Weight and texture. The authentic Nintendo shells have a specific density. The third-party ones feel "hollow" and the printing on the legendary birds often looks slightly blurry or off-center. Also, check the serial number on the back. If the sticker looks brand new but the console looks "vintage," something is up.
- Check the hinges: The XL was notorious for a slight "wobble," but it should click firmly into two positions.
- Screen tint: Older XL models often develop a yellow tint. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it affects the value.
- The Stylus: Original units came with a color-matched stylus. If it’s a black stylus in a Blue X/Y edition, it’s likely a replacement.
Price-wise, you’re looking at anywhere from $200 for a "well-loved" unit to north of $600 for a Mint-in-Box (MIB) specimen. It’s an investment at this point.
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Technical limitations and the "New" 3DS envy
It’s worth noting that the 3ds xl x and y pokemon editions are the original XL hardware, not the "New" 3DS XL. This means they lack the C-stick (the little nub), the extra ZL/ZR buttons, and the stable 3D tracking.
Does it matter? For Pokémon X and Y, not really.
The games didn't even use the C-stick. However, if you plan on playing Monster Hunter or Xenoblade Chronicles on the same device, you might feel the age of the hardware. But let’s be real: you aren't buying this for the specs. You’re buying it because it represents the peak of the 6th Generation of Pokémon. It’s the device that saw the birth of Fairy types and the introduction of Mega Evolution.
Actionable steps for collectors and players
If you actually want to own and use one of these, don't just let it sit on a shelf. The batteries in these 3DS units are starting to age. They can bloat. If you buy one, the first thing you should do is unscrew the back plate and check the battery. If it looks like a puffy pillow, get it out of there immediately. You can still find replacement batteries online that work perfectly.
Another thing: install a screen protector on that bottom touch screen. Pokémon games involve a lot of tapping and dragging (especially in the Pokémon Amie feature where you pet your Eevee). The resistive touch screen on the 3DS XL scratches easily, and nothing ruins the value of a 3ds xl x and y pokemon edition like a permanent "scratch-cloud" in the center of the screen.
Lastly, look into the "dual IPS" screen lottery. Some 3DS XL units shipped with IPS screens (which have better colors and viewing angles) while others had TN screens. While it was rarer on the original XL compared to the "New" XL, finding an X/Y edition with an IPS top screen is like winning the lottery. You can check this by tilting the console; if the colors wash out and turn white at an angle, it’s a TN panel. If the colors stay vibrant, you’ve got a gem.
The 3DS eShop is closed, so you can't buy the games digitally anymore. If you get the console, track down the physical cartridges. There is something uniquely satisfying about sliding a physical Pokémon Y cart into a Red Yveltal 3DS XL. It’s a complete loop of gaming history that feels far more tactile and "real" than anything we have on the Switch today.
Keep the firmware updated if you want to use Poke Transporter or Bank, but otherwise, just enjoy the hardware for what it is: a beautiful, functional piece of Nintendo's most creative era.