How I found the Holy Grail of 3DS XL cases.

If you’re like me, you like to keep your electronics in the best condition possible. Of course, this typically means buying some sort of case to protect them. Usually, it isn’t hard to find cases for say, an iPhone or even the original 3DS, but finding anything that fits the 3DS XL without doubling its size has been difficult, even nearly a year after its release.

Before I upgraded to the 3DS XL, I went through several 3DS cases that varied in quality. For a while, I was very satisfied with a Zelda-themed case manufactured by PDP. The case had a soft lining that absorbed shocks and kept it from scratching the system. Other than the fact that the artwork rubbed off over time, the case seemed to do exactly what I wanted it to. It protected my 3DS without being too bulky.

However, I did run into an issue when the Circle Pad Pro was released. Because both parts of the case connected to each other, it was a pain to remove the bottom piece in order to use the Circle Pad Pro. So, I decided to look online for a case without the connections, and that’s when I found what I consider the best case offered for the system. The Hori manufactured case was available on Play-Asia.com under the name TPU Body Cover. Unlike previous cases that were made of hard plastic and were susceptible to scratches, the TPU Body Cover was made of a flexible, scratch resistant material called thermoplastic polyurethane. And, unlike other flexible cases that are made of silicon, the TPU Body Cover always stayed in place, and best of all, added very little extra material to the 3DS while protecting it from drops and scratches.

Sadly, a similar case wasn’t available for the 3DS XL until a month after launch, and by that time I had already given up finding a case for the system, especially since all that was available at launch were the incredibly bulky and childish Nerf Armor cases. Fast-forward to the release of the Animal Crossing-themed 3DS XL, and I’m again in the market for a case. Luckily for me, there are now several TPU Body Covers available for the 3DS XL, some of which even have Nintendo designs printed on them.

I opted for the clear version so it wouldn’t cover up the neat designs on the Animal Crossing 3DS XL. The XL case, which is sold under the name TPU Yawakata Cover for 3DS LL (it’s currently only available in Japan). It adds very little extra size to the XL (a big plus when cases like the Nerf Armor almost triple the size); it’s very easy to apply and very easy to remove, and yet, won’t come off unintentionally; it’s resistant to scratches, feels sleek to the touch, and provides decent protection against drops.

The only downside for Hori’s TPU Yawakata Cover, is the fact that it’s currently only available in Japan, so you have to import it. However, it appears that Hori is going to be bringing the 3DS XL version of the case to North America under the name, 3DS XL Duraflexi Protector, sometime this month. If you’re in need of a case for either your 3DS or 3DS XL, the TPU covers are probably some of the best available on the market.