Waterfield Gear Pouch Pro for the Nintendo 3DS XL

With a surprising lack of accessories available for my new Nintendo 3DS XL, I’ve been hesitant about taking my 3D handheld out of the house out of fear of scratching the finish or sharp, pokey objects gouging the screen in my backpack.  Fortunately for those in the same boat, the San Francisco-based case-maker of all things gadget, Waterfield, has managed yet again to create a case that’s not only protective, but trendy as well.  I introduce to you Waterfield’s Gear Pouch Pro for the 3DS XL.

The first thing you’ll notice with Waterfield’s design are the absolutely eye-grabbing colors that work for gamers of both the male and female persuasion.  The silver is, of course, the safe bet for matching just about anything in the wardrobe; but if you’re looking for something a bit more stylish, there’s also tangerine and green to choose from.  Wrapped around the case is a black band of nylon to really set off the striking look of the case and keep it from appearing too plain.  Waterfield’s 3DS XL case is wrapped in a nylon outer weave and closes with a metal zipper to ensure maximum durability for those rugged treks inside a bag full of pens, pocketknives, nail clippers, or whatever other sharp objects you may be carrying.  The zipper lining stitched in is also a single piece that circles the entire track, adding further durability by making sure the zipper won’t break loose, as many two-piece zipper runs eventually do.

The inside, however, contains three super-soft pockets big enough to store your 3DS XL, charger, and a handful of games and AR cards safely and soundly while you’re on the go.  You’ll even find some spare space in the middle where you can toss in a pair of ear buds and a screen cleaner, if you so desire.  Each seam is double-stitched to ensure that nothing will break away easily, and while there is some elasticity in both the inner and outer fabrics, it would be exceptionally difficult to get any of it to tear without using excessive amounts of force.  Of course, I wouldn’t exactly go throwing your Gear Pouch Pro and its inhabitants off of the top of a building or anything, as this is merely meant to be a stylish organizer with a moderate level of protection – not the Fort Knox of gaming cases.

Eventually, there will be a slew of cheap cases that will do the job of protecting and organizing your 3DS XL and accompanying goodies, and one might find the $49 price tag to be a bitter pill to swallow.  But of all of the game gear cases that we’ve looked at, none have been able to stand up to the outstanding craftsmanship that Waterfield presents with their cases, and the Gear Pouch Pro is no exception.  Its fashionable design looks great and compliments your style whether it be trendy, business-casual or full suit-and-tie.  And it’s because of this, along with their attention to detail, that Waterfield gets high marks across the board.

Waterfield’s Gear Pouch Pro for the Nintendo 3DS XL gets a perfect score of 5.0/5.0.