I am planning on getting an XL, I can find a decent deal on s refurbished one as well. The trick is to go for one with deep scratches on the outside, and virtually no markings on the screen. The price gets knocked down anywhere from $30-$80 down from retail price of $200. I mean, I can just buy a cover and it has no effect on the gameplay or durability of the console. I only have $35 dollars left to go, which is nothing. I am a very frugal person and I save up for non-essential things in small increments.
As far as the games go, I am afraid to preorder, despite the fact that Swirlix is my favorite. A Spritzee and/or Skrelp evolution could totally change my mind, or even a terrible Swirlix evolution! Not that just can't be possible. Anyway, I plan ordering the 3DS XL sometime next week. Which, is not too bad by itself given that my friend gave me an extra Mario Kart 7 cartridge knowing that I had plan to order a 3DS. So that will keep me mildly entertained.