Gaming New to Nintendo Handhelds: Switch vs 3DS

[heathear]

Hello, as the title mentions, I'm new to Nintendo handhelds. I've previously owned only Sony handheld consoles and I'm thinking on getting a 3DS(for Kingdom Hearts, Monster Hunter, etc.) or a Switch (Mario, Zelda). I was wondering if it's still worth getting a 3DS or I should just skip over to the Switch?

I noticed that the 3DS still holds up its initial price from a couple of years ago and costs around $240 for a new one and the Switch is at $300-350. There's not a lot of difference between them, hence the question.

Thanks!

 

[Ryab]

Hello, as the title mentions, I'm new to Nintendo handhelds. I've previously owned only Sony handheld consoles and I'm thinking on getting a 3DS(for Kingdom Hearts, Monster Hunter, etc.) or a Switch (Mario, Zelda). I was wondering if it's still worth getting a 3DS or I should just skip over to the Switch?

I noticed that the 3DS still holds up its initial price from a couple of years ago and costs around $240 for a new one and the Switch is at $300-350. There's not a lot of difference between them, hence the question.

Thanks!

one of the issues with the switch that no one notices is theres no kind of mic on the console

 

[Deleted User]

A 3DS in the USA is $80 - $200. Cheapest being 2DS and the most expensive one being the New 3DS XL. Best one to get is New 2DS XL for just $150. Half price from the Switch pricing at $300. 3DS has a whole library of crap games and some good games while the Switch has a library of great games and more to come. The only reason why people even have a 3DS is to pirate the games and to play the boring pokemon games they got on them

 

[Deleted User]

A 3DS in the USA is $80 - $200. Cheapest being 2DS and the most expensive one being the New 3DS XL. Best one to get is New 2DS XL for just $150. Half price from the Switch pricing at $300. 3DS has a whole library of crap games and some good games while the Switch has a library of great games and more to come. The only reason why people even have a 3DS is to pirate the games and to play the boring pokemon games they got on them

"3DS has a whole library of crap games and some good games while the Switch has a library of great games and more to come. The only reason why people even have a 3DS is to pirate the games and to play the boring pokemon games they got on them"

what....

 

[Rahkeesh]

3DS can play the huge library of 3DS and DS games, and if you mod with custom firmware, you can also run GBA games, and emulate nearly every 8 and 16 bit console at fullspeed (or buy virtual console games if you want to stay legit.) Switch's game library is currently very limited to just Switch titles but is rapidly developing, much like their homebrew scene, where 3DS has very little new titles and developments ahead of it. A 3DS opens up an extensive past right now, while the Switch has enormous potential in the future.

Switch can obviously can run more advanced graphics, more on par with a Wii U, where the 3DS is closer to a Gamecube. Unlike any 3DS it does not fit comfortably into most people's pockets though, so keep that in mind if you want to carry a portable with you everywhere.

 

[mizorechan]

A 3DS in the USA is $80 - $200. Cheapest being 2DS and the most expensive one being the New 3DS XL. Best one to get is New 2DS XL for just $150. Half price from the Switch pricing at $300. 3DS has a whole library of crap games and some good games while the Switch has a library of great games and more to come. The only reason why people even have a 3DS is to pirate the games and to play the boring pokemon games they got on them

6 SMT, 3 FE, 5 EO and good Nintendo 1st party titles is far from "garbage library".

 

[osaka35]

3ds is great, buy it used if you can. switch is great and if you want to hack it, you'll want to buy one now (hardware revisions in the near future will make it unlikely in the future).

So my advice is go with a switch for now and save up for a used new3/2ds.

 

[Deleted User]

6 SMT, 3 FE, 5 EO and good Nintendo 1st party titles is far from "garbage library".

Not everyone are into anime games, weirdo

 

[Krazyeye]

A 3DS in the USA is $80 - $200. Cheapest being 2DS and the most expensive one being the New 3DS XL. Best one to get is New 2DS XL for just $150. Half price from the Switch pricing at $300. 3DS has a whole library of crap games and some good games while the Switch has a library of great games and more to come. The only reason why people even have a 3DS is to pirate the games and to play the boring pokemon games they got on them

How old are you?! I've had my DS & 3DS since launch. I love your word choices... "whole library of crap games"... seriously?! Please go google some games for 3DS; there are TONS of games (including 1st party games) are just FANTASTIC. And ofcourse Switch will have more games to come because it's the new next gen system for Nintendo... kinda common sense you know.

 

[AlexanderLS]

Are you going to be using a bag or a pocket.
The regular 3ds is pocket able for most men.
The switch requires a bag.

Do you want to play Super Mario Odyssey? Get a switch for that game.
I'm tempted to get a switch just for that game myself. You can play Zelda Breath of the walking simulator on CEMU so it's not a significant motivation to buy a switch. Work is coming along nicely on a switch emulator and I'm probably just going to wait on that as unlike the 3ds the switch has no really standout feature IMO. It's just a weak tablet with a dock.

The 3ds has some really cool games that are defiantly worth playing. They are made even better if you like and use the 3d feature. Super Mario 3d Land and Zelda A link between worlds are very much worth a play through.

 

[dimmidice]

Depends what games you want to play. Check out the libraries of the consoles. Decide based on that. Games consoles entire purpose is to play games. Features and price don't really matter (as long as you can afford it of course) All that matters is what console has the most games you want to play.

If you've never had a 3DS before and don't mind games being a few years old i'd get a 3DS. Huge library, fully hacked.

 

[Foxi4]

The 3DS is very well-designed, cheap and has games. The Switch is poorly designed, expensive and has no games, *but* it's much more powerful and can be connected to a TV. The 3DS is a dying system, the Switch will be supported for many years. This is a really simple comparison, there are few other relevant factors.

 

[mizorechan]

Not everyone are into anime games, weirdo

You don't need to call me a "weirdo" for listing good games from 3DS. Shin Megami Tensei series isn't exactly the typical "anime game". And the handheld has a pretty good list of 1st party Nintendo. But everyone has an opinion.

 

[heathear]

Hello,

Thanks for all the replies!

I actually carry a sling bag everywhere. Looks weird but I don't feel comfortable without something to put all my items in (I never trust my possessed pockets).

I would also consider the 2ds/3ds to have a lot of good games. Monster Hunter, Pokemon (They're fun, okay?), SMT, Kingdom Hearts, TWEWY, etc. etc. the list goes on and these are why I'm considering to get an N2DS XL now, changed my mind about the N3DS since it doesn't seem to have a lot to offer over the 2D version. Anyway! the only reason why it's a consideration is because Zelda and Bayonetta are all too alluring... also... on-the-go Skyrim.

Another thing on my mind is the Switch is still relatively new, I'm not sure if it has any known issues like previous Sony and Microsoft consoles (YLOD and RROD) and if it would be a better choice to just wait until they release the second model so I can be more comfortable that the console will last a long time (I've never had a broken console, I don't want to start now).

 

[The Real Jdbye]

Hello, as the title mentions, I'm new to Nintendo handhelds. I've previously owned only Sony handheld consoles and I'm thinking on getting a 3DS(for Kingdom Hearts, Monster Hunter, etc.) or a Switch (Mario, Zelda). I was wondering if it's still worth getting a 3DS or I should just skip over to the Switch?

I noticed that the 3DS still holds up its initial price from a couple of years ago and costs around $240 for a new one and the Switch is at $300-350. There's not a lot of difference between them, hence the question.

Thanks!

Don't know what the prices are like for the different models over there but maybe look at getting a 2DS or a 2DS XL or buying used. You shouldn't be paying more than like $90 for a brand new 2DS, $150 for a n2DS XL. n3DS XL is a bit more expensive than n2DS XL. I would say the n3DS XL is worth it over the n2DS XL just for the 3D (which is way better than it was on the o3DS), but not for $240, maybe for around $200 but still I would rather get a Switch even though it costs more.
At this point 3DS consoles are pretty cheap second hand, and they are only going to get cheaper. Any 2DS or 3DS will play pretty much any 3DS game so whichever one is the cheapest will do the job, then you might be able to afford both a 2DS/3DS and a Switch.
If it's one or the other, get the Switch, you know it'll be supported for years to come whereas the 3DS is already at the end of its life. But if you can get both that's the best.

one of the issues with the switch that no one notices is theres no kind of mic on the console

Not an issue. The mics on previous consoles were never used for anything worthwhile anyway.

 

[chirogan]

Well some comments are biased. Look on both good sides and bad sides.

1. Price. 3ds is way cheaper than a switch
2. Games. 3ds has a fully established game library but you cant expect them to grow anymore as it is slowly getting overshadowed by the switch. Switch games has a lot of titles and if you do care to be on the latest games, switch is the way to go. Search for the game you prefer. Both has great titles.
3. Game style, do you want to play on the go? Is the switch too bulky for you? Do you like the games on the switch?

Search for pros and cons for each consoles. If you have a limited budget, dont go jumping right away like,
Aye, switch is hot item, imma get one but later, oh i dont like the game
Aye, 3ds so cheap, then later i want the latest game wish i got the switch.

 

[SkillFeed]

Try to look for second hand consoles. I found a N3DS XL for 85€ with a case and a new super mario bros 2 (which i sold back for 15€), so i paid like 70€ for a flawless console with no scratches

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[chirogan]

Hello,

Thanks for all the replies!

I actually carry a sling bag everywhere. Looks weird but I don't feel comfortable without something to put all my items in (I never trust my possessed pockets).

I would also consider the 2ds/3ds to have a lot of good games. Monster Hunter, Pokemon (They're fun, okay?), SMT, Kingdom Hearts, TWEWY, etc. etc. the list goes on and these are why I'm considering to get an N2DS XL now, changed my mind about the N3DS since it doesn't seem to have a lot to offer over the 2D version. Anyway! the only reason why it's a consideration is because Zelda and Bayonetta are all too alluring... also... on-the-go Skyrim.

Another thing on my mind is the Switch is still relatively new, I'm not sure if it has any known issues like previous Sony and Microsoft consoles (YLOD and RROD) and if it would be a better choice to just wait until they release the second model so I can be more comfortable that the console will last a long time (I've never had a broken console, I don't want to start now).

You can never go wrong with nintedo 3ds/2ds. Theres tons of games and i dont see finishing all of the games in the next years or so. LOL. The only thing to bother you is if youre contented with the list of games that are out and not bothered by community hype in each major titles out coming out fornthe switch. Lovely to see you enjoy wonderful games.

 

[Kigiru]

3DS:
+ GIGANTIC library of games, along with VC releases of some classics and backward compatibility with Nintendo DS. You'll probably have games for years to play, even if you're a picky player.
+ Cheap.
+ It's size and battery life actualy allows to use it as pocket console.
+ Fully Hackable, allowing you to use the rich collection of homebrew applications, removing region restrictions and *khem* playing game backups.

- It's quite old and underwhelming specs-wise, so it's not for people craving some hi-tech gaming
- We realy don't know how long and how much love it will get. Some interesting releases are already planned up to 2019, tho.
- 3D technology is actualy kinda lame, but happily only small number of games require it. That's also why there's 2DS subseries.


Switch
+ Pretty big library of games, especialy third-party choice is surprisingly high for Nintendo.
+ Has okayish specs for a 2-in-1 console. Don't expect any crazy stuff, but it's far from Nintendo's "Lateral thinking with withered technology" philosophy.
+ USB connection allows you to use powerbanks.

- Speaking of powerbank, you'll probably need it if you think about using Switch as portable console. Also it's too big for your pocket, prepare some backpack.
- No VC and backward compatibility
- Hacking scene is just starting so there's not too much stuff to do with it, and Nintendo is trying to fight with it.
- Realy unsuitable for small children. If you have young siblings, your own children or any other young kids just keep your Joy-Cons safe. You don't want to lost them.
- Dock allowing to use Switch as home console is badly designed piece of junk and will scratch screen of your console very fast.
- Paid online services are standard today but it's still a big disadvantage, considering that online play on 3DS is 100% free.

 

[Irvinnator]

I think the 3DS its still a great option for a handheld for the big library of games not only 3ds games but the original ds that have many classics.