DSi in 2024...

TempOutlook · May 25, 2024

Thinking about jumping back on a DSi, there's many games I haven't gone through yet and would prefer to do it pixel perfect. I've also never had an XL so interested to try it out.

Leaning towards an XL but they're expensive tbh... are the IPS' that much better than the non-XL's TNs' in terms of colour and brightness? Or is it just a viewing angle thing?

If I was to pick up a cheaper JP LL model, can I change the system language to English with CFW? I found I wasn't able to to this with a JP 3DS a few years ago and found it too annoying in the end.

Are replacement bottom screens a bit fuzzier than the OG thing? Or am I thinking of 3DS replacement screens?

I know the DSi's lost then native GBA slot, but was the chip that runs GBA games removed on a board revision? Or is it still there, allowing for native GBA dumps?

Anyone else picking up a DSi again? I see a lot of videos about it from 2020 onwards- seems like they're back in fashion.

4d1xlaan · May 25, 2024

https://github.com/Yoti/cli_hiyalang to region change, only applies in sd emulated firmware (won't touch your nand)

(technically it's not a complete region change, but it should be enough for your needs, I think)

BETA215 · May 25, 2024

DSi XL's screens are better, but since they're bigger and with such a low pixel density, some people don't like them. GB/GBC/GBA/NES games look fine on it, but DS/DSi games get more complex graphically and the flaws are too evident on a bigger screen.

You can use a Japanese DSi on English, no issues about that. Though in general you would end up using TWiLightMenu++ almost always, so changing the language can be a bit pointless.

DSi can't play GBA games natively, at most you can use GBARunner (a hypervisor).

TempOutlook · May 25, 2024

BETA215 said:
DSi XL's screens are better, but since they're bigger and with such a low pixel density, some people don't like them. GB/GBC/GBA/NES games look fine on it, but DS/DSi games get more complex graphically and the flaws are too evident on a bigger screen.

You can use a Japanese DSi on English, no issues about that. Though in general you would end up using TWiLightMenu++ almost always, so changing the language can be a bit pointless.

DSi can't play GBA games natively, at most you can use GBARunner (a hypervisor).

I might be able to live with chunkier pixels, a lot of the games I want to play are 2D ones- what would be more important to me is bolder colours and brightness- are the two DSi models very similar in this regard, despite the different screen tech? Is the TN panel issue on DSi's just about viewing angles?

BETA215 · May 25, 2024

TempOutlook said:
I might be able to live with chunkier pixels, a lot of the games I want to play are 2D ones- what would be more important to me is bolder colours and brightness- are the two DSi models very similar in this regard, despite the different screen tech? Is the TN panel issue on DSi's just about viewing angles?

Screens on these consoles are a roulette: you might find yourself with a good screen, a mid one, an awful one... who knows.

Afaik IPS isn't inherently better than TN, at least in these consoles. It may be, it might not. I would say to just enjoy whatever you get.

I prefer DS lite over DSi because of GBA compatibility mode, but that's just a personal preference. You can even play some DSiWare titles on DS/DS lite thanks to TWiLightMenu++, if that means anything to you.

TempOutlook · May 25, 2024

Can't decide, keep bouncing between models, maybe it's best to hunt for a dual IPS 3DS and put up with the weird DS image quality... does the widescreen mod help lessen the blurry upscaling on a 3DS at all? Is it any better on an XL than a regular New 3DS?

A few years back when I put CFW on a JP New 3DS I was unable to change the system language- has that changed these days?

Hanafuda · May 25, 2024

DSi XL is the King. Do it.

4d1xlaan · May 25, 2024

TempOutlook said:
Can't decide, keep bouncing between models, maybe it's best to hunt for a dual IPS 3DS and put up with the weird DS image quality... does the widescreen mod help lessen the blurry upscaling on a 3DS at all? Is it any better on an XL than a regular New 3DS?

A few years back when I put CFW on a JP New 3DS I was unable to change the system language- has that changed these days?

hold select while loading ds mode, thank me later

TempOutlook · May 26, 2024

4d1xlaan said:
hold select while loading ds mode, thank me later

Yeah I know about that but it looks goofy and small. Do you know if there's a way to fully convert system language on 3DS these days?

Still don't know what to do. Kinda with Hanafuda on this haha.

A lot of the uncertainty is due to units available in my local area tbh

4d1xlaan · May 26, 2024

TempOutlook said:
Yeah I know about that but it looks goofy and small. Do you know if there's a way to fully convert system language on 3DS these days?

Still don't know what to do. Kinda with Hanafuda on this haha.

A lot of the uncertainty is due to units available in my local area tbh

region change has been possible for a long time, yeah. get a ctrtransfer image for the region you want to change to, and flash it in godmode9.

you cannot boot ofw while region changed, so you will have to keep cfw on it. I dont think that will be a problem for you since you probably want cfw anyway, but keep that in mind if you ever planned to uninstall cfw

TempOutlook · May 26, 2024

4d1xlaan said:
region change has been possible for a long time, yeah. get a ctrtransfer image for the region you want to change to, and flash it in godmode9.

you cannot boot ofw while region changed, so you will have to keep cfw on it. I dont think that will be a problem for you since you probably want cfw anyway, but keep that in mind if you ever planned to uninstall cfw

Great to hear, yeah, when I last tried to change the system language on a New 3DS was around 2015-16 or so- glad we can change the entire system's language now. That opens up the possibility of buying cheaper LL's at least. It really was more of an inconvenience than you'd think getting by with settings in Japanese.

TempOutlook · May 30, 2024

Would a card like this be fine for a CFW DSi XL? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-m...p-B07YGZ7FY7/dp/B07YGZ7FY7/ref=dp_ob_title_ce I read 32gb is the max of the device and even if it isn't tbh I don't see myself needing more than that, I'm just wondering if there are other considerations I need to take when choosing a card.

Xanthe · May 31, 2024

I purchased a DSi LL (Japanese) from ebay and it runs games extremely well if you use unlaunch. I'm able to run the hax from my SD card, as I prefer not to install the hack directly onto the DSi. Its pretty much a perfect situation.

Only downside is the DSi LL I received came with slight yellow tinting on the edges of the screen, but its hardly noticeable during gameplay.

Marc_LFD · Jun 1, 2024

I picked up a DSi XL (Burgundy) a while ago and it looks really damn nice for DS games, but yeah no GBA slot so that kinda sucks.

The DSi XL I bought was pretty much like new with no scratches so it's something I wanted to get my hands on, even if I'll rarely use it.

RAHelllord · Jun 1, 2024

I have a DSi XL, a DSi, a New 3DS XL with double TN, and a New 3DS with double IPS.

While the differences between IPS and TN are noticeable in the New 3DS line that's really only the case for viewing angles, colors are pretty closely calibrated right out of the box. For the DSi line on my units the difference between TN and IPS are much smaller even with regards to viewing angles. Both are fairly cheap displays but they're pretty similar otherwise for all intents and purposes.
As such I'd personally recommend going with whatever size DSi you're more comfortable with, do you want something that's a bit bigger so it's easier to read but slightly heavier, or something smaller that's easier to pocket?

Both are good choices and you'll regret neither.

TempOutlook · Jun 3, 2024

genistopitauniverfrocrami said:
I understand your dilemma with all the NDS options -- I've been there myself. When considering 3DS IPS models, keep in mind the availability of replacement displays, which seem quite scarce for IPS screens. Additionally, consider the cost of these displays as they tend to age.

It's clear you've put a lot of thought into your gameplay experience, which is great. For the blurry NDS upscaling on the 3DS XL, I find TWPatch to be an essential tool for making it sharper. However, it comes at the cost of accuracy since it still involves non integer scaling. Personally, I like the results, though I'd recommend trying it first if possible.

To answer your questions:

Unfortunately, the widescreen mod (which I've tried via TWPatch) won't help with lessening the blur. In fact, it tends to do the opposite because it compresses and stretches the image.

As for the regular 3DS, I've heard that the blur is less noticeable due to its smaller display, which makes sense.

Either way, I'd second BETA215 -- if you acquire a display that isn't faulty or aged, you'll still get an authentic console experience. Ultimately, go with what feels right for you. Good luck

Oh dang, New 3DS IPS replacement screens are hard to come by? If they were easier to come by, can you swap out New 3DS TN panels for IPS panels? Or is it a different connector on the motherboard?

Sitcom · Jun 6, 2024

TempOutlook said:
Thinking about jumping back on a DSi, there's many games I haven't gone through yet and would prefer to do it pixel perfect. I've also never had an XL so interested to try it out.

Leaning towards an XL but they're expensive tbh... are the IPS' that much better than the non-XL's TNs' in terms of colour and brightness? Or is it just a viewing angle thing?

If I was to pick up a cheaper JP LL model, can I change the system language to English with CFW? I found I wasn't able to to this with a JP 3DS a few years ago and found it too annoying in the end.

Are replacement bottom screens a bit fuzzier than the OG thing? Or am I thinking of 3DS replacement screens?

I know the DSi's lost then native GBA slot, but was the chip that runs GBA games removed on a board revision? Or is it still there, allowing for native GBA dumps?

Anyone else picking up a DSi again? I see a lot of videos about it from 2020 onwards- seems like they're back in fashion.

When it comes to the viewing angle thing, on my regular DSI the screen looks fine from basically every angle you'd be actually playing from when you look at it from the top down it gets a little dark. Don't know about the XL though.

TempOutlook · Jun 8, 2024

Sitcom said:
When it comes to the viewing angle thing, on my regular DSI the screen looks fine from basically every angle you'd be actually playing from when you look at it from the top down it gets a little dark. Don't know about the XL though.

IPS would be more of a colour richness thing for me.

There's a pretty cheap Dsi XL in my area guys, but the bottom screen is scratched up bad. Is that likely to be the screen itself or a digitizer or something? Complete noob when it comes to that stuff. I do see that there are replacement screens available via several outlets- is there a known best source to go with for replacement DSI XL screens? It would only be the bottom screen, no way am I getting a soldering iron for the top screen...

4d1xlaan · Jun 8, 2024

The digitizer sits on top of the screen. You should be able to replace it without having to replace the screen, but you might need to be careful when separating the digitizer from the screen so you don't damage it

TempOutlook · Jun 10, 2024

Are digitisers part of the package when you buy these third party screens? Are they pre-applied? Or is that a separate purchase?

Are basically all DSI XL replacement screen listings from the same source, or is there a preferred source that people are aware of?

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