There are a few of these devices out there now. Ayaneo has a new one coming out, OneXSugar is launching one. They all claim to be capable of DS/3DS emulation, but I'd caution anyone interested in these awesome libraries against this route.
I'm extremely familiar with the DS and 3DS libraries - they're my favorites of all time. The fact is that NONE of these devices on the market and none of the Android emulation options can replicate more than, I would say, 20% of the experience of playing an actual DS.
The problem is the touchscreen. These devices never have the right touchscreens with the right stylus support. They also never have screens that are symmetrical enough. A lot of people think DS/3DS games are just Mario Kart DS, Pokémon, Ocarina 3D, Smash, and that's it. Those games WOULD work reasonably well.
But none of the games with more complex DS/3DS functionality will play correctly. And there are a LOT of them. You'll either get a gimped experience or a completely incompatible one. Just think about this:
I realize that used 3DS systems are expensive. But a DS Lite or even a regular 2DS would be very affordable and WAY better than any third-party option. You're still missing some functionality, but you'd get to experience these libraries with native playback on intended hardware. There really is no replacement for that.
Ask yourself: do you really need another device that plays Android or Steam games or emulates SNES? Because that's what you're paying for with these "all-in-one" handhelds, hooked by claims of DS/3DS functionality, which they don't even do that well.
Personally, I'd recommend a real New 3DS or New 3DS XL. They're expensive, but they're also the best handheld you will ever buy, and they will never break. Nintendo back then made the systems to last, and even though there's a preservation question arising recently concerning memory corruption in some 3DS carts made after Iwata died (2015-2017), it's not a huge issue in my experience.
Not trying to criticize anyone who buys and enjoys these handhelds btw. I'm just putting this out there in case anyone genuinely doesn't know what the DS or 3DS were like and wants to get into them (which you should!). My advice: don't settle for over-priced approximations of systems that had a completely unique identity. They were so good, and so different, that there's really no substitute for the real thing.
And if you want hidden gems or highlights of the library, just ask! I could go on for days.
I'm extremely familiar with the DS and 3DS libraries - they're my favorites of all time. The fact is that NONE of these devices on the market and none of the Android emulation options can replicate more than, I would say, 20% of the experience of playing an actual DS.
The problem is the touchscreen. These devices never have the right touchscreens with the right stylus support. They also never have screens that are symmetrical enough. A lot of people think DS/3DS games are just Mario Kart DS, Pokémon, Ocarina 3D, Smash, and that's it. Those games WOULD work reasonably well.
But none of the games with more complex DS/3DS functionality will play correctly. And there are a LOT of them. You'll either get a gimped experience or a completely incompatible one. Just think about this:
- Any games with simultaneous 2-screen gameplay are awkward - Contra 4, Yoshi's Island DS, Metroid Prime Pinball, Dragon Quest IV, Sonic Rush, Tetris DS, etc.
- Any games that use the DS on its side are basically impossible - Hotel Dusk, Planet Puzzle League, Ninja Gaiden, Brain Age, etc.
- Any games that primarily use the touchscreen are incredibly awkward - Phantom Hourglass, Elite Beat Agents, Advance Wars, Fire Emblem, Kirby Canvas Curse, WarioWare, etc.
- Any games with a great 3D effect will be handicapped - Kid Icarus Uprising, Star Fox 3D, Link Between Worlds, Mario 3D Land, etc.
I realize that used 3DS systems are expensive. But a DS Lite or even a regular 2DS would be very affordable and WAY better than any third-party option. You're still missing some functionality, but you'd get to experience these libraries with native playback on intended hardware. There really is no replacement for that.
Ask yourself: do you really need another device that plays Android or Steam games or emulates SNES? Because that's what you're paying for with these "all-in-one" handhelds, hooked by claims of DS/3DS functionality, which they don't even do that well.
Personally, I'd recommend a real New 3DS or New 3DS XL. They're expensive, but they're also the best handheld you will ever buy, and they will never break. Nintendo back then made the systems to last, and even though there's a preservation question arising recently concerning memory corruption in some 3DS carts made after Iwata died (2015-2017), it's not a huge issue in my experience.
Not trying to criticize anyone who buys and enjoys these handhelds btw. I'm just putting this out there in case anyone genuinely doesn't know what the DS or 3DS were like and wants to get into them (which you should!). My advice: don't settle for over-priced approximations of systems that had a completely unique identity. They were so good, and so different, that there's really no substitute for the real thing.
And if you want hidden gems or highlights of the library, just ask! I could go on for days.
