Review Executive Case Review

[Another World]

[parsehtml]<font color="red">GBAtemp.net review of the...</font><br>
<font size="5"><font color="#000080"><b>Executive Case</b></font></font><img src="http://gbatemp.net/news/00_gemei_mps_a330_review_spacer.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /><img src="http://gbatemp.net/news/00_3ds_executive_case_review-header.png" border="0" class="linked-image" />[/parsehtml]Manufactured by: Power A
Also Known As: 3DS Executive Case
Review by Another World - completed 4/11/2011

Review Contents & Index:

• <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#a">Review Introduction</a>
• <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#b">Contents and Packaging</a>
• <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#c">Case Design and Impressions</a>
• <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#d">Conclusion</a>

[parsehtml]<div class="reviewbreak"><a name="a"></a>Review Introduction</div>[/parsehtml]The 3DS Executive Case is an officially licensed Nintendo product which has received the Nintendo Seal of Approval. The case is manufactured by Power A, a company who has released countless 3rd party products for various video game systems, and distributed in the USA by Bensussen Deutch & Associates, Inc.

The Executive Case has been designed for use only with the 3DS and is recommended for users age 6 and up. The Executive Case is a leather-like case with a hook-and-loop closure, soft protective interior, and provides space to hold the 3DS, 2 games carts (or Flash Kits), and 1 replacement stylus.

This review will not compare or contrast the Executive Case against any similar products currently for sale. The review will focus on the build quality of the case and the usefulness of the product.

<a href="http://www.gamingzap.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://gbatemp.net/news/01_3ds_executive_case_review-gaming-zap-logo.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
I would like to thank <a href="http://www.gamingzap.com/officially-licensed-executive-case-for-nintendo-3ds.html" target="_blank">GamingZap</a> for providing the review sample.

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<div class="reviewbreak"><a name="b"></a>Contents and Packaging</div>
<b>Contents:</b><ul><li>1x Executive Case</li></ul><b>Packaging:</b>

<div align='center'><a href="http://gbatemp.net/news/02_3ds_executive_case_review-box_front.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://gbatemp.net/news/02_3ds_executive_case_review-box_front-small.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://gbatemp.net/news/03_3ds_executive_case_review-box_back.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://gbatemp.net/news/03_3ds_executive_case_review-box_back-small.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://gbatemp.net/news/04_3ds_executive_case_review-box_open.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://gbatemp.net/news/04_3ds_executive_case_review-box_open-small.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a></div>
The Executive Case ships in a thin, display-ready, wax coated cardboard box sealed by clear round stickers, one on either side of the top flap, and a 3rd clear round sticker on the bottom. The box is well secured by the stickers yet can easily be opened on the top or bottom by slitting the stickers along the edge of the box flap. The front of the box is secured by Velcro and folds open like a book to offer a glimpse of the product inside. The cut-out window found under the front of the box aids in framing the case for display and allows the consumer an open area to reach in and feel the soft leather-like exterior of the case.

The box is adorned with a 3DS color scheme, descriptive and informative phrases, and other professional design elements. The front of the box displays a photo of the item found inside and states that the case is only for use with the Nintendo 3DS. The back of the box contains details in multiple languages about the item and includes information on how to register for the product’s 2 year limited warranty.

The metal DS symbol found on the front of the Executive Case is protected by a plastic film which can be easily pealed off. The film should protect the symbol from scratches and blemishes that could be caused by brick-and-mortar-store consumers who open the front of the box to touch the case inside.

<div class="reviewbreak"><a name="c"></a>Case Design and Impressions</div>
<div align='center'><a href="http://gbatemp.net/news/06_3ds_executive_case_review-case_side.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://gbatemp.net/news/06_3ds_executive_case_review-case_side-small.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://gbatemp.net/news/07_3ds_executive_case_review-case_front.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://gbatemp.net/news/07_3ds_executive_case_review-case_front-small.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://gbatemp.net/news/08_3ds_executive_case_review-case_back.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://gbatemp.net/news/08_3ds_executive_case_review-case_back-small.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://gbatemp.net/news/09_3ds_executive_case_review-case_open.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://gbatemp.net/news/09_3ds_executive_case_review-case_open-small.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a></div>
The Executive Case was designed only for the 3DS but will hold the DS Lite securely. As I do not own the original DSi, I was unable to test fit the system into the case. The DS Lite’s shell is slippery by design, which causes the DSL to slide around inside the case due to the frictionless meeting of the plastic coated shell and the interior felt-like protective coating.

The Executive Case is built out of a material that is soft to the touch and has a pungent order that is obviously not real leather. The material is semi-water proof, and will redirect very small amounts of liquid to roll off the case itself. The soft felt-like interior and outer leather-like material are stitched together using white/grey colored thread. The stitching appears to be machine done and while not perfectly straight it is well constructed.

The flap of the case is secured to the front of the case using Velcro. A stretchy material has been stitched onto the front of the case in three places using black colored thread. The top two are for holding DS/3DS games or Flash Kits, and the smaller area underneath the cart holding area is for an extra stylus. While the case can hold a DSL, the bottom area is clearly not designed for the DSL’s stylus. Placing the larger stylus here will cause it to stick out on either side making it difficult to fit the case into a pocket. The bottom left area of the front has an embossed Nintendo 3DS logo that looks very professional and is perfectly off-center. The bottom center area of the front flap has a metal DS logo that enhances the “executive” feel of the case.

The soft felt-like interior runs down the entire length of the sides, front, and back of the case, and runs completly across the top and bottom of the case. The 3DS is surrounded by the soft felt-like material as are the items which are secured to the front of the case. There is a small Power A logo tag in the interior of the case that is rather difficult to reach and will sit between the 3DS and the soft back wall interior of the case. The tag can be removed but will take a few moments of patience due to it being placed just out of reach.

The case fits very snugly over the 3DS making it obvious that it was designed with the system in mind. The game carts and stylus also fit very snugly into their designed holders and will not be loosened by shaking the case. The material used will stretch but does not seem to stretch past its manufactured limits. This material will inevitably wear out yet this is not something the user should be concerned with under normal usage. There is just enough room inside the case to slide in the AR card pack, packaging, and the bag it was originally distributed in, in front of or behind the 3DS. With the AR card pack in place the snugness of the case becomes a tight fit and someone who jams in the cards without care may end up damaging their AR cards or the original packaging.

<div class="reviewbreak"><a name="d"></a>Conclusion</div>
The Executive Case is moderately priced around $20 and provides a very stylized method for carrying the 3DS, up to two games, an extra stylus, and the AR card pack. The case is well constructed using materials that should last under normal usage. The interior felt-like material is a nice touch and provides the 3DS some protection against scratches.

Due to the design style of the case there really is not much room for extras, however, the stylus holder could have been moved to the top of the case and the included game holders could have been moved up a half of an inch, thus allowing for 2 additional game cart holders to be added.

The case is manufactured as “executive” but lacks the one thing that would have brought it all together, a magnetized snap. The DS logo could have doubled as a snap, which would not only have more efficiently secured the logo to the case but offered a better method for securing the flap to the front. I have used both magnetized snaps and Velcro and while both eventually wear out Velcro often fails much sooner. The Velcro, which also looks rather tacky, takes up a large portion of the front of the case which could have been put to better use.

The case offers no storage for a charger making it scream “carry me with you” in a trendy “be seen with your 3DS” sort of way, yet doesn’t provide a means to do so. The designers should have incorporated a belt clip option of some sort of a climbing key-ring style clip to the back or side of the case. It appears that instead they were focused on the young adult who might already carry a shoulder bag, brief case, or backpack, and who wants to display their 3DS next to their other devices already wrapped in leather style executive cases.

Overall the case is very attractive and provides enough storage to get you through a day of gaming (2 games and your AR cards). The lack of a magnetized snap, more storage, and a method for carrying the case, may have some consumer’s questioning the $20 price tag. However, if the minimalistic style is your thing then this case has just enough going for it to warrant a purchase.

<b><font color="green">Pros:</font></b>
<b><font color="green">+</font></b> Nintendo Seal of Approval
<b><font color="green">+</font></b> Attractive packaging (feels like it belongs in the 3DS family)
<b><font color="green">+</font></b> Stylized trendy look
<b><font color="green">+</font></b> Well constructed
<b><font color="green">+</font></b> Water resistant (to some extent)
<b><font color="green">+</font></b> Soft felt-like wrap around interior
<b><font color="green">+</font></b> Metal DS logo
<b><font color="green">+</font></b> Embossed 3DS logo
<b><font color="green">+</font></b> Pick up and go storage (enough storage for 1 day of gaming)
<b><font color="green">+</font></b> Game carts and stylus fit securely
<b><font color="green">+</font></b> 3DS fits snugly and does not move around
<b><font color="green">+</font></b> Just enough space to carry the AR cards

<b><font color="red">Cons:</font></b>
<b><font color="red">-</font></b> The use of Velcro
<b><font color="red">-</font></b> Storage could have been planned better to allow for 2 additional game carts and the stylus
<b><font color="red">-</font></b> No way to clip the case to a belt or bag
<b><font color="red">-</font></b> Leather-like material has a pungent odor
<b><font color="red">-</font></b> MSRP is a little high when one considers the other cons

<div class="reviewbreak"><img src="http://gbatemp.net/up/award_silver.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></div>
<b>Links:</b>
<a href="http://www.powera.com" target="_blank">Official Website</a>

<!--sizeo:1--><span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->This review was written for GBAtemp.net ONLY. The article and included photos are the property of Another World and published by permission for GBAtemp.net.

Special thanks to Shaunj66, without you this review would not have been possible.
Special thanks to GamingZap for providing the review sample.
Thanks to Brien for "PNG-ing" the header image

If you see this review on any other site please let <a href='http://gbatemp.net/member.php?name=Another World' target=_blank>Another World</a> know by <a href="http://gbatemp.net/index.php?act=Msg&CODE=4&MID=111084" target="_blank">PM</a>.<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->

 

[Cloak519]

Seems fair enough. I bought one from Asda yesterday and it's not that bad... certainly feels sturdy. The smell isn't awful, either... it's only noticeable if you're looking for it and even then it's not overpowering.
I think another con is the two gaps either side at the top. If you're carrying this around in a bag, it still leaves the area where a shoulder button is located open to damage... and if you're carrying a drink, these gaps don't offer ideal protection against any spillages. These gaps measure 2cm each in length and 1.5cm of the unit is unprotected. There's some precision for you

!
On the whole I'm able to get two styluses, three games, the unit and a cleaning cloth in my case.
Was definitely worth the £6 I paid for it

.

 

[Another World]

i also want to add that the way the case is made you have only that space at the top to get the 3ds out. if you try to pull out the 3ds by its top/bottom you end up stretching the case a tiny bit, do it enough times and the case will be stretched at the top. so taking out the 3ds the right way means grabbing it on the sides where the case is already cut away. if you grab and pull without paying attention you will push down on the shoulder button each time. this is not ideal as its extra ware on the system. this really is not that much of a flaw but it is something i felt should have been pointed out in the review.

in response to the smell issue, the longer the case has been out on my desk the less i notice the smell. however, put the case in a drawer for a few days (or a week) and the entire drawer and its contents will smell like the case. leave it in there for a few months and you'll end up with a bunch of flash kit boxes (that for some reason you just can't throw away) which smell like the leather-like material of the case.

the inside of my intec DSL case had a similar smell. it took over 2 years for the smell to go away. my point is that you might get use to it or say that the smell isn't that annoying, but it does smell and you can not deny that fact.

-another world

 

[Cloak519]

the inside of my intec DSL case had a similar smell. it took over 2 years for the smell to go away. my point is that you might get use to it or say that the smell isn't that annoying, but it does smell and you can not deny that fact.

-another world

If this was aimed at me then you should know that I didn't mean to say you were wrong at all, and I totally agree that it does smell. As you say, that can't be denied. But the word "pungent" put me off buying this a little because I got the impression that it would reek, when in actuality it wasn't half as bad as I'd expected

.

 

[mcsenerd]

I've got this case and my only big complaint is that it has led to light scratches on the plastic of my Cosmo Black 3DS... Something to consider if you don't put any skin protection on your 3DS.

Also...I recently got the Nyko Power Pak and the 3DS does fit in this case with that battery on...but it's even tighter than without. (By the way...yes...the scratches happened pre-battery pak

)

 

[Raynar]

Nice Review on the case. I personally picked up this case at my local walmart after seeing it on amazon month ago. My two complaints are the Velcro and the lack of a belt clip. But I understood that this was for young adult in business field. I'm use to the smell since some of cases of my other devices had it...

Overall I like this case compare to the others I've seen in retail.

 

[Cloak519]

I've got this case and my only big complaint is that it has led to light scratches on the plastic of my Cosmo Black 3DS... Something to consider if you don't put any skin protection on your 3DS.

Also...I recently got the Nyko Power Pak and the 3DS does fit in this case with that battery on...but it's even tighter than without. (By the way...yes...the scratches happened pre-battery pak

)
What? How bad are these scratches? How long did you keep it in there before you got them?

QUOTE(Raynar @ Apr 22 2011, 03:42 PM) Nice Review on the case. I personally picked up this case at my local walmart after seeing it on amazon month ago. My two complaints are the Velcro and the lack of a belt clip. But I understood that this was for young adult in business field. I'm use to the smell since some of cases of my other devices had it...

Overall I like this case compare to the others I've seen in retail.

Mmm I would have preferred a button thing to velcro, or more velcro than the little patch there...they could have quite easily added more.
Btw I love your avatar

.

 

[Sicklyboy]

Picked one up from work a few days ago, despite my better judgement. Opened it up, case felt nice, but I have seen way too many times that the felt-like interior on other cases has caused a ton of surface scratches in other devices. Also, the pouch was way too tight for me to feel comfortable putting my 3DS in and out of it multiple times, as the extra pressure could lead to more wear on the system itself and also further the "line" issue on the top screen.

In the end, I owned the case for less than 3 hours and returned it on my next break.

 

[TripleSMoon]

I was lucky enough to find what looked like an opened and returned one of these in the markdown section at wal-mart for only $4... I usually just keep my 3DS in my pocket, but at only $4 versus $20, I was like "Heck, why not?" I'm sure it'll come to good use on a day I need to do something athletic and don't want to just drop the naked 3DS into my backpack. :-)