What 3DS version should I buy?

[nkpad]

Hiiiiii ^^

So, I never owned a game console in my entire life because of family problems, but now I can own one, so...

What version of 3DS should I get? :³

I mean, theres like 4 or 5, and im pretty confused

What do you mean, New 3DS? New 3DS XL? Old 3DS? Old 2DS?


So, I wanna hear your recommendations on what model should I get, any answer would be appreciated ^^!

 

[Fede12]

the only answer is obviously new 3ds xl, but if you are on budget a normal 2ds is pretty good since you can find them for 40€/60€ on today's market

 

[nkpad]

the only answer is obviously new 3ds xl, but if you are on budget a normal 2ds is pretty good since you can find them for 40€/60€ on today's market

Thanks for the reply!

(EDIT: ty :3)

 

[lightwo]

Here are the models you should avoid, according to my memory:

• (OG) 3DS XL: Weak hinge
• New 2DS XL: Overall very poor build quality

The other models are up to your personal preference. OG (not "New") models are perfectly fine if you don't need good emulation or homebrew support, whereas the "New" models offer about a dozen more games and feature a C-stick.

Whether or not small screens being unhealthy is a myth, the bigger screens of XL models make the low resolution more apparent (you can tell pixels apart), so you may take that into consideration.

The (OG) 2DS is particularly interesting in regards to preservation, because it's a lot easier to repair than the rest due to lacking a hinge. That being said, replacement screens for it tend to cost so much more for whatever reason...

 

[Beware]

Any N3DS for the beefier emulation. N2DSXL don’t feel great but come in a lot of styles and can be had cheaper than n3DS/XL. I prefer the smaller one with faceplates though

 

[yankii]

N3DSXL with dual IPS is the way to go.

 

[Kwyjor]

So, I never owned a game console in my entire life

So... What made you decide on a 3DS? The most suitable model may depend strongly on your particular needs.

If you're looking for any handheld console, and a Switch or Switch 2 is too expensive, you might consider just sticking with a smartphone. Or you might consider a DS Lite – it will probably be less expensive, and with a cheap flashcart you'll have access to a vast variety of games.

 

[ChibiMofo]

Do not buy one of the 2D models. You might as well run 3DS games under emulation on your phone. The 3D feature of the New 3DS XL is the best that do not require 3D glasses ever made and is absolutely worth the additional cost now as they will only continue to go up in price as people start to realize we won't be seeing 3D in a gaming device for at least another 30 years. But mostly it is just tragic to buy a 2D device to play games that were designed in 3D. The New 3DS XL also has a faster processor, among other advanced features, which allows it to do things like run many PS1 games under emulation. It also has the best build quality of any 3DS ever made. It's really a no brainer. You will regret buying anything less than a New 3DS XL model.

 

[Kwyjor]

The 3D feature of the New 3DS XL is the best that do not require 3D glasses ever made and is absolutely worth the additional cost now as they will only continue to go up in price as people start to realize we won't be seeing 3D in a gaming device for at least another 30 years. But mostly it is just tragic to buy a 2D device to play games that were designed in 3D.

A lot of people don't like the 3D, though? And Nintendo actively discouraged developers from doing things that would require 3D. Again, I think it depends on just what the OP is looking for. (Some people are apoplectic about having to open the unit up to remove the SD card, for instance.)

 

[nkpad]

So... What made you decide on a 3DS? The most suitable model may depend strongly on your particular needs.

If you're looking for any handheld console, and a Switch or Switch 2 is too expensive, you might consider just sticking with a smartphone. Or you might consider a DS Lite – it will probably be less expensive, and with a cheap flashcart you'll have access to a vast variety of games.

Hi!

Here it was common to see kids with 3DS playing with "Download Mode"
So I wanted one so I can play games on-the-go, having full control on my handheld

3DS can emulate most retro consoles, and has very cool games that personally, I like

So... Its a good console, because with a switch, you have the risk of getting online banned and stuff

 

[Kwyjor]

Here it was common to see kids with 3DS playing with "Download Mode"
So I wanted one so I can play games on-the-go, having full control on my handheld

I have no idea what you're referring to or how you think that works..? There are plenty of portable devices that give you "full control" and let you play "games on-the-go". (There wouldn't be much point to a portable console otherwise.)

3DS can emulate most retro consoles

If you just want to emulate other consoles, there are other devices that are vastly superior at this point. They're probably much, much easier to set up, too. Perhaps a Steam Deck would interest you?

and has very cool games that personally, I like

Any games in particular..? As I mentioned in my last post, if the "cool games that you like" don't really make use of 3D, then that would be a factor in whether you might choose a 2DS.

Its a good console, because with a switch, you have the risk of getting online banned and stuff

That's really only a consideration if you want to run homebrew or otherwise do things that Nintendo doesn't want you to do.

 

[masterz81]

Hiiiiii ^^

So, I never owned a game console in my entire life because of family problems, but now I can own one, so...

What version of 3DS should I get? :³

I mean, theres like 4 or 5, and im pretty confused

What do you mean, New 3DS? New 3DS XL? Old 3DS? Old 2DS?


So, I wanna hear your recommendations on what model should I get, any answer would be appreciated ^^!

New 3DS or New 3DS XL, if you don't want 3D because your eyes are tired just slide down the switch, otherwise just go for another device, the only reason to buy a 3DS is for the experience and format, you can't emulate the 3D in other devices (and that is the main reason the 3DS is so pricie), but if you don't want to play in 3D, is a worthless invertion.

 

[lightwo]

So... Its a good console, because with a switch, you have the risk of getting online banned and stuff

While I never owned a Switch, it looks like it is possible to avoid bans as long as you're careful to segregate your activity between emuNAND and sysNAND. As far as I gathered, as long as you don't cheat or load backups on sysNAND, you're free to do whatever you like on emuNAND and you won't get banned.

If you just want to emulate other consoles, there are other devices that are vastly superior at this point. They're probably much, much easier to set up, too. Perhaps a Steam Deck would interest you?

I'd argue that setting up emulation on a 3DS is actually easier, provided the system has already been modded. Furthermore, the Deck is a lot less portable... as much as I'd like to defend it, the difference between a backpack and a pocket is massive.

Something others didn't seem to bring up is that playing DS/3DS on a phone, or worse, a single-screen handheld, is a vastly inferior experience in many cases. On a phone, there are no physical buttons, and on a handheld, you're stuck with two screens laid out horizontally. If you can put up with that, sure, but I wouldn't recommend it, especially for the more awkward touchscreen controls.

Additionally, capacitive screens require less precise or much bulkier styluses, and low quality touchscreens are a terrible match for any stylus. Since nothing uses resistive touchscreens nowadays, that would be a problem for games where using the finger is significantly worse than a stylus.

but if you don't want to play in 3D, is a worthless invertion

Absolutely disagree. A lot of people just kept the slider down at all times. As pointed out above, there are benefits beyond just the 3D screen, although it is definitely one of its selling points.

 

[cvskid]

At the prices these go for now might as well get the best one new 3ds xl. Playing virtual boy games in 3D not possible on the 2ds systems for example.

 

[Ruryk]

I love the Old 3DS since it's the last really portable console (meaning you can actually fit it into your pocket).

 

[Orioncle]

I own every model and I would say New 3DS XL or New 3DS if you're looking for something smaller. Non XL has swappable cover plates and you can get some 3rd party plates for pretty cheap off Aliexpress. Plus you can watch 3D movies on them if you're into that sorta thing

 

[XFoxPrower]

It goes against popular opinion above, but I'm happy with my 2DS LL (XL). The hinge can be a bit wobbly but everything holds up well.

 

[wamble]

I have the New 3DS (white model with replaceable faceplates). But any XL model has a far better 3D effect, if that is important to you. I don't mind bigger pixels...the bigger screens are simply far more engaging. However, if you want better portability and lower weight, the regular-sized original New 3DS would be my pick.

 

[k66]

Buy New3DS or New3DSXL, play with it for a while, and then sell it.
Then you can buy Switch2 .

 

[nkpad]

Buy New3DS or New3DSXL, play with it for a while, and then sell it.
Then you can buy Switch2 .

Interesting...

So, I was considering buying a Steam Deck, a New3DSXL, or just a DIY kit to a Android console thingy

Also, Thank you very much about your suggestions