What do you think of the 3DS today?

[Deleted member 708839]

Lately I've been playing some games I missed back in its day and find there's a lot to like about the 3DS which the Switch is lacking.

In this post I'm talking specifically about the New 3DS XL. The smaller physical size makes it more suitable as a portable gaming system and its games are built around the hardware making them unique. There are less ports on the 3DS and more of its own games. The 3D effect makes games feel more immersive and having a map, extra details or buttons displayed on the second screen saves the need to pause and unpause games. The best example here is Super Mario 3D Land where the 3D effect provides extra details to help players understand certain stages. Metroid: Samus Returns takes good advantage of the map and extra buttons. The 3DS interface is what Switch gamers have dreamed of since day 1. A common criticism of new console generations today is that the new hardware feels the same and doesn't add anything besides better graphics.

I'm not trying to whitewash the 3DS. The screens' low pixel density is clear in the 3D Zelda games where you see big blocky pixels when looking at a bright sky through dark trees. The underpowered hardware does does limit gameplay which you can see most clearly in Hyrule Warriors: Legends. Games which require precise precise inputs are harder to play because the 3DS doesn't control as well as a specialized game controller. The battles in the Mario and Luigi series are an example of this and I assume Monster Hunter players feel this too. I'd look at the system far less favorably if I was playing the Old 3DS where the 3D effect was too unstable to use and the interface was laggy because the hardware was just too underpowered.

It's a shame that the 3DS is dead hardware because its unique and has innovative and fun games designed just for it. While said games can be ported to other platforms, there's more work involved and something is lost in translation. What do you think?

 

[KleinesSinchen]

First of all the 3DS is not "dead hardware". The attribute dead for out-of-support devices always disappointed me. Who in their right mind would bother to syncronize with the majority to decide if to (still) like something? The hardware and the games didn't change since they had been released. I see no reason to change my opinion about older hard- and software. (This goes into the IQ-below-room-temperature topic "Has XYZ aged well?")

Another interpretation of dead hardware is the unfortunate truth: 3DS hardware is aging and shows obvious signs of failure opposed to the the DMG-001 which pretty much lasted decades (should need new capacitors at some point, but we are talking about much older hardware here).

I always saw the 3D feature as one of the most interesting characteristics. Sadly very few games used it in a good way, which greatly added to the "it was just a useless gimmick"-fad.
When the "This is the future!" 3D TVs disappeared from stores in favor of different "This is the future!" features, the majority shifted their opinion away from stereoscopic screens (Which was supposed to stay this time for real after 3D hypes in earlier decades). What makes the 3DS special is the autostereoscopic screen -- opposed to shutter or polerization filter glasses.
========

Homebrew/CFW added the possibility to emulate earlier consoles. With emulators (official Virtual Console and unofficial ones), TWilight Menu++, and openAGB Firm I can carry my whole (legally obtained) retro-library in my pocket. N64 is missing, but emulating this correctly is a task for more powerful machines.


All in all 3DS holds a special place in my heart as my last handheld console (Wii U the last TV console). The gaming industry shifted into a direction I don't support... well off-topic.

 

[duwen]

Totally agree with @KleinesSinchen
...in short, the 3DS is far more awesome today than on the day that it launched.

 

[Slade.AU]

Whilst there are some aspects of the 3DS that could use improvement, the New 3DS had a much faster processor and can do more, sadly, I think it came out a little too late, and not many games took enough advantage of it. I put the blame on Nintendo for that. Their insatiable need to have backwards compatible "everything" (Switch being the exception here), hampered games taking full advantage of refreshed hardware.

Personally I much prefer my 3DS to the Switch. I can fit it in a pocket far more easily, given the foldable nature it's more robust and doesn't feel like it's going to snap. Charging is easier and can use relatively low powered USB cables, although I would have preferred a less proprietary connector.

I also like the variety of games. The Switch seems to have so much shovelware with the online store being inundated with spam garbage day after day. And I think lastly, the social aspects with the 3DS. Taking it everywhere and being excited to see that little green flash and knowing that I've got a new puzzle piece or some other random "thing" for games that supported Streetpass.

I know it's getting old and fading from use, but to me the 3DS was a golden time of mobile gaming. Take it with me when the wife goes shopping, pop it open, find a spot in a store and play until she's ready to leave. It's just that little bit harder with the Switch and other mobile gaming systems.

 

[AirAnget7]

The 3ds was pretty ok when it first came out. the 3d was kinda cool but gimmicky and the psp/vita just seemed like a better pick. But gradually it turned to be an awesome and one of (if not) the most versatile console i know of. The fact that you can play gameboy all the way to ds games and more is 200% worth buying, the 3ds catalog is still many peoples favorite (including me). Its also really cheap nowadays (in my country atleast) only about 50~$ for the old model. Homebrew is what changed everything, altough a little unethical but the 3ds wouldnt be as popular till today without it. And uhh some Cool software and hardware mods (I added a type c charger to mine)

Sadly though a lot of the cool features were shut down like the streetpass, eshop etc. Hardware obviously sucks in todays standard which means theres only a bit of modern features, you'll find little to no people playing the 3ds (except the ones that likes it).

If you can look past all of that the 3ds is something no other console can replicate, the 2 screens especially makes it feel as if your not playing a phone with a controller on it

No microtransactions. No updates. just enjoy gaming how its supposed to be enjoyed

 

[Marusu]

Today? Well, I think the 3DS was pretty innovative beyond the 3D gimmick. I adore the concept of StreetPass and SpotPass!
It gave the system another purpose for being portable and incentivized you to walk around and meet others! Also, Mii Plaza has some really great games packed in! Aside from the social aspects, the 3DS will always be my favourite console, as it was a huge part of my earlier years, and still is today! Some of my favourite games released on the 3DS, such as Kirby Planet Robobot, Kirby Triple Deluxe, Yo-kai Watch 1-3 and its MANY spinoffs, along with every Taiko no Tatsujin game that's released on there! And I've still got more things to say!

 

[4d1xlaan]

It's one of the handhelds of all time

 

[Maximumbeans]

I adore my 3DS. I've started using the Switch more lately now that I've got my own and aren't just sharing one with the family, but I still love the 3DS for separate reasons. If I'm going away, the Switch stays at home and the 3DS comes with me. Between that and a good book, I've got all the entertainment I could need for weeks.

It feels like a very personal console, especially when homebrewed and given the full gamut of choices. A 3DS with a custom theme and massive library of retro and handheld games at your disposal really is your private treasure trove and it's so easy to immerse yourself in those two little screens. I hope I can keep up working models for years to come.

 

[Maeson]

I had one close to release, and I remember it being okay. Then it died and I kept waiting to buy another one...

I picked up a N2DSXL last year and it has been hard for me to put it down to play other systems since, I had to force myself to give it a break here and there. In a way it means the same to me as the Wii does, a device that seems "unassuming" at first glance, but by taking advantage of all the possibilites, provides me access to thousands of games from a very wide time period of this medium, plus a number of varied functions too.

I'm putting the rest in a spoiler, I kinda got longwinded, lol.

Spoiler

Beyond that, though, interacting with the 3DS line is honestly pretty charming, specially the New systems thanks to improved things here and there. The system obviously feels like an evolution of the Wii's personality, which had a rather quirky and off-the-wall overall feeling. Sure, the main menu of the Wii is pretty simple, but go and check the channels such as the Weather, News, and Photo ones, or the Wii Shop. There's so many little details here and there, and the music creates a very memorable experience. It felt like people enjoying creating it.

And the 3DS pulls it off really well too, it adds a lot to the charm of playing with it. Things like the Mii Plaza are great additions that extend the entertainment you get from the "operative system" itself without actually playing games with it (as in, cartridge or digitally bought games). Being able to customize your menu is great and there was a ton of themes officially created, plus the badges and folders, you can do a lot with it to entertain yourself without, again, even getting to the "real" games.

In fact I have to repeat what has been said above, the Nintendo Switch is amazingly boring and drab in comparison with the 3DS on a menu system level. I was surprised how much "soul" there was here and what contrast makes with the Switch. But then again, the 3DS fits squarely on the "Nintendo Iwata" era, back then they communicated very differently (right down to have Iwata himself being silly on videos on purpose). Much has changed since, I suppose.

Outside of all of that, I find that the the library of the 3DS is quite strong, with many games being exclusive. I love deep-diving into console's libraries to find all sorts of fun games, and with the 3DS I keep finding more and more games that I find interesting. There'se so many things I want to play that I don't even know how to choose which one to play. And you also have the retocompatibility with DS, which is a strong extra for me.

Sure, the 3DS screen is not perfect for upscaling DS games, but to me that's more a DS problem than the 3DS's. The DS has a 192 tall pixel resolution, a very weird one at that, while the 3DS has 240 which is standard. At least we can play in 1:1 mode.

And of course the Homebrew Scene is pretty incredible too. Beyond things like more customization, or being able to play mods, there's tons of applications for other things, like FTPD to transfer files, and Netpass is also really cool and revived my interest in things like the Mii Plaza. Being able to use the extra power of the New systems to improve the frame rate of 3DS games is also so great for me, with certain games it does even more, like removing the input delay from Dragon Quest 7 during battles. I also found out there was a way to customize the brightness levels used by the system, and make each level be what I wanted. Pretty neat.

Another really, really great thing going for the 3DS is being able to easily swap controls or even convert touch controls into button presses, and what's more, improve DS games by using 3DS exclusive input methods, like Shoco's analog patches for several games like Mario 64 DS or Star Fox Command. It makes those games so, so much better to play, it makes no sense to do it the normal way anymore.

Also, as an emulation machine it's also pretty decent. Because of the 3DS resolution of 240p , it is able to emulate a miriad of systems of 8, 16, and a bit of 32 bits without crunching the screen, unlike its predecessor. That's a lot of systems to add to the total of games you can play on this thing. N64 Emulation is a bust, but it does PS1 better than I imagined.

I mean, of course there are better devices out there for that, but those emulation machines are made for that, while on this system is just something extra, and certainly those cannot play DS and 3DS games nearly as well as this, so...

My only complain would be I wish batteries were bigger so they lasted longer, but even then, the 4.5 hours of MHXX (one of the most demanding games on the system) I get with mine is more than you can take out of the Switch playing its demanding games, so I'll let it slide.

Overall; I am really happy I got one. But I can't recommend getting one with the stupid prices you find around nowadays, unless you find it in a very good shape and you REALLY want it. Losing online play hurt quite a bit to me, specially since that meant no more Monster Hunter with friends, but oh well... I guess we can wait for Pretendo.

 

[boot3]

No joke, I've had a lot of 3DSes for some reason. First one I got on Christmas 2011, it was the original red one and charger port broke.

Second one was a blue 3DS XL and I gave it to my brother.

Third one was the same model and I lost it.

Fourth one was a purple New 2DS XL, and I also gave it to my brother (idk what happened to the one I gave him years ago but it's whatever)

I'm currently on my fifth one which is a black New 3DS XL. It's pretty sweet and I have it modded. My only real gripe though is that I have to unscrew the back to get to the microSD but other than that it's great!

 

[Ryab]

No joke, I've had a lot of 3DSes for some reason. First one I got on Christmas 2011, it was the original red one and charger port broke.

Second one was a blue 3DS XL and I gave it to my brother.

Third one was the same model and I lost it.

Fourth one was a purple New 2DS XL, and I also gave it to my brother (idk what happened to the one I gave him years ago but it's whatever)

I'm currently on my fifth one which is a black New 3DS XL. It's pretty sweet and I have it modded. My only real gripe though is that I have to unscrew the back to get to the microSD but other than that it's great!

Yeah that is by far the stupidest design choice with the New 3DS XL. Like if it wasn't for that it would be the perfect model. Luckily with CFW you can just run ftp.

 

[koffieleut]

Completed Nes Ultimate remix, Famicom Ultimate Remix (which is the same game but with some extra audio channels, if I knew that I wouldn't have put the time in that one "). After that I've completed Mario 3d land 100% and two days ago OoT 3d. And that in les then 20 days.

So in my opinion it's still pretty alive, certainly if you look at pretendo and ctgp7. Enough to play alone and online if you want.

 

[mpahic]

I just simply love it. It is my ultimate retro console. It can play a lot of my old games, including all PS1 games, and old adventure point and click games (scummVm) with stylus are amazing. All 3ds and GBA games are also worth mentioning since there are a lot of great ones.
I'm only missing that there are no strategy games on it, because playing them with stylus would be awesome. (lego battles)

 

[Slade.AU]

Yeah that is by far the stupidest design choice with the New 3DS XL. Like if it wasn't for that it would be the perfect model. Luckily with CFW you can just run ftp.

The new 2DS XL is better in some regards, it has an easy open flap where the game cartridge and micro SD card sit, however changing the battery is a lot more involved than just 2 screws.

This is where the original 2DS shines. A flip open flap on the right gives access to the SD card and it's two simple screws to change the battery. It's a pity the screen is so exposed.

 

[lordelan]

I have a New 3DS XL (imho the best device out of the whole family) and I love it.
I bought it around a year before the Switch came out and although I hacked and enjoyed it, I gotta be honest: It started collecting dust after I had the Switch. The latter was just the "new and shiny" handheld.
I never considered selling it though.

Only recently I grabbed it again, updated all CFW/homebrew stuff to the latest versions and installed Pretendo. It's the same treatment I gave my Wii U last week. I'm kind of in a "3DS and Wii U revival mood" currently. Both are fantastic devices if homebrewed since they cover so much.
The 3DS can play 3DS, DS and GBA natively, the Wii U can play GC, Wii and Wii U natively.
And while a 3DS can obviously also emulate things like Game Boy, Game Gear and so on, it really shines with the new Virtual Boy emulator Red Viper, which eventually was the reason for me to get it out the shelf again.

If you have a 2/3DS, don't ever sell it. It's a fantastic device for which no successor will be released probably.
The 3DS and Wii U marked the end of Nintendo's "two displays era".
Maybe the Switch 2 will provide something like that again, where you hold it in your hands while the docking station provides a (different) image to the TV but I highly doubt it. It's more likely the Switch 2 will be just more powerful.

 

[zxr750j]

I've got all (european) types of gameboys. 2 stand out for me DMG-01 which feels like a brick (loving it) and the new 3ds xl, the only one which feels really premium (my oled switch right behind it). I always have a psp or vita to play lumines but tetris effect on the switch with a good set of headphones wins it nowadays. But if I had to choose one out of all of them it would be the new 3ds XL. Portability, library, feel: top notch gaming.

 

[Maeson]

Some time after writing my post I ended trying the right stick mod, and wow, what a difference.

As much as I'm enjoying my N2dsxl... The right "nub" has always been a pain. It's too soft, it slips under my thumb, it required too much force, or to press the rubber on the extremes for movement to register, and after several hundred hours of Monster Hunter I even developed a bit of distrust, specially when trying to push down.

That's why I ultimately wanted to just try it, and replaced the original rubber for one of those Lenovo trackpoint (super low profile) thingies, those red ones, they're made of harder rubber, and has little bumps.

I wish I had tried it before, it has changed my opinion on the right stick completely. It's far more sensitive (in a good way), the bumps grant far better grip, and it's a bit wider, so for my thumb is more comfortable.

The original rubber was a really, really poor option. I always thought the actual stick was a low quality one, basically a d-pad but after the change, I was able to feel the difference in pressure, it's night and day. And the trackpoint fits perfectly, I have been using it all this time and it's like it was part of the stick, doesn t move, and the size does not affect the top screen.

This is so much better than both the original rubber and the often mentioned PSP stick (which does budge and can harm the top screen).

I was totally surprised, even with hacks like Shoco's Metroid Prime Hunters c-stick cheatcode, the range of control it gives cannot be compared to the original rubber. You can apply minimal pressure and it will register.

I am so happy about it, it made me look for more games that use the c-stick, or to use it for shortcuts or alternate buttons for games that do not use it (like mapping the Somersault and U-Turn in Star Fox 64 3D).

If anyone felt like me, please research this. The only "bad thing" is that I only found it in red color, but after two days I stopped paying attention to it.

 

[PlayerSlayer69]

The gaming industry shifted into a direction I don't support... well off-topic

What is something you don’t like about the gaming industry in it’s current state?

 

[nine0nine]

I'm a big fan of the 3DS and the DS line in general and I think the 3DS (and also the WiiU) OS were pretty much peak nintendo, albeit rather slow and frustrating in its execution.
Streetpass was a great idea and somethng I really miss, I just came back from a trip to japan and took my 3DS in my bag just to see if I would get any hits and over the few days in tokyo I managed to pass about 5 other people doing the same.

I'd like to see another dual screen handheld which refines the OS, but sadly I can't see Nintendo doing that again any time soon.

 

[Hanafuda]

I'm a big fan of the 3DS and the DS line in general and I think the 3DS (and also the WiiU) OS were pretty much peak nintendo, albeit rather slow and frustrating in its execution.
Streetpass was a great idea and somethng I really miss, I just came back from a trip to japan and took my 3DS in my bag just to see if I would get any hits and over the few days in tokyo I managed to pass about 5 other people doing the same.

I'd like to see another dual screen handheld which refines the OS, but sadly I can't see Nintendo doing that again any time soon.

Streetpass in Japan when the 3DS was active was insane. We (my, my wife, and my daughter) all brought our 3DS's along to Tokyo Disney and had to take several breaks through both days (Disneyland + Disney Sea) just to clear all our Streetpass contacts. Riding a train would guarantee a ton of connections too. I completed a ton of those puzzles on that trip, summer 2013.