Topic: ALBW XL or Wait for New 3DS XL

IggyZX wrote:

Jmaster wrote:

Yeah, no. Doubling clockspeeds and RAM is anything but a substantial upgrade. On paper, it might seem like an enormous jump in power, but in reality it isn't. First of, doubling the clockspeed of a processor doesn't automatically double its performance. Second, even if performance is actually doubled, the actual difference in games would not nearly be enough to call it a true 'successor.' Just look at the PS4 and Xbone, the CPU's performance is estimated to be more than tripled over the last generation, yet developers are complaining that it's not enough. If Nintendo wants an actual, significant jump in hardware they should've stuffed an entirely new SoC in that thing so it can keep up with smartphones at the same pricepoint (or higher, since phone have profit margins handhelds shouldn't have) like the Moto G.
So in short, the actual jump in hardware us tiny, but big enough for Nintendo to force 170 bucks out of us for this poor excuse of a 'successor.'

Let's try to clear something up; the upgrade is substantial in the context of present 3ds specs. I never called N3ds a true successor, nor I said that doubling cpu clock means double the performance. If this upgrade means that 3ds is now powerful enough to run ports of great looking Wii games like Xenoblade, the upgrade is good enough. Nintendo isn't trying to bring 3ds successor with this refresh, they simply want to breathe new life into their handheld. I wouldn't be surprised if we see bunch of Wii ports on it, for example, Skyward Sword and similar games (such games would push massive amount of hardware).

Also, nobody is "forcing" you to buy anything. Regular 3ds will remain supported but there will be a certain number of (probably high end) games which will be exclusive to the new hardware.

Jmaster wrote:

Problem is, if it has exclusice games it is by definition the 3DS' successor. They may not be marketing it that way, and it has by no means enough improvements over the old 3DS to call it a successor, but it is. Also, how do you know that the regular 3DS will remain supported for the coming years? If by the end of 2015, all 3DS games require the new hardware, I will most definetly be forced to buy one.

IggyZX wrote:

Jmaster wrote:

Problem is, if it has exclusice games it is by definition the 3DS' successor. They may not be marketing it that way, and it has by no means enough improvements over the old 3DS to call it a successor, but it is. Also, how do you know that the regular 3DS will remain supported for the coming years? If by the end of 2015, all 3DS games require the new hardware, I will most definetly be forced to buy one.

Nintendo sold approximately 45 million units so far. They would be crazy to ignore such large user base. They will drive N3DS sales with exclusive games and improved versions of new games (amiibo support, higher framerate, improved graphics). Other than that, nobody will be forced to upgrade by means of cutting off support.