Topic: New 3DS exclusive?

Hi, I'm new here! I'm close to having a great deal on a used Nintendo 2DS (the old model) and I'm not so sure whether it's worth buying now or not since it doesn't have a C-Stick and the two Z buttons. Also, since I don't have enough to buy a New 3DS now, I still wanna enjoy the vague library that the 3DS family of systems has to offer, however, I was wondering if there was any major games I can't play on the 2DS that are exclusive to the New models, and is there any hack that would allow me play those on the old models? Thank you

I believe it’s only Xenoblade 3D, FE Warriors and some insignificant eshop games. Of course games like Majora’s Mask and Smash utilise the extra stick but they don’t require them and the circle pad pro is a good replacement. Amiibo support is another thing that you’d be missing out on unless you bought the add on, so not much trouble there. The extra Z buttons are useless, can’t recall any game that uses them in a unique way. I’d say go for it. Hope this helped.
Edit: Just realised as you’re getting a 2ds, I don’t think the circle pad pro supports it. But that doesn’t matter too much; again, no games require it aside from Xenoblade 3D which you can’t play on it anyway.

Any major games that are exclusive to the New models?
The only major exclusive is Xenoblade Chronicles 3D but the SNES VC is only on the Newer models and there are a few indie games that are New 3DS/2DS exclusive. The main advantage of the New model is the number of games that load faster and/or have a better framerate.

Is there any hack that would allow me play those on the old models?
No

If money is the most important thing, you can't go wrong with a decent 2DS. As mentioned above, you aren't really missing out on much; all the games mentioned are available on other platforms anyway (though prepare to dig deep for Xenoblade Chronicles if you want the physical Wii release).

I hope to get one of the New models closer to the end of the 3DS's lifespan just for the upgrade and to ensure reliability since I've had my current 3DS for over five years. Other than maybe XC 3D, I don't really have a desire to get any of the games exclusive to the New models since they're available on other platforms.

@Henbush @Tyranexx @skywake Thank you so much guys, what a relief! Now I won't worry much about it. One more question, how is XC3D different from the original Wii version? and Is there any good major RPG's for the 3DS?

Ya can't get minecraft for the 3ds on the old models, but otherwise you should get one.

@tariqyasiin I only own and have played the 3ds version, however as far as I know it’s largely the same (amazingly) aside from worse graphics. You also get a music and character model thing in the 3ds version but it isn’t groundbreaking. I don’t think there’s a Japanese dub in the 3ds version like there was in the Wii version but again it doesn’t matter too much, the English voices by Nintendo of Europe are fine. There might be others but there’s nothing really major you need to know that I recall.

@tariqyasiin: I haven't played Xenoblade Chronicles in any format, unfortunately, but from what I've read the differences are minor. I do know the N3DS version has Amiibo functionality, but that's the only thing I can think of off the top of my head.

As for RPGs...the 3DS family is loaded with them. I'm playing catch-up in this department, but I've either played or have heard good things about the following:

• Pretty much anything in the Pokemon department is good, though I'm a little hesitant to recommend X/Y since I feel that the other Pokemon games available for the system are much better.
• Bravely Default - an excellent game, part of the second half kills it a little for some, but I felt that the good points of the game made up for that.
• Bravely Second - the sequel to Bravely Default, I own this but haven't gotten around to it yet. Overall, people seem to like this one too.
• Dragon Quest VII and VIII - these are faithful ports/remakes to the 3DS, and I plan to pick up at least VIII...eventually. I need to knock out a couple of the earlier DQ games on the original DS first. XD
• If you're into strategy RPGs, I wholeheartedly enjoyed my time with Fire Emblem Awakening. This was my first taste of the genre, and there were very few things about the game that I disliked.
• I haven't played any of the Fire Emblem Fates games; these are also supposedly good, but I've heard that many prefer Awakening. I have Conquest and hope to get around to it soon-ish, but if you want a more casual experience, Birthright is recommended. There's also a third game that combines the two routes and has its own story, Revelations, but it's download-only.
• Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is also supposedly good, and is a remake/remaster of Fire Emblem Gaiden.
• Shin Megami Tensei: There are a lot of these games available for the 3DS. They aren't my cup of tea, but a lot of people seem to enjoy them.
• The myriad of Etrian Odyssey games are also good, I've heard.
• Ever Oasis is an offering from Grezzo that's a hybrid of action/adventure gameplay and oasis management (kind of like Animal Crossing). I also own this, but (story of this post) haven't gotten around to it yet. XD

There are a ton of other games that I don't have the time to list, but suffice it to say that the 3DS family's library will keep you busy for a long time.

@tariqyasiin

So you won't be able to use 3D, have the extra buttons, built in NFC reader, enhanced frame rate and visuals, or a bigger screen if you don't buy a newer system. There aren't many new model exclusives (76 games out of 1218) and most of them are SNES games. The rest are just small little indie games besides a little bit of them. The games that you could be interested in is Minecraft, Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, Fire Emblem Warriors and Runbow Pocket. Personally I would buy a New 2DS XL but you do what you want based on these.

@Tyranexx Thank you so much for the expansive explanation, this was super helpful man.

The Etrian Odyssey games are excellent RPGs.

There's also a few Mystery Dungeon games.

@tariqyasiin: No prob, happy to help! Honestly I could have went into even more detail with some of those, but I didn't want to make that post too long and full of spoilers.