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Topic: Which 3ds/2ds should I buy?

Posts 1 to 11 of 11

jamin724

1. I already own an old 3ds xl and want to upgrade to a newer one to use as my main console and figured I should get one before they are to hard to find.
2. I am 31 and as a kid I grew up on Pokemon. In fact Pokemon Red and OG gameboy was the my very first game/system I bought myself. Of course saying that I love the 20th anniversary new 3ds Pokemon system.
2a. I do not like the 3dsXL Pokemon themed systems
2b. However I do like the 2ds xl pokeball system though not as much.
3. I like the bigger screen on the new 3ds xl.
4. I love the colored buttons on the new 3ds.

Please help I am torn!

jamin724

10-zx

If you want a cheaper, streamlined system, get a 2DS XL. I adore mine.

If you want a heavier, slightly more durable, slightly less comfortable, 3D enabled system, get a New 3DS XL.

Edited on by 10-zx

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ThanosReXXX

@jamin724 If having 3D in certain games would be an added value for you, then go for the New 3DS XL, because the bigger screen is also beneficial for that.

If it is mostly a design/taste question, and that has preference for you, then go for the Pokeball system or the 3DS with the colored buttons.

For me personally, my first choice would always be the bigger screen, for either the 2DS or the 3DS, so even though I also like the colored buttons on the normal 3DS, the size of the system doesn't appeal to me, so I would simply see going for the XL as taking the bad with the good: it may not have the colored buttons, but it does have a much bigger and better screen instead, and if you've got your fingers on those buttons and you're busy playing the games, your eyes aren't really all that busy with looking at those buttons anyway...

'The console wars are like boobs: Sony and Microsoft fight over which ones look the nicest and Nintendo's are the most fun to play with.'

Nintendo Network ID: ThanosReXX

toiletduck

I've had the same struggle (minus the Pokemon looks; did NOT want that ). Decided to go for the N2DSXL black/blue. Cleanest design and I figured I wouldn't really bother for the 3D. So far I'm really happy with it. Screen is much bigger than the original DS while it weighs less. Only 'problem' for me is that my fingers fold around the speakers to hold it properly, so the sound (without earplugs) is suboptimal.

The money you save when you pick the 2DS over the 3DS you can spend on games

toiletduck

Switch Friend Code: SW-2231-9448-5129

10-zx

Personally, although I've never accidentally muffled the sound by having my palms cover the speakers (you usually need to actively try to cover them), I like the vibrations that the speakers give off within the unit, especially when turned up.

It makes it feel almost like a built-in rumble feature. Can't do that on a 3DS.

PS: Although unrelated, I get the feeling that the 2DS XL took a lot of design influence from the Switch, where the n3DS XL took more from the Wii U. Even though the 2DS XL looks like an iPhone attached to a GamePad, which is part of the charm.

PPS: One of the things I've really appreciated about its design is that from a distance, Nintendo seemed to have made it MUCH easier to try to get into and service by including literally all of the components (besides the top screen, of course) into the lower case. So if you had an issue with your speakers, or perhaps you were quite good working with electronics and you wanted to upgrade the built-in speakers, you wouldn't have to fiddle with trying to open up the top screen. Therefore, I'd imagine the hardest parts to service in this scenario would probably be the inner camera, microphone, and top screen. Before, it was both cameras, speakers, and the 3D slider. Although, I'm not quite sure if they moved the position of the wi-fi card/antenna. Probably not.

From a mechanic standpoint, it's much easier now. Which I think has helped future-proof it, to an extent.

Edited on by 10-zx

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MarcelRguez

I'll recommend the regular N3DS, not the XL version. You get the 3D functionality (which I consider a vital part of some games like SM3DL, LM2 and RE:R) the clamshell design and access to the handful N3DS exclusive titles and SNES VC. The smaller screen compared to the XL model makes the games look sharper, and it's also portable enough to fit on most pockets.

It's also worth mentioning that you need a N3DS to make the most out of the homebrew scene, although we can't talk about that in detail here.

Oh, and keep in mind the N3DS models (the regular and the XL ones) can be customized by changing their faceplate. I think some faceplates are available for both models, but not all of them. You might want to look into that.

Edited on by MarcelRguez

MarcelRguez

3DS Friend Code: 3308-4605-6296 | Nintendo Network ID: Marce2240 | Twitter:

10-zx

@MarcelRguez

Pretty sure the XL doesn't have faceplates...

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MarcelRguez

@10-zx Huh, a quick Google search tells me you're right. There's limited edition systems with special shells, but those are not swappable faceplates.

Oh well, it's an easier choice, then.

MarcelRguez

3DS Friend Code: 3308-4605-6296 | Nintendo Network ID: Marce2240 | Twitter:

ThanosReXXX

@MarcelRguez It fitting in my pocket or not would never be a decision breaker for me, since I like to keep all my handhelds safe in their own padded or hardened pouches, which I've always done with all my Game Boys and DS/3DS handhelds, regardless of their size.

You do have somewhat of a point concerning the sharper/clearer look of the games on a smaller screen, but what you get on the bigger screen is a much better and larger viewing angle, which would be preferable for games that make extensive use of the 3D function, so there's that to consider as well.

Edited on by ThanosReXXX

'The console wars are like boobs: Sony and Microsoft fight over which ones look the nicest and Nintendo's are the most fun to play with.'

Nintendo Network ID: ThanosReXX

MarcelRguez

@ThanosReXXX That's true, I bet the head-tracking works better with the XL than with the regular model. As someone who regularly plays his GBA library on a Game Boy Micro, I just value the higher PPI more. 3DS games are quite jaggy by today's standards, I'll take all the fake anti-aliasing I can get.

MarcelRguez

3DS Friend Code: 3308-4605-6296 | Nintendo Network ID: Marce2240 | Twitter:

ThanosReXXX

@MarcelRguez Fair enough. I used to have the normal sized DS's, but then when I got the DSi, I went for the XL and never went back from there, so my first 3DS was also an XL, and the slightly lesser graphics never bothered me at all.

Then again: I'm also a retro gamer, so the best graphics aren't really an important thing for me to be able to enjoy a game...

'The console wars are like boobs: Sony and Microsoft fight over which ones look the nicest and Nintendo's are the most fun to play with.'

Nintendo Network ID: ThanosReXX

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