Topic: Is it worth getting a 3DS now? (On Switch forum for perspective.)

The Switch is so superior in almost every conceivable way that it's hard to justify recommending a 3DS except for those who already have a sizeable library. Building a Switch library will yield a far greater return on your investment with multiplayer out of the box, portability, far more ambitious and higher budget games at a relatively cheaper cost etc.

I would expect most 3DS IP to wind up on the Switch at some point anyway, and I hope Nintendo doesn't skimp on their quirkier, more handheld-oriented IP either. I would love to see the likes of Brain Training, Tomodachi Life, Miitopia etc.

And never have I bought so many games during the launch year of a Nintendo system. I will most likely have more retail Switch games by December than my entire Wii U collection to date.

Yes.

Son of a... really? Just the new 3DS, not the plain ol 3DS? I'd love to play Super Metroid again. Now I want a New 3DS... foul foul filthing foul. I wish I never saw your post lol.

Worth it just for Rhythm Heaven Megamix!!!

The Switch is superior in hardware without question and its library is shaping up to be absolutely magical.

However, owning a 3DS is not only having access to all the amazing titles that came exclusively to that platform but the DS's library as well. Combined, you'd hardly find a superior backlog of titles to choose from. It also comes in quite a few variations, colors, and designs. Its eshop is my favorite of any console and the themes... all the beautiful themes. It's just a darling of a handheld and absolutely worth the purchase even with the Switch out.

Without question, the 3DS is one of Nintendo's finest products, at least in terms of the library. In 2013-2014, I didn't even know what to play next cause there were so many good games coming constantly. What I will say is this, the 3DS now is severely dated, so the Switch has a one up on that. However, you can also get some pretty cheap 3DS's now, but if you want the New 3DS, it's harder to justify the cost at $200; while the far superior Switch is only $100 more.

It's a bit of a head-scratcher for sure, but if you can afford a 3DS now, I don't see any reason why it isn't worth it. It really depends on how much you want to buy for it. I could list 20 great games right off the top of my head that are must plays. While Wii U games are more likely to come to the Switch, the 3DS would take significantly more work to port to, so for that reason, you probably won't get a whole lot of previous games from that system to the Switch. Added bonus, the 3DS also plays DS games too, just something to think about.

Look for some deals around the holidays, I'm sure it will be on sale given it's age.

I think the answer depends on your budget, your time and your priorities when you are playing games.

As everyone has noted the combined DS and 3DS library is astonishing - especially when it comes to JRPGs. You could easily spend hundreds of hours just playing Dragon Quest games.

I would, however, state a contrary voice to that of some people on this thread. Starting with the DS library. Yes the DS had a phenomenal library but few very essential and defining game experiences that haven't been done better elsewhere since (or before in a few cases). The DS had some very experimental games that it's known for but do you really need to play them in 2017 in a world where touch devices are ubiquitous? I'm not sure. The RPGs hold up better but if you've not played games for more than a decade then you'll never catch up enough to need to play them.

Coming to the 3DS I've always (from the outside looking in - I've never owned one) thought that the library, while great, is heavily weighted towards RPGs and became even more weighted towards them in the past couple of years. They may all individually be great fun and even better as a collective but I'm not sure I can think of a single one that's really had me thinking "I must own the console to play that game". That is the very best JRPGs aren't 3DS games born and bread (even if some of them are playable on the console). So your mileage may vary depending on how many of the very top JRPGs you have already played and how many you can get through them per month.

I think, in some ways, it seems likely that the Switch will have a more diverse range of experiences on offer pretty quickly. It'll be a long time before it catches up in JRPGs but I do expect superior ports of the best 3DS RPGs on there at some point.

So I guess my advice is - if you own a Switch and you're anything like me then you should have too enough to play this year. If you're playing stuff at a faster rate than it's released then eventually get a 3DS but they'll probably be cheaper a year or two down the line so personally I wouldn't buy one at this moment in time.

Only if you already like the library. We're probably not getting any other major games on 3DS after this, so if there's enough on there you're interested, get it.

The old 3DS models are no longer available anyway. They were discontinued upon the release of the "New" 3DS models. Only the 2DS (which is still being produced) lacks the functionality of the "New" models.

I can't speak for international markets, but old 3DS models are completely out of circulation in Australia.

@StuTwo Thanks for taking the time and thought for this reply. This has been more so my leaning especially since i'm already saving my "pocket money" for a few months for several AAA Switch releases and buying a 3DS now would mean putting those titles off. I think I will have to wait and see how I feel when th New3DS price drops to the $100 area, refurbished that is.

I do love those RPGs though.

Oh, I know, but the old one is what I have. Wasn't ever planning on updating to the New 3DS, but maybe I will now.

Would you guys say a regular 2DS is satisfactory, or should I spend the extra money on a New 2DS XL?

@KirbyTheVampire New 2DS XL has larger screens, will be much faster (loading certain games, turning the system on and off, accessing the eshop, etc. are all so much quicker on the newer model), have access to SNES games/Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, and has a clamshell form factor, whereas the 2DS is a weird tablet thing that's equivalent to an old 3DS internally. I detest the 2DS' form factor, but I know some people who really like it, so I'd just say it's down to personal preference.

Unless the tiny tablet design of the old 2DS really speaks to you, I'd say the new 2DS is probably worth the extra money.

@Ralizah Ah, I see. I probably would just get the regular 2DS, since I don't really care if it's clamshell or not (although I would prefer it), but I detest frame rate issues and certain games not being on the system.

Guess I'll just have to think about it.

@KirbyTheVampire In fairness, Hyrule Warriors is the only enhanced game that runs like pot on the original 3DS (and, by extension, the 2DS). Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate and Yoshi's Wooly World both run at a much higher framerate on the newer model, but they're still a perfectly playable 30 on the older hardware. Aside from those specific games, everything else runs the same on older and newer models, to my knowledge.

Is there any reason to get a 3DS XL instead of a 2DS XL other than 3D? 3D is something I always have turned off on my current 3DS XL anyways, and I'm only considering a new one so I can get the SNES games.

The 3DS has an incredible library of games that of course can still be enjoyed today. My brother just bought his first New 2DS XL a few weeks ago and got Monter Hunter 4U, Mario Golf, Fire Emblem Awakening, and Mario Kart 7 on his day 1.

@Ralizah Ah I see, good to know. By the way, do the 2DS and New 2DS XL come with chargers, or do you have to buy them separately?

@Old_Goat_Ninja I've heard the speakers on the New 2DS are poorer than on the New 3DS / 3DS XL.

@FX102A Hmmm, thanks. After seeing your comment, I googled it. You're right. Enough of a deal breaker for me. I guess I'll be buying a new 3DS XL sometime in the future.