Topic: Pondering about the 3DS

Hi all,

I'm not sure if this should be in the 3DS section, but I do not some input from other Nintendo players.

So here's my pickle, and please be aware the first few sentences are about the Nintendo Switch Lite.
Last year I've got my 6 year old son a Nintendo Switch Lite, my partner also got a Nintendo Switch. My son's Switch Lite is the primary console managed by my partners account who herself uses the secondary Switch and I too have an account and play on the primary Switch which my son lovingly shares with me.

I however do want an handheld console for myself and used to have a DS Lite which was utterly destroyed in an unfortunate incident. I really enjoyed the DS Lite and played it a lot. I do not want to buy an additional Switch, because we bought our whole game collection through the eShop and I don't want to buy additional copies of the same game. I do however own a truckload of DS games and have a good number of 3DS games from a friend who lost his religion, got himself a bloody Xbox and sold his 3DS and simply gave me his games. Any who I'm looking on eBay and even sketchy AliExpress for a secondhand 3DS and found a few for a reasonable price, but now for no apparent reason I'm wondering if I should go ahead and buy the 3DS or just keep sharing the Switch with my son. There are some games on the 3DS that are quite cool like New Super Mario Bros 2, Super Mario 3D Land and all the Zelda games. But is this enough to warrant getting myself a 3DS. I do love the Switch and I still have to start to play some games that I'm dying to play like Breath of the Wild, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, Metroid Dread and some others as well. I've always liked the 3DS, but never actually played with one.

What what you do if you were me?

If you've already got some games for it, I'd buy a 3DS or even a cheap 2DS. You can usually find one for quite cheap, depending on where you are. Plus it plays almost all DS games, so you could play them again. Just be wary that the 3DS eShop closes down next March, so if there are any games or DLC you want, you should get them soon. Plus the 3DS has a tonne of great games. NLife users are currently sharing their favourites over on this thread. If you have the money and want to play your old games again, I'd go for it.

I'd say go for it. The 3DS is still well worth playing in 2022, and if you've already got a collection of games you only need to worry about the upfront cost of the system itself.

Almost any model should do - the XL if you want a bigger system/screen or the regular size of you want greater pixel density. Although I don't particularly recommend the 2DS as it feels quite cheap and can feel uncomfortable to play.

Also, as you mention AliExpress, note that the 3DS is region locked, so you should be buying a console from the same region as your games.

Considering you already have a library of DS and 3DS games getting a 3DS seems like a good idea. If you enjoyed playing on your DS Lite then all those games will work on any 3DS/2DS model as well, plus you have the 3DS library to access as well.

Although the 3DS eshop is shut to adding funds through a credit card if you link the account on your 3DS to your Switch you can still add funds through the Switch eshop to use on 3DS until March 2023 (I just did this yesterday to download a game on my 3DS). You won’t lose any funds after that as they will still be accessible on your Switch.

Even if you just track down a regular 2DS it will play all your carts both DS and 3DS for a pretty low price.

Just do it

Thanks for all the super quick replies guys and thank you @3Buizel for mentioning that the 3DS is region locked I wasn't even thinking of that.

I'll go ahead buy one depending on the price it will either be a 3DS or a 2DS.

I bought my two boys (now aged 5 and 7) a 2DS because at their ages 3D is not recommended but the games are so great that they'll not miss anything by the lack of 3D. Also, you'll find a second hand 2DS a lot cheaper than a 3DS as kids grow up and want that Switch, but also, the 2DS is built with younger children in mind i.e. it's very robust and will survive falls more than a Switch.

I've got a large 3DS physical collection, also quite a few DS games too so the library of games is the important thing, but saying that I like the subscription offering for the Switch because I love the retro gaming this offers, but so far for us as a family we play Wii U and 3DS as the library of games is phenomenal.

Maybe I'll jump to the Switch when they are a few year older.

I eventually went for both a 2DS and a 3DS. When my youngest hit that play age it will be with the 2DS and the 3DS will be my play thing. Like @cra1g0s mentions the library is amazing

@UndeadWarrior86 I’ve had fun reading the NintendoLife articles and buying a lot of their eShop recommendations, including quite a few obscure (to me anyway) DSi releases, some very cool games that will never be available on Switch.

@cra1g0s I have the same thing I have quite the physical DS library and a respectable 3DS library. A good number of those games will probably never come to the Switch, but then again nothing beats playing those games on their original console at least for me.