Topic: Should I buy a New Nintendo 3DS?

Hey Guys,

I currently own the original 3DS and was wondering whether or not it was time for an upgrade. I play my 3DS regularly, mainly for pokemon, but with LoZ: Breath of the Wild coming out within the next year I have been wanting to get into more of the amazing Nintendo franchises like Zelda, Animal Crossing and will absolutely be playing the new Sun and Moon games.

Is it worth me buying a New 3DS or should I stick with the one I have now?

Thanks!

IMHO No. With just a small handful of exclusives it's just not worth the jump at this point unless catastrophe strikes.

Depends. All of the system functions are much faster, it has face-tracking 3D (which works great if you don't wear glasses, and can be turned off if you do), a couple of exclusives only run on it (only one retail game, though), and another small handful of games are highly enhanced by it (Monster Hunter 4 and Generations load significantly faster, have improved textures and a more stable framerate on the newer model, Hyrule Warriors Legends only runs decently on a New 3DS, you can post stuff to miiverse for Smash Bros., and a few games take advantage of the c-stick for easier camera control). It also has exclusive access to handheld SNES VC games.

If none of that is important to you, then you should probably hold off. Otherwise, I think it's a great upgrade.

None of the games you mentioned are really enhanced at all on the New model, to my knowledge.

Do you enjoy the 3D aspect of most of the releases? If so , I think it is definitely worth it as the 3D is tremendously improved. Also , the build quality in my opinion is much improved . I think the 3ds has a lot of life left and this is the model to live it with . Xenoblade Chronicles on the go also... Nuff said.

@DiddyKonger
Xenoblade a system seller it is not

@GameOtaku Better build quality, better 3D viewing, and improved load times and processing speeds are though .. Especially for someone with an original 3ds who is interested in bigger screens and an upgrade , and especially for those who log a lot of hours on 3ds. Xenoblade was certainly what got me to get a new 3ds, so it was a system seller for me . No regrets !

@DiddyKonger
It also can't use the older mem cards which makes it difficult (I've already bout a large one but it won't work in the new, so now I'd have to purchase another)

I will give you that .. A good point . That is definitely a drawback for those with an original or regular 3ds Xl .

Are you interested in SNES titles on the virtual console (you say you want to get into Zelda --- A Link to the Past would be a great title to get into)? They're perhaps the main reason I'm glad I upgraded.

Just don't expect any new exclusives...

The New 3DS has good things, like a better 3D, a better CPU and the C-stick, plus Xenoblade Chronicles 3D.

Personally, I have the O3DS and I wouldn't update unless my 3DS system failed and couldn't be repaired. I don't think the update provides that much better an experience - you can still enjoy them just as fine without shelling out for the revision.

ONLY ON NEW NINTENDO 3DS/XL:

Faster system, SNES games on the Virtual Console, C-Stick (used for camera control), Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, enhancements in some games, better amiibo support, cover plates (only on New Nintendo 3DS), bigger screens

Right on everything aside from "Better Amiibo Support". The external Amiibo Reader for the standard 3ds models works exactly the same. Built in Amiibo Support would be far more accurate.

Hold on to your 3DS charging cable if you do upgrade or you will be buying a new one.

If you've already got one, then no. The N3DS is undoubtedly the superior unit in the family, but it's extra features don't justify the upgrade if you've already got a 3DS. Put that money towards more games for the one you've got.

Indubitably, so much YES

For one, it's only a $200 purchase which isn't that much. And trade in the old one after you do your system transfer and it'll be more like $100-120 net cost. And the New 3DS is the finest piece of handheld tech ever conceived. I could never go back to an OG model or OG XL.

Stable 3D
This cannot be stressed enough. 3D is just amazing, when it works right. And with New 3DS, it works. Games are just fun to play and more enjoyable in 3D. If you feel the same way, you'll value this feature. And if you don't, chances are you will after you play on New 3DS for a while.

C-stick
Toting around the CPP sucks. It's nice to have the built-in system ability to utilize 2nd analog functions out of the box. No goofy, bulky add-on needed.

Power Increase
Faster downloads, and we all know how atrocious download speeds are on OG models, like watching paint dry.

Better performance, like turn calculation wait times in Code Name STEAM, or added feature capabilities such as Miiverse in Smash or Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. There's a nice little list of games that get a bump in speed or added features, so don't underestimate the value of the power increase.

Exclusive Games
Xenoblade Chronicles on the go. Ya. Right there. What more can I say?
Binding of Isaac Rebirth
Runbow
Super Metroid
Earthbound
Super Mario World
Zelda Link to the Past
Donkey Kong Country 1-3
Mega Man 7
***Other Games Not Listed

Homebrew Benefits
If you plan on soft modding to install A9LH kernel access, the New 3DS has miles more capabilities than OG models. Neo Geo, Capcom Play System 1 and Capcom Play System 2 arcades run perfectly on New 3DS, but definitely not on OG models. As well as perfect SNES/BS Satellaview/Genesis/Sega CD performance which was rocky at best on OG models. In fact, any SNES or BS Satellaview game can even be installed as custom virtual console (but not on OG)

Misc Benefits
More buttons, built-in NFC technology and (depending on model) interchangeable faceplates are just icing on the cake, really.

It was the super stable 3D that did it for me (I never turn off 3D). Also, I broke my circle pad playing Mario Tennis.

I bought a new circle pad to repair my old 3Ds at some point and was planning on selling it but, depending on how I get on with the nub I might hang on to my old 3DS to play Resident Evil with the Circle Pad Pro (I've got to check out the demo to see if I can get by with the nub).