Topic: What's the Point of the Charging Cradle?

I have never, ever understood why the 3DS comes with a charging cradle. What's the point? How is it better than just plugging it in? I certainly can't play it when it's on the cradle. The only thing I can think of is that it's the only way to charge the system if you somehow break the charge port? Is that literally all it's good for? I've been confused since day one on this thing. Help me out!

Seems useful for someone who has their AC port damaged so that they can't fit the charger in there. Otherwise, yeah, I agree, seems more cumbersome than a charging cord, especially considering that the cradle probably can't be used if you have a skin or hand grip accessory for your 3DS.

If you're a klutz like I am and are liable to trip over the charging cord and pull your 3DS off a table, the cradle makes it a tiny bit safer. Also, it looks cooler? I dunno

I don't think I've ever used mine, but it's kind of neat and easier to charge.
And honestly, I'm surprised it came with the 3DS and you didn't have to buy it separately instead.

It was made with the idea of you coming home and leaving your 3DS to charge by itself by just dropping it in the cradle, not for playing with it.

@Morpheel: But why not, you know, just plug it in? Is that so much harder...?

I do admit to using the cradle, though, despite my not understanding it.

They included it as a bit of a boon to make up for the poor battery life. Basically it was made to make the frequent charging more bearable.

saves time as other as said by simply dropping it on the cradle without second thought. especially if they have something else to do thats on thier mind.

So you can cradle your charge, of course!

Plugging it in isn't much harder... but it is a teeny tiny bit harder than just setting the 3DS down. With a cradle you never have to mess with any wires. It also looks cleaner and prevents you from having a small, loose cable drop behind (for example) a desk or night stand and have to be fished out when you want to charge your system.

The difference is slight, but a cradle is more convenient for many people. If you don't care then just don't worry about it.

My charger port is broken, so I have to use the cradle.

It looks much nicer when its set on the table

When you get done playing, set your 3DS on the cradle.

I think it's just so your spotpass can go crazy while you sleep. Just a cool place to leave it, and it's easier to just plop it in the cradle then plugging it in.

What is this mysterious cradle of charge that thou dost speak of? #boughtanXL

^better get 500 CN points quick then. They'll be up the 31st, gone by november 1st

That makes sense to me! I admit to not understanding the concept initially, but the charging cradle is now home for my 3DS.

I probably use my charging cradle every night! I leave it on my desk and every night before I go to bed I just set my 3DS down and let it charge over night. I don't ever take it with me on vacations or anything though.

Whenever I play my 3DS, I always have a full battery, same thing with my Wii U gamepad. I'll probably end up getting one for my Vita too, even, it's just really covenient.

It does seem kinds pointless honestly. My cradle sits on my desk, so the wire never falls. Saves me the trouble of having to fish it out on the floor amongst the other wires and stuff.