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

I bought a Switch at launch and it's been my reintroduction into the gaming world since 2009, roughly. So, my question, as someone who is trying to live a functional adult life and game.

Owning the Switch, is it worth getting a 3DS anymore?? So many games coming out for the Switch, but it looks like the 3DS holds tons of good titles as well. My head is spinning, haha.

@Gorbash333 The 3DS, for the time being at least, represents the culmination of the DS line, and with its 'super stable 3D' is also a one of a kind device. Personally I think any gaming collector worth their salt should have it in their lineup.

But only you can decide if the catalogue of games is up your street and worth your money.

I felt like I got my money's worth just being able to play Ocarina of Time 3D on it.

I actually only recently bought a 3DS myself, if you consider 1 year and 6 months recent. For what it is, I am living a functional (or is it?) adult life, and am able to enjoy both the Switch and 3DS. I find myself balancing the 2, plus a PC, reasonably well. I've imposed a rule on myself though to finish some of my backlog games I bought (mostly from systems before the Switch/3DS) before purchasing any new ones, but if you haven't played games since 2009 I don't think you'll have that problem.

My recommendation? See how much of your time the Switch eats up. If there's plenty of time left to enjoy some 3DS games, go for it.

Why wouldn't it be worth getting? If it has enough games that you want, then go for it. The 3DS (particularly the New 3DS XL) is a FANTASTIC system. Possibly my favorite Nintendo system ever.

I haven't played my a lot lately. But its a worthy system to own. I still really like it.

The 3ds has a fantastic library and if you use the switch as a portable it is a another system that you can work down the library on the go. Plus a lot of games will be cheaper than the new hotness switch games are if you are looking for more bang for your buck. I'm not going to lie, my 3ds is a dust brick right now because of the switch's hybrid nature but I have about 50 games that I can only play on the 3ds in my backlog....they will get played. System was loaded with RPGs if that is your jam.

@Ryu_Niiyama Yeah, RPGs are exactly why I'm even thinking about it. The other thing being, yes I love being able to take the Switch on my commute (train ride), but when it get's crowded it's kinda difficult hold something as bulky as the Switch.

@All

Honestly, how many hours a day do you play, on the reg??

@Gorbash333 Even though I've barely touched my 3DS since the Switch came out, I have no reservations about saying the 3DS is one of the best game systems ever, and I'm not letting mine go anytime soon. You can easily find dozens of titles that will keep you entertained for hundreds of hours just walking into a random Gamestop, amd the prices are as good right now as they will ever get. I would probably recommend a New 2DS XL as the best iteration of the system, unless you are very interested in 3D gameplay.

Keep in mind that the graphics on the 3DS were "retro" at launch and now look quite quaint, especially compared to the Switch which has redefined handheld gaming for everyone. Aside from that, this is a world-class system whose library has everything from Street Fighter to Xenoblade Chronicles. Platformers, RPGs, strategy, shmups, pinball, racing, brawls, puzzles - in short, the works. In particular, if you like RPGs you can sink thousands of hours into 3DS titles. I still have a massive backlog on 3DS that is mostly RPGs.

Also, if you never had a DS, don't neglect the DS shelves. There are plenty of great DS games, too, which really complete the 3DS library.

The 3DS admittedly had what is probably the single greatest library of available titles on any single system, so yes. Between the 3DS' and DS' vast libraries of titles, a few worthy DSiWare titles, and the 3DS eshop being no slouch in terms of indie games, you're going to have a huge selection if you pick one up.

For a starter's list of titles across genres, you have

Racing:
Mario Kart DS and 7

Sports:
Mario Tennis Open
Mario Golf World Tour
Inazuma Eleven

Puzzles:
Professor Layton series
Meteos
Ace Attourney Series

Fighters
A bunch of DBZ titles
Super Street Fighter 4
Super Smash Bros for 3DS

Simulation
Lost in Blue Series
Animal Crossing WW and NL
Tomadachi Life
A boatload of Harvest Moon Games

Platformers
New Super Mario Bros. (I recommend the first one, despite being more basic technically)
Super Mario 3D Land
Sonic Rush series
Metroid Prime Hunters and Returns

RPG
Pokemon (i'd recommend Platinum, Explorers of Sky, Black 2/White 2 or HG/SS, but you have tons of mains and spin offs)
Ever Oasis
Chrono Trigger
Radiant Historia
Fire Emblem Awakening and Fates
Bravely Default and Second
Shin Megami Tensai games
Monster Hunter
Mario and Luigi series
Rune Factory
Tales of the Abyss
Dragon Quest IV-IX, Joker 1&2
Final Fantasy (a ton)

Remakes and Console Ports
Xenoblade Chronicles
Super Mario 64 DS
Legend of Zelda 3D Remakes
Starfox 64 3D
Hyrule Warriors
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D

Anyways, this is only a small sample of the games available on the system, but might give you an idea of whether you see anything here that interests you.

@Gorbash333 If you are looking for rpgs....yeah get a 3ds. SMT IV, SMTIV:A, DQ VII, DQ VIII, Bravely Default, Bravely Second, Fantasy Life will be a full return on investment alone. That is before you even get into the other genres....

Plus with the switch also looking to bring the RPGs...yeah you will be busy if you aren't already.

I'm playing my 3DS XL almost daily right now, and I have a Switch.

As far as a functioning gaming adult, shoot, yeah, you can do it. I have an XBox One, PS4, Switch, and 3DS. I have a house, so all the chores with it, kids, all the work that goes with raising kids, hobbies, and I still game. Easy to be a functioning gaming adult.

Welcome back to gaming.

3DS has one of the best selections of games for any console ever. Definitely worth getting one. Get the new 2D one though. The 3D is largely unimportant.

If you want an amazing line-up of games, and the entire DS line-up, this is a must buy. if you're one of the people complaining that the 3DS should die already, you should still buy it because it's an amazing device.

I own the Switch and a new3DS.

Since getting the Switch I'm not playing the 3DS anymore, ever. I'm glad I have it for the (too) occasionnal going away to a place where I won't take the Switch, but if I had to invest in it now I wouldn't : I have too much on my plate already on the new console.

@Gorbash333
Two (or more) is better than one.
3DS has very Awesome library.
Go get both 3DS and Switch !

Oh and you should also bear in mind the SNES games on the eshop are for the New3DS and New2DS only. Always worth having A Link To The Past and Super Metroid to play portably imo.

If you want it for the existing library then very much yes (Fire Emblem Awakening is one of the best games ever!).

If you are expecting new stuff, I don't think it is worth it.

I have a DS and I've spent about 5 years wondering if it's worth getting a 3DS. I never did and I don't regret it. Now I have a Switch there's even less reason to get one.

If there are key games you really want to play then go for it. But if you're just looking to spend a reasonable amount of time gaming there's already way more than you need in the Switch library.

This x 10. There will be plenty enough games on Switch for you and getting a 3DS would perhaps impair your ability to lead a "functional adult life" depending on what you mean by that.

Dang! Sooo many good points, for real! Thanks y'all! It does sound like its worth getting, in general, but there are just so many good Switch games coming out that there's no need, at the moment.

I think I will end up getting one, but probably wait until they price hits that sweet spot of a last gen handheld. It's still selling like the current gen handheld, because it technically is, haha. I mean, I've gotta play all of the FE games, eventually!