Nintendo 3DS (XL)

[replayme]

3DS basically is the best console, by process of elimination.

XBone? More like XBox 180. Microsoft doesn't believe in games ownership or in having consumers.

PS4? Like multiplayer? Hope you like giving out your personal and financial info to hackers.

PC? Maybe. It's been playing underdog to consoles in developer priority for some time now. Indie games are still strong, but a lot of "AAA" PC games these days are just console ports so there is no real graphical advantage.

WiiU? Despite the usual strong first party software support, it has Dreamcast-level third party support.

Vita? No.

I strongly (yet respectfully) disagree with many of your summations.

In other news, there's apparently a 3DS "region unlock" hack out there...
http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/0 ... cartridges

[ZellSF]

3DS basically is the best console, by process of elimination.

XBone? More like XBox 180. Microsoft doesn't believe in games ownership or in having consumers.

PS4? Like multiplayer? Hope you like giving out your personal and financial info to hackers.

PC? Maybe. It's been playing underdog to consoles in developer priority for some time now. Indie games are still strong, but a lot of "AAA" PC games these days are just console ports so there is no real graphical advantage.

WiiU? Despite the usual strong first party software support, it has Dreamcast-level third party support.

Vita? No.

I strongly disagree with many of your summarions.

In other news, there's apparently a 3DS "region unlock" hack out there...
http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/0 ... cartridges

That has the same problem the flash cartridge does: it locks you out of future games and eshop titles. You might think of buying a separate 3DS for that, but then you might as well buy a 3DS for each region you want.

PS4? Like multiplayer? Hope you like giving out your personal and financial info to hackers.

You don't have to give Sony any personal or financial information for multiplayer, it's optional. I have bought lots of stuff from US PSN, they have none of my financial information and the only personal information they have is my birth date (for convenience, I didn't want to bother with remembering a fake birth date for account security purposes). Also two of the points you listed about other devices are pretty wrong too but I'm not in the mood for arguing.



Also fun stuff, I downloaded the Bravely Default demo today, first I had to:

• 1: Upgrade to a newer firmware, which seems to have no improvements
• 2: Create a Nintendo ID and link it to my 3DS
• 3: Link my Club Nintendo account, which was already linked to my 3DS to my Nintendo ID account

Which included filling out a lot of information I've already given to Nintendo in the past and for some reason agreeing to a separate EULA. All this to allow me to share my account balance with the Wii U I don't have.

The Bravely Default demo has 30 uses btw, and supposedly has unique content. Which you might end up having to buy a new 3DS to revisit.

I might be starting to sound like replayme now, but Nintendo's so stupid.

[CMoon]

Also fun stuff, I downloaded the Bravely Default demo today, first I had to:

• 1: Upgrade to a newer firmware, which seems to have no improvements
• 2: Create a Nintendo ID and link it to my 3DS
• 3: Link my Club Nintendo account, which was already linked to my 3DS to my Nintendo ID account

Which included filling out a lot of information I've already given to Nintendo in the past and for some reason agreeing to a separate EULA. All this to allow me to share my account balance with the Wii U I don't have.

Yeah, I'd noticed this when I did the last update. Suddenly I had to create a Mii that is shared online and a Nintendo ID. Goddamn, I'm gonna go change my Mii to something absurd right now.

As far as the PS4 security issue...I think it is probably an issue with all of these systems. They are certainly hackable and after the PSN was hacked last year (or was that the year before?), I'm not particularly trusting of any of them.

[jonny5]

So I bought one of these last night. Pretty cool so far, got Super Hang-on, Space Harrier 2 and Metal Torrent, and currently have RE: Revelations DL'ing. Is it just me or is the download speed through it silly slow? Took almost an hour to update when I first fired it up, and was taking forever to DL RE(like not even 1/3 done after 30 mins). Is this normal?

Also, seems to be a shit ton of RPG's on it, which aren't my bag. Any hidden gems I should know about? Not interested in the Virtual Console stuff.

Oh, and when is the US getting After Burner 2? I was a bit disappointed we didn't have it yet.

Surprisingly my eyes don't seem to mind the 3D so far, which is good.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Not sure if counts as a "hidden gem", but Pilotwings Resort (by the makers of Excite Truck) looks like the exact kind of flight sim I enjoy.
3D car games are something I'd check out next, starting from Ridge Racer 3D.

[CMoon]

jonny5> Might just be you. All my dl's have been pretty fast.

[MOSQUITO FIGHTER]

Really enjoying the Bravely Default demo. Nice meaty demo that lasts about 5 hours plus. It keeps the old school RPG vibe but adds in just enough to make class choice and customization interesting. I'm liking the art style of the game too. But, the story seems like it might be kind of weak. I also thought the layout of the dungeons was kind of dull.

Has anyone here managed to beat the dragon on the demo? I'm thinking I should just max out everyone as a black mage with a minor in white magic. Pretty tricky boss. Don't think I can beat him with my original set up unless there is some way to farm out elixers.

[Skykid]

J5 dld's are surprisingly fast for me - way faster than my Vita. Try putting it into sleep mode and walk away for a bit, you'll probably reopen the lid to a few presents waiting to be unwrapped.

[soprano1]

Really enjoying the Bravely Default demo. Nice meaty demo that lasts about 5 hours plus. It keeps the old school RPG vibe but adds in just enough to make class choice and customization interesting. I'm liking the art style of the game too. But, the story seems like it might be kind of weak. I also thought the layout of the dungeons was kind of dull.

Has anyone here managed to beat the dragon on the demo? I'm thinking I should just max out everyone as a black mage with a minor in white magic. Pretty tricky boss. Don't think I can beat him with my original set up unless there is some way to farm out elixers.

Have your group level 16-17, and spam Blizzara with max level Black Mages. Also, the abilities Damage Dispersion (Black Mage) and Angelic Ward (White Mage) are almost a necessity to protect your mages.

[BulletMagnet]

Has anyone here managed to beat the dragon on the demo?

Currently preparing to try him again after having him wipe the floor with me the first time: the little fairy helper mentions that you need optimal equipment to beat him, so I've left my 3DS in sleep mode long enough by now to finally have access to the better stuff from the village. Will see how much of a difference it makes...

[Chaos Phoenixma]

You don't need the Norende gear for the demo, but it's worth getting, and I used it myself though only level 2 for the weapons since I didn't have the level 3 ones.

And since most bosses in the demo don't have any magic, Ninjas will pretty much break them. 4 Ninjas with the skills for +1 Brave on Evade, Counter when evading, Reduce damage taken skill, and the one that buffs you when you evade were what I used for the final demo bosses.

[Khan]

So I bought one of these last night. Pretty cool so far, got Super Hang-on, Space Harrier 2 and Metal Torrent, and currently have RE: Revelations DL'ing. Is it just me or is the download speed through it silly slow? Took almost an hour to update when I first fired it up, and was taking forever to DL RE(like not even 1/3 done after 30 mins). Is this normal?

Also, seems to be a shit ton of RPG's on it, which aren't my bag. Any hidden gems I should know about? Not interested in the Virtual Console stuff.

Oh, and when is the US getting After Burner 2? I was a bit disappointed we didn't have it yet.

Surprisingly my eyes don't seem to mind the 3D so far, which is good.

The only reason I bought the system was for Code of princess but atm i have super street fighter 4 3d, dead or alive dimensions, resident evil revelations, castlevania losmof,starfox 64 3d, Shinobi. For me they were the best of the library i havent touched the 3ds till recently its just been gathering dust decided to on the eshop and see if they had code of princess on christmas sale which they did not

[replayme]

With hardware projections being lowered from 18M to 13M, does anyone else think this is the beginning of the end for the 3DS?

Wouldn't be surprised if it is tbh - especially given that tablets and phones are so much more powerful and attractive. And let's not forget Vita with its Oled screen.

I know I said that the 3DS doesn't have that many years left in it, and that its best years are behind it, but even I'm surprised that the decline is so readily apparent and so steep too.

[jonny5]

Well jeez, if those numbers are legit I think you would be fully justified in selling it at this point.

Just fucking do it already and shut up about it!!

[replayme]

Projection is 13.5M to be precise.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014- ... 9m-to-2-8m

I'm just keeping mine for Zelda. And then selling it.

Unlike Nintendo, I don't lose money on Nintendo hardware

[Khan]

I think if they made one mistake with the handheld its the region lock I know people get tired of moaning about it but I cant think why its needed and what benefits it gives to us their customers, aside from making us wait forever to play a new game. I like the 3d effect but only a quarter of the way up if its set to full I get crazy headache xD

[trap15]

I cant think why its needed and what benefits it gives to us their customers

It doesn't exist to benefit the customer. It exists to benefit the developers/publishers. When the 3DS was released, the JPY:USD was about 85:1. The Japanese sellers would have been seriously screwed with that exchange rate with no region locking, as it would have made the price of importing much more affordable than just buying locally. The lock was made to prevent importing for cheaper games. It would have been stupid of Nintendo to not institute region locking under that exchange rate.

[BryanM]

With hardware projections being lowered from 18M to 13M, does anyone else think this is the beginning of the end for the 3DS?

No, because no one here is retarded. New hardware in 4 or 5 years, shocking revelation.

high quality phone jRPGs

[trap15]

[mosey]

Any hidden gems I should know about?

Bomb Monkey is now $3 or so, and do dig into the DS backlog as I have. Many many goodies there.
Metroid Pinball, Shiren the Wanderer, Picross 3D, Rhythm Heaven etc..

[CMoon]

Any hidden gems I should know about?

Bomb Monkey is now $3 or so, and do dig into the DS backlog as I have. Many many goodies there.
Metroid Pinball, Shiren the Wanderer, Picross 3D, Rhythm Heaven etc..

And Etrian Odyssey 3 (now that it has been reissued), assuming you like dungeon crawlers and don't mind carving 100 hours off your life. Also, the Dragon Quest ports (4-6) are pretty damn good.

[replayme]

With hardware projections being lowered from 18M to 13M, does anyone else think this is the beginning of the end for the 3DS?

No, because no one here is retarded. New hardware in 4 or 5 years, shocking revelation.

high quality phone jRPGs

I don't know... I reckon 2-3 years is when we'll be seeing new hardware be announced and released - especially with the pressure of the Wii U having all but failed. Regardless of its success, declining sales numbers definitely point to the 3DS as now being past its half life stage (given that it was released February 26, 2011 in Japan, and now that all the big guns - including Pokemon and Zelda - are out).


IOS also now has native controller support, so mobiles are definitely maturing (and coming into their own) as sophisticated gaming devices. Next 3 years and I think things could get really interesting in the handheld / mobile gaming landscape.

Besides, how many big name reveals do you see for the 3DS from third parties? Aside from the Monster Hunter franchise (which is only really relevant in Japan), there's literally nothing of note coming out. From a Western standpoint, the days of big AAA games like RE:Revelations and MGS are over.

[trap15]

Regardless of its success, declining sales numbers definitely point to the 3DS as now being past its half life stage (given that it was released February 26, 2011 in Japan, and now that all the big guns - including Pokemon and Zelda - are out).

IOS also now has native controller support, so mobiles are definitely maturing (and coming into their own) as sophisticated gaming devices. Next 3 years and I think things could get really interesting in the handheld / mobile gaming landscape.

[replayme]

Regardless of its success, declining sales numbers definitely point to the 3DS as now being past its half life stage (given that it was released February 26, 2011 in Japan, and now that all the big guns - including Pokemon and Zelda - are out).

IOS also now has native controller support, so mobiles are definitely maturing (and coming into their own) as sophisticated gaming devices. Next 3 years and I think things could get really interesting in the handheld / mobile gaming landscape.

I edited my original comment.

Both the 3DS and Vita are suffering as a result of mobiles and tablets. And at least with the Vita, Sony aren't losing serious money. Unlike the Wii U which wiped out all of the 3DS's profits.

Edit:
http://www.pocketgamer.biz/r/PG.Biz/Nin ... sp?c=56703

"Was 2013 the year of the 3DS, or the year the handheld fell by the wayside?

Numbers released during the last week would suggest that, to a certain extent, both apply."

[trap15]

I don't see how you editing your post changes anything? The part I quoted is still exactly the same. You're a fucking moron.

[replayme]

I don't see how you editing your post changes anything? The part I quoted is still exactly the same. You're a fucking moron.

Glad you could hold an adult conversation.

Boo hoo

[EmperorIng]

I don't know how releasing a catastrophic sales failure of a handheld is not "losing serious money," unless you actively delude yourself into thinking the Vita is not completely trounced.

[replayme]

I don't know how releasing a catastrophic sales failure of a handheld is not "losing serious money," unless you actively delude yourself into thinking the Vita is not completely trounced.

I wouldn't call the Vita a "catastrophic sales failure". It's more like an indie art house pet project from Sony. And have you seen the lineup (from numerous third party indie developers) this year?

The point is that the success of the PS4 ensures that the Vita will remain relevant for some time to come (even if it remains niche). But the failure of the Wii U (which eroded all of the 3DS's profits), together with Nintendo's handheld and console divisions merging, would see to it that a successor to the 3DS comes out sooner rather than later - especially given that it's getting rather long in the tooth.

And with that, Trap15 ends up looking like the deluded (irrational) fanboy that he is. But I'm sure he's got a logical explanation for everything. Including losing his cool... Ha ha!

[trap15]

Yes, I'm the deluded fanboy

[replayme]

Yes, I'm the deluded fanboy

Glad we agree on some things

Edit: I never said that the 3DS was a flop. Just that (the way things are going) I don't expect it to last 6 whole years in total - and it's already done 3. That's still a successful long life, regardless of how you look at it.