Nintendo 3DS (XL)

[shmuppyLove]

I'm kicking myself for not jumping on the $150 3DS XL deal Target had before Christmas.

I guess I could get the 2DS instead for even cheaper, but those HUGE screens on the XL are mighty nice ...

[professor ganson]

I'm kicking myself for not jumping on the $150 3DS XL deal Target had before Christmas.

I guess I could get the 2DS instead for even cheaper, but those HUGE screens on the XL are mighty nice ...

I guess they have the same sort of deals at Target In Canada as the US. Definitely worth it at that price. The XL system is better for nearly every game. There are rare occasions where games look less washed out chromatically and I end up preferring them on the smaller screen. But, again, that's rare.

[null1024]

If the 2DS didn't just feel really cheaply built, if you don't care for 3D, I'd say go for it.
but fuck, that plastic feels like shit, the thing is just dripping with cheapness

And every time I play my 3DS, I wish I had a 3DS XL. Not only would I not need the aftermarket battery I have installed [since the XL gets 8 hours anyway], I'd have that wondrously large display.

I got the Korg M01D synth on the eShop. Some nice sounds, absolutely ass effects [seriously, fuck that default echo], and a UI that seems like it could be loads better [there needs to be a way to differentiate patterns on the main screen, instead of just having great green blocks everywhere, it makes arranging things a biiiitch]. There needs to be a way to zoom in on the piano too -- live recording would work a bit better then.
It feels like I might as well just use DS-10+ to make music on the go. More fun to use, really. Even if it is more limited in terms of polyphony.

Oh, and I'm noticing that the 3DS touch screen seems to have this odd issue where it eventually stops matching 1:1 with pen input, as inputs drift to the left and right near the screen edges. Calibrating doesn't do squat. My nephew's 3DS did this really badly to the point where inputs were completely inaccurate and it wouldn't even try to calibrate [sent it into Nintendo, had to pay to get it fixed, but my nephew also had managed to make this huge-ass dead spot on his touch screen that would deflect input around it erratically, so I guess that's why?]. Mine is just starting to do it [and it's not unusable yet, I just can't draw that well with Colors 3D anymore...], but it is annoying. Anyone else have this issue?

I kind of don't want to send it in [mostly because if I have to pay to fix it, I'm just going to get an XL with my money], but hey.

[Skykid]

And every time I play my 3DS, I wish I had a 3DS XL. Not only would I not need the aftermarket battery I have installed [since the XL gets 8 hours anyway], I'd have that wondrously large display.

I think the battery life these companies advertise is quite overzealous. You might be able to get more out of the XL if you knock the brightness down to the lowest setting and switch power saving on, which tints the screen slightly yellow. If you have it at one brightness setting below max with power saving off, I'd say you get just under four hours from experience.

The PS Vita (1000) is about 3.5hrs approx with the brightness just below top.

Either way, you should buy an XL because it feels like a totally new console, and the 3D effect finally gets a proper showcase.

[ZellSF]

I'm convinced my 3DS XL doesn't even get 8 hours... when it's in standby mode. Every time I pick that thing up its battery is dead. Luckily I have my GBASP+, DSiXL and Vita to play with until the 3DS XL recharges. Those all last forever in standby mode in comparison.

[CMoon]

I think I'm not noticing this because I tend to only play it for 2-3 hour stretches at most, and tend to religiously plug the thing back in. Apparently turning the wi-fi off helps save the battery life, but again, not really an issue for me.

[BrianC]

Battery life for 3DSXL is only slightly better than the 3DS. The 10 hour time is only for DS games or something along that line. 3DSXL only has around 30 minutes more battery life, according to the estimated times given (forgot where I saw this, but I think it was from Nintendo).

[null1024]

Well, shit. Looks like I'll still end up getting an aftermarket battery when I get an XL. From a bit of quick Googling though, all of the XL's aftermarket batteries are stupid expensive -- I spent $10 on this Nyko one for my 3DS and never looked back.

Seriously, this big black rubberized slab shoved into the bottom of my 3DS makes it go from "have you had your 3 hours of fun, even though you disabled wifi and turned the brightness down" to "even max brightness and wifi lets me live for 6 hours!".

Which isn't a terribly massive improvement, but it is much better than the 3DS's atrocious lifespan with the stock battery.

[Moniker]

It definitely helps to do a proper shutdown instead of standby. Haven't clocked it, but 3-4 hours on my XL sounds about right. Got through all of SteamWorld Dig on one charge, and that takes around the same amount of time.

[replayme]

So I've been playing my 3DS some more today. Played 3D Land for another 30 minutes, as well as checking out the demo for RE:Revelations. Is it just me, or do a lot of users suffer from headaches and eye-strain? I haven't even played it for that long, and it got quite painful. Is this something I am going to get get used to, or will I always experience aches and strains in future?

[Moniker]

So I've been playing my 3DS some more today. Played 3D Land for another 30 minutes, as well as checking out the demo for RE:Revelations. Is it just me, or do a lot of users suffer from headaches and eye-strain? I haven't even played it for that long, and it got quite painful. Is this something I am going to get get used to, or will I always experience aches and strains in future?

I do, but then I can't even watch 3D movies in theaters. I'll turn on the slider now and then but mostly just play in 2D. Not a doctor, but I think it's really just a matter of whether you can handle 3D or not, rather than something you get used to.

[ZellSF]

I haven't checked. I get eye straining, but I haven't played enough with 3D on to see if it actually gets better once I'm used to it... Mainly because I think 3D adds nothing to any of the games available.

I sometimes set the slider on and to the lowest value because it decreases the color temperature. Probably not the intended use

[replayme]

I had to either turn the 3D off or have it set to the lowest setting. I find that I tilt or sway too often and end up missing the "sweet spot" too often otherwise - which results in a blurry mess. I think all things considering, I would rather take a nicer 2D screen, then live with 3D - which will mostly be turned off or set very low in future.

I've played some more 3D Land since. Total playtime is now 1 hr 33 mins. It's fun, and often brought a smile to my face. I just wish there was more stuff that I actually wanted in order to justify the expense of the handheld. And in a way, I'll be sad to sell my 3DS if I take the decision to do so.

[Moniker]

Dude, you're putting way too much drama into something like this. If you don't like it enough to be worth the expense, just get rid of it. No one's going to be upset over it.

Saying this as a friend.

[replayme]

If I sell it, it is not because I hate Nintendo. I want to make that perfectly clear.

[Moniker]

In the nicest way possible, no one really cares. Just do what you like.

[mosey]

R.I.P. Lou Reed.

XL's battery is designed to be replaced, unlike many modern devices. Remember to fully discharge, then recharge the battery and you should be fine.

[Skykid]

I'm lucky. I don't get eye strain or dizziness, and I play with the 3D at a notch below maximum. If I'm in a completely lazy position, like lying in bed, I usually bring it all the way down because tilting throws the image out. With Kid Icarus' ridiculous cradle setup it was hard work to play the whole thing with the 3D on, because you kept losing focus.

Out of interest, is it possible to patch 3DS games, or is that completely impossible?

[AweOfShe]

Out of interest, is it possible to patch 3DS games, or is that completely impossible?

They can get patched. There's two patches for Pokemon, and there was one for Shin Megami Tensei 4. The put them up on the eShop, and you download it from there, on the game's page. As long as the file is on the SD card, the patch will be in effect, I think.

[Skykid]

Out of interest, is it possible to patch 3DS games, or is that completely impossible?

They can get patched. There's two patches for Pokemon, and there was one for Shin Megami Tensei 4. The put them up on the eShop, and you download it from there, on the game's page. As long as the file is on the SD card, the patch will be in effect, I think.

Right, in that case Sakurai has absolutely no excuse for not patching Kid Icarus with circle pad support. He should resign. It's a crime against humanity.

[replayme]

Out of interest, is it possible to patch 3DS games, or is that completely impossible?

They can get patched. There's two patches for Pokemon, and there was one for Shin Megami Tensei 4. The put them up on the eShop, and you download it from there, on the game's page. As long as the file is on the SD card, the patch will be in effect, I think.

Right, in that case Sakurai has absolutely no excuse for not patching Kid Icarus with circle pad support. He should resign. It's a crime against humanity.

I thought patching was a mandatory feature for pretty much every online capable platform.

[ZellSF]

Out of interest, is it possible to patch 3DS games, or is that completely impossible?

They can get patched. There's two patches for Pokemon, and there was one for Shin Megami Tensei 4. The put them up on the eShop, and you download it from there, on the game's page. As long as the file is on the SD card, the patch will be in effect, I think.

How few patches there are probably means Nintendo doesn't make it easy though. Fire Emblem Awakening and Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward both need patches and aren't getting them.

Then again with how long it took Nintendo to release a Mario Kart patch, maybe Fire Emblem is getting one sometime next year.

[null1024]

So I've been playing my 3DS some more today. Played 3D Land for another 30 minutes, as well as checking out the demo for RE:Revelations. Is it just me, or do a lot of users suffer from headaches and eye-strain? I haven't even played it for that long, and it got quite painful. Is this something I am going to get get used to, or will I always experience aches and strains in future?

I do, but then I can't even watch 3D movies in theaters. I'll turn on the slider now and then but mostly just play in 2D. Not a doctor, but I think it's really just a matter of whether you can handle 3D or not, rather than something you get used to.

3D is kind-of something you get used to -- some people mightn't ever find it comfortable, but the initial shock does wear off to a point.
Galaxy Force II was a big offender the first night I picked it off, and now I can sit to enjoy it.

I really like the 3DS's 3D [and Pokemon X/Y's lack of it is super-disappointing].
It's a bit of a gimmick, but it delivers a satisfying pop to the graphics, and I generally play with it on max.

[BulletMagnet]

The aforementioned Bravely Default demo is now available on the US eShop, downloading it now.

[BrianC]

Out of interest, is it possible to patch 3DS games, or is that completely impossible?

They can get patched. There's two patches for Pokemon, and there was one for Shin Megami Tensei 4. The put them up on the eShop, and you download it from there, on the game's page. As long as the file is on the SD card, the patch will be in effect, I think.

How few patches there are probably means Nintendo doesn't make it easy though. Fire Emblem Awakening and Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward both need patches and aren't getting them.

Then again with how long it took Nintendo to release a Mario Kart patch, maybe Fire Emblem is getting one sometime next year.

I was surprised that Hakuoki: Memories of the Shinsengumi actually got a patch.

[AweOfShe]

How few patches there are probably means Nintendo doesn't make it easy though. Fire Emblem Awakening and Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward both need patches and aren't getting them.

Then again with how long it took Nintendo to release a Mario Kart patch, maybe Fire Emblem is getting one sometime next year.

That's what I think as well. Even on the Wii, only one game ever got patched (Skyward Sword), and I can think of a couple of other games that could use a patch (Pandora's Tower easily comes to mind, because of a game breaking glitch).

I would love if VLR got patched. I know the eShop version is fixed, but I already bought the physical version, way back. I don't mind keeping the game in standby mode whenever I take a break, but it's more of a peace of mind thing.

The aforementioned Bravely Default demo is now available on the US eShop, downloading it now.

Downloading it too. Never thought I'd be hyped to play a demo.

[BrianC]

Things seem to be patched more often on the Wii U, though. A few of the discs I played had an update before I played the game. I also downloaded the Bravely Default demo.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

I had to either turn the 3D off or have it set to the lowest setting. I find that I tilt or sway too often and end up missing the "sweet spot" too often otherwise - which results in a blurry mess. I think all things considering, I would rather take a nicer 2D screen, then live with 3D - which will mostly be turned off or set very low in future.

I've played some more 3D Land since. Total playtime is now 1 hr 33 mins. It's fun, and often brought a smile to my face. I just wish there was more stuff that I actually wanted in order to justify the expense of the handheld. And in a way, I'll be sad to sell my 3DS if I take the decision to do so.

You could pick up an 2DS handheld if the 3D effects aren't up your alley with the 3DS/3DS-XL setups.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[BrianC]

Out of the games I have played on 3DS, I actually found the worse use of 3D to be a Mario title, New Super Mario Bros 2. Shinobi's 3D isn't too hot either. I'm quite fond of both of the games themselves, though. It's funny how a port of Shinobi III actually has better 3D than the Shinobi game made from the ground up for the 3DS. M2's ports are definitely very impressive.

[replayme]

I had to either turn the 3D off or have it set to the lowest setting. I find that I tilt or sway too often and end up missing the "sweet spot" too often otherwise - which results in a blurry mess. I think all things considering, I would rather take a nicer 2D screen, then live with 3D - which will mostly be turned off or set very low in future.

I've played some more 3D Land since. Total playtime is now 1 hr 33 mins. It's fun, and often brought a smile to my face. I just wish there was more stuff that I actually wanted in order to justify the expense of the handheld. And in a way, I'll be sad to sell my 3DS if I take the decision to do so.

You could pick up an 2DS handheld if the 3D effects aren't up your alley with the 3DS/3DS-XL setups.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

Thanks.

I actually stuck my 3DS up for sale yesterday. And because I bought it in a sale, stand to make more money on it - depending on how "greedy" I get.

But I am suffering from a certain remorse in a way, as I already miss 3D Land.

I have about 3 reasons as to why I'm looking to sell my 3DS:
1. As already mentioned, I find the use of 3D to be a painful experience.
2. There aren't enough games on the system that I want, and the few that I do are unlikely to (substantially) drop in price. And I'm not prepared to pay the publisher's asking price, given that there are other games (on other systems) that appeal more to me and are cheaper.
3. There is already too much stuff that I need to get on with, and too much stuff that is coming out, that will "prevent" me from wanting to devote time to my 3DS. In short, a handheld (console) isn't just for Xmas. It's for life.

I'll buy a 3DS again one day. When it's old and cheap. But for now, I can live without it.

Edit: I do realise that £130 for a 3DS XL with Mario Kart and 3D Land (via the promotion) is not that much (and is a bragain). And I also realise that it's unlikely that the 3DS will depreciate in value to the extent that it'll be chump change in the near future (I could be waiting years in fact). But as it stands, and if one were to prioritise (subjectively), the 3DS isn't anywhere near the top of my list. Sad to say that I'm not 20 anymore. I don't have a lot of free time, and am not getting any younger. Life is short enough as it is.

And if you look at my sig, you'll realise that it was only recently (less than 4 months in fact) that I "discovered" my PSP - despite owning it since around April 2012.

Edit x 2: I don't want to talk about Zelda ALBW. I realise that some people think it's worth buying a 3DS for. And if I wasn't so cynical about it being a "heartless cash and grab" (given my unending love for ALTTP), I'd wager that I'd have no hesitation in blowing twice as much on the console.