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The Nintendo 3DS is one of the most impressive handhelds today with its amazing library of game titles that continues to grow even after 5 years. I first bought a Nintendo 3DS XL almost 3 years ago and I really loved it. I took care of it that when I sold it early this year it still looked good as new. I also liked the accessories that came with it, as you can see above. I now upgraded to a regular New Nintendo 3DS and I couldn't be happier.
Now, I prefer handheld gaming nowadays because of its portability. I decided to get a decent laptop so that a good number of emulators can run through it. It fits my lifestyle perfectly as I travel abroad once in a while and I don't want to feel miffed thinking that I left one of my consoles back home.
3DS Game Titles
I just bought the 3DS for one game, Monster Hunter. I was really into MH when it came out on the PSP, I was planning to get a PS Vita thinking that a new MH game would release on the platform but I was disappointed that the Vita lied. I just decided to get a Nintendo 3DS because it already has Monster Hunter Games.
Here are just a few games that makes the 3DS a must have:
The Monster Hunter Series
One of the most popular games today on the 3DS, with just the Monster Hunter 4 U, I invested at least 1,000 hours playing it and it's not even 100% complete yet. I loved playing with my friends and it is one of the game that brought a lot of people together. I discovered a Monster Hunting group where we hang out and play online and locally. Eventually, we enjoy each other's company by going on trips. Going to a resort to just enjoy and have fun and there was a time that we went up to the Northern mountains and spent days there.
Monster Hunter XX (Double Cross) will be releasing in Japan next year so that means that it would be the definitive edition of Monster Hunter X which was localized as Monster Hunter Generations in the West. I play MHX and MHGen both, I am in the East side of the world after all so getting first taste of Monster Hunter is easier, the only setback is that my Japanese isn't that great.
There are a lot of Pokemon games on the 3DS, to be honest I no longer play Pokemon. It was fun and the last Pokemon I played was Pokemon Black. If you are a Pokemon fanatic, you probably already have a 3ds. For those who want to get into it, there is Pokemon X & Y, and Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, among other Pokemon games in the library.
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| It would be criminal to leave out the Zero Escape series. Started as 999 on the DS and continued to the 3DS. This visual novel adventure game is dark, sinister, and so much fun to play. These are gems in the 3DS. Playing all three only requires a 3DS. So make sure to include this on your buying list when you go out to buy a 3DS. |
Games like Super Mario Bros. series, Bravely Default, Bravely Second, Professor Layton series, Phoenix Wright series, Tomodachi Life, Fantasy Life, Rune Factory series, and the list goes on. The gaming library of the 3DS is stunning and makes it a must have gaming gadget.
Just go ahead and look up the titles available on youtube, they have a lot of top games videos on the 3ds.
Backwards Compatibility (Play Nintendo DS, GBA Games and more)
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| Simply a master piece on the Nintendo DS. 9 Hours 9 Persons 9 Doors is definitely a must play before you die kind of game. It is the Zero Escape Trilogy and the two other games are available on the Nintendo 3DS. |
The Nintendo 3ds can also play DS carts, so the already expansive 3ds library combined with the previous handheld console giant and you have a massive arsenal of games just waiting to be played.
So games like Fire Emblem, the Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros. games on the DS can be played directly from the cart, you don't have to buy a Nintendo DS to play it. You get the best of both worlds already, so why would anyone pass up on this?
Not only that, but GBA, GBC. and Snes games(New 3DS Only) are also available on the e-shop. So if you missed some games from the past, it's not too late to play them.
Play synthesized music on your 3ds
Korg M01(DS) Korg M01D(3DS), Korg DS-10 (DS), Korg DSN-12(3DS), and other Korg titles on both DS and 3DS, you can whip out amazing tunes like this guy~
Hyrule Field in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Now, the Korg DS line is synthesizer and the Korg M01 line is music station.
Other Stuff
You can do a whole lot of things with the 3ds because of its wide array of game library, some of them can be quite educational. Go ahead and explore it.
For homebrews and custom firmware, I will put that on another post. Homebrew and CFW can be in the gray area for gamers so it could be a sensitive matter but taking advantage of it can be very rewarding in itself as you can open up new possibilities for your Nintendo 3DS.
What kind of 3ds is for you?
If you are on a budget, I would highly suggest the
2DS
PROS
CONS
Other Stuff
You can do a whole lot of things with the 3ds because of its wide array of game library, some of them can be quite educational. Go ahead and explore it.
For homebrews and custom firmware, I will put that on another post. Homebrew and CFW can be in the gray area for gamers so it could be a sensitive matter but taking advantage of it can be very rewarding in itself as you can open up new possibilities for your Nintendo 3DS.
What kind of 3ds is for you?
If you are on a budget, I would highly suggest the
2DS
PROS
- Perfect and safe for kids
- No hinge that will break
- SD card access on the side for convenience
- Ships with an adapter
- Inexpensive
- Comfortable to hold
- DS backward compatibility
- Ships with 4GB MMC
CONS
- No 3D camera (it's not really utilized, so it's no big deal)
- The matte finish can give off some sort of toy like feel (kids don't really care about this only some)
- Screen size is only available in small, no XL counterpart available
- Screens may get scratched easily so having a carrying case for it is advised
- Single speaker
- Won't fit in your pocket most of the time
Nintendo 3ds
This is the standard Nintendo 3ds, which is pretty okay. It does have the usual features of the 3ds, so let's find out if this is for you.
PROS
- Lightweight and small enough that it is easy to put in the pocket
- Clam shell style prevents the screens from being scratched during travel
- 3D feature (In game and Camera)
- Stereo speakers
- SD card can be accessed on the side
- Ships with an adapter
- Better aspect ratio
CONS
- 3D effect can make you dizzy
- Ships with 2GB MMC
- Fingerprint prone because of glossy finish
- The screen may be too small to some (I love it though)
Nintendo 3ds XL
Pretty much the same features with the regular Nintendo 3ds, just bigger
PROS
- Larger screens
- Longer battery life
- Bigger unit may mean it is more comfortable for people with bigger hands
- 3D feature
- Ships with an adapter
- Ships with 4GB MMC
- SD Card can be accessed on the side
- Clam shell type
- Stereo speakers
CONS
- Heavier and may not pockets
- The screen sort of stretches out the resolution of the game
- A bit more expensive
New Nintendo 3ds
The "New" nintendo 3ds series is the latest iteration of the Nintendo 3ds. I think it is what the Nintendo 3ds was supposed to look like but Nintendo did a half hearted job first then decided to provide the definitive version, perhaps to gather more revenue.
It has the old Nintendo 3ds goodness and more.
PROS
- Portable, will fit in most pockets
- Faster processor
- Stable 3D
- C-Stick addition and ZL and ZR buttons
- Matte rubberized design to prevent finger prints
- Interchangeable Faceplates
- Slightly bigger screen than the regular Old Nintendo 3ds
- Better speakers
CONS
- May be a bit more expensive to some
- Doesn't Ship with an adapter
- Hard to remove the micro sd card as you need to remove it's back plate
- Unimpressive battery life
New Nintendo 3ds XL
The bigger sister of the New Nintendo 3ds. At first it was the only unit available in North America but eventually they released the regular New Nintendo 3ds.
It has the same features of the New Nintendo 3ds in terms of processing power and so on.
PROS
- Largest Screen in the 3DS Family
- Longest battery life in the 3DS Family
- Pretty much that's it
CONS
- Heavier and may not fit most pockets
- Glossy finish prone to finger prints
- No interchangeable face plates
- Doesn't ship with an adapter
- Micro sd card has to be accessed by removing the back plate
- May be a bit expensive
Note: The New Nintendo 3ds / 3ds XL series has some minor issue with the battery seating at the back of the unit. A good number of owners experienced their handheld console dying suddenly during gameplay and can be fixed by re-seating the battery at the back. This means you have to remove the back plate with a screw driver and fix the seat of the battery. It may not be an exact snug fit so sometimes the console would die or the battery won't charge properly.
I had to attach some paper on the battery of my New Nintendo 3ds unit and it also happened to my friends. It may not affect all but most people experience this.
I didn't experience this back when I had a Nintendo 3ds XL.