DS or 3DS?

MjP

The last Game Boy i owned was a Game Boy color, so i'm a bit behind on the tech side of things here, so i have a question

Should i buy a DS or is the 3DS replacing the DS as the standard? My eyes don't take well to 3D technology so if this is just a passing fad i'm happy to go without, but if it is here to stay I would obviously want the new technology.

Any help anyone can offer would be appreciated.


-Mp

joshgotro

Do you want to play games in 3D?

Daebunz

the 3D effect on the 3ds can be toggled off, as I'm sure it's going to be an eye strain on everyone at first.

and since the 3ds is backwards compatible with DS games, it's mostly a matter of whether or not upcoming 3ds games interest you/cost

if they don't you can get a ds lite for far cheaper and have access to the GBA library, but there is some cool shit in the works for the 3ds like paper mario.

mere_immortal

Well you can play DS games on a 3DS so there's a whole back catalog there. DS can also play GBA games too, but 3DS can't.

The 3DS is more than twice as expensive though, and in my opinion none of the launch titles justify buying one yet. Nintendo always do improved versions of the hardware down the line so that's something to think about too.

Heleor

All new Nintendo games are going to be published on the 3DS - it's not just a new iteration of the DS.

Xenogears of Bore

DS

Pros: Cheaper, better battery life.

Cons: 7 year old tech.

3DS

Pros: Optional 3D, great graphics, modern shader support. Plays almost every single DS game as well.

Cons: More expensive.

MjP

I have an eye condition that really prevents me from taking 3D in through the technology that is on the market now, so it wouldn't make a difference to me if i played the game in 3D or 2D.

If they are only making games for the 3DS in the future, I would want that obviously, but if i can get by with the DS and still play all the new games i would much rather do that.

Sweeney Tom

You can turn the 3D off on the 3DS.

MarioG

You're going to have to get a 3DS if you want to play new games. They won't be making games for the DS anymore.

Zerokku

MjP wrote: »

I have an eye condition that really prevents me from taking 3D in through the technology that is on the market now, so it wouldn't make a difference to me if i played the game in 3D or 2D.

If they are only making games for the 3DS in the future, I would want that obviously, but if i can get by with the DS and still play all the new games i would much rather do that.

The 3DS isn't a remodel. Its a completely new system. As such support for the DS will taper off over the next year in favor of the 3DS.

Fig-D

MjP wrote: »

I have an eye condition that really prevents me from taking 3D in through the technology that is on the market now, so it wouldn't make a difference to me if i played the game in 3D or 2D.

If they are only making games for the 3DS in the future, I would want that obviously, but if i can get by with the DS and still play all the new games i would much rather do that.

That second line right there. The 3DS isn't another pillar in Nintendo's console strategy, its the successor to the DS. You'll see DS games come out for a bit longer because the system has such a large install base and the 3DS is backwards compatible, but eventually 3DS will be the only way to go. Think about PS2 releases after the PS3 came out. The PS2 had some of its best software hit after the PS3 was released, but new releases for it eventually died out.

Lunker

The PS2 and PS3 comparison is somewhat apt (assuming you have hypothetical access to a backwards-compatible one). If you want the system that is way more expensive but has access to future games, go with the 3DS. On the other hand, you can pick up a DS now for pretty cheap, dive into a library that is an embarrassment of riches, and when you surface after years of spelunking through the system's excellent backlog library, the 3DS itself will be cheaper and have a well-built library of titles on its own.

If you're okay with being behind the curve and don't need to play the newest, shiniest games, and the original DS library looks good to you, you can easily spend years mining it. But if you want access to the future of whatever the 3DS can do down the road -- and also want the ability to dip into the DS back-catalog - go 3DS, but go in knowing the first year or so will be as lean as most other console launches.

RainbowDespair

In addition to what has been said, are you sure that your eyes can't do the 3D with the 3DS? Of all the 3D visuals I've experienced, the 3DS's implementation has been by far the best.

V Faction

Forget the DS and the 3DS for a moment, the last handheld you owned was a Gameboy Color?? That means there are some great Gameboy Advance games that you should probably play. I'd say get a DS (lite variety) then. You clearly are okay with letting hardware develop first before diving into a purchase. With a DS, you can still play GBA games, which (if you can still find them) are probably going to be bargin-bin prices.

Adus

I heard DS games don't look too great on the 3DS because it stretches them out to meet the new pixel ratio. Apparently you can set them to the normal DS sizes but then a third of your screens are just black because the game just gets shrunk down. I dunno if that is a factor for you or not. I was considering getting a 3DS when it was announced (since I've never had a DS of any sort) but after looking at the terrible launch lineup and hearing about that pixel issue I might wait for a price drop at least.

Drake

Buy a DS and play fantastic DS games and catch up on the completely amazing GBA library. There are some seriously awesome GBA games out there, especially if you are in to RPGs. The DS is probably the greatest RPG system of all time when you include the GBA capability.

Fig-D

Just keep in mind that if you do pick up a DS with the intention of playing games from the GBA's library, the DS Lite was the last hardware version to support backwards compatibility.

Vegan

The 3DS can play DS games, yes, but it's not the ideal system to play them on. If you have them in unscaled mode, the screen real estate is laughably tiny. It's too bad the resolution of the 3DS isn't high enough to do 2x scaling.

CygnusZ

MjP wrote: »

The last Game Boy i owned was a Game Boy color, so i'm a bit behind on the tech side of things here, so i have a question

Should i buy a DS or is the 3DS replacing the DS as the standard? My eyes don't take well to 3D technology so if this is just a passing fad i'm happy to go without, but if it is here to stay I would obviously want the new technology.

Any help anyone can offer would be appreciated.


-Mp

I'd actually go and try it out to see whether or not you can see the effect.
But, since the GB you owned was a color, I think you should get a DS Lite. It'll play both DS and GBA games, so you'll probably get 5-6 years of play out of just that and pick up a 3DS on the cheap towards the end of its lifespan.

Jintor

I was going to recommend 3DS, but since you skipped the Advance lifecycle you should probably go pick up a cheap DS Lite first.

MjP

Thanks for all the advice

I'll probably stop by a game store and take a look at the 3DS, and see how my eyes take to it

The cheaper DS lite sounds like a good option, but i may go with the DSi.

I've looked around a bit, and found a few bundles of the DSi with the new Pokemon game, does anyone have a quick review of the game (the last Pokemon game i played was yellow)? Also are there any other top shelf RPG games that i should look at? My commute is a 30 minute bus ride these days, which makes good reason to buy a DS.

Daebunz

black/white for the most part kicks ass.

I reccomend it regardless of what type of DS you get.

I also don't think there's much point to a DSi at this stage because then you deny yourself both 3DS games and GBA games.

Jishian

MjP wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice

I'll probably stop by a game store and take a look at the 3DS, and see how my eyes take to it

The cheaper DS lite sounds like a good option, but i may go with the DSi.

I've looked around a bit, and found a few bundles of the DSi with the new Pokemon game, does anyone have a quick review of the game (the last Pokemon game i played was yellow)?

Pokemon Black and White are a great place to start if you havent played pokemon in a while. All the pokemon are brand new (and after the Elite 4 you'll be able to catch many of the older ones - many will still be new to you if you havent played any since yellow) and it's just a well done game overall. Lots of connectivity stuff, lots of overall streamlining, really nothing negative I can think of about it.

If youre considering a DSi, there's really no reason not to just get a 3DS, the only reason people are suggesting you get a lite is because it will play GBA games. A 3DS and Pokemon Black or White would be an excellent combo, especially considering 90% of games going forward will be for 3DS, not DS/DSi.

I recommend picking up a GBA SP (try and get a BRITE one), a gameboy Micro, or if you have a Gamecube still, a Gameboy Player if you want to play the many, many excellent GBA games. However as Gamestop is going to stop buying GBA games in a week or so, you'll have to start buying them online or at other used game stores.

The 3DS is going to have a virtual console for gameboy games, so theres that if you want to re-experience your old favorites.

urahonky

I'm curious as to what eye condition you have that prevents you from viewing the 3D. Do you only have one eye? The way the 3D works in the 3DS is that it restricts certain pixels from hitting each eye. It's completely different from the glasses-3D currently in theaters.

Goodfella2487

Wait until the lite unit is released. Might be awhile, but will be worth it, and by then there will be a wealth of excellent games for the 3DS.

MjP

I have a pretty bad 'Lazy Eye' (Amblyopia) and it is much worse when i take of my glasses and put on those silly 3D glasses. When my eyes don't see the same thing, the lazy one shuts off and leaves me with one good eye making the 3D effect just look blurry. I have yet to try the 3DS tech, which may not have the same effect. Has anyone with this condition tried the 3DS with any success?

THEPAIN73

Get a DSlite. They will still be making games for it.

The PS2 is still having games made for it because it's one of the most successful systems of all time.

Why would Nintendo stop? They have the most successful handheld of all time.

Get a DSlite and catch up on some awesome GBA games too.

urahonky

MjP wrote: »

I have a pretty bad 'Lazy Eye' (Amblyopia) and it is much worse when i take of my glasses and put on those silly 3D glasses. When my eyes don't see the same thing, the lazy one shuts off and leaves me with one good eye making the 3D effect just look blurry. I have yet to try the 3DS tech, which may not have the same effect. Has anyone with this condition tried the 3DS with any success?

If you've got a Best Buy near you, why not stop in and check it out? The benefit of this 3D is that it doesn't require glasses and nearly everyone (I say nearly because if you've only got one eye it won't work) can see it. I have a hard time viewing 3D with the glasses at movies, but I noticed it right away on the 3DS. It took maybe a minute for my eyes to adjust, but as soon as I did it was great.

CygnusZ

MjP wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice

I'll probably stop by a game store and take a look at the 3DS, and see how my eyes take to it

The cheaper DS lite sounds like a good option, but i may go with the DSi.

I've looked around a bit, and found a few bundles of the DSi with the new Pokemon game, does anyone have a quick review of the game (the last Pokemon game i played was yellow)? Also are there any other top shelf RPG games that i should look at? My commute is a 30 minute bus ride these days, which makes good reason to buy a DS.

If you have a really lazy eye, it may indeed not work. You should go and try though, I've been pleasentely surprised with how well the tech works.

If you're not getting a 3DS though, skip the DSi for a Lite. Like everyone said, it's worth it for playing GBA games and the DSi features are nothing to write home about. I could understand that big DS if you didn't like staring at tiny screens.

greeble

Do not get a DSi. The DSi's battery life is much worse than the DS lite and can't play Gameboy Advance games. (None of the DSi features are worth these negatives.) DSi XL might have better battery but I would not recommend a straight DSi.

The only thing I don't really like about the 3DS is the bad battery life. I bet if you wait a year of so they will release a new version that fixes that. (I have a DSi and am tempted to trade it in for a 3DS, since if I'm going to have a portable with crap battery life I might as well have cool tech to go with it)

DoctorArch

I agree with a lot of people here. Unless you absolutely must have the 3DS, get a DS Lite, enjoy the massive, massive back catalog of GBA and DS games, get better battery life, and save almost 125 bucks. Not to mention that Nintendo's portable hardware life cycles almost always follow the same pattern of "First Product/New Tech followed up by revised model fixing most every gripe of the first product." The DS Lite came out about a year and a half after the original DS Phat was released. If you can wait that long, I would, barring a "must have game" on the 3DS.

Vegan

All the DSi gives you is a retarded camera that you'll never use.

V Faction

And access to SD cards and wider WiFi options.

But the DSi is like the stepping stone between DS and 3DS. With the 3DS out, there's no reason to get the DSi, but because you can still play GBA games on a regular DSLite, it has some functionality advantage.

Vegan

Wider wifi options don't mean shit when it's not backwards-compatible with the DS games that use it.

MjP

Thanks for all of the tips everyone. I went and looked at the 3Ds, and while I could see the 3d over for short spurts my eyes would fluctuate between each other every so often and that was no fun.

I ended up walking out with a DS lite and pokemon Black. If anyone wants to trade sometime find me at (0132 1706 6453)

urahonky

Nice, enjoy!

izzyfoshizzy

MjP wrote: »

Thanks for all of the tips everyone. I went and looked at the 3Ds, and while I could see the 3d over for short spurts my eyes would fluctuate between each other every so often and that was no fun.

I ended up walking out with a DS lite and pokemon Black. If anyone wants to trade sometime find me at (0132 1706 6453)

i'm sure you wont regret the decision. lots of great games youre able to play now, enjoy!