Time for a New "New" 3DS.

[cpd2009]

Maybe I'll try posting on the forum more often to try and liven things up in the interim. With that said, time for a new tech toy. 

I have had an original Nintendo 3DS since July 2013, gifted as a college graduation gift. It has served me well, playing hundreds of hours of various games, mostly Animal Crossing New Leaf.

Come earlier 2017, and I decided to try out Super Smash Bros on 3DS, and noticed it ran kind of slow. I did my research and learned the upgraded 3DS model, the "New" 3DS, can play this game without issues and brings along some enhanced features. After swinging back and forth between upgrading and not upgrading, I finally bought my "New" 3DS XL last weekend. I wanted the Red color to match my old 3DS, but no store had it. It was either Black or Galaxy Style. I went for Galaxy Style because it looks a bit nicer than standard black, plus the inside is a cool metallic blue. Photos are shown below:





The reasons why I decided to upgrade are boiled down to two. There were some SNES Virtual Console titles that I was interested in (namely, games that cost hundreds of dollars on eBay), and SNES VC is only available on the "New" 3DS. I also discovered that using the shoulder buttons on the old 3DS is very uncomfortable to me. I haven't played many games that use the shoulder buttons until a few weeks ago when I tried my hands (literally) at Luxor.

Among other features the "New" 3DS brings to the table are a C-Stick located above the face buttons. This isn't an analog stick, but a rubber nub not unlike those found on older ThinkPad laptops. It's used as a second analog stick for games that need a secondary analog control, like moving the camera around. It's also used to execute Smash Attacks in Super Smash Bros. There are two additional shoulder buttons, ZL and ZR. The "New" 3DS also boasts a faster processor and built in amiibo support on the touch screen. Because of these many ehancements, there are games that only work on the "New" 3DS, but as of this writing, there aren't many exclusives beyond Xenoblade Chronicles 3D. As I mentioned, the SNES Virtual Console is only available on the "New" 3DS. 

The "New" 3DS comes in two sizes, the standard size and the XL size. I chose the XL since I figured it would be more comfortable to use the shoulder buttons and that the screens are much larger, making games easier to see. The XL is the only model readily available in the states, with the standard size being limited edition bundles, like the most recent $99 Super Mario edition.

I think the "New" 3DS XL was a great choice for an upgrade. In terms of speed, the "New" 3DS far outclasses the original. The system UI is much more responsive, especially the eShop. Games that are enhanced for the "New" model also load faster, or perform a lot better than an older 3DS. One particular game, Hyrule Warriors Legends, only has 3D with the "New" units.

Should one consider upgrading if they have an original 3DS? It's very subjective. Personally, you should only upgrade to the "New" 3DS if you desire any exclusive feature like SNES VC, or if you really get into games like Super Smash Bros, which really benefit from the upgraded model. If you don't want any of the extra bells and whistles of the "New" 3DS, then it's best to stick with your original model, be it an XL or regular size.

[huckleberrypie]

And there's also the "New" 2DS XL, though that one won't be released until later this year. I think getting the "New" model would be a way better investment than the base one, if not for Nintendo selling them consoles without a power adapter. As if including a brick would make a big dent on production costs... :/

[RAMChYLD]

Each for his own. Being a fan of devices that fit in my pocket and being a big fan of Animal Crossing, I went for the Happy Home Designer bundle, which is one of the few bundles that ship with a regular sized New 3DS. Since I previously own the special edition Animal Crossing: New Leaf 3DS XL, I've had the game transferred over, so I now have both games on my New 3DS.

[cpd2009]

And there's also the "New" 2DS XL, though that one won't be released until later this year. I think getting the "New" model would be a way better investment than the base one, if not for Nintendo selling them consoles without a power adapter. As if including a brick would make a big dent on production costs... :/

Based on this chart from Nintendo themselves, they have decided to include a power adapter with the "New" 2DS XL. Hopefully they listened to the criticism they got for not including an adapter with the "New" 3DS.

http://www.nintendo.com/2ds/features/compare/

[huckleberrypie]

The reason for that complaint wasn't just simply out of convenience, but to hopefully deter people from using an uncertified charger, e.g. like with those counterfeit power bricks being sold on eBay. Some video game retailers like the ones here may bundle their DSes with a third-party brick hence my concern.

[cpd2009]

The reason for that complaint wasn't just simply out of convenience, but to hopefully deter people from using an uncertified charger, e.g. like with those counterfeit power bricks being sold on eBay. Some video game retailers like the ones here may bundle their DSes with a third-party brick hence my concern.

GameStop tries to upsell you to their own in-store branded 3DS chargers, which are those twin lead types with plugs for both original DS and DSi/3DS. They apparently sell genuine AC adapters, but that particular location was out. Knowing how badly some third-party adapters can be (especially how a knockoff GBA adapter ended up electrocuting a young boy from the UK), I stick with genuine Nintendo adapters and never buy them online. I found my "New" 3DS adapter from a nearby Walmart for $10.