I mean, there’s clearly a demand for it since the prices have gotten through the roof. Should I really purchase one or is it pointless and a waste of money. What’s the reason behind its sudden resurgence despite it being an “old” console as the Switch lineup has replaced it? Does it have to do with physical game ownership?
The 3DS was a solid console. It had homebrew on top of its game library. If you want the authentic original experience, it’s hard to argue with. If you want the actual 3D effect, I think this is your only option.
If you don’t care so much about authenticity, though, there are some amazing emulator handhelds these days that even include a second touch screen for DS and 3DS games. They don’t do the 3D effect as far as I know, but they’ll emulate DS and 3DS as well as every handheld that came before them and many couch consoles. If you just want to be able to portably play 3DS games, get one of them.
I’ve got a 3DSXL laying on the floor behind me that I haven’t touched in almost a year.
For me, I wouldn’t recommend it. I also wouldn’t recommend a PlayStation, or an Xbox, but you may enjoy the games on those platforms. What it is “worth” to you is independent from what anyone else thinks it is worth.
I can’t tell you if it’s worth the money, that’s for you to decide. The used prices are really high, even compared to more modern consoles (you can almost certainly get a used Switch Lite for significantly less). But the DS family of systems is awesome and the clamshell design makes them so much more portable than even a Switch Lite. It can go in a pocket and when you’re done you just close the lid to put it to sleep.
The best system from the DS family is arguably one of the “New” 3DS/2DS systems. They are really easy to hack and that gives you access to a huge library of excellent 3DS, DS, GBA and homebrew games and ports natively and through emulation you also get GB, GBC, NES, SNES and even som N64 games (and likely some non Nintendo systems as well).
I love my 3DS and I play it probably just as much as my Switch 2. I recently beat the Ocarina of Time 3DS remaster and had a blast!
I recently jailbroken mine so I could play Japanese games. Because it’s aimed at all ages it has lots of games with furigana text. Since I already have a 3DS it was a better option than buying a modded Switch.
Also the games on 3DS are unique because of the dual screens. It’s an experience you can’t have on Switch. And lots of GenZ people grew up with 3DS and are searching to scratch that nostalgia itch. I think also the rising cost of new games is pushing people to piracy. And a jailbroken 3DS is super convenient for that.
It’s worth it if you can get it for cheaper than an AYN Thor, and always worth it if you have anyone you know who also still uses a DS/3DS because of local wireless multiplayer.
The tradeoff with a Thor (or the couple of other ds emulator handhelds) is that you lose out on local wireless multiplayer (emulators might eventually support this in the future, they only do WFC via WiFi at this time) and the specific hardware gimmicks of the 3DS (3D, stereo cameras, perfect input latency, etc.) but you get access to GC, Wii, WiiU, PS1/2, PSP, Switch 1, and Steam/PC games.
What’s the reason behind its sudden resurgence despite it being an “old” console as the Switch lineup has replaced it?
This is gonna sound like nostolgia glazing but really the DS era was Nintendo at their finest and the absolute gold standard of handheld gaming and a serious platform for handheld technology of the time. Stuff like streetpass could have easily been utilized for some amazing technology in other platforms like smartphones. The 3DS gets access to all of that + its own 3DS library of games, which is why its the most optimal console to buy.
95% of that library will never see the light of day again because they relied on the specific hardware the DS/3DS offered, the main one being the two screens. It would be impractical/impossible to remaster most, and Nintendo is still wary of attempting to emulate even a handful for their virtual console due to the aforementioned hardware and a bunch of PITA development required to make it work well (see the MelonDS forums of how long its taken to get to a solid state).
It’s been in high demand ever since they ended production because of that reason, and it continues to climb due to limited supply.
Does it have to do with physical game ownership?
No, you should homebrew your 3DS to make it incredibly more viable to use and everyone uses big SD cards to hold all of their game ROMs and data.
Did the 3DS hack a few months ago, and it’s been great. Even if you only play games you own, keeping them all on one SD card has been so convenient.
If you want to play 3ds you have 3 decent options.
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Buy a 3ds for like $200. Hack and jailbreak it. This will be the most authentic experience.
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Buy a retro handheld. This will be a good experience and has the benefits that come with Linux based handhelds.
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Play on Android phone and use a 3d printed joycon holder. If you have a printer or friend with one and some old switch controllers this option is really cheap and mimics the OG form factor fairly well. I use this and while it’s not perfect, it is functional.
The DS is resurging because there’s no mainstream handhelds now, the DS has a large library and was the most recent successful handheld.
The DS is resurging because there’s no mainstream handhelds now, the DS has a large library and was the most recent successful handheld.
cries in PS Vita
Lol, the Vita is right there and getting Nintendo GCN and previous slop ported to it as I type
And yet almost nobody but a few hardcore fans even care.
For being such an underpowered handheld, the NDS left Sony’s attempts in the dirt.
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Just because something is old doesn’t mean it’s obsolete.
Just because something is obsolete doesn’t mean it’s ineffective.
I collect gaming handhelds and own several 3ds handhelds, modded and un-modded. I also have a modestly large collection of games. The modding potential is high, but even unmodded, the big draw for me is:
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Form factor. The non-xl version is very pocketable, and the XL takes up very little space in a backpack.
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Exclusive game selection. There are soooo many excellent titles. The Etrian Odyssey series. Shin Megami Tensei. Fire Emblem. Pokémon. Several Legend of Zelda titles. If you love classic RPGs there’s an abundance here. Sure, you could emulate, but I think there’s no replacement for playing these games as originally intended.
The biggest reason to stay away is obviously cost. I’ve paid up to $1200 usd for new in box examples, and even fairly chewed up 3ds handhelds can run you a couple hundred. The games are also highly collectible, and while there are many cheap titles to be found on eBay, most of the really desirable games can run you $50-$400 depending on condition, obviously with sealed games in brand new condition being extremely costly.
If funds are tight you’d be much better off emulating on one of many quality emulation devices. The market is rife with really good hardware for retro gaming.
Seconding the exclusive games. SMT4 is probably the one JRPG I would like to forget just to enjoy playing it all over again. 4A was a divisive sort of side story/alternative timeline, but I still liked it. From there it’s still got so much more to offer if those kinds of games aren’t to your taste
I got an ambassador new 3ds (cib) for 150 or 200€ or so.
Even at that time I was very surprised. But that was an honest seller with a surprisingly nice attitude.
I also bought fire emblem fates se when it was new. Since it includes all 3 parts I knew I’d be better off buying it directly.
The biggest reason to stay away is obviously cost. I’ve paid up to $1200 usd for new in box examples, and even fairly chewed up 3ds handhelds can run you a couple hundred.
What. I got a New3DSLL used from Japan for like €50 (plus shipping plus VAT) in 2021. No box and charger, minor scratches but otherwise doesn’t look bad, looks obviously used, for that price it didn’t feel bad. Where is it costing 1200 in this year?
Limited edition sealed units, like the purple galaxy or various Nintendo IP special editions. They can get plenty higher than $1200.
eBay for a complete in box, especially for a harder to find SKUs like the Pokemon Red and Blue version of the New 3DS. I saw one of those for 2k on eBay just last month.
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Emulation is probably part of its popularity.
If the system has games you want to play on it, perhaps should go for it. If you don’t really care, then don’t.
I think it is less emulation when it comes to DS and 3DS, but that the touch screen/stylus makes it so that unlike other systems the original hardware still feels better for games that use the stylus.
For general emulation other devices are better, since there isn’t as much importance in replicating unique controls.
I decided to get a 3DS and DS because even though the emulated visuals and performance was better the touch gameplay side wasn’t great.
You aren’t ever going to recreate the same experience with an emulator. If you want to experience those games as intended, your only option is to buy physical hardware made for playing them.
The hacking scene for the 3ds is fucking amazing. I’m literally on here while I wate for mine to convert the Pokemon Emerald file to native game file. I can literally access TOR on this thing, it’s frankly unbelievable what you can do with homebrew.
Unless you’re a diehard hardware collector I would say no. As others have mentioned, there are great alternatives now that will cost maybe 10-20% as much, and possibly give you additional features or flexibility.
I’m surprised how many people are saying yes. Y’all got that much money to burn?
EDIT: Ok I see one person says the emulators are a bit lacking or wonky for the 3DS since it’s an unusual device. If you want a 100% accurate experience then sure, I guess there’s no substitute for the real thing. That’s not a hard requirement for me personally.
Alternative stylus experience is disappointing using a rubber tipped stylus. The touch screen with stylus is like the main unique draw of the DS and 3DS that unless you are only sticking to games that don’t use it for gameplay the original is still better.
Do you want to have a 3DS? If so, then yes it would be “worth” purchasing one.
But if you’re asking as part of the hobby Scalper-Investor-Bro racket: please kindly go fuck yourself and get an actual job.
To anyone thinking about buying a 3DS: If you like the form factor and if you’re not opposed to emulation, I’d suggest you look at some dual-screen Android handhelds like the Anbernic RG DS, Retroid Pocket Duo, or Ayn Thor. They’re quite neat pieces of hardware. The Retroid and Ayn handheld are powerful enough to emulate 3DS games, the Anbernic one (the only one of these I own) isn’t, but it’s able to emulate DS and PSP games quite well and play simple 3D games (I’ve spent last weekend trying to run Morrowind on it).
To anyone thinking about buying a 3DS: If you like the form factor and if you’re not opposed to emulation, I’d suggest you look at some dual-screen Android handhelds like the Anbernic RG DS, Retroid Pocket Duo, or Ayn Thor.
Why would you? My argumentation is, if you like the form factor and want to play 3DS games, why emulate it rather than playing it native on original hardware? Just hack to jailbreak the 3DS. I think it plays DS games as well? Unless you want to emulate other systems such as PSP in example.
Fast-forward, save states. I hate to say it, but some games made really questionable decisions with characters move speed, or you are replaying the game and don’t want to overspend time on smth very boring. I own og 3ds xl. And I bought a pocketable Android hendheld because it is more powerful, and allows me to play same games faster.
The Ayn Thor has such a beautiful display. I’d rather play on that.
Another good point I didn’t think of before. Glad I asked.
Stylus on the dual screen emulator handhelds look subpar to the rubber tipped ones. I think stylus is the main draw of 3DS and DS games, and that is going to be the big con for stylus heavy games. Some games only use the stylus like Trauma Center Under the Knife, and trying to draw in games like Pokémon Art Academy with rubber tipped stylus doesn’t sound great.
Until some spen, apple pencil, wacom quality pen for emulator dual screen handhelds comes out I’m sticking with the original hardware.
Price. At least one person here says the official hardware is going for like US$1200 on eBay.
Maybe features too. I generally prefer to emulate older games because of instant save states, fast-forward, slow or rewind, rendering improvements, that sort of thing. Not sure how much of that is possible with jailbreaking.
That must be some mint unopened special edition 3DS. Cheapest route is to get Japanese used 3DS and jailbreak it.
Reason to prefer original for 3DS is that emulator handhelds have subpar stylus for stylus heavy games. I’ve been drawing with Pokémon art academy on mine.
I personally prefer emulation if its good too. And yes, some features would be a reason to do it, I didn’t think about those. To me emulating 3DS was always a hassle that the only solution I saw was using original hardware to play the games. Now that you brought it up, I can see it. Also the price is true too. I don’t think it will go down, if anything, in future it might be more rare and go up.
Good points.
More powerful handhelds can also upscale and handle heavier graphical tweaks. Honestly, except for the actual 3D effect itself the experience for me has just been better in general on an emulation handheld.
Also, in my experience setting up an emulation handheld was easier than setting up a hacked 3DS.
Got my Ayn Thor shipping email a few days ago! I’m very excited to set it up and be able to emulate all kinds of games on DS like form factor
