Well, I took some time to jot down some thoughts on the one handheld that everyone seems to agree was the bee’s knees: the Nintendo 3DS (and all its various iterations thereafter!)
It’s one I’ve gone through a few ‘phases’ with - collecting, modding, selling, then buying a ‘perfect’ one, then…the pattern just repeats and repeats. I love how truly customizable it is now that it is…essentially an abandoned generation. The community took things to great new heights (those themes!!!), 3D printed docks and displays, vinyl stickers…it makes me so happy to see how very few 3DS consoles look like anyone else’s.
The market is getting crazy though. Prices are only going up (and special editions are going waaaay up), but it’s nice to see options like the Thor, Pocket DS and Anbernic’s RG DS coming up to give modern users some solutions to playing.
Anyway
Don’t expect anything wonderful here, I wasn’t even sure what to write for this article. I guess while I call it a retrospective, it just touches on some key points in the lifetime of the 3DS system.
One thing I’ll add, since reviewing the AYN Thor, I have been playing a LOT of 3DS games. Upscaled and looking so beautiful. I just love the games they made for this console. I wish the Switch had more…pocketability? But seeing how the size increased for the S2, I don’t expect that will come about again :(
I have a feeling that a Switch 2 Lite is on the horizon, Nintendo loves a console variant. Not that the S1 lite is pocketable, but maybe they will shrink it more this time.
I went down a somewhat similar path, only for me it was GBA and emulation on my Steam Deck that really made me realize I missed having pocket games that are real games and not mobile bullshit. I modded my old GBA with a modern screen and battery and it’s been my goto device for portable games.
The OG DS dropped as I was graduating highschool and going into college, and the 3DS completely passed me by. I keep thinking about getting a used one but their prices are still a little high for me.
@jodanlime@PerfectDark I’m wondering about even this. It really feels like Nintendo almost entirely stopped caring about the Switch Lite not even that long after it came out. It should definitely have been a bigger focus IMO, but everyone seems to want everything bigger and bigger and bigger these days…
I too absolutely miss just sticking my N3DS in my pocket. (Also StreetPass. Why did that go away with the Switch??)
I just realized my Z-fold with controller case could make a truly excellent DS emulator.
Anyone know if there’s an emulator out there that supports folding phones in landscape mode as a DS, similar to the way YouTube will split the video and the controls when partway folded in landscape more?
If you have a split game controller, I recommend using that over touchscreen controls. And using a controller like this plays better with a vertically aligned foldable phone (clamshell) rather than the pseudo-tablet sideways foldables, as you fully recreate the original physical controller layout
I actually also have a Razr+. My employer pays me a stipend to have a second phone so thay when I eventually leave I don’t have a bunch of contractors calling my personal number.
My magic 8 ball says they’ll release an oled refresh to up the price $50-100 and not much else before switch 3, which is still many years away for either to happen.
As-is the thing has sold a ton despite no new games existing really.
As-is the thing has sold a ton despite no new games existing really.
Their numbers were announced, it’s sold 10.36m units so far, but these stats were from before the new Pokemon game was released. So…I’d hazard far more than this!
I’d recommend keeping an eye on something like Buyee (or one of several others that do the same thing!). Keep an eye on Mercari on there, sort by ‘newly listed’ and you’ll get a deal. I’ve bought a lot of Nintendo consoles using that method, and have got some amazing deals!
Switch games emulated on the Retroid Pocket 5 have been amazing. A pocketable console with full Switch 1 games and an amazing screen. It’s been such a good purchase.
It’s been able to play everything I throw at it. There can be minor slow down initially while it’s compiling shaders sometimes. The Retroid Pocket 6 is open for pre-orders now and that’s going to easily be able to play all Switch and many modern PC game too. Worth having a look out anyone is interested, especially now that Steam games work with cloud save game sync. The Steam Deck could hardly be taken anywhere with how bulky it is. The RP5 for this much gaming power into the jeans pocket.
Exactly this, I’ve modded out 3DS and sold them for a while as a fun project. But it wasn’t until I got the Thor that I could really get into the games. I’m 16 hours deep into my first time playing Pokemon Y and looking forward to the dragon quest titles
I’ve never really been into any Pokemon games before, but I am getting closer to wanting to try sink into one! How beautiful is the upscaling for 3DS games on the Thor?! The games just sparkle. I have gotten slightly distracted by Metroid Prime 2 though…
Leave Pokémon behind, play some Shin Megami Tensei, thank me later.
There’s a pipeline of former Pokémon fans thinking “Huh, these games have kind of gone to crap, I wish I had this same monster-collector style game but with a real plot and interesting characters” and then SMTIV falls from the sky like manna from heaven unto them.
I don’t think IV is actually the best SMT game, I think that honor goes to Nocturne - which is available on the Switch - but SMTIV is a good showing of the series that is available for 3DS. If you have the option, pick up SMTIV-Apocalypse, it’s an expanded “GOTY-style” re-release of IV, but the base game is also fine.
It’s beautiful, yeah, I’m definitely one of the buy and sell devices people and I have a hard time seeing me give this one up. The only other consistent has been the ROG Ally with SteamOS and a 4tb ssd. But the buttons, screen, pocket-ability and clamshell have made this a prime handheld and that’s before even talking about how well the dual screen works
You are not logged in. However you can subscribe from another Fediverse account, for example Lemmy or Mastodon. To do this, paste the following into the search field of your instance: [email protected]
Welcome to the largest gaming community on Lemmy! Discussion for all kinds of games. Video games, tabletop games, card games etc.
Rules
1. Submissions have to be related to games
Video games, tabletop, or otherwise. Posts not related to games will be deleted.
This community is focused on games, of all kinds. Any news item or discussion should be related to gaming in some way.
2. No bigotry or harassment, be civil
No bigotry, hardline stance. Try not to get too heated when entering into a discussion or debate.
We are here to talk and discuss about one of our passions, not fight or be exposed to hate. Posts or responses that are hateful will be deleted to keep the atmosphere good. If repeatedly violated, not only will the comment be deleted but a ban will be handed out as well. We judge each case individually.
3. No excessive self-promotion
Try to keep it to 10% self-promotion / 90% other stuff in your post history.
This is to prevent people from posting for the sole purpose of promoting their own website or social media account.
4. Stay on-topic; no memes, funny videos, giveaways, reposts, or low-effort posts
This community is mostly for discussion and news. Remember to search for the thing you’re submitting before posting to see if it’s already been posted.
We want to keep the quality of posts high. Therefore, memes, funny videos, low-effort posts and reposts are not allowed. We prohibit giveaways because we cannot be sure that the person holding the giveaway will actually do what they promise.
5. Mark Spoilers and NSFW
Make sure to mark your stuff or it may be removed.
No one wants to be spoiled. Therefore, always mark spoilers. Similarly mark NSFW, in case anyone is browsing in a public space or at work.
6. No linking to piracy
Don’t share it here, there are other places to find it. Discussion of piracy is fine.
We don’t want us moderators or the admins of lemmy.world to get in trouble for linking to piracy. Therefore, any link to piracy will be removed. Discussion of it is of course allowed.
One thing I’ll add, since reviewing the AYN Thor, I have been playing a LOT of 3DS games. Upscaled and looking so beautiful. I just love the games they made for this console. I wish the Switch had more…pocketability? But seeing how the size increased for the S2, I don’t expect that will come about again :(
Just looked it up, really disappointed it doesn’t do the 3D part. (yes, I’m part of the few people who always had it on and set to max depth)
I have a feeling that a Switch 2 Lite is on the horizon, Nintendo loves a console variant. Not that the S1 lite is pocketable, but maybe they will shrink it more this time. I went down a somewhat similar path, only for me it was GBA and emulation on my Steam Deck that really made me realize I missed having pocket games that are real games and not mobile bullshit. I modded my old GBA with a modern screen and battery and it’s been my goto device for portable games. The OG DS dropped as I was graduating highschool and going into college, and the 3DS completely passed me by. I keep thinking about getting a used one but their prices are still a little high for me.
@jodanlime @PerfectDark I’m wondering about even this. It really feels like Nintendo almost entirely stopped caring about the Switch Lite not even that long after it came out. It should definitely have been a bigger focus IMO, but everyone seems to want everything bigger and bigger and bigger these days…
I too absolutely miss just sticking my N3DS in my pocket. (Also StreetPass. Why did that go away with the Switch??)
Recently got an r36s to scratch this itch. I love the little thing.
I just realized my Z-fold with controller case could make a truly excellent DS emulator.
Anyone know if there’s an emulator out there that supports folding phones in landscape mode as a DS, similar to the way YouTube will split the video and the controls when partway folded in landscape more?
https://www.androidcentral.com/how-turn-your-galaxy-z-fold-3-nintendo-ds
If you have a split game controller, I recommend using that over touchscreen controls. And using a controller like this plays better with a vertically aligned foldable phone (clamshell) rather than the pseudo-tablet sideways foldables, as you fully recreate the original physical controller layout
I actually also have a Razr+. My employer pays me a stipend to have a second phone so thay when I eventually leave I don’t have a bunch of contractors calling my personal number.
My magic 8 ball says they’ll release an oled refresh to up the price $50-100 and not much else before switch 3, which is still many years away for either to happen.
As-is the thing has sold a ton despite no new games existing really.
Their numbers were announced, it’s sold 10.36m units so far, but these stats were from before the new Pokemon game was released. So…I’d hazard far more than this!
https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/hard_soft/index.html
I’d recommend keeping an eye on something like Buyee (or one of several others that do the same thing!). Keep an eye on Mercari on there, sort by ‘newly listed’ and you’ll get a deal. I’ve bought a lot of Nintendo consoles using that method, and have got some amazing deals!
Switch games emulated on the Retroid Pocket 5 have been amazing. A pocketable console with full Switch 1 games and an amazing screen. It’s been such a good purchase.
I’m surprised Retroid Pocket 5 is a reliable Switch emulator - are there games that don’t run at native speed?
It’s been able to play everything I throw at it. There can be minor slow down initially while it’s compiling shaders sometimes. The Retroid Pocket 6 is open for pre-orders now and that’s going to easily be able to play all Switch and many modern PC game too. Worth having a look out anyone is interested, especially now that Steam games work with cloud save game sync. The Steam Deck could hardly be taken anywhere with how bulky it is. The RP5 for this much gaming power into the jeans pocket.
Exactly this, I’ve modded out 3DS and sold them for a while as a fun project. But it wasn’t until I got the Thor that I could really get into the games. I’m 16 hours deep into my first time playing Pokemon Y and looking forward to the dragon quest titles
I’ve never really been into any Pokemon games before, but I am getting closer to wanting to try sink into one! How beautiful is the upscaling for 3DS games on the Thor?! The games just sparkle. I have gotten slightly distracted by Metroid Prime 2 though…
Leave Pokémon behind, play some Shin Megami Tensei, thank me later.
There’s a pipeline of former Pokémon fans thinking “Huh, these games have kind of gone to crap, I wish I had this same monster-collector style game but with a real plot and interesting characters” and then SMTIV falls from the sky like manna from heaven unto them.
I don’t think IV is actually the best SMT game, I think that honor goes to Nocturne - which is available on the Switch - but SMTIV is a good showing of the series that is available for 3DS. If you have the option, pick up SMTIV-Apocalypse, it’s an expanded “GOTY-style” re-release of IV, but the base game is also fine.
Apocalypse is a sequel to the neutral route of iv
It’s beautiful, yeah, I’m definitely one of the buy and sell devices people and I have a hard time seeing me give this one up. The only other consistent has been the ROG Ally with SteamOS and a 4tb ssd. But the buttons, screen, pocket-ability and clamshell have made this a prime handheld and that’s before even talking about how well the dual screen works