3DS or replace DSLite?

[Darko]

So I came home tonight to the glorious gift of a completely chewed up DS Lite on my living room floor...thanks dog!

So my question is, do I get a replacement or get the 3DS? I've still have a pretty extensive backlog of DS games that I want to play though and I liked the Lite because it plays GBA games. I do have a GBA SP, but the brightness on the Lite is much, much better than on my SP. I'll eventually pick up a 3DS, but there aren't any 3D games that I'm interested in right now.

I'm pretty torn here. What do you guys think?

Also, if anyone needs a completely pristine box, instructions, etc for the white DS Lite...PM me.

[Rev. Link]

In this particular case, I'd go for the DS Lite. If there's nothing on 3DS yet that interests you, no point in buying it right away. You definitely want the DS for GBA games.

Of course, you will wind up spending more in the long run this way, as you'll be buying a new DS and then a 3DS down the line.

[megasdkirby]

But does it work?

If it still does, you can purchase a replacement case and pass everything to the new case.

If it does not work, then I would recommend another DS Lite.

[kupomogli]

I'd buy a 3DS. If you're already interested in purchasing a 3DS and you're going to do so at a future date, then why waste $130 picking up a DS Lite then another $250 on the 3DS. Like you said, you already have a GBA SP, and you probably have a Gamecube with Gameboy Player, so I'd say spend the extra $120 and you won't have to pay extra to upgrade later.

Also the DS Lite has crappy buttons. It just feels so cheaply made. You're better off using something besides DS Lite to play not only GBA games but DS games.

[Rev. Link]

Maybe you could find a used DS Lite, one in decent condition. That way you can still have a Lite for playing GBA games on, but save a bit of money over buying a new one.

[Leo_A]

Sounds like a DS Lite is your best bet for your needs at this time, given a budget.

But personally, if money isn't an issue, I'd consider another option that will cost a few dollars more than just buying a new DS Lite. Buying a used, good condition, backlit SP for GB/GBC/GBA games is ideal since you get GB/GBC compatibility and the button layout is ideal for all GBA games (Where as A & B on the DS pad isn't always ideal for GBA games like the Super Mario World port). And the backlit model uses the exact same screen technology as the DS Lite and the Game Boy Micro, unlike your original SP model with it's signifcantly dimmer screen. The backlit SP (I like calling it a SP2 since the screen was such a leap in quality) is just as bright and clear as a DS Lite and came out right around the same time.

And pick up a DSiXL for DS software. You'd have access to the DSi shop, you'd have the largest screens available (Significantly larger than those on the 3DS), and you'd be able to play your DS software in it's native resolution. And you'd have the often critical d-pad for DS software in an ideal position, where as it's moved to a secondary and less comfortable spot on the 3DS in favor of an analog stick being the primary control mechanism.

The BC on the 3DS doesn't sound ideal. Load times are slightly longer and the games have to be scaled to fill the bottom touch screen and fill the full 4:3 area of the top widescreen, which apparantly hurts the graphics substantially in some games. To play them in their native resolution on the 3DS requires playing in a smaller window.

This way, you get the best handheld experience possible for GB/GBC/GBA/DS games (Your only loss would be a handful of DS games that used the GBA cartridge slot for such things as rumble). And by the time you've worked through your DS library, there will likely be a 3DS revision out that is superior with some actual 3DS software that you'd want to play.

[Darko]

To clear up a few things...

1) The DSLite is completely unplayable by a long shot.
2) I do have a micro as well (the spiffy CE one actually).
3) I do have a GBA player on my GC.
4) Money isn't really an issue although I'm not going to go out and buy both on the same day out of principle.

I'm really leaning towards following the "buy the DSXL" advice. I mean, the 3D is very cool (played one for about 20 minutes the other day) but I just can't see myself getting into ANY of the launch titles whatsoever. I'm an RPG guy these days. I've been playing through DQIX and just bought DQVI.

That beings said, is the resolution of the XL any different than the DS? I'm sure it's not, but I've never actually played one personally.



Also, does the XL work with a flash card? I've been running some homebrew apps on the Lite that I really don't want to be without, but it's not a necessity.

[Leo_A]

The screens of the XL are the same resolution as any other DS. So no scaling is involved that will negatively affect the picture quality.

As for flash cards, I can't help you there. I wouldn't be shocked if what you bought for your DS Lite had somehow been locked out from playing on the DSiXL by Nintendo.

[Fatalstar64]

My DS lite was stolen, but luckily the 3DS was a month away and honestly I'd say get the 3DS. I got Ridge Racer 3D and it just looks like your looking into a window into another world. As for not being able to see the 3D short of you having vision problems or blurry vision in one eye (or a pirate), you will see it it's right in your face. As for the headache propaganda I played 40 mins max 3d and I'm fine.

[WanganRunner]

Why buy another DS Lite?

Think of it this way:

3DS = $250
DS Lite = ~$100 (?)

Thus, to justify buying a DS Lite AND then a 3DS later, you'd have to wait until 3DS is all the way down to $150 to break even.

That will take YEARS, IMO. Probably 2013 at the earliest, maybe later. You'll also miss the intangible of all those games at launch.


Just suck it up and get the 3DS, IMO.

[Oobgarm]

I think that spending the extra money on something you MAY want later on down the road is not a good idea. Why drop the extra cash when you can get something that fully suits your needs for less?

Getting a used DS Lite/DSi/DSiXL or whatever seems to be the best route to go, I think. I'm usually really good at justifying an upgrade to a new product, but I just can't here.

[Fatalstar64]

If you get a DS lite your gonna lose money on it most likely if it's around $80 or even worse $150 for a new one. You will also feel kinda foolish when Zelda and Starfox are around the corner. Why buy a dying system when for a bit more you're set up for the next 5 years? I was in the same position you were in and couldn't justify a temporary system.

[kupomogli]

Leo Ames' idea of a DSiXL is pretty good. The DSi XL is amazing. I'd get one myself but I'm patiently holding out for a 3DS XL.

[WanganRunner]

I'm patiently holding out for a 3DS XL.

^^
That'll be cool. I hope they do it.

[Trebuken]

I have one of each. The DSI XL is the one to go with. The 3DS is awesome, but I enjoy the XL more (untile we see a Mario game in 3D). The bigger screen makes me happy.

[Leo_A]

Considering that DS software doesn't look nearly as good on the 3DS unless you play in a small window, I think not automatically going with the 3DS isn't necessarily a bad idea if he's most concerned with best enjoying his big backlog of DS software.

This is Digital Press, not Game Faqs. The average user here doesn't automatically move on the day a successor is released. His entire post had to do with best enjoying his DS software. Considering the site we're at, there's no reason to think that he won't still be playing DS software 10-15 years down the road.

And the best way to do that is by not going with a 3DS. The 3DS is a fine system, but only if you want it for 3DS software. There are no shortage of reports of the experience being less than adequate for playing DS software. Uncomfortable position of the d-pad, longer load times (Slight, but it's still there), and most of all, the resolution issues.

If someone wants to get the most out of their DS library, I highly recommend going with a DSiXL unless you're on a budget. If saving every buck is important and you want to join the 3DS club soon, then I suppose sucking it up and dealing with the issues with DS software would be an option. Or if you've played what you want to death with just a game or two left that you want to experience, I suppose putting up with a less than ideal picture would be worth it.

[Darko]

Just to give everyone an update, I went with the XL. I picked up the bronze/black model new and, other than getting used to the size, I'm pretty happy with it. I almost took it back and switched it out for the smaller version, but I'm going to keep it for a couple more days before I make that decision. It seems like I lost some image clarity with the bigger screen but it could just be my imagination.

I'll probably pick up the 3DS in the 4th quarter of this year after a few more games release.

[Robocop2]

I was toying with the idea of getting a 3DS but much like you there's just nothing to pull me in that's out there right now. That having been said I will eventually get one just not anytime soon barring some excellent must-have title. Since seeing this thread, I've been thinking about getting an XL but the one thing holding me back from doing this is the lack of the GBA slot on the bottom. I noticed that you mentioned GBA compatibility as a part of your decision in the OP. did you find a solution for the XL or was that a casualty?

[WanganRunner]

It's amazing how cheap NEW XL's are on craigslist right now.

Like $100-120. I'm tempted to get one just to have one. The Mario Kart bundle seems cool.

[SpaceHarrier]

I'd say XL too. Maximum DS enjoyment to be had with that big screen!

[kedawa]

I hope Nintendo makes a DS micro now, like a mini tablet with a slide out part for the controls.

[Darko]

I was toying with the idea of getting a 3DS but much like you there's just nothing to pull me in that's out there right now. That having been said I will eventually get one just not anytime soon barring some excellent must-have title. Since seeing this thread, I've been thinking about getting an XL but the one thing holding me back from doing this is the lack of the GBA slot on the bottom. I noticed that you mentioned GBA compatibility as a part of your decision in the OP. did you find a solution for the XL or was that a casualty?

I'm honestly leaning towards returning my XL and replacing my Lite. The larger pixels on the XL are significant enough that games that use 3D textures as opposed to sprites (DQIX, FFIV, etc) look significantly worse IMO than on my old one. I took the XL to a friends house today and compared my XL to his Lite and while the screen is much larger on the XL, the images seem crisp and smooth on the smaller screen of the Lite. I'm definitely not going to get a regular DSi unless I find out that the screen on them is outrageously better than the Lite as I'm not going to use the DS store or the wifi capabilities to surf the internet.

There is an emulation solution to play GBA games on the DSi/XL, but it involves buying a specific card, blah blah blah. I have no idea if all of the games would even work with it. I'm not going down that road. I have between 30 and 50 GBA titles and I'd rather just play them on the same system as my DS games.

To make matters even more ridiculous...a friend just walked up and handed me a brand new 3DS today. I guess it was make-up for a couple of birthdays he'd missed. I didn't see that one coming. Still haven't opened it up since it really doesn't solve my lack of DS playability as the scaling on them is TERRIBLE for DS games.

Does anyone have any side by side screen experience with the DSi and the DSL? Is it THAT significant?

[WanganRunner]

To make matters even more ridiculous...a friend just walked up and handed me a brand new 3DS today. I guess it was make-up for a couple of birthdays he'd missed. I didn't see that one coming. Still haven't opened it up since it really doesn't solve my lack of DS playability as the scaling on them is TERRIBLE for DS games.

LOL, that's funny, and awesome.

Go return the XL, but TRY the 3DS before you buy anything else.

The 1:1 mode on the 3DS for normal DS titles looks razor sharp and perfect, it's just a little smaller. I've logged hundreds of hours on the Game Boy Micro, so it doesn't bother me in the slightest.

Might bother you, but it's at least worth a shot, IMO. Hold "Start & Select" when booting a DS title to change the screen mode to 1:1


Enjoy the 3DS!

[Darko]

LOL, that's funny, and awesome.

Go return the XL, but TRY the 3DS before you buy anything else.

The 1:1 mode on the 3DS for normal DS titles looks razor sharp and perfect, it's just a little smaller. I've logged hundreds of hours on the Game Boy Micro, so it doesn't bother me in the slightest.

Might bother you, but it's at least worth a shot, IMO. Hold "Start & Select" when booting a DS title to change the screen mode to 1:1


Enjoy the 3DS!

I've done a lot of research while I should have been working today. I also went and played a DSi during lunch to get a feel for the screen. So the DSi's screen is pretty damn good. It's making me lean towards taking back the XL for the DSi and just using my Micro for the GBA titles (and eventually get a GBA2). Basically I've done a 180 in about a day in regards to what I want :)

I also decided to return the 3DS since there are absolutely zero games that I want to play right now. OoT and the new StarFox games look awesome, but I don't need OoT for sure and StarFox is one game. I'm not in a bad financial position so I can always buy one down the road when something comes out that I can't live without playing. It might be a dick move to return a gift like that but I also can't really justify having a piece of new hardware that will literally be put on a shelf for months and months. I have the receipt so I'll probably just tell them to put the money back on my friend's card.

[WanganRunner]

Kid Icarus!

[Darko]

Kid Icarus!

Well okay...2 games :)

[retroman]

um..no brainer..3ds