The New Nintendo 3DS &3DS XL: Are They Really New?

I remember when Nintendo first announced the new 3DS XL, alongside its sister the new 3DS, not to be confused with the existing 3DS XL and 3DS of course. Back then it was being referred to as the 3DS XL LL and 3DS LL respectively. A few thoughts struck me as I clasped my face in my palms. Firstly, 'that's a lot of random letters.' Followed by 'that’s a lot of 3DSs.' I realise that console makers are known for remodelling their consoles in a bid to keep a fresh appearance, but the 3DS family has become a bit ridiculous.

In the beginning we had the 3DS, launched in 2011. The 3DS XL brought us a bigger screen in 2012. I could see the logic in increasing the size, but the time gap could have been longer. For 3DS owners like myself, the announcement of an update mere months after purchasing the first felt like an insult. Then came the 2DS in 2013, and to be frank I’m still not sure why. The unique selling point of the 3DS was the 3D in many ways. It distinguished it from the original DS in more so than updated graphics, but the release of the 2DS took focus away from the 3D aspect. Also, it doesn’t close like the rest of the family, making the 2DS closely resemble Cousin Itt from the Adams Family. This then brings us to the new Nintendo 3DS and 3DS XL. Do we really need them?

They offer some improvements to the past models; both have bigger screens than the 3DS, although the same size as the 3DS XL. These screens have apparently got improved 3D ability, which overcomes the original 3D problem that it limited you to looking directly at the screen. You had to have your head positioned exactly a 30cm ruler’s distance away, with your eyes pointed directly at the screen's centre, and make sure there wasn't a strong wind to tilt your gaze or you would end up with a fragmented image.

I have owned a few too many of these
 to mention without embarrassment

The new 3DS and 3DS XL are also said to have a quicker processing power than older consoles, and have been redesigned slightly in regards to button colour. As well as this, the positions of the stylus, volume slider and game cartridge is different. The buttons do look nice in a purely superficial way, but I don’t agree with the relocation of the stylus. I am a creature of comfort, therefore the stylus should be found on the top of devices or the right-hand side to avoid confusion (it doesn’t take much). Cartridge and volume slider movement doesn’t really bother me much. The start/select buttons have moved too, and actually they have improved in ease of use but not aesthetics.

The biggest draws for these new consoles come from the new C-stick and exchangeable faceplates. The C-stick allows for two joysticks, which comes in handy. Most gamers have become accustomed to movement and camera being controlled by separate analogue sticks, and handhelds that offered a single stick always feel a bit clunky. Directional pads can never quite live up to the precision of an analogue stick in my opinion. The C-stick is about the size of a pea and looks like it is made of a rather uncomfortable rubber substance, and I was a bit unsure of whether the new addition would be welcome. After giving it a try, however, I found it quite accommodating, responsive and all-round a nice new addition. It is very similar in appearance to the mouse nubs some laptops have sitting at the heart of their keyboards, but these have a tendency to be too responsive and often shoot the mouse off to an unknown screen edge at the lightest touch. Thankfully, the C-stick doesn’t and actually feels like you are slowly rotating a normal analogue stick despite not actually moving itself. The C-stick feels good and gave me a reason to play Monster Hunter 3, which I enjoy more now as it is easier to control. I was very impressed by this and it outshines some full controllers, and is a definite improvement on the 3DS Pro that Nintendo launched a few years ago (this was a bulky add-on that clipped to the side). 

I feel the need to mention that new shoulder buttons have also been added, but I have yet to find a use for these.

The exchangeable faceplates are a nice touch for people, like myself, who like to buy new devices when the old one begins to bore them. I look forward to the release of new designs, and the changing of plates is as simple as unscrewing two screws and unclipping the old plate. They also announced two limited editions, a Majora’s Mask edition and a Monster Hunter 4 edition. As a life-long Legend of Zelda fan I fell in love with the Majora’sMask edition on site.

I may be a nerd, but now I'm a happier nerd.

I haven’t really noticed a dramatic improvement in the 3D effect. Although, I tend to play it with the effect off unless I am watching a particularly stunning cutscene.  I have noticed that the device looks flatter and feels a bit lighter, although neither is too noticeable.

Lastly, a word on data transfer. Nintendo have issued various step-by-step guides that help to transfer data from your old device to the new. As someone who is an avid player with a lot of game-time this was essential. The process was nail-biting to say the least. As I watched a cute little animation of Pikmin moving my data, the thought that I had accidentally deleted years of my life made me feel ill (I can hear you judging me over there). Thankfully, the process went smoothly, and no data was harmed in the transfer.

If you are looking to buy the new 3DS or 3DS XL then I would say it would be worth it, but on a few conditions. One, that you do not already own a 3DS and you have been looking for a reason to buy one. Two, that you own an old 3DS and think the increased screen size of a 3DS XL is worth it (it is). But I would not advise those who already own a 3DS XL to buy the new one. The C-stick is a great addition, but I would hold out on buying one until major games are released that can't be played without it; like Xenoblade Chronicles. Unless you are like me, and can’t stand being behind in all things new and shiny.

 Size comparison image from Gomgom54, Nintendo tree from Pinterest

Retro Game Gabbing - (Part 2)

Welcome back. This week I tackle part two of my Retro Gaming Gabbing, reflecting upon my retro gaming history. You can catch part one be clicking this link. In my last post I talked about discovering a gift box site, named Man Crates, which offered retro gaming crates.

One crate contained a cartridge of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) game Duck Hunt. Upon seeing this I started to reminisce on the vintage gaming that has made me the man geek I am today. Unfortunately (or fortunately), if you found it interesting, I went into too much depth on generation three and four (see here for an explanation of generations) and I ran out of lines to go further. I am of the belief, that blog posts should be kept short and sweet; especially when you are as dull as me.

Image from Steam Community

So, without wasting any more time, here is my memories of gaming generation five. Sorry if it seems Nintendo heavy, I was little hooked (not in a cultish way).

Generation Five

Generation five was all about hand-me-downs for me. At the time I was still playing a generation four console, whilst my brother played his N64 in his room. Occasionally I was allowed to play games with him, like Blast Corps. and every fanboy’s favourite Goldeneye. Looking at these titles alongside a few others released for the N64, such as Diddy Kong Racing, MarioKart 64 and Super Smash Bros.,I realise that this generation was a golden age in split screen (for me at least). To be fair it makes sense, games had progressed to a point where they could handle a lot of on-screen activity, but we lacked the capabilities of the advanced internet we have today.

Image from How Stuff Works

When my brother got a Playstation One (PS1) I inherited his N64. Which meant that the N64 was the first console that I bought my own games for. I can still remember going around a friend’s house and experiencing Banjo Kazooie. On the next trip to the local shopping centre I recognised it on shelves, and purchased it with what pocket money I had to hand; plus a little advance from my father of course. I can remember vividly the store I bought it from, and the feeling of holding that small cardboard box in my hands (the old boxes felt much warmer than the cases we have today, ah nostalgia’s rose-tinting glasses). Unfortunately, the box is gone and the store too. But Banjo Kazooie’s cartridge still remains in my possession. My collection soon grew to including Pokemon Stadium One and Two, Pokemon Snap, Super Smash Bros.

In fact Pokemon Stadium One still stands out in my gaming history as one of my finest moments. For weeks I attempted to beat the Champion League’s Elite Four without any luck, even my brother couldn’t accomplish it. But then, one Saturday morning as everyone slept (I do resent them not being present for such a defining moment), I finally beat the League. To say I was excited would be an understatement. I am not ashamed to say that I ran up and down the house, multiple times cheering my head off. If my family had been asleep they certainly weren’t for long. I hadn’t even checked to see what my prize was for such an accomplishment. I was a little disheartened to find it was just an Eevee, but still beating them was enough, something I did regularly after I realised the formula.

Image from WiiU daily

One regret I have about the N64 is that I never owned a copy of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on it. The game is one of my favourite stories, in my favourite game series and yet I haven’t owned the original cartridge. I have, of course, completed Ocarina of Time (in fact multiple times on multiple consoles), but not on its original platform. I also admit to never finishing The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, although I will rectify this soon with the upcoming remake on the Nintendo 3DS.

When my brother moved on to generation six with the Playstation Two I got my hands on his PS1. At this point I became rather fickle and forgot about my allegiances to the N64. Too caught up in the amazing Metal Gear Solid, a story so complex that my head now can’t even cope with the story. I don’t think I was too concerned at the time; not when I could take down a helicopter, right after repelling down a building. The game captivated me so much that I began telling people I wanted to be a missionary, just like Solid Snake (the main character: a mercenary). People were rather confused that I believed a missionary went on secret missions to say the least.

Start-up screens still give me a shiver (in a good way)
PS1 start-up screen from Galih

I also remember the morning of my eighth birthday as a result of receiving PS1 games (I really am a geek aren’t I?). That morning I awoke bleary eyed to find that my Mum had piled my presents around me as I slept. That day I received; a garish green and purple neon Walkman, with a tape of the Witch Doctor, a copy of Rayman and Gex: Enter the Gecko along with other things that have faded from my memory. I loved both of these games, and still do, but have yet to complete them. I still retain an obsession for Leslie Phillip’s voice due to his voice acting in Gex.

Yet again, I seemed to have had more to talk about than I expected. I will stop there before I bore you any further. The next post on Geek Boy Babbles won’t be so indulgent I promise. There will be a break in gaming generations before I return to tackle generations six, seven and then handheld histories.  

Until then let me know your opinions and memories in the comments below.