NeoGAF

I got mine a couple days ago and yeah, the unnecessary amount of touchscreen use for the UI is irritating. They were pretty good at making the touchscreen not feel like a nuisance on the DS so I don't know why they stepped backwards on that. Personally, I don't care about being forced to make a Mii to be online either, never was a fan of trying to personalize those things and attaching them to online presence and game saves.

But yeah, doesn't really matter because it's got the games. That, and coming from the DS Lite the form factor is incredible to me. The only physical gripe I have about it is the circlepad, which might just be a case of getting used to it, but I don't feel entirely comfortable with it yet.

Originally Posted by Naminator

I was actually contemplating purchasing a 3DS during Black Friday, but seeing something like this kinda changes my mind, maybe Shield will be the way to go for me.

Don't even make that joke. Don't, just don't. You buy a game system to play games. 3DS has the best games. You don't buy a muscle car because its smooth and low noise.

the system itself is indeed an atrocity, OP. The games do make it up for it, though.

Originally Posted by Sylverstone14

This.
Why did OP get a 3DS then?

Originally Posted by BomberMouse

Yes, I'm talking about the OS/device itself.





Sure, games are fun, it's just the device to play them in is a huge turn off and hinders my enjoyment of them. The quality of the screen, the terrible circle pad, the cheap buttons, bad battery etc. I'm not arguing any of those as a fact either, for me the ergonomics are terrible.

iOS has great games too, but those damn touch controls are insane.

The games are good enough to make the problems irrelevant for most of us, and most of those problems weren't as dire in our eyes in the first place. A lot of us are so bewildered by the hardware complaints that it feels like the complainers didn't even purchase the same device we did. As for the UI, all parts of it except the eshop are good enough to reach "utterly invisible" for me. When I had the menu on the default "single-file line" option, the main menu sucked, but the 2-column option is fine.

Originally Posted by dragonlife

What's stopping you from using ear buds/headphones? I never play my handhelds without my ear buds.

Because I don't feel like it. If I'm grinding through dungeons I'd like to have a movie on or something and not have to worry about plopping on a pair of headphones every time a story segment comes up.
That's honestly just more of a hassle than I'm willing to put up with.

If anything I have been overwhelmed since I got my 3DS. I am finishing Zelda and I have yet to even put a dent in Pokemon, Super Mario, and Phoenix Wright. I still have to pick up Virtue's Last Reward and Fire Emblem too. T_T

Originally Posted by Rickenslacker

I got mine a couple days ago and yeah, the unnecessary amount of touchscreen use for the UI is irritating. They were pretty good at making the touchscreen not feel like a nuisance on the DS so I don't know why they stepped backwards on that. Personally, I don't care about being forced to make a Mii to be online either, never was a fan of trying to personalize those things and attaching them to online presence and game saves.

But yeah, doesn't really matter because it's got the games. That, and coming from the DS Lite the form factor is incredible to me. The only physical gripe I have about it is the circlepad, which might just be a case of getting used to it, but I don't feel entirely comfortable with it yet.

You can navigate almost the entire UI without using the touchscreen. What are you using the touchscreen for?

I guess I'm the odd man out here, because I couldn't care less about any of those things. It's all about games for me and 3DS is mighty in that department.

The touch screen is damaged easily? Son, you don't use a knife on it, you use a stylus. I've used mine since launch and the only marks are anything I leave on there when I use my finger on the screen, and easily removed with a tissue.

How you can be underwhelmed with a software library so amazing baffles me. Who cares about the OS? You barely see it because it politely gets out of the way so you can game in peace.

Originally Posted by Alienous

Hmm. I couldn't name 5 'good' 3DS titles myself.

Just because games don't appeal to you, that doesn't mean they're not good. Most 3ds rpgs don't appeal to me, but I can recognize their quality to people who like that type of thing.

Not sure what I was expecting coming into this thread, I guess I was looking for actual software complaints to debate about, which didn't happen, and not exactly sure what most of this is being compared to as a standard... iOS and Android have the free software that lets you play while you download (until you need to download large files from the game itself), Vita isn't the fastest thing on Earth, and has ergonomic issues... and among all of these battery life can vary to lower or higher than a 3DS.

I enjoy all my products (except for iOS interface), so it's hard for me to see the issues.

I have no problems with my XL, it's a great device and gets it's job done. I'd only get an account system and kill region lock, aside of that I love it.

Originally Posted by BomberMouse

It has a worse screen than the PSP had in 2005.

I've gotta disagree with that. The OG PSP screen had some pretty bad ghosting.

Originally Posted by Shinta

I really can't find the energy to be outraged by anything on your list.

The UI isn't amazing, but it gets the job done. And it has some neat features that I like, like play coins, the pedometer, street pass, the daily log, etc. And you can make folders. I really don't need anything but that. It does everything its supposed to do.

Downloading while playing, I guess I just don't care. You can set up the download and then when you're done playing, just close the system and it does the rest for you. That's totally fine with me.

eShop is kind of a pain to navigate, I agree. I basically just type in whatever I'm looking for in the search bar and do it that way. It could be better organized, with categories for demos and so on.

Account system would be nice, and I think they're moving towards that soon. They just unified billing and said they're not done yet.

Region lock is a big let down.

Battery life is fine for me, and its about comparable to Vita. It is a step down from DS, but I can live with it.

Ergonomics are fine for me.

Demos are fine. I've never even played one 3x. And most give you 30 tries.

You forgot to mention the biggest unique aspect of it, which is the glasses free 3D. Works great for me, and after I got used to it, I miss it when its gone. It definitely adds to Luigi's Mansion, ALBW, and 3D Land quite a bit.

And they're about to add MiiVerse soon, which I adore. And you can make posts offline and it sends them when you are at your next internet spot.

I'd give it a 7.5 / 10 based on just hardware and system UI features. The real wealth of the 3DS is the games. DS was the same. If it gets a fully functional MiiVerse, I'd have to rate the system all the way up to a 9 / 10. It's better than Xbox Live and PSN in many ways, with each game getting a dedicated forum.

I agree with this for the most part. Though they should make the OS easier to navigate with just the buttons, I agree with the OP that it's annoying that it works for some things but not others.

Too busy being overwhelmed by the abundance of top-tier software available to be underwhelmed by the platform. Sorry, OP.

As long its have good games, nothing else matter.

I like how you don't talk about the games at all. You know, the reason most people buy a gaming device for.

I tough it out and deal with all the problems since the game are too good to pass up.

Originally Posted by NateDrake

You can navigate almost the entire UI without using the touchscreen. What are you using the touchscreen for?

The top row of items (notes, friend list, etc). Using some of the basic software (creating the required Mii I mentioned). Everything under system settings. It just felt like I was using the touchscreen for a lot of things that the regular controls could've handled just fine for no other reason than "Hey look! We got a touchscreen!"

I got my XL about a month ago.

• Compared to an OG Vita, the build quality is a step down. It's not bad though, IMO. Reminds me of the DS Lite.
• OS is not what I'd call impressive, especially in 2013. But it gets the job done and doesn't get in the way.
• The volume on some games is just too low, even on quality headphones. My only real complaint with the system.
• The 3D is better than I expected. Took a while to find a sweet spot but now I play most games with the 3D turned all the way up.
• Battery life is the same as my Vita.

Overall, for what I paid, I'm satisfied with the hardware. Factor in the current and upcoming games...welp, couldn't be happier.

The 3DS has some of the best titles I've played all year though.

It does exactly what I want it to do. I put in a game, and I play that game.

I can do that in my room, in my bed, in my living room, while pooping, in rush hour traffic, in the office during lunch, on the metro, in my backyard while grilling, while on the roof fixing the squirrel gate on the chimney, while taking a bath, while eating, while i'm lost in the middle of the woods.

So yeah.

What's the problem with the UI? Pretty much thr only thing you need to use the touchscreen for is to open the apps like internet and notepad. For everything else you can use the buttons.

Originally Posted by Mauricio_Magus

I have no problems with my XL, it's a great device and gets it's job done. I'd only get an account system and kill region lock, aside of that I love it.

I'd add that the 3D is terrible on the XL, it might as well be a 2DSXL. The 3D has the worst viewing angles of any device I have ever owned.

Had one since launch and was initially underwhelmed with it. But in it's second year, once the games started flowing it has been amazing. My Vita experience is pretty much the exact opposite. Also I am easily pleased when it comes to OS, UI and such. So long as it is not horribly slow like the WIi U at launch or ad ridden like Xbox. If the games are good I overlook minor niggles.

This rant is like ordering a perfectly grilled authentic Kobe wagyu steak with grade A foie gras on the side, and then complaining and declaring the whole dining experience awful because the utensils used are not pure silver.

I love the 3DS more than my Vita personally. Nintendo's handhelds tend to have very strong libraries with plenty of variety.

And I personally think the XL is a huge improvement. I have no problems with the speaker quality. Yes, the screens are kinda bad if you come away from something like the Vita's OLED, but it's not THAT bad. The XL is actually a pretty good fit for my hands. The OG 3DS was hard to use though.

I love both handhelds, but 3DS is fine as purely a gaming handheld. It's meant for fun gaming. It does have media apps like Hulu+, Netflix, and YouTube, but that's not it's focus.

I do agree with a lot of your points, though. Nintendo is way behind on their store and their account system. That's why I never link a card with them. I just enter it every time I want to get something. I didn't know they had such a small password.

Just got a 3DS a few days ago and I pretty much agree. But I've already got my iPhone to use apps and multitask with, my 3DS is for gaming only.

I've had mine for a couple of months but I feel underwhelmed. The only games I found appealing were Luigi's Dark Moon and Pokemon X. Everything else isn't for me. I love JRPG's but everytime one comes out for it, it has something specific that I dislike about it.

Only game I'm interested in right now is One Piece Romance Dawn, and that's only because I'm a big fan of One Piece and feel I need to support the games anyway I can.

Speaking of the handheld itself, the only thing I dislike is the analog stick or whatever it's called. It's very uncomfortable after extended periods of play. Also the XL's top screen is very wobbly. After that, I like everything else about the handhelds design.

I have an 3DSXL btw.

I feel the same way as the OP.

I've had my 3DS for a couple of years and my Vita for about a year. The Vita made it very hard for me to go back to the 3DS; it made the 3DS seem clunky and outdated.

I'm aware that the 3DS supposedly has better games, but there's nothing on it which I've enjoyed as much as, say, Sine Mora or Super Stardust Delta.

It's probably just a matter of taste though. I think if the games on the 3DS 'get you' you won't notice the hardware and OS so much. The games didn't 'get me' so I find it a really outdated experience.

Originally Posted by Basileus777

I'd add that the 3D is terrible on the XL, it might as well be a 2DSXL. The 3D has the worst viewing angles of any device I have ever owned.

I don't really use 3D much, but when I do it's "fine", I haven't had that problems but maybe I just have low standards regarding 3D.

I agree about the hardware and eshop/account system. But because of the games, it has become my main gaming system.

I agree on everything, but the games are awesome, and I can use a regular SD card to expand the storage.

I honestly felt this level of outrage during the first weeks using the console, but with time I basically got used to it and started enjoying the games and nothing else.

Nintendo lives in the past, a very bleak past, with its hardware design and account system... I'd love to have a clamshell Nintendo portable with HD graphics, capacitive touchscreen and no pointless gimmicks, but apparently Nintendo still targets kids and still doesn't care about core gamers. A few weeks ago I went to a gaming convention and there was the Nintendo stand: everything was clearly made to please kids, but there were much more adults playing with their 3DSs and trying the WiiU... there was also a very awkward pokemon event clearly targeted at kids but with plenty of adults to attend.

IB4, the Vita is an amazing piece of hardware with some stupid limitations (non standard storage cards) and games not as good as those on the 3DS: having both is the best right now, but it would be wonderful to see a Vita-like piece of hardware from Nintendo, and if I was forced to keep one for gaming on the go I'd choose the 3DS.

The mini games you get to play through streetpass are a delight and more evidence of the "Nintendo magic" I never gave it much thought at first but I've had the system since it released and I still play Find Mii and the Puzzle Swap. I have yet to even get the other games that have released which I heard are good.

I'm dieing for Nintendo to put out Find Mii 3 as a full blown rpg where I can navigate a world with my Mii along with a party of streepass guests. Heck, make my most frequent streetpasser be one of the enemies and have him build henchmen through my streetpass hits also. There is just so much that could be done from the simple Streetpass function its amazing.

Agreed on most of your complaints, but Its my current favorite console hands down, because I like the games.

3DS I'd give a 5/10 to the hardware. It's functional but that's all I can ask of it.

3DS games however are like 11/10

My touch screen and stylus get along just fine.

.........
No.
Just stop.

I could care less about system features and UI design honestly. The ergonomics are a tad bit annoying especially on the regular 3DS but the XL and 2DS have fixed that issue for me.

To me personally, its all about the games and that is undeniable. I don't care about the lack of a proper account system, UI navigation, system capabilities, etc. because the 3DS provided some fantastic games. Everything else is secondary as it should be on a gaming console.

Originally Posted by SmokyDave

Or the utensils are so poor that you end up smashing the meal to pieces and sending most of it flying over the side of the plate. The plate made from compressed pubic hair and toenail clippings.

Except that that does not describe how the 3DS is. At worst, it's normal stainless steel utensil. Not pretty, might have a bigger handle that what you're used to, but perfectly serviceable.

Yeah 3DS really has its issues, especially the battery life. However, what I was most underwhelmed by was the software library until this year. Really glad that picked up.

I'm still debating whether I should get a 2ds in the next week or so.

Yeah, the system itself is shit. Amazing games though.

Originally Posted by BomberMouse

The damn touch screen is a joke and requires you to use a protector since the stylus damages it way too easy.

Make sure you wipe the touch screen down every now and then, sometimes you'll get what looks like little scratches on it, but they're not. Unless you're really crushing down on the screen with that stylus at full force, which you should probably stop doing if so!

There are very few issues with the 3DS that aren't completely overshadowed by it's amazing game library. I'd say that the lack of account system and region lock are the only major problems. (Maaaaaaaaaaaaaybe the battery life.)

But if you want to play games(!!!), and have a absolute treasure trove of options, the 3DS is king.

I bought my 3ds for the games.

Out of OP's list, the only complaint I agree with is the region locking.

Edit: Oh, and the account system