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$99 New 3DS Black Friday Deal

OmegaFax

Member
I got a screen protector on the bottom screen ... which was always my point of concern because I'm always tapping or pressing something with my thumb. Really OCD though but getting/cutting/redoing the top screen felt like more trouble than it's worth. I checked the gap between the bottom/top of the unit when it's closed and it looks fine. Nothing touches, even with some pressure to it.

Ignorance is bliss. My Majora's Mask XL has protectors on the top and bottom. How I managed to get it all on 99% dust free is beyond me. It was the best application I've had with a screen protector.

End of the day ... cheap system, relatively easy to hack and install A9LH on, and acts sort of as a backup unit (but damn, the size and weight are nice) ... but the New 3DS XL I appreciate more after going back to it after a while. Those screens are massive.
 

LoveCake

Member
I think I may have just been lucky with my new 3DS experiences. (disclaimer)

I also have the new 3DS XL and 2 smaller ones. I was lucky and never had any trouble getting my hands on either (including the Majora's Mask and 20th anniversary pokemon edition). I did like how the games looked on the XL. However, I quickly realized the XL is just too big for my hands. Held out for the smaller version and it's perfect for me. The screen is larger then the original which I completely love and it wasn't much of a shock downsizing. Both of the systems I use have the Hori TPU cover on them, so I haven't noticed any screen scratching. Both are great imo I just prefer the smaller.

It is the smaller 'new' 3DS that I really think I want, but they seem to be hard to get hold of at the moment and are also more expensive than the 3DSXL o_O

How soon after the holidays could we expect to see more?

I want to know this as well, or is there another version in the works?

Hold on while I call Reggie...

Can you find out for us in the UK please?
 

Charadis

Member
I really need to get a tempered glass screen protector for my Vita. I had one on an older system and it was nice.

Go for it. Probably the best screen protector out there. I've been extremely happy with mine, and it wipes off easy. Very natural feel when using system, too.

First time I've heard of glass screen protectors. How do they compare to Horii's protector line?

I've had Hori for my PSP a long while ago, but not recently. I don't know how their quality has been, but glass is great and can be less pain applying using known methods (i.e., the hinge method). Plus, it just feels good to the touch and premium if you find the right quality screen protectors.

Tempered glass seems a bit overkill for 3DS. It's generally for smartphones in my experience

That's how I got started on tempered glass, with phones. It probably might be a little much for the 3DS, but the results look great when applied properly and it's similar to the price of Hori (you actually get two sets for $14 or less, so why not get glass?).
 

DonMigs85

Member
Dudes, is the instruction manual included in the package marked New 3DS XL? Shows how lazy and cheap Nintendo is. I wonder why they also don't seal the boxes with tape anymore.
 

ironmang

Member
Thanks for the advice on screen protectors everybody who replied. I was going to get a Hori one but I couldn't find a more local shipper and would have to wait 2 months. Ordered one of those 3 packs of iLLumiShield ones just to have something until I decide if I'm going to go with tempered glass or a hori for a more permanent one.
 

Tigress

Member
It is the smaller 'new' 3DS that I really think I want, but they seem to be hard to get hold of at the moment and are also more expensive than the 3DSXL

Wait, are the smaller new ones available in the US? I thought that we only got the XL (and these are the ones with the newer chip? Forgive me, I don't really follow Nintendo that closely, the only reason I even know this much is I hang out on this forum too much ;) ). Oh and how would you make sure you got the new version vs. the older version with the old chip especially after it's not so new anymore (I would think that at one point it would no longer be the "new" 3DS?).

Hold on while I call Reggie...

Well I was just figuring since the 3DS has been out for years that it going out of stock christmas was a usual event so maybe people knew how long it usually took to get back in stock once the christmas rush is over (as I said, not a huge Nintendo fan but getting a small bonus and thinking of using it to get a 3DS for pokemon and maybe some other games that might be on it I might like).
 

ironmang

Member
Wait, are the smaller new ones available in the US? I thought that we only got the XL (and these are the ones with the newer chip? Forgive me, I don't really follow Nintendo that closely, the only reason I even know this much is I hang out on this forum too much ;) ). Oh and how would you make sure you got the new version vs. the older version with the old chip especially after it's not so new anymore (I would think that at one point it would no longer be the "new" 3DS?).

The mario bundle from black friday and the pokemon 20th anniversary ones are the only regular n3DS available in the US I think. I also didn't know and probably would have taken a shot at getting these on BF if I did. Luckily a nice gaffer (OmahaG8) sent me his for basically msrp instead of returning it to amazon.
 

Glix

Member
The mario bundle from black friday and the pokemon 20th anniversary ones are the only regular n3DS available in the US I think. I also didn't know and probably would have taken a shot at getting these on BF if I did. Luckily a nice gaffer (OmahaG8) sent me his for basically msrp instead of returning it to amazon.

Also there was an Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer bundle before even the Pokemon one. Thats how I got mine.
 
Wait, are the smaller new ones available in the US? I thought that we only got the XL (and these are the ones with the newer chip? Forgive me, I don't really follow Nintendo that closely, the only reason I even know this much is I hang out on this forum too much ;) )

The smaller ones have been available in limited/special editions/bundles in the US. So available but not as widely as the XL. And almost no official accessories for the smaller ones are released in the US.


Oh and how would you make sure you got the new version vs. the older version with the old chip especially after it's not so new anymore (I would think that at one point it would no longer be the "new" 3DS?).

The "New" is part of the name and logo. It will say "New Nintendo 3DS [XL]" on the box:

New3DS_SuperMarioSE_Black_Render.0.jpg

Plus there are physical differences between the old and the new ones that allow you to tell even if you didn't see the box. Like the "c-stick", colored buttons on the smaller one, and two additional shoulder buttons.
 

Lorcain

Member
Oh and how would you make sure you got the new version vs. the older version with the old chip especially after it's not so new anymore (I would think that at one point it would no longer be the "new" 3DS?).
The big chain retailers near me (Best Buy, Target, Walmart) have only been selling the new versions. If for some reason a store had both, just look for the "New" branding on the box.

The complete lack of stock is a holiday phenomenon made worse with the November release of Pokemon Sun/Moon. I would expect to start seeing the n3DSXL back in stores after the holiday rush. The smaller new 3DS is another story in the US. I don't think anyone knows if it will be stocked regularly (Walmart just had them back in stock at $179), or continue to be sold in very limited quantities and limited windows to purchase.
 

DonMigs85

Member
In the Philippines we have tons of the Mario 3D Land bundle being sold for around $180. Also the lime green XL for the equivalent of $220. All US versions.
 
MgggqQT.jpg


What a roller coaster ride dealing with Walmart. Well, it finally arrived. Still waiting on my charger and a few games from Amazon that should come tomorrow.
 
Just unpacked mine. The TN display is very noticeable versus the IPS on my N3DSXL, but I am okay with this considering how much freaking smaller the N3DS is.
 

atomsk

Party Pooper
got mine yesterday and forgot I need to pick up a micro SD because I upgraded my launch 3DS to 16gb, will pick one up at Best Buy today for $10
 
My Walmart order from November 26th came yesterday. Phew! Had the charger and games ready. Would have been odd to not have the handheld as well! Now onto the NES mini (who am I kidding, lol).
 

Lorcain

Member
I unboxed the black n3DS I received from Walmart last night and did the system transfer from my n3DSXL. It was an easy process since I was able to just insert the same micro sd card from the XL to the regular n3DS at the end of the transfer process. No issues there.

I'm liking the smaller form factor of the n3DS. The build quality on mine is good. Others have mentioned that it looks cheaper or more toylike than the n3DSXL, but I'm not seeing that. Maybe it's just an asthetic preference combined with the designs on the cover plates. The overall build quality itself is up to par with my n3DSXL.

I like the matte finish cover plates. They provide a nice surface to hold, and feel somewhat grippy with the inlaid textures. I was going to try and find a clear Hori duraflex case, but I think I may keep it "naked" since it feels good to hold as is, and doesn't attract fingerprints like the n3DSXL.

It definitely takes up less real estate in my hands, and weighs noticeably less than the n3DSXL. Both of those are good for me, but may be a turn off for people with bigger hands. The n3DS is a real pocket device in that it can comfortably fit into my jeans/pants pockets, although I would most likely carry it in a carry case inside a backpack.

I've read others mention the smaller D-pad and face buttons. They do seem smaller, but they're proportional to the smaller form factor, and work well for me. Again, ymmv with bigger hands (my hands are average sized).

The screens are smaller than my n3DSXL, but they're not 2DS small. They're definitely TN screens. They look good once I disabled auto-brightness and manually set the brightness. Pixels all looked good, no scratches or defects.

The cover plates are really easy to remove or attach, even the back plates. Just make sure to buy the right screwdriver for the back plates (I have a cheap multi attachment glasses screwdriver with 0 and 1 sized bits that worked well).

I played for a couple of hours last night, and didn't notice any unusual cramping due to the smaller size. I did appreciate the lighter weight.
 

Ashhong

Member
Is it possible for dust to go behind the screen? I was cleaning the top screen with a small microfiber wipe and suddenly I noticed a piece of dust smack in the middle of it. I swear it wasn't there before, I would have noticed it.
 

DonMigs85

Member
Is it possible for dust to go behind the screen? I was cleaning the top screen with a small microfiber wipe and suddenly I noticed a piece of dust smack in the middle of it. I swear it wasn't there before, I would have noticed it.
Could also be one of those dreadful pitted scratches. A screen protector can help cover it up.
It's also a shame they don't sell replacement plastic screen covers for the New 3DS. All I see online are for the XL
 

Ashhong

Member
Could also be one of those dreadful pitted scratches. A screen protector can help cover it up.
It's also a shame they don't sell replacement plastic screen covers for the New 3DS. All I see online are for the XL

I don't know what that is but it definitely looks like dust.
 

SystemUser

Member
i'm worried parents are buying so much pokemon and 3ds this christmas that nobody is gonna be ready to get the switch lol


Spring launches expect adults buying for themselves. I don't think the Switch will have a Pokemon ready for launch. Well at least not a mainline Pokemon. GTA IV launch was in spring (although later in spring) and it broke the record at the time for largest revenue for a game launch. I assume the bulk of the early purchases of GTA IV were adults buying the game for themselves. I know some kids do end up playing it, but I assume the numbers are lower than CoD. I don't play GTA online so my only point of reference is that none of my friends or family bought the game for their kids. I have one nephew that has one friend who's parents bought him the game.


Did they even show one kid in the Switch promo video? I feel like they showed what looked like people in their 20's and maybe teens too. I think Nintendo is marketing to adults and they expect the kids to follow.
 

Charadis

Member
My $149 Walmart order came in. Unit itself is beautiful. I haven't set it up yet but I can definitely tell there is a difference in screen quality (it is a dual TN, as expected, but had to see it in person). I'm trying to decide if I still need this in my collection or no.

HoBWBjD.jpg



Unlike my white n3DS, this one "clicks" into second position like my MM n3DSXL, but not at first position. There is a "bulge" above LED indicators, like my white unit, but other than that, I don't notice any other minor flaws. The power button seems easier to press though, seems to stick out more. But maybe because my Skinomi clear skin is causing more recess with my white unit?

Also, anyone here named Laura Fernandez? Because it looks like I got your order ;) (outside of Walmart shipping box clearly has my name and order info, but there is a packing slip for LF with original order price of $99 plus tax...).
 
If anyone in the Bay Area is looking for one and doesn't need one by Christmas, I'm likely going to be in the hand of a couple by then. The easiest hassle free thing for me to do is just return them, but I figure someone on here might be happier.
 
It's a bit annoying looking for a carrying case for the New 3DS, apparently all the cases you can easily buy are for the 3DS XL. I found one at Best Buy for $10 which is pretty nice except that it's sized for the XL so the 3DS flops around inside the case instead of being held snugly.

This is a serious first-world problem I'm having here :(
 
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