Maybe no one asked for this, but since I trawled the boards looking for answers in this regard before I made my purchase(s) and didn't see many concisely compiled pros/cons, and with the holidays right around the corner for potential buyers, I thought I'd just write up my quick impressions of the Nintendo:
2DS
+ Ergonomically Orgasmic
+ Better Pixel Density (Negligible, IMHO)
+ Small
+ Cheap. $129 full retail price.
+/- Buttons. This is a big thing for me that I didn't see many people mention in my research. The buttons (including the d-pad) are mushy, much like most typical controllers, and, in my opinion, just how they should be.
+/- No 3D. I mean, whatever I don't give a care about 3D. I did sorely notice it's absence only when: I wanted to show my girlfriend how neat video games could be *fart noise* or when I was playing Super Mario Land 3D. Also when I kept dying in certain [unnecessary] puzzles in Zelda. Frankly, it's totally unnecessary.
- Does not feel as "sturdy" or "kid-proof" as it's marketed to be. The plastic on the sides (the red accent colored plastic) on my 2DS feels like it's loose, in a real bad way.
- Not portable whatsoever. I'm a guy; I have pockets, and that's all. No cargos, mind you. I don't carry a backpack, and I sure don't carry one of those damn messenger bags, so what the hell, looks like it's stayin' home!
All in all, really great console. You really need to feel it in your hands to understand how superior the ergonomics of it are compared to the OG and XL. Despite the side plastic, it does feel a bit sturdier than my XL (specifically thanks to its lack of scary lock-hinges.)
3DS XL
+ HUGE beautiful display
+ Stereo Sound. I really didn't think I'd care about this and, while not a game-changer, it is really nice compared to the 2DSs Mono.
+ Portable. I know it's huge, but my main point with this is it folds shut, you can shove it wherever you like without worrying about screen protection.
+ 3D. Woohoo, it's there for you if you feel like it.
+/- Buttons. See above; these buttons click like an iPhone home button, or L3 & R3. I hate that shit, makes it feel like a pocket calculator or something.
- Sooper Pixels. Pixels are magnified, yeah. It's hard to notice while bathing in the glorious presence of such a huge screen, but, the picture does seem of a slightly lower quality.
- Expensive. $199 full retail.
- Form. WTF Nintendo, why, when it is closed, does the 3DS XL look like two separate electronics mashed together. What happened to the DS Lite, with all it's flush edges and carefully fitted components? Woof, it's like an ice cream sandwich.
It's hard to say I dislike the XL, and I don't think I even would say that, but from a design standpoint I would say that the 2DS is approaching more of a pinnacle than the XL. I know it's all about the games & experience, but the manner in which said things are delivered really often make a difference. Which is why I'm making this thread.
2DS
+ Ergonomically Orgasmic
+ Better Pixel Density (Negligible, IMHO)
+ Small
+ Cheap. $129 full retail price.
+/- Buttons. This is a big thing for me that I didn't see many people mention in my research. The buttons (including the d-pad) are mushy, much like most typical controllers, and, in my opinion, just how they should be.
+/- No 3D. I mean, whatever I don't give a care about 3D. I did sorely notice it's absence only when: I wanted to show my girlfriend how neat video games could be *fart noise* or when I was playing Super Mario Land 3D. Also when I kept dying in certain [unnecessary] puzzles in Zelda. Frankly, it's totally unnecessary.
- Does not feel as "sturdy" or "kid-proof" as it's marketed to be. The plastic on the sides (the red accent colored plastic) on my 2DS feels like it's loose, in a real bad way.
- Not portable whatsoever. I'm a guy; I have pockets, and that's all. No cargos, mind you. I don't carry a backpack, and I sure don't carry one of those damn messenger bags, so what the hell, looks like it's stayin' home!
All in all, really great console. You really need to feel it in your hands to understand how superior the ergonomics of it are compared to the OG and XL. Despite the side plastic, it does feel a bit sturdier than my XL (specifically thanks to its lack of scary lock-hinges.)
3DS XL
+ HUGE beautiful display
+ Stereo Sound. I really didn't think I'd care about this and, while not a game-changer, it is really nice compared to the 2DSs Mono.
+ Portable. I know it's huge, but my main point with this is it folds shut, you can shove it wherever you like without worrying about screen protection.
+ 3D. Woohoo, it's there for you if you feel like it.
+/- Buttons. See above; these buttons click like an iPhone home button, or L3 & R3. I hate that shit, makes it feel like a pocket calculator or something.
- Sooper Pixels. Pixels are magnified, yeah. It's hard to notice while bathing in the glorious presence of such a huge screen, but, the picture does seem of a slightly lower quality.
- Expensive. $199 full retail.
- Form. WTF Nintendo, why, when it is closed, does the 3DS XL look like two separate electronics mashed together. What happened to the DS Lite, with all it's flush edges and carefully fitted components? Woof, it's like an ice cream sandwich.
It's hard to say I dislike the XL, and I don't think I even would say that, but from a design standpoint I would say that the 2DS is approaching more of a pinnacle than the XL. I know it's all about the games & experience, but the manner in which said things are delivered really often make a difference. Which is why I'm making this thread.
