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The form factor of the 3DS is horrendous

I've had this problem with all my handhelds (GBA,PSP,DSLite,Vita) although it depends on the game.It's always worse with action games IMO.
 
I actually really love the way my N3DSXL fits into my hands. I've been playing it pretty much all day and I've never even considered getting a grip.

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I bought a New XL and a New 3DS around the same time. I couldn't do long gaming sessions on the XL. It's kinda heavy, it's kinda big and kinda flat. On the standard 3DS it's fine cause it's smaller, lighter, thinner, etc, but the XL, coupled with the non-pocketability of the thing made me sell it for another New 3DS.

New 3DS is close to the DSi/DS lite form factor which in my eyes is peak DS design. Even the DSi XL was pretty thin, I think thinner and lighter than the New XLs.
 
The only comfortable handheld, as an adult, that nintendo has ever made was the OG phat DS.

The DSLite design that they've emulated in everything since is a huge step towards utilitarianism over comfort. It's like the OG NES controller design of handheld objects.
 
It starts to get really uncomfortable after a couple hours but that's true of every handheld I've played. My hands go numb.

I used to have a problem with my hand cramping up when I used chopsticks. Eventually I learned to relax and I think a lot of people need to adjust to holding the extra weight/shape vs a more ergonomic controller.
 
I put 98 or so hours into mario kart 7 according to the 3ds logbook and it stresses me to think how I put up with those dreadfully small and painful L+R buttons for that long

Also the c stick nub thing that comes on the new 3ds is the most unfuckingcomfortable thing ever and it makes mh4u an ordeal

But at least i finally beat the gore magala today
 
Uncomfortable as hell for sure.

The worst part involves the New 3DS XL, where the power button is on the lower right edge...right where I got used to balancing the damn thing with my pinkies on the original model. I wanted to get a grip anyway, but that made it a requirement as I kept turning the damn thing off mid-game.

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Thankfully even the shittiest grip out there makes a huge difference in hand comfort.
 
Why do people not like the 3DS design? Did they also not like the DS Lite?

The only thing I don't like about the 3DS is the control nub. It's a bit too tight and needs more force than necessary to keep it pushed in one direction.
 
Although I don't really need it, I'm going to try one of those Cyber grips. Amazon says it's going to be here in like mid-December though. LOL Guess it's not coming from anywhere in the US. Anyway, looking forward to seeing if it makes any difference for me. For $13 and change, it's worth a shot.
 
I have a launch 3DS. I never felt this way until I took an extended period of time away from it and came back. Took a while for my hands to adjust again.
 
I love my 3DS, but the Vita is what a handheld should be. It feels like a home console in compact form. I just wish it had more 1st party support.
 
I don't think any of the handhelds have had what you might consider 'good' form factor. As a child I recall really liking the shape of the Gameboy Advance, it was nice to hold. I upgraded to an SP later, which is quite horrible to hold, in all honesty.

The Vita is probably the best we have right now but the analogue sticks are pretty awkward, switch might be a good handheld in regards to form factor, the Wii U gamepad is nice, but far from a handheld.
 
2ds is the most comfortable. 3ds as a whole is garbage

Why do people not like the 3DS design? Did they also not like the DS Lite?

The only thing I don't like about the 3DS is the control nub. It's a bit too tight and needs more force than necessary to keep it pushed in one direction.
the 2ds doesnt have this problem; very easy to move circle pad its loose
 
The games are the only good thing about the DS line.....everything else about it is a bag of hurt.
 
As a lefty, playing Kid Icarus Uprising on the 3DS is one of the worst gaming experiences of my life. It's like some David Blaine shit for someone to play it without issue.
 
The old 3DS felt fine to me, other than its sharp corners digging into my palms, which is fixed by the XL (or New 3DS XL in my case).
However, the New XL is way too heavy for how thin it is, so it never feels comfortable to hold. I imagine the regular sized New 3DS is far better feeling, being similar in size to the regular 3DS and having rounded corners like the XL. And it's probably the best 3DS overall.

Which Cyber grip should I get if I hold controllers with my middle fingers down on the bottom of the back of the wings, rather than on triggers?
 
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