Buying a Replacement 3DS (Original 3DS or Get a 2DS?)

[PoizonMushro0m]

After getting my original 3DS in Christmas of 2012, I fell in love with the 3DS's features, like how its Nintendo 3DS Sound app was a pretty great, with its underrated MP3 player for all my music on the SD Card. How amazing the AR Card app was. And most importantly, how it made me, a die-hard console gamer, love handheld gaming. However, after 2 years in service, in Fall 2014, the Game Card slot began to not read Game Cards. I picked up a New 3DS XL last February and I am back into 3DS gaming.

However, as of late, I have been wondering what I should do with my original 3DS. I want to still keep it around for multiplayer (i.e: Mario Kart, Smash, etc.) and for the nostalgia factor of it being my first 3DS. The only downsides are that it cannot read 3DS or DS games in physical format anymore. I have to do everything digital on it. I also made the left shoulder button unusable after trying to repair the system myself as I knew Nintendo was going to charge me the same price for repairs as it would have been to buy another 3DS.

The other option I have is to buy a Nintendo 2DS. My niece and nephew both live with me now and are both impressed with the features of the 3DS. I want to buy a 2DS as it is a budget model 3DS and for the simplicity factor. I don't really see the need to buy another original 3DS in place of and even if I was, it would be modified with a capture card for streaming/YouTube. I basically would use another 3DS for StreetPass and multiplayer anyway.

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Update: I repaired the left shoulder button on my original 3DS, leaving only the Game Card slot broken. As of the 30th of March, I thinking of buying either a new 2DS or buying another original 3DS. I am still debating which model I should get as they are practically the same 3DS internally and price wise as well. Due to some confusion, I will be including an FAQ below.

Frequently Asked Questions:
General Questions:
How old are your niece and nephew?

• They are 14, they are going into high school next school and know how to handle electronics responsibly.

2DS Questions:
Are you going to take the 2DS outside?

• No, the 2DS will stay at home as it is intended for multiplayer with friends and family.

Aren't you worried the screens getting damaged?

• The 2DS will be stored in a safe place, in a case.

3DS Questions:
Which model of 3DS do you plan on replacing your original 3DS with?

• I am open to any model really, but I am most likely going to get another 3DS, mainly because it has lasted up until December 2014 and feels like it a brick compared to the XL.

 

[Piezahummy]

Keep your 3ds . 2ds's are sh1t

 

[Trent the Paladin]

If you're going to share the DS with your niece and nephew, depending on their age it may be ideal to get a 2DS since those things are built like a brick.

 

[Crash]

i would personally keep the old 3ds and see if there's any shops in your area that repair them. I know where I live there's a small gaming store that fixes 3ds's and other handhelds as well as consoles for a lot cheaper than sending them to nintendo. I have a 3ds xl & a 2ds and I absolutely love my XL; I only bought the 2ds bc I wanted another ds but didn't wanna spend as much as another XL, so I wouldn't recommend buying a 2ds unless it's an issue of price.​

 

[PoizonMushro0m]

Keep your 3ds . 2ds's are sh1t

Please explain as to why they are horrible.

If you're going to share the DS with your niece and nephew, depending on their age it may be ideal to get a 2DS since those things are built like a brick.

They are 14, so I think that they will be able to handle the 3DS properly.

I would personally keep the old 3DS and see if there's any shops in your area that repair them. I know where I live there's a small gaming store that fixes 3DS systems and other handhelds as well as consoles for a lot cheaper than sending them to Nintendo. I have a 3DS XL & a 2DS and I absolutely love my XL; I only bought the 2ds because I wanted another DS but didn't wanna spend as much as another XL, so I wouldn't recommend buying a 2DS unless it's an issue of price.

Personally, I don't wanna have the original 3DS repaired as the money I would put out for it would be better suited for a replacement. If I am keeping my 3DS, it will be in the same condition it is now. Besides, whoever it would be that would go about repairing it will have a hell of a time opening the sucker up as there are a few screws that ended up getting stripped. Any repairs that are done to the original 3DS could also be done by me as I have the proper tools and knowledge as to what is wrong and how repair that shoulder button.

 

[Belle of Pripyat]

I have two 2DSs and I love them! They're comfortable to hold, they're sturdy and I think they look nice. I also think they'll hold up better in the long run since it's all one piece.

 

[AnimalCrossingPerson]

Ew, please no. Not the 2DS!

The fact that you can't fold them making them unpocketable and exposed to the elements kills it for me. The 3D you can live without but it's still nice to have.

Any 3DS will do instead as long as it works. Note that when buying a used 3DS, if it's been used by a heavy Smash player... good luck with that circle pad.

 

[PoizonMushro0m]

Ew, please no. Not the 2DS!

The fact that you can't fold them making them pocketable and exposed to the elements kills it for me. The 3D you can live without but it's still nice to have.

Any 3DS will do instead as long as it works. Note that when buying a used 3DS, if it's been used by a heavy Smash player... good luck with that circle pad.

I do not plan on taking the 2DS outside of my house, it will be mainly for guests that wanna play together with me on 3DS/DS games. I have a New 3DS XL for StreetPass so I should be fine in that aspect. I will buying the 2DS new as well so there is no need for worry about any Smash Bros. players abusing the Circle Pad.

 

[Belle of Pripyat]

Keep your 3ds . 2ds's are sh1t

That's not helpful. Do you have a 2DS or have you played with one? What makes it so bad in your opinion? It's okay to say you don't like something if you actually know about it and can explain what's wrong with it, but I think you're trolling here.

 

[LambdaDelta]

sell 3DS and spend money on other not-hardware things

 

[PoizonMushro0m]

sell 3DS and spend money on other not-hardware things

I want another 3DS so my friends and family to use so I might be able to convince them to buy one themselves. My point behind this thread was recommendations on what other 3DS I should get in place of a broken one. I do not want to spend it on other things. I get enough income to do things like buying a new 2DS/3DS if I would like. Your response does not help me in the slightest. It only makes me feel like someone who just wants to blow my hard earned income on senseless items. What you do with your money is your business and so is mine.

 

[inkling]

i think 2ds' are cute. i want to get one just to have it even though i dont need it. honestly i don't even use the 3d features on my 3ds and its overly fancy anyways. i voted get a 2ds. i donno now i actually wanna get one, id prob play my games more. /end stream of thoughts

 

[Bubblebeam]

I've never used a 2DS but I'd have thought it would come down to the most important factors; being, are you fussed on the 3D feature? And, as a general rule are your games digital or physical?

I don't know much of the 2DS at all but if it's basically the same as the 3DS minus the 3D, I'd choose it because I never use the 3D anyway. That's if I had neither to begin with.

If I already had it though, I think I'd keep the 3DS because the SD card can always be upscaled to hold more digital games, and they add to the store frequently.

 

[Mura]

You can send the 3DS in for repairs if you want.
However, sometimes game-data may be lost, depending on what they need to fix.
You will still able to download all of your previously purchased games the eShop.

 

[PoizonMushro0m]

I've never used a 2DS but I'd have thought it would come down to the most important factors; being, are you fussed on the 3D feature? And, as a general rule are your games digital or physical?

I don't know much of the 2DS at all but if it's basically the same as the 3DS minus the 3D, I'd choose it because I never use the 3D anyway. That's if I had neither to begin with.

If I already had it though, I think I'd keep the 3DS because the SD card can always be upscaled to hold more digital games, and they add to the store frequently.

1. I really do not mind whether or not if I have the option of 3D on the handheld. I have a New 3DS XL if I really want to see the game in 3D.
2. I tend to buy my games physical as I like to look at them at a shelf and also in the event of a system reset, I know I can instantly play them again without the need of internet and the eShop.

You can send the 3DS in for repairs if you want.
However, sometimes game-data may be lost, depending on what they need to fix.
You will still able to download all of your previously purchased games the eShop.

I have all my previous data from the original 3DS on my New 3DS XL, so I will be fine in this aspect. Anything that is currently on the handheld I do not mind losing as I do not have a Nintendo Network ID on the handheld, which at the moment, is preventing me from downloading games onto it.

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One feature of the 2DS that I rediscovered it had recently is that the sound system on it is monaural, meaning it only has one speaker. For those that own a 2DS, can you tell a difference in sound quality and how well does the speaker perform compared to a 3DS (any model) at full volume?

 

[Belle of Pripyat]

One feature of the 2DS that I rediscovered it had recently is that the sound system on it is monaural, meaning it only has one speaker. For those that own a 2DS, can you tell a difference in sound quality and how well does the speaker perform compared to a 3DS (any model) at full volume?

I don't use full volume on my 2DS or my New 3DS XL, to be honest. The 2DS is loud enough for me when the slider is at the halfway point or slightly below.

 

[ForestaNinfa]

I'd keep your 3DS.
I've never personally used a 2DS, so I can't make a valid argument as to why I prefer the 3DS.

 

[Pietro:)100]

Keep your 3DS. From what I've and heard, the 2DS isn't so great, especially compared to the newest model of 3DS. Of course, I haven't experienced a 2DS first hand, but it's a popular opinion I've seen around.
How old are your niece and nephew? If they're quite young, maybe a 2DS would be for the best, I mean a small child isn't going to usually critique the software and design of a games console. But if they're older or and/or care about things like that, then a 3DS is probably better.

 

[PoizonMushro0m]

Keep your 3DS. From what I've and heard, the 2DS isn't so great, especially compared to the newest model of 3DS. Of course, I haven't experienced a 2DS first hand, but it's a popular opinion I've seen around.
How old are your niece and nephew? If they're quite young, maybe a 2DS would be for the best, I mean a small child isn't going to usually critique the software and design of a games console. But if they're older or and/or care about things like that, then a 3DS is probably better.

What makes it not so great? I can easily look past the fact it cannot be folded like previous models and its odd design. The only I think will honestly bother me is the monaural sound.

My niece and nephew are 14 and are very careful with my handhelds. They currently live with me, so I guess with whatever model 3DS I get, it would be considered theirs? I have full confidence that with whatever model of 3DS I decide to get in place of my dying original 3DS, it will be in good hands.

 

[JCnator]

Finding another vanilla 3DS might be impossible on most retailer stores, since Nintendo has pretty much stopped producing those long ago. You might find this particular model on second-hand shops for about the same price as 2DS or lower. I wouldn't get this particular model, mainly because its uncomfortable rough edges and has the lowest battery life out of all of the 3DS models ever available.

I think that getting a 2DS might be the most viable option for you. You can easily find these guys practically everywhere, as they're still in production. It's durable, more comfortable to hold, and the shoulder buttons are easier to press. If you happen to have a headphone, you can still enable stereo sounds with it regardless of the handheld's built-in speaker. If the original Game Boy was able to pull this feat, so can the 2DS. The only downside is that you might want to get a carrying case for the system, because the screens aren't protected as it lacks the clamshell design. It's also possible to add a capture card for the 2DS hardware.