3DS backwards compatibility questions.

[MrEco]

Okay, I'm tired and I have a lot to say. So expect me to ramble on a bit!


Here's the situation: I want to buy a 3DS. I also want to get something that will play GBA games, and of course I want to be able to play regular DS games. I don't want to buy more than two systems.


Now the problem: From what I hear, both models of the 3DS have screen stretching issue's when playing DS games. And although the XL is slightly better for old DS games it seems to have some slight blurring issue's when playing 3DS games because of it's much bigger screen.

If it's too bad then I could go the route of forgetting about playing DS games on my 3DS and just getting a DS Lite so I can play DS games and GBA games on it, but that's about $60 more expensive than buying an original GBA to play those games on and just using the 3DS for DS games.


So, uh, yeah. What's the most efficient combination for having access to all three libraries? 3DS XL and GBA? 3DS and DS Lite? Something I didn't think of?

[flojocabron]

Bite the bullet (wallet) and get all of them.

[prfsnl_gmr]

I have a 3DS and a DS Lite. It is the perfect combination. Both DS and GBA games look fantastic on a DS Lite, and I am perfectly satisfied with my regular, small 3DS.

If you really want to play GBA games, I cannot recommend the DS Lite highly enough. GBA games look way better on a DS Lite than they do on any version of the GBA.

[AznKhmerBoi]

I played DS games on my small 3DS and its really not that big of an issue where you would want to go back to DS lite.

AS far as getting best of both world ( ds games & gba ) i would go with DSi XL.

[Valkyrie-Favor]

The DS systems aren't suited to GBA games in my opinion. The controls are just too awkward. The original GBA is most comfortable, and you can add a screen light. a GBA SP is also acceptable. The tiny DS buttons hurt my fingers, even with RPGs.

DSi XL would be great for DS and GBA games, if you're willing to use emulation. Actually, you should get a 3DS and a PSP.

[alienjesus]

I've never really heard of those blurring issues you mentioned with the 3DS XL, but I will say that DS games not only have distorted resolutions, but also slightly faded colour when played on a 3DS. If you're totally adamant about getting only 2 systems, then the 3DS (or 3DS XL) and a DS Lite are probably your best options, but to be honest the DSi is much nicer for DS games than the lite.

Personally, I'd recommend getting a 3DS, DSi (or XL versions of either) and GBA SP, even if it means you have to hold out a little longer to play all 3 libraries. Maybe get the 3DS and the SP so you can play all 3 systems, and then invest in the DSi down the road for the improved graphical quality?

[ZenErik]

There is an option to play DS games in their native resolution on a 3DS. They just won't take up the full screen. I forget which button you need to press.

I imagine that same command works on the 3DS XL. Which would be perfect. That way DS games aren't tiny.

[alienjesus]

There is an option to play DS games in their native resolution on a 3DS. They just won't take up the full screen. I forget which button you need to press.

I imagine that same command works on the 3DS XL. Which would be perfect. That way DS games aren't tiny.

The colours still look funky though

[ZenErik]

There is an option to play DS games in their native resolution on a 3DS. They just won't take up the full screen. I forget which button you need to press.

I imagine that same command works on the 3DS XL. Which would be perfect. That way DS games aren't tiny.

The colours still look funky though

Do they? Without the stretch they wouldn't be washed out. But I suppose the DS and 3DS screens have different contrast ratios, gamma, etc so it would still look a little different.

Honestly, I haven't really compared so I don't know.

[alienjesus]

There is an option to play DS games in their native resolution on a 3DS. They just won't take up the full screen. I forget which button you need to press.

I imagine that same command works on the 3DS XL. Which would be perfect. That way DS games aren't tiny.

The colours still look funky though

Do they? Without the stretch they wouldn't be washed out. But I suppose the DS and 3DS screens have different contrast ratios, gamma, etc so it would still look a little different.

Honestly, I haven't really compared so I don't know.

A quick test with Pokémon Diamond and Platinum side by side showed that the smaller resolution did look better side by side than the full screen, but still wasnt quite as crisp and bright as the DSi. Still, on a 3DS XL it would be an OK alternative. The original ratio is a bit too small on an original 3DS imo.