I'm gonna get a 3DS... tell me just about games.

[noiseredux]

I agree, Dreamdrop Distance is excellent - stunningly gorgeous at times and not as much text as some other entries, which is a must for me.

I've long wanted to get into KH - but kind of want to start from the beginning.

SSFIV is really good too - but the "auto combo" system is def. for kids and mashers, makes the game pretty easy - a cool thing, but best to not use it.

Yeah the autocombo sounds dumb. But SF4 is likely the first game I buy. Portable SF4? Sign me up.

I know you and K dig some puzzle games - we only have one so far, it's Cradle of Rome 2 - and it is very good if you like the series.

Never heard of this one. But yeah puzzle games rule - and fit so perfectly on portables.

[dsheinem]

Not sure about build quality, dsh. Are you referring to the actual build?

Yup. Battery is probably the biggest deal after the screen, and DS games look better (less blurry) on the system too. Here's a good article from Wired explaining other differences (stylus, etc.):

http://www.wired.com/reviews/2012/08/nintendo-3dsxl/

[dsheinem]

But SF4 is likely the first game I buy. Portable SF4? Sign me up.

Let me make an argument for Vita for you:

SFxT
MK
BB:CSE
Guilty Gear XX+*(&^&*D
Dragon's Crown
Zero Escape
Persona 4 Golden
Lumines: ES
Wipeout 2048
Gravity Rush
LBP
Region Free
Gorgeous screen
3-4 free games a month on PS+ (and twice that if you also have a PS3. Why do you not have PS+ yet?!)
Almost the entire PSP and PS1 library (e.g. Darkstalkers Chronicles, SF games, FF games, and many PS1 import shmups via US PSN, etc.)
Lots of indie games that were on that "stupid" PC thing (Thomas Was Alone, Terraria, etc.)

I play it easily 10X as much as my 3DS. Easily.

[mjmjr25]

Those who prefer the XL, aside from I assume liking a bigger screen - what is it that you prefer?

It has better stylus placement, feels more comfortable to hold, doesn't feel as cheap and plastic-y as the original model, and the d-pad/face buttons are vastly improved.

I agree on stylus placement.

Comfort is debatable, I prefer the smaller more compact.

Not sure about plastic-y - I mean, a lot of the originals have a gloss or metallic shell and more of the XL's have a more matte finish, but the thickness and feel of the plastic, the original feels better made to me, dunno.

dpad / face buttons? I'm staring at each right now - touching them. Aside from the original having a gloss on the buttons and the XL having a matte finish - these look and feel...the same? Spacing is the same, contour is the same, touch response is the same, i'm pretty they are the exact same save the finish on them.

[brunoafh]

Not to thread hijack because this is also meant as a suggestion, but are the dpads/button sizes different on the XL models too? One thing I would definitely suggest to new 3/DS owners is to actually get the different size models in your hands and see what feels comfortable for you.

I can't play an original size DS for more than like 45 minutes before my fingers are cramped to the point where it becomes painful. I pretty much stopped touching my DS after I beat all the games I was interested in because the damn thing is just uncomfortable and awkward shaped. I imagine a bigger size would alleviate that frustration.

edit- well, mjmjr25 pretty much answered my question before I could post it. So there's another +1 for Vita over 3DS!

[noiseredux]

Let me make an argument for Vita for you:

SFxT - have it on ps3
MK - hate it on ps3
BB:CSE - have it on ps3
Guilty Gear XX+*(&^&*D - not sure but assuming it'll be on ps3
Dragon's Crown - preordred on ps3
Zero Escape - what is that?
Persona 4 Golden - on PS2 and haven't gotten through the first 3
Lumines: ES - have Lumines on PSP, PS3, 360 - not sure another is a killer app.
Wipeout 2048 - have em on other consoles, not the biggest fan.
Gravity Rush - Prob the one exclusive I'd be into.
LBP - well yeah it'd be nice to have another.
Region Free -agreed good.
Gorgeous screen - yes.
3-4 free games a month on PS+ (and twice that if you also have a PS3. Why do you not have PS+ yet?!) - cuz I really don't download many games, and don't play the ones I do download all that often.
Almost the entire PSP and PS1 library (e.g. Darkstalkers Chronicles, SF games, FF games, and many PS1 import shmups via US PSN, etc.) - again, rather play the physical PSP/PS1 games I've bought.
Lots of indie games that were on that "stupid" PC thing (Thomas Was Alone, Terraria, etc.) - lulz.

But seriously, so far, just not enough compelling stuff that is exclusive to Vita that's not already on other consoles I have or already in my collection to sway me that way. Yet.

[Ziggy]

wait for the XL to be in stock. seriously.

yep, its worth it.

+1, it's definitely worth it.

Not sure about build quality, dsh. Are you referring to the actual build?

Yup. Battery is probably the biggest deal after the screen, and DS games look better (less blurry) on the system too. Here's a good article from Wired explaining other differences (stylus, etc.):

http://www.wired.com/reviews/2012/08/nintendo-3dsxl/

The bigger screens alone is MORE than worth it. I can't stress that enough! The battery is another huge deal. The stylus is definitely worth mentioning. And if you don't feel like reading the article in the link, you'll be getting a 4GB SD card versus a 2GB with the other console. For the extra $30, it's a no-brainer. I understand you said you have store credit and the XL isn't in stock, but like dsh said, wait for it to be back in stock. You'll thank yourself later.

edit: Another thing I forgot to mention... The XL, despite the outside cover, is all black inside. The regular 3DS has the bottom inside match the outside color, while the top inside is black. I like the all black inside, it locks your focus to the screen better. And I think it just plain looks better too. second edit: I just checked, the regular size 3DS is available in black and thus has an all black inside, but I still recommend the XL for the reasons stated. The XL is apparently available in pink now with an all white inside. Yuck.

Also, here's a pic that compares the stylus of each model:



The shorter one is telescoping, and the article linked above mentions it's located in an awkward location on the 3DS. The one with the XL is a great size, and it's really easy to get out in a split second. Not that I use it very often, but it is nice to be able to take it out real easy and put it back as easy.

noise, I don't really know what your tastes are, so I probably can't make any good recommendations. But I'll at least make one quirky game recommendation that I recently discovered. Fractured Soul. It's a neat little side scroller with a twist. You have to warp between both screens to get around obstacles. Watch the video in the link to get the idea. There's a video on the eShop that explains the gameplay better. Oh yeah, and there's some shmup levels thrown in.

[noiseredux]

honestly, the bigger screen is a plus. But for me - if they have an XL I'd get it. But if not, I'd rather just get a system and be playing than sitting around on credit not playing. It's just not a deal breaker for me I don't think. In fact, it might be nice to have a portable smaller than my PSP that I might actually think of as portable and take outside the house.

[Ziggy]

The XL isn't so big that it becomes a pain in the ass to bring around. At least, not in my opinion. I've brought it out a few times and it wasn't annoying. Folded up, it isn't that much bigger than the regular 3DS.

And also:
-Extended battery life
-Bigger SD card
-Better stylus
-other minor things?

But, whatever floats your boat.

[Michi]

Zero Escape - what is that?

It's the sequel to 999-9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors.

But seriously, so far, just not enough compelling stuff that is exclusive to Vita that's not already on other consoles I have or already in my collection to sway me that way. Yet.

*nods*

That's my current stance on the issue as well. I'm sure the Vita will pick up some more games I'm interested in, but as of right now? I'll wait.