It's mine too, but I was on it from the beginning. Part of the ambassador program. It came out right as I was re-igniting my relationship with Nintendo, and it was just perfect. I moved around a lot during the years the 3DS was at its peak. It was a constant companion. And I adored the Streetpass functionality. My favorite 3DS game is hands down Fire Emblem: Awakening. Nice video, and congrats on the aglo pushing it to more people like me!
That sounds awesome, I bet you have wracked up some crazy hours on it! I’d really like to beat the Fire Emblem games on 3DS sometime soon! Thanks so much! I’m just glad people are enjoying the video 😁
You are so passion when speaking about it! I am actually also exploring the 3ds right now. Nintendo wasn’t really that big where I live, but with the switch kind of blown in popularity. Thanks to it I learned about the older Nintendo consoles and really liked the 3ds line.
Suddenly your video was in my feed as recomendation during my break at work and I enjoy it! I already got a Switch but couple months ago I bought a 3DS XL and I have been feeling same way and having a blast playing RPG games in the 3DS. Now I barely play on my Switch because I love so much the 3DS games. Cool video!!
you should talk about more 3ds and ds games and reviews. Since hearing that the eshop is closing I've been wanting more content from youtubers about the 3ds and ds. I think it would be really great!
Ive had a complicated relationship with the 3DS. For the most part i had a American one(still do) but im European, so i couldnt get any new games for it. At the end of 2021 i finally got a European one and ive been downloading digital exclusive and physically expensive games, and ive been loving it so much. While i may not have missed out on it, i feel like i did miss out on its potential until 2021.
There are few gaming joys as great as discovering a console after its generation is over and getting to enjoy and explore an entire library on the cheap. None of the waiting for a sequel to release for years and years, getting to take a cheap punt on games you normally wouldn't since they're so niche or weird
I never thought about it like that! Some of the games are still a little expensive but you’re right most have come down in price a lot. I’ve been looking in second hand games stores here and you can get some of the games for less than £10 which is great!
@@tomfinler maybe nintendo platforms are not the best example, 3ds physical games are now going to go up in price, probably above initial release prices too now that digital is no more. For me, I discovered the PS3 in 2020 and amassed a library quite quickly and cheaply. To be able to jump into an entire series like Uncharted, Dead Space or Resistance and discovering that I like it is so enjoyable.
@@waveplay3978 Yeah, there's something very satisfying about being spoiled for choice with an old system's library. Back when the Wii came out, Gamecube prices dropped drastically. I had just graduated and was given some money by my family, so I bought a used Gamecube for about 30 bucks along with games like Smash Bros Melee, Metroid Prime and Wind Waker. Best summer ever :] and I still have that Gamecube in good condition. I later did the same with the Wii and had a blast catching up on the games I'd missed.
Modding my 3DS was probably the best decision I made. I was a little bored of some of the titles I had, plus with it being region-locked (I have a JP 3DS with some titles I got in Japan), but the modding has opened a whole new experience for me. Definitely looking to pick up another one before prices skyrocket for Pokemon trading functionality/just having a backup console.
@@tomfinler would highly recommend it, and this is coming from someone who wouldn't have done this a year/years ago. I think it's more justifiable because support for the console is going away, and there's lots of ways you can get your physical game data onto a modded 3DS so you won't have to worry about losing/wear and tear on the physical copies.
@@momotaroux264 It's a shame they haven't announced some kind of sale for the last month, I bet that would get loads of people to buy a few games without it costing too much and Nintendo would make a little extra money
I stopped playing at the Wii because of my career and then family. I had no idea the 3ds existed until I got one for my 6 year old who was (still is) a huge Pokemon fan. I ended up getting my own in 2017 and started collecting for it. I look forward to playing all my 3DS and Switch games now and into my retirement. They are both great consoles. I would say the Switch is really cool, but the 3DS has a piece of my heart. It's a wonderful console, you can take it with you easily and it has a wonderful catalog of games. It's too bad the eShop is closing. You said Fantasy Life wasn't on Switch, so maybe you don't know. It was announced in the last Nintendo direct for 2023. I'm glad I found your channel today. Subscribed :)
Thank you so much! It’s really nice to read all about everyone’s experiences with their consoles. Both are great but I do like how easy it is to take the 3DS around like you said. The Fantasy Life announcement came just a couple of weeks after I made this video 🤣
great vid man, i think many, including myself, are in a similar boat to you. i had owned a 3ds since (almost) launch in 2011 but never really appreciated it until really only last year with the eShop announcement. i've had a switch i've played consistently since 2017 but i totally know what you mean when you say the 3ds and handhelds in general feel a lot more personal. the 3ds definitely offers something the switch doesn't and i feel like people have only started appreciating that in recent years after seeing how lifeless the switch is in comparison.
Thank you! Yeah the 3DS has ways to have fun with the console is the way I think about it. Even without a game you can have fun with street pass, themes, swapdoodle, even looking through your time tracking to see what you’ve played most!
I’ve had the 3DS since launch and had several variants of them but have recently been going back to play some of the games that I missed out on and it’s been a blast to jump back in. Some of the games like Ocarina of time and Majoras mask have the best versions of those titles and for that alone it’s worth it for me.
That’s awesome to hear! I am actually working on a video about a particular 3DS game so watch this space! Any games you think would be fun to watch a video on?
First time I ever saw a 3DS in person was a demo unit at a Best Buy store that was playing Pilotwings Resort in 3D. And that...Blew. My. Mind. I'd never seen glasses-free 3D before, and I knew right then I just HAD to have one. I finally got a New 3DS XL for Christmas 2015, about 4 years later, and I still have it to this day. Choosing a favorite game is hard. I love Mario Kart 7, and Ever Oasis, and Fantasy Life... I could never pick just one.
I love the passion in this video! I personally think the 3DS came out at the perfect time for me, I played my DS’s and my Wii so much and I was really starting to get into collecting games. I was very lucky because my cousin had bought a 3DS within the first few months of release to play OoT3D and because of the early-ness, it had the ambassador games on it when he gave it to me. (OoT3D was also my first Zelda game ever) I eventually got the Link Between Worlds 3DSXL for Christmas in 2013 so that’s been my main 3DS, but I still use the other one, especially for the ambassador games. I modded my Zelda 3DS a few years back and have had even more fun with it, I got custom themes, I did randomizers of all the 3DS Pokémon games, and while it’s not related to modding, I became a Metroid fan because of Samus Returns! The 3DS is an amazing console full of amazing games and I’m always coming back to it despite having a switch (which I recently modded too) and a switch Oled! I also go back and play my Wii U, but I’ll chill for now cuz this comment is already a book 😂 Last thing tho, my favourite 3DS games are Smash 4, Pokémon ORAS, XY & USUM, Metroid Samus Returns & Team Kirby Clash Deluxe
Thanks so much for your comment, don't worry about it being long, I like to read them! That's a really nice looking 3DS version you've got and some great games you've listed as your favourites! Which ones did you spend the most time in?
I was on board with the 3ds the second I saw it announced. I bought one at launch and I loved it. It took them too long to make a Pokémon game for it but, in the end the library was amazing!
Omega Ruby. It was the main reason why I bought a special edition (PAL/EU) translucent red 2DS; to re-experience Hoenn. Up until this point I emulated the various in between generations of Pokemon games on smartphones. This was my first actually new and proper piece of Nintendo hardware since the late 90’s, when my parents got bought me a yellow GBC and Pokemon Yellow combo for december holidays (Sinterklaas in Dutch). The DS and 3DS library, as well as the e-shop (and RU-vid) introduced me to so many new franchises beyond Pokemon, that I greatly expanded my library over the years. Now I’m exploring the Switch library. I purposefully waited to buy a Switch Lite until 2022, so I can have a big library of IP’s to discover!
That's really cool, it's awesome to find new franchises that you can get stuck into and it's great that the DS/3DS did that for you! 😄 What are some of your favourites?
Yep. The 3DS was my go to for a long time. Once around a year came around for it, the library became a must-have for me. It was when first party and games from Atlus really caught fire. Eventually, it was the system that despite its portable power limitations, did everything. All game styles, and so easy to play and take anywhere.
Exact same and I got all the games you have been talking about! I always wanted a 3ds when a kid but could never afford one, finally got one for christmas from my boyfriend this christmas, cuz he went to japan and got me one from there! I have it hacked which is super easy and been just pirating all of the games. If you want a recommendation I would say Stella Glow is what I'm spending most of my time on right now. That and Mario Kart 7 and like Mario Supersports something whatever its called lol, depending on how much time I have to kill. Also tried all the Pokemon games on it, to find my first one to play, and chose Ultra Moon, which I now have 12 hours into atm. Really love it as my first pokemon experience, doe from what I can see online, lots of people think its bad cuz of cutscenes or such. Perfect for a beginner doe, I don't notice or mind ;o I mostly use it for theater in the breaks or public transport. It's just such a cool lil funky... social machine to bring out? Like I always get questions and people interrested in the console and have something to talk about whenever I pull it out at theater in the break. It's become my alternative to smoking kinda, as a social thingy and a conversation starter.
Thank you for commenting! It’s really great that you’ve been able to get into it recently. Stella Glow went on sale here where I am just before the eShop closed and it was something like 90% off so I picked it up, you’re enjoying it a lot?
Great video! I bought the original aqua blue 3ds in 2011 I think. Played it quite a bit, but only had a small collection of games. Mario and Zelda games mostly. Took it with me travelling for streetpass. But real life took over and it ended up collecting dust. After I played Xenoblade Chronicles 2 I decided I had to play the first one. This was before it was available on the switch. So I then bought a new 2ds xl so I could play that game. But only played that and Animal crossing that came with the animal crossing edition console. Then back to collecting dust. Until the eshop closure was announced. In the last year I have expanded my collection massively. Also bought another console as I wanted a new 3ds xl one. I got the same as you, the animal crossing one. Seemed to be the easiest to get a hold off at a decent price. There is still a few games I want but those are really expensive so might get them digitally before the shop closes. Been thinking about modding but too scared to get it wrong. Nice to see someone else that share my interest in the 3ds in 2023.
Thanks for taking the time to write out your comment! I’m the same way about modding! Is Xenoblade 1 good on the 3DS or is it better on Switch d’you reckon?
@@tomfinler I played it again on the Switch. As much as a love the 3ds and was amazed that it could play a game like that. I have to admit the experience was better on the Switch. Definitely worth it!
I've been feeling the same way actually! I had the original blue 3DS and the black XL, and I rediscovered them in the bottom of random boxes and I've been spending a lot more time on it compared to my switch lol. I kind of wish I had smaller one in retrospect with the changeable plates and colored buttons, I think it would feel more even more comfortable and the games would probably look a bit better on a smaller screen lol.
I like the look of the smaller ones too! There’s a Black Friday Mario one that was released in the US which looks so cool, but I don’t think they did it over here in the UK
I have a dsi and a switch and what I hate about the switch is the lack of features. As a kid I spent many hours joking around with my brother using the camera and the flipnote studios, also the system sound effects and music were just elite. The switch doesn't have any of these but tbh it's not a bad console, the things you can do with the joycons and the fact that it's both handheld and home console is nice
Knowing that the 3DS and WiiU eshops soon close is so sad. Some games you should definitely check out are the Professor Layton games, well minus the "Lady Layton" game, maybe! Especially the crossover with Ace Attorney is really good, but very expensive to get physically, so it might make sense to get it in the eshop before it closes. Layton 1-3 also have HD remasters, but as of today those are stuck on Android and iOS phones.
Oh yeah I’d definitely like to get into the Professor Layton games, good suggestion! I got excited then when you said there were HD remasters but shame they’re only on mobile 🤣
@@tomfinler Well, it's the full versions, no microtransaction BS. And I mean, the good thing about mobile is that you always have them with you and when you have some time you can just flick out your phone, do a few puzzles and put it back! =D Though it's a shame when there's a story cutscene and you have to keep the audio off because you don't have headphones. =O
I bought my first ever 3DS in 2016. My local game store was selling the og aqua blue one for £60 and i had exactly £60 in my bank so i figured why not. But i didnt really get into it properly until 2019 and im forever slightly sad about it coz by the time i started really using it, miiverse was already gone, there were very few eShop deals and ppl were already asking for ridiculous prices for physical games (no where near to the extent now tho). I bought myself a secondhand new 3DS in 2019 and I still love it. It’s Majora’s mask themed with custom skins that i designed myself (and am very proud of). Then last month, i bought myself a secondhand new 2ds xl for the bigger screens (and maybe because i wanna try my hand at modding the system once the eShop goes offline but didnt wanna do it on my main console in case I messed up). Honestly, I’ve spent a lot of time downloading demos and update software, even for games I dont currently own but might one day wanna buy. And playing badge arcade. I refuse to spend money on it but I like collecting the badges. I haven’t really been playing the games as much just coz I don’t have a lot of time rn + I own a switch and the graphics are just a *lil* nicer
Aah that's great, it would be really cool to see the one you designed yourself! I go into Badge Arcade from time to time as well, I hope you can still do the 2 free plays once the eShop closes. What are you playing on Switch at the moment?
I am similar to you. I picked up a N3DS in 2015 and barely used it. I missed so many awesome games. The main use I had for it was to play Animal Crossing online with my then girlfriend when we were chatting on FaceTime because it was something to do while talking. I never played any Pokémon titles, RPGs or anything considered truly great. At the same time, I have an OG Switch and a Lite and mostly use those consoles. I am tempted to sell this N3DS because it’s in perfect condition and has spent the last half decade in a sealed case. eBay prices are really high right now too!
Would you want to go back and play all those games now? If not then maybe it would be worth selling it! The N3DS are cool, they didn’t really do them over here where I am, only the N3DSXL, I liked the idea of the slightly smaller models
@@tomfinler Yeh, I would be tempted to play some of those Pokémon games I missed out on because the ones on the Switch look terrible. It’s just that I have to decide soon as the Nintendo eShop is going to close in one month and perhaps the value will drop slightly for these machines. Great video though, I agree that it’s probably my favourite console I ignored too, haha.
My personal favorite 3DS games are the Project X Zone duology. These games arent evryones cup of tea, but i love the crossover angle the game has, being a crossover of Bandai Namco, Sega and Capcom franchises, with the second game adding Nintendo characters to the mix, it's a good time. It introduced me to so many franchises i still enjoy today, like Super robot taisen, Yakuza and Tales of.
I always wanted one but I don't think they ever released the 3ds locally where I'm from, and the resold import ones were just insanely unaffordable haha
My favorite 3DS game was Scribblenauts Unlimited or Unmasked, but many other ppl would probably be interested in the recommendations of Fire Emblem: Awakening and Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, both games I think are absolutely worth mentioning.
@@tomfinler I would recommend Scribblenauts Unlimited as an entry point. The best version of that game is the Wii U version, which though I never got to play, I know it has Object Editor and Nintendo objects. The Nintendo object cannot be found in any other version. PC would be the next best option for Unlimited (but maybe not so much Unmasked), because you can create anything, but you have to type the names for the objects, and typing is best with a keyboard really. Mega Pack would probably be the best option if it weren't for the controls. You use a weird mechanic using a stick and buttons to type out the names, and the system feels so clunky to me. However, it comes with Unmasked, some additional content for both games that older versions would not have, and there's on option for local multiplayer at least on Switch. Nintendo 3DS is what I initially played both on, but it's probably the worst version nowadays, so long as you can deal with the clunky controls in Mega Pack. Those versions have the least content, but the Scribblenauts series originally started on the Nintendo DS and not having any extra features like Object Editor or Hero Creator (Unmasked), so it probably felt the most right at the time. That said, if you are more into puzzles, then actually Super Scribblenauts might be the best version. Unlimited and Unmasked might not pull off the puzzles as well, so since you have a 3DS, you might try to find the Scribblenauts Collection for Nintendo DS, which had both the first Scribblenauts game and Super Scribblenauts.
@@TMS-Oddbot Thanks for taking the time to write this out, you really know the series! I haven't got a WiiU so maybe I'll check them out on PC sometime or look at the DS collection you mentioned :)
Oh yeah, mod the 3DS! It's so worth it! With it you can play every Nintendo Handheld games. From Gameboy to DS. And NES SNES. Holy crap! It's so awesome, it is the ultimate handheld console when it's modded.
Yeah I’ve definitely heard a lot that it’s great to mod! I’ve been trying to get some digital games from the eShop but once that’s closed I can see the argument for modding - it’s not like you can buy the games anymore!
@@tomfinler Yeah! I began modding for the exact reason, that the e-shop is closing down. But it's not even for the 3DS games, the emulation, customization and just unlocking it's full potential makes it so great to mod.
my favorite 3ds game is animal crossing new leaf, it helped me through a lot of tough times through my life. my second fav is tomodachi life though. i picked it up recently because i wanted to make my friends in it as a joke but i thought it was really fun
I'm honestly playing my 3DS more now than the newer stuff I got like the Switch or PS5. There are so many games can won't (or can't) be ported to anything else because of the control scheme and dual screens (at least not without butchering the game, like the Wonderful 101 port). My true favorite will always be Kid Icarus Uprising, but I cannot sleep on others, like Yo-Kai Watch, Pokemon, Link Between Worlds, Fire Emblem, Shantae, and Wario Ware.
It’s my go-to at the moment as well! I agree it’s a shame that some of the games won’t be able to come over to newer hardware. That’s a great list, everyone seems to love Kid Icarus Uprising!
I'm sure at least someone has suggested this, but make sure to hack your 3DS as it unlocks A WHOLE NEW WORLD of possibilities! Great console for emulating old games as well! It has become my go-to console for retro games as it can emulate, gba/gb, native ds, snes, nes and the new models, even n64 (even if it isn't optimal)!
I am myself brand new to the 3DS as of 2020. Picked up one of the remaining "refurbished copies" directly from Nintendo. Experienced numerous games for the first time Fire Emblem Awakening Monster Hunter Stories Ocarina of Time Majora's Mask Samus Returns
I bought the latest available boxed retail version of the New 2DS XL in Czech Republic AFTER buying a Switch when the Switch came out. I will be honest... no regrets. The console is amazing. Just one thing... Fantasy Life is coming to Switch :)
My favorite game is Shin Megami Tensei IV but there’s so many amazing games like Ocarina of Time 3D Soul Hackers Fire Emblem Awakening Super Mario 3D Land Super Smash Bros. Animal Crossing New Leaf and Pokémon X/Y
For me personally, 3DS feels like a toy. A premium well-built toy that can be customised in so many ways; with an amazing catalogue of hand-crafted titles that makes the overall experience very nostalgic and fun at the same time. Switch also has that feeling of nostalgia, joy and fun but it doesn't feel like a toy like the 3DS does. Even its UI is fun to navigate. And I guess that's the subconscious appeal for a lot of gamers, especially those who are a little older. In my teenage years, Playstation and Xbox with their AAA titles were my main focus and I used to consider Nintendo titles childish. However, as I've grown a little older and in my late 20's, with all stress and responsibilities in life, I somehow miss my childhood magic and one of the mediums I subconsciously still search for that nostalgic feelings is gaming. I guess I'm not alone in this. Nintendo, through their consoles or their games always deliver that feeling and that's why they're so timeless and magical in their overall appeal and quality. But no other console provokes that feeling more than their new 3DS; although games on Switch are some of the best of all time (across all platforms). Nice video mate.
Thank you so much for taking the time in such a well written comment! I’d not thought of it like that, I think you’re right, it does have those toy like features like the UI, Streetpass, Badge Arcade. They are just fun and give me an overall nostalgic feeling. Even the time tracking can be a little like a game because I’ve caught myself wondering what new game I’ll play more than MH4U (my current top game on 3DS) and get the little gold medal for. Really glad you liked the video, there seems to be some interest in it so I’m hoping to do more on the 3DS!
@@tomfinler it's super fragile compared to the 3ds as well, like I've been dealing with joycon drift for years just cause I don't wanna fork out for more controllers...
@@tomfinler And It Plays All Your DS Games As Well!!!I Have A New 3DS XL,And My Fave Game For It Is Kirby:Planet Robobot!!!!I Beat The True Arena!!!!!!
Super Mario 3D World and Brain Age:Concentration Training/Dr.Kawashima’s Devilish Brain Training. On October 2019, I nearly losses my SD Card data due to myself wanted to retransfer my Flipnote data and I made a fatal mistake in which deleted my save data by accident. 😢
lol they messed up sooooo hard getting rid of the 3ds forever. especially the StreetPass, jesus christ the things they could do with the switch and StreetPass. I'll still carry my 3ds on in my backpack lol i almost never see that Green light but when i do i flip out. My fav things with the streetpass were the puzzles and meeting people and seeing what country or state they are from! god that was so interesting!
I really wish I was able to get into streetpass sooner, but unfortunately by the time i started getting serious about the 3DS, system had been long since irrelevant
Yeah that’s so funny I just bought the 3DS Fantasy Life game and have been playing that! Plenty of time to get stuck into it but excited to see the new Switch game!
Personnally, I got every Nintendo console since the DS and tbh, the Switch is the one I’m the most disappointed in. It has no personality and it’s clear that Nintendo nowadays lost their charm because they’re just thinking about money. We can see this with the system itself and the Mario sports games. P.S.: My favorite 3DS game is Kid Icarus Uprising.
I’m actually making a video at the moment about what I’d like to see in a “Switch 2” and putting that personality back in is one of the points I make, I completely agree with you!
Definitely agree the switch isn't customable. I felt the same that none of my friends had 3ds so I didn't play it much. Maybe mondern systems will have handhelds again. I love handhelds.
@@tomfinler yes, i own more than 10 pc of 3ds with different edition. this is the only one naked eye 3d game console and i dun think there will be another one to be released. my favorite game is mario 64 ds and zelda link to the past
Handheld systems don't make much sense as a young adult. Once you can drive, you're not spending much time sitting around just 'waiting' like a kid in the car or some place your parent's dragged you like a wedding or god knows what else.
The reaosn why I think it's a terrible console that I was happy to ignore (except for Pokemon and Animal Crossing and those odd few other games) Region locking. Once it was confirmed to be region locked. Lost all interest in taking it seriously and ignored most of the games. I have 4 3ds's since and my main one is modded, but I'm such a huge fan of Pokemon that it was just my Pokemon/Street Pass/Animal Crossing machine primarily.
@@tomfinler Mostly the Japanese exclusive anime type games or just being able to get games early from Japan. PersonaQ, Beyond the Labyrinth and few others but they are the ones I remember. Not being able to play US games too. I bought a launch cosmo black 3DS, then a 3DSXL just to play Xenoblade and I actually got 2 Japanese 3ds's last year since my Japanese colleague was getting rid of them and his games. I can speak/read Japanese so I was happy to take the box. (that's why I have 4)
i thought the price for nintendo 3ds and nintendo switch was good price to me in my unpopular opinion it was not a bad price at all it was not that expensive to me at all but i get not everybody can't not afford $300 video game system that's totally understandable some love the price but most don't like the price i respect everyone's difference opinion i just want to give my own difference opinion and it also doesn't matter to me if video game system have alot of games or don't have alot of games by having little bit of games i love and embrace it for what if it games do take time it's not easy to do and make good things happen when we are patience i'm very patience i think that's why i'm ok with it i don't mind waiting for a long time that's just me
The 3DS was awful, it launched and had an extended period of time where there were no games, it was too expensive, it had no second control stick so you either had to buy an accessory or a new handheld, it was based on a failed gimmick, it's a nintendo handheld so it's under powered so it suffers from low frame rate and resolution. You're looking at it in retrospect, sure, if you got one now you missed out on the overpriced launch price, you miss out on the drought of games, you can get the New 3DS with the second control stick. What I do is I play them on PC, so I can play them with a proper controller and play it in 4K. But even then, there still really isn't that many good games on the 3DS.
I feel in love with the 3ds over winter break when i traveled to my visit my wife's family. I took both my 3ds and switch and I ended up always going to my 3ds even if it was playing pokemon shuffle - I never touched my switch on that trip and now i'm out here trying to get a physical copy of every 3ds game i've ever wanted to play before the prices skyrocket.
