Granted, the DSi XL isn't really a "new" system like the PS4, Vita and Wii U are, and those are the kinds of systems I was referring to when I made the aforementioned end-of-the-year proclamation, but if I were to be completely honest I'd admit my original plan was to avoid buying any new systems, period, in 2014, so I feel kind of like a putz for even considering picking up a DSi XL sometime within the next 12 months.
All that said, I really want one. Especially one of the metallic rose variety.
All that said, I really want one. Especially one of the metallic rose variety.
Why? Well, I've always wanted one, for starters. And then there's the fact that I've always preferred playing games on original hardware. (As in, I'd rather play GBA games on an actual GameBoy Advance system than on a DS, just like I'd rather play DS games on an actual DS than on a 3DS.)
The question is: should I just get over myself and play all of the DS games I recently picked up (and I picked up a bunch--look for posts devoted to them in the coming weeks and months) on one of my 3DSes? Or should I blow $150 just so I can avoid obsessing about the "black bars" and such?
20 comments:
I was in a similar position and I caved and bought a DSi XL (burgundy) last year to play my DS backlog on, it's a beautiful system and the games look fantastic on it compared to a 3DS, especially pixel art games like Starfy and Super Princess Peach and creative games like Flip Note Studio, Korg DS-10 and WarioWare DIY. The only caveats I have is that (amazingly) I prefer using the 3DS Circle Pad even for 2D games over the DS/3DS d-pads, and unless you want to rebuy it, DSiWare will stay trapped elsewhere. One other note is that the included jumbo stylus is super, super nice and worth having for use on other systems, including Wii U. Anyway, all that considered, I'd say it was well worth it and will always be my preferred way to enjoy DS games now and down the road! :)
Do you actually not have a DS already, Bryan?
Oh man, that reminds me of something I saw on CheapAssGamer. Evidently K-Mart goofed up and offered the pink 3DS XL for a jaw-dropping $34.99 on its web site. There was an instant feeding frenzy; everyone snapped up the systems before K-Mart realized its mistake. Some people were denied the deal, but many others were allowed to purchase the systems at the listed price.
Now I'm pretty indifferent about the color pink and am fairly gender rigid, but I would have choked down my male ego for a price like that. The standard 3DS doesn't cut it as an artist's tool, but the larger screen of the 3DS XL would have made Miiverse and COLORS a lot more comfortable to use. Unfortunately, I found the post too late, and beyond that, I'm just not a fan of K-Mart.
Honestly, I'd resist the temptation to buy a DSi XL, regardless of the color. It was an awkward stopgap, the DS equivalent of the 32X, and there's really no use for it beyond standard DS games. I think there were maybe five cartridges designed specifically for the DSi, making it more accurate to compare it to that *other* gaming flop, the Supergrafx.
If you need to get this, for the love of Pete, get it cheap! I still regret buying my DSi; it prolonged my wait for the later, better 3DS and it's been impossible to resell. Even Nintendo seems to acknowledge that it was a bad idea, if the quotes on Wikipedia are to be believed.
See, this is why I want one, TruenoGT--so I can use it to play my huge stack of DS games.
It's interesting that you point out preferring the 3DS' circle pad, though. I hadn't thought about that, but I definitely enjoyed using the circle pad on my OG 3DS while playing Rocket Slime last year. So, maybe I should just stick with my 3DS XLs and play my DS games on those?
Gah! I don't know what to do. Oh, well, it's not like I need to make a decision now.
Regardless, thanks for sharing your thoughts on the matter!
Oh, I have a DS, Michael. Just one, though--which is kind of surprising given my love for the system and its games catalog and given the fact that I've owned four 3DSes so far.
The DS I have, though, is a DS lite, and although I love it to death I have to admit that the tiny screen has become a turn off for me in the wake of my experience with the 3DS XL.
I know I could just play my DS games on my 3DS XL, but I really don't like playing games with black bars on the sides, etc.
Still, playing games that way could save me $150, so maybe I should give it some more thought...
I don't want a DSI XL so I can play DSI-specific games or so I can download DSiWare titles, Jess. I want one so I can play my DS games on it.
I know I could just play them on one of my 3DSes if I really wanted to, but that's not really my favorite option. (I hate playing old games on new systems if the latter forces letterboxing and such.)
Anyway, we'll see what I do. I'm not really up for spending $100-$150 right now, so for the time being the idea will just sit at the back of my brain. I'll obviously let everyone know if I eventually pick one up, though :)
In the meantime, thanks as always for sharing your thoughts and opinions!
I knew there was no way you didn't have at least one DS already. :) I think if you really want the Rose DS you should get it, but you shouldn't let that stop you from playing the games right now. Don't let this enable your backlog problem! ;)
Well, eBay's always an option, I guess! I went over there on a lark and that specific model seems to be averaging $60. Not sure how you'd feel about buying them used, though.
Oh, don't worry, not owning a DSi XL isn't keeping me from playing my DS games.
I do think I would enjoy them a bit more if I played them on a system with bigger screens, though--and on a system that didn't force some sort of letterboxing.
Anyway, we'll see. You know I'll blab here if I *do* pick up one of these systems :)
Yeah, it's definitely an option. I'm not sure if I'll go that route, though, as it's so hard to tell in eBay photos of used portables what kind of shape the screen is in, in particular. I'd much rather buy a used system in person, but the one shop around here that sells used DSi XLs seems to sell them at around the same price they go for new!
The black bars don't bother me if it preserves the correct aspect ratio -- I remember the joys of arguing about "full-screen" vs. "widescreen" DVDs and the horrors of pan-and-scan -- but I also like collecting Nintendo handhelds. I don't own a DSi XL, but I've played with my nephew's and it's a nice system.
I'm content playing my DS games on the 3DS XL, but I don't think buying the older machine would be a waste of money.
It's funny how the black bars bother me in some areas (while playing video games, mostly) and not in others (while watching movies, etc.).
Also, as much as I claim that black bars in games bothers me, I have played DS games on my 3DS and also GC games on my Wii, so clearly I'm able to do it when forced to do so.
One thing that absolutely drives me nuts, though, is playing an original GB game on a GBA system. Which is why I'm planning to pick up a modded GBC sometime this year.
Also keep an eye on the Nintendo online parts store. They had been selling refurb'd DSi XLs for $100, and while they don't have any at the moment, they may come back. I'd trust a used system from Nintendo directly.
Oh, I never thought of that. I'm guessing the screens on these have been replaced? Anyway, I'll keep an eye on it. Thanks!
Amusingly, I found a metallic pink DSi XL at a pawn shop in the area. They wanted $120 for it. O_o After laughing for fifteen straight minutes, I purchased a Super NES game and a Genesis controller instead.
Yeah, that's pretty much the case around here, too. I recently say a used brown DSi XL at a game shop in the area and they wanted $150 for it. Uh, that's how much they go for new, guys! Oh, well...
The best thing about playing DS games on the DSiXL in my opinion, is that there is no finer way to display the visuals. Text looks perfect and every pixel in the game is just so clear. I have a major pet peeve about stretched or distorted games that has actually hampered my enjoyment of certain older games being played on newer systems. Text especially just kills it for me. No idea why I get so hung up on it, but if you can get one of these systems, I would all but guarantee you would not be disappointed with your purchase. :)
Oh, I'm the same way, Ken -- I hate both stretched text and stretched visuals in general. And then I also tend to hate black bars surrounding the visuals, too -- at least when we're talking about handheld games and systems. (I'm willing to put up with black bars while playing console games, but even then I'd prefer to be playing said games on an old TV.)
Well you're certainly not odd for for wanting a metallic rose DS -anything. My first DS lite was that color and then after it was stolen and a year later I decided to replace it, I again got a metallic rose DS lite even though far more advanced options had been released.
One of the strengths of console platforms when compared to the unrelenting advancement of PCs is that software is built specifically to that particular device; designed, one hopes, to benefit
from the quirks, limits, and specialties of the tech at the time. So for me it's DS games for my DS, PS2 games for my PS2, et cetera. Not so odd.
Thanks for the support, Stephen! Glad to hear you loved your metallic rose DS lite so much that you picked up another when the first was stolen. I'm guessing you never "upgraded" to the DSi or DSI XL? If so, why was that?
Post a Comment