Product ReviewsNintendo 3DS 2GB Blue Console

Pros outweigh the cons. Ill help to figure out if you want this or XL model

UPDATED: 5/27/2013

I have owned the 3DS for 2 years now, so I decided to update this review for a 3rd time.

In this review I will ignore over-the-top technical aspects, and point out negative aspects in a manner that even buyers who are completely foreign to video games can understand.

This is the ORIGINAL Nintendo 3DS model, now priced at $169.99 or lower in new condition (If you pay more than that, find a better bargain)! Also, look out for bundle deals where the system is packaged with a 3DS game for $169.99, because at that price you should now be able to come away with more than just the system itself.

Parents, keep in mind that this is NOT the Nintendo 3DS XL. They are both the same system that plays the same games, but the XL is a larger model, has a little bit more battery life, a screen that is 93% bigger than the model I am reviewing, and costs $200.00 or less in new condition. To see the differences for yourself, this is the official Nintendo link http://www.nintendo.com/3ds

The original 3DS is roughly the size of the Nintendo DS Lite; however, playing games can be somewhat uncomfortable for larger-handed players due to the games' control schemes, and can cause cramping and other aches. Nintendo created the 3DS XL model to solve this issue, but since the XL model is mich larger, it loses its' portability, and no longer fits in a normal pants pocket. The original 3DS model I am reviewing now does fit in a pocket. Children and adults with smaller hands should be okay, but if you have larger hands, you may want to pay the extra $30.00 for the XL Model.

During game play, one problem I did notice is that the 3DS quality is disrupted when a player tilts or leans the system too far in any direction. The console must be held in a certain position in front of you in order to keep the 3D effect active. Needless to say, this becomes annoying if you should ever readjust your hands or accidentally move the system while playing. This problem became especially frustrating when I was required to use the L and R buttons, located on the back shoulders of the console. The positioning of those two buttons makes it nearly impossible to press them at the same time as when a player is using the circle pad to navigate through a game.

When the console is in a good position, the 3D effect looks good, with no headaches, though I will admit it is not as amazing as some made it seem. Some games do not try to utilize this feature, and I mostly play with the 3D effect off. Just don't expect the 3D to literally jump out at you the entire time. It only happens every so often.

Unlike the older, regular DS models, the stylus is attached to the back of the system on the left side, which I find annoying and less accessible since the original DS console had the stylus easily in reach on the right side. Therefore, I sometimes need to pause the game to get the stylus out. Though not all the games require the stylus, the ones that do can sometimes cause some issues.The XL model fixed this issue as well, and returned the stylus to the right side.

The circle pad differs from traditional joysticks, and does quite well, but walking diagonally can sometimes prove frustrating.

Nintendo will reveal one final reworked model of this device in 2015, but for now if you do not mind losing portability, the larger 3DS XL model is a better purchase; however, if you have small hands this model will be fine.

As for the games, there are many great titles. More to come!Read full review...

Great value with a wide library of games, but not without serious flaws.

Purchased to play Pokemon X/Y, and after my purchase, I found there was a huge collection of 3DS exclusive games that are phenomenal.

Pros:
-Massive, quality game library.
-Fits easily in pocket.
-3D effect is very cool, although still little more than a gimmick.
-Decent collection of older games available on the eShop, BUT please read my first under Cons.
-Cheap. For the price it's at, personally, I forgive all flaws, and would buy again. However, don't pay more than $150 for it (the regular version, at least).

Cons:
-eShop is utterly useless. Any purchases are tied only to the device they were made on. This means that if you lose your 3DS, at the time of this review, you lose all downloaded games. Otherwise passable online store, nothing too special.
-Very uncomfortable to hold, especially when using the shoulder buttons. I have medium sized hands, I cannot play for more than an hour at a time.
-The regular 3DS has a small screen. In some games, it can get uncomfortable to read text, or look for smaller details.Read full review...

BEST PORTABLE GAMING SYSTEM ON THE MARKET

Recently purchased this item as I was looking for a fun portable game system. I had tried the PS Vita, but was left unimpressed.

Positives:

1) The 3DS is pretty much the same size and weight as the DSi.
2) One of the best features of this model is the addition of the analog thumpad which really helps in 3D games.
3) Very bright 3.5" screen
4) Comes with retractable Stylus.
5) Adjustable 3D Effect (Adjust the lens so if you are holding the DS closer/further away from you the picture still will come in clear)
6) 3 Cameras
7) Built-in WiFi

Negatives:

1) Cannot play Gameboy Advance Games.
2) Only About 4 1/2 hours of battery life.
3) Only has 2 GB Storage on SD.
4) Picture quality is average at best.

In addition, the game selection for the Nintendo 3DS is good if you include all the Non-3D games. Pick this portable system up if you are looking for good games with good system functionality.Read full review...

Great product, lacks in games, the 3D isn't good when moving too much

The 3DS is an amazing piece of technology with an extreme lack in games, or rather, English games. The graphics are extremely sharp with or without the 3D which you can easily turn off or on for playing ease. I find I get a bit dizzy after 20 minutes or so in a low-light area.

There's A LOT for features, especially when you get the first system download! The feature where you take a picture and it creates a Mii for you is pretty lame. Doesn't overly work in my opinion.

I recently purchased a Japanese 3DS so I don't know what they have for English games. By the looks of it, there isn't a huge selection until September.

Why did I buy this product? I only have an ancient DS and haven't updated since=P

Not too sure what else to comment on. buy one if you want something with better and sharper graphics, still hold up a bit until games come out for the system. The 3D isn't good when moving too much or looking at angles more than 15 degrees. It products multiple images which I find it makes me dizzier . Read full review...

Its very fun & entertertaining,,,,,,

the outstanding 3.53-inch (top screen) and 3.2-inch (bottom screen) LCD display of the Nintendo 3DS game. With pixel resolution of 800x240 (top screen) and 320x240 (bottom screen), this Nintendo console game offers clear images. The Nintendo 3DS supports 2.4 GHz band IEEE 802.11, which allows it to exchange data with other Nintendo systems wirelessly. The stereo speakers at the left and right of this Nintendo add to the gaming exhilaration. The 3D effect can be adjusted or even turned completely off, using the 3D Depth Slider feature of this Blue Nintendo 3D video game. With one inner camera and two outer cameras of 0.3mp, this Nintendo DS system will certainly revolutionize your 3D gaming experience.Read full review...

3ds started off rocky but it's quickly coming in on it's own.

Last year when the 3ds was launch it suffer growing pains. Yeah none of those awsome games shown at E3 2010 were avaible at launch instead we got a good port of Street fighter 4, you know the game that people who own actual online consoles have been playing for a year. Nintendo took a game from wii sports resort added a few things in it and called it Pilotwings Resort, and what hard core gamer looking to sink his teeth into a good action game dosen't love nintendogs. It was months before Zelda Ocrina of time showed up and gave 3ds owners a real game to play. Things went so badily that people like me have 20 free downloadable games because of it.

But that was then and this was now the 3ds is getting into shape since last summer we had a really great port of star fox 64, Super Mario 3d Land showed us a game that should have been there at launch, and Mario Kart 7 is a really addictieve racing game. That is on top of what's coming out this year Kid icarus, Metal Gear, Resedent Evil, oh and lets not forget Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy threat rhythem.

Has more games come out for the 3ds the better the 3d visuals are too. You see the 3ds isen't a normal hand held it can do real 3d graphics you just adjust the slider to your comfort level and look at the screen has images pop out at you. Some games it works better then others. At any rate it's a real cool effect.

Nintendo also seems to try to do better on the online streaming down the friend codes, and streamlining there latest shop. It's not perfect but showing that if Nintendo gets pounded hard enough about there online they might change eventually.

The 3ds is also fully BC with all DS games to boot so there is plenty to play on Nintendo's new hand held.Read full review...

Fun, small form factor at a bargain price. I give it a 10 !

You know not everything that is new is better. This little unit although older is just as much fun as a brand new unit. The small form factor fits in to a pocket perfectly. The 3ds works perfectly and is loads of fun. There are so many games available now at a fraction of the new price which makes this 3ds a bargain. I did not play them when they were new so they are all new to me. If you want a ton of fun now at a bargain price then the 3ds is for you. Oh, and there are lots and lots of accessories to make it more fun to travel with. I give it a 10 out of 10 on the fun scale.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: gg_73

Great Console

Great little 3DS for on the go. Have an XL and it’s too big for my pockets. So I decided to go retro and slip back into something comfortable. Took a long time to ship, but the anticipation paid off. (The red coloring is so cool)Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: jogregal_7

3DS is Decent

I just recently have gotten myself a 3DS system because of the upcoming Pokemon X and Y release. I put off getting myself one for quite a while since there weren't really any great games being released for it yet.

The system itself is pretty decent. The first game I bought for this was 'Tales of the Abyss', since I love the tales series, I thought it'd be great for my first game for this system. The whole 3D function took me a while to get used to, as it was pretty hard on my eyes at first. Even now though, I still keep the 3D pretty much off or just barely on. Having the 3D max, or close to max, just makes the vision a little awkward.

I do have a problem with how the 3DS was made. The feel of the 3DS design just seems cheaply made. Unlike the DSi (which I love how it was made), the 3DS just seems like it was made out of cheap plastic. You also will probably find yourself using the circle pad more than the D-pad, as the D-pad's position on the system is a bit weird to control. At least for me it is.

Now one last thing I have to say is that if you think you're going to get a 3DS or 3DS-XL to replace you old DSi or DS Lite, think again. The 3DS is not that good with backwards compatibility. Original DS games look extremely blurry on the 3DS, you'll just end up finding yourself playing them back on your old DS system.Read full review...

Not The Best System Out There

The 3ds I thought was going to be spectacular but it's not. The 3D is hard to see. You have to get it at the right angle. Most of the time I just turn it off and play regular. The camera was really bad. All it is is basically just the camera. Of having the Dsi XL you can do tons of stuff on it. The 3ds all you do is just take pictures. But I do love the Mii Maker. You can make Mii's just the same as on a Wii. I would rather it have more stuff to do on it. The games out right now are not very good. But Mario Kart 3D is going to be awesome. The overall Rating on this system is okay. It could have been a lot better if Nintendo spent more time on it.Read full review...