Poll: How do you play your DS/3DS?

[New Frontiersman]

So my question is: when playing a DS or a 3DS do you prefer to use the stylus or your thumb/finger to work the touchscreen? Also what makes you favor one over the other?

I normally use the stylus because I'm not that fond of fingerprints on the screen, but after a while that causes my screen to get all scratched up. Recently though I got the Monster Hunter 3 demo and tried using my thumb to work the touchscreen camera controls and although it was a little clumsy because I wasn't used to it it controlled pretty well and the thumbprints weren't even very visible; so now I'm not sure anymore how I should do it.

So that got me wondering: how do other people do it? I've seen people do it both ways so I was curious as to why and thus I created this thread. So Escapist tell me how you do and why.

 

[Vern5]

I would prefer not to smudge my shiny, relatively new 3DS to hell and back with my fingers. Strangely, I'm relying on the stylus less and less. I had the same issue you did with the Monster Hunter demo and sometimes while playing tales of the Abyss.

I think the last time I used the stylus was when I was playing the Etrian Odyssey demo. My fingers are a little too fat to make maps or press keypads with any precision.

 

[Razentsu]

I prefer using a stylus when I play on my DS. It's more precise, and doesn't dirty up the touch screen.

 

[TehCookie]

I have long nails so I use that since it's just as accurate at the stylus and doesn't leave smudgy prints. Unless I'm playing something like Elite Beat Agents or Trauma Center than I use a pencil.

 

[WhiteFangofWhoa]

Stylus, or a capped pen. Fingers don't really allow for the accurate movements that some games demand of you.

 

[Mr.Mattress]

With the 3D all the way on!

Oh, you mean touch screen wise? Yeah, I keep loosing Styluses, so I end up using my fingers.

 

[Get_A_Grip_]

It really depends on the game, seeing as most of the games that I play are Pokémon, it doesn't really require use of the stylus so I just smash whatever move I want to use with my thumb.
If the game requires something more precise than a smashing with my mighty man thumbs than I suppose that I'll reach around for the stylus.

 

[Silvianoshei]

Depends on the game. For Pokemon, a stylus is not necessary, thumbs are fine. For other games that require more precise touch control, a stylus is necessary.

Also, FUCK that Monster Hunter Demo. The camera controls are dumb as hell, and the easy hunt took like a billion hits to bring the giant hamster or whatever down.

Yeah, I'm not getting it.

 

[unindexedsearchengine]

When I first got my DSlite a few years back, I was super protective of it, only used stylus, but one week after that I was like "fuck that *smudgesmudgesmudge*... much better"

 

[ImperialSunlight]

Since I need to use the buttons for most games I play on it and using a stylus with the buttons is really awkward, I use my nails/fingers. I used to have one of these:

That worked pretty well until I lost it. Also I have thinner fingers than most people, so my fingers work better. And my nails are long since I play guitar.

 

[In Search of Username]

I tend to avoid using it at all if possible. I mostly play Pokemon so the touch screen's not a particularly useful feature anyway.

 

[Exius Xavarus]

I use both my fingers and my stylus. I use the stylus for games that require lots of the touchscreen(or the touchscreen can be used for a great deal of the controls) such as Picross, Picross 3D, my Ace Attorney games and Theatrythm Final Fantasy.

For action oriented games such as Ocarina of Time or Tales of the Abyss or any game where the touchscreen's functionality is pretty much to tap something like inventory or an item for ease of use, I just quickly tap with my thumb.

 

[Sonic Doctor]

Poll needs third option for both. It depends how I'm feeling, what game I'm playing, etc, but I use both. I don't have to worry about smudges on my DS Lite screen because over a year ago I lost my stylus so I bought a pack of them at GameStop and along with them came a set of clear stickers to stick on my screens to keep them from getting dirty. I was happily surprised that they work well and they haven't peeled or fallen off the screens since.

 

[lunavixen]

I use the stylus when i have to use the touchscreen, as i have larger fingers but small hands and most times i have to use the touch screen require some form of finesse not possible with my large fingers, over time i've learned how to use both the stylus and the buttons simultaneously =D

 

[Assassin Xaero]

Thumb. Same for the WiiU. Takes too much time to get the stylus out, and zombies could be coming at any moment.

 

[Exius Xavarus]

Thumb. Same for the WiiU. Takes too much time to get the stylus out, and zombies could be coming at any moment.

I always had the stylus out and resting on the inside my knuckles while I held the GamePad. It limits my use of the R button(which didn't bother me because I never really needed to do a 180) but it fits comfortably and I can easily go from holding it to the GamePad to using it on the screen and back. It actually began to feel rather natural as time went.

Edit: I used my thumbs for all holster functionality, I only used the stylus for inventory management and the little lockpick puzzles or tapping to open doors and manholes. :x

 

[Zaeseled]

I used to play it with the stylus in hand, because I have large manhand fingers, so pinpoint accuracy (for stuff like Art Academy) is impossible. Also because it would dirty the screen, which I have a cover over.
I don't play in anymore and I'm currently selling it tho.

 

[Inconspicuous Trenchcoat]

If I don't need precision, I use my thumb. I've gotten over finger print smudges--it took awhile to be at peace with The Smudge.

If the game needs pervasive precision, like say Rhythm Thief or Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, I use the stylus.

 

[krazykidd]

So my question is: when playing a DS or a 3DS do you prefer to use the stylus or your thumb/finger to work the touchscreen? Also what makes you favor one over the other?

I normally use the stylus because I'm not that fond of fingerprints on the screen, but after a while that causes my screen to get all scratched up. Recently though I got the Monster Hunter 3 demo and tried using my thumb to work the touchscreen camera controls and although it was a little clumsy because I wasn't used to it it controlled pretty well and the thumbprints weren't even very visible; so now I'm not sure anymore how I should do it.

So that got me wondering: how do other people do it? I've seen people do it both ways so I was curious as to why and thus I created this thread. So Escapist tell me how you do and why.

The Original DS came with something you could put on your thumb to make it work exacly like a stylus . I'm not sure if the other versions of the DS came with that, but it was very usefull for me , using a stylus is awkward at best .

 

[Busard]

Like this

If you haven't mastered flutebrushing your ds/3ds, you obviously don't know how to use it