Should I get a 2DS or a 3DS tomorrow?

[TimeLord]

I have a 3DS and it's a perfect size for carrying around in my pocket to get StreetPass hits while not being too heavy. Mine is actually even heavier as I installed a custom battery to extend it's battery life for long journeys.

I bought my girlfriend a 2DS for Christmas and while it's light, it's a god-awkward shape, luckily she's not into the whole Streetpass thing (yet) but she has a handbag to carry it about in in the end of the day. A guy with just pockets might have some issues Streetpass-ing.

Are they really the same, the only difference is being able to fold it up and the lack of 3D?

More or less. The folding ability is a deal breaker for me though.

Is the 2DS at all uncomfortable to use? I go about 150 dollars in gift money and I don't want to dip too deep into my paycheck this week.

I think it is but then I'm used to the 3DS so when I hold my girlfriends 2DS it's awkward.

Hows this online store work that it has? Does it have like old NES games to buy? Do I need a memory card or something?

4GB card will be included with the 2DS. My 3DS only came with a 2GB card but that was 2 years ago when I bought it. They might all have 4GB cards now. But in seriousness. I've never had a problem with my 2GB card for space.

Also, obviously I'm buying the pokemon game. I haven't played in ages, and I really only care deeply about seeing the first 150 again. Which version has more of them? And what would I have to do to get the ones it doesn't have, like Mewtwo? Can I trade up from Firered/Leafgreen?

X and Y have Mewtwo, one of the 3 Legendary birds depending on your choice of starter and one of the original starters and then a general selection of Gen 1 Pokemon.
Hit me up with your friend code when you get Pokemon and I could breed you most of the original 150 that I'll be transfering over from my old games.
You could trade up from FireRed etc but you would need a DSi to transfer from FireRed to SoulSilver/HeartGold. Then SS/HG to Black/White. Then Black/White to PokeBank. PokeBank to XY.

Also the general other good games for it... I'd really like some old school 2D platformers, maybe some turn based RPGs (like Final Fantasy IX?)

If you want turn based RPGs and you don't get Fire Emblem: Awakening then you are doing it wrong!


Also, if you get a 3DS or 3DS XL (not a 2DS!) and register them and your Pokemon game with a free account on Nintendo's official site, they will give you a download code for Super Mario 3D Land completely free. You have to do it pretty quick though as I forget when the promotion ends. All I remember is that it won't work if you only get a 2DS

 

[lunavixen]

Personally, I found the 2DS very uncomfortable to hold, especially when trying to use the L shoulder button with the D-Pad as I have shorter fingers, the non folding thing is quite a pain as it leaves the 2DS screens very susceptible to damage and it also makes it harder to carry around. I get terrible headaches from the 3D so I leave it off anyway.

If you're okay with a second hand console, you can pick up a used 3DS XL for less than as a 2DS

4GB card will be included with the 2DS. My 3DS only came with a 2GB card but that was 2 years ago when I bought it. They might all have 4GB cards now. But in seriousness. I've never had a problem with my 2GB card for space.

I bought a 3DS XL about 18 months ago, it came with a 4GB card, so I think it might be standard now.

Also don't listen to the naysayers about the whole less protection thing.

It's like people never had a Gameboy Color before. And last time I checked those things had an exposed screen and were durable like tanks.

The screens on the GB, GBC and GBA were also thicker than the ones on any of the DS models, I've had one of every generation of gameboy (except the micro)

 

[Brian Tams]

Hey folks, so I came into some money today and I want to use it to get a 2DS or a 3DS.

Are they really the same, the only difference is being able to fold it up and the lack of 3D?

Is the 2DS at all uncomfortable to use? I go about 150 dollars in gift money and I don't want to dip too deep into my paycheck this week.

Hows this online store work that it has? Does it have like old NES games to buy? Do I need a memory card or something?

Also, obviously I'm buying the pokemon game. I haven't played in ages, and I really only care deeply about seeing the first 150 again. Which version has more of them? And what would I have to do to get the ones it doesn't have, like Mewtwo? Can I trade up from Firered/Leafgreen?

Also the general other good games for it... I'd really like some old school 2D platformers, maybe some turn based RPGs (like Final Fantasy IX?)

I'm going to take this in a numbered format, since you ask a lot of questions.

1. There is no difference between a 2DS and regular 3DS except for the clam-shell design and, of course, 3D capability. The 3D capability is mostly superficial, and rarely matters with games, and the clam-shell design is for portability purposes. Honestly, I haven't held either, so I can't say, but I do have a 3DS XL that is pretty comfortable sitting down.
If you don't mind the doorstop shape, then I'd suggest a 2DS since its more economical.

2. Speaking from experience, I couldn't tell you which version has more Gen 1 pokemon, but I do know that X and Y have a stupid amount of pokemon from all gens available throughout the course of the main story, which is a first. I think my pokedex had 300+ pokemon seen when I challenged the Elite 4...? Either way, you'll be fine with either version. Also, Mewtwo is available for capturing in Pokemon X/Y. I repeat; you can capture Mewtwo in BOTH versions (also, I just had an encounter with Moltres, so you can probably catch those three, as well). Oh, and you can choose a Gen 1 starter to go with your new starter a little ways into the main story.

Now, about transferring for FR/LG; its going to be tough. You have to do this really complicated process of-Pal Parking over to D/P/Pt, then dream boxing (or whatever the fuck its called, I can never keep it straight) over to B/W/B2/W2, and then transfering them over to X/Y with their little online thing. I've never bothered with it, since it requires at least a DS/DSL/DSi in conjunction with a 3DS.

3. Yes. There are older NES/SNES games available on their online store. It works just like a digital retailer; you pay for the game with a credit/debit card, and then you download it. The system comes with an SD card. Let me pull mine out... okay, mine came standard with a 4 GB card. Since its standardized, the SD cards are cheap, so you won't have to jump through hoops acquiring more memory for it like you would with the PS Vita and its stupidly overpriced memory.

4. And finally, the games. I just got mine about three weeks ago, so my library isn't all that expansive yet. Now, I have heard great things about Super Mario 3D Land, so that'll cover your platformer. As for turn based RPGs... I've heard good things about Fire Emblem: Awakening and Shin Megami Tensei IV, but I'm not sure the latter is turn based.) Sorry I could't be more help.

Anyways, my personal favorites are: Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, The Legend of Zelda: A link Between worlds, and Monster Hunter 3: Ultimate.

Oh, and be sure to join Club Nintendo so you can start earning coins. You can save up and redeem them for a downloadable game (but of their choosing), plus it'll give you a free extended warranty on whatever system you buy.

 

[NoeL]

I mean what? an extra 50 dollars just for it to fold up and a 3D feature I'm never going to use?

Don't discount the 3D just yet. I didn't like it at first and preferred to play with it off, but A Link Between Worlds is like night and day without/with the 3D, respectively. It's annoying as hell trying to keep the unit the right distance/angle to get the 3D to work right, but it really ads to the game. So that's something to consider.

 

[The Almighty Aardvark]

Spoiler: *HIIIIIISSSS*

I could not bring myself to buy it, while I like the idea of no 3D and the lower price point, it just looks so ugly.

From all I've seen of it though, it seems to do exactly what a 3DS does minus the 3D. So if the aesthetics really don't bother you I'd say go ahead and buy it. No reason to get the more expensive model if the look isn't that much of a deterrent.

Just know that if I ever happen to see you using it, you will be judged

 

[TimeLord]

Spoiler: *HIIIIIISSSS*

I could not bring myself to buy it, while I like the idea of no 3D and the lower price point, it just looks so ugly.

From all I've seen of it though, it seems to do exactly what a 3DS does minus the 3D. So if the aesthetics really don't bother you I'd say go ahead and buy it. No reason to get the more expensive model if the look isn't that much of a deterrent.

Just know that if I ever happen to see you using it, you will be judged

I thought the same as you until I bought my girlfriend one for Christmas. While it is actually smaller than you think it is, it's not as bad as the pictures make it out.

Saying that, if someone offered to swap their 2DS for my 3DS I'd still stand and laugh in their face.

 

[Googenstien]

If I had to get a xDS I would go for one of those Zelda 3DS XLs.. as stated they were on sale for $160ish and will probably get in that range again. I still think Vita is an overall better system IMO.

 

[Mutie]

I gots myself a 2DS cause I can't perceive the 3D without having a dragon burst from my forehead... And monetary issues. Honestly, it's my favorite thing ergonomically since the original GBA (thought the SP will always be my baby). I much prefer it to the 3DS and something about the flat nature of it (no fold) is very reminiscent of more classic consoles, but still with all the swish of the new.

Only issue: No stereo!!! But if you have good headphones, then it's fine.

 

[McMarbles]

Best damn lineup of any non-PC system this year. Go for it.

 

[DudeistBelieve]

Just setting up Pokémon Y.... Why is the Male Player Character always so lame looking compared to the girl?

I suggest the 3DS XL if you get one. I just prefer the design of the xl over the other two. Yes you can download NES games on thee shop.

I mean it's 200 dollars... I can't justify that. I could've done the regular 3DS, but I hear it comes with a smaller memory card so the hell with that noise.

I mean what? an extra 50 dollars just for it to fold up and a 3D feature I'm never going to use?

You should have looked at buying one sooner. My buddy picked one up at Walmart for $170 and it came with a $50 gift card... Regardless, you asked for opinions, I gave you mine. It's up to you what you actually do. But yeah, the 3D effect is nigh worthless, though I did use it quite a bit in A Link Between Worlds.

I know... If the XL was lower in price I'd leap for it, but right now I'm using the 2DS and I love it... I just wish it looked more Gameboy like.

 

[Mark Kissell]

Depending on where the gift card is from, you can get a 2DS bundled with Pokemon X (Target) or Y (Toys R Us) for $150. You'd only be out tax for this payroll if that's even an option.

 

[Dragonbums]

I mean, closing the DS together was basically sleep mode anyway, so that's basically all you have to do for the 2DS.

Some games don't trigger it to go into sleep mode actually, and usually it's because it's being used in puzzles or gameplay. I know some of my Japanese DS games (mainly Jump Ultimate Stars) don't because the music still plays, and it's the same with all GBA games. That's why I chimed in with the warning, as I don't remember if that happened all the time in PH and ST because I honestly don't go outta my way to replay them. *does not like having to use touch screen to move in general and wishes it used D-pad*

Oh, I figured that's what clamshell closing was all about? But hey, I don't think I ever had a game that utilized those features as an essential so I got nothing.

 

[Louie Clark]

I love my 2DS to death. Much happier with it than a 3DS. I really hate the hinge on the 3DS, and it seems like I'm always fighting with it to keep it at the right angle. With the 2DS, I don't have this problem at all. It still fits easy in my pocket, even without it folding in half.

 

[DudeistBelieve]

Was playing at work, a customer spotted it and asked why I would choose to buy the more bulky model.

Really anyone that thinks this is less portable didn't live through the original Gameboy and GameGear, those things look like behemoths next to the 2DS.

I'm also surprised by how comfortable it is to hold. You'd think it be awkward but the wedge shape design rest comfortably in the palm of my big hands. I've been playing it while walking my Dog, no problems.