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Handheld purchasing dilemma

Blogs > Tom Phoenix
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Tom Phoenix
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
1114 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-06-20 03:00:17
June 19 2010 23:48 GMT
#1
Currently, I am considering purchasing a DS during summer or shortly after it. Specifically, I am considering getting either the original DS or a DS Lite, since it has backwards Gameboy Advance compatibility (compared to the DSi and XL versions, that do not). So what is the problem, you ask?

Well, as you might have heard, Nintendo is developing a new handheld console called the 3DS. Initially, I thought this was just a DS with additional 3D support, but it is actually a completely new handheld. And in typical Nintendo tradition, it is going to have backwards DS compatibility. Not only that, it is going to have an impressive library of games available right at the start and I would be lying if I said I wasn't interested in at least some of them.

So now, I find myself torn. One one hand, if I buy a DS (Lite), I will get to enjoy GBA and DS titles, but I would be preety much buying a handheld that is going to be outdated within a year and that I can't expect new titles for for very much longer. On the other, if I wait to get a 3DS, I will get to enjoy all the new titles as well as the DS ones....but at the cost of GBA compatibility.

Yes, I know I could theoretically buy both. But if I buy a DS during summer, chances are that I won't be able to buy a new system for a while.

So what do you think I should do? And please don't say "Just do what you think is best for you", beacuse that doesn't help me in the slightest. Just pretend you were in my shoes and then vote and comment based on that.

Poll: Is it worthwhile to get a DS at this point?

No, you are better off waiting (25)
 
69%

Neither, get a PSP instead (5)
 
14%

I just feel like voting (5)
 
14%

Yes, 3DS is still ways off (1)
 
3%

36 total votes

Your vote: Is it worthwhile to get a DS at this point?

(Vote): Yes, 3DS is still ways off
(Vote): No, you are better off waiting
(Vote): Neither, get a PSP instead
(Vote): I just feel like voting



EDIT: Another poll:

Poll: Gameboy Advance SP or Gameboy Micro?

SP (7)
 
88%

Micro (1)
 
13%

8 total votes

Your vote: Gameboy Advance SP or Gameboy Micro?

(Vote): SP
(Vote): Micro



***
You and your "5 years of competitive RTS experience" can take a hike. - FrozenArbiter
FragKrag
Profile Blog Joined September 2007
United States11567 Posts
June 19 2010 23:49 GMT
#2
Buy a 3DS

You can always emulate GBA games on the PC.
*TL CJ Entusman #40* "like scissors does anything to paper except MAKE IT MORE NUMEROUS" -paper
micronesia
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States24799 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-06-19 23:56:20
June 19 2010 23:56 GMT
#3
On June 20 2010 08:49 FragKrag wrote:
Buy a 3DS

You can always emulate GBA games on the PC.

Alternately gba's are probably pretty easy to get and cheap so the backwards compatibility isn't that big of a deal... at least for handhelds unlike devices which hook up to the TV/projector... sucks to have several of those to hook up if you can avoid it :p
ModeratorThere are animal crackers for people and there are people crackers for animals.
Arnstein
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Norway3381 Posts
June 19 2010 23:58 GMT
#4
I would say that already there seems to be more good titles on 3DS than on GBA, so I say wait :p
Also, there are rumours there will be a Bit.Trip game on 3DS! *drool*
rsol in response to the dragoon voice being heard in SCII: dragoon ai reaches new lows: wanders into wrong game
Cpadolf
Profile Joined August 2009
Sweden1199 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-06-20 00:04:08
June 20 2010 00:02 GMT
#5
I would suggest waiting for the 3DS. They are aiming to release it before the end of the fiscal year (31st march), which means they might release it already by the holiday season. So it will most likely be out in just 6-9 months. If you could find a DS phat (or even a GBA) really cheap on some auction site I guess it wouldn't be too big of a waste though.
JudgeMathis
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
Cuba1286 Posts
June 20 2010 00:10 GMT
#6
I got a NDS for christmas. I don't regret the decision. But, the N3DS is too balling to not get.
Benching 225 is light weight. Soy Cubano y Boricua!
chongu
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
Malaysia2605 Posts
June 20 2010 00:20 GMT
#7
Ahhhh, wait a little longer. The N3DS will be backward compatible and will last another good 3-4 years. You still have starcraft 2 to keep you busy this year/ur summer :D
SC2 is to BW, what coke is to wine.
meCh[dtr]
Profile Joined March 2009
Canada111 Posts
June 20 2010 00:30 GMT
#8
Wait for the 3DS, and in the mean time buy a GBA SP, they're really cheap now and it's the best portable for your really retro GB/GBA games.
meeple
Profile Blog Joined April 2009
Canada10211 Posts
June 20 2010 00:31 GMT
#9
On June 20 2010 09:20 chongu wrote:
Ahhhh, wait a little longer. The N3DS will be backward compatible and will last another good 3-4 years. You still have starcraft 2 to keep you busy this year/ur summer :D


Yup totally agree... just be patient
Purind
Profile Blog Joined April 2004
Canada3562 Posts
June 20 2010 01:06 GMT
#10
It's 3DS vs GBA. I'd say go for 3DS.
Trucy Wright is hot
Morayfire73
Profile Joined April 2010
United States298 Posts
June 20 2010 01:13 GMT
#11
Don't get the 3DS right away, knowing Nintendo, they will release a new, better version soon after, this will result in a price drop for the 3DS. So if you wanted one, I would wait for this, if you want a normal one, just wait for the 3DS to come out and enjoy a nice price drop.
[Insert witty comment here]
Cpadolf
Profile Joined August 2009
Sweden1199 Posts
June 20 2010 01:36 GMT
#12
On June 20 2010 10:13 Morayfire73 wrote:
Don't get the 3DS right away, knowing Nintendo, they will release a new, better version soon after, this will result in a price drop for the 3DS. So if you wanted one, I would wait for this, if you want a normal one, just wait for the 3DS to come out and enjoy a nice price drop.


It took about a year and a half for the original DS to get updated, and then another two and a half years for the Lite to get updated. And If it sells really well (who thinks it won't?) there won't be a price drop in a long time either (just look at how long it took for the Wii to drop in price due to it's success, even though it's extremely cheap to make). So unless OP is willing to wait a good deal of time I wouldn't recommend it.
neobowman
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Canada3324 Posts
June 20 2010 02:13 GMT
#13
I enjoy the fact that I have my Gameboy Advance SP still handy so I can play gameboy advance and colour games.
Tom Phoenix
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
1114 Posts
June 20 2010 02:59 GMT
#14
On June 20 2010 09:30 meCh[dtr] wrote:
Wait for the 3DS, and in the mean time buy a GBA SP, they're really cheap now and it's the best portable for your really retro GB/GBA games.


This is something that I have also considered. However, even when considering this option, I am stuck deciding between a Gameboy Advance SP and a Gameboy Micro. While the SP has a bigger screen, is sturdier and has backwards compatibility with Gameboy and Gameboy Colour games, the Micro is more practical due to it's smaller size, has a brighter screen and also doesn't require a special adapter for headphones.

I don't really care about the backwards compatibility with GB/GBC, but the dividing issue for me is the screen size. I am not sure how comfortable I would be with a smaller screen, but people say that the Micro makes up for it with the quality of the picture and more effective lighting. So.....here is another poll:

Poll: Gameboy Advance SP or Gameboy Micro?

SP (7)
 
88%

Micro (1)
 
13%

8 total votes

Your vote: Gameboy Advance SP or Gameboy Micro?

(Vote): SP
(Vote): Micro

You and your "5 years of competitive RTS experience" can take a hike. - FrozenArbiter
Pokebunny
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States10654 Posts
June 20 2010 04:49 GMT
#15
I've honestly never seen a micro, but I sure loved my SP. I would
go sp -> 3ds
Semipro Terran player | Pokebunny#1710 | twitter.com/Pokebunny | twitch.tv/Pokebunny | facebook.com/PokebunnySC
zer0das
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
United States8519 Posts
June 20 2010 04:53 GMT
#16
I'd probably at least wait for an official price on the 3DS before doing anything. If you were to get a Game Boy, I'd probably go with the SP- in the event I ever cared about the backward compatibility. If you think you never will, just go with the Micro.
meCh[dtr]
Profile Joined March 2009
Canada111 Posts
June 20 2010 08:30 GMT
#17
I'm gonna reinforce my suggestion to go with the SP, but fair warning as I'm biased, and...collect old GB games as it were.
Sotamursu
Profile Joined June 2010
Finland612 Posts
June 20 2010 11:32 GMT
#18
PSP can emulate GBA games with custom firmware, also PSP has monster hunter. Which is a reason enough alone to buy a PSP.
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