PacmanandMariofan : of course, there's one thing about the 2DS that the 3DS could never match up with and that's the price. A used 2DS is probably like $70 cheaper than a used 3DS.

Jordanv78: That's amazing! I've always had issues with the 3D going out of focus if I had it any higher than halfway up. It really hurt my eyes and it made it less fun to play the games. I usually keep the 3D really low or a quarter of the way up.

zanderlex : That's one of the huge advantages that the 2DS has over the 3DS.

PacmanandMariofan : I would have gotten the 3DS instead but I would have had to save money for another 3 months or more.

   I have a 3DS XL. It is rather the best and that is the way it was made to be. It depends on how much you want to pay on your DS on which one is your favorite. But obviously if you money is infinite the 3ds xl is the best.

I hardly use the 3D on the 3DS at all though because it hurts my eyes. You shoulda seen me on christmas with pokemon Y I was like, oh I got 3d I should use it. So I used it all day and my eyes really hurt after that. and that is why I never use the 3d. So if you just do not care to have your eyes hurt you should probably get a 2DS which is the most affordable but I am pretty sure it is less convenient to carry around which is a big blow to it for me but I guess they had to do that to lower the price for people.

The 2DS also only has one speaker I think so that means there is no surround sound. So obviously I like my 3ds XL the best because of that big screen and such.

To be honest, there's no comparison. The better model is the 3DS by far. As far as the 2DS goes, it has to be one of the worst designed handhelds I've ever seen. The fact that the system can't be shut also hurts it in my eyes. It's not really "portable" and it looks awful in my eyes. Not trying to bash it here, I'm just keeping it real. The only thing that's better about the 2DS is the price. The 3DS however is better in every other way.

awesomeguy279 : I have hurt my eyes with the 3D multiple times. That's why I usually play games with the 3D setting down as low as possible, so I can play it for hours without my eyes hurting during it or after it.

No surround sound would really stink for me. That's one of the things that I really like about the 3DS.

greenluigi : But what makes it a waste of money? As a potential buyer, I'm seriously asking. All I see is that it looks different and doesn't offer stereoscopic 3D. If you think of it, that's no different than the DS was or The GBA/GBC/etc. or even the Wii U, Wii, GC, and other consoles and handhelds. So are you saying it's a waste simply because there is no stereoscopic 3D, or is there something I need to know about? Because personally I dislike stereoscopic 3D as well as the 3DS design. Is this just a case of different tastes?


F. Starr : I have no experience with either, but for what I do know of the systems, I agree. The stereoscopic 3D is a novelty that seems like it would wear out quickly. Besides as I told a friend, what degree of fun does seeing my turnips stand off of the screen offer me in Harvest Moon? And is Mario any less enjoyable if he doesn't leap off of the screen when he jumps? And with the money saved I can buy two or three Harvest Moon games, so... lol I dunno, maybe it's just that us old folks aren't with the times. xD


Pac - Ahh see now that explains a lot to me. I don't care for that kind of effect, but I may eventually change my mind if I get some hands on time with a 3DS, but for now between what you, GenesisJunkie, and sonicthehedgehog57 have told me, I think my money is best spent on a 2DS. All I need is a place to play Harvest Moon after all. If it were a system I planned to use a lot, I would consider a bigger screen etc. but the 2DS should suit digital farming just fine. Thanks for the help. And as I said, I think the 2DS just looks cooler. Again, personal tastes. I appreciate this thread by the way, it really helped with my decision.


Jordanv78 : The resolution would be a big deal for me if I planned on doing more with it than playing Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons, and maybe a Mario game or something. For example, I'm about to buy a Vita and I'm taking great pains to ensure that I get the original model because the Slim changed from OLED to LCD. I'll be playing this system a lot so the resolution is very important to me.

Now once I have more money, or if Nintendo releases a new handheld before I buy a 2DS, I might get the 3DS if the price drops significantly. Or if I decide I really like the system and end up buying several games for it, I might dish out the extra money for better resolution and a larger screen (3D would be off probably). But for as casual as my gaming will be with it, I'm thinking I'm better of with the cheaper 2DS. I just figure I enjoyed my old GB and GBC and they had tiny screens, sorry resolution, no 3D, and no backlighting. Heck, I still emulate those poor looking games today and love it. xD But it is nice to know about the improved resolution. I'll certainly pay for the XL model if I get a 3DS now.


gamerforlifeforever2 : Aside from the size and not closing, do you have any other reasons the 2DS is a bad system? I don't want to buy into a bad system. If it's all appearance based, I love the 2DS design. My only issue is one speaker. Anything else I should know about?

Eirinn : Well, if you like the design, then buying the 2DS isn't such a bad idea if you aren't planning to use the 3D (which by the way I don't even use), or if you're looking for something cheaper than a 3DS.

As someone who only owns a 3ds I would probably have to say the 2ds, mainly because from having tried out I think it has a few advantages.

Obviously the main setback is it not having a 3d effect however I usually always keep the 3d turned off and there's only a few games from my knowledge where it is really utilised, like I think some Mario games. Even so it doesn't usually work for me, maybe it's the way it's angled when I play though I've heard that's supposed to be better with the new 3ds.

Meanwhile the 2ds has a few distinct advantages over the 3ds. It's cheaper, generally seems to be more durable and is in my opinion at least more comfy to hold. I also prefer the flat design over a clam design because after having used it a lot it becomes more loose when opening and closing it. I think the 2ds also has slightly longer battery life than the regular 3ds, so that's yet another thing.

So in other words, if I didn't already own a 3ds I would probably get a 2ds. Possibly a new 3ds instead even though it's expensive because it has access to some interesting games the other two don't.

Eirinn : Well, I mean like I see no major difference between the 3DS and 2DS, besides the 3D Stereotype. Not just that, you can't close the 2DS, and it is a bit uncomfortable. Well, that's just me .

greenluigi : Fair enough. As I said, I was just making sure I wasn't buying uninformed with this thing. Honestly I may not even buy the 2DS for a while anyway as I plan to get a Vita and PSTV and buy some memory cards and games. No sense in owning a PS4, PS Vita and PSTV but no games after all. xD And right now a $75 price tag on a 2DS is very appealing. Plus as Zlinq said, the tablet-esque design feels more normal to me since I've used cell phones and tablets a lot.


Zlinqx : Thank you for that post; it settled the very last question in my mind both figuratively and literally. Now I have zero doubt's about my 2DS decision. The literal question that you answered was if the hinges began getting loser after enough use. Thanks a ton!

Eirinn : Unless you really want the 3d feature or you're interested in any of the new 3ds exclusives, yeah I'd really say there is no reason not to get the 2ds. Though it may be a bit less convenient to carry around due to not having the clam design, I don't really mind because I rarely take my 3ds outside when going somewhere anyways.

Anyways I wouldn't know if loose hinges is a problem all 3dses have, mine's not completely loose but it has definietly gotten looser over time as I've used it which I find annoying, serves me right for not getting a vita first and then waiting until the 2ds came out :V

Eirinn : You're welcome for the help and for making this thread! I agree that you should get a 2DS. It seems to be much better suited for you to buy than a 3DS, especially since you like the 2DS's design and lack of 3D better.

Since the 2DS is cheaper than the 3DS, you would have more money to buy pudding

Zlinqx : In my opinion, Super Smash Bros. used the 3D very well, but that's the only game I have seen on the 3DS that felt like the 3D made it a lot better.

I've tried the 3DS, 3DS XL, New 3DS XL, and the 2DS. I love the 3DS's design, especially the 3DS XL and the New 3DS XL's. The 2DS is pretty sleek, but it is way too small. The screens are that of maybe a DSi XL. However, everyone is different and everyone likes different things. The clam design of the 3DS is something that has gone back to the 2DS. My friend couldn't fit the thing in his pocket, yet I could fit my 3DS XL in there. Oh well...

mario102 : Wow, you have tried every possible type of 3DS, and the 2DS I've loved the 3DS's design from the start!

I think you would have to use a bag to carry a 2DS around with you wherever you go. That's pretty inconvenient and it's one reason why I'm glad I have a 3DS XL instead.

I prefer the 3DS, though I can see the appeal of the 2DS. For me it isn't about the 3d feature, which I rarely use. It's more the shape. The fact that it's a clam shell design means that 1) it fits in to containers more easily 2) the screen is less likely to get scratched because it isn't constantly exposed.

CthulWho : I've always liked the 3DS's clam shell design a lot! It's the reason I'm able to take it with me to my friends' houses!

Also, the 3DS can bump around in a container a whole lot, but like you said the screen still won't get scratched! Because of that I don't have any worries (other than it getting stolen) wherever I take it to

Since the 3DS is supposed to be a PORTABLE console, I think this says it all:

I only played a little bit of the 3DS but honestly unless I can find some sort of case (kind of like an ipad case) where I can protect the touchscreen, I don't think I'll ever buy the 2DS. It may be cheaper and have no 3D (which gives me headaches after a short period of time anyway), but unless I have some sort of case to protect the screens I don't feel safe investing in a 2DS.

3ds is better!

What is the point of the 2ds?

Just to play your games in 2d?

Useless.

3DS FTW!

2ds is basically the same thing.

But without a 3d lever.

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