I bought a 3DS XL sometimes last year. It was under $200.
After seeing the surge in demand, I feel lucky that I bought it when I did. I also decided to take it out and play some animal crossing new leaf for the first time and I’m really enjoying it.
I sometimes wonder if I should have bought the “new” variant back then, but they were much more expensive and I’m still not sure if the performance improvements would have been worth it.
I’m basically just using not for ds and 3ds games, so, I’m guessing the power difference would not really matter.
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Aftermarket (non japanese) 3ds prices never were cheap , but wat they’re going for nowadays feels silly
Can’t for the life of me figure out wat could possibly be driving demand for them now of all times . Not like there’s any recent developments in 3ds modding scene (moddability’s been memed to death for gꚙd few yrs now) oar anything like that . They like labubus where they’re just “trendy” item to own now ? Idgi
As a tech that attempted to repair a waterlogged flooded and rusted out 2DS, unfortunately unsuccessfully, may I ask a question?
How many versions of the Nintendo DS did they make, and more importantly, why?
DS, 2DS, 3DS, DSi, DS XL, am I missing any, and why so many variations?
DS, DS slim: That’s the first generation. 67MHz, 4MB RAM. Both consoles are identical apart from the form factor and play DS and GBA games.
DSi, DSi XL: Second generation, 133MHz, 16MB RAM, downloadable games, no GBA slot. GBA compatibility still exists via virtual console, but not with physical games. Adds a camera and integrated storage.
3DS, 2DS, 3DS XL: Third generation, 2x268MHz, 128MB RAM. The 3DS variants have autostereoscopic 3D displays. The 2DS is a hingle-less cheaper variant without 3D displays. Adds a left joystick. 3D cameras.
New 3DS, New 3DS XL, New 2DS XL: Fourth generation, 4x804MHz, 256MB RAM, second stick
So basically there are four generations. Each generation massively upgraded the performance while adding new features here and there.
Each of the generations (apart from the original DS) has size-variants that have bigger screens for a higher price and a larger size.
The DS and DS slim are identical apart from the fact that they managed to slim down the device with further development.
Removed by mod
DS was the first dual screen games(bottom is a Touchscreen), dsi added a web browser, a store to purchase “DSiWare” and a camera, 3DS added 3D, gyroscopes street pass and probably some other things I’m forgetting, NEW3DS is faster hardware and eye tracking to fix the 3D so you don’t have to hold the 3DS directly in front of you stiffly. 2DS is for kids because parents got it in their heads that the 3D would fry the kids eyes and has no hinge so you can’t protect the screens. I don’t remember there being a “DS XL” but I remember a DSi XL, 3DS XL and NEW 3DS XL(the best version). There’s also a 3DS I don’t remmeber the letters for but was exclusive to Japan that was a NEW 3DS with changeable faceplates. I forget which console added the IR emitter/sensor but the Pokémon DS cartridges originally had them in them I think for transmitting to the pokewalker but I don’t think the built in or sensor ever worked for that functionality.
If you don’t consider the DS fat an upgrade to the GBA like the GBA was to the Gameboy Color, then I wouldn’t consider the DS on the same line the 3DS is. Basicly from the Gameboy DMG all the way up to the NEW 3DS XL is just one upgradeable line of handhelds that Nintendo just kept making better and better. That’s the “why” to there being so many, always has been. The Switch truely feels like its own third branch from Nintendo’s handheld and console lines with how ass backwards they regressed in features. No backwards compatability at all hardwarewise with a prior device so its definitely a new starting point.
Holy fuck, how much money did you blow on all these devices to know all this stuff?
Fuck, that much N addiction makes a crack cocaine habit seem healthy.
Dude, you asked for information and then you attack everyone who answers with knowledge you can find on wikipedia.
What’s wrong with you? If you don’t want answers don’t ask questions.
If you ask a question and someone answers it, the proper response is “Thank you for the detailed answer”, and not claiming that anyone who has knowledge you don’t must be a drug addict.
Get a grip, man.
DS and DSi were basically one console.
3DS and its variants were the second gen. 2DS was a 3DS with no 3D and no hinge, made for kids. 3DS XL was just a larger version. “New” 3DS was a power upgrade plus a new right stick for games that were a little too much for the base console.
It was a glorious line of handhelds, and I wish the Switch had never been invented, leaving the portable 3DS line still valid. I would love a new one.
2DS had one single screen, that motherfucker was a goddamn joke!
You think I’m shitting you, go ahead and disassemble one, it only had one single screen!
Does that really matter, though? It was designed to be cheap and rugged for kids. It still functioned as two screens.
What matters is like literally I asked a question…
HOW MANY VERSIONS OF THE DS DID THEY MAKE?
I asked a number, nobody has answered that.
And why so many versions?
Are you asking the total number across all generations, revisions, colors, sizes, limited editions, variants, and regional models?
The answer is somewhere around 202+ individual SKUs last I checked. Only Nintendo knows for sure.
I found a couple sources attempting to catalog them all, but even they probably don’t have 100% coverage as I’ve found others pointing out a handful of specific versions that weren’t listed.
https://altarofgaming.com/nintendo-ds-models-color-variations-limited-editions/
https://www.torsive.com/2024/10/nintendo-ds-consoles-all-model.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_DS
https://consolevariations.com/database/nintendo-ds
Happy? Because I don’t think anyone else is ever going to give you more satisfying of an answer. Now calm down and go to bed. People here aren’t your enemy just because they don’t quite know the exact answer. Just be appreciative they’re providing what they can, that’s all anyone can expect of anyone else.
If you’re still unhappy, ask Nintendo.
why so many versions?
16 years, 4 generations, global audience, capitalism….
I didn’t ask years, I didn’t ask generations.
I simply asked for an overall count of how many versions, altogether. All years, all revisions, all models, simply count and give me a number, how many?
You folks know way more about the things than I do, to me they might as well all be e-waste at this point. Are there really that many versions that nobody can give me a simple fucking number?
I simply asked for an overall count of how many versions, altogether. All years, all revisions, all models, simply count and give me a number, how many?
I gave you that, cited my sources, explained why the number given wasn’t more accurate, and what you should do about it if it still isn’t up to your standards.
What more do you want???
And yes, there are that many versions. That’s why it’s so difficult to give you a simple number. The DS was in production for almost 20 years. A fuckton of versions were released. That’s why your best bet at a 100% correct number is probably Nintendo themselves, because when you consider it was also a global device with region-specific models the actual count gets even more difficult for any one person on the Internet to find.
As evidenced by my many sources of people attempting to find this answer, it’s hard as hell to do. If you’re still unsatisfied, go to the people that made them and quit raging at anons who are just trying to help.
And maybe show a little goddamn appreciation for so many people choosing to take time out of their life to try and get you what you’re asking for, nobody is paid to appease you here or has to respond to you, especially when you act like a dick.
Both fit in the toilet equally well.
You think I enjoyed wasting my time attempting to fix that shit?
The 2DS is incredibly easy to repair. Why you so mad?
When my kid was young, the 2DS was perfect because it would survive being shaken without issues. Try shaking a 3DS when the screen is open.
Who cares that they cost-optimized both screens into one? It was cheaper and more robust. It was perfect for smaller kids.
They both fit in the toilet…
I totally wasted my time that day, so please for the love of the flying spaghetti monster, stop giving toddlers electronics!
New2DSXL is what you want. And a back up motherboard in case yours fails and needs to replace.
It’s the goat pirate/homebrew console. Pretendo is thriving.
Without 3D its not worth having a physical console when everything else can be emulated extremely reliably everywhere else and 3DS games are getting better emulated day by day. Its like if you bought a SNES but played it on a shity LCD TV.
The (New) 3DS XL has quite nice haptics, and emulating the dual-screen setup is a little awkward especially handheld.
Apart from that I agree with you.
It was worth getting a second-hand New 3DS XL for €100 a few years ago, but the prices people talk about here are just not worth it.
Same holds true for old Gameboys and similar tech.
Same experience here, there have been a couple of interesting devices to run double screen games (AYN Thor), but it’s rather expensive for having a dedicated device for just the DS and 3DS catalogues (with some hardware gaps).
Is the “new” version worth it if I already have an old 3ds xl?
The N3DS differences are:
- Improved 3D consistency via face tracking
- C-Stick (too small to be usable in my opinion) and ZL/ZR buttons
- Limited number of system exclusives (Minecraft, Fire Emblem Warriors, Runbow Pocket, Xenoblade Chronicles, and digital-only games)
- Games with N3DS enhancements (including Hyrule Warriors and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, with most improvements being faster loading times, C-Stick support, home menu access for certain games, and the ZR/ZL buttons)
- SNES virtual console.
What a coincidence, I just saw someone playing a 3DS (not XL I think) on the train on the way home today. I haven’t seen someone playing a dedicated handheld console in forever. I should’ve struck up a conversation about it.
I also saw someone using an MP3 player last week. Single-purpose electronics making a small comeback this year?
Yeah, that’s what I have been hearing.
I basically only play older games.
I grew up with nes to ps2 gen games. I don’t really like all this online stuff l, dlc, or paid skins.
I’ll just stick to my old stuff.
