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Thinking of getting a "New" 3DS but have questions

Sonikku

Sonikku

Lifer
I have a Mario and Luigi 3DS XL but want to get the new Zelda model at gamestop so I can play Xenoblade on the go. I figure I'll sell the one I have for $100 and pay a hundred out of pocket for the newer version, but there are some things I'm unclear on. Is the "3D" any better on the "New" 3DS? How complicated is the transfer process? I basically want to leave the old one in blank factory reset when I sell it afterwards. Also, should I get a memory card for it and what type do I need?

Would either of these work?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...C-043016-Index-_-FlashMemory-_-20231650-S1A1B $6.99 with code

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...6PTuxZXQh39ydK4yiQ32Q7z0=&utm_source=Bluecore $17.99 but with higher capacity (perhaps more reliability and speed?)

There seems to be a memory card slot on the side of my 3DS that just pops out but my online research has seen people unscrewing and removing the the back plate of the system to insert a card there instead. I'm endlessly confused.
 
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The 3D tracking is much better, meaning you don't have to hold it in one specific spot like you do on the old model.

There is no reason to get a memory card unless you are taking lots of pictures (I believe).

The New 3DS does not come with a power cord. You either have to use the one from your old one, or buy one.

Xenosaga is the ONLY game that only works on the new model. Kind of stupid really, but since that's why you want it...

I can't speak to the transfer process.
 
It doesn't come with a power cord? WTF? When I sell my current model I would presume the buyer will want the charger with it so I have to buy another one? It may only be $10 but it just seems like basic courtesy. meh. I guess I was fortunate with my current model getting it with the power cord and a game for $179.
 
Key features of the New 3DS over the older models:

  • "Superstable 3D" -- uses facial recognition technology with the inside facing camera and an infrared light to track the position of your face and adjust the 3D image to match. This works very well in my experience and is really the biggest selling point IMO. It makes the 3D much easier to use.
  • Improved hardware specs -- doubled up from a dual core ARM CPU to a quad core chip, also doubled the RAM from 128 MB to 256 MB. The graphics chip is apparently the same though, and reports vary if the CPU and graphics chip received an upclock. The improved specs won't improve framerates in regular 3DS games, though they can improve loading times. Only "New 3DS exclusive" games make full use of the new specs, and there's only one such game -- Xenoblade Chronicles 3D. The better specs do make the operating system feel smoother though, with faster download times and a more responsive and useful internet browser that can play 3D Youtube videos.
  • Super Nintendo Virtual Console games are only playable on the New 3DS, not the older models. That means games like Super Mario World, Super Metroid, Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, etc. Nintendo uses emulators to run "Virtual Console" games on their newer systems, so presumably the older 3DS model couldn't emulate the Super Nintendo smoothly while the New 3DS can.
  • The C-Stick -- a touch sensitive nub that works as a second analog input. It's not a full thumb stick or circle pad since it doesn't move, more like the mouse inputs you can find in the center of the keyboards on some laptops. It's quite responsive though. It's specifically supported by some newer games like Super Smash Bros, Majora's Mask, and Monster Hunter 4, and it's backwards compatible with games that supported the Circle Pad Pro addon, like Resident Evil Revelations and Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater. There's also two additional shoulder buttons.
  • Better, somewhat louder speakers than the old XL model.
  • Uses Micro SD cards for storage instead of standard SD cards. It does include a 4 GB card already installed, which is plenty if you're just going to run games off the cartridges. If you plan on downloading games from the EShop, you may want to get a 16 or 32 GB card. Also, if you replaced the SD card in your current 3DS with one larger than 4 GB, you'll need a micro SD in the New 3DS that's just as big so the transfer process can work.

As for the transfer process, the first thing you should do obviously should be to look at Nintendo's official setup and walkthrough of the process:

http://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/13996/~/what-you-need-to-know-before-performing-a-new-nintendo-3ds-or-new-nintendo-3ds

http://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/14169/p/430/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xNDYyMDkxODc3L3NpZC8xdWpxMW9QbQ%3D%3D

You'll need to go into each system's settings, sync them up over a Wi-fi connection, and let them transfer some crucial data from the old system to the new one. That could take about 10 or 15 minutes. Then, you turn of the systems, take the SD and Micro SD cards out of each. Connect the old system's SD card to a PC with an SD card reader, and copy all the data from it. Connect the new system's Micro SD card to the PC with either a USB-Micro SD adapter or a SD-Micro SD adapter, and paste all the data from the old SD card to the Micro SD card. Put the Micro SD card back in the new system, and it should be good to go, no further setup needed. Wipe the data from the old system's SD card, put it back in, and the old system is effectively restored to factory settings -- the next time you turn it on, it will act like it's being turned on for the first time.

Yeah, it's a little convoluted. The alternative is just transferring all the data from the old system to the new one via Wi-fi, which could take hours, especially if you have downloaded games on the old system. You're working with Wireless-G grade adapters in each system. Not recommended. And yes, Impulse is right, the New 3DS does not include a charger cord. You'll either have to keep the one you have now or buy a new one.
 
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I upgraded and yes the 3D is much better but I usually have it off anyways as it strains my eyes more. The transfer process is god awful as is usual for Nintendo. Mine took almost 45min and only had one full game on my 3DS and two demos. I only got the new 3DS be a gamestop was running a sale/trade-in special.
 
I also upgraded to the New 3DS XL long time ago, and I can say this much:

1. The 3D Tracking on the new system is infinitely better than it was before. You don't have to worry about the 3D effect going out of focus when you're holding your 3DS. Luckily, I don't get any severe headaches when having the 3D effect on.

2. The improved hardware is better for faster load times and faster internet connectivity. However, not all games take advantage of the new hardware. The only New 3DS-exclusive game is Xenoblade Chronicles and that's just a port of the old Wii version. If you don't care about that particular game, then you won't see much of a difference for the most part. Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate gets better textures and a better frame-rate on the New 3DS. Smash Bros. gets much faster load times, too. Also, Super Nintendo games on the VC are exclusive to the New 3DS only.

3. The C-stick isn't that amazing, but it works surprisingly well for auxiliary input. Do not think for one second that the C-stick will serve as a secondary circle pad, because it simply won't. It's really more suited for smaller inputs like camera control or quick Smash attacks in Smash Bros.

4. The transfer process is the worst fucking thing Nintendo has created. Thankfully, I didn't have to use it because I didn't own any digital downloads at the time on my old 3DS when I made the upgrade. Not so sure if you have a lot of digital content to transfer over. But if you do, it's gonna be A VERY LONG transfer.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with it.
 
Thanks for the responses all. I'm hearing that more games are starting to take advantage of the new specs as well, Hyrule Warriors apparently has better performance on the "new" 3ds compared to the old.
 
The power cord thing has been pretty standard in Japan since the Famicom / Super Famicom.

It's absolute bullshit to do it here. The FC/SFC played different games, so it makes sense to keep the older system around. Your "new" 3DS plays all the DS/3DS games you have already, so you sell your old one -- with its power cord. You obviously need another power cord, so it should be included!

It was really stupid of Nintendo to expect us to accept this BS just because Japan does.
 
Yep. But Nintendo has a lot of nutty ideas these days. The downward trend in sales seems to do little to make them to change or adapt.
 
I got a SD card with the adapter so it would be cool if I could swap out the 4gb one with the 32gb one I just bought, download all my games to it and then simply take it out of the 3DS, remove it form its adapter and put the mini card in the New 3DS. Though I doubt they'd go for it. Nintendo always makes it complicated.
 
Raduque said:
What's this transfer thing? Can't you just swap the SD card from the old 3DS to the new one?
Click to expand...
...but your purchases would still be tied to the old console. The system transfer function will transfer purchases and such too.
 
I don't know about the purchases you made but transferring saves and photos to a new SD is pretty simple. I just upgrade from 2GB to 32GB on my wife 3DS and it was as simple as copy/paste all the folders from one to the other. They recommend using the Nintendo format tool but I just did a FAT32 format and it is working fine.

When you get ready to sell the old one shoot me a message, I don't even need the power cord.

DT
 
If I wanted to move my Ambassador Ticket and Ambassador-only games to a New 3DS from a pre-Summer 2011 original 3DS, I'd have to use the transfer function, same as any eShop downloads/purchases. Moving the SD card will move the data and pictures and saves and stuff, but not the license to play. Until doing a system transfer, purchases will only be available for download on the original DS.
 
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darrontrask said:
I don't know about the purchases you made but transferring saves and photos to a new SD is pretty simple. I just upgrade from 2GB to 32GB on my wife 3DS and it was as simple as copy/paste all the folders from one to the other. They recommend using the Nintendo format tool but I just did a FAT32 format and it is working fine.

When you get ready to sell the old one shoot me a message, I don't even need the power cord.

DT
Click to expand...

Cool. It's the Mario and Luigi limited edition XL. $110 shipped. I'll take pictures. It will have to wait until later next week however as I'm going on vacation in SC.
 
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