Why do people like the Nintendo DS?
- Thread starter bobmus
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I've never had a problem with the design of the DS (the one exception being any FPS, because I just can't get the hang of using a stylus to aim accurately). It had a library full of fantastic games, the dual-screen concept worked anywhere from 'pretty good' to 'damn amazing' (I still can't get back into the habit of actually pressing a button on home consoles to see a map or stats or something that could easily be displayed permanently on another screen), it allowed for all kinds of gameplay mechanics and designs not possible on another console, and I've never had a problem with it ergonomically.
But it's mostly the fantastic library of games that either don't or couldn't exist on another console. That's my biggest issue with my 3DS, the one truly excellent game I've played for it has been a remake of a DS game (SMT Devil Survivor: Overclocked).
But it's mostly the fantastic library of games that either don't or couldn't exist on another console. That's my biggest issue with my 3DS, the one truly excellent game I've played for it has been a remake of a DS game (SMT Devil Survivor: Overclocked).
I don't care much for the whole 2 screen thing, but I do love the games, at the moment I've been switching between Advance Wars, Pokemon Black, Chrono Trigger, and more
Also trying to finish The World Ends With You, which tries to take advantage of the 2 screens in a very unique way, but I can't make my brain split like they seem to want it to
Also trying to finish The World Ends With You, which tries to take advantage of the 2 screens in a very unique way, but I can't make my brain split like they seem to want it to
I bought a large version of the DS a few months back so I could play Pokémon White and Soul Silver. The large one is actually a lot more comfortable to hold than my Gameboy Color or Gameboy Advance ever were (especially now that I have man-sized hands rather than the hands of a ten-year-old). The edges aren't a problem and provide a good grip.
The large stylus that comes with the bigger DS is uncomfortable to hold, but the standard slides-into-a-slot stylus is pretty handy and fits nicely between my thumb and forefinger when I'm not using it at the moment. I've had more enjoyment out of Soul Silver and White than previous Pokémon games partially because I can use the stylus to select attacks in only a couple of screen touches (rather than using the d-pad to in addition, effectively doubling the button presses) and I can more easily scroll through lists.
Plus the DS has wireless access. I don't use it that often, but half the reason I bought White was because of a promotion back in February where Nintendo was giving away Mewtwo. That made me very happy.
My only problem with the DS is that it's fairly uncomfortable to play when I'm lying in bed, but that was a problem I also had with my previous Gameboys.
All in all, I see the DS as nothing more than a glorified Gameboy (in fact, when not comparing it to previous Nintendo handhelds, I call it a Gameboy), but it's still pretty good for what it is. Even though I only have a few games and I don't play them often, I feel it was worth the money.
The large stylus that comes with the bigger DS is uncomfortable to hold, but the standard slides-into-a-slot stylus is pretty handy and fits nicely between my thumb and forefinger when I'm not using it at the moment. I've had more enjoyment out of Soul Silver and White than previous Pokémon games partially because I can use the stylus to select attacks in only a couple of screen touches (rather than using the d-pad to in addition, effectively doubling the button presses) and I can more easily scroll through lists.
Plus the DS has wireless access. I don't use it that often, but half the reason I bought White was because of a promotion back in February where Nintendo was giving away Mewtwo. That made me very happy.
My only problem with the DS is that it's fairly uncomfortable to play when I'm lying in bed, but that was a problem I also had with my previous Gameboys.
All in all, I see the DS as nothing more than a glorified Gameboy (in fact, when not comparing it to previous Nintendo handhelds, I call it a Gameboy), but it's still pretty good for what it is. Even though I only have a few games and I don't play them often, I feel it was worth the money.
Well I'd say the games, but you seem to be referring to the actual design. Which I don't really care for. Touch screen isn't really my thing and I don't care about two screens.
But that being said 95% of the games I play on it don't require the use of anything but the buttons. and the extra stuff doesn't actually make the system worse as long as they aren't shoehorned into a game that doesn't need them.
But that being said 95% of the games I play on it don't require the use of anything but the buttons. and the extra stuff doesn't actually make the system worse as long as they aren't shoehorned into a game that doesn't need them.
i bought a blue original DS early and i still play it. my hands aren't that big, but i found that holding it and using the stylus at the same time wasn't very comfortable (metroid prime hunters - still a good game though). mario kart was the worst offender though. action games weren't too bad, if you weren't forced to use L and R too much... which i guess is the problem with metroid and mario kart too.
its a really great little system, the dual screens have been put to good use in many games for it (final fantasy tactics A2 comes to mind), and has survived tons of abuse by me and still going strong.
final fantasy tactics A2
final fantasy 3
final fantasy 4
mario 64
new mario bros
brain age
zelda: phantom hourglass
mega man zero collection
castlevania: dawn of sorrow
castlevania: portrait of ruin
pokemon pearl
mario kart
metroid prime hunters
tetris
mega man zx
bleach: blade of fate
+ a dozen GBA games
having so many of FF games available between the DS and GBA slot make it hard to give it up, or upgrade to the 3DS, although that mario game looks really fun. if anything i'll wait til my DS dies, but knowing nintendo that might be forever.
its a really great little system, the dual screens have been put to good use in many games for it (final fantasy tactics A2 comes to mind), and has survived tons of abuse by me and still going strong.
final fantasy tactics A2
final fantasy 3
final fantasy 4
mario 64
new mario bros
brain age
zelda: phantom hourglass
mega man zero collection
castlevania: dawn of sorrow
castlevania: portrait of ruin
pokemon pearl
mario kart
metroid prime hunters
tetris
mega man zx
bleach: blade of fate
+ a dozen GBA games
having so many of FF games available between the DS and GBA slot make it hard to give it up, or upgrade to the 3DS, although that mario game looks really fun. if anything i'll wait til my DS dies, but knowing nintendo that might be forever.
pretty sure the software is the draw, not the design.TheBobmus said:
it has a crap ton of good games and really, only the DS like was a 'hard to hold' on a count of being to small, the DS, DSi and 3DS all fit comfortably on hand
I really like the extra screen space for menus, maps, additional input methods, etc.
And as people have pointed out some it's greatest games, including World Ends with You, made extensive and creative use of the dual screens.
(It is for those reasons that I doubt asymetric games using the wiiu gamepad will be nearly as intrusive as some people think)
I never had a problem holding it, either. It felt like a flattened gameboy SP, which was, btw, a HUGE improvement over the original GBA's design.
And as people have pointed out some it's greatest games, including World Ends with You, made extensive and creative use of the dual screens.
(It is for those reasons that I doubt asymetric games using the wiiu gamepad will be nearly as intrusive as some people think)
I never had a problem holding it, either. It felt like a flattened gameboy SP, which was, btw, a HUGE improvement over the original GBA's design.
I used to own a DS lite which never got much use so I sold it.
However after reading about the 3DS and seeing videos of it and the games available and up-coming for it, I really want to get one xD
My nephews got one and I had a little go on that. It only made me want one more
However after reading about the 3DS and seeing videos of it and the games available and up-coming for it, I really want to get one xD
My nephews got one and I had a little go on that. It only made me want one more
Never had a DS but I do have a 3DS. I thought it would be awkward to handle and all that but it's fine. The only games the rely heavily on the touch-screen are those that are gimmicky and not very good anyway. The sheer number of DS games means there is a good back catalogue of games for everyone. And the 3DS is pretty damn cheap now. I got mine with 2 games and a starter pack for £135.
And the games are FANTASTIC. Mario Kart 7 is my favourite non-sim racer ever and looks amazing. And then there is Resident Evil: Revelations, the best game in the series IMO with graphics on par with some current gen console games. And while the amount of must own 3DS games is relatively small right now, it's still a fairly young console, and has a lot coming out soon, Luigi Mansion 2 is one I'm really looking forward too.
Basically, if you want a portable system, get the 3DS
And the games are FANTASTIC. Mario Kart 7 is my favourite non-sim racer ever and looks amazing. And then there is Resident Evil: Revelations, the best game in the series IMO with graphics on par with some current gen console games. And while the amount of must own 3DS games is relatively small right now, it's still a fairly young console, and has a lot coming out soon, Luigi Mansion 2 is one I'm really looking forward too.
Basically, if you want a portable system, get the 3DS
You choose a system for the software and not the hardware.TheBobmus said:
It seems like you are too into nostalgia for your own good.
PSP, but that's not the world we live in. Idealism will get you nowhere in this life.TheBobmus said:
Personally, I hate all touchscreens with the burning fire of a thousand suns... but my DS allowed me to play an updated remake of Final Fantasy IV, so I forgive it.
I had both a DS and PSP and overall I greatly preferred my DS. As many others have pointed out, it a lot of great games on it. As it stands, The World Ends With You is actually one of my favorite games ever.
More than that though, I felt it was just better designed. While it wasn't as powerful as the PSP, I felt it made better use of what it had. Little to no loading times, longer battery life, quieter run time, as well as small easy to change and carry cartridges as opposed to the larger UMD discs and memory cards. All of which are much more important for a device you're primarily going to use on the go. I personally liked the clam shell design because I think it helped protect the screen when not in use.
So overall both were good systems. To me though, the DS just performed better where it really counted.
More than that though, I felt it was just better designed. While it wasn't as powerful as the PSP, I felt it made better use of what it had. Little to no loading times, longer battery life, quieter run time, as well as small easy to change and carry cartridges as opposed to the larger UMD discs and memory cards. All of which are much more important for a device you're primarily going to use on the go. I personally liked the clam shell design because I think it helped protect the screen when not in use.
So overall both were good systems. To me though, the DS just performed better where it really counted.
Sure I prefer the GBA design but there are times with the DS touch screen stylist is imperative to the gameplay like e.g. Professor Layton, Hotel Dusk and Wario Ware etc. Sure these days some games use it for lame gimmick manners but the other rest does make good use of it.
The original DS was a great system. Integrating a touch screen into regular gameplay was a great step forward, as it allowed for smoother gameplay. Most importantly, it quickly became properly integrated into a wide number of games, making it more than just a gimmick (unlike the 3D, for example). While the lack of analog sticks was disappointing, remember at the time no handhelds had analog sticks, when the PSP was announced the DS had already entered production, and let's be honest, the PSP only had the one stick, which was a massive letdown.
The 3DS, on the other hand, is an entirely different question. They really dropped the ball with 2 key factors. The first is that the 3D is just a gimmick, it adds nothing to gameplay, and if anything it makes it worse. The second is that they dropped the ball when it comes to the second analog stick. If they paid attention to their competition, they would have known that the lack of a second stick was one of the biggest criticisms of the PSP's design. The fact that they released whatever that circle pad thingy is is a sign of this. Hopefully when they release the 4DS (which will let you see in 4 dimensions) they will get their act together again. I'm not saying the 3DS is a bad system, but it reeks of poor design choices and missed opportunities.
The 3DS, on the other hand, is an entirely different question. They really dropped the ball with 2 key factors. The first is that the 3D is just a gimmick, it adds nothing to gameplay, and if anything it makes it worse. The second is that they dropped the ball when it comes to the second analog stick. If they paid attention to their competition, they would have known that the lack of a second stick was one of the biggest criticisms of the PSP's design. The fact that they released whatever that circle pad thingy is is a sign of this. Hopefully when they release the 4DS (which will let you see in 4 dimensions) they will get their act together again. I'm not saying the 3DS is a bad system, but it reeks of poor design choices and missed opportunities.