3DS Catch-all

Baron Of Hell wrote:

Playing 999 now. Typical Japanese story game so far which isn't a bad or good thing. I do kind of wish one of these would try to be a little more original with the story telling. I'm going to be extremely surprised if anything surprises me in this game. If they did one of these games in the walking dead format the genre would be greatly improved or if they just told the story like lone wolf.

I would say stick with it and don't assume it will play along the jrpg standard. I'm bias to say it does some clever things with some troupes.

Superstore up here in Canada had the 3DS XLs on sale for $149, which made it impossible to resist. Feel free to friend me up!

Trachalio 5086 1303 5882

I keep forgetting to friend people when I'm at home and have internet on my 3DS. Hopefully calling myself out will help me remember to do that.

Anyway, my friend code is 2637-9435-6991

I only got to play Luigi's Mansion for about half an hour on the train. The battery started to run out on my 3DS and I didn't feel like digging through my duffle bag for the charger on the train. However, my first impression thus far is positive.

Also, I don't remember a single thing I spoke about with you BNice, but it was awesome meeting you and getting to talk because it was a good time. As was sharing a pizza.

Now THAT I definitely remember.

I feel like the xl's battery life is kind of terrible or at least I see the red led a lot more often.

If you're not Streetpassing, if you turn the Wifi off, it helps a lot. Still, it's not great. But I rarely find myself running out of juice on my commute/lunchtime gaming if I've plugged it in overnight.

I know there were some aftermarket battery packs for the original 3DS (which had legendarily bad battery life), but I dunno if they have been created for the XL yet.

JohnKillo wrote:

I feel like the xl's battery life is kind of terrible or at least I see the red led a lot more often.

*More* often? I see it more often than I'd expect for a portable gaming device (worse than the Vita), but I can definitely tell it's better. Without 3D my OG 3DS would die in a couple if hours. Not quite a Sega Nomad, but dangerously close.

What's everyone's opinion on the power saver mode? For me it gives an annoying shimmer on the upper screen. Does it make a major improvement in the battery life? I have not noticed a major difference so far.

I should note that the only reason the battery ran out was because I hadn't charged it since I unplugged it Saturday morning. It stayed asleep and streetpassing throughout two days and a couple of uses for Puzzles and Find Mii.

By the way, though I suspect there's a new puzzle for Luigi's Mansion, I managed to complete all the puzzles I had by the train ride home from PAX East. Hell yes.

Joined the 3DSXL throng following my ex-roomie paying me back a sum of money I didn't quite expect to see again and the subsequent Target deal back on Sunday. My friend code is 4098-2887-8236.

So far, I've put a little time into Mario 3D Land (my freebie download pick with the purchase of Luigi's Mansion) and more into Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (motivation here: moving my saves between this and the Wii U version so I can play during those long hours in the infusion chair). Nothing super-insightful to say that hasn't been said already, but I'm enjoying things way more than I thought to be possible with a handheld/mobile device (outside of a few board game adaptations, I've found myself not particularly tolerant of the iOS games I've played).

I must say, I didn't expect much of the 3D when I bought this thing but Monster Hunter looks pretty cool with it on, especially underwater.

Well, after over 100 hours with Fire Emblem the recent spate of games have shown me that it might be time to go back to my Vita. I've developed pretty bad thumb pain playing Luigi's Mansion and Monster Hunter. Clearly the Circle Pad is not right for me. I need to either avoid games that use it or wait one more rev for a system that has a proper thumbstick.

Fire Emblem didn't come out long ago did it? After 100 plus hours in a comparatively short time, I would think that anyone would have thumb pain!

The temptation is very high to pick up an XL at Target for $152 with the 5% off from my red card. I wonder what pittance Gamestop would give me for my DSi XL. Probably barely enough to cover Monster Hunter.

Any idea what this morning's system update was for?

ClockworkHouse wrote:

Any idea what this morning's system update was for?

It is to herald my imminent arrival!

Mwuhahahaha!

Seriously though, more than likely picking up a 3DS XL with that Monster Hunter thingy on it as part of my re-focus on gaming as a fun pastime, rather than just a collection exercise.

I intend moving slowly, as the break up with my Xbox Gamerscore and Completion Percentage, while amicable, has left me scarred. I have already pile-abused the Wii that was my rebound console, so I want to treat my 3DS right.

Would the collective recommend a 'light and fun' game to offset MH, or would I be OK with just that title in the interim?

m0nk3yboy wrote:
ClockworkHouse wrote:

Any idea what this morning's system update was for?

It is to herald my imminent arrival!

Mwuhahahaha!

Seriously though, more than likely picking up a 3DS XL with that Monster Hunter thingy on it as part of my re-focus on gaming as a fun pastime, rather than just a collection exercise.

I intend moving slowly, as the break up with my Xbox Gamerscore and Completion Percentage, while amicable, has left me scarred. I have already pile-abused the Wii that was my rebound console, so I want to treat my 3DS right.

Would the collective recommend a 'light and fun' game to offset MH, or would I be OK with just that title in the interim?

Super Mario 3D Land

New firmware today. Biggest changes are you don't need to close the eShop browser for "Download Later" to work and you can now convert retail save data to the downloadable version.

However, Joystiq is reporting some Japanese users are having issues with the new firmware so it might be best to wait a few days before updating.

shoptroll wrote:

[Y]ou can now convert retail save data to the downloadable version.

Damn. I wish they'd rolled that out before I sold my copies of Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7. I wanted to keep Minarchist's shiny stars of gloating for all time!

However, Joystiq is reporting some Japanese users are having issues with the new firmware so it might be best to wait a few days before updating.

Too late! I'll let you know if I have any problems.

Edit:

Garden Ninja wrote:

Super Mario 3D Land

+1. It'd be a great contrast to Monster Hunter.

ClockworkHouse wrote:

Edit:

Garden Ninja wrote:

Super Mario 3D Land

+1. It'd be a great contrast to Monster Hunter.

Agreed. You don't get more "light and fun" than Mario.

EDIT: Wait, no. Kirby, but there's not a 3DS title. Mass Attack for the DS was pretty sweet though.

ClockworkHouse wrote:
shoptroll wrote:

[Y]ou can now convert retail save data to the downloadable version.

Damn. I wish they'd rolled that out before I sold my copies of Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7. I wanted to keep Minarchist's shiny stars of gloating for all time!

Soo... I'm sure I already know the answer to this, but... Nintendo doesn't convert DSi points to monies so I can buy stuff on the eShop do they? I've got like 200 or more DSi points still

What currency does the 3DS consume? Is it the same Nintendo bucks as the Wii? Do I link both to the one account, or am I going to have to buy different cards for each machine?

/noobness

shoptroll wrote:
ClockworkHouse wrote:

Edit:

Garden Ninja wrote:

Super Mario 3D Land

+1. It'd be a great contrast to Monster Hunter.

Agreed. You don't get more "light and fun" than Mario.

EDIT: Wait, no. Kirby, but there's not a 3DS title. Mass Attack for the DS was pretty sweet though.

Kirby Mass Attack might still be the best game you can play on the 3DS. It's pretty amazing. Also, I'm a huge fan of the Mario vs. Donkey Kong titles. Those are VERY light. Just puzzlers. Fun and fairly whimsical.

A 3DS game I'd contrast to Monster Hunter? Probably 3D Land. Or NSMB 2.

m0nk3yboy wrote:

What currency does the 3DS consume? Is it the same Nintendo bucks as the Wii? Do I link both to the one account, or am I going to have to buy different cards for each machine?

/noobness

Cold hard (plastic) cash. 3DS games on the eShop are purchased using your credit cards (or buy filling your wallet with pre-paid cards). No more points!

m0nk3yboy wrote:

What currency does the 3DS consume? Is it the same Nintendo bucks as the Wii? Do I link both to the one account, or am I going to have to buy different cards for each machine?

/noobness

You have to either buy eShop cards or you have to use your credit card. The nice part? Nintendo does everything in real money. No spacebucks or Allards. And if you want to buy a game for $3.99 there's an option to literally "Add Needed Amount". It's like you can buy games with money for the exact price they cost.

How very civilized! Thank you both.

I can has portable gaming?

IMAGE(http://members.iinet.net.au/~monkey.boy/GWJ/PurgeFinal.jpg)

Also, not a distort, SRP for the new carts is $69.95 down here. The only thing missing was the shop clerk wearing a balaclava!

In related news, the Special Edition Monster Hunter 3DS had just gone out of stock online, so they were 'discontinuing' their store stock, so I got it for $259, instead of $269.

Technical question time.

What is 'best practice' to ensure good battery life with this unit? Is it already charged 'out of the box' or do I need to give it a good charge? Then do I run it down, then charge it, then run it down again, then be consistently inconsistent with my charging habits going forward?

I never know what is the 'right' thing to do with these kinds of machines.

m0nk3yboy wrote:

I can has portable gaming?

IMAGE(http://members.iinet.net.au/~monkey.boy/GWJ/PurgeFinal.jpg)

Also, not a distort, SRP for the new carts is $69.95 down here. The only thing missing was the shop clerk wearing a balaclava!

In related news, the Special Edition Monster Hunter 3DS had just gone out of stock online, so they were 'discontinuing' their store stock, so I got it for $259, instead of $269.

Technical question time.

What is 'best practice' to ensure good battery life with this unit? Is it already charged 'out of the box' or do I need to give it a good charge? Then do I run it down, then charge it, then run it down again, then be consistently inconsistent with my charging habits going forward?

I never know what is the 'right' thing to do with these kinds of machines.

nintendo's advice is to fully charge first. You may use the device while it is charging, however.

Also, congrats on the $10 off, and sweet 3DS!! Hope you enjoy Monster Hunter, and feel free to join us in the dedicated thread.

Modern batteries generally don't need that whole draining, memory thing anymore. That's advice from a decade ago or more.