Nintendo 3DS - Official Thread

[DarkVincent07]

Anyone else been playing Tales of the Abyss?? :P

[Noxia]

No and now it's hard to find. Double the price plus on eBay

[DarkVincent07]

Oh wow, it was an extremely limited release over here too, only one retail chain JBHIFI actually carried it I thought we just got shafted (as usual lol)

[Azu]

Yeah, I started it a few weeks ago (I'm about 8 or 9 hours in). After that I've been a bit busy with studying & everything, so I haven't had time to continue it. My Christmas holiday started yesterday so now I'll probably 24/7 as many games as possible since I know Spring will be hell for me. Tales of the Abyss will probably be one of the games.

[DarkVincent07]

Fair call mate. I've been playing mostly xbox lately so when I play Tales its on my way to and form work, I've only had it a couple of weeks and clocked in about 4 hours though... It will slowly build up

Awesome game though, at first the characters (which make it for me in an RPG) seemed boring and dull, but I like them now

[dc89]

No and now it's hard to find. Double the price plus on eBay

£34.99

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005EVV02...SIN=B005EVV02C

Edit - Damn, temporary out of stock.

[Noxia]

The hut had it and by time I did checkout it was gone

[Azu]

Yeah, it seems Namco really fucked up its release. Don't really understand why they haven't made another shipment, given that I've seen plenty of people around the Internet pining after it and being distrought because they can't find it. And it seems like the first shipment was, like, 20 copies, based on the number of gamers I've seen actually being able to get the game.

Way to treat your European/PAL-landia Tales fans Bamco-Scamco! Many of which have waited to play Tales of the Abyss for 5-6 years!

Oh well, I'm glad I was kind of anticipating this and pre-ordered it...

[DarkVincent07]

Lesson learned for sure, pre-order all of the obsure JRPGs ><

[The Black Wolf]

Is 3DS Tales of the Abyss available in North America?

[DarkVincent07]

Is 3DS Tales of the Abyss available in North America?

Apparently it has a release date of February 14th for NA.

This is the first time that this game has come to Europe/AUS as well, so I'm just glad we get it :3

[Thorzilla]

Guys, the new pictochat is up for grabs in the eShop for free!!!
Just sent you some cards Wolf

[Eltimas]

Alright people, the time has come. A 3DS shall be acquired.

I have had my eye (thanks to Blacksite,) on this particular 3DS. Unfortunately, the item is not available anymore. I stumbled upon this 3DS though. The website somehow looks similar to Gamestop's. I just want your guys approval of the website so I can safely order from them because I have never heard of EBGames before. And that 3DS is NA region, yes?

Also my local store is selling black NA 3DS with a 3DS game and a DS game of choice for 265.757$ which is a rip off.

[DarkVincent07]

EB Games is what GameStop is called outside of NA.

So that is the Canadian GameStop website which means that the 3DS is the same region as NA, so you should be fine. Totally safe buying that one and its a really nice 3DS. Good price, go for it

[Eltimas]

EB Games is what GameStop is called outside of NA.

So that is the Canadian GameStop website which means that the 3DS is the same region as NA, so you should be fine. Totally safe buying that one and its a really nice 3DS. Good price, go for it

Oh great! They only ship to Canada. What a bummer.

Any other suggestions?

[dc89]

All I know is I need Elt on my 3DS friend list. Until then, It's hollow and cold.

[Eltimas]

Ok I'm hasing a sad.

edit: Never mind. I'm not even a big fan of the Zelda games. I just thought I wanted a black 3DS plus Ocarina of Time, so I thought what the heck. But I guess I'll just buy the regular 3DS and Zelda separately. Is 169.99$ the cheapest regular 3DS I can find? And what kind of extra accessories am I advised to purchase?

[Azu]

Well, technically, Nintendo did drop the price down to 150$, but I'm not sure if they add taxes to it in the US (or if the great demand has caused the prices to inflate). At one point you could get 3DS for, like, 120 or 130$.

Personally I don't think you need any kind of accessories. I haven't gotten any and I've been just fine. If you know you'll have plenty of longer than 3-5 hour commutes, I guess an external battery is a purchase that's worth thinking of to at least double that number. Other than that, if you have big hands, a 3DS grip-thingie might be worth checking out if you feel that the handheld is too small and discomfortable due to that (though, some external batteries add a bit of thickness & grip to 3DS, so you can solve two problems with one accessory). I haven't felt any of those to be absolutely necessary, but they can improve the functionality of 3DS a bit if you feel it's lacking for your needs.

[Eltimas]

Thanks Azu. Do you know any particular store that sells 3DS for 120$-130$

And while you're at it, I know you're great with recommendations. What games you personally loved on the 3DS so far? And are there any J/S/RPGs that are released? Up to this point I have Zelda OoT + Mario Land in mind. I don't like games like Pilotwings Resort or the likes of it. I'm only interested in RPGs and high quality platformers.

It is so reassuring when I remember I can still play DS games on the device. I have missed on hundreds of DS games.

[Azu]

Those 120-130$ prices were mostly before or after Black Friday, some super-sales when 3DS was still somewhat struggling before Super Mario 3D Land & Mario Kart 7 revived it.

As far as 3DS game recommendatiosn go... Well..
-Super Mario 3D Land (I really like this. It's maybe not quite as "epic" or big as Super Mario Galaxies, but it's a perfect fit for 3DS. Plus it's pretty much a showcase for 3D, both in terms of how good the 3D is in it as well as proof that it CAN affect gameplay)
-Tales of the Abyss 3D (this is one of my favorite Tales games. The main character starts off reeeeeally annoying, but he gets a lot better.)
-Star Fox 64 3D (This remake has gotten a way bigger graphical boost than OoT3D. It's a fun more-or-less on-rails shmup with some alternative routes based on what you do in levels. It has a multiplayer mode, but sadly it's not online, though it does have Download Play so if you have any friends with a 3DS, you can play the multiplayer with just one game card)
-Ocarina of Time 3D (While it's not a complete remake, it IS a really well done graphical update which has other improvements over the old game than just graphics. As a minus side for anyone who has already played the game, you have to unlock the Master Quest by playing through the original version once)
-Mario Kart 7 (It's... Mario Kart. A really well done one, probably my favorite alongside Mario Kart DS)
-Ace Combat Assault Horizon: Legacy (So.. I'm not sure if you put this under the "I don't like games like PilotWings", but Ace Combat games are great arcade-y dog fighting games. Even though this carries the name of its recent console bretherns, it's really not a port of AC Assault Horizon from PS360, but more of a remake/reimagining of Ace Combat 2, so it's the better kind of old school Ace Combat)
-Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars (if you like tactical games/SRPGs, then you shouldn't miss Shadow Wars, such an overlooked although slightly flawed gem of a game. The story is kinda weak, but the gameplay more than makes up for it)
-Cave Story 3D (so... this is a really good Metroidvania-ish action platformer. The thing is, you can get it free for PC, PSP and a plethora of other platforms, so the choice is yours whether you want to pay for it or not. Some people might whine about the game having 3D graphics instead of the original sprites, but I think it looks (& sounds) better than the original)
-Shinobi (okay, so the game might LOOK like cheap crap based on its graphics, but it's actually a really good & challenging ninja action/platformer game which has some replay value with high scores & stuff. It starts off really great and takes a kind of down-turn after the middle point, but overall it's a decent game)

And since you're getting the North American model, you could check out these games that I haven't personally played since they haven't been released in Europe, but have heard good things about them:
-Nano Assault (it's a cool looking shmup that's been getting some decent reviews. Some of the best graphics of 3DS and great OST to boot)
-Bit.Trip Saga (it's a collection of the Bit.Trip games released through WiiWare & Steam. If you're not familiar with them, they are these retro games with simple yet devilishly addictive retro-style gameplay. They have everything from platformers to shooters to rhythm games)
-Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked (this is the typical kind of port from Atlus for a SMT game which adds quite a lot of content, in this case a complete 8th day whereas the original only had 7. The original was a really good SRPG so even though this hasn't been released in Europe, I'm pretty confident in recommending this based on the DS original).


Also, DSiWare/3DSWare has:
Mighty Switch Force (just watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGqUKnwUCA8 )
Pushmo (a block-pushing/pulling puzzle game from Nintendo, really charming & fun. A bit like Catherine gameplay-wise, but not as violent :P )
Dark Void Zero (much better than the actual game this retro-prequel connects to. A kind of Contra/Metroidvania )
Mighty Flip Champs (a kind of prequel to Mighty Switch Force, but with a different kind of gameplay that focuses more on puzzle-solving, much less on action)
Shantae: Risky's Revenge (a platformer, really good one. Sequel to one of the rarest & most expensive Game Boy Color games in existence).


I guess those should hold you over until Q1 2012 arrives with Resident Evil: Revelations, Kid Icarus and whatnot (hopefully Fire Emblem outside Japan too, PLEEEEEEEASE NINTENDO!).

[Eltimas]

Thanks a ton for the effort Azu. You never disappoint.
-As I already mentioned, I am already getting Super Mario 3D Land & Ocarina of Time.
Star Fox 64 3D - Whoa! I actually never played the original on the N64, so this is going to be highly considered.
Tales of the Abyss 3D - Whyyyy!! The only JRPG on the handheld and it has not released in NA yet. A big sad has been haded. But the release date is not that far though; February 14th. Day one purchase.
Mario Kart 7 - I REALLY don't see the point in playing such games without friends. Mario Kart games are the funniest when it comes to multiplayer, so unless I'm sure I'll be having friends playing it with me, I don't think I'll enjoy it that much by myself.
Ace Combat Assault Horizon: Legacy - Yeah watched some images and trailers. I can't even look at them too long, so no, to my eyes, this one doesn't look pretty.
Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars - The same goes for this one. Doesn't feel like a game I'd play.
Cave Story 3D - This is the only third party game that got my attention, and actually made me consider it. I was intrigued by the apparently addective gameplay that indeed brings the likes of Metroid/Castlevania/Megaman games to mind when seen.
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked - This I've heard a lot about. The complexity of its mechanics is what winning my interest. The days design reminds me by one of the greatest games on the DS- The World Ends With You. I might have to order this one because I have no seen it anywhere in the local stores.

Again, super thanks to the effort put in that post, Azu!
Like said I have tons of DS games that I've missed, will sure check one of your awesome recommendation posts about that.

[Azu]

Mario Kart 7 actually has a really good online multiplayer, so it's not the end of the world if you don't have any real-life friends with 3DSs (and MK7). It has this cool community feature where you can create a kind of room and then share a code for that room. You don't have to add anyone on your friendlist if you don't want to. And it does recommend you communities if you're feeling lazy and don't want to go out looking for them yourself. Also, don't judge Ace Combat AHL by just screenshots and such. It can actually look quite nice in motion on an actual 3DS (at least if you don't get too close to the ground :P ). Though, of course if arcade-y dog fighting games aren't your thing, I understand your lack of enthusiasm. Also, forgot about TotA3D not being released in North America. It burns, doesn't it. This is what we European JRPG fans (& fans of Japanese games in general) have had to get used to during the years, though it has gotten a bit better.

[Eltimas]

Mario Kart 7 actually has a really good online multiplayer, so it's not the end of the world if you don't have any real-life friends with 3DSs (and MK7). It has this cool community feature where you can create a kind of room and then share a code for that room. You don't have to add anyone on your friendlist if you don't want to. And it does recommend you communities if you're feeling lazy and don't want to go out looking for them yourself. Also, don't judge Ace Combat AHL by just screenshots and such. It can actually look quite nice in motion on an actual 3DS (at least if you don't get too close to the ground :P ). Though, of course if arcade-y dog fighting games aren't your thing, I understand your lack of enthusiasm. Also, forgot about TotA3D not being released in North America. It burns, doesn't it. This is what we European JRPG fans (& fans of Japanese games in general) have had to get used to during the years, though it has gotten a bit better.

Hmmmm, that quite changes my views toward Mario Kart 7. But still, Nintendo + my connection speed = agony. I still didn't get over that I can't play SSB Brawl online because of the tremendous lag. Even after purchasing a Wii LAN adapter online. I was so disappointed because I was eagerly looking forward for the online. Because I wanted to show the world how I kick ass. This actually applies to all of my online gaming. Unless I'm playing with people from my own continent, I'd have an frustrating and unplayable experience. Latest FPS games like MW3 and BF3 kind solve this problem by allowing us to join rooms whose host is close to us. I don't know if that feature is implemented in Mario Kart 7 or the 3DS as a whole.

Yeah! TotA3D is currently EU/JP only. You guys have been getting lots of JRPG goodness. I mean Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story (by the amazing Lost Odyssey team, Mistwalker,) and Pandora's Tower, you guys got quite the payback for all the years of negligence.

I finally decided to get myself a 3DS from the local store. Here's why:
Gamestop/most online stores: Black 3DS + Zelda OoT + Mario Land = 272.16$ with taxes, excluding the shipment/weight fees I am paying Aramex when it is delivered. Which is around 20$-28$ extra.
Local store: Black 3DS + Zelda OoT + Mario Land + Any DS game of choice = 312$

The extra cash I'm paying is really not going to be wasted much.
1. I'd spare myself the 5-10 business days + 2 business days for processing. That would be the time my US Aramex account receives it, god knows how many more days until it is shipped from there to me.
2. The store would provide me with an AC adapter that would actually work for my country's electricity. If I ordered one, I'll most likely need to purchase a converter, (which is extremely cheap, but I wanted to cite that nevertheless. :P)
3. I'm sure I can bargain for an accessory or two giving that I've been a loyal customer for as long as I can remember.

As for the DS game. I'm thinking Radiant Historia or Chrono Trigger (never played the original.) or even Ghost Trick, to see what the fuss is all about. But to be frank, I'm in dire need for a good JRPG. Like really.

[F34R]

Those 120-130$ prices were mostly before or after Black Friday, some super-sales when 3DS was still somewhat struggling before Super Mario 3D Land & Mario Kart 7 revived it.

As far as 3DS game recommendatiosn go... Well..
-Super Mario 3D Land (I really like this. It's maybe not quite as "epic" or big as Super Mario Galaxies, but it's a perfect fit for 3DS. Plus it's pretty much a showcase for 3D, both in terms of how good the 3D is in it as well as proof that it CAN affect gameplay)
-Tales of the Abyss 3D (this is one of my favorite Tales games. The main character starts off reeeeeally annoying, but he gets a lot better.)
-Star Fox 64 3D (This remake has gotten a way bigger graphical boost than OoT3D. It's a fun more-or-less on-rails shmup with some alternative routes based on what you do in levels. It has a multiplayer mode, but sadly it's not online, though it does have Download Play so if you have any friends with a 3DS, you can play the multiplayer with just one game card)
-Ocarina of Time 3D (While it's not a complete remake, it IS a really well done graphical update which has other improvements over the old game than just graphics. As a minus side for anyone who has already played the game, you have to unlock the Master Quest by playing through the original version once)
-Mario Kart 7 (It's... Mario Kart. A really well done one, probably my favorite alongside Mario Kart DS)
-Ace Combat Assault Horizon: Legacy (So.. I'm not sure if you put this under the "I don't like games like PilotWings", but Ace Combat games are great arcade-y dog fighting games. Even though this carries the name of its recent console bretherns, it's really not a port of AC Assault Horizon from PS360, but more of a remake/reimagining of Ace Combat 2, so it's the better kind of old school Ace Combat)
-Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars (if you like tactical games/SRPGs, then you shouldn't miss Shadow Wars, such an overlooked although slightly flawed gem of a game. The story is kinda weak, but the gameplay more than makes up for it)
-Cave Story 3D (so... this is a really good Metroidvania-ish action platformer. The thing is, you can get it free for PC, PSP and a plethora of other platforms, so the choice is yours whether you want to pay for it or not. Some people might whine about the game having 3D graphics instead of the original sprites, but I think it looks (& sounds) better than the original)
-Shinobi (okay, so the game might LOOK like cheap crap based on its graphics, but it's actually a really good & challenging ninja action/platformer game which has some replay value with high scores & stuff. It starts off really great and takes a kind of down-turn after the middle point, but overall it's a decent game)

And since you're getting the North American model, you could check out these games that I haven't personally played since they haven't been released in Europe, but have heard good things about them:
-Nano Assault (it's a cool looking shmup that's been getting some decent reviews. Some of the best graphics of 3DS and great OST to boot)
-Bit.Trip Saga (it's a collection of the Bit.Trip games released through WiiWare & Steam. If you're not familiar with them, they are these retro games with simple yet devilishly addictive retro-style gameplay. They have everything from platformers to shooters to rhythm games)
-Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked (this is the typical kind of port from Atlus for a SMT game which adds quite a lot of content, in this case a complete 8th day whereas the original only had 7. The original was a really good SRPG so even though this hasn't been released in Europe, I'm pretty confident in recommending this based on the DS original).


Also, DSiWare/3DSWare has:
Mighty Switch Force (just watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGqUKnwUCA8 )
Pushmo (a block-pushing/pulling puzzle game from Nintendo, really charming & fun. A bit like Catherine gameplay-wise, but not as violent :P )
Dark Void Zero (much better than the actual game this retro-prequel connects to. A kind of Contra/Metroidvania )
Mighty Flip Champs (a kind of prequel to Mighty Switch Force, but with a different kind of gameplay that focuses more on puzzle-solving, much less on action)
Shantae: Risky's Revenge (a platformer, really good one. Sequel to one of the rarest & most expensive Game Boy Color games in existence).


I guess those should hold you over until Q1 2012 arrives with Resident Evil: Revelations, Kid Icarus and whatnot (hopefully Fire Emblem outside Japan too, PLEEEEEEEASE NINTENDO!).

Great post +rep/like

[Thorzilla]

Question: in Wii Plaza, my sister has an earth icon that shows some maps right next to her Mii, while I don't. What's up?