The Nintendo 3DS

I don't know about you, but SSB is one of the best games to permanently install above getting a game card in my eyes^note If you're a casual player, you'll be playing in short bursts and friendly spars very often. If you're competitive, you'll need easy access so you can study at any time..

Next to that are Tomodachi Life^note It's a "companion title" meant to be enjoyed in short bursts and quick visits throughout the day. An easy-to-switch-out-of download is an absolute must here. and Pokémon^note Especially if you use Bank/Transfer at all. The rapid game card switching if you have all physical versions can and will damage the springs in your cartridge slot..

edited 13th Aug '14 9:23:14 AM by BaffleBlend

In a way, I sorta want Pokémon Y at the moment, but what's stopping me is that the web spoiled part of the game for me. Don't get me wrong I love the game series, but I'm into the story, challenge, and post-game content of the series. It's just that most of the reviews that I've read basically shot down whatever I was looking for and I can't do Nintendo Wi-Fi because I think it's incompatible with my modem. So should I get it or should I procrastinate until Pokémon Z or X2 and Y2 comes out?

edited 13th Aug '14 3:44:03 PM by RabidTanker

Your modem shouldn't matter, it should be compatible with the 3DS.

Also, reviews only say so much. It'd probably be better for you to try it yourself rather than rely on someone else's opinion.

Also, ignore the story. It's somehow even worse than G3's.

Story has never been a big part of the Pokemon games except in gen V.

I say XY had a decent enough story.

It just wasn't as involved as Black and White.

It was almost okay, but the Scrappy Quartet that follows you fucking everywhere made it unbearable for me. I was stuck with seven badges for months because I was that unwilling to run into them again.

edited 13th Aug '14 8:02:22 PM by BaffleBlend

I'd say XY had the worst story out of all the games myself. Admittedly I never got far into B2 but if what I've heard is correct it still sounds better than XY.

And this is why I said try it for yourself. Vocal Minority and all.

As you can see, X/Y's story is definitely YMMV (for instance, I personally enjoyed having a gang of friends around instead of just a rival). Nevertheless, X/Y is also the most polished Pokemon game yet, so unless story really matters that much to you in Pokemon, it's still definitely a worthwhile purchase. You can also go for OR/AS once they come out, though you might miss out on the Kalos region exclusives (which might also include certain Mega Stones).

@ Baffle about cart vs downloads:

As I happen to live with another person who also owns a 3DS, cartridges can be a big money saver, as we wouldn't have to buy the game twice, if the games either:

• Have multiple save file slots
• Where sharing a save file doesn't matter much (like a fighting game or a platformer where you can go back and replay any level or rewatch any cutscene)
• Have Download Play as the multiplayer option.

Now something like Pokémon definetely would be something I would instead get as a donwload version, due to the whole one personal save file thing.

Well, I do prefer physical copies. Having the box is just nice. But the ease of access thing for a game like that is just too convenient... SO CONFLICTED!

Kinda wished that there was a system that would let me get a free download version of a game I physically bought, without having the loophole of most people just selling the game back to get part their money back... I dunno, "temporarily lock" the game cart I guess, and to unlock it, I would have to connect to the e-shop and remove the game from my device or something.

Well, to me, downloads have nothing but advantages over cards. I can't travel to the store, I don't have to deal with losing or damaging games...

And as a competitive Smash player, there's no way in Hell that I'll ever chance being separated from it.

On that topic, how many of you have controller grips for your 3DS?

See, I would be all over digital stuff... if Nintendo didn't suck with dealing with online! Their policies are really last generation, stuff like games being hardlocked to the system, and not an account system (For both 3DS AND WiiU.) I really try to avoid buying digital stuff unless I can't find a physical copy, or there's a huge sale.

Umm... Aren't sales now locked to your NNID?

Yes, they are. There's still some issues (*coughVCcrossbuycough*), but at least it's a start.

Controller... Grips...?

>le-googleimage<

Oh, those are a thing? But doesn't that make it less portable?

I use HORI's Mario Kart 7 Racing Wheel^note which is unintentionally practical as a controller grip due to the gap in the bottom of the wheel - I bought it at the recommendation of Smashboards. myself. It doesn't add too much to the size.

edited 14th Aug '14 4:09:43 PM by BaffleBlend

I favor physical over digital because there's less of a chance of losing the game if something happens to my system and I like have a physical box to look at and a physical game card to touch and feel.

Chariot: Agreed. Nothing pleases me more as a collector than seeing neat rows of games on a shelf.

Having imported an American 3DS, it's so much more convenient for me to buy games digitally than to get them shipped over here as well that it far outweighs any fondness I might have for physical media.

"And to kiss. And caress! OH GAME CART I LO-"

Anyhow, in all seriousness, that is another good point. As a cartridge isn't tied to the system, in case yours needs replaced, theres less hoops to jump through when you do.

Though I dunno how much of a pain transferring a NNID is... And do games with online functions save your online data^note like identifying you as the same player, instead of having to start climbing leaderboards all over again where exactly?

edited 14th Aug '14 4:33:44 PM by Kurgy

Digital.

Less clutter to deal with, less stuff to carry with you if you take your handheld anywhere (like I do). It's one of the reasons I bought a PSP Go.

Nintendo's revamped their account system since the advent of the Wii U, so it's less absurd now.

I prefer physical myself, though if a situation came up where I really wanted a game, and there was no other option, I'd give digital a whirl.

I wish I could have both physical and digital without buying it twice...

Free downloads for physical copy owners would only mean that clever people would buy the game physically, get the free download and pawn the physical copy off at Gamestop to get part their money back.

That's probably why something like that doesn't exist.