Discuss: The new 3DS and the emergent "split userbase"... is this a good trend?

Nintendo's probably planning to extend 3DS' life to prepare for whatever they're doing with their next hardware's "integrated architecture". Might be their only choice right now as 3DS is getting really outdated.

Maybe they think customers are used to yearly refresh (as with smartphones) and decided to try it with 3DS?

To me the megaton is HTML5 on 3DS browser.
 
To be honest it hurts a little, but if it's cheaper like I read and the jump is big enough I won't have a problem selling my current 3DS and spend a small amount of cash upgrading.

But I don't see the point if bigger titles that take advantage of the CPU perform like Xenoblade did in that trailer.
 
You kidding me

This 3DS is definitive and fantastic compared to the SKU's that came before it

I wasn't completely sold before but I am now
 
watershed said:
The same thing happened with the DS and DSI line and it didn't matter then. There were very few dsi exclusive games. The same thing will happen hear. There will probably be more games with multiple control options and a few New 3ds only games from Nintendo.
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This exactly.
 
It's stupid but Nintendo's done this several times before so I'm not surprised or angry. I just patiently waited until a redesign came along. The XL was NOT a redesign, they just made it bigger.
 
Game_Boy_Color.png
XoEftzx.jpg
 
Ridiculous, I give Nintendo a chance and months after I buy the system they come up with this BS? No more Nintendo for me, I'm selling the console and using the money to help me get a PS4 or a new GPU.
 
I wouldn't have a problem with it, if the jump had been larger. Admittedly I don't have a full handle on how big this upgrade is yet, but this doesn't seem sufficient to be a halfway house between the 3DS and whatever their next model is. Really wish they'd found some way to increase the PPI of the display.

In theory though, I'm definitely not against incremental hardware upgrades. Just make 'em large enough to be worth it.
 
edit: nevermind... not going to engage with crazy people.
 
The logical progression for the industry.

Have hardware base specs, then improve the hardware for raw peformance every 2 years. Make each revision more affordable than the last.

Only thing I dont agree with is allowing games to be exclusive to revisions. That should be reserved for new platforms only.
 
Silky said:
The new 3DS is a stupid name. Why didn't they call it the 'Super 3DS?'

Anyway I don't really think it'll separate the user base mostly because I can't see future titles devoting resources to have features only for that version, instead of supporting all versions universally.
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This is my major issue with the current announcement in that the name isn't that indicative of a major change (new color? hardware revision/update?). We have seen it before with the Wii and Wii U in that it needs to be clear for consumers that there is a real difference between units. Some refer to the Game Boy and Game Boy Color as an example of this happening before, but its naming convention is/was very clear for the average Joe in my opinion.
 
I can understand people who have recently bought a 3DS being pissed about this, and IF the new 3DS starts getting more than a few exclusives it should be branded as a whole new system and not a revision.
Personally I'm quite happy about the announcement since I've had my og 3DS since launch and am ready to upgrade.
 
I knew this was going to happen, just didn't know when. I mean, all you have to look at is the DSi and it all makes sense.

It's just like the original DS. They release a product and it turns into a huge success (albeit the 3ds' success was a bit stagnated in the beginning for some markets). In order to extend this success, they release new hardware versions like the DSi and now this.

We all saw this coming, anybody that didn't is deluding themselves.
 
I want to know if it'll be like on the N64 where some games perform way better with the expansion but still run on the standard kit. I mean I'm getting this thing, but I wonder how it would be received if they just said "Hey, the New 3DS owners are getting a better experience."
 
I don't think third party publishers will really get behind splitting the existing 3DS user base.

Xenoblade on 3DS might just be a special case to show of it's new cpu's power but I don't think we'll see to much of this.
 
Synless said:
Guess you didn't read about Xenoblade eh?

Edit* not "new" per say, but exclusive none the less.

How much more powerful is the CPU?
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Oh, if that's the case then that is not good. Regardless of intent of purchase. You can't shut out the millions of 3DS people.

SmokyDave said:
I wouldn't have a problem with it, if the jump had been larger. Admittedly I don't have a full handle on how big this upgrade is yet, but this doesn't seem sufficient to be a halfway house between the 3DS and whatever their next model is. Really wish they'd found some way to increase the PPI of the display.

In theory though, I'm definitely not against incremental hardware upgrades. Just make 'em large enough to be worth it.
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Good point but they haven't even said anything yet.
 
I'm more pissed that it's this ghetto ass half step that splits the user base.

If we are gonna get new hardware fuck it and give me new hardware vs this bullshit half step.
 
Its fine and follows what Nintendo does with portables. Is similar to the Gameboy Color and DSi. People that already have 3DSs will probably only miss out on a hand full of games, of which a few will probably be good, so for people not upgrading they aren't going to miss too much.

I'm not upset at all about the split user-base, but I also look forward to getting a new 3DS.

I am upset about Microsoft's split user base since it removed functionality that was sold to early adopters. Now people who bought early have something that will probably just collect dust, cost an extra hundred and will just serve to label people with it as early adopters.
 
I actually forgot about the Gameboy Color. maybe that's 'cause I always hated the original Gameboy.

But that doesn't change the point really. Is it good to do this? Why or why not? In what ways is it beneficial, and in what ways can it be a drawback? Do they lose customer goodwill doing this, or gain?
 
Freeman said:
Ridiculous, I give Nintendo a chance and months after I buy the system they come up with this BS? No more Nintendo for me, I'm selling the console and using the money to help me get a PS4 or a new GPU.
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I hear there is a PS4 slim in the works :P
 
I'm gonna have to get one for the CPU alone. Miiverse runs like ass.

EDIT: the name is abysmal. It has Wii vs Wii U written all over it.
 
Hopefully this thing won't see any kind of adoption rate so nobody will bother with making exclusives for it like with the DSi. The 3DS is not the NDS and the handheld gaming landscape is so vastly different now than it has been 6 years ago. Such an incredibly dumb thing to do. Sasuga, Nintendo.
 
daxgame said:
I don't know, I guess it is if you considered the DSi insulting?
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you didn't even answer any question in the OP. The OP has not taken a stand whatsoever on whether this is a good idea or bad idea. So try extrapolating based on what is said, not what you think is being said.
 
SmokyDave said:
I wouldn't have a problem with it, if the jump had been larger. Admittedly I don't have a full handle on how big this upgrade is yet, but this doesn't seem sufficient to be a halfway house between the 3DS and whatever their next model is. Really wish they'd found some way to increase the PPI of the display.

In theory though, I'm definitely not against incremental hardware upgrades. Just make 'em large enough to be worth it.
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It seems like a decent upgrade overall. When you consider the second stick, additional buttons, better 3DS viewing area, better/replaceable batteries, additional power, better Browser, etc.... I'm sure I'm mising somethings as well. I'm sure I'd like more power as well but do we have any real specifics on what type of increase we are really looking at and what we can realistically expect?
 
Its too half assed.

Should have been whole new handheld with no 3d more power.


Now I just feel dumb for buying a 3ds and when their next handheld comes out I'll wait a few years for this type of iteration instead of buying early.


Worst of both worlds imo.
 
Amir0x said:
I actually forgot about the Gameboy Color. maybe that's 'cause I always hated the original Gameboy.

But that doesn't change the point really. Is it good to do this? Why or why not? In what ways is it beneficial, and in what ways can it be a drawback? Do they lose customer goodwill doing this, or gain?
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A better device, is a positive. 3DS XL has been around for 2 years now so having a new model launch to replace it, should be expected. I'm happy about all the improvements and can't wait to pass my XL to my wife and get this new one into my grubby paws.
 
Accepting this is basically telling Sony they could release a PS4.5 in 2 years because why not.

And then people wonder why DLC, season pass and all those things are running rampant.
 
airmangataosenai said:
It's just another DSi/GameBoy Color situation and will only effect a small handful of games.
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Nailed it.

It's also worth noting that the GBA came out three years after the GBC, and the DS came out three years after the GBA. It's been 3 1/2 years since the 3DS came out, and this isn't nearly as big a jump as those were. It's time to move forward.
 
Amir0x said:
I actually forgot about the Gameboy Color. maybe that's 'cause I always hated the original Gameboy.

But that doesn't change the point really. Is it good to do this? Why or why not? In what ways is it beneficial, and in what ways can it be a drawback? Do they lose customer goodwill doing this, or gain?
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I really don't think their customers will care too much whatever they do.
On the other hand, it is a step back towards attracting gamers with a second stick and more buttons.

Pricing will be a big key of course.
 
AlphaTwo00 said:
Remember when Game Boy Colour happened? And when the DSi happened? Both got some exclusives, and others were "better with new hardware"? All I can think of is Pokemon Yellow for GBC, and Sonic Collection(which ran better) for the DSi

It's just the same thing here.
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Actually, all Pokémon games before Pokémon Crystal were backwards-compatible.

Edit: Sorry, I probably misread your post.
 
How big of an improvement is the CPU?

If it's something that could have gone into the original 3DS, then I can certainly see why people would be annoyed. Cosmetic and 'peripheral' changes are one thing (e.g. camera, screen quality, even second stick), but game runtime changes that could feasibly have been implemented from the start are harder to defend.
 
Puru said:
Accepting this is basically telling Sony they could release a PS4.5 in 2 years because why not.

And then people wonder why DLC, season pass and all those things are running rampant.
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What about viewing this in another way

Suppose a future system comes out with a slot. This 'slot' is said right from the beginning to be a place where future hardware iterations - mainly tech upgrades - will be sold for those willing to buy it. They will be much cheaper than buying entirely new hardware, but the 'drawback' is there will obviously have to be whole new games devoted to taking advantage of those upgraded specs. But is it a drawback? In what ways is this strategy different from simply releasing a whole new console? Aren't there some benefits for the consumer in handling upgrades this way? Why is it just automatically viewed as some runaway freight train to actually have a PS4.5?

I am not taking a stand, merely trying to draw out deeper conclusions.

toddhunter said:
I really don't think their customers will care too much whatever they do.
On the other hand, it is a step back towards attracting gamers with a second stick and more buttons.

Pricing will be a big key of course.
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They already announced the new prices. Cheaper iirc. :)
 
It is good, because progress is good and after 3.5 years it is absolutely OK to do this, in a world where iPhones get updated every year and make certain apps require newer hardware.
Nobody complains there, but here people bitch, because they feel entitled and actually want to play Xenoblade.
 
I'm not playing this game. I basically like all the added features (love the SNES buttons) but i'm not going to buy the same hardware just because they dediced to release stuff exclusive to it.
 
I'm sure they have there reasons for it, but I am not happy. It would be one thing if it were just like the SP, but now I feel like I'm missing out on games because I was dumb enough to have bought the 3ds already. If I can find the money, maybe I'll try to upgrade so I guess I can't complain too much, since I'll still end up giving them my money. But it's lame.
 
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