When comparing New Nintendo 3DS vs Nintendo Switch, the Slant community recommends Nintendo Switch for most people. In the question“What are the best portable game consoles?” Nintendo Switch is ranked 1st while New Nintendo 3DS is ranked 4th. The most important reason people chose Nintendo Switch is:
You can use it as a stationary console with your TV (using the included dock), or transform it into a portable gaming device in literally seconds. You will keep all the data and can continue your game on the go. The JoyCon controllers can clip into the sides for a tablet-like experience, or you can remove them and use them wirelessly.
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Pros
Pro Customize look with interchangeable faceplates
The New Nntendo 3DS (not the XL) is the only 3DS with support for interchangeable faceplates. This allows one to purchase new plates to customize the look of their device to their liking.
Pro Improved glasses-free 3D
The New 3DS has an improvement over the regular 3DS model when it comes to the 3D, there is now an infrared sensor that allows for eye tracking, which keeps the 3D focused, even when the device moves. The older model had trouble with the 3D focusing when moving the device around, that is now fixed for the most part.
Pro Has microSD support
Users can use their own micro SD cards for expanded storage with support for up to 32GB cards (though there are users using 64GB or 128GB cards).
Pro Has built-in NFC
This means Amiibo and Amiibo card support for scanning in figures and cards with a tap to then use as addons in certain games. Previous models did not have this function.
Pro Very flexible
You can use it as a stationary console with your TV (using the included dock), or transform it into a portable gaming device in literally seconds. You will keep all the data and can continue your game on the go. The JoyCon controllers can clip into the sides for a tablet-like experience, or you can remove them and use them wirelessly.
Pro Comfortable to hold
Nitendo Switch is light and feels comfortable in hand. It doesn't cause any wrist strain. It also has a kickstand that folds out from the back of the console, so you can put it on the table.
Pro Nice gaming experience
Pro It has great graphics and controllers and games
Cons
Con Screen is smaller than the XL
Con Poor battery life
The battery life is not really improved over the previous models and will last between 3.5-6 hours, which is not really that long for a handheld.
Con No charger included
In order to keep the price down on the unit Nintendo has chosen to not include a charger with the device, meaning that if you do not have one already or purchase one you will not be able to use the device past the half charge that it has out of the box.
Con Low resolution screen
Technically the resolution of the main screen is 800 x 240, but each eye gets half that making it functionally 400 x 240. A 1080p screen has more than 10 times the pixels.
Con Only available a white themed bundles in the US
So far the only model available in the US is the white one and it can only be purchased as an Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer bundle or the Pokémon 20th Anniversary Bundle. This raises the price of the unit as each bundle comes with a game.
Con Game prices are higher than for other systems most of the time, for a lesser quality
Con Poor battery life
If you're playing for example Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you can expect 3.5 hours of gaming before you have to charge the console. Many other portable consoles last longer.
Con Doesn't have a wide variety of popular games yet
If you are not into playing Zelda, there's not that much for you to do with this console right now. The game lineup is not comparable to Xbox One or PS4. The console is not backwards compatible, so you will not be able to play your old games on it either.
Con Problems with screen glare
It's difficult to play with a lot of light falling on the screen due to glare issues. For example, you probably will not be able to play outside in the sun, since the game is simply not visible.