Current Events > I miss the clamshell design of the DS/3DS

(+) Yeah! (+)

You're done playing the game, you snap the system shut (so satisfying!) and just put it in your pocket. Such sleek design.

I hope Nintendo re-uses this form factor for a future Switch model or something. Doesn't need two screens but then again why not? What if it had OS stuff on there at all times and let you play old DS, 3DS and even Wii U games! Will never happen because it's Nintendo but I can dream.

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I agree.

Same. SP was my favorite. All 3 of my DS's are clams. I wouldn't buy the other

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Hey, whats the clam brigade doing here?

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Darmik posted...

you snap the system shut (so satisfying!)

I was so dainty with my DS that I never snapped it shut, more so, carefully closed it like some kind of keepsake from the 70's.

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I'm tempted to use a sizable chunk of my stim to get the 3DS XL with the SNES paint job.

So sexy.

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Sadly people prefer technology with bigger screens than clamshell designs for easy portability.

Unless Nintendo makes a foldable screen Switch

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Heartomaton posted...

I'm tempted to use a sizable chunk of my stim to get the 3DS XL with the SNES paint job.

So sexy.

This topic was inspired by my Zelda themed 3DS XL.


I think it's the best looking video game device I own. Shame it's not the 'New' model and that Nintendo doesn't let me just jump between the two.

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Considering how many variants the 3DS had I'm surprised how the Switch barely has any. I was even expecting Joycons that would resemble old Nintendo controllers.

I guess nothing would match the real estate that the 3DS systems had but still.

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Whipped out the 3DS last night and yeah it's still a neat little system. I also miss when Nintendo OS had quirky little personalities and music.

It would be neat to see this design with sharp resolution.

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What, you don't have a 3DS anymore?

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AlisLandale posted...

Hey, whats the clam brigade doing here?

didnt know your mum was making seafood for dinner

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I have something clam shaped and you don't see me bragging about it. Wink emoji.

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Darmik posted...

You're done playing the game, you snap the system shut (so satisfying!) and just put it in your pocket. Such sleek design.

I hope Nintendo re-uses this form factor for a future Switch model or something. Doesn't need two screens but then again why not? What if it had OS stuff on there at all times and let you play old DS, 3DS and even Wii U games! Will never happen because it's Nintendo but I can dream.

I disagree. When you play games that aren't puzzle games, feeling like you're holding a book feels like shit.

You don't need to shut it closed, just put it away. I'm glad they stopped the two screens.

Don't get me wrong it had its moments for games like Phoenix Wright and other puzzle games but for games that the switch has like Elder Scrolls, Bioshock, Breath of the Wild, Phantom Strikers, etc why the fuck would I want to play those on a book type device?

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I'm firmly Team Clam here.

Protects the screen and just feels better and more secure.

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AzurexNightmare posted...

I disagree. When you play games that aren't puzzle games, feeling like you're holding a book feels like shit.

You don't need to shut it closed, just put it away. I'm glad they stopped the two screens.

Don't get me wrong it had its moments for games like Phoenix Wright and other puzzle games but for games that the switch has like Elder Scrolls, Bioshock, Breath of the Wild, Phantom Strikers, etc why the fuck would I want to play those on a book type device?

I have to take a carry case for the Switch which means I need my backpack.

Don't have that issue with the 3DS thanks to dat clamshell.

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a spiritual successor to the 3DS would give me faith in Nintendo

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i love my 3DS XL. Such a fun system

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Glue two Switches together

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Darmik posted...

I have to take a carry case for the Switch which means I need my backpack.

Don't have that issue with the 3DS thanks to dat clamshell.

That is one small convenience at the cost of having to feel like I'm playing games holding a book. No thanks. Like I said. Good for puzzle games, bad for everything else.

I did like having two screens but the feel of it is bad.

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AzurexNightmare posted...

There's just no need for the clamshell to override everything else that's good about the switch just for it to be more durable.

I love my Switch, but what exactly about its design does it have going for it?

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Two good looking systems

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Agreed. It protected the screen better. You have to buy a case for your switch.

I agree.

I think there is a reason why the DS is their most popular console of all time.

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Darmik posted...

This topic was inspired by my Zelda themed 3DS XL.


I think it's the best looking video game device I own. Shame it's not the 'New' model and that Nintendo doesn't let me just jump between the two.

That's a good one too. It was a toss up between that one and the SNES one for me, but the fond memories I have of my actual SNES won in the end.

Payzmaykr posted...

Agreed. It protected the screen better. You have to buy a case for your switch.

I have the Sheikah Slate case for mine. Came with the BotW Collector's Edition. :D

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I know I'm in the minority, but I really loved the standard New 3DS. Swapping out the faceplates was so much fun. I'd swap em to thematically match what I was playing at the time.

I actually got my hands on the super rare glow in the dark Boo case. I dunno how much they go for now, but I remember at the time, they were running like $100+ on eBay. I got them on Nintendo's official online store when they were up on sale for like a day or something, by chance.

Edit: holy shit yeah they're going for almost $200 :O

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LostForest posted...

I know I'm in the minority, but I really loved the standard New 3DS. Swapping out the faceplates was so much fun. I'd swap em to thematically match what I was playing at the time.

I actually got my hands on the super rare glow in the dark Boo case. I dunno how much they go for now, but I remember at the time, they were running like $100+ on eBay. I got them on Nintendo's official online store when they were up on sale for like a day or something, by chance.

Edit: holy shit yeah they're going for almost $200 :O

A lot of 3DS stuff seems pretty rare already. Can't imagine how much worse it will be in 10 years.

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It gave me a sense of closure

Returning_CEmen posted...

It gave me a sense of closure

Bad-dum tssh.

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Heartomaton posted...

I'm tempted to use a sizable chunk of my stim to get the 3DS XL with the SNES paint job.

So sexy.

I got the SNES one when it came out a few years ago, its absolutely amazing. I really love that the buttons are also colored to be like the US SNES controller buttons too. It was my first of the new 3DS XL line and i liked the improvements they had over my old red 3DS XL. I say go for it!

Originally I wanted the Pokmon Red/Blue New 3DS that had the VC games installed, but just couldnt get it since it sold out so quickly. It had the Super Famicom button scheme which I liked more than the SNES one, and I kind of wanted to try the higher resolution density of the smaller normal 3DS since Ive only ever had an XL. Seems like the smaller screen would look sharper, anyone tried both a normal and XL 3DS and can attest to the smaller screen looking better?

Not sure what the other gold LoZ themed one has for its button color scheme, but I like the outside look of it. What are the buttons/d-pad like @Darmik ?

The SP was my favorite, until my hands got too big to properly press the shoulder buttons, or press right+b without hitting my thumbs together. Stupid big meaty claws.

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DavidZ2844 posted...

Not sure what the other gold LoZ themed one has for its button color scheme, but I like the outside look of it. What are the buttons/d-pad like @Darmik ?

This was before the New systems added SNES style schemes to the buttons in some models so just the typical black. My New 3DS has the SNES colours though but is the smaller one.



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Darmik posted...

This was before the New systems added SNES style schemes to the buttons in some models so just the typical black. My New 3DS has the SNES colours though but is the smaller one.

In person can you noticeably tell the difference in pixel density with the non-XL? Is it better looking in quality overall?

DavidZ2844 posted...

In person can you noticeably tell the difference in pixel density with the non-XL? Is it better looking in quality overall?

You can a bit yeah but it's not necessarily worth the smaller screen for it. Up to personal preference really. I go back and forth on it. One benefit of having both types I guess heh.

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Payzmaykr posted...

Agreed. It protected the screen better. You have to buy a case for your switch.

Lmao wtf... Imagine thinking this way.

You want them to overhaul the design just so you can save 20-40 dollars on a case. Ridiculous.

Let's make smart phones clamshells too guys. Protects the screen better.

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AzurexNightmare posted...

Let's make smart phones clamshells too guys. Protects the screen better.

You mean like how flip phones are the next big trend in smartphones, and a bunch of companies have already started making them again?

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ArianaGrandSlam posted...

this but unironically

Yeah might as well get a necklace for your glasses and go full grandma too.

I'm just happy you guys arent in charge of development. Thank goodness.

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I had one of these, and loved it




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AzurexNightmare posted...

Lmao wtf... Imagine thinking this way.

You want them to overhaul the design just so you can save 20-40 dollars on a case. Ridiculous.

Let's make smart phones clamshells too guys. Protects the screen better.

I mean, why wouldn't you want that a better design? Not saying it's likely to actually happen, but of course it's normal to want something better.


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EnvoyOfTheLight posted...

I mean, why wouldn't you want that a better design? Not saying it's likely to actually happen, but of course it's normal to want something better.

If you can't understand as simply as I put it in my previous posts, then idk what to tell you.

I think maybe you're not thinking about this for more than two seconds. Overhauling a design to have the system itself be a case, when I could just buy a case is stupid.

Now as for the aspect of two screens that I could actually understand. But would I want my switch to be a clamshell? Uh no.

Just take care of your things. Maybe some people are a klutz and you guys crack your phones and stuff all the time or something since it's this big of a deal to you. Lmao.

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I think a clamshell design would be better than what they use for the Lite personally. Nobody cares about that model.

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Darmik posted...

This was before the New systems added SNES style schemes to the buttons in some models so just the typical black. My New 3DS has the SNES colours though but is the smaller one.

The New 3DS had those since launch. The 3DS XL never had them.

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Also, technically, there is a 3DS XL/LL model that has the Super Famicom button color scheme. It was a Super Famicom edition XL/LL. Which looks really cool, and I like it, but nothing beats the customizeable plates of the regular New 3DS.

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AzurexNightmare posted...

Just take care of your things. Maybe some people are a klutz and you guys crack your phones and stuff all the time or something since it's this big of a deal to you. Lmao

It's not a matter of dropping/cracking stuff. It's for cosmetics. Doesn't matter how careful you are, exposed plastics and screens are going to get scratched up.

Clamshell design fixes that by physically shielding it, much like a carrying case would do.

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The bottom screen was very convenient for games where you would have otherwise needed to be opening up the inventory.

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AzurexNightmare posted...

If you can't understand as simply as I put it in my previous posts, then idk what to tell you.

I think maybe you're not thinking about this for more than two seconds. Overhauling a design to have the system itself be a case, when I could just buy a case is stupid.

Now as for the aspect of two screens that I could actually understand. But would I want my switch to be a clamshell? Uh no.

Just take care of your things. Maybe some people are a klutz and you guys crack your phones and stuff all the time or something since it's this big of a deal to you. Lmao.

You're doing the thing where you're getting real upset even though it's just a topic about nintendo hardware. Relax and come back.

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https://twitter.com/WCGamingTweets/status/1372706875767193604

So close! If only it had buttons.

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Surface Duo is probably the least useful smartphone I've ever used. It's a solution in search of a problem.

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