Topic: How to make the 3DS a Better System

[Kytim89]

What are some of the ideas that any of you can think of to make the next version of the 3DS, or 3DS Lite, better than the current model. I do not currently own a 3DS, so my experience and opinions will be some what limited, but I will take a shot anyway.
 
Stronger slide pad that is the same color as the system.
 
Matte finish instead of gloss, which would turn the 3DS Lite away from being a dust magnet.
 
Stylus on the right side of the console.
 
Headphone jack on the right side of the system.
 
Mini-USB port where the current 3DS headphone jack is located for accessories such as a headsets and etc.
 
Wrist strap on the top of the console where the current 3DS stylus is located.
 
Power and wi-fi lights on the on the bottom left side of the console.
 
Stop, Select and Home buttons that glow in the dark.
 
Volume slide equivalent to the one on the first DSi system.
 
Stereoscopic 3D slider replaced with plus and minus symbols on the bottom rightside of the top screen.
 
Better speakers and organic LCD screens.
 
Superior battery life that adds atleast two hours of juice to every setting now featured on the current 3DS.
 
Price drop to $199.99 
 
Better Online.
 
Better emulation of DS games.
 
GBA Virtual Console.
 
 

[leahsdad]

Hmm.. Well I do own a 3DS, and have put well over 200 hours into it since launch.  All of your ideas seem solid, except....

Headphone jack on the right side of the system.

Yeah, this would be not so great.   It would get in the way of your grip on the system.  Maybe you could position it so the cord runs between your fingers, but you couldn't guarantee that it wouldn't get in the way of everyone's hands since everyone's hands are different.  Maybe you could put it near the top of the bottom shell, but then you would have to move either the volume slider on the left or the wireless switch on the right.  You couldn't have it any lower on the side, because you would lose access to it while playing (because it would be underneath your knuckles as you're gripping the system).  You can't put them on the bottom, because you would have to release your grip on the system in order to mess with any of those buttons, which is why there are no inputs on the bottom edge of the bottom shell.  Also, putting the headphone jack at the sides would increase the length between the jack and your ears, giving you less room to maneuver your 3DS when you have to move it for gyroscopic game features (AKA aiming the bow in Ocarina 3D, which is awesomeness)

Stop, Select and Home buttons that glow in the dark.

"Glow in the Dark" compounds need to receive light during the day in order to excite photons that will glow at night.  That would not happen if the 3DS was closed and/or in your pocket most of the day.

Better speakers and organic LCD screens.

OLED?  I like my 3DS under $300, thank you.  Nintendo will not take a loss per unit for this.

Volume slide equivalent to the one on the first DSi system.

The clicky software buttons?  Besides the obvious, I hated those because you couldn't adjust volume when it was closed.  Like I want to bust out my 3DS for a second when my wife isn't looking, and suddenly I hear "Heya, itsa me, Mario!" just because I didn't reach those stupid software clicky buttons in time.

Stereoscopic 3D slider replaced with plus and minus symbols on the bottom rightside of the top screen.

It actually is on the bottom right-sided of the screen already.   Unless you mean on the actual hinge.

Better Online.

You know, it seems like when a lot of people say this, they mean stuff like Xbox live, with cross game chat and stuff like that.  Maybe on a home console, that may be desirable, but on a handheld, when I'm trying to fill 5 minutes waiting in line for something with some Alpha Bounce, the last thing I want is to get a message from someone I know taking up my play time.  "Dude, you're playing Alpha Bounce?  That thing is crazy."  Yeah, you just took up 33% of the time I had to actually enjoy this game.  If I wanted a text message, I would use my phone.

And on that note, I don't think online on a portable is the best thing in the world.  Chances are, when you're out and about you're not going to be in Wifi range anyway, and even if you had a 3G Vita, it's not fast enough for realtime online play, and you wouldn't want to pay for the data plan anyway.

[stevey]

I've only tested/seen this with the GBASP/DS but the ability for the system to function without the rechargeable battery if it doesn't have it already. (seriously Nintendo, WTF were you thinking!)

[Ceric]

What are some of the ideas that any of you can think of to make the next version of the 3DS, or 3DS Lite, better than the current model. I do not currently own a 3DS, so my experience and opinions will be some what limited, but I will take a shot anyway.
 
Stronger slide pad that is the same color as the system.  --Definitely not.  The Circlpad is fine and its needs to be a different color to distinquish it quickly from the rest of the system.  All the other inputs have white symbols.
 
Matte finish instead of gloss, which would turn the 3DS Lite away from being a dust magnet.  --Fingerprints yes.  Dust not really.  I like the finish but I wouldn't mind a Matte option.
 
Stylus on the right side of the console. --Their is really no room.
 
Headphone jack on the right side of the system.  --The only other Place I see that you could move the Headphone Jack would be if it could go on the top screen.
 
Mini-USB port where the current 3DS headphone jack is located for accessories such as a headsets and etc. --At that point just make the Power plug a mini-usb jack instead.  I don't know if I'm really keen on accessories for my handheld like that.
 
Wrist strap on the top of the console where the current 3DS stylus is located. --The Wrist strap hole is about where it was on the DS Phat.  Its in the Lower right and left corner.  Fairly servicable if you want to use it.
 
Power and wi-fi lights on the on the bottom left side of the console.  --Their servicable where their at.  I rather move them up on the screen connect bridge where my never working streetpass light is.
 
Stop, Select and Home buttons that glow in the dark.  --I rather the three felt a little different tactile wise.
 
Volume slide equivalent to the one on the first DSi system.  --No.  Just no.  The volume slider on this system is the best that Nintendo has had on any of their handhelds PERIOD.
 
Stereoscopic 3D slider replaced with plus and minus symbols on the bottom rightside of the top screen.  --No.  Why go digital when Analog does a much better job.
 
Better speakers and organic LCD screens.  --lol.  The speakers are already better then all the other DSes I've used.  A better screen for the bottom be nice.
 
Superior battery life that adds atleast two hours of juice to every setting now featured on the current 3DS.  --Going to make the system bigger but that's easily doable the Nyko batter does that pretty much.  I mean you pretty much have to be going full blast all the time to really kill the battery.
 
Price drop to $199.99  --I doubt that for a new version.
 
Better Online. Not much to say on that but it be nice to have N
 
Better emulation of DS games. --Honestly, do you listen to MP3's or AAC even.  Unless you go out of your way to buy things like DVD Music or Lossless recording of songs or only watch the Blu-Ray version of movies you will find no real difference between the DS and the 3DS.  I have yet to have a DS game that ran worse on the 3DS than the DS.  I have yet to have a game that clearly looked worse on the 3DS then it did on the DS.
 
GBA Virtual Console. --Hopefully this is just a matter of time.

Here's what I change.

Better Camera's for 3D pictures.

Move the Microphone placement to between the two screens like it is on most DS models.  The current placement is to easy to cover and it isn't really great for blowing on.

Move the Power Button.  Its very easy to accidentally tap it as the start button by mistake.

A more ergonomic general shape.  The whole box shape doesn't really do it for me.  Its fine but, I like better.

A way to Quick Close games.  Like holding R and pressing Home would just kill a game without going through all those confirmations or something.  That annoys me the confirmation that I want to close this game... that's 3 clicks to game closure.

Maybe a list view option for the main menu using the name of items.  Simply because all the videos look the same till you are over them.  (Netflix sort of has this option.  You can bring a list of categories.)

Main Menus search could be handy eventually.  I can't believe Insanolord doesn't get lost trying to find something specific at times.

Those are the big things.

[Kytim89]

"The clicky software buttons?  Besides the obvious, I hated those because you couldn't adjust volume when it was closed.  Like I want to bust out my 3DS for a second when my wife isn't looking, and suddenly I hear "Heya, itsa me, Mario!" just because I didn't reach those stupid software clicky buttons in time."
 
What I actually meant was the actual volume slider on the DSi that is located on the left side of the cosnole. I actually prefered this over other alternatives. I really do not like the lever system found on the 3DS and other DS models.
 
The glow in the dark buttons would be illuminated via a built in LED and not some chemical.
 
As for the plus and minus buttoms for the 3DS slider, I would want them located just bellow the right speaker, but above the right hinge. In theory all one would have to do is hold the 3DS Lite normally and then reach up with their thumb to increse/decrease the level of 3D for the game.
 
Two more things:
 
Stronger hinges and shoulder buttons.
 
How can the speakers be improved?

[Adrock]

1. XL version
2. Sharper screens
3. Larger battery coupled with smaller chips that use less power

I pretty much expect this with a revision, iffy on #2. I'd buy it for $200 though I'd prefer less obviously.

[Ceric]

1. XL version
2. Sharper screens
3. Larger battery coupled with smaller chips that use less power

I pretty much expect this with a revision, iffy on #2. I'd buy it for $200 though I'd prefer less obviously.

I think that will pretty much be it.  Except #3.  It will just have a bigger battery because it will have room for it.  Though I don't  see an XL coming for any less then $250.  The current one would then drop to $200.

[TJ Spyke]

I think if they do introduce a XL version, the original will drop to $220 rather than $200. I don't see them dropping it by $50. What is wrong with the screens? They seem fine to me.

[Ceric]

The only thing for me is the touch doesn't look as nice as the top screen.  I like more parity their.  Also don't like wiping those little lines.  Overall I'm enjoying the screens.  Watched Avenger cartoon on it Yesterday.  Enjoyed it.

[Adrock]

Nothing is "wrong" with the screens, per se. If Nintendo just increases the size without increasing the resolution, the games stand to look worse. Who wouldn't want sharper screens?

The passage of time pushes new technology. By next holiday season when I expect a revision, I can see the chipsets getting smaller (requiring less power) and cheaper. Even if Nintendo doesn't pass the savings onto the consumer (let's face it, they probably won't), the boost in battery life benefits consumers. Still a win in my book.

[Mataata]

Here's what I think:

Stronger slide pad that is the same color as the system. Stronger, maybe. Color is fine.
 
Matte finish instead of gloss, which would turn the 3DS Lite away from being a dust magnet. But I like my shiny 3DS. :<
 
Stylus on the right side of the console. Sure.
 
Headphone jack on the right side of the system. I prefer it on the front.
 
Mini-USB port where the current 3DS headphone jack is located for accessories such as a headsets and etc. Huh?
 
Wrist strap on the top of the console where the current 3DS stylus is located. Sure, why not.
 
Power and wi-fi lights on the on the bottom left side of the console. I like them where they are.

Stop, Select and Home buttons that glow in the dark. Slightly over-the-top, don't you think?
 
Volume slide equivalent to the one on the first DSi system. I prefer sliders to buttons any day.
 
Stereoscopic 3D slider replaced with plus and minus symbols on the bottom rightside of the top screen. No.
 
Better speakers and organic LCD screens. Both are fine as they are.
 
Superior battery life that adds atleast two hours of juice to every setting now featured on the current 3DS. My 3DS's battery is fine. I don't understand your problem.
 
Price drop to $199.99 Only after the Vita comes out. 
 
Better Online. Quit yer bitchin', they aren't done with it yet.
 
Better emulation of DS games. Emulation? It's called "compatibility", look it up.
 
GBA Virtual Console. Working on that.

Really, you just need to buy one for yourself and stop complaining about something you don't have.

[Mop it up]

Besides the obvious issue of the battery, here are some things I expect to be addressed in a revision:

-Swap placement of the Start/Select and Power button. Really, the Start and Select buttons are just in an awful place for something that is actually used in games, and it would have made more sense to have the Power button there next to the Home button and the Start and Select buttons stacked on top of each other where the Power button is now. Or better yet, just combine Home and Power into one button, since it seems a little redundant to have both.

-Place the stylus in the front. I can see why they wouldn't want it on the right anymore since this favours right-handed people, but putting it in the back where you can't see it was the worst possible place for it. I've already accidentally ejected the game when reaching for the stylus.

-Fix the issue of the top screen smudging itself. This happens because the top screen is larger than the bottom one, so the edges of the bottom screen rub against the top screen and creates smudge lines. This can be easily fixed by recessing either screen, so that they do not touch when the system is closed.

-Include an extra stylus and thumb nub in the box. This was nothing but Nintendo being really cheap.

-Move the mic back to where it is on the DS Lite. I actually don't even know where it is on the 3DS, but I've been assured it is there somewhere.

There really are some bone-headed design decisions in the 3DS, especially when you consider none of these issues were present in the DS line. I've figured all these out after just one day of using the system, so it seems like no one at Nintendo used it for more than five minutes before starting production.

[TJ Spyke]

I think the Power and Home Buttons are fine and have never had a issue with them. And they do have seperate functions.

Not sure how they could put the sylus in the front, unless you mean on the bottom of the system. I also don't get how you could eject a game while trying to get the stylus. Besides them not feeling the same, you pull the stylus out while you push the 3DS card down to eject  it.

Some people say they have had their top screen smudge, although this hasn't happened to me. I guess they could fix that anyways.

Agreed on the extra stylus. I lost the first stylus with my original DS, so I was glad they had included a second one in the box.

The 3DS mic is right below the Start button (there is a tiny hole there), it's fine for me.

[Ceric]

Besides the obvious issue of the battery, here are some things I expect to be addressed in a revision:

-Swap placement of the Start/Select and Power button. Really, the Start and Select buttons are just in an awful place for something that is actually used in games, and it would have made more sense to have the Power button there next to the Home button and the Start and Select buttons stacked on top of each other where the Power button is now. Or better yet, just combine Home and Power into one button, since it seems a little redundant to have both.

-Place the stylus in the front. I can see why they wouldn't want it on the right anymore since this favours right-handed people, but putting it in the back where you can't see it was the worst possible place for it. I've already accidentally ejected the game when reaching for the stylus.

-Fix the issue of the top screen smudging itself. This happens because the top screen is larger than the bottom one, so the edges of the bottom screen rub against the top screen and creates smudge lines. This can be easily fixed by recessing either screen, so that they do not touch when the system is closed.

-Include an extra stylus and thumb nub in the box. This was nothing but Nintendo being really cheap.

-Move the mic back to where it is on the DS Lite. I actually don't even know where it is on the 3DS, but I've been assured it is there somewhere.

There really are some bone-headed design decisions in the 3DS, especially when you consider none of these issues were present in the DS line. I've figured all these out after just one day of using the system, so it seems like no one at Nintendo used it for more than five minutes before starting production.

Mop it up, take your nail and run it on the bottom lip under the Start Button and you feel a little recess.  Thats where the Mic is.

[Mop it up]

I think the Power and Home Buttons are fine and have never had a issue with them. And they do have seperate functions.

But why do they need separate functions? The Home button does nothing when the system is off, so press it to turn it on. When you press the Power button to turn it off, you're still greeted with a confirmation screen, so they could combine this with the Home menu instead, thereby eliminating the need for a separate Power button.

Have you ever tried to press Start, Select, A, and B at once? It would be easier to do if the buttons were where they are on the Lite.

Not sure how they could put the sylus in the front, unless you mean on the bottom of the system. I also don't get how you could eject a game while trying to get the stylus. Besides them not feeling the same, you pull the stylus out while you push the 3DS card down to eject  it.

You're probably thinking of the face of the system when I say front. I consider the front to be where the headphone jack currently is, and the bottom is where the Nintendo 3DS logo and serial sticker is. Just to the left of the headphone jack would be my preferable place to have it.

As for ejecting the game, I rested my thumb on the game card slot as I pulled on the stylus, which was enough to pop it out. I'm now more careful where I place my thumb when grabbing it.

[Ceric]

I think the Power and Home Buttons are fine and have never had a issue with them. And they do have seperate functions.

But why do they need separate functions? The Home button does nothing when the system is off, so press it to turn it on. When you press the Power button to turn it off, you're still greeted with a confirmation screen, so they could combine this with the Home menu instead, thereby eliminating the need for a separate Power button.

Have you ever tried to press Start, Select, A, and B at once? It would be easier to do if the buttons were where they are on the Lite.

Not sure how they could put the sylus in the front, unless you mean on the bottom of the system. I also don't get how you could eject a game while trying to get the stylus. Besides them not feeling the same, you pull the stylus out while you push the 3DS card down to eject  it.

You're probably thinking of the face of the system when I say front. I consider the front to be where the microphone jack currently is, and the bottom is where the Nintendo 3DS logo and serial sticker is. Just to the left of the headphone jack would be my preferable place to have it.

As for ejecting the game, I rested my thumb on the game card slot as I pulled on the stylus, which was enough to pop it out. I'm now more careful where I place my thumb when grabbing it.

That eject is sort of finicky at times.  I'll find my game has popped up in my pocket different times.  Never had that on other models.

[TheFleece]

So far the biggest change I would make to the 3DS are the speakers. They're so low that most of the time I wear headphones when I play games. As far as the stylus goes I think it was placed in the back because where it was on previous DS systems it was prone to sliding out when placed in a pocket or being pulled out of a bag. I've heard a lot of stories from friends who pull their DS out and they lose their stylus. Yeah it's in a really inconvenient place, but it's real secure there. I don't really like the feel of the Home Start and Select buttons. They're real soft compared to the rest of the buttons and they feel out of place. I would really upgrade the web browser. I don't really notice how it's any different from the very first DS Browser. YouTube has 3D capabilities and it feels like Nintendo missed a great opportunity to join the system with those features.
Concerning the camera: There are a lot of good features for improving the quality of pictures depending on your environment in the camera's options. I tried it out taking photos at night and they came out better than I thought. I think trying out the different settings rather than depending on the default will improve some photos.
If you have battery life problems you should consider the Power Saving Mode which adjusts the screens brightness depending on where you are. I've been using it with my Brightness on 4 and I haven't had my system die on me yet and I've been playing games in full 3D, watching movies on Netflix and playing DSiWare games.

[Mop it up]

I don't see how the front would be any less secure of a place for the stylus than the back. And yeah, the weird feel of the Start and Select buttons is probably my biggest issue with them, I might not mind their placement so much if they were easier to press in.

[TheFleece]

It's happened to me a number of times when taking my DS out of my bag or pocket. The top hinge of the stylus gets hooked onto whatever surface it's up against and slides out. This happened to a friend of mine and his stylus fell into a sewer. It basically based on the position of the DS when you pull it out. If it's in a pocket it's in a vertical position and the stylus is likely to rub up against the fabric, the stylus for the DS are also just plastic and are easily worn out so that they don't stay secure in the slot. Also I guess that taking the system out in a vertical position is more comfortable than taking it out in a horizontal position- maybe that's just me though. Anyway with the 3DS the stylus is, if taken out in a vertical position, not able to rub against a surface and become loose because it's in a horizontal position on the system. Also I like the top f the stylus because it feels more secure and doesn't depend on that silly plastic nub that the DS stylus use to stay secure. With the redesign the stylus could likely be repositioned for a more easier access. Maybe on the 3DS Lite.

[Adrock]

I'm not terribly fond of the feel and placement of the Start, Select, and Home buttons, but I don't hate them. Since I'm not sure where they could move them without also moving the power button, I would change the feel of them if anything or at least Start and Select so they're not flush with the Home button.

I wouldn't mind moving the camera and microphone to where it is on DSi. I'm used to them being there. In fact, make a 3DS revision as close to DSi as possible. It's my absolute favorite Nintendo handheld design, revision or otherwise. The minimalist design is very effective. I prefer matte finishes and I don't understand Nintendo's hard-on for glossy surfaces. Sure, it looks nice but matte finishes aren't ugly and I find them easier to hold anyway.

[alegoicoe]

I dont own a 3ds but, i have played it, i think nintendo needs to eliminate the bulkiness.

[Ceric]

I must be the odd duck here but I even have the extended batter on the 3DS and it feels smallish to me.

[Mop it up]

I don't know how the 3DS could get any thinner. It already isn't comfortable to hold, and making it thinner will just make things a whole lot worse.

[GaMMa]

I don't know how the 3DS could get any thinner. It already isn't comfortable to hold, and making it thinner will just make things a whole lot worse.

Why isn't it comfortable to hold? I'd like to see it thinner mainly because I keep the 3DS and my cell phone in one of my pockets. It looks kind of bulky. I'd love to get rid of the cell phone, but the 3DS would need to be able to make and receive phone calls.

[Mop it up]

Why isn't it comfortable to hold?

No hand grips, square edges, small buttons, etc.