Reader or New 3DS???

[JadeMau]

I've been struggling with something, and I thought, maybe this community could weigh in.
You see, I have an old 3DS, and whilst I do have access to a New 3DS (my mother's) so I can use an amiibo, I can't always use it (obviously) and miss out on days. She also is the only one who has a new 3DS of the four of us who have them. So, my question is, should I invest in a New 3DS (which I may eventually, especially for a bigger screen, as I have a normal 3DS) which would be significantly more money (and then there's the feeling of leaving my old 3DS behind), or should I just invest in a NFC reader/writer for now so we can all use it?

Please, your input would be greatly appreciated ^w^

 

[Tomoe Hotaru]

I would honestly invest into a NFC reader first. Based on your description, multiple people could profit from it because only one person in your household owns a new 3DS. If you bought a new system, the other members of your family still would have to borrow that in order to use amiibo with their games. Not to mention that the readers can be very affortable when you get one used. In my area (Europe) I see people sell the readers for about 10$ which is not a big investment.
If you want to have a new 3DS immediately and have the money, of course you should go for it. But otherwise I would look for a used NFC reader and solve your problem that way while waiting for a good deal on a new 3DS.^^

 

[ali.di.magix]

Hmm, that is a hard one. I guess it depends how badly you want a New 3DS. How many benefits are you going to get out of it? Is your current 3DS on it's last legs or can it last a bit longer? You will get a bigger screen, an NFC point and a slightly faster system out of a New 3DS. But if you're not going to get much out of a new 3DS and really not willing to spend too much, then I guess going for a NFC reader/writer would be the best option. If everyone is going to use it, you could ask a sibling or your parents to go halves with you or something haha

 

[JadeMau]

I would honestly invest into a NFC reader first. Based on your description, multiple people could profit from it because only one person in your household owns a new 3DS. If you bought a new system, the other members of your family still would have to borrow that in order to use amiibo with their games. Not to mention that the readers can be very affortable when you get one used. In my area (Europe) I see people sell the readers for about 10$ which is not a big investment.
If you want to have a new 3DS immediately and have the money, of course you should go for it. But otherwise I would look for a used NFC reader and solve your problem that way while waiting for a good deal on a new 3DS.^^

That's exactly what I've been thinking. I just guess I needed validation that it wouldn't be wasting money, lol. Thank you very much! ^w^

Now, speaking of wasting money, now I have to make some decisions about amiibo cards... XD;

- - - Post Merge - - -

Hmm, that is a hard one. I guess it depends how badly you want a New 3DS. How many benefits are you going to get out of it? Is your current 3DS on it's last legs or can it last a bit longer? You will get a bigger screen, an NFC point and a slightly faster system out of a New 3DS. But if you're not going to get much out of a new 3DS and really not willing to spend too much, then I guess going for a NFC reader/writer would be the best option. If everyone is going to use it, you could ask a sibling or your parents to go halves with you or something haha

Lol, yeah, my 3DS is...*knock on wood* working fine, it's a little, worn away on the buttons, but it's okay. I do like the larger screen, it's just, I need/want other things at the moment (like my constant uphill struggle to get everything I need for my special needs betta, for instance XD. Yeah, my dad doesn't have one, he doesn't have time, if it weren't for my job the way it is I feel like /I/ would hardly have time, but I'm at least lucky in that I'm able to play my game at work, and my mom doesn't need one obviously, the one sibling who works I doubt will go for that lol. Right now I'm SURROUNDED by 3DSs, because I'm doing things on multiple systems XD

I think I will invest in the reader for now. Thank you for your input, sincerely.

 

[Tri]

Woah, Tomoe, are you talking about in physical stores and yard sales? I've only seen $60+ offers on eBay and Amazon (but I'm US). Helllllp, I'm looking for one myself.

 

[HHoney]

FYI to anyone reading this Nintendo has the NFC reader at the Nintendo store - it was $40.00 US but is now is listed as $17.99.

I have the NFC reader and it?s a little handy little device!

New 3DS XL is great if you need a new 3DS ...but if you have a working 3DS then the reader is an inexpensive option!

 

[Tri]

^Can confirm the $17.99 at Nintendo.com.
What a great PSA dude, that never shows up in Google searches.

They also have all four series of AC cards in stock.

 

[Tomoe Hotaru]

Woah, Tomoe, are you talking about in physical stores and yard sales? I've only seen $60+ offers on eBay and Amazon (but I'm US). Helllllp, I'm looking for one myself.

Sorry for seeing this so late.
I think you need to know where to look and have more or less patience depending on where you live. I?m located in Germany and they go for around 10$ here when looking at second-hand sites. That said, a LOT of people are selling 3ds related things here, so the market is saturated and things are quite cheap.
I don?t know how common the readers are in your area but you should move away from amazon or ebay if you want to buy somethign like this. Go for websites and APPs that are local, no auctions - the ones where you insert items and then those interested have to message you, that?s where you have less traffic and the best prices. I recommend you look for several of those places and just put up a search-filter with email notifications. Sometimes the best deals can be found on very unknown websites that offer no app, simply because not many people browse them and there isn?t much interest for the products (of course there isn?t much selection either, but the people who do sell something on there, will sell it for a rather low price). Try to avoid APPs etc. that are popular with young people (e.g. the group that is most interested in things like NFC readers).

As an example I find the cheapest readers on a local version of ebay, it?s basically ebays version of craigslist (which we don?t have in my area). Many people put up products but the website interface isn?t very attractive to younger people and there is no app or a good mobile version...
Hope this helped^^

 

[Rabirin]

To be honest, i'd just invest in a reader first. I have a 3DS XL, and I bought a reader so it'd be compatible with ACNL amiibos, and I don't have any regrets about it. Even though the new 3DS has a built in reader, I feel like it's much more cheaper to buy a reader than to buy a whole new handheld just for the built in reader. Although I did upgrade to a 3DS XL from the original 3DS, and it was a good investment, it's much more comfortable to use for long periods than the original. You can always keep your old one if you don't want to get rid of it? Or upload any screenshots/pictures you have on it elsewhere?

 

[Flare]

Honestly a New 3DS would be better but I personally own an NFC Reader and it was pretty good.

 

[Stackhouse]

I'd go with a new 3ds.
The in built reader is always there.

 

[JadeMau]

FYI to anyone reading this Nintendo has the NFC reader at the Nintendo store - it was $40.00 US but is now is listed as $17.99.

I have the NFC reader and it?s a little handy little device!

New 3DS XL is great if you need a new 3DS ...but if you have a working 3DS then the reader is an inexpensive option!

Thank you so much! This was great info!

 

[JadeMau]

To be honest, i'd just invest in a reader first. I have a 3DS XL, and I bought a reader so it'd be compatible with ACNL amiibos, and I don't have any regrets about it. Even though the new 3DS has a built in reader, I feel like it's much more cheaper to buy a reader than to buy a whole new handheld just for the built in reader. Although I did upgrade to a 3DS XL from the original 3DS, and it was a good investment, it's much more comfortable to use for long periods than the original. You can always keep your old one if you don't want to get rid of it? Or upload any screenshots/pictures you have on it elsewhere?

Well, I do plan to keep it, regardless, it's limited edition, has sentimental value, and I'm an incorrigible collector (hoarder), so it won't be going anywhere, I'll just be sad to not use it. Right now, I have a lot of things more pressing (to me) to invest in, so I'll be going with the reader for now, but I do want to upgrade, eventually, maybe Christmas... lol

 

[Hsn97]

It?s up to you at the end of the day and how much money you want to spend. I have an old 3DS and as amazing as the new ones look, I don?t have the money or desire to throw that much money on a console only slightly different from what I?ve got. I picked up a card reader the other day actually. I got one second hand from CEX for ?15. Definitely beats the couple of hundred quid your looking at for a new console in my opinion.

 

[Snowesque]

Reader, I got an even better deal on it since I got HHD and it bundled together.
I really don't see a reason to get the New 3DS other than it being a little faster.
For what else it provides, it really just doesn't seem worth it for the price.

 

[AngelBunny]

Defently get the reader, I have a 3ds XL and last year we bought a reader for it, and life is great! But I am considering getting a new 3ds, because my old one has a lot of problems, the light is Brocken, (the one above the R button) the circle pad doesn't want to go all the way to the left, it keeps freezing up, and the padding bumps are torn apart after 4 years

Anyway I think you should go for the reader, I got mine at Walmart for 14-15$!

 

[Ellexi]

I never liked the 3D feature due to using glasses and getting severe eye strain from it, so I honestly gave away & sold my 3DS systems and just got a New 2DS XL instead. It has the big screen, it?s cheap(er), and it doesn?t contain a feature that I personally found to be useless.

From my understanding, and correct me if I?m wrong, but the newer DS systems were quicker speed and were fantastic for the Pokemon games due to that. I play those and benefitted from that, so I got it.

I also never had an NFC reader but I try to collect all the Animal Crossing amiibo cards and figures... so, I went ahead and got rid of my systems and then used the funds to purchase a 2ds.

Maybe I?m the only person who likes them, but for what it?s worth I would never go back to a 3DS after getting my cheapie-but-goodie 2DS

As an added bonus, I got the new Animal Crossing 2DS that?s in UK and Japan only. I plan on doing DS surgery to put my American motherboard and stuff inside so that it can be my main DS.. I have a problem, I think lol

 

[Dorian]

I'd go for a reader first off.

 

[JadeMau]

Thank you everyone for your input! I went ahead and bought a reader for now.

 

[hoodathotit]

Thank you everyone for your input! I went ahead and bought a reader for now.

Thanks for closing this out. Some people would just leave us hanging.