Hey everyone,
I’ve been doing a side-by-side comparison lately between my New 3DS XL and a modern OLED retro handheld, and it got me genuinely curious about how others approach this.
I feel like there are two worlds many of us live in:
– Original hardware with its intended screen, quirks, and features
– Modern devices with brighter OLED panels, higher resolutions, and overall sharper image quality
And honestly… I keep bouncing between both.
On paper the OLED device should win easily. better brightness, stronger colors, cleaner image. But when I play certain 3DS games on the original hardware, something just clicks. The slightly softer image can hide rough textures, the colors feel more “natural” to me, and the 3D effect adds a sense of depth that no emulator can replicate.
I know many people consider the 3D slider a gimmick, but I’ve found myself genuinely loving it in some games. Fire Emblem surprised me in particular the layered battle scenes and fire particle effects feel incredibly readable and almost tactile with the effect enabled.
At the same time, I’m not blindly nostalgic. Some games look fantastic upscaled on modern screens, and I absolutely see the appeal there too.
So I’d love to hear from people who have experience in both camps:
1️⃣ When do you personally prefer playing on original 3DS hardware instead of modern handhelds?
2️⃣ Are there specific games where the 3D effect truly elevates the experience for you?
3️⃣ And are there titles where you feel the opposite… where higher resolution simply wins?
Not trying to start a “which is better” war. I’m more interested in how you all decide where to play certain games.
Curious to hear your thoughts! ☺️
Posted by OkDefinition1038
14 Comments
Og hardware will always be top priority!
it’s all just preference. emulation is more convenient, cheaper (in terms of game choice at least), and usually has better specs/screens/colors etc.
but og hardware is how the game/console was supposed to be used and felt. you can’t replicate that feeling.
personally i prefer emulation because i’m new to retro games and i don’t have a soft spot nor the money to own all the retro consoles and games. i’d rather just emulate it all from a single device.
OG hardware 100% of the time.
I think the 3d effect and the dual screens are big part of the 3ds experience, and without 3d, the ds experience in general. It just feels right playing the game as intended with the bottom touch screen
I have gotten myself an ayn Thor. Its an absolute beast, love it as much as a real 3DS!
When do I prefer original hardware? All the time everytime.
I only play games on their original systems. It just feels right.
I have a Steam Deck which could emulate everything, but I prefer to use my GBC/GBA/PSP/DS/3DS for their respective games
I did mod the GBC and GBA with IPS screens though 🙂
Oled handheld doesn’t have 3D
Games on original hardware looks and works as supposed. For me always original hardware is a winner
When it comes to the 3DS only OG Hardware will do.
I have an [Ayn Thor](https://www.ayntec.com/products/ayn-thor) and a New 3DS XL, and the Thor is about as close as you can get to a 3DS without actually being one.
I want the best experience, but I’m not always sure whether “best” means enhancements or accuracy.
The Thor looks great with its OLED screens and the ability to upscale.
I’m able to store almost every retail 3DS game on it (1G1R is about 480 GB in compressed ZCCI format, for anyone wondering), and I can also use it for pretty much every other console/handheld up through the 7th generation (PS3/Xbox 360).
On top of that, it’s just really convenient with modern emulation features like save states, fast forward, etc.
But it’s not accurate: the 3D effect is missing, some or many games have graphical glitches, and there’s a noticeable delay on both touch and controller input. when emulation
So I keep switching back and forth, but I’m probably at the point where the best handheld is simply the one you have with you, and that’s usually my Thor, because that’s what I actually play on when I’m out and about.
I preferred original hardware until my 3DS top screen got smashed during the move to my most recent place. I went back and forth on replacing the screen or getting a new one or waiting for a two-screen emulation device to release for so long that the emulation devices eventually did come out. I got the Thor for Christmas and it’s likely to be the only way I engage with the 3DS library from now on, unless I find a cheap 3DS at a yard sale or something.
Unfortunately the 3DS screens look too outdated by today’s standards.
ignoring the hardware for a second, 3DS Ocarina of Time is simply the definitive way to play that game
original N64 doesn’t come close