garrettyim
Smash Cadet
I've been lurking around the smashboards forums for quite awhile; ever since the Brawl days in fact.
It's only been recently I have joined because I noticed a trend that a majority of people have labeled the 3DS version as "inferior" or "not up to par."
Having played the game at the Best Buy event (both for Wii U and the 3DS version for an extended period of time), I can say the only thing lacking in the 3DS version is mere comfort; and I wanted to share what I believe will amend this for most of you: controller-style grips for your 3DS.
3DS Grips:
Gametech Trigger 3D Grip:
This grip allows you to hold your 3DS as you would most console style controllers.
As an added bonus, the grip includes larger L-R triggers for maximum index finger comfort.
Unfortunately,like many of the grips that will be listed, this comes with a price. The only place I have found these listed were either on eBay or Amazon for $25+
Monster Hunter Hunting Gear for 3DS (Rathalos Red)
Similar to the Gametech grip, but this one is made by the Japanese brand Hori, which produces very high quality Nintendo accessories. Like the Gametech grip, it provides a controller style grip, but has longer controller handles and more solid triggers (similar to the 3DS circle pad accessory which will be shown shortly). Also like the Gametech grip, this is quite costly, being unable to find one under $30.
Impressions:
It definitely feels nice, a little easier to hold than the 3DS XL version, and a lot less clunky.
The triggers are exactly the same size as on the XL version. Comfort wise, everything feels lighter,
so that might be the benefit of this one compared the XL model.
From what I've seen, while the triggers definitely feel nicer than the default triggers on the 3DS,
there exist controller grips with actual working triggers such as the 2DS trigger grip and the
gametech grips. I'm still researching different grips and some people actually find the XL's default triggers
to be comfortable as is, so I will be researching grips that do not include built in triggers to see if that
might be a more viable option. Either way, the Monster Hunter grips I've purchased were definitely worth it
if you want a solid, well-made controller style grip. I will probably be giving this one to my girlfriend as she
spends much more time with the original 3DS, and I am too used to the XL's larger screen to go back.
3DS Mario Kart 7 Racing Wheel:
While obviously not meant to be anything more than a wheel peripheral, the 3DS wheel surprisingly feels comfortable due to the open area behind the wheel which allows a comfortable grip. Additionally, this also includes larger L-R triggers and is also made by the Japanese company Hori. This is a steal on Amazon for $8.
3DS Nyko Power Grip: (Credit to @AncientBaby )
@AncientBaby said:
If I could recommend one that I have, the Nyko Power Grip (this is my first post, so I'm not allowed to put a link) doesn't have bigger triggers which might be a turn-off for some, but it gives the system extra bulk that makes it more comfortable to hold. Plus it pretty much triples the battery life which is always nice.
3DS XL Grips:
3DS XL Gametech Trigger Grip:
The XL version of the Gametech trigger grip. Hard to find, but cheap "unofficial" ones can be found on eBay.
Monster Hunter Hunting Gear for 3DS XL (Goa Magara Black):
The 3DS XL version of the Rathalos Red grip. Also expensive, includes the larger trigger, high-quality.
Impressions: As you can all see; the thing is massive. It add quite a bit of heft and
weight, but the comfort is there and it tranlates into the games that I have tried it with
(Mario Kart, Kid Icarus, etc).
The triggers feel really nice and large and curve down so you can rest your index fingers
on the edges of the triggers, which is a great design element.
3DS XL Triggers:
This add-on does not provide a controller grip, but allows for larger triggers without the bulk of a grip, which many might find more beneficial. At $8, it might not be a bad investment if you want to prolong your gameplay.
dreamGEAR 3DS XL Comfort Grip (credited to @ Phaazoid )
@ Phaazoid said:
So, the pad itself is really nice. It's rubbery, but not the kind of rubber that gets every little piece of dirt stuck to it. I'd give the material itself a great score.
It's two pieces, one that wraps around the top, one around the bottom.
Honestly, the one around the top doesn't do much. This isn't built for protection, it's built for comfort, but I guess it gives the top a bit of protection. But it's not like that's anything against the pad.
The pad is very good about not blocking any important spots on the DS, with one small exception - the hole to the headphone slot is long, so if you have headphones with a 90 degree jack, you can't use them with this pad.
now, for the grip itself, I gotta say, shape-wise, it's great. The padding really makes it more comfortable to hold the DS, makes it feel like a gaming controller, which is what I was hoping for.
I do have one small gripe. There are two ways to push the L and R buttons, there are small bumps right above them, to show where they are. That works perfectly. There are also two extended triggers, that feel like Gcube or Xbox triggers. They are amazing. However, when you use them, the pull the back of the case out from under the DS, out of place. With only like 10 minutes of usage, it could pull it far enough out to dislodge and make the triggers not work at all.
Now, this isn't a huge deal, a quick re-adjustment between matches, or using the other triggers makes this a non issue. But I could see myself forgetting, and ****ing up and not having triggers for a match.
I'm going to try playing mario kart 7 extensively with it, to see if this really happens or not. I played DKC country returns for a few hours with it, and nothing bad happened, it was a great experience. And any game that doesn't use extensive R or L presses should have no problems at all.
So, yeah. Pretty good, but I'll have to see how bad the trigger problem could get. It might end up a non issue, it might end up making me not use the thing for smash/mkart.
Also, side note, this does make the 3DS XL extremely large with it on. I could just fit it into the pocket of my cargo shorts - and I always have huge pockets. But that's to be expected, making it larger is a bit of the point.
2DS Trigger Grip:
Impressions: Holy F&$% this thing feels amazing. I'm actually incredibly jealous of you 2DS
owners right now. The triggers feel firm, the case is solid and soft-touch, it's absolutely
ridiculous how good it feels. I can say without a doubt, if you have a 2DS, you are missing
out if you do not already have this. I need to email PDP and tell them to make 3DS and
3DS XL grips like yesterday.
Please add your own ideas and contribute to what you feel will truly enhance other players' Smash experience!
It's only been recently I have joined because I noticed a trend that a majority of people have labeled the 3DS version as "inferior" or "not up to par."
Having played the game at the Best Buy event (both for Wii U and the 3DS version for an extended period of time), I can say the only thing lacking in the 3DS version is mere comfort; and I wanted to share what I believe will amend this for most of you: controller-style grips for your 3DS.
3DS Grips:
Gametech Trigger 3D Grip:
This grip allows you to hold your 3DS as you would most console style controllers.
As an added bonus, the grip includes larger L-R triggers for maximum index finger comfort.
Unfortunately,like many of the grips that will be listed, this comes with a price. The only place I have found these listed were either on eBay or Amazon for $25+
Monster Hunter Hunting Gear for 3DS (Rathalos Red)
Similar to the Gametech grip, but this one is made by the Japanese brand Hori, which produces very high quality Nintendo accessories. Like the Gametech grip, it provides a controller style grip, but has longer controller handles and more solid triggers (similar to the 3DS circle pad accessory which will be shown shortly). Also like the Gametech grip, this is quite costly, being unable to find one under $30.
Impressions:
It definitely feels nice, a little easier to hold than the 3DS XL version, and a lot less clunky.
The triggers are exactly the same size as on the XL version. Comfort wise, everything feels lighter,
so that might be the benefit of this one compared the XL model.
From what I've seen, while the triggers definitely feel nicer than the default triggers on the 3DS,
there exist controller grips with actual working triggers such as the 2DS trigger grip and the
gametech grips. I'm still researching different grips and some people actually find the XL's default triggers
to be comfortable as is, so I will be researching grips that do not include built in triggers to see if that
might be a more viable option. Either way, the Monster Hunter grips I've purchased were definitely worth it
if you want a solid, well-made controller style grip. I will probably be giving this one to my girlfriend as she
spends much more time with the original 3DS, and I am too used to the XL's larger screen to go back.
3DS Mario Kart 7 Racing Wheel:
While obviously not meant to be anything more than a wheel peripheral, the 3DS wheel surprisingly feels comfortable due to the open area behind the wheel which allows a comfortable grip. Additionally, this also includes larger L-R triggers and is also made by the Japanese company Hori. This is a steal on Amazon for $8.
3DS Nyko Power Grip: (Credit to @AncientBaby )
@AncientBaby said:
If I could recommend one that I have, the Nyko Power Grip (this is my first post, so I'm not allowed to put a link) doesn't have bigger triggers which might be a turn-off for some, but it gives the system extra bulk that makes it more comfortable to hold. Plus it pretty much triples the battery life which is always nice.
3DS XL Grips:
3DS XL Gametech Trigger Grip:
The XL version of the Gametech trigger grip. Hard to find, but cheap "unofficial" ones can be found on eBay.
Monster Hunter Hunting Gear for 3DS XL (Goa Magara Black):
The 3DS XL version of the Rathalos Red grip. Also expensive, includes the larger trigger, high-quality.
Impressions: As you can all see; the thing is massive. It add quite a bit of heft and
weight, but the comfort is there and it tranlates into the games that I have tried it with
(Mario Kart, Kid Icarus, etc).
The triggers feel really nice and large and curve down so you can rest your index fingers
on the edges of the triggers, which is a great design element.
3DS XL Triggers:
This add-on does not provide a controller grip, but allows for larger triggers without the bulk of a grip, which many might find more beneficial. At $8, it might not be a bad investment if you want to prolong your gameplay.
dreamGEAR 3DS XL Comfort Grip (credited to @ Phaazoid )
@ Phaazoid said:
So, the pad itself is really nice. It's rubbery, but not the kind of rubber that gets every little piece of dirt stuck to it. I'd give the material itself a great score.
It's two pieces, one that wraps around the top, one around the bottom.
Honestly, the one around the top doesn't do much. This isn't built for protection, it's built for comfort, but I guess it gives the top a bit of protection. But it's not like that's anything against the pad.
The pad is very good about not blocking any important spots on the DS, with one small exception - the hole to the headphone slot is long, so if you have headphones with a 90 degree jack, you can't use them with this pad.
now, for the grip itself, I gotta say, shape-wise, it's great. The padding really makes it more comfortable to hold the DS, makes it feel like a gaming controller, which is what I was hoping for.
I do have one small gripe. There are two ways to push the L and R buttons, there are small bumps right above them, to show where they are. That works perfectly. There are also two extended triggers, that feel like Gcube or Xbox triggers. They are amazing. However, when you use them, the pull the back of the case out from under the DS, out of place. With only like 10 minutes of usage, it could pull it far enough out to dislodge and make the triggers not work at all.
Now, this isn't a huge deal, a quick re-adjustment between matches, or using the other triggers makes this a non issue. But I could see myself forgetting, and ****ing up and not having triggers for a match.
I'm going to try playing mario kart 7 extensively with it, to see if this really happens or not. I played DKC country returns for a few hours with it, and nothing bad happened, it was a great experience. And any game that doesn't use extensive R or L presses should have no problems at all.
So, yeah. Pretty good, but I'll have to see how bad the trigger problem could get. It might end up a non issue, it might end up making me not use the thing for smash/mkart.
Also, side note, this does make the 3DS XL extremely large with it on. I could just fit it into the pocket of my cargo shorts - and I always have huge pockets. But that's to be expected, making it larger is a bit of the point.
2DS Trigger Grip:
Impressions: Holy F&$% this thing feels amazing. I'm actually incredibly jealous of you 2DS
owners right now. The triggers feel firm, the case is solid and soft-touch, it's absolutely
ridiculous how good it feels. I can say without a doubt, if you have a 2DS, you are missing
out if you do not already have this. I need to email PDP and tell them to make 3DS and
3DS XL grips like yesterday.
Please add your own ideas and contribute to what you feel will truly enhance other players' Smash experience!
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