My 3DS Story

Just wanted to share with everyone my little 3DS Story. Yeah it came out a month ago but I never got a chance to really share.

So, I was anxious for the 3DS a couple months before it was released. I was really excited for it because it would be bringing with it a bunch of really awesome features, and more great features to come in the future. Now I never saw one in person before actually getting one, I only saw pictures. I did not watch any videos, comparisons, or anything. I was putting my faith in the console I never saw until release day.

That all changed when I received my preorder.

First came a small amount of disappointment when I opened the box. I was sad to find it was roughly the same size as the DS Lite, and that the screens were very small. I moved over from a DSi XL to the 3DS, so the size difference was a very dramatic change. Upon firing it up, I felt a little bit better about its size knowing that the graphical quality was higher than that of the DS. Very cool.

Then came the bad part.

Not even minutes after using it with the 3D turned up 1/4 of the way, I started to get small headaches. I knew that I could expect some headache with prolonged usage but not after a couple of minutes. I kept my playtime limited in 3D mode, spending a lot of time in 2D mode. Each day I would play for a little bit, around an hour or so, with the 3D on for a short amount of time, just for the new gameplay experience. After about a week or so, the headaches still persisted, but got worse. My headaches turned into severe migraines. It was so bad that I had to call my doctor. I went to see her the next day; she advised me not to play on the 3DS at all, even without the 3D on. I have always had strange and sensitive eyes growing up, and have worn glasses all my life. Focusing on the small screens would still cause me eye strain. I listened to her order and didn't play for the rest of the day, or the next day. My headaches went away.

I thought that maybe it was a coincidence that I had migraines, because whenever the barometric pressure dramatically changes, I get very bad migraines. We were experiencing some heavily fluctuating weather for the week I had my 3DS so I thought the 3DS had nothing to do with it. Thinking nothing of it, I turned back on my 3DS, play for a few more minutes... and the migraines came back. I knew the 3DS was at fault.

In the end, I ended up returning my 3DS. It was an expensive console, and if I cannot enjoy its primary function that it was not worth owning. I believe it should have been larger, with a higher resolution, and more power, without the 3D novelty. At least that way Nintendo could have appealed to every audience, not excluding the ones with eye problems such as myself. I'm sure though the ones who aren't plagued with terrible eyes like myself are enjoying their's a lot though.

What also adds insult to injury is that it took a lot of convincing my wife to allow me to buy it. My birthday was right around the corner so she allowed it to be my birthday gift from her. It was a hard wait, with two months of anticipation and excitement... all thrown down the drain.

Oh well, better luck next time Nintendo.

I'm sure I will have plenty of enjoyment and a lot less physical problems when my iPad arrives in the mail :)

Comments

Commiserations man, I guess the 3DS isn't for everyone, but hopefully the new Project Cafe from Nintendo may peak your interest in future?

I can also vouch for the iPad! I have a 1st generation, and use it all the time, it is especially good for reading, i.e, books, magazines, comics and manga! Videos work great through youtube, or the right app, although there are times when I really do miss flash...
 
[quote name='hankchill' post='3610461' date='Apr 25 2011, 06:20 PM']First came a small amount of disappointment when I opened the box. I was sad to find it was roughly the same size as the DS Lite, and that the screens were very small.[/quote]

My exact thoughts when I opened mine's!
 
[quote name='_Chaz_' post='3610506' date='Apr 25 2011, 01:36 PM']You had to convince your wife to let you buy yourself a 3DS? :unsure:[/quote]

Almost any married man would :P
 
I also get severe headaches when I use the 3DS, even with 3D off. But when 3D is off, it doesn't hurt as much as when it's on, and my fanboyism keeps me playing xD
 
I would think knowing your being predisposed to Migranes would be a warning sign against getting the 3DS... Normal games can induce them in people, afterall.

I do symphazie with you though. After months of waiting for my 3DS, I was worried that the 3DS wouldn't work for me for quite a bit. When I first played Monkey Ball, there was barely anything. But then I played Star Wars and saw the effect and was happy. Sorry it didn't work for you.

@Chaz If you just go out and spend $300 without telling your spouse I gurantee there will be a fight unless your rich.

EDIT: Like to add that my eyes aren't the best either, so I'm actually surprised it worked. I was preatty down after Monkey Ball.
 
[quote name='hankchill' post='3610515' date='Apr 25 2011, 07:40 PM'][quote name='_Chaz_' post='3610506' date='Apr 25 2011, 01:36 PM']You had to convince your wife to let you buy yourself a 3DS? :unsure:[/quote]

Almost any married man would :P
[/quote]

You must make a ton of money. Anyway, I'm sorry your 3DS experience turned out that way. I probably won't buy one because then I'll have to get married in order to ask my wife.
 
Sucks that you have to be one of the people whose brain can't perceive 3d type things naturally and thus it makes it hard on the eyes and gives headaches. I was worried I might have problems. Cause I have an astigmatism in one eye and slightly poor eyesight. But yet I can luckily play full 3d for a few hours no problem, whew.

I hope the store didn't give you a hard time for returning it. Companies better understand not everyone can see 3d correctly.
 
[quote name='Burton' post='3610493' date='Apr 25 2011, 07:30 PM'][quote name='hankchill' post='3610461' date='Apr 25 2011, 06:20 PM']First came a small amount of disappointment when I opened the box. I was sad to find it was roughly the same size as the DS Lite, and that the screens were very small.[/quote]

My exact thoughts when I opened mine's!
[/quote]
same or me...
 
[quote name='hankchill' post='3610515' date='Apr 25 2011, 10:40 AM'][quote name='_Chaz_' post='3610506' date='Apr 25 2011, 01:36 PM']You had to convince your wife to let you buy yourself a 3DS? :unsure:[/quote]

Almost any married man would :P
[/quote]

Damn right! I'm still trying to convince my better half!
 
[quote name='TwinRetro' post='3610703' date='Apr 25 2011, 02:37 PM'][quote name='hankchill' post='3610515' date='Apr 25 2011, 10:40 AM'][quote name='_Chaz_' post='3610506' date='Apr 25 2011, 01:36 PM']You had to convince your wife to let you buy yourself a 3DS? :unsure:[/quote]

Almost any married man would :P
[/quote]

Damn right! I'm still trying to convince my better half!
[/quote]
:rofl2:

@ OP Did you try to bring the brightness down?
 
:rofl2:

@ OP Did you try to bring the brightness down?

You're joking right?

A physical condition would imply that turning the brightness up or down would have no effect. I spend my day looking at computer screens in an office, brightness is not an issue.
 
There physical conditions where light can be too bright to a person where normally to someone else it isn't.

Just like one unfortunate person I know.
 

Blog entry information

Author
hankchill
Views
308
Comments
26
Last update

More entries in Personal Blogs

More entries from hankchill

General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
    BakerMan @ BakerMan: +1