So I've been contemplating on maybe getting a Nintendo 3DS after all, with the release of Revelations etcetera... And I looked it up, but I've never actually seen how big a 3DS is when handheld. The reason to why I'm asking is I'm wondering if it will be harder for me to play if the screen is too small, since I have some eyesight issues.
And I dunno, just the fact that it's handheld seems a bit uncomfortable in general. That, ontop of a potentially small screen just makes me doubt if I should get it.

Anyone got any comments? Is it awkward to hold it and play at times? Does it seem a lot smaller than it actually is? Can it be hard to see stuff on-screen sometimes?

The 3DS is only slightly bigger than the DS. The bottom screen seems to be the same size as the DS, but the top screen is noticeably larger on the 3DS.

The only game I've played extensively on the 3DS is Resident Evil Mercenaries, and the only issue I have while playing is some awkward positioning on my right hand because the R shoulder button needs to be pressed-in frequently. After a while of playing the bottom right corner of the 3DS starts to dig into my palm under my thumb. Other than that, it's quite amazing to me how smooth the controls are.

As for vision, I suspect the only potential issue will be while using the 3D. You do have to have the 3DS in a proper line of sight at all times and the 3D can be straining on the eyes after extended play.

Yikes... When you say proper line of sight, do you mean I have to keep it farther away from my face for better 3D effects? Or it doesn't matter how "close" I am? My face is not gonna be in the screen but still, I can't play how a "normal" person does, with a lot of distance between face and screen. Need to keep it closer to see properly.

Oh and I'm not too worried about straining my eyes. If I get a headache, I just take a break.

Not so much distance. I mean how you tilt the 3DS. You have to be directly facing the top screen for the 3D to work. Looking at the top screen from side angles ruins the effect entirely.

Ah, well that's no worry then. Thankyou for the help!

I'll most likely be buying one.
Now I just hope that the Revelations lenticular case will be available on the european market. -_-

Alright, so I pre-ordered Revelations, and am going to be picking up the 3DS soon.

So I have decided on getting the 3DS, but I'm still wondering if I will actually be able to see the 3D effects. I'm not sure if anyone here can answer my question or if I'd have to talk to a doctor, or maybe even a 3D effects expert, but the thing is...

From what I understand, the 3DS requires that you look at the screen with both eyes at the same time in order to see the 3D effects. Since I only use one eye at a time to look at a screen (I can look with both but I get dizzy pretty quickly and the screen has to be very close to my eyes), does this mean that I won't be able to see the 3D effects? :(

Edit: OH! It's not like the eye I'm not using isn't seeing anything. However due to the muscular issues the eye I am not using is drawn in towards the nose. So I'll still be able to "see" the screen with the other eye too, but my gaze won't be focused on it. It's tough to explain.

Ah...

The 3D effect does require both eyes. When I cover one eye the effect is lost. It's hard to say though. You may still see the effect without 100% focus of the other eye.

In all honesty, the 3D isn't the best thing about the 3DS. The graphics are much better than the DS, so it's really common for me to play with 3D off; as I said before the headaches usually start to kick in.

Revelations looks particularly great and I bet I'll play with 3D off in the long run.

My cousin just got one a few days before his dad died and when I was with him at the hospital he let me play it. It was more or less the same size as a DS Lite and it wasn't awkward to play. I played mostly with the 3D off though, you can adjust how strong you want the 3D to be, or switch it to 2D.

Thanks yet again, Seraph. Oh it will definitely be worth it ten times over even without the 3D. Still, as I don't have a good perception of how you "normal" people see things, so it kind of makes me jealous ya know. I want to experience 3D too. Ah well we'll just have to see. I can maybe ask my doctor about it, going to her soon anyway.

Eoweniel: Around 10% of people have a condition where there can't see 3D movies, or games. It's actually quite normal. I think one of the vlog brothers was convincing a company to manufacture "2D glasses" that allow people to see 3D movies in 2D.