So I think I've finally reached that point where I could be considered a responsible adult. Tomorrow the long awaited super cool Nintendo 3DS releases and unfortunately I won't be buying one. It'll breaking a chain of first day Nintendo Consoles Purchased since the GameCube which since included the GBA SP, GameBoy Micro, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Lite, Nintendo Wii, and Nintendo DSi. I'm not including the XL because it's essentially an oversized DSi.

So why am I as Nintendo fan not buying one of the most highly anticipated game devices ever?

Well, partly it's because I don't have the money. Part of growing up means having responsibilities. Rent is due. Bills need to be paid. And of course there are other priorities, for example in our case site costs. I shudder to think how my life would be different had I a wife and kids.

It's not that I don't want those things, but more of a "Would that be fair to them?" Could I as a parent deny my kid's trip to Disney World so I could afford my new big screen TV? So in an effort to not be a selfish jerk, I've put off those things until I'm ready for that stage of my life.

But for right now, it's a case of doing what I can with what I have, picking and choosing what is important versus what is unnecessary. I had a similar decision at the end of last year with the Kinect. I really wanted one. I still kinda do. But it was a case of the amount of time I would actually put into the investment. I played my Dance Central. I played my Dance Masters. But until Child of Eden comes out, my Kinect would have probably just sat around. So I feel I made the right decision waiting until a better scenario comes along.

I think it's a similar situation right now with the 3DS. I really want to play Pilot Wings. I've heard good stuff about Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars. But I can see my 3DS sitting around a week after I finish those, until who knows when. Also I barely touch my portables as it is. I have Okamiden still sitting here faithfully unopened. I can't bring myself to finish Prinny 2, Brad's Copy of Tactics Orge, or Valkyria 2. My life has been completely tied into console games. A 3DS isn't going to change that.

For those of you who are in the same boat as I am. Congratulations on reaching mature adulthood. We made the right decision saving our money and being responsible. Just keep telling yourself that.

David

DAMN I WANT A 3DS.

Comments

  • Avatar
    jacobisalemon
    13 years ago

    David, you should definitely start some sort of donation thing. I and a few other people would most likely donate to you so that you can get your 3DS.

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    Bre4kdown
    13 years ago

    Yeah I got a lot to pay for and I stopped getting these new devices day one. It usually ends up with me getting them after a year or two. I mean I've never had my first ps3 in about 3-4 years? That is still going on hold but I'm sure when my priorities are straightened out I can indulge or invest on my happiness.

  • Avatar
    Megan
    13 years ago

    You should get some signed 4 playerpodcast merch and flog it on ebay!!! Then you can get it!

  • Avatar
    EchoOddity
    13 years ago

    you just put into words what i was trying to explain to my friend a few days ago and i had/am having the exact same scenario with kinect.

  • Avatar
    J52
    13 years ago

    Not to mention a slimmer/cheaper model will be announced in (probably) less than year. Or at the very least, new colors. Freakin' Nintendo, man...

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    Damien
    13 years ago

    Speaking as a kid myself, I would much rather get a new TV than a trip to Disney land

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    dantez
    13 years ago

    I just would like to congratulate you David on a very well written article.

    I also so really want a 3DS but cannot justify buying one when I have have rent and bills to pay, especally when I hardly touch my PSP and DSI. Also this has now got me thinking and I am now dreading the next generation consoles. I better get saving now.

    Growing up sucks!

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    Fratersh
    13 years ago

    If the game line up for the new 3DS had included something like Mario or even Mario Tennis (that game is still on my top 100). Then I would have had no choice but to get a 3DS, but the line up just doesn't catch my attention. I'll be honest and I think the 3d gimmick is cool but pricey right now and it would change how I evaluate certain 3ds games. To be honest though 3d doesn't have to be pricey you can throw in a pair of 3d glasses or make a pair be available and make it an option. I remember 3d World Lode Runner for the Nes when I was seven and the 3d effect was cool. I know their trying to escape the world of red and green things popping out at you and replacing it with something better.

  • Avatar
    DutchMeat
    13 years ago

    The launch for the 3DS is pretty weak, and by the time really great games start coming out for the thing it will probably be of ready availability anyway. I am picking one tomorrow, and the game I'm probably going to get to play it on is Okamiden, yeah a non-3DS title. Good on ya David, I still need to grow-up.

  • Avatar
    Skyliner
    13 years ago

    Oh man, do I ever hear you. I'm at the point where I can every once and a while splurge on things like a new console or a game or two, or I can save up my money and be responsible and have it waiting for me for something big down the road (trips, a new car, tuition, etc). It's tough to fight that basic instinct of "Heeeey, I want that ;_;".

    I'm there with ya buddy. Hang tight!

  • Avatar
    Zladko
    13 years ago

    I never understood the term "growing up" relating aging with maturity. Most persons do mature mentally with age, but some do not, and many do so at different ages. I've met 16 year old women, and 24 year old girls. Hence the two do not seem to correlate completely. Furthermore, I've never been sure on the definition of maturity. Is it conforming with the ideals of society? Is it achieving a new method of thought process? Or is it simply gaining another certain perspective on life?

    By what I have seen of the usage of the standard definition of maturity, mature people do not think as children do. Yet, a child thinks in questions. It wonders about the world and its origin, questioning all it encounters, tasting and probing things. Then, turns into a mature adult who simply conforms to the universally/culturally accepted speculations of the world (for he may be too busy with the practical aspects of life to spend time thinking these things, and accepts what simply gets him by in life.) Hence, are scientists and philosophers not considered mature, for they wonder and question everything, just as a child? And by that definition, is it a good thing to be mature, to lose all inclination to wonder and speculate? It's an interesting topic to contemplate.

    I'm interested in your take on maturity, David, being of expected age, and how or when one attains it.

  • Avatar
    Marsh D Teach
    13 years ago

    So much inner reflection on this page. Comments and all

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    SonicKitsune
    13 years ago

    I feel the same. If I was more like a kid, I'd be at the midnight release and stuff. But I really don't have the cash or time. When I got my first DS I went and got some of the cheap games that were out when the system was just out, and I see some of those same kinds of games (Asphalt, namely). But yeah. Definitely when the price is lower and there are some more games out.

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    nikki n fargus 4ever
    13 years ago

    I guess my not picking this up on launch symbolizes my entry in to some type of responsible adulthood also, I have a fiancée, no children yet, but $250 on a portable is a lot of money to set aside these days. Now had Ocarina of Time dropped at launch, I can 100% say I would have postponed the whole growing up thing.

  • Avatar
    deisder59
    13 years ago

    David, life sucks but i like how you word it out. You've got needs over wants.

  • Avatar
    Comradebearjew
    13 years ago

    Really nice article, a very different side to being a gamer.

  • Avatar
    Vunik
    13 years ago

    This is a main reason why I picked up Gamefly to be honest. I just can't buy every game I want to play like I used to be able to, because of all the bills, etc.

    Also, Nintendo 3DS aside, this current year's game list isn't making things any easier.

  • Avatar
    AdjacentKitten
    13 years ago

    Sounds about right. I think we all want a 3DS..

  • Avatar
    acicon
    13 years ago

    I understand your predicament. The urge to have something can be very strong but if you stop to think about it like spending so much on a 3DS and then putting it down after a week and not picking it up after who knows how long or buying it at full price then finding out that it dropped a great deal in price a month after.

    In short, growing up sucks, cost of living sucks.

  • Avatar
    Waari
    13 years ago

    You did go through the option of prostitution David...right?

  • Avatar
    inthenameofharmon
    13 years ago

    lol selling official signed 4pp staplers and waste bins should do the trick....the ghost trick!(lol DS game reference :P)

  • Avatar
    FullDarkGear
    13 years ago

    3DS is cool but im dead broke. Lol it does look like your going to have to borrow from Nick.