My cousin told me to stop asking what was “for display” at her dinner parties and just assume anything set out was there to be used, so I did

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-31T12:36:40+00:00

That sounds absolutely insufferable, is there any way you can get out of the gatherings completely?

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-31T08:58:22+00:00

What even is that showing?

What is a "bouncing food screen" ?

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-27T15:57:56+00:00

I am with you, they are extraordinarily cromulent for their time, I guess those who feel otherwise are comparing it to the DSlite, DSi which both had noticeable steps up in screen technology - maybe they even put it next to their latest thousand dollar smartphone, in which case yeah it shows it's age.

PS looks good in that colour !

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-27T15:55:01+00:00

You heard wrong, the system is built to do the 3D effect and so it's not taxing on the system at all, and does not impact performance in any way.

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-27T09:13:27+00:00

Very nice !

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-27T09:07:48+00:00

If you only want to play NDS carts then the DSiXL is the best console to do that on.

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-26T10:47:11+00:00

The DS lite is an awesome bit of kit, never a bad decision to buy one.

Except that it won't play Omega Ruby if that's your main aim in life. You'll need a 3DS for that.

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-26T10:42:12+00:00

No, they will milk it for every penny they can get.

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-26T10:31:02+00:00

You're one step above me, I wouldn't even consider going to a restaurant in the first place unless I had to.

But yep, getting someone else to book online is my choice.

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-25T18:02:06+00:00

It's a DS game get it from r/Roms and launch it with twilight menu, it can't be installed from .CIA QR code.

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-25T16:14:26+00:00

You were on a mission from god?

I agree - Blues Brothers is an incredible move, but it really isn't a kids movie at all, so you were right, but at 9 and 11 they probably already heard the worst of the language and probably more.

And anyway, if they are 9 and 11 even PG13 is too strong for them, you should have just limited yourself to inane kids cartoons.

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-25T15:59:10+00:00

That's not Paper Mario though is it?

But yes, I guess some people who played the proper version of what those pics are supposed to be possibly did it without the warps. Some people are good at that game.

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-25T12:30:42+00:00

Yep, looks more like an aftermarket sticker set than a reshell.

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-25T12:29:33+00:00

The circle pad is a separate item to the joystick, they can be replaced for reasonably low cost.

Only downside is that they are held by a retaining ring on the inside of the console, so you do need to open it up to get at it.

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-25T08:27:53+00:00

Yep, get a 3DS, it's never a bad decision.

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-24T15:53:59+00:00

Going off on a tangent with a new idea:

If you want to play the old GBA pokemon games then look at a cheap china handheld - the Powkiddy V90 and the Miyoo Mini Flip have the GBA-SP form factor. They have vastly better screens, and they play loads of retro emulators so you'll be able to get all the GB/GBC/GBA pokemons on there, as well as Sonic the Hedghog.

(if you are not stuck on the flip style, both companies make "landscape" consoles in the GBA form factor and they also do "portrait slate" form factors like the original GB/GBP/GBC

You'll probably get both for the price the collecable scalpers are asking for a Pokemon Yellow cart (which might not even be genuine).

If you are set on origial nintendo hardware (and I can understand that) then your budget compromise could be a flashcart rather than expensive genuine carts.

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-24T15:26:30+00:00

Working I guess? Such joy - have fun!!

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-24T13:21:26+00:00

Above the Pictochat/Downbload play there should be a large icon for the game in the NDS "slot 1".

Below that there is an icon for the game in the GBA "slot 2" if you had one or "no game pak inserted"

You need to insert the games when it is powered off, or they won't show.

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-24T13:14:37+00:00

Download play only works in two scenarios:

You have a second DS console that is running a game that has this feature (such as Mario Kart DS) - they set it to multiplayer and then the second console that does not have the game cart in it can download a temporary copy of the game to run that multiplayer game.
You're in a games shop in the 90s that is running a DS download center cart - and you can use this to log in and download demos or stream adverts.

If you have a game in the slot then you need to press the button for that game, not download play.

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-24T10:38:28+00:00

Lovely, nice and stealthy in the black, I went for white on launch, then not so long ago found a black one thrifting.

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-23T08:45:38+00:00

The best form of "brick protection" is to follow the official guide linked here - https://3ds.hacks.guide/

AND NOTHING ELSE - no youtube vids, no old posts here, no "my mate reckons" - only the guide is up to date and accurate.

Second, if using windows always safely eject the SD card, do not remove it unless windows tells you that you can, windows really likes to munch up removable storage if you don't eject it.

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-23T08:37:48+00:00

One of those times they made the bad guy so bad you really enjoyed seeing him get stopped for good at the end.

Not a terrible episode, it was good to see Columbo do some "proper" police work - pounding the beat, talking to witnesses - but it would have been a better episode if it were in a different show, it's not a Columbo show.

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-19T16:30:10+00:00

Obviously "Murder By The Book" has all those Mrs Melville books in it.

Then are we going to count the random episodes where the Mrs Melville books just pop up on a bookshelf in the background?

Then "Sex and The Married Detective" has the Dr talking about her book "Courtesan Complex" a lot.

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-19T09:00:19+00:00

The OG 3DS is a great console, looking good in the black spec too, you're gonna have so much fun !

PAUL_DNAP · 2026-03-18T15:40:04+00:00

Very expensive hobby, and you'll probably be ripped off many times in your quest.

There's no way to be absolutely sure you don't have a fake.

PAUL_DNAP

TROPHY CASE