I find it curious that I’ve never seen a video of someone controlling their DS/3DS touchscreen with just a finger.

I’ve used touchscreens on mobile devices even before the DS was out, and I almost never use the stylus, just my fingernail.

Recently I’ve been on a binge of trying out DS shooters that control the aiming via touchscreen, and just using my thumb I can hold the handheld like a normal console controller, with aiming similar to having a right thumbstick. Can’t imagine fiddling with a stylus to aim, ew.

And no I don’t have long fingernails, just completely normal human ones. I’m also not worried about damaging the screen - if anything, fingernails are softer than hard plastic.

Am I really the only one?

Made a poll in the comments, please vote by upvoting, I’m curious.

  • @[email protected]English
    2•1 year ago

    There are three times I’ll use a finger:

    • I only need to tap one or two things, too lazy to get out the stylus
    • The stylus is lost and I can’t find a suitable stand-in nearby
    • I’m playing MH on an old 3DS and have to use the touchscreen for camera control

    Other than that it’s always stylus for me. No screen grime, more precise, easier to hold, covers up the screen less… I have no inclination to use fingers other than for convenience. Playing a shooter with thumb on touchscreen sounds horrifying to me lmao, though I’m curious enough to try it.

    What FPS games have you been playing? I haven’t tried any besides Metroid. The only other first person game I’ve played on DS is Fighting Fantasy but that’s more melee and RPG focused.

    • @WhoRogerOPMEnglish
      1•1 year ago

      No screen grime

      As a side note, I always wash my hands before playing. Not to avoid smudges on the screen necessarily, but to minimise dirt getting into the system around the buttons and such. If you’re worried about grime on the screen, imagine what the inside looks like…

      Also a reason why I wouldn’t buy a 2nd hand system (or controller) without disassembling and thoroughly disinfecting it. And nobody else can touch mine either!

      Playing a shooter with thumb on touchscreen sounds horrifying to me lmao, though I’m curious enough to try it.

      I can’t imagine any other way honestly. This is really just like using a controller with a thumbstick.

      What FPS games have you been playing?

      Moon, C.O.R.E. and COD4 use touchscreen aiming… I’ll post my reviews soon.

      Also in 3rd person C.O.P The Recruit, Ironfall Invasion, Splinter Cell 3D and Chibi Robo Park Patrol, if that counts? Also years ago also Resident Evil Revelations and Metal Gear Solid 3, however all of these use only buttons (or C-Stick) for camera control and not the screen. Which quite sucks for me, really.

      • @[email protected]English
        1•1 year ago

        Lol I feel your pain, grime is the worst. I really (really) like the look of white handhelds - some pick up dirt more than others but it shows so much on them. Feels like I’m scrubbing with a toothbrush every time I use one. I end up using my non-white handhelds more so I can be a little more lax about cleaning, which feels like a shame.

        Thanks for the list! The only one of those I’ve played is RE, I’ll be sure to give the others a shot. I actually really like aiming with a stylus, plus it’s always neat seeing how developers approach the limited buttons and technical capabilities of the DS for more AAA-adjacent games. I’ll keep an eye out for your reviews.