Protection for your 3DS, but is the value there?
Manufacturer: POWER A
Release Date: March 27, 2011
Score: 3.2 / 5
When I purchased my Nintendo 3DS, I knew I would need a screen protector. With the problems of the top screen being scratched on older systems, it’s a good idea to pick up one for the top screen at the least. At the time, there weren’t any screen protectors being sold alone, so I opted for the POWER A Clean and Protect Kit for Nintendo 3DS.
Neatly packed together, I opened up the kit and immediately applied the screen protectors. You’ll want to clean the area where you’re applying the protectors as well as possible to avoid debris and air bubbles becoming trapped underneath. They go on easily enough, though I suggest you find the most particle-free area in your house to install these. Usually that means the bathroom, though your millage may vary in that area. The surface of the touch screen protector is smooth, which makes it feel practically the same as if there were no protector on the surface. Although the top screen protector seems to be easy to remove, the other on the touch screen may require a bit of work to get at.
Included in the kit are three styluses. They are practically identical to the one included with the Nintendo 3DS. The differences are minor, with these not having the Nintendo logo or CTR-004 stamped on the black ends. According to my scale, the stylus with the kit weighs in at 1/8 of an ounce, exactly what my scale read when I put the official one to the test.
There are three game cases present in the packaging. Two are for single games and come in black and white, while the last case has space for four and is black. All the cases can fit either DS games or 3DS games and are made transparent enough to view the contents inside. Games fit in and can be removed easily enough, and each case makes a satisfying click when closing.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment of this kit is the cleaning cloth. It’s a small 5″ square that’s grey on one side, and black with grey DS logo type squares on the other. When you use it on a screen, the first wipe doesn’t do much to remove finger prints. After a few attempts at getting rid of the residue, it eventually does clear, but not quite completely. When I compared it with my microfiber cleaning cloth, the difference was made quite clear. The microfiber side had no visible streaks, while the kit cloth still hadn’t removed all of what was present on the screen.
I’d say that the whole kit as a bundle isn’t a horrible deal. I unfortunately had to pay what I call the “Toys “R” Us” tax, which meant instead of this being $9.99, it was $12-$13 when I purchased it. If you’re in need of a few extra stylus and game cases, along with screen protectors, it’s worth the $9.99.
