Nintendo 3DS

[BreakABone]

Nintendo held a conference today to announce some more details regarding their new handheld.

The most important being that it launches in Japan Feb 26th, and in Europe/States in March of 2011. The price has only been set for Japan, but with conversion works out to about 300 bucks.

Demo reel of some of the games
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Some of the features of the 3DS
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Mentioned Features:
-Comes with a 2 GB SD card.
-Comes with charging cradle.
-3DS Virtual Console for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and maybe Game Boy Advance titles.
-3DS online service will sell Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Classic Games in 3D, DSiWare, and 3DS (ware?) titles.
-Always on passive Tag Mode that can do data exchange, even for games not being played.
-Japanese launch colors are Aqua Blue and Cosmos Black.
-Home button brings up an ingame menu enabling users to browse the web, turn Wi-Fi on/off and modify other settings without exiting.
-"Mii Studio" Application: Take a picture of yourself and have it auto converted into a Mii.
- "AR Games" Application: Built in augmented reality games (comes with six paper cards for these).
-"Nintendo 3DS Cameras" Application: The 3DS can automatically merge two photos into a single image. I'm assuming this is also for taking pictures.
-"Nintendo 3DS Sound" Application: Unsure, guessing something like Mario Paint.
-"Chance Encounter Mii Plaza" Application: I'm assuming this is a place for Miis to hang out that you've picked up from tag mode and/or QR codes.
-"Book" Application: Maybe an ebook reader?
-3DSWare games can be moved from one 3DS to another, and some DSiWare games can be moved to the 3DS as well.
-Is compatible with Wifine if you live in Japan.

http://www.abload.de/img/nintendo-3ds8izt.jpg
http://www.abload.de/img/3dsfinal2_01li5p.jpg

Two colors launching in

[Vampyr]

Looks very neat. Since I just got an XL I think I'm going to wait until next Christmas. There may be a price drop/trade in offer available then.

I just hope a Pokemon game doesn't come out before that...I would be very tempted.

[BreakABone]

Looks very neat. Since I just got an XL I think I'm going to wait until next Christmas. There may be a price drop/trade in offer available then.

I just hope a Pokemon game doesn't come out before that...I would be very tempted.

Well this is one of the reasons always assumed 3DS would come out next year, because we haven't got Pokemon Black/White yet, and I assume PokeMon Gray (or whatever they end up calling it) will be an 3d enhanced version of Black/White the year after

[Vampyr]

If it's just the third black/white game, that wouldn't be a killer app for me, could definitely wait to get that...I never bought Platinum either.

I am really surprised by how nice a lot of these 3DS games look though. And a GameBoy virtual console? That's a killer app.

[gekko]

I really don't want one of these, but did I see Monkey Ball in that video? :)

I'm curious if the device can finally render both screens in 3D, since they seemed hesitant to show the second screen, and when they did, it was 2D. Though, as usual, Nintendo really isn't trying to push the hardware boundaries, so hopefully the battery life is good.

[BreakABone]

I really don't want one of these, but did I see Monkey Ball in that video? :)

I'm curious if the device can finally render both screens in 3D, since they seemed hesitant to show the second screen, and when they did, it was 2D. Though, as usual, Nintendo really isn't trying to push the hardware boundaries, so hopefully the battery life is good.

We've known since e3 that the 2nd screen wasn't 3D.

And yeah a lot of support, new and old.

[Teuthida]

Easily fits in your purse or men's carry-all.

[Vampyr]

Easily fits in your purse or men's carry-all.

People actually play their hand-held game consoles on the go? I thought everyone just stayed home on the couch like me. :)

[Angrist]

We've known since e3 that the 2nd screen wasn't 3D.I think Gekko means 3D graphics as in polygons?
But the DS already had that with some games.

Or if you really meant optical 3D, no the 3DS doesn't have 2 3D screens.

[BreakABone]

StreetPass

- final name of tag mode
- exchange data with other players while in sleep mode
- handled automatically
- same game does not have to be in cartridge slot
- StreetPass communication light in the upper right-hand side of 3DS
- check your "Notification Applet" to see the kind of communication took place

Mii Studio

- Mii Studio may not be the final English name
- portable Mii creation studio
- more parts for customization
- use your existing Miis
- automatic creation features if wanted
- convert Miis to QR form
- QR code and Mii picture data can be sent to SD card

StreetPass Mii Plaza

- temporary name
- Mii character will be exchanged with passers-by
- external Miis will appear in the StreetPass Mii Plaza
- Mii is shown next to an icon showing what game the Mii's owner previously playe
- ind out when the StreetPass took place and how many people that person has StreetPassed with.

AR Games

- Augmented Reality
- comes pre-installed with AR Games

Home Menu

- press the Home Button to quickly bring up the system's Home menu
- access various hardware features
- you can do this while playing a game

Nintendo 3DS Camera

- two cameras allow the system to take 3D photos
- includes a variety of sound and camera functions built in
- take pictures of faces using both the inside and outside camera, and then merge these into on

SpotPass

- English name for the feature "Itsunoma no Tsuushin"
- 3DS communicates with Wi-Fi access points and other 3DS owners for SpotPass communications
- active in Sleep Mode
- auto-downloads rankings, ghost data, free software and notification
- pre set the kinds of things you want transferred in this fashion
- current DS Stations kiosks will be converted to full Nintendo Zones services
- NTT East and NTT West team-up to give 3DS users access to WiFine access points throughout Japa
- access some 2,000 access points in train stations, airports and restaurants

3D Movies

- collaborations with Fuji Television and Nippon Television
- free 3D videos to 3DS devices via SpotPass
- "We are hoping that it will be one of the solutions to tackle the chicken and the egg problem and become the trigger for the 3D footage business to emerge on Nintendo 3DS."

More stuff

[gekko]

I think Gekko means 3D graphics as in polygons?
But the DS already had that with some games.

I did mean 3D, as in polygons, not stereoscopic 3D. The DS couldn't render both screens as 3D, and I'm kind of curious if they changed that in the 3DS. The games you're thinking of actually just alternated rendering top/bottom, so you only saw every other frame.

[TheSlyMoogle]

I'll get one once it has been hacked. They put an SD card slot into the machine. Nintendo done fucked up now. That shit will be hacked in a a month at the most.

[Angrist]

Nice attitude there.

[TheSlyMoogle]

Nice attitude there.

Whatever half of those games were smaller less graphically intense versions of games you've already played. They're gonna release them at 40 to 50 dollars and be like "here is oot just smaller and mybe with a new quest" sure ill spend my money on a game I've already bought 10 imes now. Or let me spend my hard dearned dough on useless shovelware some more.

[BreakABone]

Whatever half of those games were smaller less graphically intense versions of games you've already played. They're gonna release them at 40 to 50 dollars and be like "here is oot just smaller and mybe with a new quest" sure ill spend my money on a game I've already bought 10 imes now. Or let me spend my hard dearned dough on useless shovelware some more.

The alternative would be, not to play the games you already bought like 10 times.

And I could be mistaken, but so far the only remakes are StarFox, Zelda, Street Fighter and Snake Eater.

Either way, I agree with Angrist.

[Seth]

I understand sly's point. There's a few games that I'd like to test out prior to dishing half a hundred, only to find out that games of 'flagship quality' are supposedly new 6 years after the fact. That goes for 1st and 3rd party offerings. I'm not slighting Nintendo....the game industry is what it is. But!, I don't feel obliged to bottleneck my gaming experience after paying X amount for the hardware+ the fact that ninty is going to release a 3ds with improved battery life/updated internal memory/etc. They always do that, and it's marketing strategy from before the consoles are released.
I don't respect that. Sure, attitude. I believe in supporting creative industries, but I'm also just a student who has been around the gaming industry long enough to recognize shoddy control schemes and dumbed down virtual worlds. There's nothing more self sodomizing than dishing out $ on a game that promises an experience that it can't deliver simply because exec's cap a budget at..."the kids will love it" levels. This isn't much of an issue to me really, because I don't play more than an hour's worth of gaming per week. But when I do game I don't pretend like it's okay to excuse the kind of crappy games that have constructed 90% of the titles for both the wii and ds. I've continually bought Nintendo consoles and I don't pirate their software, so I feel entitled to the opportunity of ensuring I'm not pissing away my money the way game industry bigwigs piss on the consumer by rehashing the past.
Theriously, the internet is different now than when amazon.com came to exist. Same goes for gaming. Industry has to adapt to a changing market(plus a crippled international economy). Want my business, better make your game not only polished from a finished product perspective, but also from the creative groundwork which offers something beyond the 'dynasty warriors' effect.


That said, the sleepmode 24/7 connect features are obviously part of Ninty's strategy of addressing piracy. I'll buy a 3ds, but probably after the first price drop. Or, possibly once the 3ds 2nd edition is released. $300+ for a handheld + game expenses requires that I 'demo' check a title before purchasing. Hopefully nintendo sets up an extensive demo dlc system.

As far as remakes go, I have yet to play MGS, SSFIV, and Starfox. For myself the term 'remake' applies more directly to the multi-faceted aspects of a game, not just the general concept/title. If a game was released 10 years ago and is being ported/remade for a new system...I'll buy it if it's up to my standards...
Piracy IMO hasn't stunted game development as much as the industry has wailed. Capcom and it's press about not releasing SSFIV on the PC due to the rate of piracy. Fuck that. It sold well on the PC. PC release date was July 09. SSFIV was released April 10 I believe. So I'm in the market for a fighting game. I love Street Fighter games. Will I put down 40 bucks cdn for a game copy that doesn't have the roster updates+ just because Capcom knew they could get more money out of a stand alone expansion pack? That noise is the reason why people will pirate a game.
I want to play SSFIV badly. I'll probably get it for the 3ds, but I wanted it for the PC for obvious reasons.

Piracy excuses are, for the most part, a bottom-line pout by the industry because they're pigeoned by bloated executive payrolls.
I love how the technology is now here to create worlds like in Just Cause 2. The potential is there. The development money needs to be rethought. It's like education funding. do you cut education funding or do you exercise 'preventative' measure by acknowledging the importance of education for overall societal functionality. The chicken or the egg, sure Nintendo.

[Vampyr]

With the existence of the internet and the availability of resources about a given game - reviews, trailers, gameplay videos (and these are becoming -very- long now days), images, faqs, wikis, demos, etc, saying you bought a game without realizing it was bad is nonsensical.

I personally don't pirate things. I used to a long time ago, but then I realized several things:

1. I never got the same enjoyment out of a pirated item
2. In the case of a lot of software (maybe not so much games), there are free and open source alternatives. Actually there are a lot of free games out there.
3. It really is stealing. Either own up to it and admit your doing something wrong and continue to do it, or just stop. Trying to make it sound like you're a philosophical and moral rogue warrior is just silly.

[Seth]

My time is important to me. I don't rely much on reviews for the feedback that I personally need. Of course I check the reviews out, i'm almost ocd when it comes to consumer reviewing. Free games mostly suck, relative to my gaming expectations.

There's a difference between watching/listening to a guy talk about a game experience(reviews, videos, etc) and actually feeling the game's mechanics for oneself. that's why PC games have been relatively good about offering demos of some quality. It doesn't mean I'll sacrifice the overall experience by playing a pirated game through to the end. It means if I'm satisfied with the 'demo-ing' then I will gladly drop the cash for the full deal. Just because console game dev is in its own little world of relying on ignorant parent spending for children doesn't mean squat when it comes to my gaming.
Money incentives for an honesty/dishonesty paradigm isn't something I'll subscribe to. I'll buy into that once the world turns inside out and game development departs from the hollywood B slump that the majority of titles are in.
Philosophical and moral rogue warrior? please



I love the idea of the 3ds being an ebook.

[BreakABone]

Well, see this pirating is generalized to the 3DS/DS, but I'm talking about in general.

Aside from the Wii, almost every console/handheld allows you in some fashion to test run games before you buy them. So no you won't be pissing away money if you do your research on it ahead of time.

And if you really want to be safe, there are rental sites like GameFly where you can try before you buy.

[TheSlyMoogle]

Meh and I respect the game industry, and all that jazz however, they're still terrible people.

The handheld market is by far the worst.

And yes, I'm pirating a tiny handheld game that could have been digitally distributed and trialed before I spent money on it and the price could have been lower due to direct distribution.

And to be honest if a game was good on the ds I usually bought it.

Both prof layton games, pokemon diamond, magical starsign, and pso portable or whatever were all bought.

Also I've been burned by too many video game reviews. Especially for the ds, as I usually read reviews before I even wasted time downloading the roms.

Yes I pirate (everything except 360 and ps3) and yeah it's pretty wrong to an extent. Just about as wrong as the price you have to pay for video games.

[BreakABone]

Here's the disconnect.

Video games are entertainment. They are not needed or necessary. No one is forcing you to play a game so there's no reason to pirate it. No matter what excuses you make.

[gekko]

Here's the disconnect.

The disconnect is people think they're entitled to get everything digital for free. Everything else just spawns from there.

[Acebot44]

^Mainly because digital downloads are not a tangible theft.

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*I'd watch the whole thing, but if you wanna get to where I'm referencing, go to around 8:50

[Angrist]

You're not stealing something physical, like when you would steal money. But if you're downloading games, you'll spend less money on new games. So in the end: yes you are stealing money. Maybe not the full price of every game, but at least part of it.

[TheSlyMoogle]

Lol you guys are funny. You defend companies who refuse to change when there's a better, less expensive way to distribute and sell their products.

The second the nes was emulated on a pc is the second that companies should have tried to chqnge the formula. The second that broadband went global is the second they should have started looking into serious digital distro.

Piracy illegal? Yeah maybe. Going to stop? Not really. Instead of increasing prices in tough economic times try to decrease them for fuck's sake.

[Vampyr]

When I buy games, or think about games in general, I rarely think of the big publishers as "making them".

I think of the individual studios responsible for actually creating the game. Lets consider for a second that the leaders of every major publishing company is corrupt and evil (which I don't buy at all, only one I would put in that category is Bobby Kotick), do you really think that applies to the studios, which are really just small businesses?

Also, I really believe that the industry wishes it could go to a all digital distribution method. It would cut down on their production costs, and would probably increase sales since it would be easier for people to push a button and buy something. Why do you think Xbox Arcade, Steam, and Wii Ware exists? They want to use that technology.

But they can't. A -lot- of people don't want to buy their stuff that way. They want to have a real physical copy. Some people -can't- buy their stuff that way: either no internet or their connections are on slow DSL or dial up.

So, the obvious solution is to offer both, which a lot of companies do. But they can't sell the digital ones cheaper than the retail copies, because then retail stores would start refusing to sell their products since they are being undercut and having sales stolen from the digital market.

You can't just say everyone in the industry are "terrible people". For one, that just isn't true, unless you've gone around and met everyone in the video game industry. Being a business owner and wanting to profit doesn't make you a bad person.

[Vampyr]

Not surprising:

http://www.1up.com/news/3ds-prevent-piracy-automatic-firmware

[Teuthida]

What if you never configure your Wifi to get online at all? I would hate to be forced to always be connected.

[BreakABone]

Lol you guys are funny. You defend companies who refuse to change when there's a better, less expensive way to distribute and sell their products.

The second the nes was emulated on a pc is the second that companies should have tried to chqnge the formula. The second that broadband went global is the second they should have started looking into serious digital distro.

Piracy illegal? Yeah maybe. Going to stop? Not really. Instead of increasing prices in tough economic times try to decrease them for fuck's sake.

You aren't sticking to one point at all.

I don't think this conversation has ever been about digital distribution.

And are you saying that DD would stop content from being pirated? I'm not sure your point here to be honest.

At the end of the day, you pirate games. You are trying to justify why you do it, and none of the reasons work.

Like I said before, games aren't a necessity, if you don't like the way business is handled. Don't buy or play the games. To say this is wrong with the industry or I got burnt this way, does not justify pirating people's software.

[TheSlyMoogle]

Vamp, you should know that those measures won't stop piracy.

3ds will be cracked eventually.

Earl: fight the system man. Do whatever you can to fuck the system in her dirty whore parts. Piracy won't stop, so join us.

[gekko]

Piracy won't stop, so join us.

Neither will violent crimes.

[TheSlyMoogle]

Neither will violent crimes.

Who says I'm not down with those too?

[Hitman0769]

I am SOOOO Buying a 3DS, I hope to see a heavy amount of online capabilities. Lineup is looking very strong thus far. :)

[Angrist]

Someone did notice that most of the launch games are either remakes, ports or sequels. Not much original stuff yet.
I'd love to dive into Miyamoto's next franchise.

[Angrist]

http://vgtribune.com/3ds-battery-software-and-package-details/#more-21498
Some details emerge.

Only 3-5 hours battery life for 3DS games. :( I was hoping for something more than 10...

[BreakABone]

http://vgtribune.com/3ds-battery-software-and-package-details/#more-21498
Some details emerge.

Only 3-5 hours battery life for 3DS games. :( I was hoping for something more than 10...

Nintendo seems to making a lot of mistakes with this, especially if the price turns out to be about 300 bucks as the Japanese counterpart.

That said, the games aren't looking bad:

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Kid Icarus... skip to around 18 minute mark for game play

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Resident Evil

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/software/img/sft_steeldiver_main.jpg

http://www.true-gaming.net/tgupload/images2/Wb5858ClfQ69eBL76M8251pcLB1Q8D9O.jpg

http://www.true-gaming.net/tgupload/images2/Ao2kbAWy4t7o684kaL6Nolcms6v7jpAC.jpg

http://www.true-gaming.net/tgupload/images2/Fv648YyJnKgyItupShnP6xl9G5wi87k6.jpg

http://www.true-gaming.net/tgupload/images2/TIQKvds7339k5K8gciKC484kRWi9BzR4.jpg

[IMG]http://www.true-gaming.net/tgupload/images2/Dw9Br5zv18WK495ccY7La7Meq5rQ9ce1.jpg[/IMG

[Angrist]

I don't worry too much about the price, because they can always drop it when it doesn't sell good enough.
But the battery life... 3-5 hours. :( It's tempting to wait for the newer model.

Kid Icarus looks good. :) They took elements of Star Fox, Sin & Punishment, Batallion Wars and Zelda.

[BreakABone]

I don't worry too much about the price, because they can always drop it when it doesn't sell good enough.
But the battery life... 3-5 hours. :( It's tempting to wait for the newer model.

Kid Icarus looks good. :) They took elements of Star Fox, Sin & Punishment, Batallion Wars and Zelda.

Being cynic, the 3DS really does scream Nintendo just kind of building the first one so they can release an updated version with better battery life and cheaper price in a year.

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[Storm Eagle]

It could be a good long while before I get this, and it'll probably end up being the first handheld or console of which I don't own the original model.

[Seth]

Hopefully the launch is a dissappointment so ninty will be forced to release their trickle line of superior hardware sooner. Plus the handheld isn't going to be region free? Lost my purchase.

[Angrist]

One friend code to rule them all. Finally.

Is anyone else watching one of the shows?

[Blix]

The 3Ds has officially surpassed my expectations. and I'm cool with the battery life. I'm normally playing handhelds inside the house so that may explain why. But everything else looks awesome.

[Vampyr]

I'm definitely waiting for the next version, not only because of battery life, but because of Nintendo's reputation.

The Gameboy Advance SP was leaps and bounds better than the GBA, and the DS Lite was infinitely better than the original DS. Not only in terms of better hardware specs and screen, but they just looked better. The original DS was ugly.

I have every reason to believe that in 12 - 18 months we'll see a far superior version of the 3DS, and I'm waiting for it.

[Ginkasa]

I've always had the original versions of everything. My issue is mostly price. Pshew its expensive.

[Szymon]

This is the perfect opportunity for you to finish Ocarina of Time, BreakABone.

[Angrist]

I think I heard about Sony also presenting a next handheld? Did anyone read about it? Thoughts? Or maybe it should have its own thread.

[Seth]

http://kotaku.com/5744790/the-complete-guide-to-sonys-next-big-portable-playstation?skyline=true&s=i

[Angrist]

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^_^

The AR stuff is going to be so much fun.

[Zen]

wtf did i just watch?

[Angrist]

I played one today, the 3D effect is really amazing.
I tried SFIV (I'm not a fighting fan) and AR Shooting. While other customers were looking at me like I was crazy. Well, probably, I didn't have any attention left for them!

[Kitana85]

I heard a few people complains of headaches/eye strain (although not as severe as with the Virtual Boy). Did you find this after prolonged play?

[Angrist]

I don't have one. I've heard it depends on the level of 3D. If you don't go for the maximum effect, you should be fine for a few hours.
Also, don't use 3D when you don't need it. It also saves the battery!

[TheSlyMoogle]

BLACK SCREEN OF DEATH! 53% Failure rate of launch 3DS systems?

Nintendo, did you learn nothing from Microsoft?

[Angrist]

53%? Where did you read that?

[Vampyr]

I've been doing some research on this, and I can't find any numbers, especially anything close to 53%.

And what I have found indicates that this is probably more of a software issue, which means it will be patched since the 3DS automagically updates via wifi.

[Dyne]

My 3DS rocks and I love it. I didn't get any eye strain yesterday from it.

The amount of stuff they packed in to it blows my mind. The AR cards and FaceBlasters is reason enough to buy it. But, I'm really enjoying Ridge Racer and Steel Diver.

[BreakABone]

Yeah, I can't find the 53% number anywhere.

And it would be odd to have a number on the 2nd day.. or even the first really.

And there was no real issues like this coming out of the Japanese launch or you think we would have heard it.

[TheSlyMoogle]

Lol it was some article from some tech website I saw through a link through 4chan. I don't save a browsing history on my computer so I can't find the link either, but anyway... Anyway it was just an estimation of the amount of users so far who had seen the BSOD.


It's HIGHLY COMMON for it to happen, especially after playing Street fighter online apparently, but a lot of people have been reporting it after other things too, including the AR stuff.

So it's probably just some software thing, and I'm sure it will be patched out soon and it's a fuck up.

So now not only does the system cause severe headaches, sometimes seizures and general strain on the eyes but it also just stops working sometimes.

Hey maybe nintendo built in the BSOD to force people to stop playing for a few minutes. HURRR HURRRRR HURRRRRR!

[Angrist]

I want to try one again. :o I guess I could hit every store here once, just to ask if I can play on a 3DS. ;)

[Vampyr]

The eye strain thing really worries me. We have no idea what the long term affects of using something like this for hours a day will do to our eyes, especially if it puts noticeable stress on them.

When the next version of the 3DS comes out and I get one I'm just going to turn on the 3D for each new game I get to look at it then turn it off. I'm glad they gave the option to disable it.

Sort of like how they should always give the option to not use motion controls. Zing!

"But Zach, that's the entire point of the system, they can't give you the option to not use it!!11!!"

Well, they just gave us the option to turn the 3D off of a system called the 3DS.

[BreakABone]

The eye strain thing really worries me. We have no idea what the long term affects of using something like this for hours a day will do to our eyes, especially if it puts noticeable stress on them.

When the next version of the 3DS comes out and I get one I'm just going to turn on the 3D for each new game I get to look at it then turn it off. I'm glad they gave the option to disable it.

Sort of like how they should always give the option to not use motion controls. Zing!

"But Zach, that's the entire point of the system, they can't give you the option to not use it!!11!!"

Well, they just gave us the option to turn the 3D off of a system called the 3DS.

Argh don't wanna take the bait, its like a dangling carrot

But I don't think user interface is the same as visual output.

3D in my mind is similar to HD in that it enhances the visual clarity of a game, and that's about it. And I assume you know that both PS3 and 360 can output in SD just as much as HD. No difference between choosing your level of 3D on the 3DS.

The better comparison would be if you could turn off the touch screen/motion controls of the handheld if you didn't want it.

[Typhoid]

Lol it was some article from some tech website I saw through a link through 4chan.

Well that just sounds 100% credible.


Anyways, to those who have it - how is the 3DS?
Strengths/Weaknesses.

[manasecret]

At my new job, we inspect our own electronic boards for quality control. We use dual eye-pieced microscopes, and some employees use them for eight hours a day. After using them for awhile myself, I realize the effect is much like 3D stereoscopic vision. Basically, two completely different images are projected to your eyes, one for each eye. It can be hard to focus sometimes because of the two images, and it's an odd thing to handle for the eyes. But it's done and been done that way for years and years, and we're just one small company. I'm sure the same is done by virtually all quality control for PCBs.

Because of that, I think there has been plenty of research on the effects of stereoscopic projections on eyesight, and since not much is heard about it, it's IMO likely not a big deal.

[Dyne]

Anyways, to those who have it - how is the 3DS?
Strengths/Weaknesses.

Pretty simple, almost everything is a strength right now. The weaknesses are battery power (which is tough to fix without spending money) and the lack of games. I'm perfectly happy with the gaggle of built-in software, Ridge Racer, and Steel Diver though. I may pick up PilotWings eventually and I'll definitely be getting Zelda. (Insert "all of them, over and over" Penny Arcade joke here.)

So, seriously, nobody here has this? I'm looking for friend codes that aren't random scuzzy internet people. My 360 and PS3 are full of those.

[manasecret]

Like ten people have one at work, I'm surprised by how many even though we're all engineers. Got to try it, and it is an amazing effect. The Mii-maker is awesome idea, too. Remember that great idea Rare had to allow you to take photos of your face and use it to make characters in perfect dark, but Nintendo axed it in order to protect the children? Apparently Nintendo has finally relented, though only somewhat. The 3DS will take a photo of your face and then help create a Mii.

Pretty sweet since I never had any luck making a Mii that actually looks like me.

Oh, and Dyne, did I mention I like to DANCE?

[TheSlyMoogle]

So played one of these for about an hour the other day on full 3D. Made my eyes and head hurt like crazy while it was on 3D.

Other than that, it has the best graphics of any handheld I've seen. Super Street Fighter 4 looked great.

[thatmariolover]

I've used a friend's on a few occasions.

I didn't get any headaches, even after several hours of fairly constant use. But the battery doesn't last much over 3 hours anyway if you're playing something graphically intensive. I really enjoy the system. The feel of the 3D is good and the graphics are passable (we'll see if the OoT remake is more impressive).

But for now, my iPhone has more impressive graphics and lasts longer with all antenas on. But it doesn't do 3D or have dedicated controls, either.

[Ginkasa]

I just got one today. Through various gift cards and Reward Zone certificates I only had to pay $80 for the system and Super Street Fighter IV. Bazinga.

The system is pretty neat. The 3D effect is pretty groovy. My eyes didn't hurt or anything, but I did notice I was having to focus a little more. Nothing major, though. The software included is pretty cool. The ARG cards are fun and Face Raiders is cute. It does he animations on the faces really well. It even worked on my dog.

The Mii Maker photo thing didn't really work for me. My wife and I didn't really think my Mii looked like me, but it did hers okay... I ended up just making mine from scratch.

Super Street Fighter IV is fun. I'm not typically a fighting game guy (I wouldn't have got this one except its the only launch game I was even slightly interested in), but I like it. It looks fabulous.

Also, I tried a few DS games on it. I'd heard they would look bad due to the 3DS's higher resolution, but I thought they looked fine. They were maybe a little soft, but nothing too distracting. My DS will probably only be used for GBA games from now on (similar to how my GBA only gets used fr GB/C games...).

Has anyone else bought one or are we waiting for better games?

[Angrist]

I think most people are waiting for the 'real' games to come out. I know that there's not anything I want to play on it at the moment... I even see myself not buying one in the next years. I'm just not that much of a portable fan lately.

[Dyne]

What's your friend code Ginkasa? My 3DS has gotten lonely since launch.

[Vampyr]

I'm waiting for the next version of the system to come out.

The DS Lite was such an enormous upgrade to the original DS...I don't want to buy this one when there's a chance something like that could come out.

[BreakABone]

News on some games/ideas from Shiggy

-> The Legend of Zelda : Ocarina of Time 3D development is finished. Nintendo is now checking the translations of the game. The game will be available shortly after E3 2011.
-> The Legend of Zelda : Ocarina of Time 3D is an improved version. The game now runs at 30 frames per second on 3DS, instead of 20 frames per second for the original version.
-> The Legend of Zelda : Ocarina of Time 3D includes a special mode in which you can fight all the bosses of the game.
-> Master Quest mode lets you play in mirror mode (reverse all the backgrounds, enemies appear and move in different ways, etc.).

-> Starfox 64 3D development is finished. This time, the game will have the same name in all countries.

-> Super Mario 3D is still under intensive development.
-> Mario Kart 3D will be released this year.
-> Super Mario 3D will be a combination of Super Mario 64, Super Mario Galaxy and New Super Mario Bros.
-> Super Mario 3D will be fully unveiled at E3 2011.
-> The logo of Super Mario 3D has a raccoon tail.
-> Super Mario 3D will include a fixed camera system, slightly like the one you saw in Super Mario 64, in which the camera does not move and Mario walks around on the screen. This time you will really feel the depth. Shigeru Miyamoto explains that this method brings dynamism to the staging of the game. This game mechanic certainly will impress and entertain the players says Miyamoto.

-> Nintendo is currently experimenting several entirely new 3D concepts, Miyamoto is testing a game in which the player must discover which object is being displayed by moving it in different ways, in order to see the different facets. An object that looked like something could prove to be completely different afterall, the goal for Miyamoto is to use 3D to make the players feel surprised.

-> Nintendo is also testing a game in which an image is only visible to the left eye, and another image is only visible to the right eye. Miyamoto would for instance use this original concept for a Ghost game in which the player would not necessarily see what is coming in front of him! Miyamoto says he loves Ghost stories!

-> Nintendo is currently thinking about a possible connectivity between the Nintendo 3DS and a future home console, the Nintendo 3DS could be used as a controller. Nintendo is still testing many ideas.

UPDATE, MORE DETAILS THANKS TO HOLY ORDER SOL AND Smiles and Cries

-> Miyamoto reiterates the point about how using the touchscreen in OoT3DS helps with the Water Temple. Mentions to specifically watch the cutscenes in 3D. 30fps made it necessary to rework the animations. You can aim the bow/slingshot by moving the system. Miyamoto recommends to do this when no one's around to see you, lol.

-> Starfox 64 3D : Motion controls in StarFox, too. You can select the aiming mode in the options (as in, shooting directly at your target or taking into account your beam's movement and that of your target).

-> Miyamoto says "Tanuki", but the guy translates as the French word for "raccoon", which is probably not inaccurate but doesn't help in that particular context.

-> what he really said "To give you an idea of Super Mario 3D, imagine a mixture of Super Mario 64, Super Mario Galaxy with a little bit of New Super Mario Bros"

-> Someone asked about the lack of dual analog on the 3DS. Miyamoto says that a second stick had been considered but they decided against it because it's common to use just a finger to play. Adds that proper implementation of gyro controls should be better than a second stick for the purpose of controlling a camera.

[Ginkasa]

What's your friend code Ginkasa? My 3DS has gotten lonely since launch.


2062-9204-7801

[Dyne]

2062-9204-7801

0087 2308 7089

[BreakABone]

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XJ53VeEJikE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Wanted to share this, handheld has a pretty promising first year line-up

[magus113]

So my blurbs on all the stuff I saw in that Upcoming 3DS games reel:

Liking Ace Combat, Tetris, and Cave Story 3D, but then again I love any and all things Cave Story. I was skeptical about the 3D stuff but I've read that it works, so I'll take their word for it.

Driver? Really? Ugh.

What's going on with Crush? No idea what that is.

Nano Assault is strange but it's pretty looking.

Oh One Piece. Never could get into you. Pretty sure your game won't help either.

Another Animal Crossing. I think it was more fitting on handhelds than it was consoles..that being said I can't sa I'm too huge on the idea.

What's with the 3D models and the like in Professor Layton?! :( :( :(

blah blah Harvest Moon, who cares, blah blah

I'm so excited for another Mega Man Legends that you have no idea.

Shinobi makes me happy, and I'm intrigued at the remake of SMT Devil Survivor. The series has always interested me but I don't know how the battle system works too well so I get lost in trying to figure out how to play it and I keep losing.

Kingdom Hearts? When did this happen?

Do I even have to say it about Mario Kart? Star Fox?

Tales of the Abyss might be a cool pickup for me. I never played it on the PS2 but this could be the time to do it.

Hell yeah to Kid Icarus. I didn't see any of the multiplayer stuff but I'm kinda sold on the single player already.

Paper Mario! It looks so similar to the N64 one but it has all the cool paper-y effects in battle..and it's Paper Mario! Come on. That's gotta be awesome.

Seeing Luigi's Mansion 2 around reminds me that I need to finish the first, but it looks good either way.

Helloooooo tanooki suit.

I don't know what this Layton x Ace Attorney bullshit is

The preview stuff for RE: Revelations looks neat. A nice return to form. The people I saw playing the demo vids sucked though. It's more fun to look at games when people are playing them well.

Altogether a pretty awesome reel. Excuse me with the long post.

[KillerGremlin]

<div style='width:650px;font-size: 12px;'><embed src="http://cdn2.themis-media.com/media/global/movies/player/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.7.swf" flashvars="config=http://www.themis-media.com/videos/config/3112-49697ce720f4e9d807b34116bdbbacd2.js%3Fplayer_version%3D2.5%26embed%3D1" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" quality="high" bgcolor="#000000" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" width="650" height="391" wmode="opaque"></embed><div><a href='http://www.escapistmagazine.com'>The Escapist</a> : <a href='http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation'>Zero Punctuation</a> : <a href='http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/3112-Nintendo-3DS'>Nintendo 3DS</a></div></div>

[magus113]

So I'm picking up Resident Evil Mercenaries tomorrow.

I'm still a bit wary about it, but I'm gonna go in balls deep. You just kinda have to.

[Ginkasa]

So I'm picking up Resident Evil Mercenaries tomorrow.

I'm still a bit wary about it, but I'm gonna go in balls deep. You just kinda have to.


Have you heard about the one save ever thing? Capcom made it, apparently, so that once you begin a save file that's it. Once you've beaten the game, you're done. You can never erase your save file. You can never start over. There's only one slot, too, so you can't share it with anyone.

The idea is make it useless in the used game market, but I wouldn't buy a game knowing that I could never replay it from the beginning without having to pay for it again.

[magus113]

Have you heard about the one save ever thing? Capcom made it, apparently, so that once you begin a save file that's it. Once you've beaten the game, you're done. You can never erase your save file. You can never start over. There's only one slot, too, so you can't share it with anyone.

The idea is make it useless in the used game market, but I wouldn't buy a game knowing that I could never replay it from the beginning without having to pay for it again.

Well it could be worse considering that EA charges you 20 dollars to play online if you buy a used copy of a game.

It's to be expected since companies don't make any money from used game sales. It all comes back to the private sellers.

The one save ever thing I did hear about though, and in a sense it kinda works for the game. You're playing to beat your own scores, etc. There's no real story mode to complete over and over so why would you want to reset your save?

[Vampyr]

Well it could be worse considering that EA charges you 20 dollars to play online if you buy a used copy of a game.

It's to be expected since companies don't make any money from used game sales. It all comes back to the private sellers.

The one save ever thing I did hear about though, and in a sense it kinda works for the game. You're playing to beat your own scores, etc. There's no real story mode to complete over and over so why would you want to reset your save?

I don't think that is worse. The problem with Capcom's solution is that it punishes new game buyers in an attempt to punish used game buyers even more.

Charging $20 to unlock the multiplayer on a used game is kind of bad, but at least it isn't punishing new game buyers too.

[magus113]

I don't think that is worse. The problem with Capcom's solution is that it punishes new game buyers in an attempt to punish used game buyers even more.

Charging $20 to unlock the multiplayer on a used game is kind of bad, but at least it isn't punishing new game buyers too.

Maybe it doesn't seem that bad for me because I'm not entirely in the camp of trading in games that I own. I paid for the games and I intend to keep them whether they're short or bad or whatever.

It's a personal preference, I know, but still.

[BreakABone]

I don't think that is worse. The problem with Capcom's solution is that it punishes new game buyers in an attempt to punish used game buyers even more.

Charging $20 to unlock the multiplayer on a used game is kind of bad, but at least it isn't punishing new game buyers too.

I do think it is a bit more fair, but yes.

The gaming industry is trying so hard to combat used game sales that they are just pissing off consumers left and right.

I absolutely loathe the idea behind project 10 dollars.

I think the best solution, at least to me, is a system that rewards new players. Sort of like Gears of War 2 giving new owners, exclusive maps and weapons. This encourages people to buy the game new, doesn't penalize anyone really, and doesn't cost extra.

[Vampyr]

I do think it is a bit more fair, but yes.

The gaming industry is trying so hard to combat used game sales that they are just pissing off consumers left and right.

I absolutely loathe the idea behind project 10 dollars.

I think the best solution, at least to me, is a system that rewards new players. Sort of like Gears of War 2 giving new owners, exclusive maps and weapons. This encourages people to buy the game new, doesn't penalize anyone really, and doesn't cost extra.

Yep, rewards are the only way to go. The only kinds of rewards I don't like are the pre-order only rewards that you can't even purchase after the fact, and exclusive material you can only get if you pre-order from a specific retailer.

I thought Mass Effect 2's was good. If you buy it new you get free access to Cerberus network, which periodically had free DLC items. If you bought it used you could buy into that network.