The Nintendo 3DS portable gaming system is among the most anticipated releases in recent history, but it seems a bit of an uphill battle for this platform. With no ability to capture the actual effect on camera, the 3DS has a limited amount of commercial marketability. Being caught up in the throes of the “3D Age”, it may seem a bit gimmicky, but it's not the first time that the 'gimmicky' handle has stood in the way of Nintendo's success. With many touted benefits and new features, can it overcome the doubters and the downfalls a new platform imminently must face, or are we in the early stages of what will ultimately be dubbed as the unwanted successor to the Virtual Boy?
Having actually had the chance to play the 3DS has definitely opened my mind to the system, more than I originally thought it would. Though crisp and eye catching, the graphics are not seemingly a vast improvement over the DSi’s capabilities, but it is still early and hopefully we will eventually start to see some titles that will push the systems graphical capabilities. The addition of the “slide pad” analog control stick adds a new level of control, as it is not only easier to maneuver, it's much more comfortable. Another new addition are the cameras, which now number three in total: two on the outside facing away from you, and one on the inside directly facing you. The 0.3 mega-pixelll cameras don’t seem to be an improvement at all over that of the DSi/DSi Xl, except for the fact that the outer two can utilize 'line of sight technology' and take 3D images. This is quite awesome, and in addition the system also comes with free “augmented reality cards”, which when used in conjunction with the camera display a 3D image on your screen. The 3DS has a gyroscopic sensor as well as an accelerometer, which means it can utilize some amount of motion based control into its games. Finally, the system is also stocked with random other neat little features, such as a built in activity log to keep track of play time per game, and a pedometer which rewards gamers with coins that can be used to purchase items in games. The 3DS also retains the microphone feature from its predecessors.
Of course, the 3DS is capable of multiplayer through a Wi-Fi or LAN connection, but Nintendo decided to throw in a couple new features: Street Pass and Spot Pass. Street Pass is a function which allows players to pass each other with their 3DS in sleep mode and gain trophies or figures for basically just having the game. Utilizing a similar technology, the Spot Pass mode will automatically seek out Wi-Fi hotspots to allow the 3DS to update while in sleep mode, and will also allow for gamers to play online in more public settings. Hopefully this means that the 3DS will have more games that support online play, and in a better way, than the DS ever did. Nintendo has already announced that in late May they will be utilizing AT&T Wi-Fi hot spots to provide gamers with more accessibility at no additional charge, so that should help as well.
The top screen on the 3DS is now in a widescreen (16:9) format, but it is hardly noticeable without a previous generation DS for comparison. The lower touch screen however is slightly smaller than the top screen, and appears so partly due to the fact that it is now framed in by the navigational buttons along the bottom. The new navigational buttons are nicely laid out along the bottom of the screen which allow you to move through the 3DS's menu. The menu system will be very familiar to users of the DSi. The system is, unfortunately, a bit thicker than previous versions of the DS, making it harder to carry in your pocket. The system does have an e-shop channel (similar to the Wii Shop Channel) but it will not be launching until sometime in May.
The lineup of launch titles for this system feels a bit weak and only holds a few games that will really last long enough to hold most gamers interest. Nintendo is only bringing three first-party titles to the launch table: Pilotwings Resort, Nintendogs & Cats, and Steel Diver. The good new is, though, that the 3DS has full backwards compatibility, so you can keep playing your favorite DS games. With Nintendo having already announced the development of new Zelda, Starfox, & Mario Kart titles, along with many others, the system will hopefully have a strong first-party lineup by year's end. For the currently available third-party titles, Street Fighter IV 3D and Rayman 2 seem to be the stand outs, with additional solid titles such as Dead or Alive: Dimensions to land soon after launch.
The 3DS releases March 27th, 2011, and seeing truly is believing in this case. Time alone will tell if this system will have what it takes to make it in the game industry today, but let it not go unsaid that it is an extremely innovative device that could possibly change the way games are done from now on. All in all, it functions well and, all complaints aside, has so far managed to make a great impression, at least with myself. I personally recommend the system, and I'm eagerly looking forward to what I believe will be its very bright and successful future.
Submitted By: Corey Hall (Employee)
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