Nintendo announces the "3DS" with no need for glasses

I just don't know what to do. I got a DSL to replace my phat when they had a special edition Legend of Zelda pack. So my DS is shiny gold with a triforce on it.

But I was hesitant to get a DSi, thinking I would wait for another themed one. And then they announced the DSi XL and I figured I might enjoy the bigger screens as text is sometimes a bother. So patiently I have been waiting for that.

And now they announce this. So do I go ahead and get an XL or just wait a little longer? I still only remember 1 DSi-exclusive cart being announced. And obviously there are the DSiWare games but I'm not sure if any of those I would buy. I just wanted a bigger screen.

*sigh*

It's almost as bad as upgrading a PC. Every time you finally decide to, something new comes out and prices drop on the stuff you just bought. Eventually you just have to take the plunge I guess.

mrtomaytohead wrote:
garion333 wrote:

Since you asked. 240 × 160 and 256 x 192.

Is it too much to ask / expect 320 x 240?

Spoiler:

Probably

Ulairi:
I wonder if they've been waiting for a 3D resurgence to finally bring it to market. Do you have any links to some of the crazy stuff people dig up like patents and such that Nintendo holds. I'd be interested to see it.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news...

They had it back in 2001. NeoGAF has some info out there about Nintendo investing huge in this for years.

Nintendo had a really big taste of failure with the Virtual Boy and with the spectre of failure permeating that product, the fact that they're brining another 3D type of device to market might mean that they're really be on to something. I'm very curious to see what this device will be able to do.

dhaelis wrote:

Nintendo had a really big taste of failure with the Virtual Boy and with the spectre of failure permeating that product, the fact that they're brining another 3D type of device to market might mean that they're really be on to something. I'm very curious to see what this device will be able to do.

One would hope that they can apply lessons learnt from producing the 2 highest selling consoles currently on the market.

The last 5 years of Nintendo follow this cycle:

1: Ninty announce a machine that does something radically different from it's predecessors and competitors.
2: Public and critical reception of news boils down to "sounds like a dumb idea".
3: System releases a year later.
4: PROFIT!

IMAGE(http://game-restore.com/images/holosseum-3.jpg) ?

IMAGE(http://www.arcade-history.com/images/game/1137_1.png)

Virtual Boy 2.0? Well, seeing as the Wii was basically Power Glove 2.0, I think they've got something on their hands. Nintendo never lets a good idea die.

I've been thinking a lot about 3D technology and what path it was going to take to make it's way into our homes, but I never really thought about handheld devices. The small, dedicated screens make it a perfect fit, really. 3D tech couldcould easily follow the same adoption path that touchscreen technology did. Starting out in the DS, then moving into smartphones and then becoming ubiquitous among mobile devices. Natal, Wii and Move are an extension of touchscreen control to the TV (sort of a touchscreen from a distance). I'd be very surprised if 3D displays don't start showing up in high-end smart phones quite soon. From there, people will start to expect 3D displays (and expect to use them without glasses), and there will be an even bigger push to get 3D TV technology affordable.

Touch screens and 3D might not go well together since you can't touch the 3D space.

It's amazing how little I care about this. Maybe I'm alone, but it feels like content companies are suddenly cramming (unwanted) 3D down our throats... TV, movies, and now this. I wish the whole 3D "fad" would disappear amidst the sound of thousands of voices screaming out "meh."

0kelvin wrote:

Virtual Boy 2.0? Well, seeing as the Wii was basically Power Glove 2.0, I think they've got something on their hands. Nintendo never lets a good idea die.

I've been thinking a lot about 3D technology and what path it was going to take to make it's way into our homes, but I never really thought about handheld devices. The small, dedicated screens make it a perfect fit, really. 3D tech couldcould easily follow the same adoption path that touchscreen technology did. Starting out in the DS, then moving into smartphones and then becoming ubiquitous among mobile devices. Natal, Wii and Move are an extension of touchscreen control to the TV (sort of a touchscreen from a distance). I'd be very surprised if 3D displays don't start showing up in high-end smart phones quite soon. From there, people will start to expect 3D displays (and expect to use them without glasses), and there will be an even bigger push to get 3D TV technology affordable.

I like the 3 Virtual Boy games I've got with it.

I still remember when people said that the DS was the dumbest thing Nintendo did since Virtual Boy way back when it was announced.

I remember it because I was one of them.

Until Nintendo actually shows the tech, it's too early to write them off. They've pulled off some crazy stuff between the Wii and DS, so they get a bit of leeway in the "that's insane" discussion. If it winds up being like that DSi 3d hidden object game in Japan, it could bear watching.

For me, I have a launch DSLite that I'll be upgrading to a DS Magnum next week. I primarily use the DS at home, so I may as well have giant screens to play it on. The announcement of the 3DS thing doesn't change my plans, since Nintendo has shown that they like to release tons of versions of their handhelds. Like Apple stuff, the smart money is on waiting for the second iteration.

Spunior wrote:

I still remember when people said that the DS was the dumbest thing Nintendo did since Virtual Boy way back when it was announced.

I remember it because I was one of them. :)

You know who wasn't?

*this guy*

I'm not particularly interested in the 3D aspect, but if the rumors about Gamecube / PSP-level graphics are true and the 3D is just there to give it an instant "hook" with the mainstream market, then I could very well be interested in that. Before anyone says anything, yes, the PSP is already a portable with good graphics, but I'm talking about something that developers will actually support.

Even then, I might just wait for the inevitable DS Lite-style redesign a couple years down the road.

I'll be interested to see what kind of online connectivity this thing boasts. It's getting to the point where it's foolish to release a portable device without some kind of always-on connectivity for anti-piracy purposes if nothing else, but I can't imagine Ninty saddling the thing with a 3G contract a la iPhone. Maybe something like the Kindle's Whispernet, where the cost of the service is included in the cost of the device?

hbi2k wrote:

Even then, I might just wait for the inevitable DS Lite-style redesign a couple years down the road.

I'll be interested to see what kind of online connectivity this thing boasts. It's getting to the point where it's foolish to release a portable device without some kind of always-on connectivity for anti-piracy purposes if nothing else, but I can't imagine Ninty saddling the thing with a 3G contract a la iPhone. Maybe something like the Kindle's Whispernet, where the cost of the service is included in the cost of the device?

I think Nintendo pretty much struck gold with the DS Lite design itself, and won't be straying too far, form-factor wise. The original DS was not the sales juggernaut we think of when we think "DS," that didn't really start til the DSL.

Regarding the connectivity, I wouldn't bet on a constant connection. I don't have any evidence to support this, it's just my gut, and my gut is pretty accurate regarding Nintendo products. It just doesn't seem like something they'd be into.

Well, we don't really have any evidence for ANY of this until Nintendo comes forward with more details at E3-- just spitballing.

on second thought that ended up sounding like I meant it to be mean.

3D may be the next "color", or it may be the next "smellovision"

I was going to buy an XL (since i only have an original DS phat) but i'm interested in the 3DS now - especially since it's supposedly fully DS compatible game-wise.

3DS Motherboard

The top screen will be the only 3D display and won't be 4:3.

Looks like a more complete picture is forming.

And with an analog stick! Hell yes.

Analog stick = good.

The *mock-up picture = atrocious

*A DS light with a big top screen in all its mini-buttons / D-pad & carpel tunnel inducing glory.

SommerMatt wrote:

It's amazing how little I care about this. Maybe I'm alone, but it feels like content companies are suddenly cramming (unwanted) 3D down our throats... TV, movies, and now this. I wish the whole 3D "fad" would disappear amidst the sound of thousands of voices screaming out "meh."

I agree about 3D in general, though there are a few things going for it:
1. It's Nintendo, and they have some pretty rigorous specifications for handhelds and consoles in general(good battery life and the company needs to make a profit off of every console sold)
2. They're claiming no glasses needed. I'm sold with this.
3. Nintendo won't be forcing the use of the 3D functionality(Gamasutra link). So at best, even if the system has a fraction of the power that the rumors are claiming, we're still talking about a more powerful DS.

I'm interested in 3D, but not excited about it. I could see it being a worthwhile introduction to gaming, but not something earth-shattering that changes the way we play. Still, I could see a few games making fun use of the 3D to give people a new experience.

Yeah. If it can reach out and tickle my dogs noses, that would sell me on the 3D.

The 3D camera could be cool. It would help map faces onto avatars, or let you do 3D video chat.

I went to a Best Buy to check out the 3D TVs. The TVs were good and worked as advertised. The problem that I had was that while the objects in the movie did appear to be in front of the screen, they could not appear to be above, below, or to the side of the screen. This kind of took me out of the movie. This was on a 55" screen. On a DS screen this could be a bigger issue. Maybe being closer to the screen will make it less of an issue. I won't know until I get one in my hands.

So if you turn the 3D slider all the way down does it just look like a normal DS? Could someone with only one eye play this?

I didn't try it one-eyed, but as a staunch anti-3D kind of guy standing very skeptically in the Nintendo line at E3, the 3DS totally won me over. I think I'll finally have to upgrade my DS Phat. I believe all I could say was "Oh wow".

LobsterMobster wrote:

So if you turn the 3D slider all the way down does it just look like a normal DS?

And to answer your question, yes.

Well, the hinge broke on my DS Phattie yesterday, so it looks like I'll be getting a 3DS!

Any word on whether or not the 3DS will be region locked? I would imagine so (the DSi is, after all), but I'm considering getting a DS to play import games on and would like to know my options before I jump.

Also curious to know if it'll reject my R4 card.