It was in March 2010, almost a year ago, that Nintendo first announced it’s plan for a new handheld system, one that was going to change the way we play our games from now, the Nintendo 3DS. The following month in April we caught a glimpse of what this 3D handheld console could like but it wasn’t until June 15th at the Nintendo Conference at E3 was the system revealed and the video game world was taken aback by just how powerful the little machine actually was.
It’s no secret that Nintendo has been tinkering with 3D technology for a few years but there first attempts can be traced right back to the 1980’s . Ever heard of a game called Famicom Grand Prix II: 3d Hot Rally?
It was a racing game developed for the Famicom, a Nintendo system never released outside Japan! It was a complex 3D system that utilised a special set of goggles that allowed players to view an illusion that their games were being played in three dimensions. It seems now that the masters at one of the biggest gaming companies in the world have perfected the technology and the world is about to get it’s chance to test it out, with the Japanese release less than ten days away.
How does it work though and what are the specifications behind this little modern marvel though?
Below are the specs for the Nintendo 3DS compared to the Nintendo DS and PSP
| Specifications | Nintendo 3DS | Nintendo DS | PSP |
| GPU | DMP Pica 200 @ 400 MHz | Nintendo Proprietary | Sony Proprietary |
| Screen Resolution | Top Screen – 400×240 Low Screen – 320×240 Pixels – 268800 |
Both Screens – 256×192 Pixels – 98304 |
480×272 Pixels – 130560 |
| Vertex Performance | 40 million | 120,000 | 33 million |
| Fillrate | 1.6 billion | 30 million | 664 million |
Taken from hardcoreware.net
Ok so that is a lot of jargon to swallow but there a few other key features to the 3DS that we should mention! It comes packed with three cameras, using these allow you to take 3D pictures and view them instantly on the console. It also has two functions that we like the sound of SpotPass and StreetPass. While in sleep mode these functions will do various things including seeking out Wireless LAN access points to download information, game data, free games, videos or exchange data with other 3DS systems.
The 3DS will use cartridges akin the ones used by it’s predecessor and will be able to play both DSi and DS games on it’s system (obviously these will not have a 3D feature). It will come with a charging stand, AC adapter, touch pen, 2GB SD card as well as the usual manuals and starter guide.
Now the problem we have with the 3DS is pretty simple? Is this worth the value of money we will have to dish out. The answer isn’t an easy one to make, we all love a new bit of tech but with Nintendo dishing out reboots of the DS faster than we can say ‘Princess Peach picked a pale of pickled peppers’ how long will it be until we see a slimmer 3DS or some other twist on the handheld?
Our other issue comes with Nintendo allowing retailers to set the cost of the 3DS in Europe.
Gamers in the US will fork over $250 dollars for the hardware while Ozzie gamers will be paying $345 AUS. While we are not exactly strapped for cash we are worried that retailers will see this as a chance to make a lot cash quickly and we could end up paying tooth and nail for the 3DS.
However as loyal Nintendo fans we are more than happy to part with our hard earned euros if it means we get some quality gaming time and that is exactly what the 3DS offers! There will also be 13 games to choose from when the console is released: Pilotwings Resort, Nintendogs, Super Street Fighter IV, The Sims 3, PES 2011, Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars, Ridge Racer, Super Monkey Ball, Samurai Warriors: Chronicles, Asphalt, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell and Rayman
Yesterday we sent along @rcade writer Eilis to check out the Nintendo 3DS exhibition in Dublin, here is how she got on…
This morning we were rudely awoken at the ungodly hour of 7am by a relentless alarm clock. Normally, we’d be turning over, but today we dragged our gamer butts out of bed and shuffled along to a sneak preview of the shiny new Nintendo 3Ds in one of Dublin’s swanky hotels. After a good bit of standing around in the rain we were finally permitted to enter the wondrous land that the Nintendo peeps had created for us.
Considering we were a couple of wet, morning grouches, it must be said how sceptical we were when we first heard of Nintendo’s latest venture. ‘A 3D handheld console?’ we mocked, ‘What the frak would you need one of them for? And you don’t have to wear those goofy hipster glasses?! Preposterous! It’ll never work!’ Well we’re happy to admit that every so often the @rcade does get it wrong, (not very often mind you!) and this time was one of them.
Strolling into the demo area after watching the introduction video, we had just the tiniest flutter of excitement in our bellies to give the 3Ds a go. The first game we tried simply involved firing arrows at a 3D dragon, and yet we were blown away. In the upcoming advertisements you’ll see people stupidly looking under the DS itself to see how the effect is possible, but we almost found ourselves doing the same thing! The graphics are so impressive that even the most critical among us was satisfied that this really will be a whole new platform of gaming.
There were about twelve games to play, including 3D versions of some old DS favourites like Nintendogs and Lego Star Wars, and also new titles in some classic series like Resident Evil and Dead or Alive. Other new titles included Steel Diver, a side scroller where you take command of a submarine, Pilotwings Resort which is a flight simulator and also the third instalment in the Kid Icarus series, ‘Uprising’. Out of everything we got our paws on, the two games we enjoyed the most were definitely Super Street Fighter IV 3D and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. There’s just something so satisfying about kicking Ganondorf’s ass in 3D… We can’t wait for you guys to try it!
And it’s not just games! The 3Ds also features 3D video playback compatibility, and a contract with Sky 3D means there will be plenty of content for you to watch by the middle of the year! PLUS it has built-in software to detect wi-fi hotspots and other 3Ds’ in the surrounding area.
Officially impressed.
To be completely honest, we’re actually kind of embarrassed that we ever doubted Nintendo. The 3Ds is definitely going to revolutionise the gaming world and pave the way for an entirely different kind of handheld gaming experience. The only problem now has to wait until March 25th!
