3DS first impression - better than I thought.

[Dervacumen]

So I caved and bought one a couple hours ago which isn't that surprising since I've been on the fence for about 8 months.  The 3D effect is much better than I imagined and the 3D camera takes great pictures.  The one bundled game I played for a minute worked well in 3D, even while moving the thing all over the place.  Yeah, you lose a little focus but the overall effect is great IMO.  Still getting used to what it has to offer, but I'm happy with my purchase.  Setting up internet access took about 20 seconds.  Setting parental controls was straightforward.
I only purchased one launch game, Nintendogs + Cats, since this is really for my kid.  Once I pry it from her hands and have a little time with some of the applications I'll give a deeper report.  For now I'm going to play with her new toy.

[shateredsoul]

You or your kids gone cross eyed yet?

Did it look like another wii situations when you went over? I mean where there people sleeping over and such? I was tempted to get one, called my local gamestop and they had a few left and said I would probably be able to get one if I rushed over now.

[bobotech]

What I wonder about is the long term usability of the system with the 3d effect.  Like will it cause peolple to suffer motion sickness and/or headaches?  Will this turn into another virtual boy?

[shateredsoul]

check out ebay, the nintendo 3ds are selling for less than msrp w/ free shipping.

Scalping fail, doh!

[Dazz]

I've been having a blast with the 3DS so far since I picked it up 5 hours ago. I picked up Street Fighter 4 and Pilotwings, but the pre-loaded AR games are just as fun.

I have no issues at all with the 3D and no headache or anything after 4 or 5 hours of use.

However, I am now expecting every screen that I view to have 3D depth to it. Computer monitors, TV screens and even my iPhone my eyes are expecting to see 3D.

[Malenko]

They had a little roped off area at best buy for 3DSs, there were no lines and a stack of them left.
Im not interested but my GF wants one when they release a pink one.... then I get her old DSiXL and my nephews get to fight over my DSLite

[versapak]

They had a little roped off area at best buy for 3DSs, there were no lines and a stack of them left.
Im not interested but my GF wants one when they release a pink one.... then I get her old DSiXL and my nephews get to fight over my DSLite

Yeah, I didn't even realize it had come out. There were a ton of them at the Gamestop I was in yesterday with no lines and very little fanfare.


I am interested in the thing, but not until it gets better battery life for a much lower price. Spending $250 on a dedicated mobile gaming device isn't something I will ever even entertain.

[shateredsoul]

maybe come Christmas it will be more scarce... 250 for a portable is very different than 250 for a home console (the Nintendo Wii).

[Dervacumen]

You or your kids gone cross eyed yet?

Did it look like another wii situations when you went over? I mean where there people sleeping over and such? I was tempted to get one, called my local gamestop and they had a few left and said I would probably be able to get one if I rushed over now.

You or your kids gone cross eyed yet?

Did it look like another wii situations when you went over? I mean where there people sleeping over and such? I was tempted to get one, called my local gamestop and they had a few left and said I would probably be able to get one if I rushed over now.

Where I live, there's no such thing as running out to get anything before it sells out.
I wasn't even planning on getting one, really.  I was just sitting there in the morning a coule hours after the store opened and thought since I needed to get a couple of things I'd check to see if there were any in stock.
There were 6 left after I bought mine.
and I went to Best Buy today, they ordered 40 and sold about 8 yesterday.  The advertising on this was horrific IMO.  I don't think most people even know it exists.  Word will get out and stock will dry up.  I give it about two weeks.
I really like the camera and the built in shooting game.  I've experienced no eye strain, but I've only played it for about 30 minutes.  The slider to kick back to 2D will alleviate the problem if it arises.  I think it's like the early wii games.  Until the developers get good at using the technology it's hit or miss.

[Dervacumen]

$100 for an Iphone 4 from AT&T.

Just saying.

I had an iphone 3 and hated it.  I can't imagine I'll like the 4G.  Where I am, I can't get greater speed anyway.

[Dazz]

$100 for an Iphone 4 from AT&T.

Just saying.

Last time I checked; a phone normally requires a CONTRACT with a monthly payment.  Why would anyone ever consider a phone for a gaming platform?  Sure phones now days can play games, but even if I didn't have an iPhone 4 already I still wouldn't even think twice about buying one as a gaming platform. 

[shateredsoul]

I'm sort of looking forward to Kid Icarus, I like on rail shooters (like start fox and panzer dragoon), and aren't they also remaking star fox 64 for it?

I actually never played Zelda Majora's Mask, so if that comes out I'll be sure to get that game.

[shateredsoul]

*launches a bird at this thread*

[RandyT]

The advertising on this was horrific IMO.  I don't think most people even know it exists.  Word will get out and stock will dry up.  I give it about two weeks.

I haven't seen one in the flesh yet, but I don't think this will be the case.  Nintendo is about to learn the ambivalence of the American consumer when it comes to 3D.  I think the hand-held will enjoy some success, but it will come largely from the added conventional capabilities of the system, and likely only when the price comes down.  It will take a similar amount of time to be accepted as any system which is relatively expensive out of the gate, and which offers more at the cost of a new library of games (See: PS3).  

I see lots of ads for it on TV now, but based on my perusal of the video game aisle at WM today, where there was a pile of units stacked in the display case and no unit to witness running, I don't think they will do much good.

[Blanka]

Why is the unit itself so damn ugly? Those plastic colours you can choose..... EEEK!

[shateredsoul]

It's a lot smaller than I expected, from the pics it looked the size of the original ds.  The deal killer for me is really the battery life. I guess I never really play portable devices outside the house anyways... but that's not the point damnit! I bet it'll come down to $200 by xmas. I heard that it sold more than previous portable systems, but it doesn't seem that way because there's so many left over. I bet initial shortages at the beginning are good for long term sales.

[Ginsu Victim]

I got the chance to try one today at Gamestop. Neat effect and all, but I would never pay that much for one. When I stopped playing, it took a moment to adjust back to the real world.

[RandyT]

Do like how the commercials are all 25-35 year olds... reminds me of the original Gameboy commercials showing the artsy types intently playing Tetris.  "We're not a kid's toy, we swear!"

I have to admit that I am a bit excited to see where Nintendo goes with this one.  With the price tag and the built in features of the 3DS, one has to feel a little like they may finally be attempting to shed the "kid's toy" image and push into the more "adult gamer" market where Sony has tried to position the PSP devices.  It will be fun to follow.

Nice to see you coming around.    The original Gameboy ads came at a time when Nintendo had not yet earned it's "kid's toy" reputation.  It was their attempt to market to the broad spectrum of gamers at that time, even those who had "grown up".  This is a strong indicator that they are attempting to do so again, as if the price tag alone wasn't enough.  You are seeing the first blush of the new face of Nintendo.

[RandyT]

Price point is a pretty lousy way to say you're an adult product.  Are you seriously claiming that the game lineup for 3DS is somehow more mature?  SF4 aside it's the same kiddie crap we've seen for 20 years.

I have seen 20 SF4 commercials for every 1 Nintendogs commercial.  SF4 is an early teen to 30 geared title.  My 6 and 8 year old niece and nephew, who both carry around DS's don't play SF4, and their mother would never pay $250 for their handhelds.  If Nintendo had any sense (and I think they do) they would understand this.  It's simple to see that the 3DS is priced and equipped for an older player.  Even the launch color options scream this.  Now it's just a matter of whether they can pull it off.

[shateredsoul]

If you want a better price, go to ebay and geton for under 200 w/ free shipping. Seriously. I think they're having a hard time selling these, so it's not looking good so far. Maybe when better games come out?

[Donkbaca]

Games won't solve the issues.  What "OMG, I gotta have it title" are they gonna have to justify the price point?  Just about every console I can think of had that one game that made the console worth the purchase. 

No way this thing can compete against the iphone 4, which most people can get cheaper, will carry around anyways because its a phone and music player and all that other crap.  I think this is a Nintendisaster

[shateredsoul]

I bought an extra one for sale, bad idea! Yeah I agree about the price point being too high for most people. That explains the ebay prices.

I guess i'll just keep them sealed forever, maybe they'll be worth more as Nintendo's 2nd 3D fail either that or this will be sought after due to the firmware version as soon as they hack it.

[RandyT]

Yeah, but the problem is that adults with $250 are too smart to buy a lousy handheld game system with 1/10 the functionality of similarly priced devices.

Are you counting the "Nintendults"?  BTW, plenty of adults spent that much on a PSP, and will spend more on the next generation.  The world does not evolve around the cell phone when it comes to portable gaming.

Black and blue are mature colors?  C'mon, Randy, that's full on looney tunes.  Which Nintendo system has ever launched with a 'non-mature' color?

Jim, I'm dying to know what you do for a living.  I'm guessing marketing doesn't play much of a role.  Subdued colors are adult oriented.  If it looks out of place in the shirt pocket of an adult who can afford to spend that much for a gadget, it is.

[Donkbaca]

The new smartphones are a game changer.  The PSP go was a complete disaster. 

There are Nintendults, but not enough of them to make $250 portable profitable IMHO.

Lets face it, the main reason the DS was so popular is because it was something used by parents to placate kids on trips to the store, don't see the same parents shelling out that kind of cash for a kids portable.

Portable gaming as a whole has never really taken off.  The only ones that have ever been succesful are the PSP and the gameboy line, and that was pre-iphone/android.

[RandyT]

The new smartphones are a game changer.

Until one comes out with real gaming controls (and one is coming), no, they are in fact, not.  Cell phones, sans proper controls, severely limit the types of games one can play, and people who consider themselves gamers will never be happy stabbing at a touch screen to control deeper games.

The PSP go was a complete disaster. 

That was simply because it was product that no-one asked for.  The PSP was handling that market sector just fine, and the GO did nothing to enhance what the PSP already offered.  Just the opposite in fact. 

There are Nintendults, but not enough of them to make $250 portable profitable IMHO.

Lets face it, the main reason the DS was so popular is because it was something used by parents to placate kids on trips to the store, don't see the same parents shelling out that kind of cash for a kids portable.

Then you must believe Nintendo to be managed by baboons .  I have voiced my doubts about the possibilities for success of this unit as well.  But unlike you, I think they have a plan.  It is only their ability to carry it out that I am a little skeptical of.

[Donkbaca]

Hardcore gamers don't play handhelds.  Name one hardcore gaming title on ANY handheld?  The handheld market has always done best with casual fans, and that is the same market that smartphones cater to.

That was simply because it was product that no-one asked for

Same thing with the 3DS.  The only thing if offers above a DS is the screen, which is a novelty, it doesn't do anything to add to the quality of the games, or the interface.  Its a fancy gimmick.

Then you must believe Nintendo to be managed by baboons .  I have voiced my doubts about the possibilities for success of this unit as well.  But unlike you, I think they have a plan.  It is only their ability to carry it out that I am a little skeptical of.

No, I think they are managed well, but they not every decision they make is golden, there have been tons of flops, the virtual boy being the most famous.  Nintendo will be fine, they don't follow the model of lose money on the initial console launch, then hope to make it back in licensing and later models economy of scale like the other console makers do.  That means that "success" for nintendo is a lot lower of a bar than it would be for Sony.  It COULD be a success, if like the gamecube, they put out some good Nintendo property games that fans have gotta have, that would allow for a decent enough base of users to attract third party development. But, unless that happens, I don't see how its gonna work, and there is no wiz-bang launch title.  SFIV?  I can play SFIV on my iphone.  Got it for 99 cents.  Is it as good as the one on the 3ds?  I don't know, but I am not going to pay 300 bucks for a system and a game to find out...

[Ginsu Victim]

Hardcore gamers don't play handhelds.  Name one hardcore gaming title on ANY handheld?

Fire Pro Wrestling 1 & 2 on GBA

[shateredsoul]

what's hardcore?

I thought Zelda's Link's awakening was pretty "hardcore"

Final Fantasy Adventure & Legend 1 - 3

Metroid and Castlevania Series on GBA

Nintendo DS had quite a few "hardcore rpgs", sonic platformers,

God of war for psp

do you mean first person shooters and 3d adventure games? If that's what you mean yeah, you're right. But a bunch of those games are pretty easy to finish.

[RandyT]

Hardcore gamers don't play handhelds.  Name one hardcore gaming title on ANY handheld?  The handheld market has always done best with casual fans, and that is the same market that smartphones cater to.

I don't even know how to answer this question.  There are casual games, and there is everything else.  Most handheld games fall into the everything else category.  It would be more appropriate for you to decide who was going to get their butt beat in a game of SF4, the guy with the "plus" pad and buttons, or the guy smearing the touchscreen with his thumb.

Same thing with the 3DS.  The only thing if offers above a DS is the screen, which is a novelty, it doesn't do anything to add to the quality of the games, or the interface.  Its a fancy gimmick.

You won't catch me arguing with the 3D novelty aspects, but underneath there is a faster processor with more memory, and bunch of other functional enhancements.  These will allow for the machine to succeed, at least to some extent, in spite of how well the 3D part is received.

No, I think they are managed well, but they not every decision they make is golden, there have been tons of flops, the virtual boy being the most famous.  Nintendo will be fine, they don't follow the model of lose money on the initial console launch, then hope to make it back in licensing and later models economy of scale like the other console makers do.  That means that "success" for nintendo is a lot lower of a bar than it would be for Sony.

Don't let some other folks around here hear you talking like that .  Seriously, I agree with this.  But they have to be playing to the "serious gamer" crowd with this one.  They have priced it out of the market where their other handhelds are thriving.  They also seem to have no intention of pulling the 2D DS's from production, and retailers seem all too happy to take them in on trade.  As I stated, this is geared to be a competitive entry into a market where Nintendo hasn't really been represented for a while now.  It will be interesting to see if they can compete on the merits of the machine, or whether we see a pink or "baby blue" version and a big price cut before Christmas.

[Samstag]

Hardcore gamers don't play handhelds.  Name one hardcore gaming title on ANY handheld?  The handheld market has always done best with casual fans, and that is the same market that smartphones cater to.

GTA: Liberty City Stories, Vice City Stories, God of War, and probably a bunch of others I'm forgetting were essentially console games (PS2 era) on a handheld.  Allowing for the missing second analog stick, they were practically the same experience as you'd get on the PS2.  If those aren't hardcore games, I don't know what you think hardcore means.

[RandyT]

Yeah, and those console versions of the game on a handheld are precisely why the PSP is a dud system, too.

Yeah, stupid 60+ million consumers buying a dud system. What were they thinking ?

Seriously, Jim, how do you come up with these gems? 

[Donkbaca]

GTA: Liberty City Stories, Vice City Stories, God of War, and probably a bunch of others I'm forgetting were essentially console games (PS2 era) on a handheld.  Allowing for the missing second analog stick, they were practically the same experience as you'd get on the PS2.  If those aren't hardcore games, I don't know what you think hardcore means

Well that's five games.  The GTA games are sorta hardcore I guess. In my mind hardcore games are games that you need to invest 40 plus hours in to complete/be proficient in.  Each of these games is around 15 hours I think. 

In any case, even if you count the GTAs and the GOWs, thats 5 games on the PSP, and few, if anybody, is going to rush out and get a PSP just to play those games as they are basically ports of PS2 games, only smaller and with crappier graphics.  That's really my point, I guess.  Not that a hardcore gamer would rush out and buy an iphone to game on, but considering that there are a billion other reasons to have a smart phone, and the most you will pay for a game on one is 10 bucks, I am saying that its pretty hard to convince someone to spend 250 bucks on portable gaming today.  If the person is at home, they will always chose their pc/console, if they are away from home they have their iphone, and I don't think most people will find the gaming experience on the DS to be compelling enough to justify carrying another device and shelling out the dough to play on a 3DS vs an Iphone.

[RandyT]

Good lord, Randy.  Here, let me make it a little clearer:

Yeah, and those console versions of the game on a handheld are precisely why the PSP is a dud system in my opinion, too.

Ok, so you have a different definition of "dud" than used by the majority.  A "dud" is a deployment failure.  Whatever the yardstick you use, the PSP is factually not a "dud" system, your opinion notwithstanding.

You do realize that everything posted on a video game forum is opinion, right?  Especially moronic comments about how Nintendo is turning a new leaf and unveiling THIS system in a conservative color that's not flashy like gray, black, or white.

Not everything is opinion, and that means you don't get to be right just because you are you.  Either A: Nintendo has gone off it's rocker and given absolutely no thought as to how the configuration and the associated added cost improvements of the 3DS have priced it out of Nintendo's current, long held market segment, or B: they are attempting to break new ground.  I gave you a number of indicators which show pretty clearly that the latter is much more likely, but you latched onto the smallest and least significant one, because you could find argument with it.  And even I only mentioned it because someone else here noticed it and felt strongly enough about it to add it to the list of things which he did not like about the system.  These decisions, even the ones as simple as color, are painfully and tediously considered.  If you want to believe that they pulled them out of a hat, that's fine.  But when you start arguing in support of those kind of theories, you will find resistance.

How about you turn a new leaf and stop acting like a dick towards your customers?

Jim, you say ridiculously spiteful things like this every time I disagree with your myopic views on the industry.  It's old and it's pathetic.  Unlike other vendors who seem only to show up when they are pimping something, I come to these forums primarily to interact with folks and lend my insight on topics being discussed, and I have been doing so for a lot longer than I have had a single thing for sale.  Frankly, it's more than a little bizarre that you think someone should alter their views so as to give you a "pass" simply because you made two small purchases with them in the past 8 years.  I value my customers greatly, but not to the point that the integrity of the discussion suffers.  That would only do them a disservice, and I won't do that for you.  Sorry.

[RandyT]

For those who are interested in more evidence that Nintendo has different plans for the 3DS, and in moving forward; Link

Apparently they started doing this on the Wii just last year as well.  A corporate culture that has had a historical aversion to games with "mature" subject matter, now has an official policy in the Japanese market on how to integrate them into their library.   This speaks volumes about the direction the company is moving.

[Donkbaca]

Either A: Nintendo has gone off it's rocker and given absolutely no thought as to how the configuration and the associated added cost improvements of the 3DS have priced it out of Nintendo's current, long held market segment, or B: they are attempting to break new ground.  I gave you a number of indicators which show pretty clearly that the latter is much more likely, but you latched onto the smallest and least significant one, because you could find argument with it.  And even I only mentioned it because someone else here noticed it and felt strongly enough about it to add it to the list of things which he did not like about the system.  These decisions, even the ones as simple as color, are painfully and tediously considered.  If you want to believe that they pulled them out of a hat, that's fine.  But when you start arguing in support of those kind of theories, you will find resistance.

I don't think anyone is arguing that Nintendo doesn't have a plan, I think we are arguing that the plan won't work.  In fact, I think what PBJ,(If I can speak for him) and I are saying is pretty much the same thing as you, that essentially this is an adult handheld, but adults won't buy it enough for it to be all that succesful.  Then again, really, what this is a regular DS with a fancy screen. Its a low risk gambit for Nintendo, they are trying to ride the 3d wave, if it fails, they haven't lost that much, and its novel enough that it may have a niche following, and a niche following will probably be good enough for them.  Just like the wii was a low risk gamble, its basically just a gamecube with a hard drive and motion controls.

For what its worth I think both PBJ and RandyT are ---Deutsche Frankfurters---, but I like what they have to say 

[RandyT]

In fact, I think what PBJ,(If I can speak for him) and I are saying is pretty much the same thing as you, that essentially this is an adult handheld, but adults won't buy it enough for it to be all that succesful.  Then again, really, what this is a regular DS with a fancy screen. Its a low risk gambit for Nintendo, they are trying to ride the 3d wave, if it fails, they haven't lost that much, and its novel enough that it may have a niche following, and a niche following will probably be good enough for them.  Just like the wii was a low risk gamble, its basically just a gamecube with a hard drive and motion controls.

If I'm not mistaken, PBJ has argued specifically that he doesn't think the 3DS is a DS with a fancy screen.  I tend to lean more toward your conclusion, but with the caveat that the extra capabilities built in to support that screen, and which are driving the pricetag, are also going to make the system more marketable as a "serious" portable.  Based on the rumored price of the PSP2, the 3DS might be positioned well enough to get a foothold if the systems turn out to be at all comparable.

I wonder when we will see the first "mod" involving the removal of the plastic 3D grating. 

For what its worth I think both PBJ and RandyT are ---Deutsche Frankfurters---, but I like what they have to say 

Heh.  I guess that's what's important 

[Donkbaca]

Lastly (for now) 200-300 bucks is a barrier for consoles, and with a handheld, you can't justify the purchase like you can with a console by saying, "well at least it also plays blu rays and can be my home media center.  All this thing does is play games.  We'll see what it can do.

Me?  I am skeptical

BTW, If the PSP2 is priced higher, it will be a colossal failure.  People didn't buy the PS3 when it came out because it was over that 300 bucks for a console limit.  If a HANDHELD is over 300 bucks, who the hell would buy it?

[shateredsoul]

who cares 

[Donkbaca]

well, I care. Randy T cared enough that he was a dick to PBJ, who is also a dick.  PBJ cared enough to have his dick feelings hurt my Randy's dickery. 

Meh, nobody cares, we are just bored and like to talk about games, especially in instances like this, where the less we know about and actually use the product, the stronger our feelings are about them.

[shateredsoul]

well, I care. Randy T cared enough that he was a dick to PBJ, who is also a dick.  PBJ cared enough to have his dick feelings hurt my Randy's dickery. 

Meh, nobody cares, we are just bored and like to talk about games, especially in instances like this, where the less we know about and actually use the product, the stronger our feelings are about them.

How about back to talking about the 3DS? Any good games going to come out for it in the future? I'm not particularly interested in the Zelda game.

[RandyT]

Lastly (for now) 200-300 bucks is a barrier for consoles, and with a handheld, you can't justify the purchase like you can with a console by saying, "well at least it also plays blu rays and can be my home media center.  All this thing does is play games.  We'll see what it can do.

Me?  I am skeptical

BTW, If the PSP2 is priced higher, it will be a colossal failure.  People didn't buy the PS3 when it came out because it was over that 300 bucks for a console limit.  If a HANDHELD is over 300 bucks, who the hell would buy it?

I am a bit skeptical as well, especially in this economy.  But I've seen stranger things.  How much did an iPhone cost initially?  Or an iPad, even now?  The 3DS can and will play 3D (and 2D) movies on the go, and that could be important enough to some to justify the cost.  There really is no such thing as "just a game player" anymore when it comes to handhelds.  They all have cameras, web browsers, photo viewers, mp3 players, pda functions, etc, etc..  The only thing any of the popular ones are missing is phone capabilities, which may be the one thing they really need in order to entrench them into our "must have at (nearly) any cost" mindsets .  That's something which is about to be tested on the PSP side of things.

How about back to talking about the 3DS? Any good games going to come out for it in the future? I'm not particularly interested in the Zelda game.

Starfox 64 3D?  I think this will be one of the few titles which will be really decent in 3D and it's already a good game (provided they don't screw it up in the remake.)  Certainly one I am interested in seeing.  If that one doesn't work well on the system, there probably won't be many that will.

[Dazz]

I swear... some people argue just for the sake of arguing.  It's a freaking game console.  If people like it; they will buy it.  The people that don't like it will not buy it.  The original poster stated what his opinion and first impressions of the system was.  Why did that have to turn into an argument?

I bought the system on day one and haven't looked back on my purchase yet.  I personally like the system and see promise in it.  I've got Pilotwings about 95% complete and I really haven't touched Super Street Fighter 4.  I'll start playing SSFIV after I get 100% on Pilotwings.  The 3d screen really does add some depth to the gameplay where a 2d screen cannot.  Battery life has been no concern of mine and I, nor my kids, have had a single headache from playing the system.  I'm really looking forward to Star Fox, Zelda, Kid Icarus, and of course Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection.

I can see where this system isn't for everyone.  My wife got vertigo after about 3 minutes of viewing the screen and trying to play, but she is also the same way at 3d movies.  

For anyone looking to purchase one... Stop asking online and go to try one out and decide for yourself.

[shateredsoul]

Yeah, I'm looking forward toward star fox 64. And the Kid Icarus on rails shooter looks nice too. I'll probably wait a little and get it later after a bit.

[Samstag]

GTA: Liberty City Stories, Vice City Stories, God of War, and probably a bunch of others I'm forgetting were essentially console games (PS2 era) on a handheld.  Allowing for the missing second analog stick, they were practically the same experience as you'd get on the PS2.  If those aren't hardcore games, I don't know what you think hardcore means

Well that's five games.

Well you asked for one.   

Name one hardcore gaming title on ANY handheld?

For me you could take away every game but the GTA "Stories" and I'd still feel like the PSP was worth the purchase.  I've easily put 200-300 hours into those two combined.  If you only get 15 hours out of them I think that's a case of you not enjoying that type of game rather than them not being "hardcore".  I don't like God of War and only played it for about an hour but it definitely fits my idea of a hardcore game that isn't neutered for a handheld.

But I'm not hardcore enough to pay $250 for a 3DS.  My DS Lite plays my softcore games just fine, thanks.  And by softcore I mean the ones I only play 50-100 hours.

[RandyT]

I swear... some people argue just for the sake of arguing.  It's a freaking game console.  If people like it; they will buy it.  The people that don't like it will not buy it.  The original poster stated what his opinion and first impressions of the system was.  Why did that have to turn into an argument?

Well, things got rolling when that same poster made the following observation and prediction;

The advertising on this was horrific IMO.  I don't think most people even know it exists.  Word will get out and stock will dry up.  I give it about two weeks.

What then ensued was a discussion, and as is normal in healthy discussion, not all parties agreed.  And this is a forum for discussion, is it not?

For anyone looking to purchase one... Stop asking online and go to try one out and decide for yourself.

Great advice, however simply trying one in the store isn't going to answer all the questions being considered in this thread.  Some folks consider a machine's likely direction an important factor in deciding whether or not to purchase it, especially when it carries this kind of price tag.  As such, that discussion has value...unless the reader has already bought one.  Glad to hear you are enjoying yours!

[shateredsoul]

The 3d is meh for me at least. I mean, it does pop (and I usually don't see 3d in theaters), I just don't get the point.

I really do like the build though, feels tougher than a NDS, and made me have that fuzzy warm Nintendo feeling I'd get back in the day when turning on a new system. Unfortunately there's no good nintendo game to keep that feeling going.

I bought SS Street Fighter IV, pretty fun to play, except I can't reconfigure the keys? pro ? Lite? wtf? And you know what else is weird? The background characters do not move at all, they're like statues.. 3d statues.

The black 3ds doesn't collect fingerprints like other black systems, it's has a granite look to it. Very nice. It's as small as a nds lite, battery life is not really an issue for me.

Also is it just me, or are the 3ds and nds stores not accessible yet?

[RandyT]

And you know what else is weird? The background characters do not move at all, they're like statues.. 3d statues.

I really hope that this is simply a case of a rushed title.  The moving scenery is usually one of those "we made everything as cool in the foreground as it could possibly be, so let's burn up these extra machine cycles on the scenery effects" things.  A static background could be an indicator that they ran out of machine cycles just making the game appear 3D.  Hopefully, it was just rushed and a software update, if it even does them, will fix it up.

*edit*

Finally got a chance to play with one of these today.  I have to say that they did the 3D part of it well.....more accurately, as well as could be expected.  It works, and it even looks pretty cool.  But it's not, IMHO, practical enough to try to base a handheld upon.   The field of view is tiny, which forces you to hold the unit at 10-12 inches from your face while playing.  Tried looking at it from a normal handheld distance (for me) and one eye got a double image and I could immediately feel it forming a knot in my skull.  If you thought you looked like a geek playing a handheld in public, wait until everyone sees you playing while holding it that close to your face.  Even a little far-sighted?  Bring your glasses, because it's going to be too close not to be blurry.  

SFIV looked and played fine, and the 3D effect was good (when held in the proper area).  But I didn't see anything about this title that looked like it was much different than what a PSP could do, other than the 3D aspect.  I would really like to see something where they don't use the extra cycles of the machine for 3D and devote those to a higher performing "flat" game.  My opinion so far is that the 3D will not carry this machine, so some pretty good flat games had better be forthcoming.  This of course could change if 3D titles come along which are worth the effort of keeping the unit aligned with your head while playing them.

[Howard_Casto]

I tried one at Walmart the other day and as I expected, the 3d was completely underwhealming.  If 3d means make one thing viewable and everything else slightly blurry then mission accomplished, but as for "this is popping off the screen" effects, I just didn't see any. 

The crispness of the resolution and cool new ideas like augmented reality cards are pretty cool though. 

I think my verdict is the 3ds is basically the "super ds."  The problem I'm having is the price tag.  250 bucks is too high for a handheld.  Sony's psp launches have proven that consumers really don't enjoy buying high-priced portables. 

I'm waiting... the games are mostly ports of console games, which COMPLETELY MISSES THE POINT OF PORTABLE GAMING, and the price needs to be reduced by at least 50 bucks (really 100) for me to look at it. 

Oh and while I was never a huge fan of pilot wings (always felt like star fox for slow kids to me) I'm pretty sure that taking a wii sports resort mini-game and slightly expanding upon it is NOT worthy of having the words "pilot wings" in the title.   


And there is one design "flaw" that is really going to hurt 3ds first-party games.  Actually it already has.  The 3ds has a full range of motion sensors tucked inside.  The problem is that the 3d doesn't work well when you move the device around.  Well nintendo is heavily pushing the 3d, so this pretty much ensures that their titles aren't going to make use of motion controls, at least for a while.  Pilot Wings should have let you control the plane via motion control, which would feel incredibly intutive on such a game.  They don't though, because it's a launch title and therefore has to promote the 3d.

[RandyT]

... the games are mostly ports of console games, which COMPLETELY MISSES THE POINT OF PORTABLE GAMING.

Please explain to me how you are coming to this conclusion.  A good game is a good game, and the ability to play it somewhere other than on your sofa in front of your TV would be seen by most as a "good thing".

And there is one design "flaw" that is really going to hurt 3ds first-party games.  Actually it already has.  The 3ds has a full range of motion sensors tucked inside.  The problem is that the 3d doesn't work well when you move the device around.  Well nintendo is heavily pushing the 3d, so this pretty much ensures that their titles aren't going to make use of motion controls, at least for a while.  Pilot Wings should have let you control the plane via motion control, which would feel incredibly intutive on such a game.  They don't though, because it's a launch title and therefore has to promote the 3d.

Agreed.  One has to conclude from the mutually exclusive nature of both the 3D and the motion controls, that developers will at some time, take advantage of some of the other interesting hardware features without the 3D screen being enabled.  It might be difficult to see this unit shine until that point.  By then, maybe the price will be lower too.

[Donkbaca]

A good game is a good game, and the ability to play it somewhere other than on your sofa in front of your TV would be seen by most as a "good thing".

Hmmm... I mostly play my PSP on my sofa in front of my TV.  Me thinks I will perhaps go outside, perhaps I'll enjoy it more then?

Randy you are right, though, the thing is, why pay 250 for a system when you can play the same games on your console?  

How much are the 3ds games?

[shateredsoul]

Yeah I agree condolences ports are not enough. I have always wanted to play contact for the DS, but I don't need a 3ds for that.

[Ginsu Victim]

A good game is a good game, and the ability to play it somewhere other than on your sofa in front of your TV would be seen by most as a "good thing".

Hmmm... I mostly play my PSP on my sofa in front of my TV.  Me thinks I will perhaps go outside, perhaps I'll enjoy it more then?

Well, that or on the shitter.

[Donkbaca]

250 bucks to be entertained on the shitter?  I'll pass.  I'd rather spend 99 cents on a magazine

[Mikezilla]

250 bucks to be entertained on the shitter?  I'll pass.  I'd rather spend 99 cents on a magazine

That was a good one. I read on my iphone as well PBJ, I didnt want to spend the buck on AB. You guys are missing the point of these GD portables. THEY ARE FOR CHILDREN. Of course the "hardcore" gamer is not going to buy one of these, because hopefully the hardcore gamer has a console/PC he is going to play on, and cant play a game on the "go" because he has to drive to the store to get more funyuns and mountain dew, and then head back home and play on his console/PC. Look at the track record for Nintendo for god sakes. They gear most, if not all of their games for kids, its just that when WE were kids, they were geared towards us, and now we are older. The games we like (mario, zelda) are still kid games if you think about it. The reason they put the pricetag at $250 is because they know spoiled brat kids will ask for them and the stupid parents will buy them. I dont know a single person that has EVER owned a DS, or a PsP. They have however had gameboys. You know why? Because all my friends and I were about 11 years old when the gameboy launched and we HAD TO HAVE THEM. 

[Bootay]

I have a GBA, DS and PSP. I will admit that I probably wouldn't own a GBA or DS if not for my kids wanting it...and the PSP I found on the side of the road in a puddle. It wouldn't turn on so I left it sitting on my desk for 2 days. Tried it again and it fired right up. So I got it for free. The case was broke and the screen lens and buttons were scraped from hitting the cement. I just bought a replacement case on Ebay and it now looks brand new. But point is, for the price I probably would have never bought a PSP either. I rarely find myself in situations where I am away from the house and just HAVE to play a game except for when I am in the waiting room at the doctor which happens about maybe once a year.

[RandyT]

That was a good one. I read on my iphone as well PBJ, I didnt want to spend the buck on AB. You guys are missing the point of these GD portables. THEY ARE FOR CHILDREN. Of course the "hardcore" gamer is not going to buy one of these, because hopefully the hardcore gamer has a console/PC he is going to play on, and cant play a game on the "go" because he has to drive to the store to get more funyuns and mountain dew, and then head back home and play on his console/PC.

It's apparent that you don't know any "hardcore" gamers.  They are precisely the target for high-end handhelds because it is they who will be playing the machine on the go while you are enjoying the scenery.  The PSP2 has a price tag and feature list that says anything but "built for kids".  By time it releases, a PS3 will probably cost less. So you'd have to be pretty "hardcore" even to purchase one.

[Donkbaca]

I think playing on the shitter is hardcore...

[Mikezilla]

That was a good one. I read on my iphone as well PBJ, I didnt want to spend the buck on AB. You guys are missing the point of these GD portables. THEY ARE FOR CHILDREN. Of course the "hardcore" gamer is not going to buy one of these, because hopefully the hardcore gamer has a console/PC he is going to play on, and cant play a game on the "go" because he has to drive to the store to get more funyuns and mountain dew, and then head back home and play on his console/PC.

It's apparent that you don't know any "hardcore" gamers.  They are precisely the target for high-end handhelds because it is they who will be playing the machine on the go while you are enjoying the scenery.  The PSP2 has a price tag and feature list that says anything but "built for kids".  By time it releases, a PS3 will probably cost less. So you'd have to be pretty "hardcore" even to purchase one.

My friends work for Rockstar, they made Red Dead Redemption and Midnight Club etc. Trust me, they are "hardcore".  I disagree with you there, first of all, we were talking about the 3DS and Nintendo's handhelds, not really the PSP, but Im still going to include that in my arguement. But if the hardcore gamers are in the demographic that Im in (Im 28 year old male) I cant justify not only paying that much, but have the time for a handheld in the first place. I liked what Bootay said about using it if he were in the Dr office, which happens about once a year. A PS3 will cost less by the time the PSP2 launches, because it has been out for a long time, everyone already has one, and the husband with the kids can justify buying one with his wife because "its almost as cheap as a blu ray player". Then, the console would still be bought over the handheld. I dunno, I still feel as though its geared towards the under 12 market, like most of Nintendo's products. I mean cmon, the gamecube had a handle on it for gods sakes. "So you can take it to a friends house and enjoy it". Dont get me wrong, I am all for Nintendo. Trust me, I love em. Might almost even call me a "fanboy" cause I love me some Mario, Zelda, and Metroid. But, those are the only reasons for me buying a Nintendo system, pretty much those 3. And you know why? I loved em from my childhood. 

[Mikezilla]

I think playing on the shitter is hardcore...

I thought this was really funny btw. 

[RandyT]

My friends work for Rockstar, they made Red Dead Redemption and Midnight Club etc. Trust me, they are "hardcore". 

When you work 16 hours a day on video games, I'm guessing that the last thing you want to do on the train ride home is play a game.   My nephew, who is a hardcore gamer, always has some type of gaming device with him.  For a while it a was a PSP, then it was a laptop and I'm sure it will be a PSP2 eventually.  He is also ex-military, so not a "kid".

[Mikezilla]

My friends work for Rockstar, they made Red Dead Redemption and Midnight Club etc. Trust me, they are "hardcore". 

When you work 16 hours a day on video games, I'm guessing that the last thing you want to do on the train ride home is play a game.   My nephew, who is a hardcore gamer, always has some type of gaming device with him.  For a while it a was a PSP, then it was a laptop and I'm sure it will be a PSP2 eventually.  He is also ex-military, so not a "kid".

Hm. Maybe because I live in a place where there is a lot of stuff to do, and I dont rely on public transit to get around. Just seems like if youre gonna game, do it at home, the only reason to get a DS or whatever, is to keep the kids quiet on the way to the grocery store, AT the store, and for the ride home. Or in a place where you have to wait for something, basically any instance where a kid has to sit still and shut up.

[Mikezilla]

So I tried a few other 'hardcore' games like Killzone.  Well, the graphics were so damn small you couldn't see anything and the levels required precise control as you were defusing bombs and walking along cliffs and all kinds of nonsense like that.  Yeah, great game design for playing on bus seat.  Give me a break.

Now that I've got an iphone that doesn't even require an external amp to push my speakers, I've got absolutely no use for the PSP.  Any homebrew junk I could do on the PSP like ebooks or videos works better on the iphone, too.

All valid points. But now say, the same thing in the hands of a kid would be a lot different, because they dont know the difference between the graphics of a nice big console, or those ---smurfy--- little ones that are in their grubby little hands. See Randy, PBJ even mentions another point that make the handheld pointless for hardcore gamers: the homebrew aspects. They are better on iphones. Everyone has an iphone.

[Bootay]

I don't 

[Mikezilla]

Really? I mean, if youre even going to have a cell phone, why not an iphone? Especially now, when they are so cheap. A 3GS is only 50 bucks! 

[Bootay]

Because my wife bought it, and she got 3 of them...one for her and one for me and one for my son. And I think she paid $50 for all 3. Mine is an iPhone knockoff...it makes phone calls though. And that's all I need it to do. I don't play music, play games, or browse the Internet on my phone nor do I have an interest in that.

[Bootay]

Also most people that I know don't have an iPhone either....I think I know 4 people tops with one. Not saying they aren't popular or good...just saying that not "everyone has an iPhone."   

[Mikezilla]

Also most people that I know don't have an iPhone either....I think I know 4 people tops with one. Not saying they aren't popular or good...just saying that not "everyone has an iPhone."   

Gotcha. Everyone I know has an iphone, that uses a phone I mean. Im not even exaggerating, all my friends (mind you I only have about 6 really close friends) my sister, my GF, even my co-workers have em. Its cool because I never go over my minutes (despite the fact that I barely use the phone for talking haha) because if I ever call anyone, its unlimed mobile to mobile because we all have AT&T. The GPS on it is a nifty little thing. I have a 16gig and I only have 2 gigs filled on it, so it shows you how much Im using it to its fullest capabilities. 

[RandyT]

See Randy, PBJ even mentions another point that make the handheld pointless for hardcore gamers: the homebrew aspects. They are better on iphones. Everyone has an iphone.

Yeah, but I'd rather not play a game than have to play one with really poor controls.  Games like AB work fine with a touch screen.  Everything else, forget it.

[Mikezilla]

Yeah, but the developers are gonna... develop for what's popular.  I don't want to play traditional games on a handheld.

 

[shateredsoul]

angry birds killed the portable star :<

[Howard_Casto]

... the games are mostly ports of console games, which COMPLETELY MISSES THE POINT OF PORTABLE GAMING.

Please explain to me how you are coming to this conclusion.  A good game is a good game, and the ability to play it somewhere other than on your sofa in front of your TV would be seen by most as a "good thing".

Well I play the average console game for an hour or two MINIMUM per session.  Portables are for when you are on the go (or at least they are supposed to be).  Since I'm usually the one driving, the only use I get out of my portables is hwen I have to wait at the doctors office, perhaps the power is out ect....  That's usualy a 15-20 minute game.  When you take a game like Zelda OOT, a game that is supposed to be played for hours on end, and stick it on a portable, you are treading into pointless territory.  Now SSFIV I can see, but most of these other games I can't.

And as the others have said, if you ARE playing your portable at home, why in the world would you play a watered-down version of a game on a 3 inch screen when you could play it on your tv?

[shateredsoul]

... the games are mostly ports of console games, which COMPLETELY MISSES THE POINT OF PORTABLE GAMING.

Please explain to me how you are coming to this conclusion.  A good game is a good game, and the ability to play it somewhere other than on your sofa in front of your TV would be seen by most as a "good thing".

Well I play the average console game for an hour or two MINIMUM per session.  Portables are for when you are on the go (or at least they are supposed to be).  Since I'm usually the one driving, the only use I get out of my portables is hwen I have to wait at the doctors office, perhaps the power is out ect....  That's usualy a 15-20 minute game.  When you take a game like Zelda OOT, a game that is supposed to be played for hours on end, and stick it on a portable, you are treading into pointless territory.  Now SSFIV I can see, but most of these other games I can't.

And as the others have said, if you ARE playing your portable at home, why in the world would you play a watered-down version of a game on a 3 inch screen when you could play it on your tv?

because you can't have a tv screen and system in your bathroom , duh!

[Mikezilla]

Yeah but are you going to blow that kind of money on a 5-10 minute game every day? I sure as hell wouldnt. Especially with the high probability water damage could occur.

[Donkbaca]

For that kind of money, you could actually put a tv and game system in your bathroom.... just  sayin'...

[Bender]

For that kind of money, you could actually put a tv and game system in your bathroom.... just  sayin'...

umm, Classy!!!!

[hypernova]

Dude, if you're on the shitter long enough to play a PSP game then you need some more fiber in your diet.  2 levels of Angry Birds is about my average.

So when you're dropping bombs, you're really dropping bombs! 

[rlemmon]

I bought one along with ridge racer 3d and some ds games i wanted to play. I think it's awesome as hell. The 3d in ridge racer looks really good except fo some slight ghosting here and there. Its cool to see all of the environments blasting out at you in 3d while your racing along.

 I made a quick stop at gamestop yesterday when i went for milk (yes i have a problem lol) and they had a demo unit playing street fighter iv 3D. I decided to give it a go and the first words that went through my head were holy ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- that's insane. The 3d really stands out in a very good way on it and actually adds to the game the same way as it does in ridge racer. I'm gonna have to pick it up this weekend.

I agree that $250.00 is alot of money for a hand held console but its hard to argue with the 3d and the graphics which are also great plus there's all the other things. I have seen alot of mixed reviews aross the web about the 3d effects.

Beings that the games are launch titles i think well see much better 3d on it down the line. I think the same applies for graphics. Alot of people complain that wii games look horribe and some do but that has nothing to do with the wii hardware, it's the developer's. If you look at games like super mario galaxy 1&2 , dead space extraction and super smash bros brawl you ll see that the system is capable of great graphics.

When some of the summer launch games hit along with the new super mario bros game being developed by Shigeru Miyamoto,well see what the 3 ds is really capable of.

I bet there's going to be alot of people changing there minds about what this system can do. I Just wonder how long it will take sony to copy it and if the sony npg will be priced competitively. Surly they cant be stupid enough to set it at a higher price point.

[Donkbaca]

Nintendo is launching Zelda on it, so it will make them a profit, always have the Zelda geeks that will pay to play it on anything.

I wouldn't play 300 bucks to play Zelda on a 3 inch screen.  But to each his own

[javeryh]

I finally tried out the 3DS at a GameStop.  It kind of gave me a headache and none of the 3D came out of the screen.  Also, it didn't look like true 3D but just rather 3 different "levels" of depth.  There was the background, then the stuff like elephants and spectators a little closer and finally the fighters the closest (SFIV).  I didn't see any connection between each of the depth levels. 


 

[Howard_Casto]

Nintendo is launching Zelda on it, so it will make them a profit, always have the Zelda geeks that will pay to play it on anything.

I wouldn't play 300 bucks to play Zelda on a 3 inch screen.  But to each his own

I've found the portable zelda games to be especially terrible.  Aside from the crappy stylus controls on the DS, the games are just too long for a portable.  It's exactly what I was talking about before.  I don't think zelda fans buy those games becasue they are in portable form, rather they are so desperate for a new zelda release that they will put up with it being on a crappy 3 inch screen.

[javeryh]

Nintendo is launching Zelda on it, so it will make them a profit, always have the Zelda geeks that will pay to play it on anything.

I wouldn't play 300 bucks to play Zelda on a 3 inch screen.  But to each his own

I've found the portable zelda games to be especially terrible.  Aside from the crappy stylus controls on the DS, the games are just too long for a portable.  It's exactly what I was talking about before.  I don't think zelda fans buy those games becasue they are in portable form, rather they are so desperate for a new zelda release that they will put up with it being on a crappy 3 inch screen.

I'll agree with the new DS Zeldas but Link's Awakening is one of the best games ever made on any platform ever.  Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons are also excellent.

[Mikezilla]

I liked the first DS Zelda game, the one with the boats.  It was really too easy, though.  The train one was horrible and I quit about halfway through it.

The one on 3DS is just a remake of the N64 game, isn't it?

*yawn*

Damn I thought it was the SNES one. I never played that one. The original NES one, and the N64 ones are my all time favorites. Twilight Princess was pretty rad too. I hated the Wind Waker cell shaded one. 

[shateredsoul]

what you talking about? Wind waker was the first that captured an imaginative word after the snes one, n64 versions, and first game boy one (the one where he's in a dream). Everything was great, except the boat navigation. I'm one of the few that loved the art style.

Twilight princess lost my interest

[GuyDanger]

hey pinballjim, can you stop trolling this thread... We get it, you don't like the 3DS.

Id like to mention the Iphone is not 100 bucks. It is 659 bucks (16 gb) on Apples website! Even if you pay $100 on an AT&T plan you will eventually payoff the entire $659 by the end. So price point is not an issue when comparing the 2.

As for games, both devices have some outstanding titles. IMO replay value would favour the 3DS.

When it comes to game pricing, Iphone would win that argument. Although your still in the hole when you think about how much you invested in the hardware to begin with.

I by the way have both a 3DS and an Iphone 4. Am i just a big kid or maybe a guy who likes gaming technology? Well I do belong to a forum that is all about gaming, so make up your on mind on that one.

Thanks.

And for those interested, I think the 3DS is great, but if you own a prior DS system, hold off for a price drop. I don't think you'll miss much from now till then. If you don't own a DS and want to get one I'd consider the 3DS for sure!

[Vigo]

So I finally tried a 3DS at gamestop the other day.....and I actually really liked the 3D. It was not that pop-at-you headache inducing 3D. It makes it seem less gimmicky, and the off switch for the 3D was nice as well.

I found myself using my current DS more and more, mostly because I have a Acekard that I put games on, and my wife has been monopolizing the TV lately. Once a real price drop hits, and some sort of rom cart comes along, I will probably buy one.

[shateredsoul]

I must admit, the 3d effect is growing on me. I see it's value, but have to turn it off at points when I'm moving around too much.

I still hate that the background characters in SSFIV don't move. The game would have been better without those background characters, the actual player character models look really good and it plays really well.

I do wish there was a good adventure or platformer game, not a remake, but an original title. I never played cave story so I'll pick up that remake. Other than that, I wish I had something to look forward to.

As far as issues, I had my Nintendo 3DS freeze while navigating the home menu, but it hasn't frozen in game. Doubt it will have the hinge cracking issue, it's really well built. It feels really good, it feels metalicy. It doesn't feel like a piece of plastic like the DS.

Other than the price, it was really a great buy. It reminded me of turning on a new nintendo system as a kid, the only thing missing was a packed in mario game.

[shateredsoul]

So I finally tried a 3DS at gamestop the other day.....and I actually really liked the 3D. It was not that pop-at-you headache inducing 3D. It makes it seem less gimmicky, and the off switch for the 3D was nice as well.

I found myself using my current DS more and more, mostly because I have a Acekard that I put games on, and my wife has been monopolizing the TV lately. Once a real price drop hits, and some sort of rom cart comes along, I will probably buy one.

I found a rom cart that works on the 3ds but only for old NDS games and GBA games, so I can at least catch up on old games. Currently playing Contact.

The thing about the 3DS is that it has updates just like the home consoles, meaning that you might not want to update your system all the time.. but then you'll miss out on key features. For example, they still haven't added access to the online store (sorta sad, I wanted to buy some DSiWare)

[Malenko]

I tried it at best buy the other day, it was bolted to a shelf about 2 1/2 feet off the ground so I didnt get a great feel for it (I understand bolting it cause thieves ---smurfing--- ruin everything, but put it on something flexible or a reasonable height) the effect was neat but theres no way I could justify the skrilla for it

[Vigo]

I tried it at best buy the other day, it was bolted to a shelf about 2 1/2 feet off the ground so I didnt get a great feel for it (I understand bolting it cause thieves ---smurfing--- ruin everything, but put it on something flexible or a reasonable height) the effect was neat but theres no way I could justify the skrilla for it

You'd think they would be smart enough to use those retractable security cables like they do with digital cameras.

[shateredsoul]

did you guys hear that Nintendo is going to announce their new home console for next year at E3?

Maybe just save your money and get that if you prefer consoles

[Malenko]

did you guys hear that Nintendo is going to announce their new home console for next year at E3?

Maybe just save your money and get that if you prefer consoles

nahhh the Wii and gamecube both sucked pretty hard for MY gaming needs....nintendo hasnt had a good console for me since SNES (though the N64 had some good titles)

[Donkbaca]

The kinect makes the Wii pretty much worthless now, except for maybe 4 games.

Wonder if Nintendo sticks to their 200 dollar philosophy with the new hardware

[Howard_Casto]

The kinect makes the Wii pretty much worthless now, except for maybe 4 games.

Wonder if Nintendo sticks to their 200 dollar philosophy with the new hardware

Your kidding right?

While Kinect is an impressive piece of tech, micrsoft hasn't done anything with it nor do they know what to do with it nor will they EVER know what to do with it. 

Motion controls are worthless without good titles to go with it.  M$ has that dance game.... and....ummm... yeah...


Can't agree with Malenko either.  I like the xbox and xbox 360 in particular....  on paper.... but when I look at the games library on each it is firmly planted in fps shooter territory, a genre that really hasn't evolved since quake.  Some people still like fps, I get it, but for me it was over around 1999-2000.  I will say that the gamecube was pretty lack-luster, but the n64 and wii are two of the best consoles ever released!  I'm actually not as much of a fan of the snes, as all it was was the nes with the exact same games and slightly better graphics.  Mind you it was still the best console of it's time, but when you are competing against sega that isn't hard. 


As for the new console, I'm not holding my breath.  I know that the new console is pretty much confirmed, but all the features surrounding it are not.  It could very well just be a wii with a hdd with motion plus controllers.  Nintendo does usually release a new console around this time though, so we'll see.

[Donkbaca]

Considering the kinect is the fastest selling consumer appliance EVER I am sure it will see plenty of game support

not as much of a fan of the snes, as all it was was the nes with the exact same games and slightly better graphics

That is pretty much every nintendo console. Come out with game, release Mario game, Zelda game, DK game, repeat

How many Mario karts are there?

I totally disagree with you on your xbox assessment. It has great shmups, awesome RPGs.  Mass effect, oblivion, fallout

The only thing the xbox really lacks is platformers, but there are only like 4 of those on wii worth playing
 not as much of a fan of the snes, as all it was was the nes with the exact same games and slightly better graphics

[Malenko]

nahhh the Wii and gamecube both sucked pretty hard for MY gaming needs

Can't agree with Malenko either.  I like the xbox and xbox 360 in particular....  on paper.

So you know whats better for me? lol

I dont play FPS games much on 360, so I dont understand your point there, but I would like to know what made the N64 so great. Take away Mario 64, the Zeldas, the THQ wrestling games, and Golden Eye and there arent a ton of reasons to have had one (though I'll admit I thought Blast Corps was/is awshum). I could name a ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- ton more games I'd rather play on SNES then Wii, GameCube and N64 combined.

Just for the record I have (2) N64s, and a Wii but then again I have a 3DO too

[Donkbaca]

mario 64 wasn't that fun, it was just neat how they did the 3d, first 3d game to get cameras right.

Mario kart was fun, played that a lot in college.
Golden eye was fun
THQ wrestling games were fun
Ocarina was good

So that is what 6 games?  I can probably name 6 games on the XBox 360 that have come out in the last year that I think are great to play.

Kinect will lay waste to the wii.  Nintendo's new console will be a bomb, it has to give people a reason to ditch their xbox an ps3.  Don't see that happening quite frankly.

[shateredsoul]

Smash Bros, Blast Corps, Extreme G (the first one) was alright, Paper Mario, Mario Tennis, Mario Party, Sin and Punishment, Mischief Makers was pretty fun too, Conker, Banjo Kazooie, perfect dark, jet force gemini,

Not as many great games as ps1, but definitely worth owning.

I remember waiting for the sequel to Earthbound that never came out =(

mario 64 wasn't that fun, it was just neat how they did the 3d, first 3d game to get cameras right.

Mario kart was fun, played that a lot in college.
Golden eye was fun
THQ wrestling games were fun
Ocarina was good

So that is what 6 games?  I can probably name 6 games on the XBox 360 that have come out in the last year that I think are great to play.

Kinect will lay waste to the wii.  Nintendo's new console will be a bomb, it has to give people a reason to ditch their xbox an ps3.  Don't see that happening quite frankly.

[RandyT]

I tried it at best buy the other day, it was bolted to a shelf about 2 1/2 feet off the ground

That's because they're marketing it to children, despite the adult colors and price tag.  Definitely very uncomfortable to play in that setup for the people that can actually afford it.

If it's the standard Nintendo display, the unit comes off of it and is tethered.  It's not immediately apparent that the display works that way.  IIRC, there was a strong magnet keeping it in place.

[Malenko]

If it's the standard Nintendo display, the unit comes off of it and is tethered.  It's not immediately apparent that the display works that way.  IIRC, there was a strong magnet keeping it in place.

I tried to lift it up thinking maybe it'd move, and unless they are marketing it to the incredible hulk , that ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- was on lock down.

[RandyT]

I tried to lift it up thinking maybe it'd move, and unless they are marketing it to the incredible hulk , that ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- was on lock down.

Yeah, I thought the same thing.  Then I saw someone else torque it off of the display and that's when I realized it could be removed.  Powerful magnet.

Someone on another forum noticed as well;

Funny because my local Best But has a huge magnet stuck on back of the display 3DS. It was so strong that I had to exert around 3-4 lb of force to remove it from its pedestal.

[Dervacumen]

Well after having it in the family for a while, I'm still happy with my purchase.  The 3D movie that came with the system update shows promise, and the 3D video update will be a lot of fun to play with.  If someone figures out how to get 3D porn on the thing it will find a niche market for the bathroom crowd.  I like the pedometer because I walk a lot.  I've never owned a handheld gaming device prior to this one but I do have a smart phone that I play quick bits on when waiting around for something.  It's not an iPhone, I got rid of that - absolutely hated it.  Having photos of the VR cards on my phone is handy.
I still only have one 3D game - Nintendogs & Cats, but I had $75 credit at OfficeMax so I picked through their DS scrap heap and came away with four other games.  Turns out Cooking Mama gets the most play.
BTW, I don't use this a ton, nor did I expect to.  It's really for my daughter, who isn't spoiled to the point that she convinced her idiot parent to buy her a $250 toy.  $250 a lot?  Depends on what you spend your $$ on I guess.  I don't buy $5.00 cups of coffee and eat lunch out every day.  If I had a handheld would I spend $250 on this because of the 3D?  No.  I was in the market for a portable entertainment device for the family so I bought this one.  It was in budget and I hope it has a few years of support.  If it doesn't, at least I'll have a few hundred 2D titles I can pick up at discount.
It seems like the 3D experience is all over the place for the people I've shown this to.  Those that have no trouble adjusting to it, including myself, really enjoy it.  Others get vertigo.  Some get tired eyes.

[Singapura]

"get 3D porn on the thing it will find a niche market for the bathroom crowd.  I like the pedometer". I wouldn't have put those two sentences so close together

[bobotech]

I am still wanting to know, if you totally remove the 3d from the equation, is it still a desirable buy over the DS or the PSP? 

In other words, take the 3ds and turn off the 3d and play all the new games, do they make it worth it to buy one at 250 dollars?  Seriously.  Don't be giving me rationalizations such as the 3d is necessary or that you are paying the premium for the 3d, I know that. 

I just want to know how well the 3ds stands as a 250 dollar standard 2d handheld. 

[Dervacumen]

I am still wanting to know, if you totally remove the 3d from the equation, is it still a desirable buy over the DS or the PSP? 

In other words, take the 3ds and turn off the 3d and play all the new games, do they make it worth it to buy one at 250 dollars?  Seriously. 

I don't have either the DS or the PSP, however I've had brief encounters with each.  Although I own a 3DS, I could not say that it's worth $250 for those that already own a portable.  For those like myself who are jumping in to the portable market around this time, it's compelling because of the 3D and where it may go.  I suspect the folks at Nintendo have done a fair bit of research about capturing emerging markets, and this is not about capitalizing on existing markets so much as unearthing new ones.  IMO anyway.
I would not buy it at this stage if I already had a portable.  However, for those that don't have one, this is the Sh!+.

[Donkbaca]

I am sold. Can't WAIT to play Nintendogs 3d

[Blanka]

"get 3D porn on the thing it will find a niche market for the bathroom crowd.

Nintendo is as much a holy bean as Steve Jobs. I'm still waiting for decent multitouch porn on the iPad.   To no avail.....

[Dervacumen]

I am sold. Can't WAIT to play Nintendogs 3d

Nintendo did a great job modeling the 3D butt hole, which gets shoved in your face regularly.  Kinda funky.