3DS: Friend Codes on First Page, OMG THE THIRD DIMENSION [Archive]

The Damned

01-19-2011, 01:36 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/The_Damned/images.jpg
OCR 3DS Friend Code List:

AkumajoBelmont: 2449-4641-5097
Arek the Absolute: 2621-2649-8873
Arrow: 2406-5910-7989
Amphibious: 2707-1707-3629
Ashamee: 3695-0186-8050
AzureZeal: 3222-6417-2886
Bahamut: 0602-6475-5537
bleck: 3437-3076-7241
bloodeyezack: 4554-0264-2098
Blue Magic: 2509-0855-4887
Brian6330: 3823-8584-6574
Brushfire: 1332-8049-4499
Calpis: 4554-0061-6795
CinnamonJihad: 5112-4787-2260
chthonic: 3866-8177-2228
Darklink42: 4210-5286-5376
DarkeSword: 0130-1815-1809
Dhsu: 5370-0413-4242
Disambiguity: 1907-8158-5549
DJMystix: 1934-0676-3114
Doulifée: 4468-0951-2468
DrumUltimA: 3153-3781-9741
DusK: 3265-5055-5923
EdgeCrusher: 4124-5164-3513
Elex Synn: 5129-0693-3734
Favor: 2921-9163-1298
FireSlash: 0473 7789 3999
Gollgagh: 4682-9135-9202
Groovemaster303: 0473-7756-0336
HalcyonSpirit: 2664-3550-7284
HoopyFrood: 4613-6705-1015
Invader_Quirk: 1676-3703-8235
Irish: 4038-6416-4979
jmr: 4339-2501-3213
Kanthos: 4081-5772-1984
Lizz: 1762-2831-9791
M249-M4A1: 4768-7443-7746
Malaki-LEGEND.sys: 1332-9045-4269
MattInc: 4081-5497-7362
MechaFone:2664-2364-1722
Mirby: 3952-7692-9085
Necrotic: 4725-8104-6363
Peach: 2492-4119-0110
OCRE: 0559-6939-8550
Overflow: 1461-6201-4828
Scrobble: 3093-7251-9416
ShinnyMetal: 2148-8188-7632
Sir_Downunder: 4253-3505-4865
Sixto: 1762-3553-3100
Soma: 3050-7587-3777
SoundSouldier: 1461-6211-1570
Species8472: 1160-9889-6846
StarZander: 0473-7875-0299
Thalzon: 3566-1635-0823
theshaggyfreak: 0302-0558-2097
TheRexAsaurous: 1504-6494-0268
Toadofsky: 0903-2917-2088
The Damned: 2019-9771-2777
Turtle: 3351-4059-3998
Unstable Hamster: 1504-5768-2443
wildfire: 4425-1547-2356
Xarnax42: 1418-6758-9268

We're getting quite the collect of 3DS Friend Codes. I personally just added everyone on the list, so go ahead and let "Gerry" on your list. Come on, I'm good for it. You can trust me. I won't steal any Miis or anything, I swear.

DusK

01-19-2011, 01:40 PM

That's a step in the right direction, I guess. Why no nickname system? Is Nintendo really that worried about nicknames not being kid-friendly?

The Damned

01-19-2011, 01:42 PM

God damn, that Europe conference is boring as fuck. Lame jokes, terrible guest interaction... I can't watch it any more.

So, GameBoy and GameBoy Color games are (still and again) confirmed. Super Mario Land. Yaaaaaaay. If that's the only Mario title on launch, I'm going to be disappointed. That's how we'll get a Zelda game as well, I bet.

Subz1987

01-19-2011, 02:04 PM

I'm pretty sure we'll see Super Mario Land, Link's Awakening and Tetris on launch. Hope they get Metroid II out there soon.

The Damned

01-19-2011, 02:04 PM

Oh, for those that want to try one out, Nintendo is shipping 5000 demo units. There are only like a million stores in the US alone that will be selling them, but you got a chance of being near one, right?

http://www.destructoid.com/5-000-3ds-demo-units-coming-to-a-store-kisok-near-you-192048.phtml

Nekofrog

01-19-2011, 02:20 PM

The Damned

01-19-2011, 02:36 PM

The DSi had partial region-lock.

The battery life thing is still up in the air, as we haven't gotten any details on it, like on what settings. Nintendo said the DSi would be only 4 or so hours, and then it turned out that was with maximum screen brightness and Wi-Fi constantly on. With lower settings, they posted much better battery life. This may still be the case... or not. We just don't know.

As for the charging time... big deal. There are other devices, game system and otherwise, that take just as long or longer. Hell the DS Lite was almost three hours.

Dual analogs... touch screen? And that's if some games even need to have two of them.

I think you're just being a grumpy puss for the hell of it. If anything, you should be unhappy with the lack of First party titles, like Paper Mario.

Nekofrog

01-19-2011, 02:40 PM

Ever played the PSP? After having a handheld with one analogue, you understand just how big a blunder it is, touch screen or no touch screen (I am one that hates touch screen for the record, never liked it on the DS).

Region locking should never exist on handhelds (or in general).

The price is absurd.

The listed battery life, until proven otherwise, is horrendous. No handheld should be that low.

Think what you like, but I am going off of stated facts. And these stated facts all point to a system that needs a revision before being purchased. Anyone who jumps in day 1, based off of THESE stats, is a sucker.

theshaggyfreak

01-19-2011, 03:13 PM

I'm holding out ont he 3DS for various reasons. The entry pricing point is one of them. I'm not going to pay $250 for a handheld system. I'll probably wait until the price drops a little. Also, I generally never buy the first gen of a particular technology. The majority of the kinks always seemed to get worked out by rev two. Lastly, I'm not really hip on the the hole 3D thing. I just feels like nothing more than a gimmick. Lastly, I generally buy used games about 75% of the time. I'd rather wait until a decent catalog of games has been built up.

The Damned

01-19-2011, 03:14 PM

I can agree with some of that (namely the need for Nintendo to clarify the battery issue), but I can think of a very good reason to avoid first-day purchase: the games.

Zelda and Paper Mario are slated for a Summer to Winter 2011 release. That's a really long time to wait for the guaranteed titles. The rest of the games everyone is really waiting for don't even have release estimates yet... the DS had the same kind of line-up: lots of third party bits with mediocre first party, but then got a lot more after the first year or so.

Not to mention that there could be any number of issues, like bad buttons, or loose hinges for the top, or defective screens. It's better to wait for others to go first and see what issues rise up before getting one yourself.

Plus, until I actually get to try it myself, I'm hesitant about the 3D effect. I can't really watch 3D movies, and most things 3D-related either aren't very effective with me, or cause minor headaches.

Overflow

01-19-2011, 03:23 PM

I am going to buy it day one, and I'm not too worried about any defects. I got a day-one DSi, and it had a problem with the screen and the stylus (The stylus was malformed; it made a huge scratch in the screen the first time I touched it), so I called nintendo and sent it to them. They sent me a new one, free of charge.

A few things that people don't seem to mention:

- Parental Controls for 3D. You can permanently turn off the 3D effect if you want, which will probably save battery life.

- One Friend Code per system. When you meet up with someone IRL, you don't even have to exchange codes; you automatically add each other to your friends list. Speaking of which...

- Friends List. Nintendo hasn't said too much, but in the virtual tour (http://www.nintendo.com/3ds) the light turn orange for "Friend Online". It sounds like online gaming is a much larger focus this time around.

- Pedometer Points. When you walk around with the 3DS, you earn points or coins or tokens or something that you can use to buy stuff in games. Again, they haven't said much, but I really like the idea of walking around and being able to buy games or unlock features. Although it would be nice if we could use the 'Personal Trainer walking' pedometer, rather than lugging the whole system around, but I guess that's kind of the whole point with the 3DS, eh?

I'm really excited. I'll probably get either Steel Diver or Pilotwings at launch, and for sure I'll still be deep into Pokemon Black and White, so I'll have lots to play.
I just hope it's not too much higher than $250 here in Canada.

The Damned

01-19-2011, 03:47 PM

I just hope it's not too much higher than $250 here in Canada.

History says add about $30 for the system and $10 for the games. If the system is $300 Canadian, then fuck that. $1.00 USD = $0.994 CAD right now, there's no reason to jack up the prices at all. That's damn near parity.

Malaki-LEGEND.sys

01-19-2011, 03:51 PM

On the topic of analog sticks on handhelds, what exactly was the problem with just one analog on the PSP? I owned one for 2 years and I didn't have a single problem with it in the slightest.

If it was due to camera concerns, well I can understand that, but then that lies with the software and not the hardware as much, since developers could figure out ways to work around that(ideally), but if it's because certain types of games(like FPSs) didn't work with that type of layout, well why are you trying to play a genre that doesn't usually translate well to handhelds?

Anyway, as for the 3DS I'm pretty excited. I think out of the whole NES/SNES/GB days, the GB had my favorite titles like Metroid II, Link's Awakening, etc. so it's great to have those games coming back. I'm not entirely thrilled with the launch lineup as I was hoping for Kid Icarus earlier. Also the price is kinda high, but I guess reasonable for the type of tech they're touting. It'll be interesting to see how many devs go for full 3d experiences and how many opt for the additional horsepower by disabling it.

On that note, the battery life could be pretty low to some people(I guess), but there's the backlighting, the 3d, and the wireless functionality to worry about, so chances are it could still be within reason.

I'll probably grab it around the end of the year/early next year when maybe more colors/next revision(if any) are announced.

The Damned

01-19-2011, 03:56 PM

Wait, what?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpQRuIoL4Hs&feature=player_embedded

Is that...? Is that real?

Overflow

01-19-2011, 04:06 PM

WOAH.

I may need to get that game now.

If she's playable?
:dstrbd:

The Damned

01-19-2011, 04:11 PM

I have no idea.

But she bounces in and then there's a flash of light... like a Pokéball in the GameCube/Wii games.

I'm going to name mine SAMUS, and then breed her for eggs and trade them.

BardicKnowledge

01-19-2011, 04:21 PM

History says add about $30 for the system and $10 for the games. If the system is $300 Canadian, then fuck that. $1.00 USD = $0.994 CAD right now, there's no reason to jack up the prices at all. That's damn near parity.

Could you order from a US website and pay in US dollars? That does seem super low to mark up the price that much, given that the value is essentially the same.

Sindra

01-19-2011, 04:32 PM

Mmm....think I'll wait until Resident Evil: Revelations and the rest of the bigger-name titles come out before thinking about getting one. Launch titles don't impress me, and neither does the price for a handheld.

The only reason I'd want one earlier is to show it off at PAX East, and enough privileged fanboys are going to be doing that as is.

The Pezman

01-19-2011, 04:54 PM

Anyone want to start a pool on how long it takes for a 3DS flashcart?

Emperor Charlemagne

01-19-2011, 05:03 PM

I suppose I'll wait and see how long it is before they release THE 3DS LITE

The Damned

01-19-2011, 05:14 PM

Could you order from a US website and pay in US dollars? That does seem super low to mark up the price that much, given that the value is essentially the same.

Given the current exchange rate, it would be cheaper, yes. Assuming that they don't tax it once it comes across the border.

I suppose I'll wait and see how long it is before they release THE 3DS LITE

Given the small size of the thing... what can they slim down at this point? Maybe a better battery... but other than that? I'm not denying it will happen, I just have to wonder what they will change.

I'm hoping the SD slot is SDXC compatible, so I can get a 64 gb card and put a fuckton of music on it.

Overflow

01-19-2011, 05:41 PM

I know it's SDHC compatible. How high can those cards go now, anyway?

So OoT3D is looking pretty good: http://ds.ign.com/articles/114/1144795p1.html

http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/114/1143166/the-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-3ds-20110108002414611.jpg

I was hoping that they really would go to town with this upgrade, like the upgrade to Metroid with Zero Mission. I wanted redesigned dungeons, new characters, whole new sections, etc. Even SM64DS was a pretty great upgrade, with 4 playable characters and 40 new stars. So far, OoT3D just looks too much like the original. I dunno, maybe the later sections are really great, but I wanted a new experience, not just the original with a new coat of paint, you know?

EDIT: Also, am I the only one annoyed that the hearts are on the bottom screen?

The Phalanx

01-19-2011, 05:46 PM

Anyone want to start a pool on how long it takes for a 3DS flashcart?

I give it a month, tops, before the system is compromised.

The Damned

01-19-2011, 06:07 PM

http://twitter.com/gamestopcanada/status/27781584719450112

Canadian price is... $249.99. Same as the US price.

Thank you, Nintendo of Canada. This is a very nice change for once. Usually, we have to pay that extra $30 or $40 for the same system.

Overflow

01-19-2011, 06:13 PM

YES! Thank goodness for that.

Zergonaleash

01-19-2011, 06:19 PM

I think the reason I still have a fat old original DS is because nothing has changed dramatically enough in the upgrades for me to *need* a new DS. Sure, the DSi-ware is cool, so is the brighter screen, etc. but it isn't cool enough to drop another $140 for it, I still have a perfectly capable system. I could care less about 3D, but i fucking love Paper Mario, so I'll probably on board with the system by then. I also wanna know more about the Kingdom Hearts title that's in the works.

Jewbei

01-19-2011, 06:22 PM

ok im NOT happy with the launch titles wtf son.....madden??? wtf happened my zelda and paper mario? and that other nigga kid ...icrus? ima still get it on launch day though. are they accepting pre orders now?

Soma

01-19-2011, 06:46 PM

ok im NOT happy with the launch titles wtf son.....madden??? wtf happened my zelda and paper mario? and that other kid ...icrus? ima still get it on launch day though. are they accepting pre orders now?

....

Um, I'm disappointed in the launch titles as well. They have been taking preorders since late December.

I'm in too much financial turmoil to even consider the 3DS right now. I feel like I don't play my DSi enough to warrant a new DS. I bought every version of the DS except the LL or Xl and I want to wait this one out. I'll probably wait until there are new colors or at least until the PSP2 launches. I feel like I'm at the point in my life where I don't need to own every system anymore. I sold my Wii and never really missed it, I'm finding I don't really miss those big Nintendo franchises as much as I thought I would. Though if the price comes down or if there's a redesign I will be on board.

XZero

01-19-2011, 07:46 PM

Apparently GameStop was informed that Nintendo's launch titles are expected to include Pilotwings, Nintendogs, and something else (not Zelda). SSF4 will most likely be a launch title as well. So I'll buy the system on the 27th, then I will use it to play Street Fighter and Pokemon Black until something better comes along. But I already have Street Fighter on PS3. And I can play Pokemon Black on the DS Lite. Why am I paying $250 again, Nintendo?

When the DS launched, it had Mario 64, then a long time with only a handful of decent games until Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow fixed that nearly a year later. Nintendo claims it'll have great software support for the 3DS between launch and E3, but so far, Kid Icarus isn't looking nearly as cool as it originally did, Zelda's going to be fashionably late, and I could really use a good Mario game or something to hold me over. Here's a thought, Nintendo. Launch games move systems. Yeah, I know you'll sell thirty-two bajillion of these things over the next 4 or 5 years, but throw early adopters a bone. Please?

Toadofsky

01-19-2011, 10:06 PM

Let's not forget this great bit of news:
-Region locking (because Nintendo has been SO great about bringing over games this generation, right? ... right... ?)
-2.5-3.5 hour battery life
-3+ hours for a full charge
-No dual analogue

$250? You're becoming overconfident again. Time for a big punch in the financial nose.

I'm in agreement with NekoFrog. Especially for Nintendo to get a dose of reality.

I won't buy this thing till it's cheaper, and until there's more than one game worth buying on it.

Pilotwings Resort

Soma

01-19-2011, 10:35 PM

Toadofsky

01-19-2011, 11:05 PM

Soul Splint

01-19-2011, 11:36 PM

And that half the launch games look like DS ports.

And that the other half wouldn't get pissed on if they were on fire.

Bleck

01-19-2011, 11:42 PM

Emperor Charlemagne

01-19-2011, 11:51 PM

Though if I recall correctly, the original DS's launch library was pretty piss poor too.

I didn't really want anything on the DS till the Advance Wars DS game.

Toadofsky

01-19-2011, 11:53 PM

Though if I recall correctly, the original DS's launch library was pretty piss poor too.

I didn't really want anything on the DS till the Advance Wars DS game.

New Super Mario Bros. for me honestly. But there was a few other games I don't remember that were made it worth owning.

Emperor Charlemagne

01-19-2011, 11:57 PM

I really want to hope that since the 3DS can play DS games, and it is for all intents and purposes a DS system, that companies will still make DS games and that they'll be much cheaper than usual. A long shot, I know, but still.

Now that my brother bought 999 and Ghost Trick, the only DS game that is definitely on my "I want it" list is Radiant Historia.

And when Legends 3 comes out maybe I'll scrounge up the money to buy the 3DS, but I'm sitting on my hands here. I mean, that projected battery life is just... crap. I am POSITIVE that my DS lite can last up to 6 or more hours without having to be charged up.

Bleck

01-20-2011, 12:06 AM

Though if I recall correctly, the original DS's launch library was pretty piss poor too.
and the gba and the gb and the every other system ever made

Malaki-LEGEND.sys

01-20-2011, 12:52 AM

I think the fact that the 3DS looks so similar to the current DS is putting me off. Not the graphics or anything, just the hardware. I understand it's a completely different machine, but looks to me all they did was throw in the circle pad. I know there's nothing wrong with the current DS setup, it just doesn't have that new hotness that makes me want to buy early.

Well if you think about it, the transition from DS to 3DS is a lot like the NES to the SNES. It isn't so much about the cosmetic as much as it's about what the system is capable of. That's the way I look at it anyway.

Early adoption isn't too bad, though. Once all the killer apps hit, that's one less thing you have to worry about tracking down.

Also,

...the only DS game that is definitely on my "I want it" list is Radiant Historia.

Tell me how that goes.

Emperor Charlemagne

01-20-2011, 01:49 AM

Hey man, don't knock Atlus RPGs. They're the bomb. Knights in the Nightmare is probably one of the best DS games out there.

Malaki-LEGEND.sys

01-20-2011, 01:52 AM

Hey man, don't knock Atlus RPGs. They're the bomb. Knights in the Nightmare is probably one of the best DS games out there.

I'm not knocking it. I fucking love Knights in the Knightmare. I wanna know whether or not RH is awesome as well. :-P

The Damned

01-20-2011, 03:17 AM

You see the newest Zelda: OoT videos? Check this one out.

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/inside-the-ocarina-of/709477

At 17 seconds, the game goes into some sort of AR thing, where moving the 3DS around changes the view.

Bleck

01-20-2011, 03:20 AM

At 17 seconds, the game goes into some sort of AR thing, where moving the 3DS around changes the view.

no

no no no

I swear to fucking god if they ruin OoT with stupid motion bullshit

The Damned

01-20-2011, 03:24 AM

It's entirely optional, as you have to push an on-screen button to turn it on. It's not like they will force you to do it all the time.

DarkeSword

01-20-2011, 03:49 AM

Hey man, don't knock Atlus RPGs. They're the bomb. Knights in the Nightmare is probably one of the best DS games out there.
Technically that's a Sting RPG.

Anyway I pre-ordered my 3DS today. Gonna be good.

The Damned

01-20-2011, 04:26 AM

I must implore those that get it on launch day, test it with lower settings. See if it makes any difference. I would hope that as we get closer to the day in question, we'll hear more details about the battery life, but in lieu of that, first-hand experience from members here may be the only way.

Emperor Charlemagne

01-20-2011, 05:04 AM

Yeah, I do put the brightness down on my DS lite to save battery.

I think the real question is: Will the shoulder buttons on this suck like they have on every post Phat DS?

Gollgagh

01-20-2011, 05:15 AM

I think the real question is: Will the shoulder buttons on this suck like they have on every godam shoulder button since the original GBA?

fixed for fucking truth

Bleck

01-20-2011, 05:33 AM

Will the shoulder buttons on this suck like they have on every single handheld system with shoulder buttons in the history of handheld systems?

fixed even harder

Gollgagh

01-20-2011, 05:52 AM

so that adds, what, the Pandora?

Bleck

01-20-2011, 06:08 AM

so many psps

Brithor

01-20-2011, 03:20 PM

Very surprised it is released in Europe two days before it's released in America.

We still get shafted with the price, though... 250€ is way more than $250...

Chernabogue

01-20-2011, 03:26 PM

Very surprised it is released in Europe two days before it's released in America.

We still get shafted with the price, though... 250€ is way more than $250...
Just wanted to post this. 250€... It's more expensive than a 1st edition PS3.

Turtle

01-20-2011, 03:27 PM

I'll probably pick one up at some point. Way too many good titles to ignore. New Paper Mario game, Kingdom Hearts: 3D, OoT... I'm hoping for a new Metroid title.

The Damned

01-20-2011, 04:45 PM

You guys had problems with the shoulder buttons? Mine have always worked fine. GBA, DS Phat, DS Lite... If anything, I find the A and B buttons, especially the B button, to give out first. They still work, but they aren't as clicky as the other ones.

How odd.

Gollgagh

01-20-2011, 04:48 PM

mine have always failed at some point

every

single

one

3 GBAs, 2 GBA SPs, 2 DS Lites, and finally my DSi

Turtle

01-20-2011, 04:48 PM

My DS Lite works perfectly, other than a reduced battery life due to the sheer amount of use it's seen. I even dropped it on a tile floor once and it suffered nothing more than a couple of cracks on the outer casing.

Of course, battery life is something that isn't quite as good with the 3DS. But compare it to the PSP2 or whatever they're going to call it, and it suddenly seems a lot longer. Same goes for the high price. I think Sony just shot themselves in the foot. Again.

The Damned

01-20-2011, 04:53 PM

I was under the impression that none of the specs of the rumored PSP2 were known. How can you say that the 3DS battery will seem much better than something no one knows anything about?

Not to mention that there haven't even been rumors for a price range.

Turtle

01-20-2011, 04:56 PM

I'm perfectly willing to admit that I could be wrong. I was told this information by a person who doesn't generally spout rumors as fact, so... I dunno. Although if you compare last generation to this generation, it isn't too implausible to think that the PSP2 will be less affordable and have less battery life than its Nintendo-produced competition.

DarkeSword

01-20-2011, 05:08 PM

Sure, but the fact remains that there is practically no information about PSP2 out there. Let's leave comparisons for when we can actually reference facts, not what someone told you.

theshaggyfreak

01-20-2011, 05:19 PM

mine have always failed at some point

So far the only one to fail on me is my old DS lite. One of the hinges cracked which seems to happen to a lot of people. I think the oldest Gameboy that we have working in this house is a GB Pocket which still works great.

The Damned

01-20-2011, 05:24 PM

I can not understand who you people have all these damaged or flawed DSs and GameBoys. I've dropped mine, slid them across concrete, hell, I once dropped my GBA SP down the concrete stairs of an office building. It went down one flight, bounced across the gap between the stairs (it was on something like the 20th floor, so that drop would have definitely killed it) and then went down another flight just to add some more "oh shit, NOOOOOO!" for me.

I picked it up and it was still running. I have it sitting in my desk drawer next to me.

Maybe you guys just have terrible luck or something. My portable have never had problems.

Imagist

01-20-2011, 05:27 PM

Or maybe YOU have the luck of the GODS!

[insert cheesy movie soundtrack increasing suspense]

Gollgagh

01-20-2011, 05:30 PM

If you'll notice, I'm only complaining about the shoulder buttons

everything else (including switch and contact-pad face buttons) has maintained funtionability

Calpis

01-20-2011, 05:33 PM

My DS Lite's L button has been shot for awhile. Probably too much Earthbound and Castlevania, which basically can require you to press L repeatedly for the majority of the game. Other than that, I've never had any problems with my Nintendo handheld gaming systems. My PSP, on the other hand, has had multiple issues over the year that is was still working.

Either way, I think the only reason I'm considering getting a 3DS on day one now is to beat a potential hardware shortage. I don't have much interest in the "launch window" games.

theshaggyfreak

01-20-2011, 07:49 PM

I can not understand who you people have all these damaged or flawed DSs and GameBoys.

If you do a search on google, you'll find a ton of people with DS Lites who have a broken right hinge. It's a stress fracture from them making the hinge have such a tight fit. People speculate that is why the DSi has a loose feel to it in comparison.

I'm actually pretty damn careful with my handheld systems. If I travel with them, they are in a case if I'm not playing them. My PSP has one of those wrap around cases since I managed to get a slight scratch on the screen right after I got it. Luckily those scratches can be taken out. Being the OCD person that I am, I couldn't deal with it being there.

Emperor Charlemagne

01-20-2011, 07:52 PM

I don't carry my DS in my pocket that often, nor my GBA SP. I put them in a safe place in my back-pack, well-protected.

But again and again, it's ALWAYS the L button that goes out. I've went through 3 DS lites (2 through warranty, thank God) because of faulty shoulder buttons. And I had to go through another one because the touch screen of one completely fizzled out. And it fizzled out playing Trace Memory for goodness' sake! There is absolutely no heavy touch-screen action in Trace Memory!

Overflow

01-20-2011, 10:54 PM

Okay, I just realized something about the battery life.

Nintendo is including that charging cradle, and they've stated that they intend for you to keep it in sleep mode indefinitely. Basically, you play it for 3 or 4 hours that day (Really, how COULD you play it for longer in a day?) and rest it in it's cradle overnight. Voila, it's charged and ready for the next day.

Huh. I guess Nintendo outsmarted us :P

The Damned

01-20-2011, 11:10 PM

I'm still hoping that the battery life can be longer with changing the settings.

I don't know about you, but I don't think I would have StreetPass and SpotPass on all the time. I'm only going to have it running when I go around town.

HalcyonSpirit

01-21-2011, 12:03 AM

Nintendo estimates that the battery life of the 3DS can be extended to up to 8 hours just by turning the 3D off, and turning the wireless settings off, dimming the screen, and putting it into a power-saving mode should all help to extend it even further.

http://kotaku.com/5738668/short-cords-long-friend-lists-and-other-burning-3ds-questions-answered

Neblix

01-21-2011, 12:11 AM

Do want. :banghead:

It'll probably be a while before I can muster up the money, but I think it'll be worth it.

Toadofsky

01-21-2011, 12:56 AM

I withdraw my thoughts on Pilotwings Resort. From the sound of it right now (could be wrong) there's only three types of flight. No birdman from the sound of it, or no parachuting or the plethora of things they had in either the Super NES or N64 games. If they think $40 bucks is worth that, they're nuts. And even lazier than I thought.

The Damned

01-22-2011, 07:38 PM

On-topic comic.

http://nerfnow.com/comic/image/456

DusK

01-22-2011, 08:08 PM

On-topic comic.

http://nerfnow.com/comic/image/456
I lol'd.

But yeah, I'm kicking that cost back a bit by selling my DSi. I'm sure plenty of other people will be doing the same.

The Damned

01-25-2011, 04:02 AM

Anyone remember that Dead or Alive clip that had them fighting in a pit with Ridley flying around, and then at the end, Samus pops out in her morphball mode and then it fades to white?

Sorry guys.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-01-24-samus-not-playable-in-dead-or-alive-3ds

It would have been cool, but I guess Samus only throws down in Smash Bros.

Overflow

01-25-2011, 06:01 AM

Ah well. Would have been cool to have a cameo ala Link in Soul Caliber 2.

So I pre-ordered the Blue 3DS from futureshop yesterday. March 27 can't come soon enough. I'm hoping to get Steel Diver with it, or maybe Pilotwings.

I was actually surprised that even the people at futureshop were confused about the 3DS. The guy I talked to was convinced it was just another permutation of the DS, and not a new system (I knew better than to argue with him). But if only hardcore gamers like us can tell the difference, what about the average consumer?

It's kind of weird how upset people got with Nintendo for releasing the DSi and the DSiXL when they've done exactly the same thing with every handheld line they've ever made. I mean, this is the 3RD TIME they've released different models of the same system. You'd have thought people would expect it.

Neblix

01-25-2011, 11:01 AM

ah well. Would have been cool to have a cameo ala link in soul caliber 2.

So i pre-ordered the blue 3ds from futureshop yesterday. March 27 can't come soon enough. I'm hoping to get steel diver with it, or maybe pilotwings.

I was actually surprised that even the people at futureshop were confused about the 3ds. The guy i talked to was convinced it was just another permutation of the ds, and not a new system (i knew better than to argue with him). But if only hardcore gamers like us can tell the difference, what about the average consumer?

It's kind of weird how upset people got with nintendo for releasing the dsi and the dsixl when they've done exactly the same thing with every handheld line they've ever made. i mean, this is the 3rd time they've released different models of the same system. You'd have thought people would expect it.

MONEYMONEYMONEY mr.potatohead

Soma

01-25-2011, 02:18 PM

Didn't the DSI LL come out in Japan before N. America got the DSi? Yes, Nintendo always does this but it seems like they released them as fast as possible this generation. I don't have a problem with them iterating so often. Gamestop usually does decent trade in specials for the new system if you absolutely must upgrade.

Gollgagh

01-25-2011, 02:22 PM

Schwaltzvald

01-25-2011, 04:44 PM

...Gamestop usually does decent trade in specials for the new system if you absolutely must upgrade...

Rather than me post a picture of this kid crying on the carpet that he sold his large game collection/a couple of games for $4.95 total as, "decent trade" and "Gamestop" never or rarely are ever in the same sentence seriously...

What was the last system or game you've traded/sold in to Gamestop that made it worth while..?

kupernikus

01-25-2011, 05:14 PM

Rather than me post a picture of this kid crying on the carpet that he sold his large game collection/a couple of games for $4.95 total as, "decent trade" and "Gamestop" never or rarely are ever in the same sentence seriously...

What was the last system or game you've traded/sold in to Gamestop that made it worth while..?

This x100.

Amazon/ebay/craigslist/your local newspaper's website classifieds will bring in far, far more then Gamestop will.

Thalzon

01-25-2011, 05:22 PM

I got $30 for Other M. That's pretty decent.

djpretzel

01-25-2011, 05:45 PM

I preordered it, BUT I feel dirty...

The Damned

01-25-2011, 06:03 PM

What was the last system... you've traded/sold in to Gamestop that made it worth while?

Why would anyone trade in their systems?

You already bought it, and by the time you think it's time to upgrade, guess what!? It' so old and obsolete that you'll get next to nothing for it.

Keeping it may take up some room, but if you ever want to play the games you have for it, it's there and ready to go. Even if you get a newer system that is backwards compatible with your old games, you still benefit from keeping it, like having a backup system for your favorite games, or being able to take it to LAN parties... The only reason reason to trade or sell it is to get a very small amount of money for it, which isn't usually enough to get anything new or decent with.

I donated my old N64 to Goodwill because I only had a few games for it, and I figured that maybe someone from a less well-off family might be able to use it and get some enjoyment out of it. Same with my old Game Boy Colors; they hopefully went to someone that got something good out of them.

Kept the GameBoy games of course. That would just be stupid.

Brandon Strader

01-25-2011, 06:05 PM

I would consider buying this if it were $150 cheaper, played DS and GBA games, and upscaled them. :-D

Gollgagh

01-25-2011, 06:10 PM

I traded in my old ps1 and ten (mostly) crap games for $100 off of a new ps2 (back when it was still EB Games).

That thing was beat up to hell and on its last legs anyway, so really the only thing about that transaction I ever regret was trading in my copy of SaGa Frontier, but even that was alleviated by the fact that I found a damned good condition copy of it in that same Gamestop two years later for $15.

Brandon Strader

01-25-2011, 06:28 PM

I regretted giving away old games I would probably never see again until I realized they can all be emulated.

EDIT: By giving away I mean trading in to Gamestop

Soma

01-25-2011, 08:53 PM

I traded in my ds lite for a dsi and got 60 bucks or so. I can live with that. I also recently traded in my dying 360 and the 50 dollars or whatever seemed worth it. I would have sold it on craigslist but I could never sell an actual person faulty electronics. Gamestop sucks but they have their place.

kupernikus

01-25-2011, 09:13 PM

well, my blue ds lite from hong kong's battery died... Does the 3ds play ds games? If so there's no reason for me to not pick one up...

Soma

01-25-2011, 10:49 PM

well, my blue ds lite from hong kong's battery died... Does the 3ds play ds games? If so there's no reason for me to not pick one up...

Yes it does. Better to get that preorder in now.

relyanCe

01-25-2011, 11:22 PM

Rather than me post a picture of this kid crying on the carpet that he sold his large game collection/a couple of games for $4.95 total as, "decent trade" and "Gamestop" never or rarely are ever in the same sentence seriously.
this one time i got 20 bucks store credit for trading in a game that was on the exact same store's shelf for 12 bucks

BOOM

kupernikus

01-25-2011, 11:42 PM

Yes it does. Better to get that preorder in now.

Hmmm I wonder if the blue 3ds is as good looking as my Blue DS lite (keep in mind, mine isn't the crappy blue and black the US got, but an all blue one from asia... awesome.

McVaffe

01-26-2011, 05:13 AM

Hoping to pick one up, and also looking forward to PSP2. I liked PSP, but damn I couldn't play it because of the loading times. The only game I could really play on it was SF Alpha 3 because of the relatively quick load times.

I have a bunch of other games I just gave up on because the loading was so slow. Hoping PSP2 has a nice sized HD and all the games are downloadable / installable this time around.

Benjamin Briggs

01-26-2011, 05:34 AM

see: Game Boy Advance Micro
I played the shit out of pokemon leafgreen on my gba micro

it has such crisp and bright display

not to mention I put some velcro on the back of it and wore it as a belt

The Damned

01-26-2011, 05:39 AM

Like an older, slightly weirder Captain N without the jacket?

Doulifée

01-26-2011, 10:46 AM

pre order done, need to wait a bit to see what game i'll buy.

XZero

01-26-2011, 12:30 PM

So Reggie confirmed that there'll be no Zelda or Kid Icarus before E3

http://ds.ign.com/articles/114/1146094p1.html

Looks like the 1st party launch games are Pilotwings, Nintendogs+Cats, and Steel Diver. Reggie mentioned that the hardcore gamer can look forward to Street Fighter 4, Dead or Alive Dimensions, and ... Madden (hardcore?).

So looks like I'm picking up Street Fighter and maybe Pilotwings. Or I'll skip Pilotwings until its price drops and just play Pokemon and Dragon Quest VI on the 3DS. There's also a Devil Survivor upgrade coming out, and since I haven't played the first one, that might have to be a buy as well.

You know, they've been pushing this thing like crazy in the last couple of weeks, and they've probably had this launch window planned since some time last year. They're releasing a system where not only is there no Mario-series game, there are no games within their 'big 3' series at all. And that wouldn't be a problem except for the fact that Pilotwings, though the last two were good back in the 90s, is at best a 4th tier series in the grand scheme of Nintendo's world. This is uniquely one of the company's worst system launches in terms of quality software.

Malaki-LEGEND.sys

01-26-2011, 02:18 PM

Then it's settled.

I shall be buying a 3DS during or post holiday season this year.

Overflow

01-26-2011, 02:21 PM

well, maybe so, but I would personally prefer them to take as much time as they need to perfect OoT3d and Kid icarus, rather than rushing them for launch.

Besides, I think it would be nice to play a completely new IP(Steel Diver) using a new gameplay style(3D) on a new system. I mean, the 3DS is NEW. Why would you want the first game you play on it to be something old? I love OoT, and I know people love SFIV, but really, you should try something new on this new system. Kid Icarus and Steel Diver are both new, and maybe pilotwings, since there hasn't been one in a while (Although there's the flying mode in wii sports resort.)

Soma

01-26-2011, 05:14 PM

They should put Wind Waker on the 3DS. I feel like I would play it more thoroughly if it were portable. I'm part of the problem, I hope they make 3DS sequels to games, but some ports of the games that were too beefy to be ported to the DS would be nice in the mean time.

JCvgluvr

01-26-2011, 07:25 PM

Soma

01-26-2011, 08:02 PM

Well that settles it. Not only is waiting for the 3DS Lite the smarter, more cost-effective thing to do. I now have no games to tempt me to waiver from my intelligence. No Paper Mario, OoT, or any big first-party game at launch? No problem. Time to sit back and wait for the only system any sane person would purchase.
I mostly agree with you. I wouldn't go so far as to say any person that purchases a 3DS "insane" but "impatient" might be a better word. It's going to be at least a year before a 3DS lite could be released to market, maybe 2 in america. It's not like they are going to drop the price any time soon if the wii is any indication.

I'm not getting a 3DS at launch, but I would like to, even though the launch lineup doesn't interest me. It's quite reasonable to wait this one out, maybe black Friday this year will have some good deals. I don't fully understand people who are waiting because of the price. Are they going to buy a "fat" 3DS when the redesign comes out? the new "lite" 3DS will still be $250 when it comes out, I'm sure.

SonicThHedgog

01-26-2011, 08:07 PM

YYAYAY......wha....wait.....REGION LOCKED.

nevermind im sticking to my ds light + i get gba games :)

halc

01-26-2011, 08:41 PM

Like an older, slightly weirder Captain N without the jacket?

he was just trying to get nerdy band chicks to play with his picross :roll:

The Damned

01-27-2011, 11:34 PM

http://www.next-gen.biz/news/nintendo-explains-3ds-battery-life

“When I measured by playing several Nintendo games, with the backlight set to the brightest level and the power save mode turned off, battery duration was about three hours,” he adds. “But if you use the power save mode under the same conditions, [B]it gets about 10-20% longer. And if you set the backlight to the darkest setting, the battery lasts five hours, but the power save mode makes less of a difference then.”

Umezu also explains that battery life can be increased by turning down the 3D “volume” slider, with battery life extended by up to 25 per cent by playing in 2D.

So, if you combine these two settings, you should be able to get just short of 50% more battery life.

Now, the interesting thing is that he said "maximum brightness", so if you drop the brightness, it should be even longer, as the light uses up the most power. This would lend a lot of credibility to the argument that lowest settings should be able to exceed the quoted 5 hours.

If that's true, then I wonder how long it would last with the lowest settings. It might actually be a lot more.

JCvgluvr

01-28-2011, 01:06 AM

I mostly agree with you. I wouldn't go so far as to say any person that purchases a 3DS "insane" but "impatient" might be a better word. It's going to be at least a year before a 3DS lite could be released to market, maybe 2 in america. It's not like they are going to drop the price any time soon if the wii is any indication.
Aw, but I like to exaggerate. Calling someone impatient doesn't elicit as much reaction as calling them insane. :<

Nah, you're pretty much correct. I imagine it'll be a year or two before the 3DS Lite shows up. But when it does, paying $250 for it seems acceptable to me.

Overflow

01-28-2011, 05:17 PM

I just finished reading the Iwata Asks article on the 3DS hardware (right here (http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interview.html#/how-nintendo-3ds-made/1/0)) and it looks like they have no plans to make a 3DS lite. check it:
Sugino: When you changed your approach and got rid of all gaps, Nintendo DS Lite was born. I think that experience can be seen in Nintendo 3DS.

Iwata: The first thing (Nobuo) Nagai-san10, who's in charge at the Uji plant, said to me when he looked over the designs for Nintendo 3DS before mass production began was "This time it's fully packed right from the start."

Sugino: Oh, really? (laughs) But he was right. That's why we don't have any short-term plans for creating a more compact version of Nintendo 3DS like we did with Nintendo DS Lite. (laughs)

Iwata: Yeah. (laughs) When making Nintendo 3DS, we used all our tricks for Nintendo DS Lite—and more—for cutting down on size right from the start.

They talk a little bit more about it, but from what I got, they start work on the next model of a system before the first one is even released. They mentioned how they started work very early on the DS Lite, but that they don't feel it's going to be possible to make a 3DS lite until the technology becomes smaller and cheaper, which probably won't be for a few years.

So if you're holding out for the 3DS lite, you may want to think again.

Soul Splint

01-28-2011, 05:51 PM

Hopefully the 3DS Lite release will coincide with the existence of a decent 3DS library. That's when I'll get the original at a discounted price. $250 is steep enough with a good launch library, but it's way too much when there won't even be anything that I'd play for more than aesthetic reasons.

JCvgluvr

01-29-2011, 07:34 PM

if you're holding out for the 3DS lite, you may want to think again.
I don't believe them. Not by a longshot! Of course they're going to say they have no short term plans. They have to. If the opposite was true, do you think they'd be stupid enough to tell that to the public? No freaking way. They'd be cutting off their launch system sales right at the knees! That's just basic business sense.

Just watch. In a couple of years, the technology will "unexpectedly" improve and become cheaper. Boom, 3DS Lite. I'm inclined to trust history's record of handheld consoles before I trust Mr. Iwata and friends. They've got systems to sell. Honesty doesn't make them a profit.

Bleck

01-29-2011, 09:17 PM

YYAYAY......wha....wait.....REGION LOCKED.

oh no I can't import shitty japanese rpgs three months ahead of their english release oh no whatever will I do oh no

The Damned

01-29-2011, 10:32 PM

Baaaaaw about it, obviously.

AMT

01-30-2011, 01:29 AM

Just buy a 3DS from both regions. Bam, problem solved!

Gollgagh

01-30-2011, 08:07 PM

Just buy a 3DS from both regions. Bam, problem solved!

and Nintendo gets all your money, so everybody's happy!

Soma

02-15-2011, 09:09 PM

So i sold my DSi on craigslist for $120, looks like I will be getting a 3DS after all. I know the 3DS is region locked, but does that mean that normal DS games that are from different regions will not play on the 3DS?

The Damned

02-15-2011, 09:18 PM

I don't think the DS was ever region-locked, only DSi-specific software was. Now, some DS games do use DSi features, like the camera, but they aren't required to use them.

As for 3DS playing DS games being region-locked... I have no idea. All DS games are region-free, and the 3DS is fully backward compatible, so it would make sense that it wouldn't do region-locking on region-free games.

I guess we'll have to wait until it comes out to see.

Man, Nintendo should have this sort of thing explained by now.

Emperor Charlemagne

02-15-2011, 09:37 PM

oh no I can't import shitty japanese rpgs three months ahead of their english release oh no whatever will I do oh no

I know it's not 3DS, but I'm much more pissed that the sequels to Hotel Dusk and Trace memory are Japan and Europe only.

THAT type of region lock sucks lots of dick.

Graycascade

02-15-2011, 10:14 PM

Hotel Dusk...Japan and Europe only.

*shakes fists at the heaven's*
WHY!!!!!

Bleck

02-15-2011, 10:39 PM

probably because only around six people bought the first one

Gollgagh

02-15-2011, 10:41 PM

except that one isn't region locked?

p sure you can import it from europe and have it work on your DS

Thalzon

02-15-2011, 11:11 PM

except that one isn't region locked?

p sure you can import it from europe and have it work on your DS

For real? If that's true, I'm so getting my british co-worker to buy it for me. Can anyone confirm this? I loved the original to bits.

Graycascade

02-16-2011, 12:03 AM

For real? If that's true, I'm so getting my british co-worker to buy it for me. Can anyone confirm this? I loved the original to bits.

I'm pretty sure that all six of us who bought it did.

Emperor Charlemagne

02-16-2011, 12:42 AM

For real? If that's true, I'm so getting my british co-worker to buy it for me. Can anyone confirm this? I loved the original to bits.

Asking a few friends, they confirmed that the DS is in fact not region-locked- it will play out-of-region games.

Still sucks for Trace Memory though.

Toadofsky

02-16-2011, 02:21 AM

Overflow

02-16-2011, 03:57 AM

I was one of the 6 who bought Hotel Dusk! is the sequel a true sequel, or more of a spin-off? I may need to import it too...

Thalzon

02-16-2011, 04:18 AM

I was one of the 6 who bought Hotel Dusk! is the sequel a true sequel, or more of a spin-off? I may need to import it too...

True sequel. Kyle Hyde makes a triumphant return.

AMT

02-16-2011, 04:59 AM

Preordered it with Super Street Fighter IV! I haven't been able to play SFIV on console, so I'm really looking forward to it in 3D. Anyone else getting it at launch? Maybe we can set up some OCR matches.

Overflow

02-16-2011, 05:15 AM

I'm still not convinced on Street Fighter. At all.
I have Super Street Fighter 2 for genesis, and tried playing it again, and it just seems like a so-so fighter. I found it kinda frustrating getting any special moves (aside from HADOKEN and HYUPCHYUPCHYUPCHUN) to work and I don't really see the longevity of the series. True, I was playing by myself, so maybe it's much more fun in multi player, but I'd still need convincing before I buy it.

However, prospect of online OCR matches is very appealing...

Emperor Charlemagne

02-16-2011, 06:55 AM

i never got into fighting games until I bought Street Fighter Alpha 2 for the Saturn recently.

Now it's replaced Brawl as the game my friends and I all want to play. It's just that fun.

The Phalanx

02-16-2011, 12:08 PM

I contest that she probably would have started a monologue and or cried about her maternal/daddy issues again...

We really didn't need more sluttifying of Samus Aran anyway.

Soma

02-16-2011, 03:24 PM

I bought Hotel Dusk as well. I was only somewhat interested in it until it got a 10 in EGM. Hotel Dusk is awesome, I would import the sequel from Europe but last i checked it was like $70. All DS games are region free by the way. I own just as many japanese DS games as North American ones, I never noticed this until recently. It makes me super curious to know if I can still play my import games when I upgrade to the 3DS, or if I will just end up staring at their boxes.

I was thinking about something recently, my brother is trying to sell his DSlite on craigslist. I would think in the future the DSlite will be "the" iteration of the DS to have. It's got the GBA slot, and there's no firmware to lockout piracy and whatnot. I'm pretty ignorant about piracy and homebrew on the DS, but I'm assuming it's locked out on the DSi, if you updated at least.

Overflow

02-16-2011, 03:40 PM

Well, just keep your DS when you get the 3DS. I wouldn't risk losing the ability to play all those games.

JCvgluvr

02-23-2011, 07:04 PM

Apparently, someone on NeoGAF pointed out that Gamestop has done a massive update on release dates for 3DS titles, specifically those for the launch. Here's what we have:

- Pilotwings: Resort
- Steel Diver
- Nintendogs + cats: French Bulldog & Friends
- Nintendogs + cats: Golden Retriever & Friends
- Nintendogs + cats: Toy Poodle & Friends
- Pro Evolution Soccer 2011
- Madden NFL Football
- The Sims 3
- LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
- Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition
- Super Monkey Ball 3D
- Samurai Warriors: Chronicle
- Bust-A-Move Universe (Budget Price: $29.99)
- Rayman 3D
- Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D
- Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars
- Asphalt GT: Nitro Racing
- Ridge Racer 3D

This seems very likely to be the final launch day lineup. Source: http://kotaku.com/#!5767057/the-games-you-can-absolutely-buy-the-day-the-3ds-goes-on-sale (http://kotaku.com/#%215767057/the-games-you-can-absolutely-buy-the-day-the-3ds-goes-on-sale)

Also of note: Nintendo of America confirmed that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, Star Fox 64 3D, Kid Icarus: Uprising, & Mario Kart 3D will be out in North America before the end of 2011.

The Damned

02-23-2011, 07:35 PM

So late Summer to early Winter.

Awesome. I guess this gives me more reason to wait on a 3DS. I'll let you early-adopters find out all the things about it first, and then once the games start coming in, I'll see about it.

Also, if you got a Japanese 3DS, for the love of god, please do some battery tests with lowest settings (brightness, wifi off, 3D off, etc.) so we can put the battery life issue to rest once and for all. People are still asking about it and Nintendo hasn't really put out a solid, undeniable statement that shuts the whole argument up.

AMT

02-24-2011, 05:53 PM

Is anyone going to be getting a Japanese 3DS this weekend? I'm not, but I'd love to hear more about the other AR games / see how it is.

Overflow

02-24-2011, 06:25 PM

The guy from Nintendo3DSBlog.com will be getting it, and he seems to go pretty in-depth with stuff and you could probably send him a question about it. There's already a chinese unboxing of it, but they don't show much in the videos.
link: http://nintendo3dsblog.com/

AMT

02-24-2011, 07:23 PM

Bleck

02-24-2011, 07:42 PM

I'm going to buy one when it launches because contrary to popular belief it isn't going to get any cheaper or any more plentiful in the coming months

better to have one with nothing to play on it than to go buy one when Zelda comes out only to find oh they are all gone forever

I mean seriously did people not learn from buying Wiis you know those things that were almost impossible to ever find for the first two years of release

Calpis

02-24-2011, 08:08 PM

Sweet, thanks! Now I'm really curious about this:

http://nintendo3ds.davidturnbull.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Nintendo-3DS-Unboxing-81.jpg

Can anyone translate this? I really want to know what game modes are available in SSFIV 3DS and I can't find a listing anywhere.

Arcade
Versus
3D Versus
Internet (Can't read the Kanji and don't have time to look it up)
Challenge
Training
Player Data
Figure Collection
Options

Overflow

02-25-2011, 02:10 PM

So, I'm getting pretty pumped for Steel Diver, especially after hearing this news:
http://nintendo3dsblog.com/nintendo-reveals-naval-battle-mode-in-steel-diver-supports-download-play#more-611534933
I'm making an effort to make my first gaming experience on the 3DS be with a game I've never played before. I want this to be completely new. Even if OoT was a launch title, I'd still play steel Diver first.

I can't believe how useless IGN is these days. This blog is really good and updates with something new almost every couple hours.

XZero

02-25-2011, 02:37 PM

The only launch game I'm getting is SSF4, even though I already have it on PS3. I'll probably get Okamiden that day as well. As others have noted, early adopters have a double-edged sword to deal with. On the one hand, no one knows enough about the 3DS to make a good call on it either way. The original DS paid off as a good "risk," and I suspect support for this system will be similar, though it's hard to say. Also, the games are a heaping pile of "meh" for launch day.

That said, I have this feeling that 3DS systems are going to be the third Nintendo product to print money (along with the Wii and DS Lite) in a short period of time. I remember working at GameStop during the height of the Wii's popularity. Even during the summer months, people would be lining up in the store on days we might get Wii shipments just to score one for themselves or their kids. Barring any unforeseen problems, I really think the same thing's going to happen for the next two years with the 3DS.

JCvgluvr

02-25-2011, 07:13 PM

The Damned

02-25-2011, 07:50 PM

I know the DS Lite, when it first came out, was kind of hard to get at first, but then it was plentiful. Same with the DSi.

Now, the DS Phat, it was easy to get a hold of for months after it was released. It had a slows tart, but picked up once more and more titles came out for it.

AMT

02-25-2011, 08:53 PM

I figure the games are going to be easy to find in stores, but the 3DS itself has a decent chance of selling out at first, especially because I live in a small town without a game store. I preordered on Amazon and now I'm considering grabbing Pilotwings from the store once I get the actual 3DS, based on reviews / etc.

Bleck

02-25-2011, 09:24 PM

We're not talking about a home console. Has a handheld ever seen shortages? Especially the DS?

are you seriously asking this question

JCvgluvr

02-26-2011, 07:42 AM

are you seriously asking this question
Sure, why not. The Damned seems to be thinking along the same lines as me, so I'm not sure.

Toadofsky

02-26-2011, 09:59 AM

Sure, why not. The Damned seems to be thinking along the same lines as me, so I'm not sure.

Ever heard of the Gameboy? Or the iPhone? Or the iPad? ;-)

If this thing is sold out for a year or so, I'm not going to be heart broken. Until I see a 2D Mario game, Mario Kart, a Metroid NOT made by Sakamoto, I'll hold off. At least within a year's time frame a few decent games will be out (just my opinion, you don't have to like it). And I refuse to plunk down $250 dollars on this thing until I can see the 3D effect for myself.

Crowbar Man

02-26-2011, 03:06 PM

Wouldn't hold your breath for a purely 2D Mario, they haven't made one in over a decade (Unless you count those Mario Vs DK games or Yoshi Island DS). Best we will get is a 2.5D NSMB style game.

Would love to see a new one though, but preferably on a console though. I'm not a fan on the NSMB crap style. Games are OK. Its probably way cheaper to make a NSMB or Paper Mario style game than a real 2D game though

And I would say before the announcment of the NGP that the 3DS would probably be scarce, but I think the NGP is going to take some wind out of the sails. BUT maybe not, the hipster trendy people will still flock to it because "oooh 3D!11"

Soma

02-26-2011, 05:49 PM

So it looks like the DS functionality of the 3DS is still region free at least. Thank god. http://www.destructoid.com/3ds-and-ds-regions-ok-usa--195116.phtml

JCvgluvr

02-26-2011, 07:16 PM

Ever heard of the Gameboy? Or the iPhone? Or the iPad? ;-)
Um, was that supposed to be rhetorical? I've never heard about Gameboy shortages before. And why are you mentioning two unrelated electronic devices? We're talking about handheld gaming consoles here. Furthermore, maybe your retort would be more effective if you could cite a few examples of shortages of DS-related handhelds. I've never heard of that problem before, either. The only console that was hard to obtain in recent memory was the Wii.

XZero

02-26-2011, 07:30 PM

Actually, the DS had 2 major shortages. The first was right when it launched in November of 2005. It was pretty much preorder only, but with a holiday launch like that, it's not unexpected.

The bigger shortage was in the Fall of 2006. This was, of course, the same time the Wii was released, but the DS Lite also saw its first holiday season at this point. Someone didn't expect it to be as big as it was because I remember having quite a few of them around the end of November at my GameStop location, then being sold out the following week. People were constantly asking for them. It wasn't a two-year-long "OMG I can't find one" event like the Wii, but for a couple of months, we had difficulty keeping them in stock, and around Christmas, they would sell out within minutes of getting a shipment.

Generally, Nintendo's pretty good with its handhelds as far as keeping them in stock. The GBA SP was the former portable market champion, and while we'd sell out of certain colors, we nearly always had the system in stock during its heyday. The only reason I'm not completely sold on the 3DS being readily available is that the 3D screens might reduce the number of systems available in the short term. This Christmas, if Nintendo can get some big titles out (Zelda, Kid Icarus, and they need a Mario game of some sort), the system's going to sell like crazy in all likelihood.

Soma

02-26-2011, 09:09 PM

I never noticed a DS phat shortage. I didn't preorder, and walked into Bestbuy about 5pm the day of release. My brother was reminding me that he had trouble finding a DS lite initially, but I bought mine at target a week before release. (since they broke the street date.) When I was at Gamestop recently, they told me that they expected wii-like shortages for the 3DS. That's what they always say though. Apparently Japan sold through the initial 400,000 shipment, but most stores were getting restocks the very next day.

Toadofsky

02-26-2011, 11:30 PM

Um, was that supposed to be rhetorical? I've never heard about Gameboy shortages before. And why are you mentioning two unrelated electronic devices? We're talking about handheld gaming consoles here. Furthermore, maybe your retort would be more effective if you could cite a few examples of shortages of DS-related handhelds. I've never heard of that problem before, either. The only console that was hard to obtain in recent memory was the Wii.

It was rhetorical. And if you're taking offense, oh please forgive me, it was a joke, sorry it wasn't funny.

What about the 360? Is that better? The thing was sold out, at least at launch.

JCvgluvr

02-27-2011, 08:58 AM

No, bro, no offense. Just being matter of fact. However, the mention of not one but 2 DS shortages does help even things out.

There may be shortages, or there may not. All I know is, I'm not going to give a crap either way because the launch titles are poopie.

The Damned

02-27-2011, 02:45 PM

Kotaku is saying their 3DSs are experiencing weak hinges.

If you are paying the same amount Nintendo used to charge for its home console, you want a sturdy handheld. And the 3DS's upper lid doesn't quite seem to pass the mustard. Don't get me wrong, it's sturdy in that sense that kids can (and will) chuck it in the bags and knock it about. However, sturdy clam-shell design has long plagued Nintendo. Remember the DS Lite and the broken hinges? And how they'd eventually flop open and shut like wet noodles? The 3DS doesn't seem that bad, but there's already some give and some flop when it's opened. That worries me.

Now, they may just have a bad 3DS or two, it happens. Maybe they're even over-reacting. Anyone else with an imported 3DS care to comment?

Overflow

02-27-2011, 04:20 PM

The Damned

02-27-2011, 06:13 PM

I think everyone is too busy playing with their 3DSs to bother with a real-life test.

FireSlash

02-27-2011, 06:47 PM

So it looks like the DS functionality of the 3DS is still region free at least. Thank god. http://www.destructoid.com/3ds-and-ds-regions-ok-usa--195116.phtml

I'm pretty sure the software wasn't region coded to begin with... you can't retroactively region lock software without coding since you don't know what to lock it to :<

Soma

02-27-2011, 06:54 PM

I've never had a problem with any of the hinges of any of my Nintendo handhelds. Mine all still work perfectly. Maybe I just take better care of my stuff :?

ANyways, yeah, We still don't have a solid answer on battery life.

One time I was playing Tactics Ogre: knights of Lodis for the GBA and I got really mad and shook my cobalt GBA SP and the hinge was slightly loose after that. Never really had any hinge problems that weren't my fault. After I got my Dsi I tried to swap it for a different one because the hinge was somewhat loose, but all the units were that way. I think it was Nintendos way of solving that cracked hinge thing on the DSlite.

The Damned

02-27-2011, 07:13 PM

A friend had cracks on his hinges on his DS Lite, and he's terribly paranoid about electronics care.

So it does happen sometimes.

XZero

02-27-2011, 08:16 PM

I've seen loose hinges on DS and GBA units, though I've never experienced this personally. If you're relatively careful, it won't come loose unless it's defective, in which case it's probably under warranty.

Case in point, all of the loose hinges I've ever seen were child-owned DS and GBA systems that were traded in at GameStop. Teen- or adult-owned systems generally don't suffer from the same problem. If yours does or did, there was probably a problem with it from the start.

Emperor Charlemagne

02-27-2011, 08:30 PM

I've never had a problem with any of the hinges of any of my Nintendo handhelds. Mine all still work perfectly. Maybe I just take better care of my stuff :?

I take obsessive care of all my electronic items, but that doesn't stop the shoulder buttons from breaking consistently on my handhelds. I just must not want it enough.

FireSlash

02-27-2011, 09:42 PM

hinges and shoulder buttons are both very common issues with the DS Lite. To a point where it could be considered a weakness or even design flaw.

I'm just hoping the 3DS hinges solve this issue.

The Damned

02-27-2011, 11:28 PM

NeoGAF members (http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=422236&page=43) are starting to report battery life and settings.

Got 5 hours 15 minutes, give or take, this time. Again, that's with occasional 3D slider gameplay, about 45 minutes of Wi-Fi, brightness 1, power save off, 30 minutes or so of AR play.

And I just hit the battery halfway mark after playing a couple online matches. That's nearly 4 hours now. ^^

So, really, no clear answer still.

Malaki-LEGEND.sys

02-27-2011, 11:42 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't enabling the 3D force the game to draw the same images twice? It makes sense(at least in my mind) that this would lead to decreased battery life, as well as the brightness setting(assuming that 1 is the strongest).

I'm willing to bet that with 3D and brightness off, the system can easily hit 8 to 10 hours.

The Damned

02-28-2011, 12:12 AM

According to tests and Nintendo's own comments, the system renders both angles all the time any way. The power draw on the 3D effect is from both 3D screens running at the same time, not from having the screen being rendered twice.

And so far, no concrete answers on low settings so far. It's been more than a day, you would think someone would have tried it by now.

Mirby

02-28-2011, 01:53 AM

I know that it blocks most DS flashcarts...

The iEvolution seems to work though.

Bleck

02-28-2011, 01:56 AM

If the battery lasts longer than three hours, that's enough for me.

Gollgagh

02-28-2011, 02:04 AM

If the battery lasts longer than three hours, that's enough for me.

yeah same

I don't have that much time to be playing handhelds for hours upon hours, and if I did, I'd be at my desk anyway.

oh that reminds me, is this thing confirmed completely inoperable during charging

Strike911

02-28-2011, 02:04 AM

Battery life seems better than I was expecting. I'm used to my battery eating (nay devouring, nay destroying) cell phone. This will work.

I want a 3DS pretty bad but I'm going to wait and see how the launch goes before I buy one. I really don't need it immediately. Pilot Wings is really tempting me though.

The Damned

02-28-2011, 02:17 AM

Personally, I need to see if I can stand the 3D effect. I don't like 3D movies that much and I'd hate to get a 3DS and not use the 3D at all. It seems like such a waste.

But those AR card games are looking pretty cool. They alone might be worth getting a 3DS now.

Emperor Charlemagne

02-28-2011, 02:31 AM

I'm sure we all enjoy playing handhelds late at night or something or whenever, on the road or not- I've done more of my old Gameboy playing at home than in a car, I'll tell you that much.

But those AR card games are looking pretty cool. They alone might be worth getting a 3DS now.

But those AR card games

AR card games

games

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/Emperor_Phoenix/Old%20Cartoon%20Shots/CRAZYapes.gif

Can't wait to see all the inevitably dirty pictures these cards produce.

Dhsu

02-28-2011, 02:49 AM

Dale North has been posting videos of him playing his 3DS. Seems like he's enjoying it so far.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwV_CILcdfA

Overflow

02-28-2011, 06:02 AM

Haha, those are pretty funny. I'm still waiting to see more of Street Pass Quest and the battery life. I wish people wouldn't play they.re 3DSs so much and make some actual videos about the stuff we need to know! :(

Two things that have bugged me that no-one's answered is if the buttons are 'clicky' like the DSi, and if the case is actual metal like the GameBoy Micro or if it's just plastic.

The Damned

02-28-2011, 02:54 PM

Oh no, I've been dramatically multi-quoted! With an animated gif twist ending!

PROTO·DOME

02-28-2011, 03:02 PM

Region specific, one more reason to wait for a flash cart for this thing.

WHY do that? I mean seriously, why?

Soma

02-28-2011, 03:07 PM

Can't wait to see all the inevitably dirty pictures these cards produce.
It took me a minute to think about this. So, potentially a girl could use the AR cards as "pasties" basically? I'm sure there are other less savory things that can be done, but that's what I thought of.

Emperor Charlemagne

02-28-2011, 03:33 PM

Region specific, one more reason to wait for a flash cart for this thing.

WHY do that? I mean seriously, why?

Well, you won't have to wait very long? (http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjQ2Njk4MjI0.html)

Gollgagh

02-28-2011, 03:42 PM

that's for DS games though

Bleck

02-28-2011, 07:53 PM

Region specific, one more reason to wait for a flash cart for this thing.

WHY do that? I mean seriously, why?

a better question is why the fuck has it ever mattered

AMT

02-28-2011, 07:54 PM

So why haven't any launch game reviews been translated? Usually in the US we get reviews a few days before release, is it different in Japan? All I can find are single-sentence snippets of the Famitsu reviews.

Overflow

02-28-2011, 08:06 PM

a better question is why the fuck has it ever mattered

So true. The games are in Japanese anyways, so unless you can read it I don't know why you'd want to import...
That said, Importing from another english speaking region makes sense, and I'm still considering importing Hotel Dusk 2.

The Damned

02-28-2011, 08:06 PM

I'm guessing it's one of two possibilities:

1. The 3DS is actually so incredibly underwhelming that no one is willing to say anything about it, or they are just so shattered by it, they can't. Maybe there is fear of Nintendo fanboy reaction.

2. They are playing the fuck out of everything right now, and they don't want to take time to write reviews when they can be playing it.

I thought maybe a third possibility would be that no on has one yet, but that's obviously not the case. Lots of sites and people have one now, so there should be nothing to stop them from starting reviews.

AMT

02-28-2011, 08:44 PM

Yeah, #2 is what I was thinking, but it still seems strange. I can't even find a full translation of the Famitsu reviews.

AMT

03-02-2011, 05:10 PM

Did anyone watch Iwata's GDC keynote just now? Netflix in 3D is confirmed for the 3DS, along with a "Short Form Video" service where Nintendo will provide things like music videos, funny shorts, etc in 3D. Also, 3D classics are still a go according to Reggie. No new info on what games will get updated to 3D or when, but they will be available in the eShop alongside other digital downloads. Also, the Virtual Console will support Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Gear, and TurboGraphx-16 games.

Best of all is the first snippet of info on Super Mario 3DS; They showed a few screenshots and a logo that has the silhouette of a raccoon tail on the edge. From the screens, it looks like Mario 64 with Mario 3 style powerups; The screens showed both big Mario and little Mario in 3D, and the logo hints at the ability to fly. He said we'll get more information at E3.

EDIT: OH, and how could I forget, OCARINA OF TIME IN JUNE! ...Now I'm wondering if I misheard, but I'm pretty dang sure that Iwata said June.

EDIT2: Ok, yeah, Joystiq heard the same thing: "9:52AM I believe Iwata said that Nintendo intended to release Ocarina of Time 3D in June. But it was a passing reference."

The Damned

03-02-2011, 05:39 PM

Super Mario Bros. 3(DS) I bet. They already took a few other classics and remade them for the 3DS, why not the most popular Mario title as well?

AMT

03-02-2011, 05:42 PM

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/4686/mario3dsscreens1.jpg

I bet you're right about them taking the influences from 3, but it definitely looks like a new game, not just a remake. Still, I can't wait to see what gets revealed at E3. Oh Nintendo, you tease.

XZero

03-02-2011, 06:50 PM

I'm pretty excited about the new Mario game. The few things they showed look cool, and if the Galaxy team is working on it, I'm sure it'll rock. Plus, the tail on the logo... =)

The one thing about the conference is that the new Zelda trailer really doesn't have me particularly excited. Zelda's my favorite Nintendo series, and I'm sure it'll be good, but it looks like more of the same with a control scheme that may or may not work. We'll have to wait till E3 I suppose.

The Damned

03-02-2011, 07:46 PM

I think this is the first 3D Mario game to use tiny Mario!

Toadofsky

03-02-2011, 10:20 PM

I'm just meh over the announcement of this new 3D Mario game. If its another find all the stars and Bowser is a wuss fights I'll pass.

The Zelda trailer was okay, but I get the vibe of it being another Ocarina all over again.

Arek the Absolute

03-02-2011, 11:15 PM

Toadofsky

03-03-2011, 12:05 AM

what makes you think that?

With 3D Mario, it's what I expect. They can't come up with a way to make a stage ending so the star is essentially a "flagpole". Bowser was only a challenge in Mario 64 on the second and last fight. Since then, not so much.

With Zelda, Nintendo won't stray from the Ocarina formula. Sure it works, but it's just gotten old to me.

JCvgluvr

03-03-2011, 07:08 PM

Super Mario Galaxy one and two were both fantastic. But I'm quite interested in going back to the exploration-based gameplay of SM64/Sunshine. If I'm able to do that with Racoon powerups, my hype for the 3DS could reach critical levels.

The Damned

03-06-2011, 12:49 AM

Master Quest for Zelda:OoT

http://www.destructoid.com/f-ck-yeah-master-quest-confirmed-for-ocarina-of-time-3d-195770.phtml

Hylian Lemon

03-06-2011, 12:53 AM

Master Quest for Zelda:OoT

http://www.destructoid.com/f-ck-yeah-master-quest-confirmed-for-ocarina-of-time-3d-195770.phtml
Awesome. I never got a chance to try this.

Gollgagh

03-06-2011, 03:08 AM

With Zelda, Nintendo won't stray from the Ocarina formula. Sure it works, but it's just gotten old to me.

it is Ocarina

Benjamin Briggs

03-06-2011, 03:18 AM

Master Quest for Zelda:OoT

http://www.destructoid.com/f-ck-yeah-master-quest-confirmed-for-ocarina-of-time-3d-195770.phtml
now that is what I call fan service

Arek the Absolute

03-06-2011, 02:36 PM

it is Ocarina

aw

i was having fun with him not realizing that

way to ruin the fun

Dhsu

03-06-2011, 04:26 PM

Dale says the battery lasts about 3 hours on full brightness and volume.

http://www.destructoid.com/feature-your-nintendo-3ds-questions-answered-195648.phtml

The Damned

03-06-2011, 05:22 PM

OK, we knew that, but what about not-full everything? Is it the 5 hours, or is it more?

Gollgagh

03-06-2011, 05:56 PM

aw

i was having fun with him not realizing that

way to ruin the fun

http://ocremix.org/forums/images/smilies/icon_redface.gif

Malaki-LEGEND.sys

03-06-2011, 06:19 PM

OK, we knew that, but what about not-full everything? Is it the 5 hours, or is it more?

I think the guys over at Kotaku said they managed to get out from 8-10 on lowest settings.

Gollgagh

03-06-2011, 06:21 PM

oh that reminds me, is this thing confirmed completely inoperable during charging*ahem ahem*

The Damned

03-06-2011, 07:28 PM

I can't see why it would be. None of the previous Game Byos and DS models were.

I think the guys over at Kotaku said they managed to get out from 8-10 on lowest settings.

This one? (http://kotaku.com/#!5775230/about-the-3dss-battery) If that's true, then that' much more acceptable... but at the cost of the main feature, the 3D effect, it seems kind of pointless to do so.

Mind you, I have to get my hands (and eyes) on one first, so I can se the 3D screen for myself.

Gollgagh

03-07-2011, 01:16 AM

okay, I thought this thing was charged in a cradle only, and I've never seen a cradled hand-held that was playable (aside from a PSP Go, but you can link a PS3 controller to it and continue playing that way)

Lunar-X

03-07-2011, 01:56 AM

for those of you who dont pay attention it comes with an AC charger also. im'a use the cradle above my mantle to intimidate my neighbors

http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-3DS-Aqua-Blue/dp/B002I090AG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299466025&sr=8-1

looking forward to some awesome games in the future... like... Megaman Legends 3 T.T

Dhsu

03-07-2011, 02:15 AM

So if this is essentially a miniature Kinect, I wonder if it will hook up to the Wii 3D for motion gaming goodness.

Gollgagh

03-07-2011, 02:39 AM

for those of you who dont pay attention

I was just asking a question because I don't troll game websites for information on games every waking moment (or at all actually)

no need to ridicule me for that :whatevaa:

Arek the Absolute

03-07-2011, 10:37 AM

Is 40 the official going price for 3DS games?

If so, my wallet is going to hate me in the coming months.

Lunar-X

03-07-2011, 11:43 AM

I was just asking a question because I don't troll game websites for information on games every waking moment (or at all actually)

no need to ridicule me for that :whatevaa:

it was on amazon. no need to even go trolling gaming sites.
its the internet bro, the information is out there. if you want to know what is going to come with the thing go to a site that will be selling it, or wait for a guy to pop up and be a douche.

@Arek i think the price is between 30 to 40 (40 being those much bigger name games, like SSF4) my wallet wont be liking me much either

Gollgagh

03-07-2011, 03:29 PM

I am lazy

you are underestimating how incredibly lazy I am

if asking people here means ten minutes less searching for me, that's what I'll do, because you people know

also I never look up specs on amazon wtf is that

The Damned

03-10-2011, 03:28 PM

http://www.destructoid.com/nintendo-details-us-nintendo-3ds-demo-tour-196098.phtml

US demo tours starting March 11th. Only in four major cities, but some of us might be near them.

Dhsu

03-10-2011, 04:15 PM

Modus

03-10-2011, 04:25 PM

So I'm about to join the ranks of foolish early adopters

It's ok, there's always even more foolish early adopters out there. For example, when SSDs first came out.

Penfold

03-10-2011, 05:58 PM

So I'm about to join the ranks of foolish early adopters and pull the trigger on a pre-order. To others in the same boat...what launch titles are you guys looking at? So far the only ones that moderately catch my interest are Super Monkey Ball, Rayman, Pilotwings, and Samurai Warriors. Passing on SFIV because I am terrible at fighting games, and Steel Diver because it got a 30/40 from Famitsu so I'm okay with waiting for that to go down to $20.

Edit: P.S. Anyone know if there's any chance for some sort of Amazon credit promotion on any of this stuff?

I'm with you. Going against my better judgement, I've got a preorder for 3DS while none of the launch titles look particluarly appealing to me. At the same time, it's not going to go down in price any time soon, so now or later doesn't really matter. Just going to keep waiting for Ocarina of Time, Kid Icarus, etc.

AMT

03-10-2011, 06:13 PM

We finally have a decent gameplay trailer for Splinter Cell 3DS:

http://www.nintendoeverything.com/62036/

I missed Chaos Theory on Xbox, so I definitely want to check this out.

JCvgluvr

03-10-2011, 07:34 PM

So I'm about to join the ranks of foolish early adopters and pull the trigger on a pre-order.
....Dude...

Reall--are you--probably--don't--

Aw screw it, knock yourself out. I've got nothing good to say about a decision like that.

Emperor Charlemagne

03-10-2011, 10:41 PM

Unfortunately, I put so much of my money into my Sega Saturn that I don't see me owning this in the forseeable future.

Oh sega, you've done it again!

Turtle

03-12-2011, 02:06 AM

I'll probably be getting this at launch, since part of the money toward it for me will have to come from selling my DS Lite and GBA library, which will only decrease in price after the system's release.

The Damned

03-13-2011, 09:35 PM

Or you could keep your games and continue to play them afterward. Hell, maybe some of them will end up being collectors items in the future!

Any way, I got to try out a 3DS today. One of the EB Games in town had a demo unit (which I only found out about this morning) and I got to try it out for a while.

Now, when I say this, I'm doing given that they didn't have a proper 3DS game, like Street Fighter or Nintendogs, but just the AR card game, where you shoot at a dragon.

Also, I do not need glasses for anything, I am not blind in one eye, and my last eye exam (just in summer of 2010, as required by both my employer and federal law for continued employment) was almost perfect, with only a slight difference in my left eye when it comes to certain fine details, which my right eye more than makes up for. I can see 3D effects in movies with no problem, and I am not suffering from any kind of eye problems that might interfere with my ability to use the 3DS screen (ie, eye infections or dryness or anything like that).

The 3D effect was very underwhelming. Even disappointingly so.

I couldn't see anything that was 3D about it at all. The only real difference with the 3D off was it ran slightly faster (with a slight lag when you turn the 3D slider on and off). There was no depth to anything at all. The only thing I could notice was with the 3D on, the screen looked slightly different, like the colors were distorted slightly. It was more visible the higher the 3D slider was up, but it gave absolutely no sense of depth at all.

I am willing to put that up to it being an AR card game, with a flat counter being the majority of the image. I'm also willing to put some of it to what may possibly be a slightly defective demo unit. But in the end, I couldn't make out any 3D effect at all. Nothing.

It's a very nice looking screen, and for 2D stuff, it works great, but I can't say that the much-praised 3D effect is impressive at all. It seemed completely non-existent, which is a real shame, considering this is the big selling point for the system.

Overflow

03-13-2011, 10:49 PM

Huh, that is weird. I was able to try it at Futureshop today, and I found the 3D effect to work really well. I got to play some Street Fighter, and in 'dynamic mode' (The pseudo 3d view) the 3D effect was really cool. It was very easy to judge depth and distance between fighters. The depth effect was really strong, the pop-out effect was very subtle and I had no problem with losing the image when you tilt the system.

The 3D is very natural overall, though; you may not even notice it's on at first, it just feels so right. You don't even really think about it.

I tried making a Mii of myself and my family members, and was a little disappointed... It didn't really look like me, but my dad's was kinda funny :P

I also tried a DS game on it, and with 'increased' resolution, you can definitely see some blurring, but when you use native resolution (Start+Select on startup) the screens are so tiny. Try imagining a DS Micro and you'll have a good idea of the screen size.

The System was much smaller than I expected, tbh, but I've gotten used to the DSiXL, sooo... Also, the slide pad is just, so, sexy. It feels so great! It's hard to imagine playing a handheld game without it now...

I played it for about 5 or 10 minutes, even though I could have played for much longer. I decided I wanted to keep some things a surprise ;)

EDIT: Oh yeah, I also used the camera for a couple seconds. It works, but you kind of have to force your eyes to focus on different objects. It's weird.

Turtle

03-13-2011, 11:02 PM

Or you could keep your games and continue to play them afterward.
I won't have a DS, though. Like I said, I'm going to have to trade in my DS to pay for the new system, unless I want to wait until the holidays or later for the price to go down.

On a related note, I've pre-ordered one.

The Damned

03-13-2011, 11:05 PM

stuff stuff stuff

Maybe the EB Games one was a shitty demo unit with problems. Maybe the actual 3DS games will look better. I'll have to find one at Best Buy or Futureshop and try it again.

Citan

03-14-2011, 01:28 AM

Regardless of how impressive the 3D effect is, I'm still interested in the games coming out for the system.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nintendo_3DS_games

Gollgagh

03-14-2011, 01:34 AM

I won't have a DS, though.

3DS plays DS games

Turtle

03-14-2011, 02:02 AM

Not GBA games.

The Damned

03-14-2011, 04:17 AM

Not yet, but there may be GBA virtual console titles later.

Cinderwild

03-14-2011, 06:17 AM

Not yet, but there may be GBA virtual console titles later.

Brilliant.

Turtle

03-14-2011, 02:09 PM

I don't believe so. The system's VC is supposed to include Turbografx 16, Game Gear, GB, and GBC games, but there hasn't even been a mention of GBA compatibility so far. It seems like something they would address as soon as possible if they have it planned, because the biggest concern for a lot of folks is the lack of GBA compatibility.

Not that I would mind if it turned out to be true. If it did, then Metroid: Zero Mission and Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga, here I come.

Gollgagh

03-14-2011, 03:14 PM

I've played as many GBA games as I care to already, tbph

and for the ones that I haven't, my PSP Go is more than capable of handling them

Soma

03-14-2011, 03:22 PM

Since I no longer have a DS capable of playing DS games and the only SP i have is a limited edition, I've found myself looking around for my Gameboy Player disc for the gamecube. I can't find it anywhere. I'll probably never play a GBA game again, but I like to pretend I will.

The Damned

03-14-2011, 04:13 PM

I don't believe so. The system's VC is supposed to include Turbografx 16, Game Gear, GB, and GBC games, but there hasn't even been a mention of GBA compatibility so far. It seems like something they would address as soon as possible if they have it planned, because the biggest concern for a lot of folks is the lack of GBA compatibility.
Nintendo also didn't mention any plans for C64, Neo-Geo and Sega consoles for the Wii's virtual console, either. And yet, there they are.

The system is more than capable of it, by all accounts. It's just a matter of when they will do it.

Penfold

03-14-2011, 05:16 PM

Nintendo also didn't mention any plans for C64, Neo-Geo and Sega consoles for the Wii's virtual console, either. And yet, there they are.

The system is more than capable of it, by all accounts. It's just a matter of when they will do it.

As much as I'd like it to be true, and can't conceive of a reason for Nintendo to not add GBA to 3DS' VC, there's still no guarantee. Just as it was equally likely that the DSi would have a VC, since after all it had an online shop and had all the capability to play GB games.

Gollgagh

03-15-2011, 06:54 PM

local best buy had one on playable display

was pretty neat!

not terribly impressed with the analog nub though

only better than the PSP nub in that it's larger with an indentation

Benjamin Briggs

03-15-2011, 06:58 PM

I have to wait until april 3rd to get mine D:

Penfold

03-15-2011, 07:18 PM

Watched the longer informative video they have on amazon for the system, and was rather suprised that it can perform more than a single task at once (this has likely been brought up before, but it was news to me). Their example was that hitting the home while playing a game would take you to the main menu, and unlike pressing the power button on DSi where it closes the game this simply puts the game on hold and frees you to open another task simultaneously. A pretty minor update, but I think these minor updates add a lot of value.

03-15-2011, 07:32 PM

I played one at PAX east and it was siiiick - definitely not going to get one right away, but I will be purchasing one eventually. :-)

Until then, all you guys who are getting it, have lots of fun. :-)

The Pezman

03-16-2011, 12:01 AM

Sounds like I'll have to take a trip to Nintendoworld to check it out upon release.

Anyone in the area want to come with?

Dhsu

03-16-2011, 07:12 AM

Just ordered an aqua blue 3DS, Hori screen protectors, Pilotwings Resort, and Super Monkey Ball 3D from the OCR storefront. None of them seem to have a release date shipping option though, so it looks like I'll be getting them a few days after release. :'[

Turtle

03-16-2011, 01:28 PM

I pre-ordered a black one from GameStop, myself, but I'm going to pick it up in-store if I have anything to say about it.

Penfold

03-16-2011, 05:09 PM

I got the black one from amazon...I'd rather have it shipped a couple days late than go out of my way to pick it up. Didn't order any games, I'll wait for reviews to come in and see if there's anything worthwhile (I'm thinking pilotwings resort if anything).

Turtle

03-16-2011, 05:11 PM

Penfold

03-16-2011, 06:44 PM

That's what I love about having a game store relatively close to me. I don't have to go out of my way to get it right at launch. :D

And I don't think I'll be getting any launch titles, either. I might browse the VC to see if they have Metroid II, but that'll probably be it for now.

If I recall, the eShop (or whatever they'll call it) isn't available at launch but after some future update. I hope I'm mistaken though.

Dhsu

03-16-2011, 06:59 PM

That's what I love about having a game store relatively close to me. I don't have to go out of my way to get it right at launch. :D
Yeah, I decided to go through OCR's Amazon store so they could get some commission money. It just happens to be a side-benefit that I don't have to pay sales tax. :3 It really adds up when you get a new console with 2 games!

Soma

03-16-2011, 08:00 PM

I went to Bestbuy today to check out their 3DS unit. They had Pilot Wings running. I played the jet pack and hang glider. The 3d didn't give me a headache until after i stopped playing it. Describing it to my brother, Pilot wings doesn't "jump out" at you like all the commercials demonstrate, rather it feels deep. I mean, there is depth, which is less gimmicky than I thought. Even with the slider all the way up I felt like the 3D was rather subtle. I'm pretty unimpressed with pilot wings, I'm way less excited for the system now, but I'll still pick it up, as I sold my Dsi.

Gollgagh

03-16-2011, 08:05 PM

that's mostly exactly my impressions

it's neat, but the mere mention of MML3 has sold me any more than any 3d capabilities

the problem with thinking things jump out at you though is that to do that, they'd have to fill up most of the screen

DarkeSword

03-16-2011, 08:18 PM

They don't jump out at you, they drop away.

The Damned

03-16-2011, 08:39 PM

Well, the 3DS screen is capable of making things appear as they are coming towards you, but the effect is not being used because developers don't really like it much.

There's a diagram that shows and explains this better, but basically, focusing your eyes on "depth" 3D is easier because your focal point is "behind" the screen. Anything that pops out towards you forces your focal point in front of the screen, which effectively makes you cross your eyes. Now just slightly cross your eyes and hold them there for as long as you can. yeah, not very fun, is it? I'm not talking about that Magic Eye bullshit, I mean your eyes have to focus closer to each other to look at the 3D effect as it comes towards you.

According to some developers working on 3DS games, they can make games pop out towards you all they want, but it's hard on the viewers eyes, and the shift from front to behind the screen depth was annoying and mood-breaking. Most have decided to stick with using depth because it's less of a stain on your eyes. Not to mention there's this thing about having an object fly towards you only to have it disappear because it gets cut off by the physical edges of the screen. It may look cool, but it also breaks any immersion you have in the game. These two concerns are why you're going to see more games with little or no pop-out 3D effects.

And that's perfectly fine. Pop-out 3D isn't going to make or break anything at all. It's still 3D, it's still a Nintendo handheld, it will still have a good library (which will only grow as time goes on) and it will still be a blast to play, 3D or not.