It seems the Nintendo 3DS is the most anticipated console since the Wii was announced all those years ago. Nintendo claim it will revolutionize gaming and will change the way 3D is done forever more. I mean, let’s be honest here, the only problem with 3D is the need for glasses. A problem that the 3DS eradicated already.
Let’s start with the basics; the console itself is about the same size as the DS Lite and DSi, the d-pad is positioned lower than before to accommodate the welcome inclusion of an analogue stick.. The 3D slider located on the right hand side of the screen is used to change the depth of the 3D effect, or simply switch between 2D and 3D.
The touch screen is improved, now boasting the glass style you see on mobile phones, while the top screen is wider and considerably larger than its lower counterpart. The d-pad is really fluid and comfortable, and the machine itself is a good weight. Both colours look really nice, with the aqua blue particularly cool. Both machines are shiny and ‘sexy’ if you like, this is what Nintendo said that they went for.
Graphics appear to be on par with those of the Wii, and perhaps actually look a little better due to the small screen. The 3D is actually amazing, leaving me blown away with how awesome the games look and play. Of course, if the 3D simply doesn’t do it for you, or if you’re simply too young based around Nintendo’s health warning for the under 12s, some of the games have the option to play in 2D.
Onto the more interesting stuff:
SpotPass
SpotPass allows your 3DS to connect to a wireless network where you can download free software, videos game data and information. The wi-fi is the proper stuff not the half-hearted thing they had on previous DS models, so connecting up will be far easier than before.
StreetPass
StreetPass is another great feature. Your 3DS will automatically swap data, and unlock additional data by simply communicating with other 3DS consoles that you come across on the street/bus. The idea here is to encourage people to carry their 3DS around with them and thus get addicted to the console. Nintendo are clearly not stupid and have come out with a fantastic gimmick, though they best hope it doesn’t also attract pick-pockets!
Mii Maker
This is a direct port of the one on the Wii, with one added feature. Using the 3DS camera, you can take a picture of your own head and stick it on the Mii. Not that most folks would want to, as your Mii is generally far prettier than your real life self.
Augmented Reality
AR is fast becoming popular on mobile phones and the DSi. You put a card on the table, point the 3DS camera at the card, and stuff starts popping out of it. You have to shoot the targets that pop up. BUT… you also have to move (physically) around the card to be able to shoot all the targets as some of them get blocked by other objects. One such game, which comes pre-installed on the device is Face Raiders.
3D Television
One other thing I am looking forward to is the Sky 3D application. The thought of watching 3D football on the go makes me want to pee myself. It’s a shame CheLOLsea can’t handle the pace this season, otherwise I’d write more about this feature.
ONTO THE GAMES!!!!!
Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition
You can play this in two ways – using the traditional camera angle or the dynamic camera. I chose dynamic and can categorically say that this game is ridiculously good, all the characters are there as are all the moves. One very cool touch is that the specials/ultras etc. are on the touch pad. You have four moves on the pad and when they are available to use, you just press the button. This simplifies things, taking away the skill needed to technically perform the move, but at the same time making things more fun and easier to play for newcomers. The 3D is amazing and this clearly is the way forward for the Street Fighter franchise.
Dead Or Alive: Dimensions
The 3D in this is better than that in SSF4, believe it or not! The cut-scenes are in 3D and when you move the 3DS around it moves the scenery accordingly. It plays almost as well as SSFIV too. Again, there are loads of characters to choose from, with all the old favourite hotties there. It’s about time the franchise moved back to the fighting roots and away from the voyeuristic beach trash.
SteelDiver
This was the first game that I experienced, and it was genuinely impressive. You play as a submarine, with the simple goal of destroying all other submarines. You use the touch screen to play this one, with options for launching torpedoes, zooming in and diving. In addition, when you take a hit you have to touch the areas on the screen to heal your sub. The game also utilises the the gyro/compass feature of the console, where you can spin around 360 degrees and change the scenery. You’ll find that this gets used in a lot of games/applications, and while it’s nothing new to those already clued up on iPhone gaming, it’s great nonetheless.
Resident Evil: Mercenaries 3D
On first impression, Mercenaries appears to be an unbelievable return to form. I was rubbish at it admittedly, but they may have been to the fact that I haven’t played Resi for a while. It looks like Resi 5 (yep, that good). This will be a massive seller and a big hit amongst the fans. The 3D was great and had the same over-the-shoulder camera as introduced in Resi 4. I can’t wait to get into it more in the future.
PES 2011 3D
This was one that I wasn’t sure how it would work, but I’m happy to report that it’s really good. In the style of the Become A Legend mode seen on PS3 and 360, the game follows your currently selected player, rather than taking a sideways look on the proceedings. This does take a little time to get used to if you’re unfamiliar with the home versions, but once you do it is really fun. The replays look amazing in 3D and the camera acts additional intensity to the action.
Nintendogs and Cats
This is going to be massive as you can expect. The original Nintendogs sold out constantly for 2/3 years. This is not just a re-hash of a successful game, it looks and feels different. The 3D is brilliant and really does make a massive difference. Expect the kids and old-school Tamagotchi fans to love it.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
The remake of Ocarina is amazing, it looks great and plays really well too. I actually had to force myself to put it down, otherwise I might still be playing it now. Graphically it has been touched up to bring it up to standards, and has some additional features. While I didn’t have quite enough time to see them all, the main one to note is the new camera angles. You can change your viewing angle via the touch screen, which gets interesting when you change to first person and see what Link sees. If you move the DS around, the scenery changes. Once again, the 360 degree gyro and compass add another dimension to what was already an incredible game. This will be the one to have once it’s released.
Kid Icarus
Perhaps my personal favourite of the games played, I can’t stress enough how amazing this is. At times it played a little bit like the Dreamcast classic, Rez. It starts off in the sky, where you have to shoot the objects that appear on screen, using the touch screen. The initial controls mix the analogue stick, touch screen and right bumper, and they work really well. After you touch down on the ground, the game switches to a beautiful looking third-person over-the-shoulder cam, with the controls reverting to a more traditional system.
Rabbids 3DS
Finally a proper side-scrolling platformer from the Rayman franchise! It plays really well, meaning loads of fun could be had. Seems like it will definitely be worth a play. Hopefully it will do, as it was good to see Rayman move away from the party games and back to the platform roots.
Asphalt 3DS
This, unfortunately was one of the weaker offerings. Similar in style to the old Ridge Racer DS, but with 3D. Unlikely to blow people’s minds, but I should imagine it will appeal to the hardcore racers and fans of the long-running Gameloft franchise.
Super Monkey Ball 3D
This worked really well. You have two options of controlling it; the standard analogue stick or alternatively using the gyro. Perhaps the biggest issue here is that the 3D effects have the potential to be a little bit too distracting.
Lego Star Wars 3D
This was fun, and everything you would expect from the LEGO series. While the 3D effects didn’t appear to add much to the proceedings, had there been more time available to look at the title, there might have been more chance to see what it had offer.
Overall, it’s clear that the 3DS is an incredible piece of kit. The games look great and play just as well too. Just playing the machine for a short time, you’ll see that it justifies the high price tag. You can even start to forgive it!
Admittedly, for some people the positioning of the d-pad can lead to discomfort, but then that’s what the analogue stick is there for anyway. In addition, there was a potentially major issue related to double vision and blurriness based upon viewing the 3D screen from certain angles.
Despite this, though, it does seem as though the 3DS is going to be the must-buy gift this year. Sony have some serious work to do with the NGP in order to pip this.
For your chance to check out the 3DS in action prior to launch, join the official 3DS Nintendo Facebook page. Here you can find your nearest 3DS hotspot, where you can check out the console and some games for it as well.
