im not a child with developing eyes, and i dont play more than 5 hours straight without a charge, so it looks like the largest drawbacks dont apply to me so...yeah, im gettin it
Gut Reactions: 3DS at Nintendo World 2011
The GameSpot editors share their thoughts on new 3DS information revealed at Nintendo's recent event in Japan.
Over the weekend, Nintendo held an event in Japan, giving the public an opportunity to get its hands on Nintendo's new handheld system, the 3DS. Nintendo also used this as an opportunity to give an initial launch schedule as well as general pricing information for upcoming 3DS games. Third-party publishers were also on hand to give demonstrations of their upcoming 3DS games. The GameSpot editors chimed in to give their thoughts on the information released at the show, what they think about the 3DS's launch lineup, and more.
Ricardo Torres | Editor-in-Chief
There weren't too many surprises in the latest batch of info Nintendo dropped this weekend. The hardware's battery life is definitely going to be a "thing" for people, but I'm not sure the company's engineers had much leeway there. The power demands of basically three screens combined with brightness will gulp down power pretty quickly. I reckon the gray market for external power supplies ought to thrive when the system is released to meet the needs of people who are looking to log in some time gaming on the go (until the inevitable second-generation version appears DS Lite-style with better battery life and a bigger screen). Personally I'm not sure how I'll wind up using it on the road. I log in a decent amount of time on planes and trains for work, so my DS and PSP have been constant fixtures in my bag, but right now, I have to say I'm a little leery of the notion of taking my 3DS along on a trip. Besides the power concern, I'd just be nervous about something horrible happening to it.
The other hot-button issue that has been making the rounds is a warning about 3D and small kids. Considering that the DS is a babysitter in some households, I can see how this is freaking some people out. But if you think about it, it's not that dramatic. I reckon the plain DS and the DSi are going to be around for a while yet, and there are plenty of kid-eyeball-friendly games to toss their way. It's possible to turn the 3D effect off on the 3DS if you want to, and you have to imagine Nintendo is going to put some parental control thing in place so mom and pops can lock it down to ensure that little Billy doesn't fry his retinas. To further complicate matters, there's conflicting information as to how "bad" 3D is for young eyes.
As far as the games go, I'm excited to try the Japanese launch titles, although I'm hoping we get more in the States when the system is released here. Obviously I'm bummed there's no Kid Icarus at launch, but I waited 50 years for the sequel, so another year isn't going to kill me (so long as the game kicks ass when it's finally released). Overall it's a solid-enough lineup, albeit thinner on some of the heavy hitters we were expecting after Nintendo's showing at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. Still, you have to figure the company's going to want to be smarter about how it funnels out titles to avoid the original DS's rocky start. Remember that? Like maybe two games worth having at launch--Super Mario 64 and Feel the Magic--and not much else to get excited about. As it stands now, the 3DS seems locked to have a stronger launch lineup and, most importantly, some solid follow-up, so overall it's not so bad. I'm hoping the games aren't as pricey as they appear to be in Japan and are more in line with DS games here in the States. An expensive portable system with expensive games could be a tough sell, even for Nintendo, if that's how it plays out. The event on the 19th ought to give us all the answers we want.
Guy Cocker | Editor | GameSpot UK
With Nintendo World 2011 happening in Japan, many of us have been cooing at new videos of 3DS games (as well as ruing our lack of ability in the Japanese language). Having played with the device a few times now, I was already pumped to get my hands on it, and new footage of Kid Icarus and Star Fox have only fueled this anticipation even more.
However, this excitement has also been tempered with some bad news for those of us who'd already saved up to buy the device. As someone who just survived a 14-hour flight on a single charge of my old DS, the meager three to five hours from the 3DS seems like a step back. Then there's the fact that the launch lineup lacks most of the games that initially got us so excited (although Nintendogs and Cats is, admittedly, adorable).
Will Nintendo's 3DS still be a day-one purchase? We'll find out next week on the 19th, when the company is sure to reveal more details on the console's Western launch.
Sophia Tong | Editor
\When I first saw the Nintendo 3DS, I was surprised how forward thinking Nintendo was by including a 3D toggle, making me think that I just might purchase the first generation instead of waiting for the next iteration, which would have obvious improvements (looking at you, Game Boy Advance, without a backlight).
However, learning that the 3DS has three to five hours of battery life, I think I may end up waiting until they figure out a way to extend that. It's not that I need to be able to play it for eight hours straight, but it needs another three-plus hours to charge? This will work for my daily commute, but it's not going to last on a long flight, which is usually when I like to play. Then I need another three-plus hours to charge it again?
I still think the technology is fantastic, and I'm really looking forward to the Professor Layton/Ace Attorney crossover game. The games I've seen do look great on the new DS screens, to the point where I may ignore my real dog for a bit while I play with a virtual puppy. It will be interesting to see what else developers can come up with for it, but I'm going to wait before getting my own--and hope for a price drop relatively soon or a nice bundle package. Plus, I'm sure I can just take, err, use Ricardo's when he gets it on day one and then see how badly I want it.
Mark Walton | Production Assistant | GameSpot UK
When Nintendo unveiled the 3DS at E3 this year, there were a huge number of first- and third-party games announced, so it's disappointing to see that only a small handful are going to be available at launch. Even more disappointing is that there's going to be only a single first-party game, Nintendogs and Cats. As cute as those little guys are, what I want is to treat my eyes to some Mario or Zelda in 3D. That said, the small third-party launch lineup is looking pretty strong, and it's great to see so many publishers getting on board with the system. Professor Layton and Street Fighter IV 3D edition are already looking great, and I've got a big soft spot for Puzzle Bobble--who doesn't want to pop bubbles in glorious 3D?
News on battery life and game prices has damped my enthusiasm, though. At just three to five hours of battery life for 3D games, the 3DS has significantly less life in it than the DS Lite, which can last a good 15 hours or so before it gives up the ghost. Standby figures haven't been given, but considering the shorter battery life overall, I doubt it'll match up to the days that the DS Lite lasts. And then there's the price of games. The likes of Apple's App Store and Google's Android Marketplace have changed perceptions of what a portable game should cost. When I can pick up a copy of Angry Birds for 59 pence ($0.99), Peggle for £1.79 ($2.99), or something as amazing as Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for a mere £5.99 ($9.99) on the App Store, and get it instantly over the air, I'm left wondering whether the fact that a game is in 3D is worth a 6,090 yen ($73) premium.
267 comments
Couldn't Nintendo release batteries for 3ds after it launches if it can't address the problem before launch? still a day one buy for me regardless of battery life. Just saying since sony sell different batteries for psp
calm down everyone. nintendo will make 3ds-lite battery life last at least 10 hours. oh and the price drop. oh wait scratch that wait for the 3dsi or the 3dsxi either one will be fine just don't wait too long though because 4ds is around the corner and it have 4 screens. Whatever you decide to do for goodness sake don't get the first 3ds... it will kill your cat, rape your girlfriend, slap your mother in the face and worst of all it will kick you in the nuts.
i really don't care about battery life.since it has some bad effect on eyes,3-5h can live up to my expectation
I could care less about the battery life, but for the love of Supa Mario, PLEASE make it durable!! I've had my DSi for almost a year and the shoulder buttons don't even work anymore!
@taddia Yes, you're very coherent, aren't you. Me being an ******* aside, I'm extremely excited for the 3DS, I don't think the battery life will be as much of an issue as people are making it out to be. I rarely play DS for longer than 3 hours, and if I do I'm usually at home or somewhere where I can plug it in. And about the 3D hurting kids eyes, good, I hate kids and they deserve it. Besides, they are going to fry their eyes playing WoW and Call of Duty for endless hours anyway.
Oh god.. now here comes the wave of people that state OMG ITS SHIET IMMA NOT GONNA BUY IT while 2 days ago they were all OMG ITS INCREDIBLE, ITS DAY ONE! Comeon. Plz be coherent guys, ur pathetic. The batterylife will SUCK if u play at 3d highest lvl + backlight active at maximum. even ds lite batteries sucked on maximum backlight lvl. Be serious. (waterfall of thumbs down incoming)
I do not have nentendo but the 3d system is great but i heard in the news that the 3d will damage the eyes for the children so the subject got our attention but not me
People don't seem to understand the battery life. Last I heard it was 3-5 hours on the highest 3D and backlight levels. That's not too bad considering the competition. As I recall one of the PSP's (which, btw, had as many or almost as many models as the DS) could not even run at the highest level without being plugged in, and that was just a backlight; no 3D. Also, though everyone keeps complaining about the price, it's not much higher than an ipod (lower than some), it's lower than a smartphone, and it is the only one with 3D. It may not have 3G, but it also doesn't cost a minimum of $50 a month to use. The price may be higher than any previous portable Nintendo system, but just about everything else is high too (except Nintendo's DS). Just buy this instead of a new ipod touch. I agree that the launch line-up is a bit disappointing, but I still plan to get one at launch if only to guarantee that I get one before they are all gone. I know Nintendo will release some incredible games later, so I'm not worried about it. P.S.- The prices on Japanese games aren't actually high. Though they convert to over $70, they are about the same price Japanese gamers payed for DS games. Following this pattern we can expect to see games in the America at about $30-40, same as ever.
This battery issue is a killer they have to fix it now not 2-3 years later with the 3DS lite/xl/3DSi
Nintendo must address the battery life issue. If they sell the 3DS now and fix it later, I'm willing to get one later or the soonest they put their attention to it. It will probably be one of them would be 3DS lites or 3DSi of this gen looking at their handheld sales pattern.
I bet half the price is from it being such a hyped thing. No doubt the hardware costs are high, but still. I think I'll wait at least a few months after the release and then decide whether I'm going to buy one or not. The prices might be lower by then, too.
I've gotten a preview of the 3D display the 3DS is going to use. The Fujifilm Read 3D uses the same glasses-less 3D display, made by Sharp. It works quite well! Most everyone I showed to could easily see the 3D, and most of the time I wouldn't tell them its a 3D display when I showed them a pic. They'd look, then have a surprised expression on their face and ask me "is this some sort of 3D display?!?" Unfortunately a few people were incapable of seeing the 3D effect of the display, though.
im getting this lol i dont play games all day anyways i mean im not going to blow 3-5 hours on a any game system a day thats only gonna happen when we take a 3 hour drive a certain place! also everything in japan is ALWAYS more expensive than in america. the games are going to make the same or a smidge more than psp games and the system will be in the 200-250 range nintendo isnt dumb enough to make it 300 dollars and games 73 dollars. there not going to cost more than wii games so just wait everything will be revealed on January 19th so leave your stingy comments then! but no matter what im getting this new paper mario :D!
Let's be honest here: Only the absolute most unrepentant of Nintendo fans are still supporting this. Every single thing I've heard about the 3Ds makes me not want one. Region locks, 3.5 hour charge times for a 3 hour play time, $50+ price tag for portable games, $250-$300 hardware, re-hashed titles being proted to the machine at launch, most games are just sloppy remakes and the graphics we saw in the early shots were revealed to be CGI mockups done on PC workstations using 3DS devkits. Nintendo will begin their downward spiral now, just like Sega at the dawn of the last century. Now history repeats itself, and Nintendo will collapse. I think most people who claim to still be buying a 3DS actually aren't affluent enough to afford one. Those who are have better things to buy.
@liekmudkiepz Well, finally, someone doesn't deny their favorite company can't do technology properly. Even Gamecube graphics isn't brag worthy. People with PSP2 devkits already confirmed PSP2 has PS3 level graphics. Man, I'd be pretty sad and hopeless too, trying to justify and make excuses for overpriced crap if my favorite company couldn't innovate and relies on their fans being idiots.
I have to agree with McShea on this one. Also, the price point is a huge concern for me for both the hardware and software. IDK, $225-300 for a handheld in the US and $60-70 per game seems really steep for a handheld.
The battery life and possible pricing are huge issues for me. Pretty sure I'll be waiting until the 3DS Lite is out.
My eyes aren't good with 3D, $250, bad battery life, small launch lineup...Why are you talking me out of this Nintendo?!
@Foxdies: I don't! I hate watching videos, they take forever to load and there is no summary of the topic compared to nicely written up reviews.
Hard to beleive that Nintendo thinks this is a good idea, replace all DSs with this one model, and charge an arm and a leg for the games?! Guess its a good way to kill a cash cow.
@naylol, motion controls and 3D don't kill a console... its third parties that use it as a cash cow. Nintendo obviously can make a well thought out and intuitive game, matter of fact they've cranked out the best recieved ones on the system. Wii is just underpowered but its econimical which is why it still does well. The next sytem could probibly compete better but Nintendo has always tried to make all their systems affordible.
i will wait and see how this turns out before i buy it... hopefully for a better improved version with a kid icarus game bundle :)
I hate reading any 3ds article because all of the comments are plagued by idiots. First of all in Japan a brand new ds game costs $57 US. In NA its between 30-40. Because of that the 3ds games will NOT be $73, I would expect $40-$50 depending on the game Next to all the people complaining about the battery The DS battery can last such a long time because it has two screens with N64 quality graphics The 3DS has Gamecube quality graphics which means more battery power is used, PLUS it has to power 3 screens at once. To make the battery life longer, turn off the 3d and put the brightness down. Lastly, because things cost so much more in Japan compared to NA, there is no way that the 3ds will cost $300, it will most likely be around $250. Next time before you comment on something that you know barely about, maybe you should do your research first.
It's just so much money... $70 bucks for a handheld game? I wouldn't pay a cent over $40. The system being 300, sure, I can deal with that. But $70 games? No way.
Guy "Cocker" T_T' Sophia "Tong" /\ Tong likes Cocker... Mark "Walton" nice gang... I mean... Really ? what in hell? xD
Before i try ill wait a few years for them to improve the length of the battery..Sorry nintendo i just think this thing will fail because of the battery life..
I honestly don't know why you guys say the 3-5 hours thing is not a bad deal. If your a person like me, who takes trains a lot and planes, then you don't want to be limited to 3-5 hours on a 12 hour flight. To me, that seems just ridiculous. I play games on road trips and plane trips. This battery life will suck for people like me....guess I'll just have to stick with the DSi or PSP...
@Xx_Kares_xX Couldn't agree more. It really sucks that the new Zelda for example is all about motion controls, hate it.
I SEE BIG IMPROVEMENTS ON THE GRAPHICS BUT I ALSO SEE A BIGGER IMPROVEMENT ON HOW MUCH MONEY I WILL HAVE TO USE JUST TO GET THESE.. 3DS? I don't think so..
What's with the 3D gimmick? First movies and now games. It truly is terrible that the quality of cinema and games is coming down to how flashy and gimmicky they can be. Nintendo, PLEASE go back to making more quality games and systems instead of relying on gimmicky things like 3D and poorly made motion controllers.
If it has a car charger at launch I'm down with that, if three hours is all you can get at all then I might be done. I play games on car trips, power outages, and waiting outside of that home (Seriously.) Three hours min is a hard hit. I cannot wait to hear prices though, my current DSi is biting the dust, my brother used it for a few months and the hinges are totally buggered up. I dunno though, if the games are $70 a piece I won't own alot of 3DS games. Nintendo DS was cool because it had quality for cheap. I could pick up two top of the line DS games for less than the next call of duty installment. If it's on par or even over the bar, I don't really know...
My god those horrible frame rates and low res graphics... Especially on the RE:R video. It's as brown as fecal matter. No ENB series color restoration on the 3DS!! Hahahaha! Oh, and 3 hour battery life. Much worse than the 8 hour life of a PSP battery.
Wow $73 for a 3DS game for remakes. That cost is going to be too prohibitive and what about the new PSP 2. With the warning for kids not playing it cause of eye damage, battery life and now the high cost the quality of games has got to be superior.
I knew from the get go that there will be issues with the battery's life, no surprise there, so I will probably end up getting a DSi later on when price drop as a result of the 3ds' launch I don't own any of the DS consoles..yet. :(
As psyched as I am for Ocarina of Time, StarFox, and Kid Icarus, $73 for HANDHELD games that have been remade before? I think not.
Maho, I ain't going to save up for a gadget than only holds 3-5 hours of battery life and takes 3++ more hours to charge. Suppose I'll wait for 3DSLite or even better, 3DSi. :P
The same thing over and over, now they start to do it with games. When will Nintendo learn that we don't ned stopid gadgets on a gaming console like a camcorder ecc, we want beutifull games, the stopid phones got better graphics than DS and they are arguing if there will be a 3D camcorder. Games are good but improve the graphics then start putting stopid gadgets.
@polybren There's kind of a conflict in game prices. I'm assuming DS games in Japan are in that $30-$40'ish range like in the U.S. Max Walton: "...I'm left wondering whether the fact that a game is in 3D is worth a 6,090 yen ($73) premium." Alex Sassoon Coby: "...it's heartening to see that game prices are being set at the same level as normal DS games in Japan."
Is Proffesor layton's going to be available for DS lite as well? Or all new game are going to be compatible for 3DS only?
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