Nintendo 3DS; thread of unclean pants

[hupla]

Size (when closed): Approximately 5.3 inches wide, 2.9 inches long, 0.8 inches tall.

Weight: Approximately 8 ounces.

Top Screen: 3.53-inch widescreen LCD display, enabling 3D view without the need for special glasses; with 800x240 pixel resolution (400 pixels are allocated for each eye to enable 3D viewing).

Touch Screen: 3.02-inch LCD with 320x240 pixel resolution with a touch screen.

Cameras: One inner camera and two outer cameras with 640x480 (0.3 Mega) pixel resolution.

Wireless Communication: Can communicate in the 2.4 GHz band. Multiple Nintendo 3DS systems can connect via a local wireless connection to let users communicate or enjoy competitive game play. Systems also can connect to LAN access points to access the Internet and allow people to enjoy games with others. Will support IEEE 802.11 with enhanced security (WPA/WPA2). Nintendo 3DS hardware is designed so that even when not in use, it can automatically exchange data with other Nintendo 3DS systems or receive data via the Internet while in sleep mode.

Game Controls: Touch screen, embedded microphone, A/B/X/Y face buttons, + Control Pad, L/R buttons, Start and Select buttons, "Slide Pad" that allows 360-degree analog input, one inner camera, two outer cameras, motion sensor and a gyro sensor.

Other Input Controls: 3D Depth Slider to adjust level of 3D effect (can be scaled back or turned off completely depending on the preference of the user), Home button to call system function, Wireless switch to turn off wireless communications (even during game play), Power button. The telescoping stylus is approximately 4 inches when fully extended.

Input/Output: A port that accepts both Nintendo 3DS game cards and game cards for the Nintendo DS™ family of systems, an SD memory card slot, an AC adapter connector, a charging cradle terminal and a stereo headphone output jack.


BUT WE ARENT DONE YET
http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=127188
3DS Dev Interview with Ryan Strandling: 3DS to have achievements, friends lists, and possibly voice chat

Fuck. Yeah

[hisak]

Achievements are dumb and unnecessary.

But.

This is already the best handheld system ever. I mean holy crap.

[hupla]

Achievements are a fun and a welcome addition. 

[hisak]

Unlockables are better.

But WOW at the games list. Paper Mario? Mario Kart? Pilotwings? Star Fox 64 and Ocarina of Time ports? This might be the first time I pick up a handheld on day one.

[JordAnime]

I lost all interest in the original DS about three years ago but from the sounds of things, this is going to be one amazing device that'll probably be bigger than the original DS, and was the real star of the show for Nintendo.  I want one now.

[hisak]

If anyone had any doubt about how pretty games will look on this system, this should put you at ease.

[Ezlo's Apprentice]

Could anyone be in doubt after seeing Kid Icarus in action? Shocking to see so many naysayers bashing it.

Wait, no it's not. This is the internet.

Anyway, yes this looks like a dream system from Nintendo with some real core gamer support on the way. The DS has been my favourite system of all time and I've got through four different storage solutions for my bulging library (in dire need of a fifth). The 3DS has a lot to live up to, but already the signs are good.

[hisak]

How great would it be if this was a launch game?

[Ezlo's Apprentice]

Not quite as awesome as Kid Icarus, but still pretty great.

And, finally for those who care, how the 3DS works - according ONM:

The top screen of the 3DS is 800x240 pixels, but that's because it's actually showing two 400x240 widescreen images at once. It shows a column of pixels from the first image, then a column from the second, then the first, then the second and so on, like vertical Venetian blinds. Here's the clever bit: each image's pixels are shown in such a way that only one eye can see them. The left eye only sees one image, the right eye only sees the other. When you look at a 3DS screen then, each eye is seeing a slightly different image and as a result your brain turns it into 3D.

Full FAQ here

Also: Cartridges at launch will be a  maximum of 2GB - MORE than a Gamecube disc (a mere 1.4GB). Yikes!

[JordAnime]

Young children shouldn't use the 3D functions of the 3DS

I can personally say that I have terrible eyesight, and I blame a lot of it on playing video games, watching TV and staring at computer monitors every single day of my life.  I can't imagine that the 3D functionality of the 3DS will be doing my eyes any favor either.  The big problem is that a lot of parents don't care enough to follow the warnings, or won't understand that the 3D functionality is controlled by a slider, but kids will.  And really, a handheld device is probably the most common gaming machine young children play.  It doesn't require use of a TV and is portable and can be played at any time, anywhere.  I think Nintendo should have a software way of disabling the 3D through password protection for parents just to be safe.  I'm sure there will be a billion sensationalist news stories about it too on Fox whenever the system gets released. 

Also: Cartridges at launch will be a  maximum of 2GB - MORE than a Gamecube disc (a mere 1.4GB). Yikes!

That's also 200 megabytes more than the Universal Media Disc, I could incision 3DS games hitting dual layer DVD capacity by the end of its lifespan.  Of course, there will also be a 3DS+ with improved resolution, more internal storage, slimmer design, better analog and smaller design...and probably 3G support.

Hey, Nintendo, think you could squeeze some orchestrated versions of the Ocarina of Time soundtrack on there for the 3D remake...pretty please?  This probably means we'll be seeing a lot more high-production value handheld games, with visuals rivaling that of the Wii and 3D effects and high-capacity storage...I'm finally excited about handheld gaming for the first time in years! 

[Ezlo's Apprentice]

All this power, you'd think Nintendo have blown a fortune on flashy new technology, abandoning their "lateral thinking of withered technology" ideology to put Apple and their billions of dollars on development and new wizardry to impress to shame. Not so. The graphics chip is four years old, yet still a mighty impressive piece of kit.

Source: Kotaku: Meet the 3DS graphics chip

[JordAnime]

Well, that isn't bad news about the GPU, the demos we've seen look fantastic, and the key for a handheld is battery life and cost.  Nintendo knows how to make a great handheld system, so even if it isn't state-of-the-art I'm still really excited and impressed. 

Also: Reggie says 3DS design isn't finalized; will be out in all markets by March 2011.

[Scott Shelby]

The graphics were fine. They were obviously a step up from the DS, and that's all you can ask going from one handheld generation to another.  Granted that it's an older chip, the production costs should remain low, leading to a comfortable price point (no higher than $249 hopefully) and healthy profit for Nintendo.

[hisak]

The release date and price will reportedly be announced on September 29. Might we even see it this year?

[Ezlo's Apprentice]

The release date and price will reportedly be announced on September 29. Might we even see it this year?

Yes. I don't believe for a second Nintendo will miss the Christmas window in, at the very least, Japan. If all three regions get the system before December... Best Christmas ever. And quite possibly the biggest.

[hisak]

The only thing holding me back from thinking that a 2010 release is probable is Pokemon Black & White. Is Nintendo really going to release a new handheld before a new installment in one of its biggest franchises is released on an old handheld?

[Ezlo's Apprentice]

I think Pokemon is big enough and ugly enough to hold its own, even with a new handheld. Besides, there are some rumoured 3DS-specific features and the system's backwards compatibility will work in its favour.

[Akie]

Wow, this might actually give me enough reason to buy my first handheld since the GBA.  But honestly, what am I ever going to use a camera on there for?

[Bidet to you sir]

"A camera is a device that records/stores images."

Maybe that?

No but you're right, the camera on the DS and the 3DS is largely pointless, I mean my iphone camera is just as good, and what reason do I have for 3D picture/video?
If I really was that set on a 3d camera, I'd buy a good one.

[hisak]

http://www.destructoid.com/3ds-launch-plans-revealed-january-19-189746.phtml
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/42255/Euro-3DS-announcement-next-month

The European release date, pricing, and launch lineup will be announced at the event. The North American details will presumably be announced around the same time. Get hyped.

UPDATE: There's an event in New York on the same day.