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(review by Katy E.)
… After playing Nintendo’s 3DS a couple of times, most recently at the 3DS Event at Westfield, London (12.03.11) I can comfortably and unashamedly say I am a 3DS fanatic…
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| Aqua Blue 3DS console (note: new stylus) |
So, what is it?
The 3DS is Nintendo’s new 3D gaming handheld (no 3D glasses needed), complete with circle pad, 3D depth slider, 3D cameras, motion and gyro sensors, adjustable stylus, charging cradle and 2GB SD memory card. The 3DS is also backwards compatible and so will play any of your DS games. The system also includes the functions Street Pass and Spot Pass which allows your console to communicate with other 3DS systems, something which will be put to use in games such as Street Fighter and Nintendogs + Cats.
When does it come out?
It’s already out in Japan and is set to be released in the UK on Friday 25th March.
How much is it?
Prices vary across stores, but it’s around the £195 marker at the moment, with Morrisons the cheapest at £187 (11.03.11)
Is it actually 3D?
In short – yes. By which I mean there is a real feel of the depth and layers, most visible in games such as Street Fighter, where you can clearly differentiate between the background and the front fighting stage. The 3D depth is also great in Kid Icarus: Uprising, as you can easily tell how far away enemies are and how long they are going to take to reach you before they launch an attack. In terms of the ‘coming out of the screen’ 3D factor, although I have not experienced this yet personally (I was too busy running away from zombies in Resident Evil to let them get anywhere near to throwing themselves at the screen as a tester) according to numerous sources the 3DS does have this capability.
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| Experience the 3DS yourself at the touring 3DS event This picture was taken at Westfield shopping centre, London |
What games are on offer?
For UK launch on the 25th the games we have available to purchase are:
- PilotWings Resort
- Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition
- Nintendogs + Cats (French Bulldog, Toy Poodle, Golden Retriever and Friends)
- Samurai Warriors: Chronicles
- Ridge Racer 3D
- Super Monkey Ball 3D
- Asphalt 3D
- Rayman 3D
- Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars
- Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell 3D
- The Sims 3
- Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D
- Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
I’m not the first to admit this line-up isn’t the best, but I’d recommend from here Super Street Fighter, PilotWings or Nintendogs + Cats.
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| Super Street Fighter IV 3D - grab this on launch day! |
Have any more games been confirmed?
Thankfully yes, other games that are (potentially) on their way over to the UK are…
- Puzzle Bobble
- Combats of Giants 3D
- Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle
- Steel Diver
- Bust-a-move Universe
- Madden NFL 11
- Paper Mario 3DS
- Kid Icarus: Uprising
- Super Mario Bros 3DS
- Mario Kart 3DS
- Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3DS
- Animal Crossing 3DS
- Star Fox 3DS
- Dead Or Alive Dimensions
- Resident Evil: Revelations
- Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D
Any pre-installed software?
Yes lots – if you’re still deciding what games to get then there are 6 pre-installed augmented reality mini-games to play. These come as a pack of AR cards (target shooting, Mario, Link, Kirby, Samus and Pikmin) you simply go to the AR card menu screen to activate. The cards are used in various ways which blend 3D images from the 3DS with your surroundings. Another way in which they are used is to take 3D pictures of Nintendo characters in the real world – for example taking a picture of Link standing on your kitchen table, although not exactly a mini-game, still a great use of the 3D camera technology. (Check out a video on YouTube for a visual explanation).
Another pre-installed game is the hysterical Face Raiders, in which you take pictures of people’s faces and then shoot at them. This game also makes use of blending 3D moving images with your surroundings, as I played Face Raiders in an office I had to shoot at faces which were dive-bombing around the desks and the coffee machine. Who would’ve thought shooting at mini floating heads of you and other people could be so much fun.
There will also be a Virtual Console, similar to on the Wii, to download your favourite GBA games (Super Mario Land and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening have already been confirmed).
An eStore and Internet Browser will also be available. Your SD card will now support MP3s so you can also use your 3DS as an MP3 player.
Not to forget the Mii Maker tool, which generates a Mii version of yourself from a photo. Or if you don’t like the Mii it generates, you can always customise your Mii yourself.
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| The 6 AR cards which are included with the 3DS |
Good points
It’s innovative, the 3D works excellently, the Circle Pad is great and there are a superb set of games on their way in the not too distant future. It's great that Nintendo have also included the depth slider so you can choose to play games in either 2D or 3D, that way if you feel any eye strain you can simply turn off the 3D effect - problem solved. And don't worry the 3D games still look excellent even with the 3D effect turned off.
Bad points
Fingerprints and smudges show up terribly on the 3DS because of its glossy finish, although not something to cry about, it isn’t the best thing to notice when you first pick up the 3DS. Also, there have been a few complaints of headaches and the 3D effect not focusing properly for different people (although I’ve had no trouble with it) many players have already turned off the 3D effect calling it “gimmicky”.
Apart from 3DS games, what should I be saving my money for?
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii) is easily the game I’m most looking forward to that is not on the 3DS, although no release date has been confirmed as yet, it’s likely to be out by the end of this year.
Verdict
I’ve been really impressed by the 3DS and have already got my Aqua Blue version pre-ordered. The best game I have played so far is Kid Icarus Uprising – I was really surprised by it, the controls (although awkward at first) fit really well with the gameplay and it looked superb in 3D. However, I am intrigued by Dead or Alive and think this could be a great fighter game as an alternative from Street Fighter.
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| Me looking extremely happy to be playing Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition |
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