You had the
hard news for breakfast, so how's about some less official, but still pretty robust, fodder for brunch?
Asahi in Japan offers the first word on how the 3DS achieves its 3D-ness by suggesting that the new portable game machine with feature a
parallax barrier LCD from Sharp. The tech has apparently already been deployed in a few cellphones over there and is described as "unsuitable" for large-screen TVs. This is corroborated by
Nikkei, which suggests that the screens on the new device will be smaller than 4 inches diagonally, placing it closer to the DSi than the 4.2-inch
DSi XL /
LL. Other news from the latter source include so-called 3D control stick(s), though it's not entirely clear whether this'll be anything massively new or just a pair of analog nubs for us to push around. Either way, Nintendo is said to have secured patents for the new control methodology in Japan late last year. The
Nikkei article also mentions improvements in WiFi transfers and battery life, as well as a new vibration function. Now that we've got all that out of the way, can someone please tell us if this thing has
Tegra inside or not?
posted March 23rd 2010 11:12AM
This will either be amazing, or gimmicky.
@HardToBelieve
yes.. just like the touch screen...
@BrianH Which, in my eyes, never justified itself.
Capacitive on the iPhone did, from it's precision to cool games like Eliss to the ability to replicate an analog stick control scheme, but the DS's never made me feel like it had to be there. I prefer the PSP over it, and console gaming over both.
@BrianH
And like motion control. You can't ride on one feature.
@HardToBelieve So it may only sell as well as the Wii (the best selling console of all time)? I think Nintendo's ok with that.
@HardToBelieve
I'm thinking it will just be a head tracking type of 3d, not the kind in which each eye sees a different image. This should be simpler, less headache-inducing, and (I think) more fun.
@25i
You didn't just say that 'old people are dying at an alarming rate', did you? Here's your alarming rate: 100%. Every single elderly person will eventually die.
Inconceivable!
@NHAnimator
Not just old people too. Last I heard life is 100% fatal.
@scyber I haven't died yet, so I'm holding out hope.
@HardToBelieve : Games themselves are gimmicks.
@EDay
In a way yes. But, a gimmick controlled by a gimmick is pathetic.
@yomachaser Actually the best selling console of all time is the PlayStation2. Fact...
Nintendo pulled a sega, wow. How long has dsi been out?
@HardToBelieve
Virtual Boy 2.0
@NHAnimator
I didnt think this would need to be clarified, but just cause your old doesn't mean your going to die right away. So yea, I did just say that. What didn't you understand?
@Extinction like 2 years? but its not really a new console, more like an upgrade.
I don't get what this new fascination is with 3d. I can't see myself using this or owning a 3d tv. Just seems more like a headache than anything else.
@XChrisX All people agree:
gaming in 3D>movies in 3D.
Still, not for everyone, but give it a shot.
@XChrisX
back in the day people said basically the same thing about color tv
@wtgig
"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."
Ken Olson, 1977.
"That's an amazing invention, but who would ever want to use one of them?"
President Rutherford B. Hayes to Alexander Graham Bell, 1876.
"Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?"
H.M. Warner, Warner Bros, 1927.
"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, Chairman IBM, 1943.
For those who can't picture it, check this out on the DSi
http://dsiware.nintendolife.com/news/2010/03/3d_motion_gaming_debuts_on_the_dsi
I'm surprised Nintendo let this out so early, they don't usually announce on random days so far ahead of time, and surely Sony will now get on this.
@JONNNathannn That is much cooler then I expected, but with caveats. The head tracking is troublesome with the DSi's camera. I can imagine, though, that they might pull this 3DS 3D effect off in a similar manner, with superior head tracking tech. Anyway, pretty amazing, and anyone who hasn't checked out that video, you should definitely do so.
@JONNNathannn That is completely different that what this is doing, although it could be used in addition to the 3d effect to give it both depth and perspective.
@JONNNathannn
Hmm...I'm going to throw this out there. I'm black. After the whole funny "HP is racist" debacle with the head tracking I tried it out on my Dell and...well, again the brothers were not being catered for. I assume most of this stuff is developed in Japan where there aren't many people of African decent strolling around for the devs to shout "Ay yo, Leroy, come try this sh*t out" SO I'm not i'll be into anything requiring head tracking.
Wasn't there som hoo haa about the Ying Yang Twins not getting picked up by Natal at some trade show?
@mattcoz The technology is different but one of the first responses to this news has been "3d on such a small screen? It's barely convincing in theatres." So it's cool to see.
let's see if nintendo can conjure some magic to make detractors eat their words again....
@mocax
I don't own a gaming device that isn't Nintendo. 64, Gamecube, Gameboy Advance, Advance SP, and Wii. Hopefully this one will be worthy enough to be added to my collection.
wonder if it will be backwards-compatible, and if so, will the old games be displayed in converted 3D?
@knewman yes, it is. info featured in last article.
@knewman Yes and No
By announcing this a year out they get to watch the KIRF market try and fail to produce a similar device.
Cant wait, as much as i play cell phone games, there just isnt a comparison to having buttons and a D-Pad. not yet at least.
@SmilinGoat just wait till video games are like Tron... that'd be awesome... but scary.
3D control stick calls for Mario 64^3
@JeremyBenthem it already runs well on iphone
i love how i used to go outside to play in 3D... now video games have evolved to 3D... the next phase is to get this new generation of kids to go back out side...
@DeFlanko
What is this "out-side" you speak of?
@Tes
HA!
Oh crap, Nintendo has found their next gimmick. I guess I was wrong. After the screen rubbing thing, I thought it was going to be smellovision.
@mutex this stuff already stinks.
Nintendo 3DS - now with a glorious 220 x 140 high resolution screen!
@Galley Wait, the screen got smaller?
I thought Asahi was beer!!!
Remember the DS was supposed to be a small gimiky side project when concieved.. and that went *quite* well so fingers crossed for this one. And for the record I do not think old games will have 3D - just that they will run in 2D on a compatible cart port.
maybe the fact that its such a small screen will help the 3d look better, and not make it worse
I for one will wait for the 3rd re-release of the 3DS to hit shelves. My DSi still hasn't gotten DSi enhanced retail games...
Maybe this will have the holographic memory they have been working on. They have Patents on how the memory works, Even how to use holographic cards with a ds card port.
So hopefully the 3ds will use the new memory.
What i'm interested in is that rumoiur from a few days ago that - amongst other things - said the two screens would meet in the midde to create on potentially large screen. that would be nice.
like subtle 3d
And to think.. I was about to preorder a DSi XL. lmao. I'll definitely have to pass on it now and wait!
As long as I can catch all of my pokemon, I don't care what it uses (ok, maybe I do, but keep it simple!)