It looks like Nintendo may have managed to run an early prototype of its upcoming 3D handheld, the
3DS, through the FCC without anyone noticing -- well, for a few weeks, anyway. The filing was made available on April 30 and
Wireless Goodness spotted it, posting the image above showing what looks more like an ATX motherboard than a handheld gaming platform. But, what wasn't noticed at the time was the aspect ratio of the top screen (in the middle of the circuitry): it's 16:9, while most every other Nintendo handheld to date has of course been 4:3. That aspect ratio matches the 3.4-inch
parallax barrier display from Sharp, the one that just about everyone is expecting will be featured in the device. Connecting the dots, this could be a prototype 3DS in the flesh, dubbed the "CTR." Given that Nintendo called the
DSi the "TWL" the
XL the "UTL," even the naming scheme fits in. Sadly the FCC images have since been pulled, but we look forward to seeing a rather more petite version of the thing at E3 next month.
posted May 17th 2010 8:46AM
I can't wait for the true 3D era to begin. Eventually they will build 3D into glasses.
@wemustcontrolpeople ...and then eyeballs. >:)
@wemustcontrolpeople
I think the future of 3D is Hologram.
@wemustcontrolpeople
3D pico-projectors on EVERYTHING!!!
@wemustcontrolpeople
Actually if they build it into glasses they won't need 3D screens. When each eye sees a 2D image, the brain combines it into one 3D image (which is how vision works).
@wemustcontrolpeople putting on a pair of glasses and having everything in 3d would be awesome- it would be like being right there in the room that you are in.
@whormongr Hehehe. Yes, very life-like!!
@TareG And using that skill even you could see the humor in other peoples posts.
Sorry, had to say it.
No, connecting the dots this is NOT the 3DS.
@TareG Can't wait to see this device gets unleash. Reactions--- http://j.mp/anatomy-of-a-3ds
I left this in a bar after my third Jack and Coke. Lawsuit!
@NHAnimator I tried reaching you but you wouldn't believe that I had the prototype. I already sold it to a tech blog, sorry.
@aubreyq
WHY THE HELL ARE THE POLICE STEALING MY LAPTOPS?!!!
What probably no one has noticed is the wite nub for a joystick?
@Jovany
I don't see any other buttons, so I'd imagine the controls aren't visible here. Maybe they are plugged in using a separate controller?
I do see card slots for both DS games and SD cards, much like the existing DSi and DSiXL
@Kamalot There are 12 buttons to the right of that joystick - these look like the user controls. There are a few other buttons scattered on that board, too. (probably reset, debug, etc.)
@morcheeba
So true! Thanks for pointing those out.
I see enough buttons for D-Pad, L/R triggers, A, B, X, Y, Start, Select.
Nintendo is gonna have a huge hit on their hands with the 3DS.
@Kamalot Agreed. 3D gaming is where it's at.
wow...i cant wait and i hope sony comes up with a psp 3D because the psp is dying, mine is already collectin dust...sighs..
@nipponJ I'd rather them not make the PSP3D, yet. I hope they focus on creating the PSP2.
@WilliamNighthawk yea psp2 aka psp3D...if sony make a new psp without wearing those gay ass glasses, it woul e awsome.Some people might not free but the new psp wouldnt nees UMD. for eg
1. ALL!!! previous psp and psp2/3D games available via download.
2. Two ANALOG STICKS!!!!!
3. WIFI b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
4. 3D screen without the nee of glasses
5. Flash Card Support and Built in Storage like the pspgo.And someone cam help me finish this list but i think a new psp with these features will defibately sell well right?
@nipponJ You won't need glasses for the Nintendo 3DS. Just sayin'.
so they previously announced backwards compatibility, I'm guessing the only option would be to *stretch* the old games aspect ratios?
@juanvaldez
Probably 'letterbox' older games with black bars on the left and right.
@Kamalot *Feeling a bit stupid for not considering*. Still, a drawback, but I guess a step-forward in the long-run.
@Kamalot Yup, much like the original Game Boy games on the GBA I should imagine, which actually gave you the option to switch between stretching the image, or keeping it at it's original aspect ratio.
@Kamalot Actually they call it "pillar box" when you have the vertical bars on the sides. "Letterbox" is used when putting the horizontal black bars on the top/bottom.
@aubreyq
Advertisements in the pillars! C'mon people, let's think $$$!
@juanvaldez
If they could make the older games 3D that would be special.
I sure how they keep it this size, no modern handhelds fit in my gigantic hands.
Love, the jolly green giant
I'd hope for a more petite version too, the picture makes it look gigantic. ULT* Ultra Large Thing
@WilliamNighthawk It's a prototype board, that little thing you see in the middle is the screen. The prototype will obviously have many more debugging features and ports that your final 3DS won't have.
@WilliamNighthawk
That's what she said
I really really can't wait for this to come out
also, Happy Engadgiversary, Tim ^_^
@skyblaze Haha, thanks kindly.
its cool to see how these handhelds start out
If that motherboard was the actual one used in the final handheld, it would be as large as one of those BenHeck DIY N64 portables.
Which wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing...
@Elranzer
never seen a dev-board before? that's a perfrectly normal size for one
I like the widescreen but I wish both screens had the same size and aspect ratio.
@TareG
They probably kept the bottom screen narrow so that there would be room for the face buttons without having to widen the device too much.
Did anyone notice the analog stick to the left of the switches? Even though there is only one, it's an improvement...
Can we just have one big screen that does multi-touch and has more buttons? Maybe an anolgue stick too? I unno, since most games are either simple touch only games or awesome games that use buttons and only the touchscreen for spells or navigating menus I don't see the need for the extra screen. Not many great games have required use of the touchscreen throughout the length of the game. Not only that but I have to hold a god damn pen all day at work, when I take my break I don't wanna be picking up a stylus to play a game. And no the PSP isn't an option, I like my handheld gaming systems to be handheld gaming systems. Sony is great for my bedroom but Nintendo is what stays in my pocket, they understand what makes a great handheld.
Maybe a new Gameboy? I unno, or just something else entirely. They can keep the DS line supported for like 10 years as they did with GBA but give us a new platform. Something not DS or Gameboy.
Until then I'll be a primary Famicom Gameboy Micro and secondary DSi user. My youngest sister loves my PSP. Does anyone think it is odd that more 18-35 gamers own a DS or GBA than a PSP? I guess it's the kids that demand the eyecandy huh?
That said I never play my Wii, always 360 then PC then PS3.
@Anticrawl They need the second 4:3 touch screen for DS backward compatibility. Also there's a white analog stick on the bottom.
If you measure the screens of the DS Lite, you'll find that collectively they have slightly more total area than the PSP's sole LCD. And yet the DS-lite is far more pocketable. I find this to be a rather appealing aspect of the dual screen design.
Something tells me that Nintendo will make another breakthrough in hand-held gaming. Many will agree that 3D is far better for playing games rather watching movies. Perhaps this 3DS will result in a Wii 3D in HD. People should never underestimate Nintendo, they have shape and lead the console industry may times now.
why would you bother getting a prototype so far from the production design certified by the FCC? You'll have to do it again for the real model so where's the gain?
@mrspiteri
While I'm no expert on the workings of the FCC, I would assume that a device with identical functionality (albeit in a smaller form) would need far less time (if any) to be certified if a larger version of it already has been.
To me this implies that they have largely finalized the functionality, but are still working on the final design... they keep things bigger (and thusly cheaper) during the prototype stage since you don't have any of the benefits of the economy of mass production.
If you are working with the same chips, antennas, same screen (this might be the most important since I don't know how many 3d screens of this sort have gone through the FCC compared to the number of mobile processors and wireless technologies...) etc. I don't really see what all the fuss would be to get a revised (smaller/consumer) version through the same approval process. I think that this allowed them to get the process started/completed while reducing the attention drawn to it. Nintendo may say that they chose to announce it, but it was definitely in response to impending leaks... they are trying to avoid pulling a sony and announcing a handheld that has been criticized to pieces by people who have never yet held one, but have heard every aspect of its function.
On a different note... does anyone find it weird that the two screens are different aspect ratios? Would that be so that they can keep it small, seeing as they need to have buttons around the bottom one? If they were both widescreen, then the bottom half of the console would invariably have to be larger... hmmm... that implies to me that they are aiming for a similar size to the current DS?
I'm hoping for some internal storage and electronic game downloads ala pspgo, but with cartridge support for those who like to actually own games... and 3g would be pretty killer, except for the whole cost of it all... I would love to be able to wireless play online across town...
/rambling
It's huge.
@Sarcasme That's what she said.