Nintendo 3DS in the flesh and hands-on! (updated with video!)

That Nintendo announced the 3DS was not a surprise -- that they had a couple-dozen of these things to try out, that was. We elbowed our way to the front of the line to try one out, and the effect is actually not bad. It's not great, but the 3.5-inch screen on top certainly gives a firm illusion of depth without resorting to glasses -- or eye crossing. The feel is definitely reminiscent of those 3D cereal box prints, and as soon as you turn the device from left to right to try to look around anything the effect is immediately lost. You need to stare at the screen for a moment for your eyes to adjust and then not move around too much. If you do you'll need to adjust again. But, stay reasonably still and it's a compelling effect.

The new analog slider on the left feels a lot like the PSP's analog nub, but larger and without the texture. It's a bit easier on the fingers, and comfortable. Overall the device feels just like a current DS or DSi, though we couldn't get a good feel for the weight thanks to a bulky tether attached on one end to the device, and on the other end to the row of ladies who were surely told to not let the gadgets out of their hands or face certain doom. The only thing we could do here is rotate along a still frame -- Pikmin in a field, for example -- and play with the 3D slider. It is a pretty convincing effect, but it's hard to tell at this point if it's at all compelling -- it wasn't anything more than novelty in this demo, and we still don't know how it stands up to fast-moving footage. Actual games were promised to us for the show floor, so we'll hit that up later today. We snagged a few pics before getting elbowed out of the way, so check 'em out!

E3 2010 - Nintendo 3DS close-up shots

Nintendo 3DS hands-on (an encore)

Nintendo 3DS first hands-on!

Nintendo 3DS press shots

[nd4spd1919 Posted Jun 15th 2010 9:51PM]

Give me 3D Smash Bros. Mobile. Hell I'll take it anyway. BTW for those of you who don't know how to use Google, the release date is March 2011.

[marianronde Posted Jun 15th 2010 10:16PM]

I think I should get this one

[nargacuga Posted Jun 15th 2010 11:12PM]

cool !! my next gadget !!

[xconan Posted Jun 16th 2010 12:09AM]

will nintendo have ds xl version of the 3ds after this one? the xl version of the ds does help people with poor eye sight...

[Hamaki Posted Jun 16th 2010 8:40AM]

@xconan

..and the larger screen also helps the 3D effect as well. I'd say we may see such a thing about a year after the 3DS is released. Just guessing, though.

Anyway they still have to milk this cow before they release anything else.

[xdeiri Posted Jun 16th 2010 4:09AM]

keep in mind this is not the final version

[xdeiri Posted Jun 16th 2010 4:23AM]

dude stop asking, the girl doesn't want a date.

[richb93 Posted Jun 16th 2010 7:05AM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYnyBxVhK_c Vid with a peek at the screen

[Wardy125 Posted Jun 16th 2010 8:36AM]

so do you need 3D glasses with this or not? :S

[Hamaki Posted Jun 16th 2010 8:40AM]

@Wardy125

No you don't.

[miguarsenalpot Posted Jun 16th 2010 10:22AM]

http://sellingipads.com has added google maps to the ipad ~ pretty cool stuff. http://www.sellingipads.com/appleipad/ has the web's freshest wallpapers for the ipad.

[miguarsenalpot Posted Jun 16th 2010 10:23AM]

http://bit.ly/a2Zn9q - enough said

[ssjzero Posted Jun 16th 2010 1:57PM]

To be fair.....its got a lot of stuff for such a small device....

should be interesting....

maybe well finally get the 3d pokemon game we've been asking for, only had to wait a decade..lol

[pspitts Posted Jun 16th 2010 2:12PM]

Damn, you saw how official she was in the end of the segment. Dang girl it is only a babysitter for children. Stupid.
Well I could care less about the nintendo stuff cause the games are for little bitches anyway.

[teac77 Posted Jun 16th 2010 3:06PM]

2:06 over and over again...

[EliteGeek Posted Jun 17th 2010 3:37AM]

Looks a bit thick. Maybe I'll wait for a thinner version, 3DS Lite?