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Gaijin Games 'can't wait' to work on Bit.Trip.Runner for 3DS
Did you know that quite a few developers are working on games for the Nintendo 3DS? It's true! Here's this enormous list of games if you don't believe us. Not on that list, however, is Bit.Trip series developer Gaijin Games. That said, in a recent interview with Gamasutra, Nintendo executive VP of sales and marketing Cammie Dunaway said that the studio "can't wait" to start working on bringing Bit.Trip.Runner to the 3DS. Just think about it: colors, explosions and music all working in tandem -- but in three dimensions! All kidding aside, the idea of Bit.Trip.Runner on the 3DS sounds like pure insanity. Pure, wonderful insanity.
Nomura: Kingdom Hearts 3D 'probably' being developed by Birth by Sleep team
Square Enix sent out some (unfortunately flat) images representing two of its announced 3DS titles, Kingdom Hearts 3D and Chocobo Racing 3D. We're going to go ahead and assume you aren't tired of looking at 3DS images yet, and place them in galleries for your perusal. Don't expect the games to look exactly like this upon release -- these images essentially represent tech demos. Tetsuya Nomura told Siliconera that Kingdom Hearts 3D "will probably be developed by the team who was in charge of Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep, the Osaka team." In other words, Square Enix hasn't even gotten to the point in the game's development where it figures out who's developing it.%Gallery-95619%%Gallery-95618%
3DS specs revealed (specifications, not spectacles)
Nintendo has released the specs for the 3DS, including the stuff we couldn't tell from looking at the thing, like screen resolution and weight. The 3.02-inch bottom screen has a 320x240 pixel resolution, a small bump over the DS's 256x192 resolution. The larger (3.53-inch) top screen has an 800x240 resolution, though it's really two 400x240 images superimposed over one another for the 3D effect. The system supports WPA and WPA2 encryption for its wireless connection, though, like the DSi, it's likely that these protocols will be supported only by new games designed to do so, and not for legacy DS games. As for the physical details, Nintendo notes that the design is not final, so things like battery life and the final appearance are yet to be determined. We were told by Nintendo reps that the colors for the systems were also not final, so don't be heartbroken if you can't get that metallic blue color. %Gallery-95287%
Interview: Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto, on 3DS, Retro, Zelda and Pikmin 3
Nintendo recently unveiled its 3DS handheld, and Super Mario Bros. creator Shigeru Miyamoto is hard at work on the next evolution of virtual pets, Nintendogs + Cats, for the system. While the core mechanics remain the same, players will interact with their pets in full 3-D. We had a chance to sit with Miyamoto to see what he thinks of 3-D gaming and more. Joystiq: We knew the 3DS was coming. It was announced a while ago, but we didn't expect so many games to be available. How long have you been working on the technology? Shigeru Miyamoto: Nintendo's been researching 3-D games for over 20 years. The first time we started looking at 3D with an LCD screen was during the GameCube days. We've continued to experiment with it since then, particularly implementing it into the 3DS. That's something we've been working on for the past three years. With games, what's the ratio of Nintendo first party to third party? It seems like some of them are remakes, such as Star Fox. How many are new and updated experiences? When we first launched Nintendo DS, the touch screen became a new innovative face for gaming, and we spent a lot of time creating things that were probably different from the standard games that you've seen, games that are more like books or Brain Training type games. But with Nintendo 3DS, and specifically with the ability to create 3-D visuals, we're finding that, in addition to creating new game ideas, the 3-D visuals really do a lot for past experiences. It'll be a blend. We'll see remakes that take advantage of the 3-D, but we'll also work on new ideas as well.
Preview: Star Fox 64 3D
Star Fox 64 3D is one of the few playable titles out of the oodles of announced 3DS projects on display at Nintendo's E3 booth. It's a short demo of the classic N64 game's first level, fading out after a few seconds of the boss battle. The 3DS version of Star Fox 64 is instantly familiar to players of the original. The demo opens as you cruise over a short stretch of ocean (a shortened version of the original level's intro), soaring through a ravine into "Corneria City." The place is an obstacle course, the vision of some insane architect, and I crashed and collided with the archways and tumbling towers my first time through, as my eyes drifted down to the touch screen, which displayed the control layout. %Gallery-95462%
Preview: The 3DS lineup
Of all the demos Nintendo showed for the 3DS, most were non-interactive video displays with "Please enjoy the 3D video" on the bottom screen. This group includes Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, Dead or Alive, Resident Evil, and more. But a few were games. I played most of the games available at Nintendo's E3 booth -- find brief impressions of each below.%Gallery-95389%
Nintendo 3DS in-depth preview: it works!
So, we got shuffled past a 3DS at a rapid pace this morning on our way out of the Nintendo keynote, but we've just had an opportunity to play some titles and really get a feel for the thing... and we're pretty impressed. Before we were only shown a technical demo, but at Nintendo's booth there are games, games, games. The booth was about evenly split between playable tech demos, non-playable live-rendered trailers, and regular 3D movies. Nintendo clearly is hard at work on titles for its system, and there's plenty of third party clout getting into the mix. Still, what impressed us more than the quantity was the quality. Most of the games are pretty easily on the level of iPhone 3GS graphics, and the 3D effect "just worked" on most all of them. Follow after the break for our full thoughts. Update: We've also got partial tech specs on the handheld -- find them after the break, too. Update 2: We added a video of nintendogs + cats gameplay. It's very adorable, we assure you. %Gallery-95358%
'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D' coming to Nintendo 3DS [update]
If you're alarmed by the futuristic technology employed by the Nintendo 3DS, you might just need something familiar to anchor you in this brave new world. How about The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, a new 3DS tech demo based on the classic N64 adventure? Beyond a rather glib video of the game's iconic title screen, which we just saw on a 3DS at a Nintendo E3 roundtable event, we haven't learned any further details yet. Update: During the event, Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma made its status as a game explicit when he discussed simplifying its menu system on the 3DS, in order to (among other things) make the Water Temple easier by allowing Link to add and remove the Iron Boots more quickly. While we wait to learn more, why don't you take a step into this cognitive mindfield: Since Ocarina of Time has a strong element of time travel, wouldn't this be a 4D game? [Special Thanks: Zelda Informer]%Gallery-95364%
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! %Gallery-95322% %Gallery-95295% %Gallery-95283% %Gallery-95314%
Here's the list of every 3DS game in development
Wondering what Nintendo and everyone else is developing for the 3DS? While the list of games isn't "everything" (Nintendo characterizes it as a "partial list of upcoming first- and third- party games"), it does include some exciting standouts -- a new Pilotwings and Paper Mario, for starters. We'll be frank: it's a big list. You should probably just head past the break and peep the whole thing. We'll do our best to track down as much info as possible on these as the week goes on.
Pilotwings Resort flying to 3DS
Though there have been shades of it in games like Wii Sports Resort, we've been without a new entry in the Pilotwings series since 1996 with Pilotwings 64. The 14-year wait is finally coming to a close with Pilotwings Resort, which is headed to the 3DS according to a list distributed this morning.
Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D 'The Naked Sample' surfaces in 3DS lineup list
The identity of Konami's first project on the recently revealed Nintendo 3DS has received a title on a partial list of first and third-party titles for the platform: Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D "The Naked Sample." Yes, there are quotation marks in the title. Yes, that's appropriately bizarre. It sounds like the third installment in the Solid series is getting a remake, or perhaps even a sequel, on the new handheld. We'll try to find out for sure when we stop by Nintendo's booth later today.
Nintendo 3DS: first hands-on!
We were just whisked away to a totally secret back room to get some hands-on time with the Nintendo 3DS. While it may look a lot like the DS at first blush, the hardware we handled had some notable enhancements. First: That 3D screen. The effect is pronounced, but seems far less distracting than you'd expect. The lack of plastic glasses imparts a level of viewing comfort that you simply don't get from 3D televisions, though the comparatively smaller screen is also easier on the eyes. The visuals are bright -- easily on par with the DS Lite -- and offer a good viewing angle. However, viewing from the side reveals the blurry, overlaying effect of the 3D screen, so you'll want to turn the 3D effect down via the slider. Adjusting the 3D effect is a seamless, subtle act, with the depth of the 3D images -- think of it as a tunnel reaching into the top screen -- slowly reducing to 2D as you move the slider down. We had a look at several demonstrations, including a selection of Nintendo characters (think Smash Bros. trophies) in different settings. The Pikmin blended into the grass, Yoshi's nose seemingly protruded from the screen and black particles surrounded Link, almost appearing to float in front of the top screen. %Gallery-95287%
New Iwata Asks video focuses on Nintendo's E3 announcements
If you've got a few leftover questions about the 3DS, Zelda: Skyward Sword or any of the other new products announced during Nintendo's E3 keynote, we suggest you check out the new Iwata Asks video that's currently up on Nintendo's site. The company's president fires off queries at Shigeru Miyamoto, Reggis Fils-Aime and more on the new handheld, as well a handful of the new titles revealed during the event. If you're wondering about the origins of the 3DS, you can satisfy your curiosity by watching the video here.
Nintendo E3 keynote, live from the Nokia Center
We're in LA's Nokia Center, just 20 minutes from the beginning of Nintendo's E3 2010 keynote. Of course, you've got your Nintendo bingo card printed out to follow along at home, ready for Reggie to drop the 3DS and, who knows, maybe a Wii HD? Too much to ask you say? Hit the jump, let's go!
Nintendo 3DS third-party developers surface
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has unveiled a laundry list of developers, publishers and franchises which will make their way to the 3DS. We'll get a more comprehensive list later this week, but here's what we know for now: Square Enix and Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy franchise, Chocobo Racing 3D THQ and Saints Row DJ Hero Capcom and Resident Evil Ubisoft and Assassin's Creed Namco and Ridge Racer Konami and the Metal Gear Solid franchise EA Sports and Madden Tecmo Koei and Ninja Gaiden, Dead or Alive Professor Layton and the Mask of Mircale (not final title)
Nintendo 3DS unveiled at Nintendo press conference
At long last, Nintendo has dropped some details on the next iteration of its dual-screened handheld, the Nintendo 3DS. As hinted at by the torn-down depiction of the device submitted in an FCC filing last month, the device's top screen is a 3.5 inch widescreen 3D display, while the bottom screen maintains the DS' 4:3 aspect ratio, as well as its ... touchability. Other features of the device include a slider which lets you change the top screen's 3D display from ... well, 3D to 2D. There are "improved graphics capabilities" as well. Control inputs include a motion sensor, gyro sensor, and a "slide pad" (That thing above the oddly-placed D-pad). There's two cameras on the outside (which captures 3D images) and one on the inside. The 3DS will also be able to connect to Wi-Fi download spots and communicate with other 3DSs, even when in sleep mode, and could hypothetically download new content when you're not paying attention. The device's online services will have no monthly fee. The top screen is apparently capable of displaying "3D Hollywood movies," and, as Nintendo mentioned in the past, is capable of doing so without any stupid-looking glasses. As far as the improved graphics -- well, if this Kid Icarus: Uprising trailer is in-game, then it certainly seems like a huge step up from the current generation of DS. We'll have a more thorough write-up on the device when we try it out on the E3 show floor.
Nintendo 3DS gets official, includes 3D camera
We've been reading about it for what seems like ages, looking over images of the FCC prototype with a magnifying glass, and now Nintendo is showing it off at its E3 press conference. The company that Mario built is trumping up how superior its glasses-free technology is better than others, "a solution that lets you take 3D gaming along with you wherever you go" according to Reggie. The upper screen is surprisingly only 3.5-inches, not the wider that we'd expected. There is a slider on the side that lets you tweak the 3D effect, seemingly enabling you to adjust its depth based on your distance from the screen -- or turn it off entirely. As with the current DS, the bottom is a touchscreen, and is not 3D. That's what looks to be an analog stick on the side there, as well, that Nintendo is calling a "Slide Pad." There is a gyro, motion sensor, it's compatible with DSi games, and has two cameras enabling 3D photos. Nintendo is also talking up partnerships including Disney, games that are said to be playable today, at the show, with one of the highlights being a new Kid Icarus game which looks quite action-packed to say the least -- and has better graphics than most of the Wii titles Nintendo has shown thus far. Nintendo has mentioned the 3DS will have the "biggest launch support ever" from third party devs, and a 3D Nintendogs should be a huge seller -- if only because it has cats too. Other games include Madden, Ninja Gaiden, Resident Evil, a Batman title, Splinter Cell, and, finally, a Metal Gear Solid entry. Nintendo is also talking about how the system will seek out WiFi hotspots or other 3DS systems "without you knowing," which sounds a bit ominous, to be honest. Systems can communicate regardless of which games are being played. It can even pull in new DLC directly from other consoles, all without a monthly fee. Still no release date or price, but Nintendo is showing off two colors, red and blue, and they're said to be playable on the show floor. You can be sure we'll be running there right now. Update: Complete press release and full list of launch games after the break, including some biggies, like Metal Gear Solid "The Naked Sample," Madden, FIFA, and more! Update 2: If you'd like to know more, check out or two hands-on with the 3DS. Our first impressions of the hardware, and our more detailed thoughts after spending time with a few games. We got cross-eyed so you don't have to. %Gallery-95314% %Gallery-95274%
Live from Nintendo's E3 2010 keynote!
Here we are, day 2 of E3 2010. If your existing Xbox 360 is doing just fine, and you've always been partial to things that grow in Mushroom Kingdoms, you're in the right place. The Big N is just about ready to take the stage here in LA, hopefully bringing a three-dee DS and a Wii console with -- gasp -- 1080i output. Just kidding about that last one. Sadly. We're going to get started at 9AM Pacific, 12PM Eastern. Don't miss it, you'll be sorry!
Capcom COO anticipates 'new' 3DS digital distribution service
3-D is great and all, but Capcom COO Haruhiro Tsujimoto is excited about another possible component of Nintendo's 3DS: a new distribution system for games, similar to Apple's App Store. "What we're more looking forward to is the offering of a new business model," he told Nikkei BP (translated by Andriasang). "Nintendo has been in the hardware business for a long time, and I believe they must be looking closely at Apple's recent success." This came after Tsujimoto praised Japanese mobile phone provider NTT DoCoMo's open, App Store-style business model. Of course, Nintendo already has a digital distribution platform on the DS, DSiWare, as well as digital services for Wii. But Nintendo's digital platforms are currently less open than the App Store, and therefore much less populous. We'll likely find out at E3 whether Tsujimoto's prediction is true.
