3DS Press Conference Discussion

[Bradtemple87]

$250 for the 3DS is a really good deal considering all the technology crammed into it.

Calling it now, PSP2 is already doomed

Maybe but I will still buy one

[Niode]

£230 in the UK is steep. Seriously steep. I only paid £100 for my DS Lite brand new...

Regarding the technology in it. Gyros/tilt sensors are cheap as chips technology wise, I can get a load of them for about £5 a unit. Personally, I just got engineering samples from Freescale for my Monome clones. Non-capacitive touch screens are cheap, and those cmos sensors are dirt cheap as well (they're only capable of 640x480). The only ground breaking thing in it is the autostereoscopic screen.

With the poor battery life there's not much to justify that crazy price. I can get a PS3 Slim for £220 (and even then that's just the RRP, you can get it much cheaper in bundles/online). If the battery works in the same way as the DS then it's going to be a massive pain in the arse to carry spares. No wonder it comes with a cradle, they expect you to be charging the damn thing constantly.

I think Nintendo are completely out of their mind with this, I was excited for it, but that battery life just kills it stone dead. I don't play handhelds in the house. I don't see the point when I've got a TV and a console. Which I can play for hours on end without getting eye-strain or an aching neck/shoulders to boot. If I go anywhere where I might want to take a handheld with me, I'm going to be away from any kind of power outlet for long periods of time. I'd be better off sticking with my iPhone. The PSP was a major pain in the arse because of it's pitiful battery life, that's why mine has spent most of it's life gathering dust.

Has Nintendo confirmed whether the 3DS will get better battery life when it's not in 3D mode, or is that not even architecturally possible since it could be still rendering a stereoscopic scene within the engine?

[mbl1031]

This thing comes out 3/27 and carries a price tag of $249 . Damn, I'm going to wait a while til the price goes down. Is anyone else interested in this thing? I personally hope it comes out with 3d movies (just as the PSP has a library of movies). Got to admit, it has a pretty sweet game lineup, 2 Resident Evil games, Saints Row, Mario Cart, Contra, and the list goes on.

[toadhall]

They announced a Contra for 3DS?

[ZeroAX]

Has Nintendo confirmed whether the 3DS will get better battery life when it's not in 3D mode, or is that not even architecturally possible since it could be still rendering a stereoscopic scene within the engine?

Can't be bothered to look for a link, but I read (on Eurogamer I think) that the battery life indeed goes up to like 8 hours if you have the 3D effect off and the brightness setting on low.

[skyknight]

$250 for the 3DS is a really good deal considering all the technology crammed into it.

Calling it now, PSP2 is already doomed

I wouldn't rush to that conclusion, as Sony hasn't reveal the capabilities of the PSP2 and the PSP phone, as well as the pricing (for console and games). Already the PSP has a huge advantage over the DS when it comes to wireless communication, and on-line store features. But still smart phones are ready to take over within the next few years.

[ZeroAX]

[final fight cd]

i don't really care about handhelds and i have not read a thing about the 3ds so excuse my ignorance.

but what exactly is the 3ds? are all games gonna be in 3d and will you have to wear 3d glasses?

[final fight cd]

which means I will be playing retro games only.

not a damn thing is wrong about that.

[Danwalker88]

Excited about a new Pilotwings and its a launch title.
Not Excited about 2-5 hour battery life.