Nintendo 3DS

[dsheinem]

the basic idea of a handheld that has small "sweet spot" just doesn't work in practice. Unless you play sitting perfectly still (not moving your hands or head), the 3D effect gets blurry and everything looks like shit.

I brought this up a few pages ago to no response - isn't this a legitimate problem for those of you playing with these? I found that even with the slider on low I had to more or less make myself hold a rigid posture in order to keep things from going out of focus every few seconds. I don't move around a lot, but a portable unit should allow you to shift side to side, walk around, etc. I can't see doing those things with the DS without constantly pausing...

Anything that uses the gyroscope and 3D is basically an abortion of game design. You are forced to move the unit and your head in unison, which I found quite hard to do.

[mrkola]

I picked mine up yesterday mid afternoon @ Gamestop without a preorder. They had a few systems left of each color. I got Super Street Fighter IV and I do have to say It looks and plays great on the system. I haven't tried it online, but I'm definitely going to disable the option to play against "hadouken button" players .

So far the 3d effect is nice, but I do have to take breaks from it or I have a bit of nausea. Its nothing that's deal breaking so far though. The AR Games are a ton of fun but there's definitely a bit of a problem finding that 'sweet spot' with the 3d. Its not too difficult to keep yourself at the same distance from the console from moving around but there's definitely been times when things go out of focus and I have to find that sweet spot again.

For anyone who was wondering about use of the analog nub in regular DS games, I can confirm that you can use it. You can use either that or the D-Pad for original DS games. The scaled picture you get when playing original DS games isn't too bad in my opinion and I haven't really noticed any visual glitches or problems in the games I own.

As for the question about the D-pad vs the analog nub, I'd definitely say I prefer the nub for most things aside from menu navigation. I'd compare the D-pad to the one on the DSi.

All in all though, been having fun with this system ^_^.

[alienjesus]

the basic idea of a handheld that has small "sweet spot" just doesn't work in practice. Unless you play sitting perfectly still (not moving your hands or head), the 3D effect gets blurry and everything looks like shit.

I brought this up a few pages ago to no response - isn't this a legitimate problem for those of you playing with these? I found that even with the slider on low I had to more or less make myself hold a rigid posture in order to keep things from going out of focus every few seconds. I don't move around a lot, but a portable unit should allow you to shift side to side, walk around, etc. I can't see doing those things with the DS without constantly pausing...

Anything that uses the gyroscope and 3D is basically an abortion of game design. You are forced to move the unit and your head in unison, which I found quite hard to do.

I haven't had a single problem with this so far. The gyroscope games plus 3D I can see as a problem, but hey, the system has a 2D mode for a reason. Just like not every DS game needed to use the touch screen, not every 3DS game should need to be played with 3D on. I foresee the gyroscope as being used more commonly in little mini games and downloadable titles than whole games being designed around it myself.

[elmagicochrisg]

[Croooow!]

For me, the most exciting thing about this launch is that DSi prises are going to fall. I'm getting tired of my DS fat.

[Inazuma]

I'm hoping that prices drop on DS models and DS games too. I have barely played anything on the DS because I have been waiting for prices to come down. Thanks to ebay, I am used to paying $5 per game.

[Croooow!]

I'm hoping that prices drop on DS models and DS games too. I have barely played anything on the DS because I have been waiting for prices to come down. Thanks to ebay, I am used to paying $5 per game.

I'm not too optimistic for the short term though. A price drop would only make the 3DS seem more expensive.

[Opa Opa]

I just inadvertently played a 3DS. I have a friend at GameStop and he helps me find obscure titles when I need them. So I'm in there looking for a game and we got to talking and I asked how the 3DS was selling. He pulled out the store's system and hands it to me.
Here's what I think. Sorry if I'm repeating anything that's already been stated.

3D: I had to have the slider at a little less than halfway up the scale because the highest intensity just hurt my eyes. I guess I'm just not used to it. It's impressive and really gives a sense of depth but I found the game to look just as good in 2D mode. (I was playing that racing game.)

Graphics: Graphically, the 3DS is impressive. From what I've seen, it looks almost as good as the Wii. (Just my opinion; not fact, mind you. )

Controls:
1) Stylus- I like the design of it. Being able to adjust its size is great but its location on the system is a poor choice. I think most people are right-handed so maybe it should be on the right. Maybe whenever a redesign comes around they'll change that. However, it's only a minor problem that I can get over.

2) Control stick- A very, very good control stick. Its movements are smooth and it has adequate range. I wish it could move a little further but it still works great.

3) D-Pad- Uh... No. It has the same problem I have with the PSP's control stick. It feels tacked on and is in a poor position. I couldn't comfortably grip the system and play with the d-pad. It probably would've helped had I been sitting down but even then I don't know how easy it would be to use. It felt a little cheap too. Although, I'm sure most games will use the control stick so it isn't that big an issue.

Definitely not my favorite DS directional pad but I guess it'll do the job.

Build quality: The unit felt very sturdy but the outer casing only felt slightly tougher than a DS Lite but overall it felt all right.
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Overall:
I'll probably get one but not until the software library makes it worth it. It'll probably be a while before a price drop so it looks like I'll be paying its current price. The 3D effects are nice but shouldn't be the sole reason for a purchase. I definitely recommend trying out a system in-store or playing a friends before committing at this time. The software library looks okay for now but it might be worth waiting for the summer titles.

The 3DS feels less like a new game system and more like an improved DS... Which isn't a bad thing. I have some high hopes in Nintendo right now and I'm sure that this will be a winner.

[AznKhmerBoi]

yea i hope so too, i recently had my dslite stolen from my car. Now i wanna replace it with a DSi XL instead, because im not ready to blow $250 for a 3DS until they do something about the battery life. Also i rather spend the money on the DSXL and to fix my PS3 that died like a week ago .

For me, the most exciting thing about this launch is that DSi prises are going to fall. I'm getting tired of my DS fat.

[Bradtemple87]

I'm also keeping my eyes peeled toward a good dslite/dsi price