3DS First Impressions

[daito_kid]

So, I've got my 3DS next to me on top of a music sampler, in my room in Saitama. It's been to Kyoto (where it was purchased), Hiroshima, and Tokyo. So, the question that might come to mind at this point was: battery life? Umm... I couldn't use it on the train trip to Hiroshima or from Hiroshima back to Tokyo on the Shinkansen since, I played it too much prior to that. So, here's a quick overview:

How well does the 3D works: It depends on the game. Street Fighter IV, works well, but games like Ridge Racer made me see double and I thought it was crap at the store. Other games are in between, but I bought SFIV.

What's Unique: the AR Cards are really cool, and make me see the potential of the 3DS, since it uses a card as a center point, places animation around it, so it's like there's fun monsters actually there on the screen with you. I tried a few other cards, but they were being really annoying and could only get one to work (that being the box one). There's some mini games like fishing and what not that are really cool, as well, and this is the coolest part IMO.

Other features: well, it's in Japanese, but the 3DS is really good with many of the how to's built into the machine and easy to access for information. Most of the explanations are in simple Kanji, and Japanese, so it's pretty easy to understand (hopefully it will make the same translation). Setting up wireless is easy, but the browser doesn't seem to want to work for me (I think I need to install additional software). There's also ways to unlock items for your Mii to wear through minigames that you can play with other people (in an RPG sort of way). I unlocked a mario hat the other day with some kid on the Shinkansen. For the most part the 3DS is really cool, and I enjoy Street Fighter IV. I'm jealous of the US launch line up, though we now have Super Monkey Ball and Tom Clancy to play around with for the time being (Pilot Wings in about 3 weeks!).

Closing notes. The 2GB SD card is exciting and I want to put some of the old school nintendo games on it, so, I can see them in 3D. There's a feature that counts your total amount of steps (useful?). The Joystick feels good, but isn't quite right for Street Fighter IMO (Arcade Stick>D-Pad>Joystick in my opinion). The Start and Select buttons are kind of a pain to press, and the home button is a nice feature. Also, games take a little bit to load, but nothing like a PSP. There's another mini game where you take pictures of faces and shoot them with tennis balls, that's really fun, and something to do if you're on the toilet to make your bathroom experience more interesting lol.

I guess my only complaint is the battery. It really hinders the system, since I wanted to play on the incredibly long train rides this week, but you're playing for short bursts of time then it shouldn't be a problem. All in all I'm excited for the device, and it should be good in the next few years.

Thanks for reading,

Daito_Kid

[daito_kid]

I guess with the Web Browser, according to Nintendo's site that it won't be ready until May, and more AR game will be available for download since then. Hmm... slightly rushed IMO, but needless to say this is still a pretty cool device .

[BRIK]

How are the Frame Rates in the games? Is there any lag?

[Bradtemple87]

How are the Frame Rates in the games? Is there any lag?

Street Fighter cuts to 30 frames when the 3d is on, which drastically changes the way you play frames

[daito_kid]

Yeah, I noticed that too. Any time I turned on the 3D to a game the frame rate dropped. It looks cool to play in 3D, but the 2D is pretty smooth. The online play though in SFIV is pretty cool since it has rankings for your own personal character to level up in, but alas there are no leaderboards (maybe soon?)

[alienjesus]

The frame rates get halved by the 3D. It's still putting out 60 frames from what I understand, its just that each of your eyes is only seeing 30 each.

Anyhow, I got mine at midnight Thursday/Friday, with Pilotwings Resort. Having played a little street fighter, I think the 3d is far more striking in pilotwings, but at the same time, the depth of each game is best suited to their respective genres.

I agree that the AR cards are awesome, I'm interested to see what comes of them. It'd be awesome if Nintendo put new AR games in with their retail games, or even if they give out cards free with magazines. It give a nice little extra incentive to buy them. I also enjoy Face Raiders, it's great fun.


I wish the 3DS store was open already, but I can wait. Overall, I really like the 3DS, I'm glad I forked out.

[daito_kid]

I haven't played Pilot Wings yet, but have you got the other cards to work with your 3DS? I've tried my other cards, but none of them worked except for the box card, and was really annoyed with that. Any suggestions?

[alienjesus]

I haven't played Pilot Wings yet, but have you got the other cards to work with your 3DS? I've tried my other cards, but none of them worked except for the box card, and was really annoyed with that. Any suggestions?

If you use the box card, then select the top centre box, you go into photo mode. The other cards will then make little figurines of the characters appear for photos - you can change their size and pose, it's cool enough. That IS all they do though.

Seeing as you seem to be struggling through some japanese, the boxes are, in order from top left to bottom right -

3D doodle pad mode
Nintendo character photo mode (uses the other cards)
Mii photo mode
Fishing mini game
Shooting mini game
Mini golf mini game

Once you beat a mini game, a little purple box appears. Shooting it takes you to the AR shop mode where you can buy some harder courses for the mini games, and an endless fishing mode, amongst others. These require coins acquired from walking with your 3DS in sleep mode (the pedometer function). I haven't unlocked any of these yet.

[daito_kid]

Ok, so that's what the photo mode is for. I had it open, took pictures and thought ok, but didn't have any of the other cards out, because when you start the AR cards you can only have the box for it to read (Unless I misread something). I played the other mini games, and I've unlocked everything you have mentioned as well when I was in my hotel room. I'd say I understand about 75% of the DS's menus, so there is a struggle at points without a doubt, but it does help with the practicing Japanese .

[daito_kid]

But I'm glad I forked out the money too. You're in the UK so you have access to Ghost Recon as well. I guess that's supposed to be a pretty good game. Everything in Japan right now is either fighting or racing at the moment (fun, but I want a little variety). Chaos Theory just came out, but from what I read it's not that great since there is no multiplayer.