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If you haven’t been under a rock these past few months than you know the anticipation that has been building up pending the March release of the Nintendo 3DS. Let’s be honest though, 3D gaming? I was a bit skeptical to say the least. It just seemed too good to be true that we could have something so awesome in a hand-held device, and without the need for 3D glasses to boot.
I decided then, to get a closer look at what seemed to be the next generation of mobile gaming looming on the horizon, and needless to say, I was blown away by what the 3DS had to offer.
The first thing I noticed when I sat down with my friendly neighborhood Nintendo reps was how modern the Nintendo 3DS looked. I mean, we are all pretty used to advanced mobile devices such as iPhones and Blackberrys, so its expected that the 3DS should be on the same level aesthetically. I was able to see both color variants of the 3DS, so metallic black and blue, and they both looked really slick. I guess one of the main concerns with this newest installment in Nintendo’s mobile line was how different it was going to be than the original DS and DSi. The Nintendo 3DS is similar enough to be familiar, but different enough to be new, which is the perfect balance for consumers.
One of the things I noticed right away once I flipped it open was the screen resolution and size, which was a huge improvement over the DS. The top 3D screen especially stood out with a size improvement of over half and inch from the original DS and a quarter inch from the DSi. The resolution was amazing at a solid 800×240 pixels, compared to the 256 × 192 of the previous models. Even when games were not in 3D they still looked much better, which was a great thing to see.
Let’s talk about what everyone really cares about, the features! Aside from the awesome 3D graphics, amazing resolution and gameplay, the features are what really set this apart from the original DS series. While there are a lot of impressive features that add to the usability such as the activity log, 3DS messaging, and compatibility with older games, the things that really stood out to me were the “augmented reality” games and StreetPass.
First off, the augmented reality games were extremely impressive from what I have seen. Essentially “augmented reality” means that the software in the 3DS game or application will use external information combined with video game graphics to create a unique and fun game. So what the 3DS does is use the primarily use the video camera located in the front, plus unique game cards, to create a game right in the room you are sitting.
My experience was as follows:
I held the 3DS near the table above a special “game card” and the system scanned it for information. Once scanned, the 3DS took a picture of my face, and implanted that picture onto a series of “bubbles” that floated above the background of the room on the main screen. I then used movement and and buttons to shoot projectiles at the face bubbles while they floated around the room on the screen. When I won the game my face congratulated me and I was on my way.
It was a cool experience and the other augmented reality games were equally impressive to say the least.
The other new feature that really caught my interest was the StreetPass software, which really seemed to take interactivity to the next level. What StreetPass does is basically search the surrounding area for other Nintendo 3DS’s. If it finds one it will automatically connect the two systems, even if your 3DS is closed in your pocket. While your systems are connected the Nintendo 3DS it will automatically exchange information such as multiplayer data, items, and content as well as game information such a high scores and profiles. Think that’s cool? It gets better. Certain games will actually take StreetPass a step further and do stuff like battle characters, all while dormant in your pocket.
These features are supplemented by the new and improved profile system which is similar in many ways to the one on the Nintendo Wii. I speak of course of the Mii profile system, which allows you to create a unique “Mii” that is a 3D version of yourself in the console. You use this for multiplayer games and interaction with others. The 3DS actually had a cool feature which let you take a picture of yourself and it would automatically create a Mii based on facial features. It worked pretty well too, although I looked too generic for my liking and added spiky hair and sunglasses (which was awesome).
You can even import your Mii from the Nintendo Wii, which is pretty cool. Although you cannot exchange the Mii the other way, due to software changes and whatnot. The 3DS will also create a space for all the Mii’s you have passed on the street, which is a cool way to see who you interacted with every day.
Many of you have got a glimpse at the games the Nintendo 3DS will bring to the field, and they look amazing as expected. I actually got to play a ton of games, many of which were not available during previous events and at E3, and they were stunning. The 3D effects and graphics were in a whole different league than the DS and DSi, and many of the titles were impressive as well. Playing Zelda: Ocarina of Time in 3D was an experience that I never even thought of before the hearing of the 3DS, and playing it live was just as enjoyable as the first time I played it years ago on the N64.
Kid Icarus was also an extremely enjoyable gaming experience, with excellent visuals and refreshingly unique gameplay. Classic games like PilotWings and Donkey Kong were also available, and they didn’t disappoint either with updated graphics and gameplay mechanics using the 3DS’s motion movement control features. It was pleasantly surprising to see how many “classic” Nintendo 64 games were remade on the Nintendo 3DS, and I definitely look forward to more when the 3DS launches in March.
As you can probably tell by the review, I was definitely impressed by the Nintendo 3DS overall. The hardware and physical appearance of the 3DS seemed like an adequate upgrade for a new system, and who doesn’t love games in 3D. Almost all of the games I played were classics from previous systems that were given a polished update for the new system, which worked fine for me. The 3DS exclusive games I played were pretty creative and made effective use of the hardware peripherals in fun ways. Furthermore, I was rather impressed by the applications involved, even though I was only able to see a handful. StreetPass seemed like a cool concept as well, though time will tell if it will be a feasible feature, or just a gimmick. Overall it was a fun experience and definitely a step forward in the right direction for mobile gaming. The only real issue that seems worth mentioning is the price, although for all the features and 3D games you get, 250 USD is almost a bargain.
Article from Gamersyndrome.com
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Once we shouted at our parents to give us the latest video games and even they used to fulfil our desire. We used to even shriek out if somebody knocks at the door while we were in middle of the game. Those days are unforgettable. Well does it really mean that we cannot play new video games at this grown up age? Obviously it is not at all right. Multiple websites selling Nintendo games are waiting out there and we just need to buy them.
Going back to the childhood days will be quite enjoyable if we eye for cheap Nintendo DS games because these are the latest types of games in the current market. Even if somebody likes to play â??Tom & Jerryâ?? then also they can find various types of Nintendo DS games based on these well-known characters. Well in case of having interest for action-based games then the Nintendo range will the perfect choice.
â??Over The Hedgeâ?? is quite fascinating game which has been much spoken out. Children like to play it again and again. Even the tough muscle guys can also join the crew to add some entertainment back into their work. This game is based on 3D technology and an individual want to play as RJ Verne or Hammy. It is all about turning the Town upside down. It is just an example for showing how fascinating it is to play Nintendo DS Games. But, the actual thrill associated can be experience if an enthusiastic player plays at home. The cost of such types of games is at all high because the tag is kept within the reach of players across the world.
Some of you may have heard of FlingSmash; it’s an upcoming game published by Nintendo and developed by Artoon. Originally budget-priced at $29.99, this title, where you literally fling a character named Zip and smash him through different objects, will be compatible with Wii MotionPlus and actually looks like a good deal of fun.
One of the most interesting stories to surface regards the game’s packaging. On the game’s case it is stated that FlingSmash, now priced at $49.99, comes packaged with an official Nintendo Wii Remote. But this isn’t your average Wii Remote. No no no! This is a Wii Remote Plus. Currently, nothing has really been said about the Wii Remote Plus, but all signs point to it being a Wii Remote with Wii MotionPlus…wait for it…already built in!
That’s right, folks. This is a first-party Nintendo Wii Remote with Wii MotionPlus possibly integrated directly into it. That’s a pretty neat addition to FlingSmash, and quite honestly, it was long overdue. The Wii Remote was supposed to offer excellent precision and revolutionary motion control mechanics. While it did offer passable motion controls, the 100% precision wasn’t there. Wii MotionPlus remedied this issue, but who wants to have that huge add-on attached to the Wii Remote?
Though Nintendo has confirmed the existence of Wii Remote Plus to Eurogamer (as has the ad for the game on GameStop), nothing has been clarified. We’ll have more info for you on the matter as it surfaces.
Article from Gamersyndrome.com
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Looks like there are very few downloadable games this week on the Wii Shop Channel. And if you guessed that there aren’t any Virtual Console titles up for download, you guessed right. Here are the four digital games available for download on the Wii and DSi.
WiiWare
Astro Bugz Revenge: 1-2 Players, Published by Sudden Games, Puzzle, 700 Wii Points, Rated EThis puzzle game has you shooting bugs…in space! This looks like the typical puzzle gaming fare, which means it looks fairly addictive.
Target Toss Pro: Lawn Darts: 1-16 Players, Published by Incredible Technologies, Umm…Sports?, 700 Wii Points, Rated EI want this game just because of the badassery exuded in the trailer. I’ll just be quiet now and let the ad do the talking.
DSiWare
Fizz: 1 Player, Published by DK Games, Puzzle, 200 DSi Points, Rated EAlign matching colors to create rings of energy onscreen in this downloadable puzzle game.
Zenonia: 1 Player, Published by Gamevil, RPG, 800 DSi Points, Rated EThis is an RPG that was originally only available for mobile phones. The game looks pretty good, and now that it’s available for the DSi, it may be worth a look by RPG enthusiasts.
Article from Gamersyndrome.com
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In February, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 retook the lead in NPD Group’s monthly U.S. game-console sales report. That didn’t last long – in March, the Nintendo Wii outsold the Xbox 360 by more than 200,000 units.
NPD on Thursday reported that 557,500 Wiis were sold in March. Meanwhile, 338,400 Xbox 360s and 313,900 Sony PlayStation 3s sold during the same period – plus 118,300 PlayStation 2s.
Industry-wide, game hardware sales dropped 4 percent year over year, from $457.1 million a year ago to $440.5 million last month. For the year to date, hardware sales were down 15 percent and game sales decreased by 7 percent compared to the same period in 2009, according to NPD.
March sales of software, accessories and games, however, all rose significantly year over year. The industry saw $1.52 billion in video game sales during March 2010 – 6 percent more than $1.44 billion in March 2009, NPD reported. Software sales rose 10 percent and accessory sales rose 11 percent.
Here were the top 10 games in March 2010:
God of War III (PS3)Pokemon Soul Silver Edition (Nintendo DS)Final Fantasy XIII (PS3)Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (Xbox)Pokemon Heart Gold Edition (Nintendo DS)Final Fantasy XIII (Xbox)New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (PS3)Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board (Wii)MLB 10: The Show (PS3)