Nintendo Announces 3DS

[Vampyr]

Touch screen was done on a handheld first.

And whenever the Wii and it's motion controller was announced everyone said it was a dumb idea too.

This will most likely be very successful. I think the reason they are doing it on a handheld first, as opposed to a console, is because if done on a console everyone would have to buy new TV's just to use the console.

[KillerGremlin]

You know what would be way more innovative?


Taping a fleshlight to a Nintendo DS. Now that is a handheld I could get behind.

[TheSlyMoogle]

Originally Posted by KillerGremlin

You know what would be way more innovative?


Taping a fleshlight to a Nintendo DS. Now that is a handheld I could get behind.

NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL A STICKY SITUATION!

[gekko]

I'm curious what the graphics hardware is going to be like on this. Even my 2-year old phone supports a programmable pipeline, unlike the Wii. If they do add one, I'll be curious to see if they adopt an existing high-level language.

[Bube]

Can somebody explain to me what this "head tracking" thing is and how it works? How does that make a system 3d-capable?

I read somewhere (probably Kotaku) that it might involve a tilt sensor similar to what the iPhone has.. I'm curious as to how that would work as well.

[Typhoid]

Well, Bube - you have to believe.

[Angrist]

I don't see how the head-tracking (DSi) stuff is really 3D. It only gives that illusion when you tilt the console or move your head. If you hold still, you won't see 3D. People won't fall for that.

[BreakABone]

I really won't comment on this being a good/bad idea until e3.

I mean really, we know nothing on the handheld other than what I started this thread with. So I'll wait for the hardware and software to present itself.

[Zach]

It sounds like there will be be some sort of film on the DS screens that makes it 3D. As long as it has good games, graphics and doesn't give me headaches, I'm in!

[manasecret]

Originally Posted by Zach

It sounds like there will be be some sort of film on the DS screens that makes it 3D. As long as it has good games, graphics and doesn't give me headaches, I'm in!

Hopefully I'm not agreeing with a bot, but this is my conclusion down pat.

Typhoid, I honestly don't see where you're coming from at all. So you'd be ok with it if consoles did it first? Would it then change your mind knowing that consoles have done it first? The PS3 has already demonstrated it, and it will be out this summer.

[Typhoid]

Typhoid, I honestly don't see where you're coming from at all. So you'd be ok with it if consoles did it first? Would it then change your mind knowing that consoles have done it first? The PS3 has already demonstrated it, and it will be out this summer.

By "do it first" I meant released on market, not just demonstrated.
But that's okay. You don't have to see where I'm coming from.
That's the beauty of opinions.

And I don't understand how a console can have a true 3D game, without the person also having a 3D-capable TV.

[manasecret]

Originally Posted by Typhoid

By "do it first" I meant released on market, not just demonstrated.
But that's okay. You don't have to see where I'm coming from.
That's the beauty of opinions.

It will be. This summer. As far as I've heard, the 3DS won't be out until 2011.

And I don't understand how a console can have a true 3D game, without the person also having a 3D-capable TV.

They can't. 3D TVs are out right now. The main method being used requires active glasses that coordinate with the TV to turn each lens on and off in sync with the TV. I haven't test driven one yet, but apparently you can try them out in stores.

[Thespis721]

I've seen some of those fancy 3D TVs in videos. You know, the ones that don't require glasses. The technology is VERY new, but mostly because on a TV, you have to deal with viewable angles and a larger device.

On a handheld, you don't have that problem because there's really only ONE viewable angle and the screen is much smaller.

I was impressed with watching the 3D TVs though. Even in a video, you can see the images pop out.

[manasecret]

Originally Posted by Typhoid

But a 3D handheld is such a dumb idea. It won't get off the ground more than just fanboys buying it up right away just to have one.

I don't think I caught this before, so I think I misunderstood you. You're talking sales, then. I think you're saying, the 3DS won't sell well until consumers get used to the idea, namely with consoles first. So, you don't think -- assuming the 3D aspect works like 3D should, and doesn't cause dizziness/headaches -- that the 3DS will be a hit?

I think you might have been right -- that is, if everything weren't already headed in the direction of 3D. In this case, Nintendo is far from being the leader in 3D for entertainment media. Media, post-Avatar, is a 3D world. Consumers are already well aware of and have accepted 3D (see: Avatar sales numbers). In my opinion, there's no turning back.

EDIT: But to clarify, even if Nintendo were one of the first to do 3D, I think the 3DS would still be a huge hit. Again, assuming the 3D works right.

[Typhoid]

The 3D on such a small screen would be ridicuterrible, I think. The illusion would look tacky, and lame. Because say you're looking at the middle of the screen playing Mario; Awesome, Mario is in 3D! Now say you have to do something near the edge of the screen; The 3D would be ruined because the screen is so small, and 'real life' is within your direct peripheral vision, ruining the illusion.

3D is only good, or great when you can't see the edges of the screen.
Even Avatar looked like shit when you peered off to the sides.

I don't think I caught this before, so I think I misunderstood you. You're talking sales, then. I think you're saying, the 3DS won't sell well until consumers get used to the idea, namely with consoles first.

That is 100% what I was getting at.