3D is all the rage these days. It started in the theaters and quickly found its way into our homes. While the concept of 3D pictures and movies have actually been around since the late 1800’s, its only been recently that there seems to be an aggressive push for it. After a failed attempt many years ago with the Virtual Boy, Nintendo is trying their hand at 3D again with their portable Nintendo 3DS.
The way the 3DS works is actually pretty simple, using a lenticular lens (a lens that is capable of sending an image in multiple directions) - the system outputs two slightly different images to each one of your eyes creating a 3D effect. A slider on the side of the system changes the distance in which the lens works, amplifying the 3D effect or helping to bring it into focus depending on where you hold the system. The optical illusion is only in display when you “hold the system correctly.” That means it needs to be between 12-24 inches away from your face, something that’s pretty much ideal for portable gaming. The downside of this for portable gaming - battery drain. I was able to squeeze just over 3 hours of play with 3D on.
Side by Side with a PSP Go.
The 3D is impressive, very, very impressive. The effect and method employed varies by game, but almost all of the game give a great sense of depth. In a game like Steel Diver its incredibly easy to tell what is the foreground, middle ground and background in terms of objects. Its like looking at a tiny submarine in a fish tank. In Ghost Recon:Shadow Wars the game adds foreground objects making it look like your face down into a strategy board game. LEGO Star Wars 3 gives characters an action figure look, making them look like actual LEGO men you can pluck from the screen.
But while the 3D is the focus on the system, I found several other impressive features. The sound quality out of the speakers is superb and is capable of simulating surround sound. I seriously couldn’t believe my ears at times during play sessions of Ghost Recon - not only were the visuals spatially impressive, the audio as well. The analog stick also stands out for me as a necessary and welcome addition. All around the hardware is solid, a little thicker than a DSi, but a sturdier feel to it.
So despite all the other bells and whistles, the focus of the system is still the 3D, and sadly it’s not going to impress, or even work for everyone. While I never found myself disoriented from the 3D, some folks are having problems.
Kat’s Impressions
As with any new Nintendo handheld there are positive and negative aspects to it, some of which either take time getting used to or may change the experience entirely for the gamer. The biggest two things I’ve noticed that go against my recommending a 3DS is the 3D draw and battery drain. Leaving the 3D slider on at all will suck your battery life out like an adult drinking a Caprisun. Turning the 3D off may seem like it’s wasting the system’s potential to some - but I’m here to tell you it’s really not.
The two games I’ve played so far, Ghost Recon and Pilot Wings: Resort, are great titles. Period. The content is solid, the controls are there, and the creativity with the touch screen and new analog stick from the 3DS bring one of the most interesting portable gaming experiences I’ve seen in a long time. The games combined with larger screens, backward compatibility*, and superior sound makes the 3DS really worth taking a look at for a great gaming experience.
However, if you’re buying the 3DS simply for the 3D, I think that is a huge mistake. If you’re buying it for some great titles (either launch titles, or announced somewhere down the line), and the 3D is a perk for you - that’s the mentality that needs to be present when purchasing a system like this. This statement is especially true based on some of the Twitter and Facebook complaints of headaches from people who are normally enthralled with 3D films. You just can’t know how the 3D will effect your eyes until you try it at home or wherever you plan on playing most.
*Those who are having issues with the resolution on regular DS games when played in the 3DS, hold the Select button (under the touch screen) while booting up DS games. The games will appear smaller on the 3DS screens, but the resolution issues will be fixed.
The Home Screen
Nintendo’s DSi expanded the dashboard from the original DS, and now the 3DS has taken it a step further. Things are a bit odd though at this stage of the game because things like web browsing and an online store are disabled. The icons are present - but clicking on them merely says - “This item will be added via a software update.” Something tells me Nintendo got ahead of themselves.
Along with these things you’ll find some new tools at your disposal - a 3D camera tool, some Augmented Reality Games, a Sound Player, a Mii Hub, Street Pass and a more.
3D Camera - While the quality of the pictures aren’t that great, the ability to take 3D pictures and share them with your friends is really slick. Nintendo was smart and used a standard 3D file format that’s not only viewable on any 3DS, but viewable on a PC with the right hardware as well. Just don’t mess with the file names.
AR Games - There’s actually two sets of AR games available, ones that require cards and one that uses pictures of you and your friend’s faces. The former is really impressive, creating a virtual environment wherever you place the cards to enjoy some mini games.
Sound Player - You can load up your SD card with MP3s or record your own sounds and mess around with them with some gimmicky tools. Its a good way to show off the speakers of the system though.
Mii Plaza - This is where you’ll create your avatar, see your friend’s avatars that are shared, or any avatars you gathered through Street Pass.
Street Pass - By walking around with your 3DS in your bag or pocket the system can contact other 3DS systems and exchange info. This can be your Mii, or info about any game that you registered with Street Pass. Its hard to say how developers are going to utilize this - so far its basically for item exchange or mock battles between characters, but the potential is there to be something really unique.
Tied to this functionality is a set of mini-games based on credits you earn from Street Pass, Walking with the system, and playing games. There's a mini-RPG of sorts where you have to rescue a king - in it you can bring other characters you've met via Street Pass, or purchase henchman with coins from other activities.
It's strange, but I found myself bringing the 3DS to social events and stores just to see if I'd pass another user. While I've only managed to "pass" one person so far, I can't wait to see the green light glow at conventions later this year.
Friends List: Your friend code is now universal and you now have a friends list that lets you see other people when they are online. There's no way to chat or send messages, but its still a step in the right direction.
Enough with the mini-games - lets talk about the real games.
LEGO Star Wars III
by Nick Puleo
While the 3DS version LEGO Star Wars III is nearly identical to the DS version, there are a few upgrades (and downgrades) here. While the 3D is an obvious enhancement, the game lacks any kind of multiplayer functionality - that means no co-op play. Really this baffles us as its been a staple of the series.
Still, the 3D in LEGO Star Wars is impressive, and compared to the other 3DS titles I played, it sort of stands out on its own. While there’s a few effects that “fly at you” - for instance picking up the little LEGO pieces, most of the 3D simply has to do with creating an interesting looking game. It really looks like you have a view into this little world, almost a diorama.
Gameplay wise LEGO Star Wars 3 is solid on every front with a good variety of missions to accomplish. The use of three distinct character classes adds some additional strategy to the puzzles, and like the previous LEGO games, everything is still very light hearted.
I just really...really wish it had co-op.
Recommendation: Try
Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars
by Katrina Pawlowski
Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars is a title I’ve never personally taken an interest in. War scenarios just don’t seem to do it for me. When Nick told me the game was turn based tactics, however - my outlook changed. I took a look at a few screens, plus a trailer and instantly fell in love.
The game has you in charge of several Ghost soldiers, each with a unique weapon and ability. Characters that heal, snipe, assault, or whatever they have been assigned to do. I felt the characters were a bit shallow and stereotyped (big muscle guy is the heavy gunner, female is the healer, etc), but that didn’t seem to be the intention of the game.
As with many tactics style games, the goals are laid out fairly early in each mission. Discover this, defeat this unit, survive for this amount of time. As you do that, you’re graded at the end based on difficulty setting (easy, medium, hard) how many turns were taken, etc. The big goals for this game is to complete the objectives, and do them fast and efficiently. The combat and movement is much like Advance Wars if you’ve ever played any of those (if you haven’t, you should).
I have had a lot of fun playing each mission on various difficulties to “level up” my commander (that would be myself, the one in charge of moving units and such) based on the end of each level points. The 3D in Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars is also very subtle but beautiful, so turning the 3D all the way up or down gives a similar experience - but the 3D isn’t so disorienting that it is a problem.
Shadow Wars was actually created in part by Jullian Gallop, who had a hand in the classic PC strategy series X-Com. If you were a fan of that series, Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars shouldn't be missed.
Recommendation: Buy
Pilot Wings: Resort
by Katrina Pawlowski
Pilot Wings was one of my favorite games on the Nintendo 64, so naturally when I saw the launch title available on 3DS I couldn’t resist. Firing up Pilot Wings: Resort you’re asked to select your Mii - already the game is more personal, as your craft is piloted by the personalized Mii you created with the game system. You’ll then go through a tutorial that allows you to become acquainted with the three crafts: plane, rocket belt (jet pack) and glider.
The controls are fairly simple with the basics like acceleration, deceleration, and the analog stick to pilot the craft. Each craft handles differently, and at least one challenge per craft to be completed on each level. As much as I personally dislike the rocket belt’s wild control, it is still fun to complete the challenges as they come along.
3D in Pilot Wings: Resort is a pretty big issue in an otherwise perfectly fun game. The craft is the only thing on the screen that really pops out at you, but tracking the movements of the environment in 3D has given myself and each of my friends who has played this particular title, a massive headache.
Turning the 3D down or even all the way off is the best way to enjoy Pilot Wings: Resort, and enjoy it you shall. It’s a great flight simulator game right in your hands wherever you wish to take it, even without popping out at you (and draining your battery).
Recommendation: Try
Steel Diver
by Nick Puleo
Steel Diver started out as a tech demo for the 3DS and eventually turned into a fully featured title. The game is one of the few “hardcore” titles at launch, tasking players with navigating a one of three different subs through underwater caverns. Along the way you’ll have to avoid other ships, mines, underwater volcanos and other such obstacles. There’s a sim like feel at play as the lower touch screen is used to steer, balance, shoot, and repair your submarine.
The 3D Effects in Steel Diver are impressive too, giving the game an almost old school 2D side scrolling feel. You have distinctive layers in the game of foreground, middleground and background elements - its like looking into a little aquarium.
The side scrolling missions are broken up by a periscope arcade mini-game. In it you literally have to look different directions with the 3DS to simulate turning on a periscope from a submarine. You’ll find other subs and ships in your world that you’ll need to shoot down. I highly recommend doing this on a spinny office chair for maximum enjoyment.
Overall, while Steel Diver is fun, it’s just a bit too repetitive for me. I think I was hoping for the next Silent Scope game and hyped the title up in my head too much, still what’s there is enjoyable - it’s just not for everyone.
Recommendation: Try
Overall its hard not to be impressed with the Nintendo 3DS. The 3D effects are striking and add to the immersion, the sound quality is top notch, and the addition of the analog stick makes gaming more enjoyable. Nintendo managed to package a lot of neat little distractions into the core OS to keep you busy.
All that said, there's definitely some drawbacks of the system. Battery life is unacceptable and Nintendo's "solution" of including a quick cradle to dock your system in isn't much of a solution at all. The price, $250, seems a bit steep as well - especially considering you can get an Xbox 360 for less than that. Finally it just seems like Nintendo wasn't ready for launch - while there are several decent launch titles, overall the line-up is fairly lackluster. We're disappointed with the complete lack of any co-op titles at launch. This is a portable system that's geared towards very social experiences, to us, that's simply unacceptable.
Combine those faults with the fact that several OS features are "disabled" like the web browser and online store - and its quite obvious the 3DS could have used a few more months to cook.
So while its hard to recommend running out to buy a 3DS right now, we think its going to be a solid system in the days to come. The foundation and technology are both there and there's no doubt that Nintendo will deliver.
Amazon.com Widgets
The Good:
+ 3D is incredibly impressive
+ Sound quality
+ Universal Friends Codes
+ Street Pass is strangely addictive
+ Build quality, analog stick
The Bad:
- Battery Life is short
- 3D isn't for everyone
- Not all OS features are enabled