Nintendo 3DS - Soon to be Cheaper, Still Headache Inducing

[Mr. Mack]

Sorry, I seemed to have bumped into this thread.

I may need something along the lines of a 3DS in the near future, as I suspect the book I'm reading between classes may end at some point (possibly around the last page).

Does anyone think Nintendo is going to release the next model some time soon? I wouldn't want to buy one only to have a new model released the next week. Rumor mill has been unusually active on this and I'm too cautious with my money to make a decision without outside input.

Also, does BIT.TRIP Saga include difficulty settings? I couldn't have gotten past the second level of BIT.TRIP Beat (PC version) if not for the easy setting.

[Endless Mike]

I wouldn't expect a new model any sooner than late next year.

[Decker]

Also, getting the newest model of anything right away has it's own set of problems.

[Game_boy]

Also, getting the newest model of anything right away has it's own set of problems.

I've never heard of a Nintendo product having widespread hardware issues, even at launch.

[Decker]

Also, getting the newest model of anything right away has it's own set of problems.

I've never heard of a Nintendo product having widespread hardware issues, even at launch.

I was thinking more of software. Then again, the only Nintendo product I've owned in the past ten years is my DSi, so I don't really have a lot of exposure and I don't exactly know what their track record is like. I figured "some bugs" is a pretty safe assumption for most gadgets with software.

[Tomlidich]

i took one look at one of these in the store, and got an insta-headache just by looking at it. doesn't even look 3d.
anyone with even minimal knowledge of 3d knows you need glasses for it to work. you need someway to filter which image is for the right eye and which is for the left.

[SecondTalon]

Yes, which is exactly why no one can see those Magic Eye puzzles. And there's no way it can work on motion.



(Yeah, I don't know what you're smoking, it works. Yeah, it's annoying. But it works.. no glasses needed)
(ps I'm a shark)

[Endless Mike]

Also, getting the newest model of anything right away has it's own set of problems.

I've never heard of a Nintendo product having widespread hardware issues, even at launch.

I was thinking more of software. Then again, the only Nintendo product I've owned in the past ten years is my DSi, so I don't really have a lot of exposure and I don't exactly know what their track record is like. I figured "some bugs" is a pretty safe assumption for most gadgets with software.

One thing Nintendo's never had a problem with is buggy firmware at release. Other concerns, sure, but that's never been an issue. Granted, the Wii and 3DS are the only ones to date with updateable firmware.

i took one look at one of these in the store, and got an insta-headache just by looking at it. doesn't even look 3d.
anyone with even minimal knowledge of 3d knows you need glasses for it to work. you need someway to filter which image is for the right eye and which is for the left.

Tell that to everyone making glasses-free TVs. The 3DS has a filter, it's just built into the screen. https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ ... ax_barrier

[SoapyHobo]

(Yeah, I don't know what you're smoking, it works. Yeah, it's annoying. But it works.. no glasses needed)
(ps I'm a shark)

No, you're all just meaningless random noise

[Tomlidich]

Yes, which is exactly why no one can see those Magic Eye puzzles. And there's no way it can work on motion.


(Yeah, I don't know what you're smoking, it works. Yeah, it's annoying. But it works.. no glasses needed)
(ps I'm a shark)

argh..... *head desk* there is no way to differentiate which eye the image is supposed to go to. both eyes can see it, so therefore they are both going to come to the conclusion that all objects seen are at the same distance, the tv screen. that just makes it look 2d.

those "magic eye puzzles" are not really 3d. they are just taking advantage of small quirks in your neural processing for your eyesight.

this is kind of like the emperors got new clothes, and im the boy yelling that it aint 3d, its just shitty looking video.

there is no getting around the physics. however, if you want a really great system that has glasses, the ones that use the polarized lenses, (much like the imax 3d) are superb.

[Mr. Mack]

this is kind of like the emperors got new clothes, and im the boy yelling that it aint 3d, its just shitty looking video.

Before Endless Mike posted the Wikipedia link, I was going to post a link to this video. But since you remain unconvinced that science supports the idea of parallax barriers, I decided to go ahead and post the link. It's a little more in-depth than the Wikipedia page and the illustrations used in the video convey the idea better since they're done from a top-down view instead of from an isometric view.

All that aside, not everyone is able to see the 3D. In Ashens' review of the 3DS he mentioned in passing having heard that 20% of people can't see it while this website puts it at 12% for Britons (though that's for all 3D, not just parallax barrier 3D).
What I'm getting at is that just because you can't see a 3D effect with it doesn't mean that everyone else is suffering from some marketing induced placebo effect. It could just be that what you perceive is different from what others perceive.

(ps I'm a shark)

Really? Because I thought it looked more like a seizure.

[Tomlidich]

this is kind of like the emperors got new clothes, and im the boy yelling that it aint 3d, its just shitty looking video.

Before Endless Mike posted the Wikipedia link, I was going to post a link to this video. But since you remain unconvinced that science supports the idea of parallax barriers, I decided to go ahead and post the link. It's a little more in-depth than the Wikipedia page and the illustrations used in the video convey the idea better since they're done from a top-down view instead of from an isometric view.

All that aside, not everyone is able to see the 3D. In Ashens' review of the 3DS he mentioned in passing having heard that 20% of people can't see it while this website puts it at 12% for Britons (though that's for all 3D, not just parallax barrier 3D).
What I'm getting at is that just because you can't see a 3D effect with it doesn't mean that everyone else is suffering from some marketing induced placebo effect. It could just be that what you perceive is different from what others perceive.

(ps I'm a shark)

Really? Because I thought it looked more like a seizure.

hmm... i see how that COULD work. but it definitly shits up the video a ton. can't expect many people actually WANTING one of these things, with all the ultra high def video formats, and better screen technology out there. the polarized lenses would be what i would bet on. retain video quality, while providing a good 3d effect.

[legopelle]

hmm... i see how that COULD work. but it definitly shits up the video a ton. can't expect many people actually WANTING one of these things, with all the ultra high def video formats, and better screen technology out there. the polarized lenses would be what i would bet on. retain video quality, while providing a good 3d effect.

You know this is supposed to be a handy handheld first, and 3d viewer second, right? And that the 3d is both adequate and toggle-able.

[Game_boy]

hmm... i see how that COULD work. but it definitly shits up the video a ton. can't expect many people actually WANTING one of these things, with all the ultra high def video formats, and better screen technology out there. the polarized lenses would be what i would bet on. retain video quality, while providing a good 3d effect.

You know this is supposed to be a handy handheld first, and 3d viewer second, right? And that the 3d is both adequate and toggle-able.

The software sales kind of look like people are buying it as a media player. Much like PS3 at launch with BD.

[SecondTalon]

(Yeah, I don't know what you're smoking, it works. Yeah, it's annoying. But it works.. no glasses needed)
(ps I'm a shark)

No, you're all just meaningless random noise

(ps I'm a shark)

Really? Because I thought it looked more like a seizure.

You people can't see that?

Man.... I'm just going to start calling all of you Walter.

(Yeah, I don't know what you're smoking, it works. Yeah, it's annoying. But it works.. no glasses needed)
(ps I'm a shark)

No, you're all just meaningless random noise

(ps I'm a shark)

Really? Because I thought it looked more like a seizure.

Much better.

[Endless Mike]

You know this is supposed to be a handy handheld first, and 3d viewer second, right? And that the 3d is both adequate and toggle-able.

The software sales kind of look like people are buying it as a media player. Much like PS3 at launch with BD.

For what media? Are people really buying 3DSes to play MP3s and watch Netflix? Seems like there's at least a few better options for that, especially if someone's willing to pay a little more for a much better media experience.

And yeah, I think the 3D effect works very well. No worse than movies, anyway.

[Tomlidich]

You know this is supposed to be a handy handheld first, and 3d viewer second, right? And that the 3d is both adequate and toggle-able.

The software sales kind of look like people are buying it as a media player. Much like PS3 at launch with BD.

For what media? Are people really buying 3DSes to play MP3s and watch Netflix? Seems like there's at least a few better options for that, especially if someone's willing to pay a little more for a much better media experience.

And yeah, I think the 3D effect works very well. No worse than movies, anyway.

could probably get an iphone, ipad, ipod touch, etc that does all of that and doesn't f up the video.

[Technical Ben]

Also, getting the newest model of anything right away has it's own set of problems.

True. But with things like "RROD" or single analogue stick it might be better getting the newer model that avoids these problems or lacking content.

PS, some phones do 3D now if you want one "just" for taking pictures etc.

[Endless Mike]

could probably get an iphone, ipad, ipod touch, etc that does all of that and doesn't f up the video.

These are basically exactly what analysts are pointing at for why the 3DS isn't selling to expectations.

[Tomlidich]

could probably get an iphone, ipad, ipod touch, etc that does all of that and doesn't f up the video.

These are basically exactly what analysts are pointing at for why the 3DS isn't selling to expectations.

hmm.... that is odd. i always seem to be able to judge what the population wants at times...... i should go apply to be the new ceo of apple XD

[Game_boy]

could probably get an iphone, ipad, ipod touch, etc that does all of that and doesn't f up the video.

These are basically exactly what analysts are pointing at for why the 3DS isn't selling to expectations.

The analysts are wrong, because we saw no sign of this affecting the DS. The phone game niche has always existed in some form: PC Minesweeper/Solitaire, then Flash games.

[Endless Mike]

The analysts are wrong, because we saw no sign of this affecting the DS. The phone game niche has always existed in some form: PC Minesweeper/Solitaire, then Flash games.

Even the smallest PC doesn't fit in a pocket and there's games on iOS that are equivalent in content and length to what might be found on a DS. It's not a comparable situation at all.

Smartphones didn't really start to become commonplace until 2007 with the iPhone. They existed, but were much more primitive than what we have today. And, again, they're much better media players than the 3DS is in addition to playing games. (Granted, the 3DS is a game machine first and a media machine second and smart phones are mostly reversed, but still.)

[Technical Ben]

i took one look at one of these in the store, and got an insta-headache just by looking at it. doesn't even look 3d.
anyone with even minimal knowledge of 3d knows you need glasses for it to work. you need someway to filter which image is for the right eye and which is for the left.

You mean like a viewing angle that splits a single screen into two separate images to each eye? How one earth could they do that?
[edit]
Oops. Sorry, got into that conversation late. all I can say is it works very well. It is the exact same system* of 3d imagery as the glasses system, just without glasses. The only down side is you cannot move your viewing angle.


*Stereoscopic images!

[Jebobek]

I had a hard time seeing the 3DS 3D.. then I recalled my good ability to see magic eye images (ST's shark popped right out to me) and let my eyes relax and cross a bit.. BAM, got it.

Like others said, even if it didn't phase in and out so much, even if it does not hurt the eyes.. I still would not keep it on. The shadowbox effect where the background is flat is not doing it for me.

[Endless Mike]

The Ambassador GBA game list was released, due out this week:

F-Zero: Maximum Velocity
Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi's Island
Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
Mario Kart: Super Circuit
Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Metroid Fusion
Wario Land 4
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames

Not a single bad game there, though as I understand F-Zero and Fire Emblem are not as good as other GBA games in their series (and F-Zero and Mario Kart won't have link cable emulation, so no multiplayer which is kind of silly). I'm glad to see Minish Cap and Wario Land 4, since I never played those before.

[PerryDigital]

The Ambassador GBA game list was released, due out this week:

F-Zero: Maximum Velocity
Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi's Island
Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
Mario Kart: Super Circuit
Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Metroid Fusion
Wario Land 4
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames

Not a single bad game there, though as I understand F-Zero and Fire Emblem are not as good as other GBA games in their series (and F-Zero and Mario Kart won't have link cable emulation, so no multiplayer which is kind of silly). I'm glad to see Minish Cap and Wario Land 4, since I never played those before.

I believe Nintendo said they'll be released later on the eShop with the multiplayer features added and the ambassadors can download the newer versions when they come.

[Plasma Man]

Wow! That's one hell of a good list of games. I'd be most interested in Fire Emblem, I like tactical RPGs. Mario Kart and F-Zero will probably see a lot of play as well.

Now all I need is a time machine to allow me enough time to play all the games I want to play.

[Game_boy]

Not a single bad game there, though as I understand F-Zero and Fire Emblem are not as good as other GBA games in their series (and F-Zero and Mario Kart won't have link cable emulation, so no multiplayer which is kind of silly). I'm glad to see Minish Cap and Wario Land 4, since I never played those before.

I thought Maximum Velocity was meant to be the best, and the other two sucked? I own MV and it's a very polished game.

Everyone should try Metroid Fusion. Such an underrated game.

[SoapyHobo]

That's a pretty good list of games, and I've only played Mario Kart and Warioland from it. For anyone who's not a Zelda Portable 3DS ambassador, get Pullblox/Pushmo from the eShop now. It's a great puzzle game with a ton of levels and you can play community made levels through QR codes, the 3D effect in it works pretty well too. Here's the trailer for it, and here's a level I just made, which isn't that great, for anyone who already has it:


I'm hoping Nintendo puts out Link to the Past 3D classic at some point, to add to the other eight Zelda games I can play on this thing.

[Endless Mike]

Even if you are an Ambassador, you should get Pushmo/Pullblox. It's pretty fantastic and well worth the $7. Especially now that they've unfucked the purchase system so you can buy the exact amount of credit you need.

[mosc]

Yes, which is exactly why no one can see those Magic Eye puzzles. And there's no way it can work on motion.



(Yeah, I don't know what you're smoking, it works. Yeah, it's annoying. But it works.. no glasses needed)
(ps I'm a shark)

Took me 10 minutes to see that stupid shark. Damn you

[Endless Mike]

My 3DS is basically a portable Zelda machine at this point. Once the Ambassador games hit, I'll have Legend of Zelda, Adventure of Link, Links Awakening, Minish Cap, and 4 Swords on the machine, plus carts for Ocarina of Time 3D, Spirit Tracks, and Phantom Hourglass.

Also, Super Mario 3D Land is pretty good. It's not as good as Super Mario Galaxy 1 or 2, but better than New Super Mario Bros.

[phlip]

Also, Super Mario 3D Land is pretty good. It's not as good as Super Mario Galaxy 1 or 2, but better than New Super Mario Bros.

Some of the later Special-zone levels can eat a bowl of dicks, though. I'm working my way through to unlocking the super ultimate for-real-this-time ultra-final level, and kinda worried about how ridiculously Nintendo-hard it's going to be...

But yeah, very fun.

[ConMan]

Also, Super Mario 3D Land is pretty good. It's not as good as Super Mario Galaxy 1 or 2, but better than New Super Mario Bros.

Some of the later Special-zone levels can eat a bowl of dicks, though. I'm working my way through to unlocking the super ultimate for-real-this-time ultra-final level, and kinda worried about how ridiculously Nintendo-hard it's going to be...

But yeah, very fun.

Wait until you get to the Perform-a-duet-with-John-Farnham-on-his-farewell-tour-final level.</Australian joke>

[phlip]

Wait until you get to the Perform-a-duet-with-John-Farnham-on-his-farewell-tour-final level.</Australian joke>

You think I'm joking, but:

Spoiler:

• When you beat the final level, it's revealed it's not actually the final level, and there's another two to go.
• When you beat the boss of the second final level, it's revealed that Bowser isn't actually defeated, and you have to defeat him again (though this one isn't that surprising - you don't get to actually see him fall into the lava, and the battle music doesn't stop, and it's not long before he reappears).
• When you beat the second-phase boss of the second final level, it unlocks the "Special" worlds - a bunch of hard-mode remixes of the main levels, with various mix-and-match Nintendo-hard changes (more or harder enemies or hazards, fewer power-ups, some have no halfway flag, some have you being chased by Shadow Mario so if you stand in the same place for more than a second or two you get hit, some have a 30-second time limit and items scattered around to give you a little bit more time, etc, etc. Some of the later levels have the 30 second limit and no checkpoint flag and shadow mario and no powerups).
• To get to the final Special-world level, all those apparently-optional 100%er-fuel collectables that have been scattered around? Mandatory now. If you haven't been obsessively collecting them, go back and get them all.
• When you beat the final Special-world level, it's also revealed to not be the final level, and you have to beat the final final level again. That one isn't a hard-mode level, though, just the main-world second final level, again.
• Then it's revealed that the game is keeping track of which characters you've beaten each level with (Mario or Luigi, who's unlocked early on during the Special-world process) and also whether or not you've managed to hit the top of the flagpole at the end of the level. Apparently if you get all of those (ie beat every level again, with the other character, and get the gold flag if you haven't already) it unlocks the for-real-this-time Final Level. And if the curve of the rest of the game is anything to go by, it's going to be ridiculously hard.

So yeah, I count 6 times that you're thinking you've beaten the game - and, naturally, only one of those is right.

I mean, I know recent Mario games have a tradition of steadily bringing in bonus levels for people who beat the main game, steadily increasing the difficulty as you go (so beating the game proper is reasonably easy, but 100%ing is quite hard) - just look at Galaxy (beat the game, then get all the other stars, unlock the comets, unlock the purple coin levels, unlock Luigi and do it all again, unlock the Final Level). And I don't think that's in any way a bad thing. It's just... that's quite a list, above.

[Plasma Man]

And a very good illustration of why I don't bother with trying to get 100% completion on games any more.

[phlip]

OK, so I just beat the ultra-final level, and I have to say: (a) It's just as horrible as I'd feared, I lost about 300 lives on the level; (b) It's even worse as Luigi, because there's a heap of precision platforming at the beginning, and it's all timed for Mario, and Luigi jumps just a little bit further... and (c) it's seriously satisfying to beat it.

Suck it, level S eight dash crown thing!

finallevel.jpg (38.7 KiB) Viewed 12412 times

[Endless Mike]

I'm actually impressed that you have that many lives.

[SoapyHobo]

I'm actually impressed that you have that many lives.

It's not that hard to get ♛♛♛ (1110) lives by abusing the ability to get 1-ups from continuously jumping on bouncing shells.

[phlip]

Yeah, there's a spot in W1-2 where you can set it going and then put the system down and get about 2 lives per second until time runs out. Do that twice and you can easily max out your life counter to 1110.