By Zack Gill
Staff Writer
Three-dimensional video gaming seems far-fetched and not very user-friendly. The Nintendo “3DS,” although perhaps not a wise purchase at the current time, makes real progress in this field.
With the “Wii” and the “DS,” Nintendo has long attempted to provide a middle ground to hardcore and casual gamers with cheap hardware and a variety of games.
Nintendo breaks this streak by introducing the handheld “3DS” video game system. The Nintendo “3DS” system uses new technology to provide the player with three-dimensional gaming without the use of stereoscopic glasses. The experience is incredible, with crisp 3-D graphics that are better than its predecessor and nifty extras like a three-dimensional camera.
Players will be astonished to see real 3D right from the menu of the “3DS” without glasses. Due to the nature of its technology, images on the “3DS” screen do not pop out at the player; rather, they appear as intricate, three dimensional dioramas that the player manipulates. (Careful: the 3-D function can reportedly cause eye-strain, headaches and nausea.)
In one of the best design decisions on Nintendo’s part, players can turn the strength of the 3-D up and down using a switch on the right side of the 3D screen. The feature enables adjustment on the fly. At the slightest hint of eye-strain, the player can easily diminish the 3D to ease their discomfort.
Mounted on the back of the “3DS” are two cameras. These can be used to take 3D pictures or to play games. Using packaged “Alternate Reality Cards,” the “3DS” uses its 3-D camera to turn a table or a desk into a playground. The player shoots targets and fights dragons through the lens of the console.
However, it is not without its flaws. The “3DS” has online problems similar to the “DS.” The horrible “Friend Code” system returns, forcing players to exchange codes in order to find each other in online play. However, unlike the “DS,” the “3DS” has only one code per game.
The “3DS” also has the worst battery life of any handheld console. Nintendo claims users can expect up to five hours of battery life, but in actuality, with the 3D turned up and using wireless internet, it lasts for less than three. Luckily, the included charging dock makes charging the “3DS” relatively painless yet frequent.
When it comes down to it, a system is made or broken by its applicable games. By this measure it is too early to tell the fate of the “3DS.” Only a handful of launch titles are available (among them an exact miniaturization of “Super Street Fighter IV”), although many promising titles are just on the horizon, like remakes of “Metal Gear Solid 3” and “The Legend of Zelda: the Ocarina of Time.”
The “3DS” offers full backwards compatibility with “DS” games, so folks can still play the new “Pokemon” games or have some “Advance Wars.” In May, “Gameboy” and “Gameboy Color” games will be available for downloadable purchase.
With its steep price and few worthwhile launch titles, it may be best to hold off from purchasing the “3DS.” The “3DS” is available for $250 at retailers nationwide.
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