***OFFICIAL*** 3DS THREAD

With about a month away from Nintendo's newest handheld console release, the 3DS, I decided to make an ***OFFICIAL*** thread for it's discussion.

But first, here are some things to discuss.

JAPANESE RELEASE: February 26, 2011
EUROPEAN RELEASE: March 25, 2011
NORTH AMERICAN RELEASE: March 27, 2011
AUSTRALASIAN RELEASE: March 31, 2011

List of Currently Confirmed 3DS Titles

FEATURES OF THE 3DS (ripped from wikipedia because shut up)

Activity Log

The Activity Log tracks both game play, noting which games have been played and for how long, as well as physical activity, counting every step taken while carrying a 3DS. The feature encourages walking more every day to earn Play Coins, which can be used with compatible games and applications to acquire special content and a variety of other benefits.

Augmented Reality

Several augmented reality games will be included on the 3DS with 6 paper cards that interact with the games.

Backwards Compatibility

In addition to its own software, the Nintendo 3DS will be backward compatible with Nintendo DS software, including DSi software. At launch, the Nintendo 3DS cards will hold up to 2GB of game data and look almost exactly the same as those of the current DS. However, there is a small tab jutting out on the one side, most likely to prevent 3DS cards from being inserted in a Nintendo DS.

3DS Messaging Service

The Nintendo 3DS will also support a new messaging system, similar to that of the DS lines PictoChat. The new service will allow users to send and receive messages from their friends on their friends list via Nintendo WiFi Connection. The 3DS will alert the user when they have received a new message via the Notification LED. This service will replace the traditional PictoChat that was seen in previous DS models.

Virtual Console

It was announced at the Nintendo of Japan press event on September 29, 2010 that the 3DS will have a Virtual Console Service with Game Boy and Game Boy Color games, as well as games in 3D. Purchases are made through the "Nintendo eShop", using a cash-based system instead of a points-based system as used for the Wii and DSi.

StreetPass and SpotPass Mode

The system supports multiplayer gameplay via a local wireless connection or over the Internet. Expanding upon the connectivity of the Nintendo DS, the Nintendo 3DS features an "always on" background connectivity system that trademarks suggested was named "CrossPass", which can automatically seek and connect to wireless network nodes such as Wi-Fi hotspots, sending and downloading information in the background while in sleep mode or while playing a game. In Nintendo's September 29th conference, the confirmed Western names of the CrossPass Tag Mode service would be StreetPass and SpotPass, with SpotPass being the ability for the 3DS to seek Wi-Fi signals and automatically download content while in sleep mode and StreetPass being the passive communication between 3DS systems held by users, an example being the sharing of Mii avatars.

The background connectivity will allows users to exchange software content regardless of what software is currently in the console. Sharing content is stored in a "data slot" in the console. Using this data slot, Nintendo 3DS users can readily share and exchange content for multiple games at the same time, whenever they are connected, even when playing unrelated games. Using the console's background connectivity, a Nintendo 3DS in StreetPass Mode can automatically discover other 3DS units within range, establish a connection, and exchange content for mutually-played games, all transparently and without requiring any user input, even when the console is dormant. For example, in Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition, if the user passes someone with the same software, he has a battle to collect trophies from the other player.

It can be customized to fit the user's preferences, including opting out of it altogether for selected software. One application being considered is functionality to "automatically acquire magazine and newspaper articles", similar to networked e-book reader applications. An included cradle allows for faster downloads and uploads, and will act as a charger. Other improvements to online functionality include how Friend Codes are implemented, with only one code necessary for each console, as opposed to the DS and Wii where individual Friend Codes are required for each piece of software.

3D Video Content

The system also has 3D movie and video playback capability. Nintendo has made deals with Warner Bros, Disney, and DreamWorks to deliver 3D movies. Although no titles have been announced yet, the trailers for DreamWorks' How to Train Your Dragon, Warner Bros' Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, and Disney’s film Tangled were shown on the 3DS during the E3 Expo. On September 29, 2010, Nintendo of Japan announced that it will be partnering with Fuji TV and other Japanese broadcasters to distribute free 3D videos to Japanese Nintendo 3DS owners. On January 19, 2011, Nintendo of Europe announced at their press conference that they will be partnering with EuroSport and Sky 3D to bring content to the Nintendo 3DS at a later date in 2011. Richard Goleszowski is also locked to bring exclusive 3D episodes of Shaun the Sheep to European Nintendo 3DS market by the end of the year.

Miis

Mii will be available on the system. There will be a new Mii Maker on 3DS with the ability to import from the Wii, though not vice versa due to additional character parts, and create a Mii from a photo taken by one of the cameras. Miis can also be loaded by capturing special QR codes with one of the cameras. There also will be a Street Pass Mii Plaza to house all the Miis the player has gathered in StreetPass Mode.

Discuss.

What no picture?

Tetris wrote:

SupaKirb wrote:

What no picture?

Lol. You couldn't find a better pic of it? It looks messy.

Oooooohh, ***Official***...
I think it would be interesting if the "built-in" games with the cards or 3D movies will make people flock like pidgeons to the 3DS like how Wii sports made people swarm towards Wiis.

with all the other features the 3DS has , like say the gyro which probably will never be used unless you get monkeyball, why wouldn't nintendo make 3D video chat possible? Seems like a better idea then their streetpass which unless a new pokemon game uses it I never will...

One last note: if nintendo doesn't sell the old-school pokemon on their "eShop" then they better make a 3D remake or else that's just potential dollars down te drain (of course they'd need wireless abilities or else everyone would be stuck with Kadabra's and Graveler's).

This earns a resounding "meh" from me.

$krAlem wrote:

Oooooohh, ***Official***...
with all the other features the 3DS has , like say the gyro which probably will never be used unless you get monkeyball, why wouldn't nintendo make 3D video chat possible? Seems like a better idea then their streetpass which unless a new pokemon game uses it I never will...

I think Pokemon Black and White have video chat.

jefferlope wrote:

$krAlem wrote:

Oooooohh, ***Official***...
with all the other features the 3DS has , like say the gyro which probably will never be used unless you get monkeyball, why wouldn't nintendo make 3D video chat possible? Seems like a better idea then their streetpass which unless a new pokemon game uses it I never will...

I think Pokemon Black and White have video chat.

3D chat is what it needs, and that obviously requires two cameras in the interior of the 3DS which it doesn't have.