Now that the 3DS is out, and I've seen it for myself. (Though I haven't seen most of what it has to offer yet, I'll be seeing that this Friday when my friend brings over hers with SSFIV.) I thought we would talk about those who are skeptical about the 3DS... our fellow Nintendo fans that seem to cry out, 'It's just a gimmick!' and don't feel the same way most of us do about the system.

It seems like the 3DS is facing the same problems the Wii and DS had during their launches. Both the DS and Wii were called gimmicks, but yet they both held up and are two of the highest selling consoles/handhelds of all time... yet... people seem to not remember that.

I was watching T.V. with my friend the other day, the launch day of the 3DS, and a commercial for it came on. I started talking about the capabilities of the system and my excitement for it... and for some reason, he became hostile... angry... and I have no idea why, because he's a huge Nintendo fan like I am...

What is it with this hostility towards the 3DS?

Is it the price? The time of launch?

I'm not sure if you guys have met anyone who has this unwarranted hatred towards the system, but I've seen at least two cases, and I've seen a few on the gamespot forums, but those are usually self-explanatory.... though there are still some from Nintendo fans.

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@TriforceBun

If lag is a big concern you might consider playing on a computer monitor.

@anandxxx

Absolutely, but it will be on a game to game basis. Regardless though it is a technical advancement so it's not like it will make games worse.

@stephen08
Well, it could, kind of. Because there is a technical cost to using it, and even the usage itself has limitations (like viewing angle).

I honestly think the bigger issue is: Will Nintendo LET games rely on it, since that would exclude part of the audience (including kids under 7 now)?

It sounds corny, but the genre I'm looking forward to most with 3D is FPS.

Much like HD bumps up presentation levels, I see 3D performing the same function. Both potentially change gameplay a bit, but not significantly, imo. HD helps you see in the distance better, for example, and 3D gives a greater sense of depth.

Thing is, Nintendo has mandated that all 3DS software also be fully functional in 2D, so that comprises the possibility of new gameplay dynamics exclusive to 3D rendering. I don't think any of us will be seeing "3D gameplay that couldn't be done in 2D" for years down the road, if and when every display device is in 3D. Until then Nintendo, and every other console maker will have to cater to 2D audiences also, barring 3D-exclusive software which would be a niche market.

Getting back to FPS. I'm not looking for 3D to change the way I play games (yet), but I am excited about the enhanced presentation it offers. Just simple effects like having the gun in a FPS rendered in 3D against a depth-of field forground/background sounds sweet. Along with 3D particles floating through the air that you see in so many shooters today.

Simple? Yeah.

Game changing? No.

More immersive? Yup.

Paleo_Orca said:

@Mr_Mustache

There's a slight problem with your comparison with the Virtual Boy though...

It failed HARD. And it had virtually NO support from third parties. The 3DS has had a huge start with sales and giant third party support that we haven't seen since the NES/SNES days. So, comparing it to the virtual boy is just silly.

I thought everyone was saying that there was nothing at launch? Isn't that a driving reason that some people skipped [the 3DS]?

Fabz said:

stephen08 said:

My disinterest is purely a result of the launch line-up. I think the system itself is fine.

this.

...See?

@Simbabbad

I know, the Virtual Boy stunk. We know that now. I don't know what people were saying then/pre-launch.

We can only gauge the success of the 3DS after its all done. Lots of things start great and end terribly.
I don't THINK that'll happen, but you never know.

I'm backin' out! PMs welcome.

@Mr_Mustache

They were saying it stunk.

Already the 3DS has outsold the Virtual Boy 10:1.


Actually, I don't know the figures. I bet I'm low-balling it.

@Pandareus

Argh, I already came back by accident.
I'm not saying 3DS IS Virtual Boy. Just forget I said anything!

You guys are a hornet's nest and I've got honey pants!

Mr_Mustache said:

@Pandareus

Argh, I already came back by accident.
I'm not saying 3DS IS Virtual Boy. Just forget I said anything!

You guys are a hornet's nest and I've got honey pants!

You've got honey in your mustache too. There, I said it.

Zero said:

I don't get it. 3D would be beneficial in all of the above. Not as much as for platformers, sure, but still beneficial. There is a huge difference between having to guess where things are and KNOWING where they are.

/EDIT Oops Simba already said it.

I disagree. for example, when playing okamiden, there was a small island. at a distance i thought i already opened the treasure chest but when i got closer i saw two trees that needed to be bloomed. in my opinion, it's quite the opposite. not seeign to far makes you explore and makes the game more intriguing

@New Forms
I like you. We seem to have similar desires

@achhibbar

That always happens. I had honey yesterday (Lv3 Honey repels Soap & Water!!), so I wouldn't be surprised.
My 'stache is quite unruly lately! I look like Winnie the Pooh. With a mustache.

@Mr_Mustache
With a moustache you turn big and yellow?

@carlosrox

When I eat honey, yes. Kinda like Captain Planet when the powers combine.
(And for those keeping track, yes, the 2nd Captain Planet reference on NW today)

I think the 3DS already has more games than Virtual Boy. Or it's around the same number.

The big secret of the Virtual Boy is that the games were actually pretty fun. It just never found success or got support, and the hardware melted your braaaains.

Also, honey is gross and sticky, and the impetus for shaving my mustache is always eating a bowl of soup.

Mr_Mustache said:

@MightyOwnedPS- How is your Wii doing??

I still have yet to get it. It arrived at the facility and was fixed apparently March 24th and was shipped back March 25th. I shipped the Wii on the 18th, so it took approximately one week to arrive at their facility.

Doing this complex math, it should take one week to get the Wii back. So, it should arrive tomorrow (March 31st) or two days from now (April 1st).

Right before the weekend!

I will most likely bump the thread on the results. (if I still have my memory.)

I also forgot to eject Sin and Punishment out of my Wii , so I might lose that as well. I guess we will see!

@MightyOwned

How far away was the facility? "Lucky for me," mine just had to go to Syracuse (less than 2 hours from my house; I could've driven it myself!).

Yuck, you left a disc in? Good luck.

So we get better depth of field, but where is depth of field a huge issue now? If it was such a problem how could everybody possibly manage to make their way through a platform game WITHOUT it?

You show me something where taking away 3D makes something impossible, and I'll agree that 3D isn't a gimmick.

That was the point I was trying to make originally with my Wii Bowling comparison. Take away motion control from Wii Sports, and it's not really bowling anymore. Take the waggle sword attacks away from Twilight Princess and you still have Twilight Princess in all its glory.

If Nintendo is committed to making all the 3DS games function identically without 3D, it can never be more than a gimmick.

Stereoscopic 3D won't last forever because of the focusing issue. Sure, you get 3D images, but it's incredibly unnatural and counter intuitive.
I don't have a problem seeing 3D, but I find myself forcing my eyes to stop working naturally, which also makes it gimmicky, but that's an entirely different point.

@Mr_MustacheApparently my Wii arrived today, actually.

My dad just showed me the slip the doorman usually leaves if no one is home to pick up the package. It's the Wii.

I am most likely going to get it tonight.

The facility was about 2000km away. I shipped to Scarborough, Ontario and am a good distance away.

Yes, I left a disc in the Wii. Such a stupid mistake. I put the disc in to test the Wii one more time and it turns out I forget to eject it! I only paid $10 though, so it won't be a huge loss. Hopefully they include it in the package.

ObscureMotives said:

So we get better depth of field, but where is depth of field a huge issue now? If it was such a problem how could everybody possibly manage to make their way through a platform game WITHOUT it?

Because platforming was severely dumbed down when moved into 3D. Come on, everyone knows this. Listen to the Negative World podcast for a deeper explanation, but...

Mario 64- Few bottomless pits, not much heavy platforming
Sunshine- FLUDD to help correct jumps
Mario Galaxy- spherical galaxies, top down camera

And that is one of the few franchises that even tried to do real platforming in 3D. With better depth of field, Nintendo can finally design a 3D platformer with some serious platforming. That's an exciting prospect. You might say ok, but don't all games need to be designed to work with the 3D turned off? Sure, but this wouldn't break the game, it would just make it much, much harder to gauge jumping/etc.

@MightyOwned Hey my girlfriend is from Scarborough, Ontario!