Nintendo loves to work and rework their key franchises, which generally means that their E3 talks are filled with Metroid and Mario and Zelda. This year was no exception, and while their focus was on the fact that with the Wii and Ww-Motion Plus they deliver on the complete experience rather than just ‘cool technology’ (clear shot at Sony & Microsoft), the true star of their show was the next generation of the quirky little handheld many folks thought would fall to the PSP but has instead gone on to become the top selling game system ever: The Nintendo 3DS.
Here is what we know, directly from Nintendo:
Size (when closed):
Approximately 5.3 inches wide, 2.9 inches long, 0.8 inches tall.
Weight:
Approximately 8 ounces.
Top Screen:
3.53-inch widescreen LCD display, enabling 3D view without the need for special glasses; with 800×240 pixel resolution (400 pixels are allocated for each eye to enable 3D viewing).
Touch Screen:
3.02-inch LCD with 320×240 pixel resolution with a touch screen.
Cameras:
One inner camera and two outer cameras with 640×480 (0.3 Mega) pixel resolution.
Wireless Communication:
Can communicate in the 2.4 GHz band. Multiple Nintendo 3DS systems can connect via a local wireless connection to let users communicate or enjoy competitive game play. Systems also can connect to LAN access points to access the Internet and allow people to enjoy games with others. Will support IEEE 802.11 with enhanced security (WPA/WPA2). Nintendo 3DS hardware is designed so that even when not in use, it can automatically exchange data with other Nintendo 3DS systems or receive data via the Internet while in sleep mode.
Game Controls:
Touch screen, embedded microphone, A/B/X/Y face buttons, + Control Pad, L/R buttons, Start and Select buttons, “Slide Pad” that allows 360-degree analog input, one inner camera, two outer cameras, motion sensor and a gyro sensor.
Other Input Controls:
3D Depth Slider to adjust level of 3D effect (can be scaled back or turned off completely depending on the preference of the user), Home button to call system function, Wireless switch to turn off wireless communications (even during game play), Power button. The telescoping stylus is approximately 4 inches when fully extended.
Input/Output:
A port that accepts both Nintendo 3DS game cards and game cards for the Nintendo DS™ family of systems, an SD memory card slot, an AC adapter connector, a charging cradle terminal and a stereo headphone output jack.
Sound:
Stereo speakers positioned to the left and right of the top screen.
Parental Controls:
Parental controls similar to the Nintendo DSi system will be included.
OK … that is all great info, but what does any of it mean?
- Price – my estimate is either $199 or $249, but I am sure Nintendo is doing everything it can to be sure that it is $199
- Release date – will it make it for the holiday rush or wait until 2011?
Here is a hands-on video from WiiNintendo101, and while the general video quality is pretty lousy, when you get a straight-on shot at the top screen it is fairly amazing.
Personally I can easily see myself with one of these as soon as they arrive – but for those who know me that is no shock! What about you? What do you think about the 3DS – and about anything else Nintendo did or did not show at E3 this year?
Source: Nintendo 3DS E3 Site
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