The main selling point of the new Nintendo 3DS is of course the no glasses needed 3D ability this new game console features for its users. The unit is also slightly bulkier than the original DS system and has a different sized longer screen that has a wide screen capability.
Another major change is the addition of a joystick, which the original DS didn’t have, but badly needed. This joystick opens it up so the 3DS could handle games that the old DS couldn’t.
Users have reported that the 3D function seems to work pretty well, but if you move the unit around too much, it does distort the 3D image. Most players decided that they would rather play their games in the optional 2D mode. There is a slider so users can switch back and forth from 3D to 2D as desired during play.
The battery life of the 3DS is only three hours, but it can be plugged into an electrical outlet and use A/C power. If you do, however, let the battery die and want to use it sans A/C power, it takes another three hours to recharge it. Car adapters are also available for an additional cost.
The unit comes complete with some pre-installed software. One of these is a game called Face Raiders, where you can take a picture of any face and once the game launches, the face picture is projected and flies around the room and the player shoots at them to win the game. It works by moving the game unit around in the air to fight the faces.
It also has “Augmented Reality,” which uses the unit’s cameras to project an image of some of the Nintendo game characters on a surface such as a coffee table through the use of special cards. Users can then make them change positions, etc. The AR feature also works with some of the other Nintendo games to bring them to life on your coffee table. It is expected to be used later for more sophisticated games.
The unit also has a friends list capability through the Mii program using a 12 digit friend code. Users can’t yet send messages to friends, but Nintendo says this could be added in the future.
The system doesn’t have all of its capabilities in use yet, and Nintendo plans to add more features later on. Right now, it is set to cost $250.
