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3DS Official Price & Release Date Announced - Page 2

post #31 of 245
1/27/11 at 8:03am
I was just working on some reports last night (I work on the fringes of finance) and saw that one of our portfolio's biggest detractors last quarter was Nintendo. With how "unready" the 3DS seems, mostly in terms of battery life--a very un-Nintendo move--it seems more and more like they're just pushing the 3DS out before it's ready just to keep stockholders happy. And, one assumes, with full awareness that it's gonna sell out the ass anyway, and they can fix all shortcomings in the inevitable onslaught of hardware revisions over the next few years. That leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
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post #32 of 245
1/28/11 at 7:57am
Thread Starter 
This is definitely a rough patch for Nintendo but somehow I think they will find a way to power through, making a ton of profit along the way.

"ton of profit" is relative, and the people who jumped on board after Wii's success won't be satisfied, but Nintendo will do fine.
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post #33 of 245
2/18/11 at 12:59pm
Hey all,

Has anyone heard about a USA tour for the 3DS? I saw this page:

http://www.nintendo.com/3ds/events

But nothing shows up yet. I have already preordered, but want to see it in person for obvious reasons.
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post #34 of 245
2/19/11 at 2:18am
I think you're a little late. I remember getting emails about this in December for January showings.
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post #35 of 245
2/20/11 at 1:12pm
The resolution on the bottom screen of the 3Ds supposed to be different from the DSi. I wonder how this will affect playing older games - will they look sharper, or will they just take up a smaller portion of the screen.

I fired up the DSi today, and that's one of the things I don't like about it. Compared to the iPod touch, even the older pre-Retina version, the DSi looks like looking through a screen door.

I'm hoping the 3DS has noticeably tighter pixels and sharper resolution, at least on the bottom non-3D screen.
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post #36 of 245
2/20/11 at 1:37pm
At 320x240, the 3DS is half the resolution of the iPod Touch 3g's 480x320, or 1/8th the iPhone 4 that I am now used to. Another way to think of it is that 320x240 was the primary resolution of late DOS games.

The top screen is 400x240 per eye, so same sharpness, just wider.

The overall impression will be slightly sharper than a DS, but not by much.
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post #37 of 245
2/20/11 at 1:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by darklordjames View Post

The overall impression will be slightly sharper than a DS, but not by much.

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too. I hope it is at least a noticeable improvement.

Nintendo doesn't seem to care much about screen resolution, do they? But hey, we are getting an analog nub with the new device!
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post #38 of 245
2/20/11 at 2:30pm
They can't really worry about screen resolution. They have to push 320x240 + 400x240 + 400x240, or 270,000 pixels across 3 screens. This is roughly the normal 480p requirement. Adding on any more pixels would triple or quadruple the rendering power required real quick, effecting cost and battery life negatively.

Really I'd have liked for them to just wait another year, so a resolution jump would have fit in to the same cost/performance envelope as today's tech.
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post #39 of 245
2/22/11 at 5:34am
Nintendo's press site has the official (i.e. final) list of US launch games. Ain't bad, but it ain't great. Highlights are mine:

Quote:
Originally Posted by nintendo.com View Post


NINTENDO REVEALS LAUNCH-DAY LINEUP OF 18 NINTENDO 3DS GAMES

With More Than 30 Games Total Launching by Early June, There's Something for Everyone

REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 22, 2011 – On day one, new Nintendo 3DS™ owners will have plenty of video games to keep them busy. Nintendo and its third-party publishing partners have made sure that people who buy a system on March 27 will be able to choose from a variety of experiences that leverage the system's new features. A steady and diverse stream of games of all kinds will keep the fun going, with more than 30 Nintendo 3DS games total launching before the E3 Expo in early June.


On March 27, new Nintendo 3DS owners will be able to choose from the following Nintendo-published games, each available at a suggested retail price of $39.99:

Pilotwings Resort™, an aerial adventure featuring airplanes, hang gliders and rocket belts. Players soar above tropical Wuhu Island in 3D as they complete missions or snap pictures.
Steel Diver™, a submarine game that involves strategy and combat. The 3D visuals give players the sensation that they are looking into a miniature aquarium as they control the sub's speed, depth and pitch, and fire torpedoes.
nintendogs™ + cats, a game that lets players interact with realistic puppies – and kittens – in a variety of fun ways. There are three versions of the software, each with different starting breeds: French bulldog, toy poodle and golden retriever. But in each version players can unlock and enjoy more than 20 different breeds.
Other Nintendo 3DS games in the works for 2011 from Nintendo include The Legend of Zelda™: Ocarina of Time™ 3D, Star Fox 64™ 3D, Kid Icarus™: Uprising and new installments in the Mario Kart™ series.

Third-party publishers also have a strong slate of games ready to go on March 27. These include:

Super Street Fighter® IV 3D Edition from CAPCOM
The Sims™ 3 from EA
Madden NFL Football from EA SPORTS
Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D from Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.
LEGO® Star Wars® III: The Clone Wars™ from LucasArts™
RIDGE RACER® 3D from NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
Super Monkey Ball™ 3D from SEGA
BUST-A-MOVE UNIVERSE™ from Square-Enix, Inc.
SAMURAI WARRIORS®: Chronicles from TECMO KOEI AMERICA Corp.
Asphalt™ 3D from UBISOFT
Combat of Giants™: Dinosaurs 3D from UBISOFT
Rayman® 3D from UBISOFT
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon® Shadow Wars from UBISOFT

Nintendo 3DS also comes pre-loaded with a variety of fun games, applications and features, such as the Nintendo 3DS camera, which can be used to take photos in 2D and 3D as well as be used in other games and applications. For instance, the built-in Face Raiders™ game asks users to shoot at funny depictions of their own photographed faces, while the Mii Maker™ application lets gamers use the camera to take a picture of a person and have an automatic Mii™ character created. The system also comes with six AR Cards, which, when viewed through the outer cameras, bring to life fun and interesting animations and images. For example, when used with nintendogs + cats, users might see their puppies or kittens sitting on their coffee tables or in the palms of their hands. With Nintendo 3DS Sound, users can enjoy sound-manipulation tools or rock out with their Nintendo 3DS system while listening to their MP3 or AAC music files.

Nintendo 3DS is also able to play nearly every game in the massive Nintendo DS library, except those that require use of a secondary Game Boy™ Advance slot.

I see 2 games that even interest me, and none from Nintendo sadly. Is it just me or does this feel like a pretty thin launch lineup? Wii wasn't great (all I recall was LoZ:TP and Red Steel), but at least it came with a definitive pack-in game... Nothing changing my mind, I'll still wait here on the sidelines in hype limbo.

-vdz

oh, and $39.99 for a portable game??!!!?
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post #40 of 245
2/22/11 at 5:49am
I've never seen so many ports for a launch. That makes me sad.
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post #41 of 245
2/22/11 at 6:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by darklordjames View Post

I've never seen so many ports for a launch. That makes me sad.

Yeah, and wasn't Ridge Racer an early DS game that was ported from an N64 game too? Hopefully this isn't based on that same game.
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post #42 of 245
2/22/11 at 7:11am
I'm thankful Pilotwings Resort is a release day title. At least there's one must-have game. I've got my eye on that sub game too.
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post #43 of 245
2/22/11 at 7:16am
Feeling even better about waiting for a 3DS Lite now. Still, not like the DS had an overly amazing launch lineup or anything, right?
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post #44 of 245
2/22/11 at 7:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jhoff80 View Post

Yeah, and wasn't Ridge Racer an early DS game that was ported from an N64 game too? Hopefully this isn't based on that same game.

Which reminds me, back in high school our local Wal-Mart had a Ridge Racer arcade cabinet. That would have been early 90's... So it's a port of a re-re-port that's more than 15 years old? Daaaaaaaaaaamn.



Quote:
Originally Posted by DaverJ View Post

I'm thankful Pilotwings Resort is a release day title. At least there's one must-have game. I've got my eye on that sub game too.

I don't know... I just can't help but think this is a quick 'shaving off' of one tiny bit of Wii Sports Resort. Seems like they just ported out the hang gliding and added some new levels/challenges to make "Pilotwings" seem like it fits.

I liked the N64 version, hopefully this one is more than just duct taping two licenses together.

-vdz
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post #45 of 245
2/22/11 at 7:47am
I've decided to cancel my preorder. The games and rehashes haven't left me too interested.

The NGP really made me take a wait and see approach.
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post #46 of 245
2/22/11 at 9:24am
Thread Starter 
It doesn't seem as bad as the DS, but that's not saying much.

I don't know why Nintendo is holding back Kid Icarus, Ocarina of Time, eShop/VC, Star Fox, etc.
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post #47 of 245
2/22/11 at 9:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by number1laing View Post

I don't know why Nintendo is holding back Kid Icarus, Ocarina of Time, eShop/VC, Star Fox, etc.
Nintendo is usually a slow starter at launch. They need to have a few gems to release this holiday season.
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post #48 of 245
2/22/11 at 10:37am
Maybe they figure they don't need a strong launch lineup. The system will have more than enough hype when it comes out, purely on basis of it being a new Nintendo handheld, so no reason not to stagger their big releases instead of blowing it all at once at launch.
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post #49 of 245
2/22/11 at 11:01am
Ridge Racer is an original game, it's not another port of the N64 game or a port of another existing entry in the series

The only ports among that lineup are Super Street Fighter IV, The Sims 3 (Based on the DS game I hear), Madden NFL Football (They've specifically talked about how easy it is to use the Wii assets for this game, so I assume it's just a port of the Wii version), Pro Evolution Soccer (A port of the PSP version, I hear), LEGO Star Wars III, and Rayman 3D (A remake of Rayman 2 and a welcome one at that since the DS port was so poor).

So only 6 of the 16 launch games are ports, the rest are original entries in existing series or new series entirely (Sadly, just Steel Diver).

I'm excited for Pilotwings Resort (I love the SuperNes and N64 games) and Steel Diver. And I'll be keeping an eye out on Rayman 3D, Ridge Racer, and Asphalt 3D if they turn out good. But I'm going to be waiting before buying until things like Ocarina of Time, Mario Kart, and Paper Mario are released.
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post #50 of 245
2/23/11 at 9:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by voodoozen View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by DaverJ View Post

I'm thankful Pilotwings Resort is a release day title. At least there's one must-have game. I've got my eye on that sub game too.

I don't know... I just can't help but think this is a quick 'shaving off' of one tiny bit of Wii Sports Resort. Seems like they just ported out the hang gliding and added some new levels/challenges to make "Pilotwings" seem like it fits.

I liked the N64 version, hopefully this one is more than just duct taping two licenses together.

Your post concerned me so I started looking up some videos of the game. It looks like a proper sequel to the N64 game. The gameplay looks good, it has a lot of old challenges and some new ones, and it has the usual airplane/jetpack/hanglider lineup that the series has had since day 1.

And I'm sure there are some extras like the series has always had (The minigames that Pilotwings had if you landed at a certain goal, the extras in Pilotwings 64 like flying like a bird and the hopping stuff, etc.),

So I'm still excited. I've been waiting 15 years for another Pilotwings and this looks set to live up to the first two. I just hope we have more environments than just Nintendo's resort island. If it's just one environment, that's going to be a real disappointment.
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post #51 of 245
2/23/11 at 10:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leo_Ames View Post

I just hope we have more environments than just Nintendo's resort island. If it's just one environment, that's going to be a real disappointment.

I have fond memories of flying across the entire "United States" in Pilotwings 64, and all the little Easter Eggs it contained.
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post #52 of 245
2/23/11 at 10:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ThisOneKidMongo View Post

I have fond memories of flying across the entire "United States" in Pilotwings 64, and all the little Easter Eggs it contained.

I was a fan of the glider-plane bit on PW64 where you had to shoot the giant robot running around the (IIRC) "American midwest", or how you could refuel said aircraft by landing @ a gas station located in (again, IIRC) the eastern US. Really wish they'd add this to the Virtual Console.
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post #53 of 245
2/23/11 at 12:09pm
Reading some further previews of the game, it sure sounds like we're just getting the Nintendo Resort setting with no other environments.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ThisOneKidMongo View Post

I have fond memories of flying across the entire "United States" in Pilotwings 64, and all the little Easter Eggs it contained.

Jwebb1970 beat me to it, but I was really impressed the first time I landed the gyrocopter at a gas station and noticed the tank being filled up on Little States.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jwebb1970 View Post

Really wish they'd add this to the Virtual Console.

I bet it gets released on the Virtual Console someday. The SuperNes version hasn't been on there long and they've really been stretching out their small 1st party N64 lineup so they still have 1-2 games to release each year. I bet Pilotwings 64 will make it someday (Can't wait to play it in the clarity the N64 emulator has compared to the original hardware).

Maybe they're holding it in reserve to release alongside Pilotwings Resort to take advantage of some of the excitement for that game? I think they've done that a few times before (Such as timing the release of Super Metroid on the VC to coincide with Metroid Prime 3 so it could take advantage of the excitement generated for that game to also sell some VC downloads).
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post #54 of 245
2/23/11 at 11:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leo_Ames View Post
I bet it gets released on the Virtual Console someday. The SuperNes version hasn't been on there long and they've really been stretching out their small 1st party N64 lineup so they still have 1-2 games to release each year. I bet Pilotwings 64 will make it someday (Can't wait to play it in the clarity the N64 emulator has compared to the original hardware).

Maybe they're holding it in reserve to release alongside Pilotwings Resort to take advantage of some of the excitement for that game? I think they've done that a few times before (Such as timing the release of Super Metroid on the VC to coincide with Metroid Prime 3 so it could take advantage of the excitement generated for that game to also sell some VC downloads).
You may be right - could see this hit Wii to tie in w/ the 3DS release - hope so.
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post #55 of 245
2/24/11 at 5:47am
I agree with some others here - the titles are underwhelming to me. I'm going to pass on this for awhile. Nothing really pulling me in.
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post #56 of 245
3/1/11 at 8:01pm
Another disappointment: playing DSi games on the 3DS.

It defaults to up-rezing the older games to the higher resolution of 3DS, but creates unappealing distortion of detail.

Another option is to do 1:1 mapping, which is nice and sharp, but much smaller display area compared to the DSi.

Here's video of the two modes.
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post #57 of 245
3/1/11 at 10:24pm
The guys doing those videos are both retards.

In addition, um, you expected different? The resolution of the display is different than the DS, and not in an even multiple of four. Either scaling was going to happen, or the full display wouldn't be used. It's nice that the give you the option to pick which method you'd prefer.

Really though, this will only be an issue for about a year until there is a solid 3DS library. Even in the meantime though, it's not enough to worry about. Either keep your DS for that year, or wait until there is a good library before picking up a 3DS. Caring about DS games on the 3DS is just like being one those guys that still whine about Xbox compatibility on the 360 or PS2 support on the PS3.
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post #58 of 245
3/2/11 at 5:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by darklordjames View Post
Really though, this will only be an issue for about a year until there is a solid 3DS library. Even in the meantime though, it's not enough to worry about. Either keep your DS for that year, or wait until there is a good library before picking up a 3DS. Caring about DS games on the 3DS is just like being one those guys that still whine about Xbox compatibility on the 360 or PS2 support on the PS3.
Well, my fault - I already traded my DSi for credit toward a 3DS pre-order. I'm sure there will be others that blindly trade the DSi for a 3DS and will be disappointed to find their current library of DSi games look worse, or smaller.

I knew the resolution was different between the two models, but I didn't expect the scaling to look bad. In fact - ignorance (read: wishful thinking) on my part - I thought the higher 3DS resolution might improve the image on DSi games.

Oh well, at least we know before the thing comes out and can adjust our expectations accordingly. I guess no Pokemon Black/White for 3DS owners who care about image quality and/or screen size.
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post #59 of 245
3/2/11 at 7:06am
Thread Starter 
Eurogamer has run three 3DS launch game reviews, and all got respectable 8/10 scores: Street Fighter, Ridge Racer, and Pilotwings. It seems like people will have some fun games to play at launch.
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post #60 of 245
3/2/11 at 10:09am
Well, this is a nice, unexpected feature: Netflix on 3DS!

It will also have support for 3D movie trailers.
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