I think we can all agree that StreetPass is one of the most alluring features of the Nintendo 3DS. Unfortunately for me, I live in a small town with a population of about 2,000, and it’s an hour to the closest Wal-mart, and five to the closest mall. My count of StreetPass encounters to date comes to a total of…zero.

But I am glad to hear that many of our readers have been more fortunate than I. I’m interested to know how often it happens to you. If you’ve gotten hits on games like nintendogs+cats or Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition, let us know! I’m especially curious about that aspect.

We’ve entered a new era, and glasses-free 3D is now a very real option for modern gameplay. Nintendo’s 3DS launch lineup presents a wide range of approaches in utilizing the new feature, with varying results. Based on extensive time with much of the lineup, here are my entirely subjective pretend-awards for best uses of the third dimension: (more…)

I’d never played or even seen 3DS in person until I picked it up this afternoon. I’m having a great time with it…or I was until the battery ran out after three hours. Sad battery reality aside, here are some quick initial thoughts:

1. Love the whole user environment, and the camera’s going to get a lot of use.
2. Face Raiders is a blast. It lessens the sting of the hardware price.
3. The AR games are amazing.
4. The Miis look great in 3D.
5. Street Fighter looks incredible, plays great.
6. Pilot Wings is thrilling, with a convincing feeling of height.
7. Nintendogs looks even better than I’d anticipated, and the 3D really pops in this one.
8. Gotta find a coat pocket big enough to carry it to work to earn coins! (more…)

I spent nearly 45 minutes playing with a variety of games at the Nintendo booth during PAX East. Here’s a quick rundown: (more…)