Wired is pretty upset that 3DS will not launch with the promised eshop for downloadable games. That being the case, they think the 3DS could end up being the PSP of the next round of portables, with Apple’s iOS taking the place of the DS.
What Apple is doing to Nintendo is in great part what Nintendo did to Sony — finding some surprise hits with low-budget games on a cheaper platform built around disruptive technology. I don’t expect Nintendo to throw open the doors of its eShop to every weekend tinkerer, but I did expect the 3DS to launch with it.
I wouldn’t go that far. 3DS is at least doing a few things new: camera recognition gameplay; 3D graphics that pop. But I will say the 3DS feels less game-changing than either DS or Wii. If iOS keeps syphoning players, that could be a problem in the long term. It certainly hasn’t stopped pre-order excitement though.
Of course, disregard everything if someone (most likely Nintendo) creates a hit game that can only be played on 3DS.
“disregard everything if someone (most likely Nintendo) creates a hit game that can only be played on 3DS”
Hasn’t Nintendo done that with every gaming system they’ve launched?
I agree with InvisibleMan…
What a foolish article by Wired. The overwhelming majority of the blogosphere has been wildly fanatical about the Nintendo 3DS experience, and then they said it’s “last-gen.” Well, last time I checked, screens that could produce a non-gimmicky, authentic 3D experience did not exist last generation.
Not to mention, Nintendo’s official 3DS page says that there WILL be games downloadable through a kind of e-shop. I have yet to see any kind of really good, thorough video game that you can download onto your iPod touch. I think iPod touch does a good job with to-go gaming… But if you think any of the games on there are even remotely close in quality to the DS’s HUGE library… you are crazy…
Yes, another BS article — what is the big deal if the 3DS launches without the eShop. Also, Apple is no threat to the true DS gamer – you CANNOT have the same experience with touch screen controls that you can have with a D-Pad, slider, etc. Yes, there are people who will play the 99 cent, waiting in line game on the Iphone, etc — but tell me how you can play Super Street Fighter, Resident Evil, Metal Gear, etc with a touchscreen and enjoy playing – I have an Ipad and I get so frustrated at the friggin touch screen controls.
Also, I think what we have here is another case of where gamers enjoy more “thinking about playing games that have not been released yet – or the whole idea of waiting for a game to be released” — then actually playing the games when they are available….What do these so called experts expect that everybody buys every single game that is released and play them at the same time….utter nonsense. Short attention spans — it is like OK, I just played a newly released game for 30 minutes – now, let me direct my attention to the next big game that is going to be released 6 months to a year from now.
One possible flaw I find in that Wired article is that I don’t believe people buy iPhones and smart phones for gaming (at least I didn’t, and I don’t know anyone who does). People are starting to play more games on iPhones and smart phones because they happen to be there. If I’m really planning on seriously playing a game, I reach for my DS! (I just bought a DSi XL and a smart phone over the holidays!)
Either 3D sells it and it is a mega hit or the 3DS is a overpriced DS revision. No glasses is huge, maybe that is the difference in 3D succeeding this time vs. previous attempts in other industries. I have a sinking feeling that the 3DS will be used as a portable 3D movie player more than a game system, as the PS3 is a Blu-Ray player before a game system.
(Oh, and I totally agree with lynnvin on the touch screen controls: after hearing for over a year on how much fun these casual touch screen games were, when I finally had a chance for trying them I was very disappointed at the fuzzy controls… and that goes for the on-screen keyboard, too! The precision control of a stylus can’t compare to my thick, massive finger covering a good portion of the screen’s surface.)
I’m very disappointed that the download store won’t be up and running. There’s a ton of DSi downloadable games that I want to get, but I’ve been waiting for the launch of the 3DS.
First things first… get it so people can backup and move their downloaded games between machines. Won’t be buying anything from any online store until I can do that.
You buy Nintendo portables and consoles because you like Nintendo’s franchises and that’s the only way you can play them. AFTER that, we welcome 3rd parties that make an effort.
Some of the points they make are kinda valid, but… It’s hardly ‘last gen’ is it. It’s much more powerful than the PSP, it has to render everything twice and still outputs better graphics. It’s got an autostreoscopic screen, and an analog stick substitute (a much better one than that nub)
well after reading the article, there certainly are some valid concerns. obviously apple is the future enemy, and looks to be a juggernaut in the near future. their itunes store is obviously tops in the industry, like MS is to online. and this is where the industry is headed. the online play, and online store are pretty important nowadays, and nintendo hasn’t shown 3DS to be great on those 2 fronts as of yet. but give them time i suppose before judging too early.
i don’t doubt the 3D will eventually become an industry norm, that is until true holographic gaming comes and replaces fake 3D (still awhile before that). but the author makes a valid point. how long before everyone else under the sun puts 3D on their portable? it took sony and MS years to bring out motion controls. for some reason i find it hard to believe adding 3D to rival portable devices will take quite as long. is everyone so sure iphone 5.0 doesn’t have 3D? nintendo has already been beaten to market by several phones that feature 3D in japan. something tells me this won’t take long before its a standard feature.
to be fair though, the DS always had the right combination of features that psp never had. and 3DS is probably no different. so it is not the next psp.
Apparently, the e-shop will be up and running on launch day. Here’s hoping! Check out this link: http://www.nintendoeverything.com/59645/
iPod touches of decent size are hella expensive compared to the 3DS.
Apprantly the online shop will be ready for Europe but not America .
n-europe.com.
Last generation?!
Damn fools! 