The only reason I would even consider buying it at launch is because my DS is already dying as it is, so it would let me play a lot of the DS games I missed. However, buying it based solely on potential is a comically stupid fanboy move, as there aren't even release dates for reasonable titles yet. The 3D itself is certainly not worth buying the thing for, as it's really just a nice bonus effect rather than an OMG feature. Really, when (and if) they get a bunch of solid titles, the price will be either lower or there will be a bundle with one of the nice games you should be getting. At least wait until E3 so you can make sure they're not going to gimmick rape it into oblivion like the Wii.
I agree with most of this. My DS is a fatboy and it's about time to upgrade myself. I'm waiting til E3. However, the promised titles do look good enough to keep the system sustained.
The release date being set in March was an amazingly brilliant marketing move. Kudos to Nintendo and their ingenuity. This gives everyone a chance to try it out multiple times before the holiday frenzy hits.
As far as the 3D effect itself, the first time viewing it did strain my eyes a bit. I felt like I had to take time to find the sweet spot than playing the demo of Pilotwings (the only demo available; the menu isn't even accessible except by glitch). This took maybe 2-3 minutes, though I kept progressing through the demo as well. I also kept dabbling with the 3D slider, trying to make things easier. I eventually found halfway 3D was best for my first go with it. The sweet spot is pretty small, but the demo device has a cord attached to it to allow the user to move the 3DS to wherever it needs to be moved to be comfortable for the user. My girlfriend and I alternated turns. The second time I went, the sweet spot still took a while to obtain, but not nearly as long. After both going through the demo twice, we walked around the mall for a while. We then went back. By my 4th demo playthrough (yeah yeah, call me a fanboy; however, there were 3 different ways to fly and 3 different flyable objects), we were taking pictures with her phone. I was able to go from full blown 3D to her phone's camera and back without any problem at all.
This all being said, it will take time to get used to the 3D. To call it a gimmick would be nonsensical, as it definitely enhances some parts of the gameplay. None of the 3D imagery was "pop out" to try to scare you like most people think of 3D in movies. If anyone saw Toy Story 3, the 3D effects more resemble that style. The whole movie was shown in 3D, not just a few objects. And it definitely allows for better judgment on the turns and judgment on the speed of which you move.
The graphics were on par with the Wii for Pilotwings without the 3D slider. It looked like Wii Sports Resort or the like. Nothing amazingly technical, but impressive for a handheld. I found it hard to compare the two when viewing in 3D because it is truly a different experience.
You lose the widescreen in 3D or so I thought, but that made it seem like the bottom screen and top screen were the same size.
The thumb pad felt amazing. The PSP's nub felt like an outdated gimmick in comparison (not being a fanboy). However, I was able to put my thumbnail in the pad and leave a mark.
I went back to BestBuy the next day to do it all again haha.
That's about it. I'm pretty convinced I want one just for the technology sake. I'm going to try that glitch next time.
Here's where you can find a
retailer near you offering that possibility as well.
