What’s In the Box
The 3DS comes stocked well for a new device. Along with the hardware, charging cradle, and power adapter are an SD card, tons of pre-loaded software, and 6 AR cards.
AR Games
Earlier, I mentioned that AR Games is the 3DS’s WiiSports. It’s the game that everyone who’s looked at my 3DS has been most impressed with, from clearly a tech standpoint to showcase the device. The augmented reality app asks the user to put one of the supplied AR cards on a surface, point the dual cameras towards it, and view the ensuing scene through the upper 3D screen. In archery, for example, targets pop out and are shot at, a dragon attacks, and the table that the card is on is warped in 3D to create hills, pits, and volcanoes. By moving around the AR card, the scene can be viewed at different angles and provide access to other targets. There’s also fishing, wild billiard shots, and some photography and sketching mini-apps as well.
It’s a series of minigames that are best described as tech demos. There isn’t a whole lot of fun to be had with them, and it’s a sort of “neat trick” instead of an experience I’ll be returning to. But still, it’s such a nifty gimmick that I can’t help but show it off, and everyone comes away with a smile and a “wow”.
Face Raiders
Another augmented reality game, Face Raiders utilizes the cameras to snap photos of either the player or other people and maps them onto enemy robots. The player is then asked to look through the upper screen, rotate the 3DS, and fire tennis balls at the bots. Miss, and they’ll either try to kiss you or tear a hole in space, which remains visible even when rotating away and back. The use of the motion sensor along with the cameras works extremely well, providing an experience that got me to move around my room a bit more than I was expecting. This is another short game, and another one that is more tech demo than fun, but it works.
Mii Maker
The 3DS’s Mii creation tool is similar to the Wii’s, except that is also offers the option to create Miis via a photo taken by the front-facing camera. It works… not very well. It gets the Mii to a quick base design, but requires a bit of tweaking to get it right. The Miis can even be traded via QR codes
Mii Plaza
Mii Plaza is a showcase for Streetpass, and as such requires that you have it turned on. It has two game-like functions. Every time one 3DS passes by another, Miis are traded and added to a sort of mini RPG quest. The more Miis you collect, the better your quest takes form, as the acquired Miis battle ghosts along the way to rescue your personal Mii. It’s possible to earn some bonuses for the Miis as well, such as hats. The RPG meta-quest is actually fairly novel, and has single-handedly made me keep my 3DS with me at all times.
The second function is a puzzle-piece collection. Each puzzle has 15 pieces, and once all 15 are collected and traded in passing, a new 3D trophy is made available for viewing.
There’s a bit of a way to “cheat” as well, though. The 3DS also includes an Activity Log, which measures the steps taken on a pedometer and translates them into coins. The coins can be used in different ways in each game, and in the Mii Plaza they can be used to purchase low-level Mii warriors or puzzle pieces. Only 10 coins can be earned each day through walking, so shaking the 3DS violently each morning should at least cover that part.
Activity Log
I mentioned the Activity Log above, but it does have a key function in keeping track of play time and physical activity. It’s simple, maintaining very few statistics in relation to what games and apps are played. It’s a lot like the Wii’s Nintendo Channel, but with the tracking of steps as well.
3DS Sound
This is the 3DS’s equivalent of the DSi’s music creation/play app. It’s very basic, allowing audio to be recorded and played back with a few effects. It accepts MP3s now, but I don’t think a living soul will use it to actually listen to music.
3DS Camera
The 3DS’s built-in camera and photo album is another “wow” instiller, as it allows for the user to take 3D photos (and in the future, video) and view them back. The images can be saved to the SD card and emailed or viewed on a PC, depending on what 3D image viewing PC software you might have. The images are poor in fidelity, but the depth works really well, especially when things point at the camera. Yeah, I guess you can imagine what kind of industry would love to use that tech. I don’t have to spell it out for you.
In Conclusion
The 3DS is still far from perfect. For those who can hold out, they’re not missing a revolution (yet). For those that choose to purchase the device, they don’t need to go far to justify it. Early adopters will find plenty to do with the 3DS, and they’ll surely enjoy it, even in it’s “BETA” phase. Contrary to what some are saying, there are even some worthwhile games at launch, albeit ones that are recurring sequels instead of new IPs. While all of its issues may not be solved out of the box, over time and through updates it will be more than viable in the market, and the $250 initial price tag may end up seeming like a bargain.
The Nintendo 3DS is the optimal 3D experience for me: short bursts of 3D gaming that isn’t forced, yet looks terrific when it’s in use. The augmented reality usage opens up a terrific new avenue of playing games on a dedicated gaming device. And though it’s still early in the device’s life, it’s able to justify itself the more I use it. It’s really cool, it’s futuristic, and it’s in my pocket.
The Nintendo 3DS retails for $249.99 MSRP and is available nationwide.
Who should buy it:
Early adopters, Nintendo fanatics, technology nuts, and anyone who doesn’t yet own a DS.
This review was based on a piece of hardware that the reviewer purchased. Each built-in app was used for at least an hour. The device was taken online to play mutliplayer games, add friends, and utilize Streetpass in a Gamestop and a Best Buy. Several launch games were played. The device’s battery was drained to get an accurate account of the length of play time.
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