3DS launch titles/What it can do

[Hikikomori]

Did you hear? It's got a built-in pedometer! The 3DS measures your steps as you walk -- right there in your pocket! Even better: You can pull the thing out whenever and snap all kinds of pics -- the thing's got three cameras! And get this: It also pipes out music, browses the internet and even plays games.

True, you've already got a pile of old DS games (and now defunct DS devices) that you could be playing on your new pedometer, but more than 30 three-DEE titles are expected to be released during the 3DS "launch window" (which begins March 27 and promptly closes on June 7 with the start of E3).

We've listed 24 of the apparent launch-window releases after the break (though Nintendo's being coy about exact dates), including Nintendo's own Nintendogs + cats and Pilotwings Resort, plus a hearty helping of third-party support; with notable newcomers, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked (previously unannounced outside of Japan) and Crush 3D, a possible port of the 2007 PSP platforming puzzler from Sega.

Don't look at the date ambiguity in dismay -- see it as an opportunity! Beginning in late March, you can walk to and from GameStop in anticipation of a new batch of games each Tuesday for ten whole weeks, and the 3DS will count your steps -- each and every one of them! And just imagine how many Street Passes you're going to rack up?


First-Party Launch Window Titles
•Nintendogs + cats
•Pilotwings Resort
•Steel Diver

Third-Party Titles "Coming Soon" (Partial List)
•Asphal 3D (Ubisoft)
•Bust-a-Move Universe (Square Enix)
•Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D (Ubisoft)
•Crush 3D (Sega)
•Dead or Alive Dimensions (Tecmo Koei)
•Dual Pen Sport (Namco Bandai)
•Lego Star Wars 3: The Clone Wars (LucasArts)
•Madden NFL Football (EA Sports)
•Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D (Konami)
•Rabbids Travel in Time (Ubisoft)
•Rayman 3D (Ubisoft)
•Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D (Capcom)
•Ridge Racer 3D (Namco Bandai)
•Samurai Warriors Chronicles (Tecmo Koei)
•Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked (Atlus)
•The Sims 3 (EA)
•Super Monkey Ball 3D (Sega)
•Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition (Capcom)
•Thor: God of Thunder (Sega)
•Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Shadow Wars (Ubisoft)
•Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell 3D (Ubisoft)

First-Party Titles "In the Works"

•Animal Crossing game
•Kid Icarus: Uprising
•The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
•Mario Kart game
•Paper Mario game
•Star Fox 64 3D

Also Battery life

As part of its big Nintendo World event being held in Tokyo at the moment, Nintendo has released a chart outlining the final hardware specifications for the 3DS. Most importantly, that includes details on the handheld's battery life.

It takes 3.5 hours for a 3DS battery to fully charge, which is pretty good. As for how fast that battery drains, Nintendo has only provided a select number of figures, all based on the presumption you're using the handheld on a lower screen brightness level.

With the screen's backlighting turned down (but not off), you'll get 3-5 hours of battery life while playing a 3DS game. That number extends to 5-8 hours if you're playing an older DS game on the handheld.

Of course, the more you increase the screen's brightness, the bigger the hit the 3DS' battery life will take. While people will be upset that these numbers seem low for a Nintendo handheld, they're not that far off what you'd expect from a DSi, and considering the 3DS is a much more powerful device, all that extra grunt takes its toll on a battery.

If you're after definitive battery life tests on a unit under all kinds of circumstances, we'll have to wait until people can use one without Nintendo employees standing over their shoulders

The 3DS is a power-hungry device, a fact that Nintendo isn't hiding in the latest issue of Iwata Asks. Nintendo's Ryuji Umezu noted that the 3D display mode not only requires the device to render each image twice, but requires brighter brightness than a flat image. "In order to make it look just as bright as usual, you have to increase the brightness of the backlight, which increases the power used by even more," Umezu pointed out.

Thankfully, there are still some steps users can take to increase the longevity of the 3DS battery, such as turning off the wireless functionality (when it's not needed). Perhaps the most important of the power-saving options, though, is the system's "power save mode." Employing a technology called "active backlight," this feature "precisely controls the brightness of the backlight according to the brightness of the screen being displayed," Umezu explained. "When the screen as a whole is dark, the backlight itself gets darker, which saves power."

The energy savings offered by the power save mode should make it a requisite for every 3DS player. "With the backlight set to the brightest level and the power save mode turned off, battery duration was about three hours," Umezu said. "But if you use the power save mode under the same conditions, it gets about 10–20 percent longer." That's almost an extra half hour you could spend grooming your Nintendog ... or cat!

Region locked

“Nintendo 3DS hardware is available in three versions: Japanese, American and European/Australian. Nintendo has developed different versions of Nintendo 3DS hardware to take into account different languages, age rating requirements and parental control functionality as well as to ensure compliance with local laws in each region. Nintendo 3DS also offers network services specifically tailored for each region.”

It continues with “Additionally we want to ensure the best possible gaming experience for our users and there is the possibility that Nintendo 3DS software sold in one region will not function properly when running on Nintendo 3DS hardware sold in another.”

They said that "guidance will appear" on 3DS hardware and software packaging to warn potential costumers. “Guidance will appear on every packaging of Nintendo 3DS hardware and the accompanying software. If you are in doubt, Nintendo recommends that you only purchase Nintendo 3DS software in the region where purchased your Nintendo 3DS system.”

Price

The Nintendo 3DS will hit stores in North America on March 27, at a price point of $249.99, as revealed today in New York City. It's available in Aqua Blue and Cosmo Black.

The 3DS was first revealed in a cryptic press release in March 2010, shortly before the North American release of the DSi XL. In addition to increased processing power and screen resolution, the system promises adjustable 3D visuals without requiring 3D glasses. It also includes built-in augmented reality games, some using bundled "AR cards." An "Activity Log" tracks your gameplay as well as your steps, graphing each and dispensing "Game Coins" that can be spent in games. You can make Miis either in a menu interface or automatically from pictures. Other features include a 3DS version of the DSi's sound app, a web browser, and 3D video capability.

Price of games - Unofficial

Nintendo has refuted our attempts to wrangle 3DS game pricing info so far, but retailer listings may be shedding some light on the subject. We hope you weren't hoping for a standard price point, because it looks like there's some wiggle room. A review of GameStop and Amazon listings reveals 3DS prices of either $39.99 or $49.99 in the US. Meanwhile, Eurogamer reports that UK retailer Game has confirmed the standard software price will be £39.99 in the region, though other UK retailers have prices listed as low as £32.99. Finally, we perused Amazon France and spotted prices of €49.95 and €59.95.

The disparate prices between titles matches up with pricing in Japan, though it is a bit more standardized. We'll keep poking Nintendo for official details.

Only will need one friend code

Confirming what Famitsu prematurely revealed in their Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition article, the Nintendo 3DS does have friend codes. However, you won’t have to register separate friend codes for each game.

 

There’s a master system friend code and you only need to share that with a buddy. If you communicate with another Nintendo 3DS system locally, that friend code exchange is instantaneous.

Eshop

Still from the 3DS press event in New York, Nintendo revealed details and info about their new online service. It's called the Nintendo eShop, and it'll be there to support the upcoming handheld.

 
The Nintendo eShop is basically an updated version of the Nintendo Store. From there, you can download various content for your 3DS, like titles from Virtual Console and Game Boy Color. Just like the Nintendo Channel, the eShop will also have streaming videos to watch, but these will be presented in 3D.

 The Nintendo 3DS will also have an internet browser, but you'll need to head over to the eShop first to download it. Nintendo hasn't given any specifics on the software used. We'll keep you guys updated as more info comes in.

Eshop will be cash based

The online store will be completely cash-based, not based on any kind of “points” system. You’ll be able to use your credit card to make purchases directly off the eStore, or buy a Nintendo 3DS Prepaid card at retail stores. At some point after launch, you’ll also be able to grab an Internet browser off the eStore.

MP3 support

First up is MP3 support. The DSi couldn’t play MP3 files, but the 3DS can. It can also play AAC files. Since the 3DS comes with a 2GB SD card (and supports up to a 32GB card), it’s nice to have MP3 support present and accounted for. Like the Nintendo DSi, the 3DS will include a 3DS Sound application, which lets you listen to your music and manipulate sounds.

Play coins

Play Coins. The Nintendo 3DS can count the number of steps you take while carrying it around. By walking, you earn Play Coins. These coins can be used to unlock content in compatible 3DS games and applications.

Parental control

A previously reported parental lock feature will allow you to restrict content on the 3DS via a PIN. You’ll have the ability to restrict access to games based on their age-rating by the appropriate country’s ratings board, as well as disable the system’s stereoscopic 3D output.

[Hikikomori]

New video

3DS Tutorial (English)

3DS Previews

[Tebian-DJ]

(if you start posting in 3d hik' your going to be in sh*t)

[Hikikomori]

(if you start posting in 3d hik' your going to be in sh*t)

I'm more worried about everyone doing the tilt control dance. :|

Surprised nobody has commented on the battery life being 5 hours on lowest settings....

[Hikikomori]

Merged

[Hikikomori]

Merged

[Hikikomori]

Merged it all into first post as well as updated the games.

[Hikikomori]

Update: Added some other things the 3DS can do, Play coins, MP3 support and Eshop.

[Ch00b]

Splinter Cell 3D would seem pretty cool.

[Hikikomori]

Small update, added a new video in second post.

[Hikikomori]

Update: Added another thing under Battery life.

[malboroknightcarrot]

wouldnt mind one but ill have to wait abit ( cant afford the £239.99 price tag at mo)

[Riggs]

About damn time they extended the battery life on the DS or Should I call it the 3DS. What I really miss is the old gameboy games I play them on emulators but it is not the same as the good old handheld I know for a fact I will not purchase the old games because I have some kind of gameboy to play it. But the 3DS games sound very intriguing.

[Tebian-DJ]

Cool video commentary from the main man.

E3 2010: Iwata Asks: Shigeru Miyamoto - Nintendo 3DS