Review - Nintendo 3DS

So here's something you you really need to see to believe. The Nintendo 3DS is a huge step in innovation. You might see all these commercials for 3DTV's and movies hitting home, as well as 3D video games. But here, you have the first, and so far only, 3D hand-held portable gaming system available, and it doesn't even need the dorky glasses to see the effect. And I've gotten my hands on one, a week before it even shows up on shelves.

First thing I noticed about the system was the weight. Negating the metal brace that chained it to the counter, it weighed about as much as a DSi. The screens are noticeably larger than the DSi/Lite (still smaller than the XL). The best new addition is the slider pad, not too dissimilar of the PSP's analog stick. It allows for better character control, more precise than the D-Pad, which had been relocated a few centimeters down.

First game I played was an excellent introduction to the system; AR Games. This games is built in to the system, meaning if you buy a 3DS, you'll have this game. Included with the system is a card with an image of a classic ? Block from the Mario series. When then the game's front camera views the card, it triggers a series of mini-games that transform the card and the surfaces around it. The first mini-game was an archery type game that was simply shooting targets that appeared around the captured image of the card on the counter. The targets appeared at all angles on the counter, requiring me to move the system to new angles in order to hit them all. Eventually, the game evolved, transforming the counter into new and exciting challenges, culminating in a dragon that sprouted from the surface.

This is the kind of transforming you see on the screen. Notice the surrounding scenery, a common table transformed into your gaming environment.

Next I tried out the other included game, Face Raiders. Before you can play this game, you have to take a picture of someone, either yourself or another. The game then takes the face in the picture and turns it into the targets you need to shoot. The game, however, doesn't create its own environment, instead relying on whatever surrounds you, capturing whatever the cameras see. It was actually more comical than adventurous, morphing the pictured face to taunt the player.

Other games included at the pre-show included Pilotwings Resort, a flight simulator using your Mii characters and Nintendogs + Cats, which functions almost identically as its predecessors. But obviously, what people are really raving about is the 3D effects this little system can produce, and let me tell you, they are as visually appealing as you would want them to be. It is difficult to put into words, but he's how I noticed it at the store: there was a small scratch on the top screen, the 3D screen. When the 3D effect was off, it looked just like a regular old DS game with a scratch on the screen. When the 3D effect was turned on, the scratched appeared as if it was on a pane of glass, and the image on screen was a whole vast room in itself. It's a breathtaking experience.

This system is nothing like you've seen before, and with a great line up of games already announced, you can't go wrong with a Nintendo 3DS. But you can't just take my word, you'll need to see it for yourself.

Like Mario here jumping on my head.