New 3D Game Tech Arrives

Nintendo, the largest independent gaming company in the world, is leading the way with a new portable system featuring a three-dimensional display. Enjoy video games without 3D glasses!

The Nintendo 3DS lists for $249.99 and is the first game system with 3D-screen tech available to consumers.

Some, however, see this product as a significant risk for Nintendo because of market perception and development costs.

3D also brings back some bad memories for Nintendo of its massive 1995 flop – Virtual Boy, a product which used stereoscopic 3D technology in a harsh red and black display. It gave gamers headaches after only a few minutes.


But WMB views the new 3DS as a well-executed handheld gaming system which boasts an effective and compelling display. Judging by sales records, consumers seem to agree.

New And Different

The 3DS is a smooth, plastic, clamshell rectangle with dual screens, a direction pad, and various control buttons. But it’s the small details that matter. When you start counting them on the 3DS, it quickly becomes a new and different animal.

The most notable physical differences compared with its predecessors are the analog control pad, the larger, upper 3D screen, and the two-lens 3D camera. From a playing perspective, the analog pad is the best addition to the 3DS, according to industry reviews.

It’s a concave rubber circle which can slide around in a circular area, similar to Sony’s Playstation Portable. But it’s much more comfortable than the PSP since it sits naturally under your thumb and offers just the right control.

The top screen display is what gives the 3DS its name. It’s a wide-angle, 3.5-inch, glasses-free 3D LCD using a special visual filter to send two different angles of view into your eyes.

The unit is 0.7 x 5.3 x 2.9 inches (HWD), 8.3 ounces and is offered in “aqua blue” or “cameo black.”

Under The Hood

Beyond the external designs, the 3DS has additional power and is capable of supporting higher-resolution graphics.

But the 3D screen requires more power and, consequently, the 3DS only has a battery life of about five hours. To charge, the 3DS can be placed in a cradle; however, it’s not an inductive charger.

Nintendo also includes a set of augmented reality cards for use with its preinstalled AR Games app on the 3DS. A set of six cards featuring Nintendo characters work with the AR Games app to produce an augmented reality effect.

The user places a card on the table, points the camera to it, and AR Games makes 3D statues of Mario, Samus, or Link, jump right out of the table. Another game called Face Raiders, comes preinstalled; you can take (pictures) of your face and turn them into evil robots.

Think of the implications: A simple game is now capable of rendering 3D images of the user – astounding!

Nintendo has announced several new wireless and online features and services for the 3DS. This includes the SpotPass function for quickly connecting at Wi-Fi hotspots. This function also can share data with nearby users, including a Virtual Console with classic NES games with 3D effects.

Further, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Gear, and Turbo-Graffix-116 titles are available for download.

The Bottom Line

Glasses-free 3D has been the dream of millions who have been frustrated and irritated by wearing cheap, uncomfortable plastic glasses at a theater, or heavy, expensive active-shutter 3D glasses at home to view 3D content of compatible HDTVs.

Companies have tinkered with glasses-free 3D products in the past but many, including WMB, think Nintendo is on to something. It actually works!

The effect is still far from perfect, but the 3DS screen stands as the best glasses-free 3D display you’ll find on the consumer market today.

TechMan

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