On the debut, the Nintendo 3DS has been so popular that it was sold out on pre-orders at many electronics retailers in Japan. Just at the Yodobashi Camera Co.’s store in Akihabara, Tokyo, alone, there were about 2000 Nintendo 3DS fans lined up there with the hope of laying their hands on the 3DS console on the very first day of the release of the Nintendo 3DS. Some of Nintendo gamers started to queue as early as 10 pm, the night before the debut date. It is interesting that while they were in the queue, many of them are playing the Sony PSP, iPhone and/or iPad, which are competitors of the Nintendo 3DS console.
Although the Nintendo 3DS was announced at the E3 in 2010 and gamers have been waiting for the actual release of the 3DS eagerly, parents may still be not aware of the difference between the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo DSi XL / DS Lite.
3D Stereoscopic Technology
The 3DS is a complete re-make of the Nintendo DS series. It is the first among all portable gaming consoles to introduce the 3D gaming experience. The Nintendo 3DS 3D technology is quite a break through as it differs greatly from that used for the 3DS iMAX in the cinema. When watching the iMAX movies, we all need to wear the special 3D glasses. However, Nintendo 3DS offers the first of 3D stereoscopic technology that does not require the glasses. Gamers can see the 3D effect vividly without the aid of the any 3D equipment, making the 3D gaming experience truly mobile and convenient.
Although the 3D gaming technology is promising, a small proportion of gamers will not be able to enjoy the 3D games in full as the 3D stereoscopic images will cause dizziness after staring at the 3D images for certain period of time. The good news for such gamers is that the 3DS console has a 3D effect analog sliding control on the right of the top screen, enabling gamers to adjust the 3D image strength gradually from 0 to the maximum. When the 3D image strength is at 0 or the minimum, the 3DS console is effectively running in 2D mode. Hence, gamers will be able to continue playing the games instead of stopping completely.
Analog Thumbpad
Besides the ground breaking 3D stereoscopic gaming technology, the Nintendo 3DS has added an analog control similar to that used in the PSP on top of the standard cross-shape D pad. The analog thumbpad is a must for gamers to easily navigate around and enjoy the 3D games in full. Games such as The Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition will prove to be exceptionally awesome with the 3D imaging as well as the analog control.
Compatibility Issues with the DSi & DS Lite Games
Many may wonder if the previous DSi & DS Lite games are will be supported by the Nintendo 3DS. As the 3DS console can run in the 2D and 3D modes, all the earlier 2D games for the DSi & DS Lite will be compatible with the Nintendo 3DS console.
Some gamers may also ask if the 2D DSi XL & DS Lite games can be run on the Nintendo 3DS console, can their R4i, DSTTi, iEDGE, Supercard DSTWO, Cyclo DSi, M3i, Acekard 2i and other flashcarts work on the 3DS device?
The answer may be somewhat disappointing: all the previous flashcarts and linkers for DSi XL, DSi LL & DS Lite will not be able work on the Nintendo 3DS consoles. On the other hand, it is not the end of the day. As the 3DS console support the 2D DS game cartridge, the protection of the 3DS console lies on the software or the 3DS firmware. That will be cracked open by the flashcart hackers in due course.