Nintendo GameBoy 3DS Review

Trippy to say the least.

I didn't actually purchase this product, but I wanted to give an impromptu review of it for those of you who might be considering getting one.  I walked into my local Best Buy store in search of a decent cordless headset for my late night online gaming sessions and as I made my way through the aisles, this little gadget caught my eye.  After reading several descriptions surrounding the mechanics of the device, I wanted to see the 3D in action. 

The device is quite obviously the most sleek of any of the GameBoy iterations, and the overall size of the unit is a study in efficiency.  Both internal screens are small when compared to the Sony PSP for example, but the displays are vibrant and the bottom touch screen (which doesn't support 3D FYI) was responsive.  Nintendo opted to include an analog joystick to the new device which was a welcome inclusion for those who don't like having to use a thumb or stylus on the bottom screen while concentrating on the top display for more complicated functions. 

Though the system still uses cartridges, there is a port for a memory card for larger data saves.  The device also has two front facing cameras for taking 3D photos (possibly video) and one rear facing camera for self portraits.  The full package looks impressive, but let's get to the part that everyone wants to read about.  How does the 3D work?  Using 3D on a small screen is less like the 3D experience in the movie theater and more like looking at one of those computer generated seeing eye 3D puzzle pictures.  The depth of field appears to go into the device rather than popping out of the screen.  The game that was loaded into the device that I used was Pilotwings Resort which is a flying game, and the new sense of depth lent itself to the believability of flying through the game's stages. 

Nintendo allows users to control the "3Dness" of displayed images by way of a small slider on the bottom right hand side of the top display.  Toggling this slider adjusts the depth of the screen for those more sensitive to the technology being used for the consoles 3D effect.  The biggest drawback to the design employed by the system is that the display must be positioned in a very specific manner for the effect to work.  Tilting the screen just a few degrees in any direction nullifies the illusion completely.  Also, after 20 or so minutes of dialing in the depth to my liking, I developed some slight visual blurriness when not looking at the display.  Having used other types of 3D technology, this effect is not typical for me, but I found myself having some trouble focusing on 2D print for several minutes after looking away from the screen.  I must just be more sensitive than some people when it comes to this particular 3D method. 

Though Nintendo may have an edge on some competitors in terms of convenience and having created a 3D effect without the need for external accessories, I'm still not sold on the novelty of 3D in general in regard to current gen consoles and the effect that it has on games.  Of all the current gen advancements, I can't really say that I believe 3D will be the next big thing to catch on for all future titles as long as images are limited to flat screen presentations.  Perhaps once the technology becomes more immersive and not so headache/vertigo inducing the idea will take off.  Until then, it seems more like a novelty trick.  I really have no desire to purchase the 3DS, but some might enjoy it.