Meet the new Nintendo 3DS

After much waiting, speculation and rumors, Nintendo finally showed the world the newest member of the family of portable consoles: Nintendo 3DS. The launch occurred at the hands of Satoru Iwata, CEO of Nintendo at Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). The tiny handeld was one of the highlights of the event, calling everyone's attention with its screen capable of playing 3D effects without the user having to use special glasses to view the three dimensional feature. The general public were expecting improvements in hardware compared to the previous, also portable games that make good use of new three-dimensional graphics capabilities and resources. To the delight of gamers worldwide, all was there.

 

 

 

 

Specifications

 

Weight: 226 gr
    * Upper Screen: 3.53 inch LCD with 3D features without the need for special glasses. Resolution of 800 x 240 pixels;
    * Bottom Screen : LCD 3.02 inch LCD with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels;
    * Cameras: One internal and two external, equipped with stereoscopic lenses of 640 x 480 pixels and a resolution of 0.3 megapixels

 

 

 

 

The highlight of the 3DS is undoubtedly the visualization of 3D effects in games without the need for special glasses, something that was reviewed since it was announced. But something that surprised many at the conference from Nintendo was that there was a way to configure this feature. The handheld has a small controller that adjusts the depth of the images and can even turn off the effect. Also, another great thing about the use of three dimensions was a possibility of the user to take pictures with the 3D effect. This is thanks to two cameras that the console possesses, which captures the images and generates a sense of depth. To complement, was added a motion sensor, which captures the position of the handheld and influences the image displayed on the screen. However, Nintendo has decided to further explore the use of the effect, not just limited to games and photos. With Nintendo 3DS you can watch movies using this feature without using any extra accessory, thanks to a partnership with companies such as Dreamworks, Disney and Warner. However, unlike the games, you can not adjust the level of depth in the scenes.

 

 

What we saw when the almighty Nintendo took the stage was something very much like a common Nintendo DS. Taking a closer look, it still seems a small pouch, while the two screens displays when opened. Among the various speculations that have arisen in sites and blogs since March 2009 when it was announced, the look of Nintendo 3DS was one of the elements that most caught the imagination of people. After all, how would the appearance of a video game capable of playing 3D without glasses? Because it is more a member of the DS family, the design of the new model could not be different but similar to its predecessors. However, some differences and improvements are quite explicit. The top screen has been increased and now has 3.53 inches in widescreen format with a resolution of 800 by 240 pixels, besides using the so-called 3D feature without the aid of special glasses. Already at the bottom of the screen is still sensitive to touch, keeping a major differential handheld. Another major change has been in the range of cameras. The Nintendo 3DS features three cameras (one internal and two external), unlike the two existing on the portable since the DSi. As mentioned earlier, this addition is for the user to create their own images with the 3D feature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The PSP Go!, launched in 2009, surprised many by giving up the use of physical media (the UMDs) to run games in digital format only, through the purchased PSN, Sony's online store. The attitude, However, did not please everyone. The announcement of 3DS brought the same fear, especially after the creation of DSiWare, WHERE users buy exclusive titles for Nintendo's handheld. However, for the happiness of the fans of popular cartridges, the format continues in the new console. Besides the existence of a space intended for the exclusive  3DS games, the portable is also compatible with Nintendo DS cartridges, plus a card slot for SD memory up to 2 GB. Another novelty is that even in Sleep Mode, the 3DS communicates with other portable systems, sending and receiving Information. Unfortunately, little Was talked about it at the conference.

 

 

Another great expectations generated around the Nintendo 3DS was referring to its graphics capability, since many believed that the strong focus on 3D could leave aside possible improvements in image quality . Fortunately that was not what we saw during the presentation of the portable console at E3. The various  videos and announcements of new titles showed that the graphical capabilities of Nintendo 3DS are really very good and higher than Nintendo DS. The demo of 3D Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater, for example, was considered as good as the PlayStation 2 version. To prove the potential of the device, Nintendo showed a video with the top names in the videogames industry to test  its graphical qualities. Icons like Hideo Kojima, creator of the Metal Gear series, praised the portable and said he was impressed.

Besides all the news about hardware, Nintendo 3DS pleased both newcomers and those who have hope to review titles that marked their childhood. To view the games using the 3D feature, Nintendo has brought several surprises and showed that the library is already great  in terms of games even before the console launched. The Nintendo franchises rescued forgotten franchises and applied the use of three dimensions in an exemplary manner, as well as other companies took the opportunity to promote new games. The first demonstration of the potential of Nintendo 3DS was with Kid Icarus: Uprising. The series, originally released for the NES, now back on portable systemes and uses the three-dimensional effect on the flights of the protagonist. If you've seen chase scenes in 3D movies, you can imagine the sensation caused by the game. The same happens with games like 3D Star Fox 64 and Pilotwings Resort. Steel Diver puts you in a submarine to control it with all the resources available  in three-dimensions. As would be the mascot of the company is already guaranteed presence in the new console with two of his most classic games. Mario arrives to Nintendo 3DS with Mario Kart and Paper Mario. Remember that these titles are just temporary. In addition, other developers released titles designed specifically for the new handheld. Big companies like Capcom, Square Enix, Electronic Arts and Ubisoft showed their versions of Super Street Fighter 4, Kingdom Hearts 3D, The Sims 3 and Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory.

 

 

 

 

 

Despite the little that was released by the Big N, the Nintendo 3DS is that it is a very powerful portable system which makes use of a new technology, which is sure to please many users. The amount of titles announced just proves this and shows concern for Nintendo to offer options to all types of gamers.As the views of those who attended the event, the use of 3D  is quite effective and natural, not interfering with the fluidity of the game. Regarding the size of the portable, as is quite similar to the Nintendo DS, it is still fairly compact. However, no information on price or release date was announced. Moreover, this only increases the expectation that everyone can get their hands on this incredible piece of technology.

 

 

 

The Nintendo 3DS was really  the great sensation of E3? What do you expect to see in the small console ?