We’ve known the Nintendo 3DS would be unveiled at E3 for some time, and sure enough, here it is. Nintendo’s president revealed the extra dimensional handheld at the company’s games expo keynote in LA. We’ve got all the details on it right here.
Speaking on stage at the conference, Nintendo chief Reggie Fils-Aime laid into rival 3D systems with glasses before Japanese president Satoru Iwata revealed the twin screen Nintendo 3DS.
The Nintendo 3DS has a wider 3.5-inch 3D screen on the top, which can be adjusted to show 2D images if you prefer using a “slide pad”. Only the bottom panel is touchscreen, and inside, there’s a motion sensor, gyro sensor, and a 3D camera. It’s also compatible with Nintendo DS games, and has an analog thumbpad above the D-pad on the left hand side.
Iwata also announced that Dreamworks, Disney and Warner Bros would also demonstrate 3D movies playing on the Nintendo 3Ds – all without the need for glasses.
It’s not just capable of 3D movie playback mind: it is a games machine after all. We were treated to a demo of Nintendo 3DS launch title Kid Icarus Uprising (in 2D), but with absolutely sensational graphics that appear to be much richer than the iPhone’s. Iwata then went on to demonstrate how the Nintendo 3DS can communicate with other Ninty gear (IE the Wii) over Wi-Fi, even in sleep mode, and promised seamless download of multiplayer data and DLC.
Third party developers and publishers on board include EA, Activision, THQ, Sega, Square Enix Capcom (Specifically, Resident Evil), Ubisoft (Assassin’s Creed was namechecked) and perhaps best of all Konami – yes, it’s bringing a Metal Gear Solid game to the Nintendo 3DS. A video of Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima showed him discussing how he could make jungles look on a 3D screen.
There’s no word on a release date or price, and sadly, we weren’t able to see how 3D games actually look on the Nintendo 3DS on a 2D screen behind the presenters, but Fils-Aime tried to resolve this by bringing booth staff out into the theatre to show press present – you can bet we’re more than a bit intrigued. Stay tuned.
Out TBC | £TBC | Nintendo
