Super Size Mii

March 24, 2011 2:21 PM

The 3DS, Nintendo's new handheld console, is coming out next week in the US, and is already out in Japan. The console's big feature is its "glasses-less 3D" screen, which achieves its effect via a parallax barrier. One of the console's lesser-touted features, however, is that there are two cameras on the back of the device, which can be used for taking 3D pictures, and also for playing augmented reality games, using an included card for tracking. The augmented reality features also include the ability to render a tiny version of your mii on a tabletop. If you're somewhat ambitious, you could even make your own, larger version of the tracking card to render your mii "life-sized". And if you're REALLY ambitious...
posted by luvcraft (37 comments total)

Great music. What's that from?
posted by circular at 2:26 PM on March 24, 2011

I should also mention that some retailers (notably Best Buy) already have 3DS demo units in their stores, so you can find out if your vision is too broken to use the 3D screen (like mine is) before you buy one for yourself.

I might still pick one up eventually just for the neat AR stuff, though.
posted by luvcraft at 2:26 PM on March 24, 2011 [1 favorite]

THE FUTURE RULES
posted by p3on at 2:28 PM on March 24, 2011 [1 favorite]

circular: it's the opening theme song from Tetsujin 28.
posted by luvcraft at 2:29 PM on March 24, 2011 [1 favorite]

Look, can we just all agree that gigantic robots rule? The Prius is practical and all, but once Japan is finished cleaning up from the Tsunami, can you start exporting gigant robots? Please???
posted by GuyZero at 2:36 PM on March 24, 2011

Look, can we just all agree that gigantic robots rule? The Prius is practical and all, but once Japan is finished cleaning up from the Tsunami, can you start exporting gigant robots? Please???

Especially because with all that radiation around, Godzilla and Gameron can't be far behind.
posted by nevercalm at 2:40 PM on March 24, 2011

Ars, as usual, has an excellent, in depth review of the 3DS.

Their conclusion is that the screen is great but the battery life of 4-5 hours is a real problem.
posted by sien at 2:49 PM on March 24, 2011 [1 favorite]

Gigantor sized Mii.
p3on, you are most correct. Such an elegant Hack!
posted by djrock3k at 2:53 PM on March 24, 2011

"Wow, Jimmy, his power really is in your hand!"
"Quiet, Inspector! Now everybody will want one!"
posted by Smart Dalek at 3:03 PM on March 24, 2011

Good news: future is here.
Bad news: It's in japanese and it makes no sense at all.

I want one of those robots though
posted by thsmchnekllsfascists at 3:07 PM on March 24, 2011 [1 favorite]

Holy shit that is one cool toy, and I really want it. I feel like I'm 10.
posted by Hoopo at 3:15 PM on March 24, 2011

I'm told the 3DS will have StarFox 64, and games that play like StarFox 64 (Kid Icarus). I am sold, but I can't afford it. Hopefully the next Castlevania will still be old DS compatible.

and wow... NICE. this is the culmination of when i was 10 and pretended that manhole covers were Mario pipes
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 3:23 PM on March 24, 2011 [3 favorites]

I've been pretty down on the whole 3D thing lately, but I've secretly harbored a fascination with this ever since I heard about the built in 3D camera part. I can imagine doing a lot of really neat stuff with a toy like that.

But I'm reserving judgement until I actually hold one in my hand, because the parallax barrier could either be really awesome, or a headache in handheld form, and I won't know till I try it.
posted by quin at 3:28 PM on March 24, 2011

I'd love to want a 3DS right now - I can't help but think the hardware's a bit held back by the need for backwards compatibility (in terms of being lumbered with the DS's low-res, 2D, resistive touchscreen and associated stylus awkwardness) where my fantasy version would've had a single big 3D capacitative screen, but it's still a lovely little handheld, especially since I never upgraded my launch DS and so even the parts that resemble the DSi seem kind of like the future.

It's just a pity the launch games consist of a couple of good-but-extremely-content-light firstparty efforts and yet another version of SF4. I can't really get that excited about retreads of Zelda and Starfox from the N64, but when that 3D Mario platformer they teased at GDC eventually makes an appearance, I am so there.
posted by emmtee at 3:42 PM on March 24, 2011

second generation Nintendo handhelds are always, always far superior to initial releases (GB -> GBC, GBA -> GBA SP, DS -> DS Lite -> DSi). there's absolutely no reason to suspect this will be any different, especially given the flaws the Ars review points out. i'll just let someone else be the earlybird and wait until the actual quality product comes out.
posted by radiosilents at 3:45 PM on March 24, 2011 [3 favorites]

Pilotwings is the only launch title that excites me. But, given that my (original) DS has numerous issues, Pilotwings + a new handheld that works better and has WPA support is enough for me to get a 3DS now.
posted by wildcrdj at 3:49 PM on March 24, 2011

second generation Nintendo handhelds are always, always far superior to initial releases

In this case the 3DS also feels a bit rushed out. The launch line-up is thin, some key functionality -- like the web browser and the store -- isn't even enabled yet, and what games it did launch with seem unfinished. Probably the popularity of IOS/Android games and the juggernaut that is the PSP+Monster Hunter has them nervous.
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 4:07 PM on March 24, 2011 [1 favorite]

This is so nauseatingly 1995.
posted by snuffleupagus at 4:13 PM on March 24, 2011 [2 favorites]

I kind of want this thing, but I'm wondering if the DSi would be a better decision. Or the inevitable 3DSi that will come out in a year and a half or so.

Whatever the case, I want to play Pokemon Black and try Pokemon for the first time since Silver. And the other games, too. I haven't played Advanced Wars since I sold my GBA.
posted by mccarty.tim at 4:22 PM on March 24, 2011

You know what I hate? 3D haters. This is the future, deal with it.

I even thought the virtual boy was cool.
posted by delmoi at 4:39 PM on March 24, 2011 [3 favorites]

second generation Nintendo handhelds are always, always far superior to initial releases

It's not liket they do that on purpose... right?

In this case the 3DS also feels a bit rushed out.

What else are they going to rely on being big sellers at Christmas?
posted by P.o.B. at 5:15 PM on March 24, 2011

The last video is very impressive and well done, but can we all admit that physical channel is a really awkward way to photoshop?
posted by 7segment at 5:19 PM on March 24, 2011 [2 favorites]

delmoi: You know what I hate? 3D haters. This is the future, deal with it.

I think it's time for a "deal with it" animated gif with 3D glasses floating OFF of someone's face.
posted by luvcraft at 5:29 PM on March 24, 2011 [1 favorite]

This is so nauseatingly 1995.

I FUCKING LOVED THE VIRTUAL BOY. YOU TAKE THAT BACK RIGHT NOW.
posted by thsmchnekllsfascists at 5:38 PM on March 24, 2011 [1 favorite]

You know what I hate? 3D haters. This is the future, deal with it

I wouldn't say I'm a hater, but I would say I'm a doubter. If we're backing a single "future", then I think it's Augmented Reality. It follows current trends in technology (small portable computers with cameras). 3D, from every single person I've talked to about it, is a novel idea, but an absolute pain in the ass to get to work properly. You have a non-zero portion of the population who can't enjoy 3D at all because of motion sickness, or the technology simply not working.

Unless you can standardize the technology and make it really easy and painless to use (my temples were getting irritated at wearing glasses after Avatar), then I don't think 3D is going anywhere fast.

Makes me wish that Nintendo was focusing more on the camera aspect of this handheld and scrapped the 3D screen thing.
posted by codacorolla at 5:50 PM on March 24, 2011

3D is projecting the virtual world further into the 'real' world. But i don't want that. I want to be mentally absorbed in the virtual world. Ironically, things like 3D and Wiimotes and motion control remind me of the 'real world' and break the mental immersion I can get with a controller.

besides, doesn't this kinda steal some of the thunder from the new Pokemon, which should be big?
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 6:20 PM on March 24, 2011

then I don't think 3D is going anywhere fast.

It kind of is, with—or without—you. Sorry, it's just happening. I say this as someone who cohabitates with a lady who will never be able to enjoy this 3d nonsense.

Ironically, things like 3D and Wiimotes and motion control remind me of the 'real world' and break the mental immersion I can get with a controller.

Unfortunately, everybody else who has spare money disagrees with you.

As a couch-dude who loves old controllers, I'm bummed too.
posted by thsmchnekllsfascists at 6:24 PM on March 24, 2011 [1 favorite]

I should point out to people unimpressed with the launch titles that the lead designer on Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars is Julian Gollop. Yes, the guy who created X-COM. So ... the 3DS has an X-COM spiritual successor at launch. Why, yes, I do have one pre-reserved and fully paid off. Why do you ask?
posted by Amanojaku at 6:54 PM on March 24, 2011 [1 favorite]

Some people in white jumpsuits were eagerly demo-ing this in front of the Duane Reade on 14th near Broadway around 7pm. I had to buy razors and beer so i didn't try it out, but thaey'd drawn a crowd.
posted by jonmc at 7:32 PM on March 24, 2011 [1 favorite]

I remember waiting N64 to be setup at Walmart I was there early that day and helped the lady hookup the Nintendo to the TV had dreams about mario 64 and its was an amzing game at the time... Hope the DS3 can bring back some of that magic!
posted by lambertrina at 8:52 PM on March 24, 2011

the lead designer on Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars is Julian Gollop. Yes, the guy who created X-COM.

Wait, is Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars a turn-based strategy game?

Turns to Google.

That's awesome! Advance Wars was one of the best things about the GBA and NDS. Turn-based strategy has been ignored by the big console developers for too long, it's great to see it thriving on Nintendo handhelds.
posted by formless at 10:38 PM on March 24, 2011 [1 favorite]

Wow. The augmented reality game thing is kind of blowing me away. Clearly I've had my head under a rock.
posted by serazin at 12:08 AM on March 25, 2011

You have a non-zero portion of the population who can't enjoy 3D at all because of motion sickness, or the technology simply not working.

Unless you can standardize the technology and make it really easy and painless to use (my temples were getting irritated at wearing glasses after Avatar), then I don't think 3D is going anywhere fast.

It doesn't matter if it's non-zero, as long as it's small enough not to matter economically. The other thing is that people can adapt. And kids who grow up with this technology will have a lot less trouble with it.
posted by delmoi at 3:17 AM on March 25, 2011

I really hope they remake Gyromite for this system.
posted by Theta States at 7:12 AM on March 25, 2011

You know what I hate? 3D haters. This is the future, deal with it.

You know what I hate? The use of the "argument" of haters and/or the term. It's one the weakest blanket dismissals of an alternate point of view we have.

You have a non-zero portion of the population who can't enjoy 3D at all because of motion sickness.

I didn't know what motion sickness was until I played 2D FPS games. Sick within 15 minutes. I've read this happens to others too. Still, I do believe that 2D FPS games have had at least some measure of success?

It's early days for 3D right now and it reminds me of the early days for tons of other technology we currently use so I think it's going somewhere, but it's on the road and hasn't even come close to getting to a solid destination. This route seems to me, personally, to be the better one (meaning without glasses) but we shall see.
posted by juiceCake at 7:26 AM on March 25, 2011

I took a look at the 3DS at my local Best Buy. It was surprisingly not terribly headachy, though it seems as though it would take some getting used to. The slider that allows you to adjust the 3d depth is pretty handy, letting one find the 3d-ness that is most comfortable on the eyes.

I think I want one. But it's not high on my video game priority list.

The next two games in the Ace Attorney series are high on my priority list, however.
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 9:35 AM on March 25, 2011

This is a pretty good explanation of why I dislike 3D.

It's a sales gimmick that doesn't really relate to better stories. Comparing it to color or sound is disingenuous, because movies already present 3 dimensional depth, the pop-out effect is just a gimmicky trick to sell movie tickets. Until a movie uses 3D well (not even counting Avatar in this category) I think it's pretty much just marketing hype without anything real behind it.
posted by codacorolla at 5:42 PM on March 25, 2011