Performance
Though the exact specifications of the 3DS's processing architecture have not been revealed, it's clear that Nintendo put quite a bit of power into its new handheld. Though obviously performance varies with cartridge-based titles, for the most part games run smoothly in both 3D and 2D modes with no sizable framerate issues -- and the load times are all reasonably brief. Enabling 3D is as simple as adjusting the slider on the right side of the screen, and the device seamlessly transitions in and out of 3D modes without pause or any sort of interruption.
Despite its added graphics power, the device only supports limited multitasking functionality, and in most cases users can't even swap between basic apps. For example, you can leave and re-enter the photo app to return to the main interface, but if you want to open the device settings menu it requires you to quit the photo app entirely.
The only time the 3DS processor seemed to struggle was when using the AR games, which allow users to superimpose interactive characters and objects over an incoming video feed, and use the 3D mode to add an extra level of immersion. As fun and creative a concept as it is, there are times when the 3DS simply cannot keep up with the understandably taxing task of processing video, rendering graphics, and displaying stereoscopic 3D all at once, and framerates naturally take a dip. Of course, these issues are somewhat isolated and infrequent, but it is a little disappointing that the 3DS doesn't perform as well in one of its more unique and innovative modes.
Then, of course, there is the Wi-Fi. A common problem associated with mobile devices, both handheld gaming devices and smartphones alike, is Wi-Fi strength. Portable products use smaller, low-power receivers and subsequently often have issues maintaining a strong connection level at certain distances. The 3DS is no different. Within a distance of roughly ten to fifteen feet, the 3DS can connect and maintain a strong connection to a Wi-Fi network, but as distance and obstructions like walls are added, signal strength can drop off abruptly. Again, these types of performance issues are common, but worth noting all the same.
Battery Life
With pre-release estimates placing the 3DS's battery life at somewhere between three to five hours per charge with 3D engaged, the device's actual performance is obviously a huge concern. Unfortunately, those estimates are actually pretty accurate, and depending on how you use your 3DS, the built-in battery could last as few as two and a half hours or up to roughly four and a half hours per charge. Factors like 3D usage, Wi-Fi connectivity, screen brightness, and the caliber of games you're using impact the battery's lifespan, so individual experiences will vary.
Nintendo, undoubtedly recognizing the shortcomings of the battery, ships each unit with a charging dock, which allows users to simply drop their 3DS into place and recharge. The dock connects via metal contacts built around the charging port on the back of the 3DS, and can be dropped in or pulled out of the cradle effortlessly. Fortunately Nintendo doesn't require users to carry the dock around in order to charge, and you can just use the cable bundled with the 3DS or even your old DSi charger.
The problem of the 3DS's battery life has left a gap for third-party manufacturers to fill, and companies like Nyko and others are already readying replacement battery packs and add-ons to boost battery life. Of course, third-party solutions add size and weight to device, which is a trade-off many may not want to make.
In a perfect world, the 3DS would be able to balance a compact, lightweight form factor, 3D capability, battery performance, and competitive pricing, but unfortunately sacrifices in one or more capacity had to be made.
The 3D
The glasses-free 3D is, of course, the biggest selling point of the 3DS, but comes with both considerable strengths and weaknesses. The device's parallax 3D technology uses two displays layered on top of one another and a special barrier between them to separate and present a slightly offset image for each eye, giving a user a sense of depth. Viewing distance, spacing between a user's eyes, and angling all have an impact on the 3D effect, but a slider along the right side of the display allows users to fine tune the level of depth.
Achieving the 3D experience, however, requires users stay within a very narrow viewing area. Moving outside of your optimal viewing area -- typically looking straight at the screen at a distance of two feet or more – will distort the image or require users to stop and readjust the slider.
Once you're in the 3D sweet spot though the 3DS looks amazing; graphics look clean, characters and objects are sharp, and ghosting effects are limited, creating a rich, immersive gameplay experience unlike anything we've seen on a handheld before. Adding 3D augmented reality applications, photography and video viewing to the mix, the 3DS becomes an even more versatile 3D-enable device.
But again, staying within that scope is difficult.
There is also no guarantee that all users will be able to perceive the 3D effect, and if they can, whether or not they will experience eye strain or discomfort as a result. Some may feel discomfort immediately, while others only after an extended play session, but it seems to be a pretty common issue for most users.
The Games
We'll have separate reviews for all of the key launch titles, including AR Games and Face Raiders, but it's impossible to gauge a dedicated game system without acknowledging its life blood – games. While devices like the iPhone or iPad have plenty of functionality and operational capacity without games installed, the Nintendo 3DS' primary goal is to play the games you buy in a store.
Sixteen titles will launch alongside the Nintendo 3DS. It's a strong line-up from the perspective of genre variety. Racing, fighting, puzzle, sports, action, strategy… many core game types are represented, plus it's a healthy balance between software for players young and old, hardcore and casual. What seems to be missing is that "killer app." Many launches, though notably not the Nintendo DS, have one or two "must have" titles that drive gamers to stores. Though some of these launch day games are really strong (Street Fighter, for example), none of them are so compelling that it's garnered a huge reaction from the Nintendo team here at IGN. It's fairly well known that all of that content is still months away.
That's where the power of the Nintendo 3DS truly lies. Though you'll probably find something worth picking up on March 27, it's what's coming later this year that's worth a fuss. A remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The return of Kid Icarus. A new Mario adventure. Two Resident Evil titles. Metal Gear Solid. Kingdom Hearts. The list goes on, and it's truly impressive. Buying a system now is effectively investing in that future. Though we're still evaluating the launch software, and likely will be when you read this, it's seeming very likely that you're not getting a 3DS for what it's offering now, but what it will offer later. That's not such a huge concern to us, but you definitely will want to keep that in mind.
Though the exact specifications of the 3DS's processing architecture have not been revealed, it's clear that Nintendo put quite a bit of power into its new handheld. Though obviously performance varies with cartridge-based titles, for the most part games run smoothly in both 3D and 2D modes with no sizable framerate issues -- and the load times are all reasonably brief. Enabling 3D is as simple as adjusting the slider on the right side of the screen, and the device seamlessly transitions in and out of 3D modes without pause or any sort of interruption.
Despite its added graphics power, the device only supports limited multitasking functionality, and in most cases users can't even swap between basic apps. For example, you can leave and re-enter the photo app to return to the main interface, but if you want to open the device settings menu it requires you to quit the photo app entirely.
The only time the 3DS processor seemed to struggle was when using the AR games, which allow users to superimpose interactive characters and objects over an incoming video feed, and use the 3D mode to add an extra level of immersion. As fun and creative a concept as it is, there are times when the 3DS simply cannot keep up with the understandably taxing task of processing video, rendering graphics, and displaying stereoscopic 3D all at once, and framerates naturally take a dip. Of course, these issues are somewhat isolated and infrequent, but it is a little disappointing that the 3DS doesn't perform as well in one of its more unique and innovative modes.
Then, of course, there is the Wi-Fi. A common problem associated with mobile devices, both handheld gaming devices and smartphones alike, is Wi-Fi strength. Portable products use smaller, low-power receivers and subsequently often have issues maintaining a strong connection level at certain distances. The 3DS is no different. Within a distance of roughly ten to fifteen feet, the 3DS can connect and maintain a strong connection to a Wi-Fi network, but as distance and obstructions like walls are added, signal strength can drop off abruptly. Again, these types of performance issues are common, but worth noting all the same.
Battery Life
With pre-release estimates placing the 3DS's battery life at somewhere between three to five hours per charge with 3D engaged, the device's actual performance is obviously a huge concern. Unfortunately, those estimates are actually pretty accurate, and depending on how you use your 3DS, the built-in battery could last as few as two and a half hours or up to roughly four and a half hours per charge. Factors like 3D usage, Wi-Fi connectivity, screen brightness, and the caliber of games you're using impact the battery's lifespan, so individual experiences will vary.
Nintendo, undoubtedly recognizing the shortcomings of the battery, ships each unit with a charging dock, which allows users to simply drop their 3DS into place and recharge. The dock connects via metal contacts built around the charging port on the back of the 3DS, and can be dropped in or pulled out of the cradle effortlessly. Fortunately Nintendo doesn't require users to carry the dock around in order to charge, and you can just use the cable bundled with the 3DS or even your old DSi charger.
The problem of the 3DS's battery life has left a gap for third-party manufacturers to fill, and companies like Nyko and others are already readying replacement battery packs and add-ons to boost battery life. Of course, third-party solutions add size and weight to device, which is a trade-off many may not want to make.
In a perfect world, the 3DS would be able to balance a compact, lightweight form factor, 3D capability, battery performance, and competitive pricing, but unfortunately sacrifices in one or more capacity had to be made.
The 3D
The glasses-free 3D is, of course, the biggest selling point of the 3DS, but comes with both considerable strengths and weaknesses. The device's parallax 3D technology uses two displays layered on top of one another and a special barrier between them to separate and present a slightly offset image for each eye, giving a user a sense of depth. Viewing distance, spacing between a user's eyes, and angling all have an impact on the 3D effect, but a slider along the right side of the display allows users to fine tune the level of depth.
Achieving the 3D experience, however, requires users stay within a very narrow viewing area. Moving outside of your optimal viewing area -- typically looking straight at the screen at a distance of two feet or more – will distort the image or require users to stop and readjust the slider.
Once you're in the 3D sweet spot though the 3DS looks amazing; graphics look clean, characters and objects are sharp, and ghosting effects are limited, creating a rich, immersive gameplay experience unlike anything we've seen on a handheld before. Adding 3D augmented reality applications, photography and video viewing to the mix, the 3DS becomes an even more versatile 3D-enable device.
But again, staying within that scope is difficult.
There is also no guarantee that all users will be able to perceive the 3D effect, and if they can, whether or not they will experience eye strain or discomfort as a result. Some may feel discomfort immediately, while others only after an extended play session, but it seems to be a pretty common issue for most users.
The Games
We'll have separate reviews for all of the key launch titles, including AR Games and Face Raiders, but it's impossible to gauge a dedicated game system without acknowledging its life blood – games. While devices like the iPhone or iPad have plenty of functionality and operational capacity without games installed, the Nintendo 3DS' primary goal is to play the games you buy in a store.
Sixteen titles will launch alongside the Nintendo 3DS. It's a strong line-up from the perspective of genre variety. Racing, fighting, puzzle, sports, action, strategy… many core game types are represented, plus it's a healthy balance between software for players young and old, hardcore and casual. What seems to be missing is that "killer app." Many launches, though notably not the Nintendo DS, have one or two "must have" titles that drive gamers to stores. Though some of these launch day games are really strong (Street Fighter, for example), none of them are so compelling that it's garnered a huge reaction from the Nintendo team here at IGN. It's fairly well known that all of that content is still months away.
That's where the power of the Nintendo 3DS truly lies. Though you'll probably find something worth picking up on March 27, it's what's coming later this year that's worth a fuss. A remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The return of Kid Icarus. A new Mario adventure. Two Resident Evil titles. Metal Gear Solid. Kingdom Hearts. The list goes on, and it's truly impressive. Buying a system now is effectively investing in that future. Though we're still evaluating the launch software, and likely will be when you read this, it's seeming very likely that you're not getting a 3DS for what it's offering now, but what it will offer later. That's not such a huge concern to us, but you definitely will want to keep that in mind.
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