Thomas Whitehead: How about the growing eShop library, has that boosted the console in a major way, or is it a sideshow?
Dave Frear: Sideshow. The Virtual Console selection could use some bulking out. There's actually more than I thought on there but it took a long time for Game Gear games to appear.
James Newton: To guys like us it's useful but I wonder if it makes any difference to your average 3DS user.
Desiree Turner: It's still more in the 'sideshow' category to me, though I feel it's a disservice to games like Pushmo, which are great fun.
Mike Mason: The new additions have been very necessary in my opinion. The system launched without eShop, and in this increasingly digital age that hurt the system. I reckon the eShop is a big boost — it doesn't have a massive catalogue of original 3DS games yet, but in the future I'm sure that'll change.
Desiree Turner: It's like it was with the DSi — a waiting game, really.
Mike Mason: The integration with SpotPass and notifications will help to make it relevant to people in time. As long as they've got their system net-connected.
Mark Reece: I tend to use the eShop games as stop-gaps. If I've got a few days to wait until an anticipated release and I'm beginning to get antsy, I'll splash a few quid on something to keep me going. Other than that, I don't spend a lot of time looking at eShop games.
Corbie Dillard: Judging from eShop sales, I'm not sure how much influence they have on actually boosting the system, rather being more like icing on the cake. It shocks me still how many 3DS owners I know personally rarely, if ever, take their system online. When I begin talking about games like Mutant Mudds and Mighty Switch Force, most of my buddies look at me like I'm crazy. I can't count the number of them I've had to show how to go online and purchase games from the eShop.
Of course gamers like our readers and those who follow the system more closely on the internet itself are likely more in tune with the eShop and just how many great games it has to offer. I hope over time we see more and more people getting on the eShop, and a lot of that will depend on how much Nintendo does to promote it and make people aware of it, an area where I still think it can do a better job.
Thomas Whitehead: Following on from that point, do you think the typical 3DS is online? Wii consoles are notorious for owners not connecting them.
James Newton: It's got the highest connection rate of all Nintendo consoles, so I understand.
Mike Mason: I can't remember the statistics, but what James said.
James Newton: Words to live by.
Mike Mason: And I think it's a major focal point in Nintendo's strategy.
Mark Reece: That’s not saying much though, is it Mike/James?
Mike Mason: It's better than it being the least connected, right?
Desiree Turner: Everything is relative.
Mark Reece: I suspect that in the grand scheme of things there aren't that many 3DS’ connected. A lot of the market Nintendo gained with DS, DSi, etc aren't that tech-savvy, I imagine.
Dave Frear: I was always baffled by people who didn't know their Wii could connect online. What did they think that Shop channel was? Did they not get curious and click it, just once?
Thomas Whitehead: Nintendo seem to be putting in plenty of effort, with the eShop even mentioned in TV ads: are they doing enough?
Corbie Dillard: As I mentioned above, I still think Nintendo needs to do more to make consumers aware of just how many great things getting online with the system has to offer. It never ceases to amaze me how many people I run into who own 3DS systems still don't know about the eShop games. And these are tech-savvy people who all own smartphones and iPads, so the fact that they don't know what they're missing from not taking their 3DS systems online is rather telling for me.
Mark Reece: Nintendo has never done enough when it comes to online integration. There are still parts of the 3DS online functionality that are clunky and have been done better elsewhere for years now.
Mike Mason: There's always time for change, and the buzz seems to be that it wants to do far more in that area.
Mark Reece: Talk is cheap though, Mike. Actions speak louder than words, and all that.
Mike Mason: The eShop is a good example of its improvements, though. It's still a bit clunky — needing to search for specific titles, etc. — but it's far ahead of anything else they've done online. Nintendo is moving in the right direction.
Dave Frear: The eShop is an improvement. I do wish it was more like the iOS app store though.
Thomas Whitehead: Bearing all of this in mind, after a year with the 3DS, are you happy with it in its current state, and is it a big part of your gaming life?
Dave Frear: I don't play as much as I'd like but it's probably the system I play the most at the moment. There's some decent games available and I'm glad there are demos on the eShop. Hopefully they'll keep them coming.
James Newton: I am a big 3DS convert now: I'm on StreetPass, Letter Box and/or Super Mario 3D Land every day.
Mike Mason: I'm reasonably satisfied, but I wouldn't exactly say it's my most played system. I do like taking it out for a spot of StreetPass still, now we've got new additions on that front.
Desiree Turner: I think I peaked with MK7, and now that I'm kind of over it I'm just waiting for the next big game that I want. I love that it’s doing demos straight to the system now, though — quite the improvement over the DS having to access them through the Wii Shop.
Mark Reece: I've not used mine in a while actually. I used to take my 3DS out with me a lot for StreetPass hits, but lately I've not bothered. It all depends on whether or not I've got a game I'm currently addicted to. Whenever that isn't the case, save for the odd go on MK7, the 3DS isn't in my hands all that often these days.
Thomas Whitehead: I play it daily, to varying degrees. Maybe it’s because I haven't invested in the obvious competitor, but I'm loving it at the moment.
Desiree Turner: I might play mine more if the DS resolution wasn't so blurry/odd. I play my DSi quite a bit still thanks to that.
Mark Reece: I'm a system jumper. If I'm playing a game, I'm on that system. Until then, everything else gets put on the backburner.
Mike Mason: I tend to go through binges with consoles, playing them solidly and ignoring everything else. 3DS isn't that system at this minute. But its time will come around again soon I'm sure.
Corbie Dillard: It was a big part of my gaming life until I got my Vita. I'm kidding! I've loved the 3DS since that first moment I tried it at E3 and I still love it. And when I think about some of the amazing games that are coming out later this year for it, I fall in love with it all over again. Now if Paper Mario would just hurry up and get here…
Dave Frear: I've not played old DS games on it much. I tried Mario 64 then got scared when I remembered there was no thumb strap.
Thomas Whitehead: Is the current software line-up and schedule doing enough to retain interest?
Dave Frear: I've got quite a backlog of games so I've not really noticed.
Mike Mason: I think the line-up is decent now, yeah. I'm not massively fussed about Kid Icarus, though, so I think I'll be more excited as we start to creep closer to Luigi's Mansion 2, Animal Crossing... there's plenty of stuff lurking on the horizon that I want.
Mark Reece: Mario Tennis Open!
Mike Mason: That too.
I'm sure there will inevitably be those who complain, but you can't have one amazing game right after another coming out on a constant basis. That's just not realistic.
Corbie Dillard: I think the software line-up is doing fairly well. I'm sure there will inevitably be those who complain, but you can't have one amazing game right after another coming out on a constant basis. That's just not realistic. I think we'll see some ups and downs, but I'd be willing to bet that Nintendo will have another killer 3DS holiday season lineup again this year, and that's the best way they can keep their sales momentum going.
James Newton: Interesting we're not mentioning third party though. Interesting, but not surprising.
Mike Mason: Rhythm Thief and The Emperor's Treasure?
Desiree Turner: The third party games really haven't interested me yet — not the ones that are out, anyway.
James Newton: Heroes of Ruin, Rhythm Thief, er...
Mark Reece: Exactly.
Mike Mason: The 999 sequel.
Mark Reece: They're not exactly coming en masse, are they? Not hotly anticipated, big name titles anyway.
Mike Mason: Monster Hunter.
Desiree Turner: It's a bit frustrating, but I'm doing my best to be patient.
Mike Mason: I think E3 will be interesting when it comes to that, now the system has started to fulfil its sales potential. I hope, anyway.
Mark Reece: That depends on Vita as well though.
Thomas Whitehead: Third-party support is maybe one example, but what are the console's weaknesses at this moment in time?
Corbie Dillard: Third-party support has traditionally been a bit of a weak point for Nintendo game systems in recent years, so it's not terribly surprising that 3DS third-party support has been hit or miss. I do think the resurgence of 3DS sales will help down the line as more and more third-party developers and publishers jump on board, but it might take time for it to really kick in.
I think the Wii U will hurt the 3DS a little bit as it's likely going to take centre stage at E3 and will likely be the hot gaming item during the holiday season this year. That might steal some of the 3DS system's thunder, but I'd have to believe that Nintendo would be aware of that and will probably have some really big titles flowing out at a steady pace during the fall and early winter months.
Mark Reece: Vita.
Mike Mason: I disagree with that. I don't think 3DS will have any trouble with Vita — they'll coexist and carve out their own markets just fine I reckon. They're both great systems.
Desiree Turner: I think Nintendo's decision to continue focusing development on the DS is a definite hindrance. What's up with Pokémon White/Black 2 being for the DS/i? That'd be a system-seller if it were on the 3DS.
Dave Frear: Yeah that was a bit strange.
Mark Reece: Vita's going after the home console crowd, providing experiences on a par with their home console counterparts. The 3DS just can't deliver in that regard, and needs to stop trying. It needs more games that are unique to the system. Stop trying to shoehorn Splinter Cell, Rayman, Metal Gear etc onto 3DS, because Vita can do it ten times better. When the DS first released, there was so much on it that was unique and couldn't be played anywhere else. 3DS has too many home console-esque games that it simply struggles with because of its limitations.
Desiree Turner: No offense, but I don't think that just because something else 'does it better' doesn't mean Nintendo shouldn't try anyway — if they can bring something new to the table with it, more power to them: and I don't just mean 3D.
Mark Reece: 3D is the one thing 3DS has over Vita. In my opinion, not enough's being done with it.
How many games have been released that used 3D to create original, innovative experiences.
Desiree Turner: It's in its first year, though. Early DS games were often average as well, and many didn't take enough advantage of the touchscreen.
James Newton: Or used it for a map!
Dave Frear: Or were GBA games with tacked-on touch controls.
Desiree Turner: Exactly. I'm willing to wait to see what comes later down the line.
Mark Reece: But the clue's in the name. 3DS. What's the point in 3D, if no one's going to do anything worthwhile with it? Star Fox benefited from extra depth, but it did perfectly fine without it. Mario did fine without it.
Desiree Turner: What was the point in having a touchscreen and two screens if no one really did anything with it at first? Nintendo’s still kind of coming off the last system in the line. Give them time is what I'm saying.
James Newton: I think if anyone's going to create a 3DS game that absolutely, positively requires the 3D effect it would be online but not retail. Video games have been displayed in 2D for decades; we're not going to get a sea change in under 12 months.
Mark Reece: Plus however long developers had with it before launch, though.
James Newton: Yeah but you're basing it on 12 months of released software.
Mike Mason: I'm sure there are plenty of cool uses of 3D in R&D. But even though it's the system's headline feature, developers and publishers have to think about sales as well, and it's been seen that 3D isn't a universal thing that everybody can use.
I'm sure they'll come as the market increases. It's still a young system, and companies are still working out how to exploit it best.
Thomas Whitehead: I thought that Super Mario 3D Land was pretty innovative with 3D, in small doses.
Desiree Turner: SM3DL was a decent start. If there were more games where enabling the 3D was necessary to get through the game in places, I'm sure I'd actually use it more.
Mark Reece: And yet, I still managed to get to the end without using 3D.
Mike Mason: I wish CiNG were still about. It'd show everybody else up as it loved messing with every bit of a system.
Dave Frear: Not sure if it will use it well, or benefit in any way from the 3D, but Luigi's Mansion 2 is the one that jumps out when I look at the upcoming game list. I'm definitely looking forward to that.
Thomas Whitehead: What would you like to see the most in the console’s second year?
Corbie Dillard: Games, games, and more games. Paper Mario, Luigi's Mansion 2, and a 3D update of Link to the Past would be a nice start. And I wouldn't complain if we saw a 3DS Wario Land game either. And Donkey Kong Country. And Metroid. Okay, I'll stop now, but you get the idea.
Dave Frear: Going back to what I said earlier, it'd be great to get 3D films on the system and not just the trailers.
Mike Mason: I want Nintendo to really exploit the eShop, use it to put out unique titles that they couldn't justify as full retail titles.
James Newton: In the next 12 months it needs another major system update, perhaps with instant messaging and... stuff.
Mike Mason: Second year, I'd like to see even more StreetPass functionality. It needs to be a regular thing to keep people hooked. New games, new puzzles, new modes.
Mark Reece: Apart from games that use 3D to its full potential, I demand a fourth entry in the Mario & Luigi RPG series.
Dave Frear: Something else that interests me is Colors! 3D. I liked mucking about on the old homebrew release so I'm looking forward to trying it out when it turns up on the eShop.
James Newton: There is some cool stuff on the way to the eShop, and we now have Game Gear games!
Mike Mason: I agree with Dave's earlier comment about 3D films, too. There's a big advantage there — use it! The video apps are a good start, but more please!
Mark Reece: Triple Trouble is the only GG game I've got my eye on. Love that game. I'm wary of everything else. I fear they won't have aged as well as I'd like. Like Sonic Drift. After MK7, playing Sonic Drift on 3DS might tarnish my memories of that game forever.
Dave Frear: Give it a few laps and you'll be fine.
James Newton: 3DS is cool but it needs more SEGA games.
Thomas Whitehead: Here we go again: SEGA SEGA SEGA.
James Newton: That should be the title of this feature.
Mark Reece: I wonder how soon we'll see the inevitable hardware revision? There's only so long the 3DS can survive with the circle pad pro add-on, in my opinion.
Mike Mason: We're forgetting cool things here — SEGA X Capcom X Namco Bandai. What will that be?
James Newton: Keeping that off my radar until I know more.
Dave Frear: I think if retail downloads were available from the eShop that would also make a lot of people happy. Maybe one day Nintendo will release a ‘3DS Go’ that's download only - as well as having that second stick.
Desiree Turner: Lord I hope they don't! It's too early for that.
Thomas Whitehead: 3DS GO = NO
Desiree Turner: The digital-only day is coming, but John Q. Public isn't ready to take that step yet.
Mike Mason: Which is why PSP Go didn't do very well, to say the least.
Desiree Turner: Perhaps with the next generation we'll see it, but then with Nintendo, you never know.
At this point the team argues about the merits of download retail games for a long time, which is for another day. It’s been an interesting year for 3DS, a system that has brought Nintendo portable gaming to another level. We’d love to read your opinions about any of the topics raised in the comments below.
(1) Thanks for use of this image by Jerry Wong
Comments 64
good interview
yes this year for the 3ds HAS gone fast
I laughed when they were talking about menu organization, I do that also! Also, I'm really happy with my 3DS, having 29 retail games and a ton of eshop downloads!
This was a pretty awesome article.
BTW, Mark, how did you beat SM3DL without 3D?
Did you just not use the bonus rooms?
@Bobhobob I beat it without 3D. I only used it for the cutscenes because the photo's looked cool with it on.
@Article: I don't think a 3DS revision will be needed, because while it's UGLY it's also adds width to it so you don't get hand cramps as much, and their are options to play the games that use it without it. Nintendo should wait until the 3DS's 3rd B-day before making a 3DS Xl/Lite to make sure that people will buy the device and add as many fixes as possible, as the CPP might not be the only add on for the 3DS.
I'ld say the 3DS' first year is just absolutely amazing so far. I own 5 3DS carts (more on the way, just waiting for ebay lol) and I got 11 3DS eShop downloads. I'ld say Nintendo is on the right track, can't wait for Wii U!
Luigi's Mansion? No excitement for Fire Emblem, huh?
@SkywardLink98 Yes, they should wait to the 3 year anniversary of the 3ds to release a new 3ds, because a lot of people would be pissed if they released it this year, and like you said, it would allow them to add other features. I just hope that these features would be able to attain on the current 3ds through an update (excluding a better screen, unless they could possibly make multiple sweet spots through an update) it also would be nice if nintendo made a new battery to sell, so that you could change it without voiding your warranty.
@Gamesake I'm pretty excited about Fire Emblem, actually, but didn't remember to say so during the Round Table I'm late to the series and I only started thanks to the GBA Ambassador games, but I'll certainly be picking it up this summer.
Its been a decent year so far. The start was terribad,the middle was kind of bad, but the tail end was awesome.
As far as what's next I'm really not sure what to expect. I don't think the E3 preset will have a big focus on 3ds at all.
disappointment is really the only word that comes to mind to describe the 3DS's first year in my experience with it, the only other machine I felt this disappointed by a year on was the original PSP and I eventually sold that the only ever games machine I got rid off, I have high hopes that Paper Mario will go a long way to changing how I feel about the 3DS but so far so meh as far as I'm concerned.
I never thought it was doomed because i know nintendo
fun, interesting interviews.
the only thing that sort of bugs me is the concept that the public is made up of idiots who know nothing about systems. a lot of the parents who are buying systems for their kids today have been gaming themselves for years. i know each generation feels they invented everything from sex to video games, but it is just not true.
i have seen as many adults with 3DSes as kids, tbh. we have played these franchises from the beginning; at least some of us have. please stop with the 'the public is easily confused' type of nonsense. give us some credit for at least a modicum of intelligence and experience.
It is not just the name 3DS that was a mistake but the game boxes look almost identical to the DS ones. You go to Wal-mart and they have the DS and 3DS games all jumbled up so it can be quite confusing even when you know what you are looking for.
This was a nice little feature.
I've been immensely satisfied with the first year of the 3DS, I play it more than any other system. Having said that, I'm also a diehard oldschooler, so the game I've played more than any else in the past two months or so was.... 3D Classics: Xevious. And this coming from someone who never played the original Xevious.
And before that it was Mario Kart: Super Circuit from the Ambassador titles. Sooo,mI also played the heck out of Ocarina of Time 3D, Metroid 2: Return of Samus, Super Mario Land and Super Mario 3D Land. I think Nintendo has done a fine job so far.
@k8sMum I think this is true. It's funny, the other week I didn't bring my netbook to a Bible Study because I was in a rush, but I ALWAYS bring my 3DS with me (because of the pedometer, actually. I love to take a look at it and find out how many steps I've taken) and I ended up using Swapnote for the first time, to take notes! It was funny to see the reactions of the young college-age kids there with me, a few gave me questioning looks lol. But it actually worked quite well. The guy in front of me (we were at Starbucks) had his giant laptop on the table blocking my view, so it was actually nice to have this little system in front of me that can also take notes. I say this as a guy who doesn't own and hasn't owned any Apple products, so no iPod Touch/iPhone/iPad for me. If I had one I may have used that instead.
I think it's great that Nintendo seems to really be pushing Spirit Camera, and with the fact that Resident Evil: Revelations and RE: Mercenaries 3D and Snake Eater 3D just came out, I think it bodes well for the future and for Nintendo getting behind some more Mature titles. Revelations is the game I want the most BY FAR on any system, and I'll likely be buying it after I pick up Xenoblade Chronicles.
As mentioned in this article though, it'll be really interesting and a real test of the 3DS' strength (or lack thereof) once E3 comes around and we learn more about the Wii U and a release date. Will the PS Vita overshadow the 3DS? Will the hype for Wii U hurt the 3DS? I think the 3DS has done quite well with a number of original games, but it also has a TON of ports. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, I think ports like Devil Survivor OverClocked and Tales of the Abyss are GREAT examples of ports done right. As is Snake Eater. I also am surprised at how many great fighting games the 3DS has: Tekken 3D: Prime Edition, Dead or Alive Dimensions, Super Street Fighter IV 3D and BlazBlue Continuum Shift II, the 3DS is doing a pretty good job of covering all the bases when you really think about it. And it has enough RPG, Fighting and Survival Horror titles to satisfy those hardcore niche audiences that love those games,
I think that bodes well for the future. Personally I'm most looking forward to Luigi's Mansion 2 (never played the original... yet. Always wanted it), Paper Mario (another series I've never played >_<), Fire Emblem (ditto. Sending a pattern?) and Animal Crossing. Those are the ones that come to mind off the top of my head. But I'm really looking forward to what Nintendo has in store at E3. I'm hoping for a new 2D Metroid or a remake/remastering of Super Metroid.... And I'm still holding out hope that Nintendo will bring the whole Mother series or EarthBound to 3DS in reworked/remastered form.....
Btw I was really surprised to hear all this talk of the StreetPass as if it was a feature... I think there's something I don't know about... I've still yet to click on the Mii Plaza so maybe that's what all the talk is about?
The 3DS lauch line up was one of the best I've ever seen. It was the fact that nothing was released after launch which gives it a bad name.
@k8sMum You're making a fair point, though I'd say that the comments from the guys were quite fair, based on the numbers of Wii and DSi consoles connected online. I don't have the sources to hand, but both of those consoles had pretty low connectivity rates in comparison to other consoles. While there are plenty of parents who are up-to-the-minute and connecting Nintendo consoles, there are a number who aren't.
James made a good point about the 3DS being taken online more than Wii, which is perhaps an indication that, in the coming years, that perception of Nintendo owners not knowing about online functionality will start to become a thing of the past.
As for the 'public is easily confused', Corbie raised the point about friends not knowing about the eShop, and I had a stint in retail where I had a lot of people asking me if their DSi would play 3DS games. Again, I think times are changing and, with mainstream media picking up gaming as a topic more and more, it'll be less of an issue in the future.
to many threads about talking about the first year of the 3ds,it had a hard start and then it went silky smooth,now lets talk about the upcoming years shall we
I love my 3ds is a grate console.
@astrotriforce
" I was really surprised to hear all this talk of the StreetPass as if it was a feature... I think there's something I don't know about... I've still yet to click on the Mii Plaza so maybe that's what all the talk is about?"
Umm... Considering that StreetPass IS an important feature...yes, you're missing something. You wouldn't have gotten any Miis if you never opened the Plaza. -_-
I am actually happy with the 3DS. The slow start did not affect me since I had a ton of catching up to do as I never got a DS/DSi, and now there are plenty of great games to choose from both in retail and downloads.
I also love how Club Nintendo is giving away games as rewards now, and the 3DS has benefited a lot from that. Loving Mario Picross. Things like this (and the Ambassador games last year) should entice more people to connect their systems online. Same with the eShop demos.
There are many things I don't take advantage of, like Street pass and Swapnote, but it is nice to have them anyway.
eehm, is it just me or is everyone on the Nintendo Life team aside from James not actually very into Nintendo games? It seems the prefer Sony and Vita more than what they actually write about T.T James seems to always be positive about the 3ds and Nintendo in general though.
@ThomasBW84 actually, thomas, i would put that down to the fact that nintendo has never done the 'net thing well enough for some people to bother with. until they make it so people can easily communicate with others online, they will be sorely lacking in that important element of electronics. i would give up nintendo videos for youtube any day.
And also is that Mark Reece guy a Vita fanboy, he surely sounds quite a bit like it, so may i ask what he's doing on a Nintendo ONLY site? Is it just becomes he got a job and took it, not very reassuring at all T.T
I don't see why liking another product as much or more than nintendo should bar you from reviewing nintendo games, besides surely we all know Sega is superior to all
also its not exactly a job its a voluntary position
@ChosenOne25
it keeps us from having sunshine blown up our skirts all the time re: honest reviews of systems, games etc.
also, some of us have room in our hearts for more than one corportation and their products.
@k8sMum I own both PSP and DS & 3DS so I'm not only loyal to one brand. I play PC as well by the way, but the way that guy describes the 3ds is like he doesn't even like it, so why bother reviewing games or even writing about it. I, on one hand, really love my 3ds and carry it around every day because of coin collections, streetpass, and spotpass. There are so many features to keep you going, but he made it sound like they don't mean anything T.T That's why I'm a little irritated.
@ChosenOne25 fair enough. i really appreciate that there are some reviewers here that are not hardcore ninty fans; i think it does make for a better mix. also, many gamers just want good games and don't really care about streetpass etc. different strokes and all that.
btw: i carry my 3ds most places, also (even tho i don't get many streetpass hits) but for those days i am working at home i sit and just wiggle the unit around by hand til i get my coins.
@ChosenOne25 I'm not a Vita fanboy. I don't even own one; handheld-wise, I just own a 3DS. I was merely pointing out that 3DS devs should stop trying to shoehorn ports onto the system — because the Vita is far better suited to them — and actually do something that makes use of the 3DS' capabilities.
I'm with Mark, I like arranging all my icons on the menu into categories probably more than playing the games themselves. Especially my large ambassador category. I loved the price drop because of those 20 free games. My 3DS has been my "girlfriend" for the past year as my running joke goes. I'm quite satisfied with it so far and look forward to when Fire Emblem comes out. Other things too, but also Fire Emblem.
I honestly think the 3DS vs. Vita thing is overblown. They have very different markets in the end, and much of the respective bases wouldn't cross over.
When Iwata says that Nintendo considers its competition not to be other game consoles but primarily to be other entertainment in general (from YouTube to any other quick distractions), I'd say he's onto something. The 3DS needs to sell consumers on the idea of a fun gadget-toy with some nifty features; it doesn't need to worry about competing for some elusive "gamer" core.
THE 3DS IS... EPIC!
@ChosenOne25: Of all the people to peg as a 'Vita fanboy', Corbie's the one to watch out for. :3
That said, you don't have to be an uber-fan of other products to express disappointment with what you've got. I've been playing Nintendo systems since before I entered kindergarten, and I've got very fond memories of the Christmases we scored our NES, SNESes, Game Boys, the N64, and then as the Wii rolled out my husband and I purchased one, and then our Lites, DSis, and now my 3DS. No offense to you or anyone else, but even as a dyed-in-the-wool Nintendo fan, for me the first year of the 3DS kinda sucked up until this past holiday season. Bring on the new year, y'know? :3
@Sam_Loser2 I love arranging my icons too, I LOl'd when they mentioned that, cos I only just rearrranged mine the other day. I love having Icons more than I like playing the games, which freaks me out because I have ambassador games that i've either yet to play or haven't finished yet.
Anyone have all the Kid Icarus games on their 3DS yet? I have my games arranged by series and it's ridiculous when I know I've got the ENTIRE Kid Icarus Series on my 3DS, yes thats right, 3D Classics Kid Icarus, Of Myths and Monsters and Uprising.
A few things I want to note
Historically
nintendo handheld support has been better than any other system in that respective gen.........talking about third party support and nintendo portables is ridiculous
especually for the 3ds
Layton 5, inazuma 4, rocket slime 3, resident evil, tales of the abyss, and more? in the first year? un heard of
Secondly sales wise no system is doing better than the 3ds is right now, so its full steam ahead
"Mike Mason: I think the line-up is decent now, yeah. I'm not massively fussed about Kid Icarus"
Prepare yourself for pain, Mr. Mason...
Mark Reece: "Apart from games that use 3D to its full potential, I demand a fourth entry in the Mario & Luigi RPG series."
10 points for you.
Not impressed at all with that first year. And having devs trying things for the 3DS that the console cannot really support well is even more frustrating, RE and Metal Gear are good examples of poor controls and/or performances, and this also applies to Nintendo with Kid Ikarus and the most terrible way I've seen to implement camera/sight control, all these only help to make more evident the critical design flaws of the device. On the other hand you also have "modest" games that suite perfectly with what the console is able to do, as for example Mario K 7.
Reggie visited my Mii Plaza.
i disagree with what desiree said about the new pokemon games. It would have taken them far too long to get the Pokemon game out if they had to re-tweak everything into 3D. Plus it's a true sequel to Pokemon Black/White on the DS system so it should be on the DS. Once it's time for the sixth generation, that is when it will be time to put it on the 3DS.
Great discussion. I think it's safe to say the 3DS's first year is one of the most roller coaster years a system has ever had in the first 12 months of launch.
I've loved my 3DS thus far. I'll admit that it had a slow start (as a launch buyer I know how it felt), but for me, the real turnaround came about during the summer. I picked up Dead or Alive Dimensions at the tail end of May (still one of the best games on 3DS, IMO), and Ocarina of Time 3D in June. Those two games (along with a collection of classic GB games) easily kept my attention until the holiday season (and the ambassador games, of course). Also, because I've never played them on their original platforms, none of the ports or remakes have dissapointed me. Everything I've played has been new to me (not counting a few of the NES games, and most of the GBA games), so it's been a fantastic year for me.
@corbie I don't believe your joking...... I've seen you on the playstation site lol
I make no bones about loving my PlayStation Vita system, but if someone made me choose between my Vita and 3DS, the 3DS would win, because nothing beats Nintendo's first-party franchises. Nada!
It's good to see your not a fan boy..... The nintendo vs. Sony wars are rediculous. Each company has something unique that bring different experiences, which is why I try to get products by both of them. I plan on getting a Vita, but it'll have to be next year because nintendo stole my wallet already with the WiiU coming out.
I'm very happy with my 3DS.
I played with it a lot when it launched just because it was my exciting new system.
And sure, it then had a quiet period for quite a long time but it never really bothered me as much as it seemed to have bothered everyone else.
I still managed to play my 3DS quite a bit and took it everywhere with me, and I had plenty of other games to play on other systems as I waited for more to arrive.
Now with some awesome eShop games, Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7 and Resident Evil: Revelations, there's always something to play on my 3DS.
And now we have Kid Icarus: Uprising which is the best game on the system yet and I'm pretty sure will join Mario Kart 7 as a 100+ hour game.
@grimbldoo
Wait, you're taking me seriously?
Really?
Are you sure?
Well, that shouldn't have happened.
Then again, KI:U has been described countless times as a 3D SSB. So I can justify my own not-serious attack because anyone who does not find SSB amazing is an awful person.
Opinions are not allowed.
@mumof2kids82: What's the point of continuing on with 5th-gen stuff at all, then? That's kinda my point — why devote time and effort to pushing out a 'true sequel' to B/W when they can be going full-throttle with the 6th generation on 3DS? we had B/W, HG/SS, and the Mystery Dungeon and Ranger games; there's been plenty of Pokemon for the DS, and sequels have never really been warranted before in terms of the main Pokemon series anyway, so that particular decision just confuses me overall. ah well :3
@theblackdragon thank gawd you changed your avatar back to normal!
I don't know who Mike Mason is here, but agree with what he brought up in regards to the eShop. Nintendo should use it to push a bunch of new IPs. Of the ones I've played, Pushmo, Dillon's Rolling Western and Freakyforms, none have been less than great and they all felt fresh compared to the usual titles Nintendo releases. That said, I too want to see established franchises have eShop titles made such as a new Mario and Metroid sprited sidescroller.
but really, what's stopping nintendo from porting super smash brothers brawl, to the 3ds?.. wait... they might announce that news at E3... Xb
I'm in the boat of not ever owning Zelda OoT or Star Fox 64 so those being ports never bothered me, the same can be said for Blazblue,Bit Trip,Street Fighter,and Metal Gear.
Secondly if one lesson can be learned from the launch it's have one of the following at launch
*Mario
*Zelda
*Something new but killer app(Wii Sports).
If there is one thing that will get the 3DS tons of sales, it's putting N64 games on the eShop Virtual Console!
@platinumGamrrX yes!!!
@PlatinumGamerX Hahaha lol
Still playing my DSi. 3DS has nothing on these games.
@Mahe heh, I skipped, getting the dsi. because I heard
about the 3DS, on attack of the show, shortly afterwards
when the DSI, was launched. and I knew the dsi was a under study, of the actual product, the 3DS".
And yes, the 3DS plays all those games. DS/DSi.
@PlatinumGamerX Umm yeah, look at the Wii's VC N64 Library, not much chance of that on the 3DS.
@TysonQ7 #50
Not at all
Surprised there wasn't an article on it, but happy birthday N-Life!
It seems to me that some of the NintendoLife guys participating in this round table are big Nintendo fans, while others are rather casual players.
@Ducutzu It takes all sorts to make the world go around
Hard to believe it's nearly been a year since I've had this thing. Originally I was saving up for one, not too hard to pull off. But, I managed to hit my school's honor society (yeah yeah, I'm a nerd, big whoop), so I received one as a gift from my parents. And boy, what a gift. This let me experience not only new games, but old games I never got (I grew up playing a Game Gear and PC instead of a GameBoy and NES/SNES/Genesis), such as Super Mario Land, Game & Watch Gallery, and Kirby's Adventure. Plus, this gift kept on givin'! I was genuinely surprised (and quite pleased) when I found out I was getting 20 free games. So, to this day, I only have about 6 Game Card games, but have almost 40 downloaded games (less than half that I paid for). For the first time I got to experience NES classics such as Metroid and Kid Icarus, as well as more "modern" titles like WarioWare, Inc. and Metroid Fusion. I didn't even care that I own 5 of the Ambassador titles; they're just great, period. So, I'm currently looking forward to whatever lies next, be it more classic titles or new games entirely. Nintendo, keep up the good work!
@UKD Ur...preaching...to me kid... :c
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