The New 3DS Makes Sense, Even If We're Not Ready To Accept It

Invisible Gamer's Michael Burns discusses why the New 3DS is a good thing for the handheld market. Includes interview with Renegade Kid's Jools Watsham.

[ArtificiallyYours]

Well, on a design standpoint, the New 3DS would add for a richer experience.

Only problem is, we aren't even halfway through the current portables generation, and this exists.

No doubt this will sell, but the confusion lingers on.

[colonel179]

The only confusing thing is the name. Put another name, and it's just a different console. It's not like people get confused by Street Figher and Ultra Street Fighter, for example. People know it's a different version of a game, which has newer features.

However, as long as it has another name other than NEW 3DS, because in my understanding, that would mean it's just a new design, not a new console that will have exclusive games that won't be able to be played on the current 3DS.

Like others have said, the only thing they need to do is put a SUPER, PRO, DELUXE, or whatever they choose (but not NEW), and label the games accordingly, even with a different box art design, so that people know it's a game only playable on the new system.

[crxss]

i've been ready for a new 3DS. if only it came out this year.

[3-4-5]

They took something good and made it better.

People want to complain just to complain.

I could give some people $500 for free and they would complain that it should have been $600.

Complainers over the past 2-3 years online have become more vocal, but aren't really as abundant as you would think.

It's like there is a group of people online complaining about everything and everything just because.

[Pillsbury1]

Gameboy pocket and gameboy color say hello to all those people complaining that it's too early.

[GamingSinceThe80s]

Have they said if it will still play DS games?Because I'm guessing it will not.

[TimeSkipLuffy]

For me it does. I wish the Vita would also get a hardware upgrade (keep compability with existing games, make existing games maybe even looking better or run faster and at the same time offer exclusive new games only with the new iteration of such a Vita). Tech develops fast and with it the possibilities for developers. Some games even struggle and you can't always blame bad programming. Sometimes the hardware is just too old for what you want to achieve. And time is not your best friend. If you take too long to optimize this and that it will get too expensive or you need to compromise too much. If you simply port but the hardware is just not as powerful to handle it, it won't be satisfying.

Gamers usually know what they are buying and know what they have to expect. The only ones that are not aware of are ppl who are new to gaming or casual gamers.

[admiralvic]

"I wish the Vita would also get a hardware upgrade (keep compability with existing games, make existing games maybe even looking better or run faster and at the same time offer exclusive new games only with the new iteration of such a Vita). "

That would be a horrible direction for the Vita and can't see why you would want it. As it stands, very few developers really "make / made the most" of the hardware and if anything, some of the development choices show that they were actually holding the Vita back due to sales, which would ONLY get worse if you increase the divide. Before anyone gets on my case about this, Toukiden and God Eater 2 are examples of what I'm talking about.

For those of you who're unaware and interested in it, both Toukiden ( http://www.play-asia.com/to... ) and God Eater 2 ( http://www.play-asia.com/go... ) had PSP releases in Japan. This brings up similar concerns people have with cross-gen titles on home consoles, which I'm sure people have seen to death and I'll just stop here. It also doesn't help that some titles were multi platform releases with the 3DS and so forth. Anyway, my point is just that Sony can increase the specs, but I don't see developers making use for it and speaking of that, lets actually talk about the 3DS!

For one thing, I don't really get all the shock and awe in reference to Nintendo making this move. They did something similar with the DSi last gen and ignoring the negative impact it had (introduced region locking to the DS series that lead to the 3DS being region locked too), it didn't make a lot of difference in the end. According to wikipedia there were only 5 DSi exclusive game cards and apparently 189 DSiware things. Since the DSiWare stuff shouldn't be a factor (and frankly is mostly worthless things / games) with the new models, odds are we will see very few titles take advantage of these upgrades and ultimately make the differences moot.

This is the biggest factor that will come into play and I don't expect developers to flock to the better specs when it will decrease the sales potential (similar to Toukiden / God Eater 2 being on the PSP like I mentioned above). Now I could be wrong and I really hope I'm not (I rather not have to buy another 3DS to play most of the new titles), but history tends to repeat itself and like the optional second thumbstick, DSi and the like, the extra hardware will at most make some games run better and nothing else.

[Deadpool616]

Whoever Nintendo hired to name their new consoles should be fired.

[Metallox]

In Japan it makes sense because new it's not new in Japanese, but in the west it really should receive a different name.

[OpenGL]

They've really messed up with this and the Wii U. To someone that follows gaming media, it's not hard to know the difference between the Wii and Wii U, or 3DS and New 3DS, but not everyone browses N4G, IGN, or Kotaku.

I can imagine these names being confusing for parents however. Imagine a mom going to Gamestop asking something like "How much cheaper is a used 3DS than a new 3ds?"

[shaw98]

The American version will probably get a different name. Japan is not an issue because "new" is an English word.

[ItsJoeMama]

It's probably the same guy that came up with Wii U.

[Agent_hitman]

imo its good to know that Nintendo upgraded the current 3ds with some added features. Its still the 3DS, not entirely new handheld console.

[Big_Game_Hunters]

I don't get why everyone is so mad about this. Because you can't play xenoblade on your 3ds? people have been asking for a 3ds wth a second circlepad since the original 3ds launch, now that they got it they are complaining? as if Nintendo has never done this with handhelds. What is gameboy SP? what is DSI what is DS Lite? honestly if someone could give me a reasonable explination as to why this is a bad thing feel free.

At worst old 3ds owners won't be able to play some wii ports like xenoblade, you wouldn't get those anyway new3ds or not. I doubt developers will alienate 40 million users.

[colonel179]

Nintendo has realized that no matter how many versions of 3DS they come up with, they sell like hotcakes. It happened with every iteration of DS and the 3DS, that's why they are doing the NEW 3DS.

I find it a good idea to make this new revision. This is being done to expand the 3DS life cycle.

My theory is that the rumors of an integrated handheld in the new nintendo console is going to be true. So by expanding the life of the 3DS, it gives Nintendo a chance to make better games for the 3DS, while waiting the right time to end the Wii U (which should be five years, definitely won't be more).

I think they will either launch a new console with integrated handheld (doubled as a controller), or they will launch the new console, and a new handheld at the same time that will be 100 compatible and designed around that compatibility.

[TXIDarkAvenger]

Sorry but having an exclusive game and possibly more for a redesigned 3DS is just absurd.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

It's more powerful and has more inputs that the old ones don't have.
Being able to make games that take advantage of the power of a brand new handheld makes sense, and to top it off it's still backwards compatible with all former 3DS games.

That's not absurd; that's a worthwhile purchase.
More games, more power, more fun.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

You only think it's not a new system because of its name and its looks.
The fact, though, is that it IS a new system.
It's more powerful and has more you can do with it.

Would you be saying the same shit to Sony for the PS3 to the PS4?
Because that looks roughly the same. The visual improvements to the system's casing aren't drastic.
The controller has, what, one extra button and a mouse pad on the front?
By your standards, that's not a new system either, right?
Yeah no. Screw that mind-set.
It's just as new a system as the others; it's just got a terrible name.
This isn't a "fuck you" to previous 3DS owners because THEY GET TO KEEP PLAYING ALL THE GAMES THAT WILL COME OUT FOR THE 3DS.
Nintendo isn't abandoning the previous line; they're adding a new one for better games!
And having games like Mario Galaxy in the palm of our hands is worth upgrading for.
You're making a mountain out of a mole-hill.

[Spotie]

But they DON'T get to play new games like Xenoblade.

That's why it's an F you.

If Xenoblade is the only reason for the revision, then it's nowhere close to "worthwhile." And if they do make other games that take advantage of that version's specific hardware, it's forcing old 3DS owners to upgrade or miss out.

I know you're a massive Nintendo fan and all, but damn, man. This is fanboy territory.

[KaladinStormblessed]

The old 3ds wouldn't get xenoblade anyway so what's the problem?

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

I've owned 2 3DS's during its time on the market, and you are being a presumptuous child.

It's doing things that the old one could not do.
It's a whole new handheld with a really bad name chosen because Nintendo wants to bank on the 3DS name for a while longer instead of going with a name to match the fact that IT IS A NEW SYSTEM.

Again, look at the PS3 to PS4.
Going by your false standards, the PS4 isn't a new system either because all it's got going for it is more powerful specs, but that's just NOT HOW SHIT LIKE THIS FUCKING WORKS.

[vengeance]

@anime. Sorry dude, as soon as you resort to childish bullshit like your "cock sucking" remark, you lose all credibility. DSi was an upgrade that had features not available on DS, same goes for game boy colour. I'm willing to bet the same people complaining about this have no problem buying a new iPhone every 2 years.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

I never even owned a DSi, and I bring the PS3 to PS4 up because it's a perfect illustration for just how idiotic your statement actually IS.

The PS3 to PS4 involved; a change in power and a few bells and whistles on the controller.
The N3DS involves: A change in power and a few bells and whistles on the controller.

The difference is that one kept backwards compatibility in the process so that its fanbase wasn't entirely screwed over on the ability to continue playing their collection on the new system.

I list all these similarities, LOGICAL CONNECTIONS, yet you just can't connect the dots, so you resort to childish insults.

You let the horrible name of the new handheld fool you into thinking it wasn't similar to the way the majority of consoles upgrade from an old one to an entirely new one, and you lost the argument the moment you used that as the basis for it.

I'm done, you're over.
Get used to it.
*Mic drop, walks out*

[animegamingnerd]

i am still sticking to my theory that developers are starting to already to push the 3DS to its limits and Nintendo's next handheld won't be ready for another couple years so they need this in order to basically to give the 3DS just a couple more years until their next handheld is ready in like 2016 or 2017

[BrandanT]

Of course it does. The refresh rate for mobile devices is so short nowadays.

[shaw98]

I dont think it is fair to judge the name yet. The word "new" was only used for Japan. We have not gotten an official English release trailer. They will probably name it something different out side of Japan.

[Scatpants]

Ill sell my 3DSXL and get one.

[ItsJoeMama]

They couldn't have just put a real circle pad above or below the Y, X, B, A, buttons? Then put the Start / Select below the D-pad? Seems real lazy by Nintendo.
1st guy: "So we need a second circle pad? Okay! Oh crap.. we have no room. I guess we could move some buttons aroun-
2nd guy: "No.. no.. just make an insanely tiny circle pad right above the y,x,b,a buttons in an awkward position. Yep.. That'll do the trick. *Sips on beer* "
1st guy: .....

[josephayal]

This has me interested, I will gladly give my nephews my current 3ds

[IanTH]

Does anyone else notice that the extra analog stick appears to be...an ugly uncomfortable nub? If it was literally another analog stick already on the system or on the CCP, that'd be one thing. That thing looks worse than the PSP nub people largely complained about for it's lifecycle. Obviously it might be fine, but that looks pretty terrible to me.

Also yea, BS that this refresh can play new games the old one can't. I'm not gonna sell my perfectly good, and rather handsom, 3DS XL Mario & Luigi edition for this. Fragmentation is always bad, and I don't see this getting many exclusives - too few people to appeal to with a huge install base left behind.

Edit: I see ItsJoe beat me to it. Well...someone else noticed then lol.

[hot4play]

As a Vita owner, I kinda want one now after holding out on the previous 3DS models, lol

Sony you better step up with the Vita! :)

[Pillsbury1]

Seriously they should bring back the name "super". "Super 3ds" sounds so amazing I would buy it for the name alone.

[Mrveryodd]

I won't be getting a hand held gaming device ( I own an iPad and smart phone) until I can get the Vita2 and Morpheus bundle.

[Artemidorus]

The dumbest idea yet from Nintendo, force people buy a new updated 3DS as they may only make it for that very console.

The fact one game is already doing it proves they are creeping in that direction.

There is nothing wrong with the 3DS or the new one but everyone should be able to play a game on pretty much the same machine.

If Nintendo doesn't get it's act together and provide more decent games then I'm afraid it's heading towards dark days.

New Nintendo 3DS, new Nintendo Console which both provide previous generation games playable. Also providing decent regular games on a cycle.

[DualWielding]

I do get why people are complaining.... basically you need to pay as much as you would for a new system but isn't a true new system just a minor upgrade... but the upgrade is mandatory to play some games....... most people will be more comfortable with something they can totally skip or something that is a major improvement over what they have

[Ingram]

Even Nintendo has said they want to step away from the casual market, but you Nintendo fans keep on justifying anything.

Nintendo is always catering to their customers to be, people that bought the DS got promptly screwed by a dozen incompatible incremental iterations, the same is happening with the 3ds and its getting worse.

Stop telling Nintendo everything they do is great, they are an extremely confused company and its entirely your fault by now.