IGN: 3D Optional in 3DS

If you don't want 3D on the next Nintendo handheld, you can turn it off, according to Nintendo's president Satoru Iwata.

That was something that was revealed during Nintendo's financial conference call earlier today: the 3DS, as it's called, will have the unique capability of offering stereoscopic 3D, an effect not unlike what's being employed in films like Avatar and How to Train your Dragon, but without the need for glasses. But if you don't want to use it, it's a feature that can be deactivated.

[Teehee]

You can turn off the 3D."

[NateNater]

It's always good to be able to switch off something when you don't need it. Plus, 3D gives many people headaches. Being able to turn it off means they would be able to continue playing without the 3D if they suddenly experience sickness from it. I think it's a good idea.

[toaster]

Exactly. Everyone's eyes are different and will react differently to the 3D. And this is newer 3D technology (without glasses) so it may strain some people's vision. I think it's a great idea to have an off switch for 3D so your eyes won't turn to dust on those long plane rides.

[Demons Souls]

If 3D hurts your eyes/head then why would you bother getting a 3DS in the first place? If you turn off the 3D then all you're left with is an overpriced DS.

[Redempteur]

the 3ds is not just the ds with 3d it's another console compatible with ds games ...

[Darkfocus]

that's why there's an option to turn it off. secondly its more powerful than the ds and battery life is supposed to be longer so it's not just an overpriced ds without 3d

[HolyOrangeCows]

There's no way 3DS is going to do anywhere near as well as the DS.

[Neo Nugget]

Unless they make it have a Virtual Console and start dishing out gamecube graphics.

[Darkfocus]

3ds will outsell the ds every Nintendo hand held has outsold it's predecessor

[Noctis Aftermath]

"The original Game Boy and Game Boy Color combined sold 118.69 million units worldwide. As of December 31, 2009, all versions of the Game Boy Advance combined have sold 81.50 million units."

[Teehee]

Thus effectively making it a 2D experience, right?

[NateNater]

Right. The 3D turned off would make it a 2D experience. But when the 3D is on, it's a 3D experience. Therefore, the 3DS sounds like it will be a 2D/3D experience. I see nothing wrong with that.

[tunaks1]

i think they want developers to know that you don't have to develop the games in 3d. Or another way of telling them to not tack it on to all games.

[gumgum99]

I remember my eyes hurting a little during the Avatar movie in theaters. Hopefully the 3DS isn't like that.

[BenCrazy424]

That is great for people that can't see the 3D effects also.

[Omega Zues]

I'm just going to wait for E3 to answer all of our Questions. I mean Nintendo announced the 3DS several months ago, so its clear their trying to build up the hype. I just hope the 3D effect "with out the glasses" is good.

[Britney Spears]

I think this is corny,i don't care abut 3d and nintendo is usually great with their handhelds. this might be their first flop,it doesn't add much compared to their other steps in handhelds.

[Alcon Caper]

??

[Eizet]

developing a 2D/3D experience where you have to switch between them to play...

[barakiu]

is still too biased towards XBox360, and especially PS3 to ever be seen as a legitimate one stop place for all of the news of the day.

hope that changes soon.

[Darkfocus]

3ds will rock going 3d with better graphics is a bigger step up than the gameboy to gameboy advance.

edit:this was supposed to be a reply to britney above

[eagle21]

I have thought this since it was announced...lol

Duh...also Nintendo is keen on battery life so 3D will probably drain batteries faster than turning the effect off. Like any new technology, few developers will "master" it and make classic 3D titles anyway. So for the games with wacky 3D you an simply turn it off.

E3 hurry up..I want to see this bad boy naow...lol

[Allowen]

As far as I know the 3DS is supposed to be a bit stronger then the Game Cube + it might have more then the dobble of the resolution of a PSP.

The incoming 3DS is not just about 3D games but it will be a huge upgrade from the DS.

[jhani]

but what about psp2? Sony has not even mentioned it. Are they withdrawing from the handheld market?

[jjesso1993]

well they would have for people blind in one eye. and psp2 sony will mention when they ready psp still sold 70million thats not bad for the first handheld when there up agaist nintedo who have been making handhelds for like the last 20 odd years so i dont see sony backing out the handheld gaming market.