Nintendo 3DS $249.99 - 3/27/2011 - Pre-order at Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, etc

C

Celsius

CAGiversary!
iconamazon.gif
Amazon: Black - Blue - Games
iconbestbuy.gif
Best Buy: Black - Blue
icongs_r1.gif
GameStop: Black - Blue - Games
iconwalmart_r3.gif
Walmart: Black - Blue







[IMG-L=5838]20580[/IMG-L][IMG-L=5838]20579[/IMG-L]

Launch Date March 27, 2011

Price $249.99 MSRP*




Included in Hardware The following is included in the hardware set:
  1. Nintendo 3DS system
  2. Nintendo 3DS charging cradle
  3. Nintendo 3DS AC adapter
  4. Nintendo 3DS stylus
  5. SD Memory Card (2GB)
  6. AR Card(s) (view the cards using the outer cameras to play supported AR games)
  7. Quick-Start Guide
  8. Operations Manual (including warranty)


Characteristic Features
  1. 3D screen, enabling 3D view without the need for special glasses and the ability to adjust or turn off 3D effect with the 3D Depth Slider.
  2. Stereo cameras that enable users to take 3D photos that can be viewed instantly on the 3D screen.
  3. New input interfaces including the Circle Pad, motion sensor, gyro sensor
  4. SpotPass, a feature that lets Nintendo 3DS detect wireless hotspots or wireless LAN access points and obtain information, game data, free software, videos and so on for players even when the system is in sleep mode.**
  5. StreetPass, a feature that lets Nintendo 3DS exchange data automatically with other Nintendo 3DS systems within range, even in sleep mode once this feature is activated by the user. Data for multiple games can be exchanged simultaneously.
  6. Convenient features that users can access without stopping game play such as the HOME menu, Internet Brower, Notifications, etc.
  7. Plenty of built-in software such as the Nintendo 3DS Camera, Nintendo 3DS Sound, Mii Maker, StreetPass, Mii Plaza, AR Games, Activity Log, Face Raiders, etc.
  8. Nintendo eShop where users can view trailers, software rankings and purchase software.
  9. System Transfer which enable users to transfer already purchased software from one Nintendo 3DS system to another. DSiWare purchased for the Nintendo DSi or the Nintendo DSi XL can also be transferred into a Nintendo 3DS system.***
  10. Compatibility functions where both new software designed for Nintendo 3DS and most software for the Nintendo DS family of systems can be played.
  11. Parental Controls which enable parents to restrict game content by ratings as well as use of specific wireless connectivity, 3D functionality, etc.****


Size (when closed) 2.9 inches high, 5.3 inches long, 0.8 inches deep.

Weight Approximately 8 ounces (including battery pack, stylus, SD memory card).

Upper Screen Wide-screen LCD display, enabling 3D view without the need for special glasses. Capable of displaying approximately 16.77 million colors. 3.53 inches display (3.02 inches wide, 1.81 inches high) with 800 x 240 pixel resolution. 400 pixels are allocated to each eye to enable 3D viewing.

Lower Screen LCD with a touch screen capable of displaying 16.77 million colors. 3.02 inches (2.42 inches wide, 1.81 inches high) with 320 x 240 pixel resolution.

Cameras One inner camera and two outer cameras. Resolutions are 640 x 480 for each camera. Lens are single focus and uses the CMOS capture element. The active pixel count is approximately 300,000 pixels.

Wireless Communication 2.4 GHz. Enabling local wireless communication among multiple Nintendo 3DS systems for game play and StreetPass. Enabling access to the Internet through wireless LAN access points (supports IEEE802.11 b/g with the WPA™/WPA2™ security feature). Recommended distance of wireless communication is within 98.4 feet. This can be shorter depending on the enviromental situation. WPA and WPA2 are marks of the Wi-Fi Alliance.

Input Controls Input controls are the following:
  1. A/B/X/Y Button, +Control Pad, L/R Button, START/SELECT
  2. Circle Pad (enabling 360-degree analog input)
  3. Touch screen
  4. Embedded microphone
  5. Camera
  6. Motion sensor
  7. Gyro sensor


Other Input Controls Other input controls are the following:
  1. 3D Depth Slider (enabling smooth adjustment of the 3D level effect)
  2. HOME (HOME button brings up the HOME menu)
  3. Wireless switch (can disable wireless functionality even during game play)
  4. POWER button


Connector Connector includes:
  1. Game Card slot
  2. SD Card slot
  3. Cradle connector
  4. AC adapter connector
  5. Audio jack (stereo output)


Sound Stereo speakers positioned to the left and right of the top screen (supports virtual surround sound).

Stylus Telescoping stylus (approximately 3.94 inches when fully extended).

Electric Power AC adaptor (WAP-002 [USA]). Nintendo 3DS Battery Pack (lithium ion battery) [CTR-003].

Charge Time About 3.5 hours

Battery Duration When playing Nintendo 3DS software about 3-5 hours. When playing Nintendo DS software about 5-8 hours. Battery duration differs depending on the brightness setting of the screen. The information regarding battery duration is a rough standard. It can be shorter depending on what functions of the Nintendo 3DS system are used.

Game Card Nintendo 3DS Game Card. The size is approximately the same as Nintendo DS Game Card.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Upvote 0 Downvote
[quote name='KingDox']Does anyone know if the 3ds will fill the screens when running a DS game? It always made me mad how the DS didn't use the full screen avilable when running a GBA game.[/QUOTE]

probably not. I'm no expert in this area by any means, but I imagine they'd have to stretch the image to fit the higher rez and bigger screen which wouldn't look good at all. I don't think there will be a lot of empty space though, enough to notice but not a ton.
 
[quote name='KingDox']Does anyone know if the 3ds will fill the screens when running a DS game? It always made me mad how the DS didn't use the full screen avilable when running a GBA game.[/QUOTE]

Probably. THat's all they did with the DSiXL. Bigger screen, same resolution. Hopefully there will be some upconverting so it looks better. (Although not a lot of people complained about the XL being dramatically worse.)
 
[quote name='tmacairjordan87']probably not. I'm no expert in this area by any means, but I imagine they'd have to stretch the image to fit the higher rez and bigger screen which wouldn't look good at all. I don't think there will be a lot of empty space though, enough to notice but not a ton.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, it would be nice if it could be scaled to fit the vertical width, but there's no way it'll fit horizontal.

[quote name='confoosious']Probably. THat's all they did with the DSiXL. Bigger screen, same resolution. Hopefully there will be some upconverting so it looks better. (Although not a lot of people complained about the XL being dramatically worse.)[/QUOTE]

The thing is you can have it a bit further back from your face, so effectively the resolution is the same on the XL IMO. Other than losing Gameboy Advance compatibility (which sucks) it's WAAAAAAAAAAY better than the other models. The larger screens are awesome. Frankly I'd probably be good with a 5" screen :D
 
[quote name='KingDox']Does anyone know if the 3ds will fill the screens when running a DS game? It always made me mad how the DS didn't use the full screen avilable when running a GBA game.[/QUOTE]

I would assume for DS games you would be required to have both screens the same size, otherwise some games would change the way they play.

s29152_nds_3.jpg


Imagine if that top screen was fit to the 3DS size. I'd still be playable but would change that boss battle. We'll get black boarders on the top screen, I'm sure.
 
I preordered one not too long ago from amazon. do you think i'll be able to get one of the fresh batches or am I going to wait on a list?

just curious what others think.

thanks.
 
[quote name='Caddywompus21']I would assume for DS games you would be required to have both screens the same size, otherwise some games would change the way they play.

s29152_nds_3.jpg


Imagine if that top screen was fit to the 3DS size. I'd still be playable but would change that boss battle. We'll get black boarders on the top screen, I'm sure.[/QUOTE]

That's a good point. Although on some games, it doesn't matter. Would we be able to choose fill screen as an option.
 
[quote name='Ragnorok64']What's the ratio of the top screens on the normal DS and the 3DS?[/QUOTE]

Something like 5/3 for the 3DS and 4/3 for the DS.
 
I have one on preorder from Amazon, but I'm not sure if I want it. Before the big event last week, I didn't want one. The big event got me all excited about it and I ordered one. As time has gone on, I don't even see a game I'd want to buy at release. The $250 price has got me thinking I'll cancel the preorder.
 
[quote name='kurrptsenate']no

that the system is gimmicky and easily forgotten

yes[/QUOTE]

The same thing was said about the DS. Now it is the best selling system ever.
 
Other than the 3D, it's not gimmicky. It's a newer handheld, with an analog stick, storage, wireless g... Wish the battery life was better though.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
[quote name='elessar123']Other than the 3D, it's not gimmicky.[/QUOTE]


this is really what I was referring to. I think the addition of the analog is nice, but I suppose better late than never.
 
The analog stick is nice for 2005. I can't believe Nintendo ignored all the crying about 1 stick on psp for years and went with that on a 2011 handheld. They've made some baffling choices with this system but that takes the cake for me. It's going to be way more comfortable playing modern games on psp2 since it's pretty much 100% guaranteed they'll have 2.
 
it kills pretty much any third person action/adventure game too. Anything that normally controls the camera with the 2nd stick. Some games on the psp the camera had to be put on the shoulder buttons which felt and worked awful.

It pretty much locks the 3DS in as a jrpg and platformer system again, which really kills any interest I had in it. Anything they try that requires 2 sticks will end up virtually broken like it was on psp.
 
Finally got home and dropped a preorder at GS. I got to reward one of the cool employees there, I get to use my somewhat worthless GS credit (since I get most of my games from Amazon now) and I also get it on release day. Win-Win-Win...

So, CAG has deemed that it won't be a great system for FPS games? Good, there's too many of those anyway.
 
Wow, these trolls either have a lot of free time at their jobs, or no jobs at all. What a privelage to be able to sit here all day and slam a console that isn't even released yet. Whatever floats your boat I guess.
 
[quote name='io']So, CAG has deemed that it won't be a great system for FPS games? Good, there's too many of those anyway.[/QUOTE]

Haha, indeed. I don't understand why people want so badly to play console games on a portable system anyway. Even if the controls themselves were more conducive (which, frankly, would be hard to do -- even if they did put a second analog stick on, with the form factor of the system it would be damn near impossible to use it and the buttons together -- you could look around, but you couldn't shoot at the same time!), there would be numerous other issues (screen size, lack of precision due to said small screen size, etc.). It just really wouldn't work that well.

Personally, give me my JRPGs and platform games on my portable system any day. I can play those other games when I'm at home.
 
I will not get one. [yet]

I been reading this thread and tried to keep up to date cause it is quite amusing.
Both sides attempt to "shut" each other out with their "facts" but both amusingly fail in the process.
Hehe.
The only thing that rises my blood pressure is the word:
Innovative.
Really? There are people misusing this word and it goes against all what i believe in.

Anyways, rage aside
The major reasons why i wont get it are pretty reasonable.

The major reason being is Battery Life.
I am anal when my "portables" dont have a good size battery. [That is a reason why i dont have a iPod but a J3 or a *crappy* (compared against those smartphones) Cosmos cellphone since both provide me with outstanding battery life]
From my understanding, the 3ds will have around 3 or 4 hours to play. Thing is, i find that VERY low. Even if i turn off the 3D and start playing with my Pokemon game, i know the battery life should at least increase some hours or so.
However, if i do this, then i should just grab my DS Lite and play Pokemon instead. Playing a regular DS game on a so called 250 upgraded Handheld doesnt make much sense to me.

Another thing..
a GBA became GBA SP
A DS became DS Lite / XL
a 3DS will definitely become a 3DS Lite

I am just going to wait for the Lite version. [I dont know why people like the XL, they must be wearing clown pants or something]
Simple as that. Nintendo will fix their launch 3ds and make it smaller and place more a better battery in their 3ds.
i dont get those early adopters either.
They always get shafted in the launch of a new product.
I dont feel like bending over for the 3ds when i can become a laggard and wait for the definite Lite version.
So yeah. 3DS lite for me :D

Lastly...
gamesof2011chart.jpg
2011 looks bright.
Handhelds aside, 2011 is the year of the PS3 and PC.
Cant believe the games that are coming out for their respective platform. wow.
Suddenly, owning a pc gaming rig has become my top priority..
so even if i grab a 3ds,
it will not get any play from me i guess.

I would definitely want to play OoT but i will do it on a 3ds Lite.
Also, give me a "Trade a DS Lite and pay 100 dollars to obtain a 3DS *Lite*" in the near future and i will jump right there.
 
oh yeah BTW since i dont feel like editing my other post.

MSRP
isn't
a
deal.

Something tells me the mods are having a kick from this thread too because they have not bothered to move it to where it belongs.
 
[quote name='cRodz']oh yeah BTW since i dont feel like editing my other post.

MSRP
isn't
a
deal.

Something tells me the mods are having a kick from this thread too because they have not bothered to move it to where it belongs.[/QUOTE]

Nah, more than likely they know that it's a losing battle, and if they delete (or move) one thread for it, three more will pop up in its place. Better to just let the one thread run its course.
 
I think older people (above 18) generally play their handhelds at home. Sure, it doesn't exactly make sense, but it's not like we ride the bus or have family vacations on a consistent basis where we are using a handheld system as they were intended.
 
[quote name='cRodz']oh yeah BTW since i dont feel like editing my other post.

MSRP
isn't
a
deal.

Something tells me the mods are having a kick from this thread too because they have not bothered to move it to where it belongs.[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure where you think it belongs, but it was dealworthy when the pricing and release date were announced and it is nice to have one place to discuss preorders. If they start closing off preorders at some point then this would have been a "deal". If they keep taking them up through release day, well, then, oh well... But it doesn't hurt anyone to have it here.

Certainly I would recommend to anyone who isn't interested in buying one simply to not click on this thread and perhaps to go read about other deals that might better suit them ;).
 
[quote name='kurrptsenate']I think older people (above 18) generally play their handhelds at home. Sure, it doesn't exactly make sense, but it's not like we ride the bus or have family vacations on a consistent basis where we are using a handheld system as they were intended.[/QUOTE]

A lot of people who live in big cities take buses to work.


[quote name='io']

Certainly I would recommend to anyone who isn't interested in buying one simply to not click on this thread and perhaps to go read about other deals that might better suit them ;).[/QUOTE]

+1
 
[quote name='io']Finally got home and dropped a preorder at GS. I got to reward one of the cool employees there, I get to use my somewhat worthless GS credit (since I get most of my games from Amazon now) and I also get it on release day. Win-Win-Win...

So, CAG has deemed that it won't be a great system for FPS games? Good, there's too many of those anyway.[/QUOTE]

There's as many jrpgs and platformers on handhelds as there are fps on pc/consoles, but no one seems to care about that.

Not all of us are weeabos, I'd like to play a game like oblivion on portables for the few times I'm out in a place that makes sense to play a portable. Sure, I can (and would rather) play these on pc but I can't lug my pc to work or another place.
 
I know i'll get bashed for posting on topic but here is a list from Gamestop (through Kotaku) for predicted dates of the launch window. I had trouble finding this so maybe it'll help someone else, hopefully it's accurate because June 2nd might be the best single day in gaming ever.

March 15
Dead or Alive Dimensions $49.99
Samurai Warriors Chronicles $49.99

March 22
Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars $39.99

March 27
Madden NFL Football $39.99
Sims 3 $39.99
Nintendogs & Cats $39.99
Steel Diver $39.99
Pilotwings Resort $39.99
Super Street Fighter IV $39.99

April 2
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Shadow $39.99
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell $39.99
Asphalt $39.99
Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs $39.99
Rabbids Travel in Time $39.99

June 1
Cartoon Network SuperToon Rumble $39.99

June 2
Animal Crossing 3D $39.99
Mario Kart 3D $39.99
Paper Mario 3D $39.99
Dream Trigger $39.99
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D $39.99
Kid Icarus: Uprising $39.99
Star Fox 64 3D $39.99
Super Monkey Ball $39.99

July 6
Resident Evil: Mercenaries $39.99

Sept. 2
Face Kart: Photo Finish $39.99
Pet Zombies in 3D $39.99
​
Click to expand...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
[quote name='cRodz']
gamesof2011chart.jpg
2011 looks bright.
Handhelds aside, 2011 is the year of the PS3 and PC.
Cant believe the games that are coming out for their respective platform. wow.
Suddenly, owning a pc gaming rig has become my top priority..
so even if i grab a 3ds,
it will not get any play from me i guess.

I would definitely want to play OoT but i will do it on a 3ds Lite.
Also, give me a "Trade a DS Lite and pay 100 dollars to obtain a 3DS *Lite*" in the near future and i will jump right there.[/QUOTE]

Wow, that's a cool chart . . . never seen it. Looking at that, its easy to see that there are a ton of great Multiplats coming out for the 360 and PS3, plus some great PS3 and PC exclusives. It also shows that the Wii is dying fast . . . virtually no multiplats and a handful of (rehashed) "exclusives". I do hope Nintendo is going to get their Wii2 out FAST, cause the Wii is really tapering off bigtime. I guess the "waggle" gimmick is finally getting stale. :applause:

And before the Wii-zombies come in pointing out Kinect and Move, I think those are pretty lame too, and had no interest whatsoever when they came out. Easy to pass on these kinds of gimmicks, across all platforms. :speaktothehand:
 
[quote name='tmacairjordan87']There's as many jrpgs and platformers on handhelds as there are fps on pc/consoles, but no one seems to care about that.

Not all of us are weeabos, I'd like to play a game like oblivion on portables for the few times I'm out in a place that makes sense to play a portable. Sure, I can (and would rather) play these on pc but I can't lug my pc to work or another place.[/QUOTE]

Yes, but those games (and puzzle games, Prof. Layton/Phoenix Wright/999 type adventures, and many other genres) are better suited to handhelds than FPS and action games in general. So when I'm travelling (really the only time I play the DS) I go for those types of games. When I'm at home I play stuff like AC Brotherhood (PS3). I wouldn't want to play that on a DS or PSP no matter how wonderful the control scheme was. Surely there is something you can play on a portable that doesn't require two analog sticks to play.

As for the list of games, while that would be nice, I seriously doubt those could be final release dates - more like placeholders or approximations I'm sure. I really don't think they'd release all those games on June 2nd even if they were all ready to go ;).

But, in any case, if even half those games come out at all this year that will justify my 3DS preorder. I just hope the pricing isn't really going to be $40 (or higher) across the board, but I guess it's better than $50 for everything...

As for the people saying Nintendo will always improve their handhelds, I don't look at it in quite the same way as say, Apple. Now for Apple stuff I always feel like I've been ripped off because they make huge improvements every year (e.g., I'm definitely glad I didn't get the family an iPad for Christmas after hearing about the next one coming soon). But my kids still use the original DS. I prefer they use that over a DS Lite or DSi because it is way more sturdy. It also has better sound. Yeah, the brighter screens are nice on the DS Lite but they don't care about that. Anything beyond the DS Lite was just twiddling around by Nintendo and not a major change. I have a DSi but never use it and see no need for the XL. So the revisions on the Nintendo handhelds are not all that significant, IMO, and I have no problem being an early adopter.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
[quote name='io']I'm not sure where you think it belongs, but it was dealworthy when the pricing and release date were announced and it is nice to have one place to discuss preorders. If they start closing off preorders at some point then this would have been a "deal". If they keep taking them up through release day, well, then, oh well... But it doesn't hurt anyone to have it here.

Certainly I would recommend to anyone who isn't interested in buying one simply to not click on this thread and perhaps to go read about other deals that might better suit them ;).[/QUOTE]
oh boy..
A Wild Mod Appears!

Why here let me point you to where i think this thread is best suited.
Here is the General Gaming & Industry News which is located right about...here:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=22
Then, we have the Nintendo DS Forum which is located here:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=36

These two forums are best suited for this thread. The General Gaming & Industry News is actually the best place where a 3DS Price/Specs/Release Date Announcement should be located.

Considering that there are people who are telling themselves "lol, i did not know there were other forums other than the Deal forum!" right about now...since The Deals Forum IS the most populated and has the most traffic out of the forums in CAG...

Here let me give you an idea:
I would suggest to at least make a Sticky thread on the Deal Forums which should be dedicated to all kinds of new and upcoming gaming releases.

"Video Game Releases in Jan - Jun" can be thread title and i will explain.

This thread should be located right there where the "Kmart Gamer", "Amazon Credits" and "Weekdays/Weekends/Sunday/whatever Retail Ads" threads are usually placed on.
This newly created thread should specify ALL and every little thing that has been announced in the gaming industry, including games (Portal 2,etc) and platforms (3DS and PSP2), with their respective release dates, prices and all of that.
This thread should cover all the newly and announced video games that will come out in the next 6 months [if it started in January, say Jan - Jun] and it will have to maintained, with the help of CAGs who will post information regarding their favorite and upcoming game or platform, for the next 6 months [July-December].

You can put Baldy as the OP since he likes to create threads and sticky them and he also tends to like that kind of attention. The thread can be edited by Mods and Cheapy.

I think it can be done since there will always be discussion on the last pages of the thread regarding the newly announced information.
Check out the Amazon Warehouse Deals thread and see what i mean when the community is actualizing and giving up-to-date deals on that thread.
I am sure it will work the same.
 
[quote name='io']I'm not sure where you think it belongs, but it was dealworthy when the pricing and release date were announced and it is nice to have one place to discuss preorders.[/QUOTE]This is an important thread to have, no question about it, but it'd be better suited in a Nintendo Gaming sub-forum.

[quote name='io']If they start closing off preorders at some point then this would have been a "deal".[/QUOTE]If that would be the case, then it would only become a deal at the point when no one could take advantage of it.
 
[quote name='abhinav']I know i'll get bashed for posting on topic but here is a list from Gamestop (through Kotaku) for predicted dates of the launch window. I had trouble finding this so maybe it'll help someone else, hopefully it's accurate because June 2nd might be the best single day in gaming ever.[/QUOTE]

Damn. If that list is accurate, I might as well just give Nintendo a direct line to my bank account on June 2nd. I hope that Best Buy or TRU just happens to do one of their B2G1 deals that week or something like that.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
[quote name='chimpmeister']Wow, that's a cool chart . . . never seen it. Looking at that, its easy to see that there are a ton of great Multiplats coming out for the 360 and PS3, plus some great PS3 and PC exclusives. It also shows that the Wii is dying fast . . . virtually no multiplats and a handful of (rehashed) "exclusives". I do hope Nintendo is going to get their Wii2 out FAST, cause the Wii is really tapering off bigtime. I guess the "waggle" gimmick is finally getting stale. :applause:[/QUOTE]

On the other hand, that XBox 360 exclusives list is even shorter on interesting titles than the Wii exclusives list is. Though I don't know of any specific examples right off the top of my head, I can only assume that list is less than complete in both areas.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top