Well This morning i picked up my new Nintendo 3ds, with a starter pack and street fighter 4 3d edition. After having preordered since they were announced. Im a pc gamer at heart but started off with nintendo back when big brick like gameboys where released gameboy,gameboy colour, nintendo, nintendo wii are all the purchases ive made over the years). The reason i go for nintendo over any other consoles are because they are different, characters, inventive ideas to things, its the only consoles that in the end are different to PC gaming.

The fact that many of my family/ freinds where also picking up the 3ds was also a factor in my purchase as nintendo have new streetpass, lan play, internet play technology. ill go more in depth later on in my review.

whats in the box

-nintendo 3ds system (aqua blue or black)
-3ds charging cradle
-Nintendo 3ds AC adapter
-3ds stylus (which is a touch screen pen)
-2gb sd card
-AR cards for augmented reality games

Special features


Nintendo 3DS Camera

Depending on whether or not you have a game card inserted on the device, the first actual application you can access is the Nintendo 3DS Camera. This app, like its name suggests, allows you to use either the 3D-ready twin cameras on top of the 3DS lid, which can actually shoot 3D images, or the single, inside camera for self portraits.


While it's not a professional camera, the one from the 3DS has quite a few nifty little touches and options. You can opt to shoot regular photos, 3D or otherwise, but also add special effects like soap bubbles or hearts, which are controlled by you blowing into the 3DS microphone, a dream or pinhole effect, but also use options like the face melding one to put your face on another person's body.

You also have manual settings, in which you can control the post processing, by adding effects like sepia or negative, as well as change up the sharpness, contrast or brightness.

You'll be able to take photos with either the left or right bumper buttons, or use a timer.



The second part of the applications is the photo browser, which takes you through the pictures you have stored on your SD card, either taken with the camera or snapped from games. They're categorized by date and you can even edit them with the graffiti option. This allows you to add text, special effects like hearts or bubbles, as well as plenty of other nifty little tricks, not to mention 3D ones.

There's a special slide show function for all the photos, which can either show you the pictures, or you can select criteria and themes like showing images of males, females or animals, and the 3DS will automatically showcase the ones matching those specifications.

Nintendo 3DS Sound

Next up, we have the Nintendo 3DS Sound application, which doubles not only as a voice or sound recorder, but also a music player, allowing both for .aac and .mp3 files to be played back through the speakers or headphones, if they're plugged into their slot.

Once you have a sound file, you can edit its various features, like pitch or speed, not to mention make it sound like it was coming from a parrot, trumpet or through an electric fan.

When playing back music, you can use visualization options ranging from regular synthesizers to even seeing gameplay from the classic ExciteBike title unfolding to the actual music that is being played.

Mii Maker

Next up, there's the Mii Maker application, which, as its name clearly suggests, allows you to create your own Mii avatar to use in games and other 3DS apps. You'll be able to make your own Mii from scratch or take a picture of yourself and the 3DS' detection systems will configure a few Mii versions based on your actual face.

The customization options are more solid than the ones on the Nintendo Wii home console, and you'll even be able to share them using the Streetpass connectivity feature.

StreetPass Mii Plaza


Speaking of the special option, next up there's the Streetpass Mii Plaza, which has quite a few interesting features.

First up, let's explain the Streetpass system. When you close the lid of your 3DS or put it into sleep mode with the wireless turned on, the console will auto-detect other 3DS devices in your vicinity and automatically share data with them. The information can range from high score data in certain games to sharing Mii avatars with others.

These avatars will show up in the Mii Plaza, where you can interact with them or engage in two special mini-games. These games consist of Streetpass Quest (otherwise known as Find Mii) and Puzzle Swap.

While the Streetpass system sounds very good, as of yet, it's still pretty much useless, as there aren't a lot of people with 3DS devices. In the future, however, it might become an incremental feature for the portable console.

Streetpass Quest is a barebone role playing game, in which your Mii avatar is captured by an evil villain and it's up to the Mii characters you've met up until now to stage a rescue. Puzzle Swap is basically your traditional image puzzle application, but you don't have all the pieces when you start it, so it's up to other Mii characters to help you by adding pieces of the puzzle to your collection.

In case you haven't met any other 3DS owners yet, then you can use Play Coins to hire players in the RPG or purchase new pieces in the puzzle app.

How do you get Play Coins? You just walk around with the 3DS, which, using the built-in pedometer, gives you one game coin every 100 steps. In one day, you can earn a maximum of 10 game coins, which can be spent on a variety of things, both in the Mii Plaza and in other games or applications.

Augmented Reality Games

Next up, we have the AR Games, which are a collection of mini-games that center around augmented reality. With any new 3DS, you get a set of six cards which can be used with this app, allowing you to indulge not only in a variety of activities, from shooting arrows to fishing, but also mess around with Nintendo mascots like Mario, Link, Kirby, Samus Aran or the Pikmin crew.

This is by far one of the fun activities you can get from the out-of-the-box 3DS, as the augmented reality, coupled with the 3D effect, really astonishes practically everyone who interacts with it.

Face Raiders

The last true game included in the 3DS is Face Raiders, a shoot-em up where you use the device to fire on flying faces that can be modeled after people ranging from yourself or your friends (even enemies) to celebrities like Barack Obama or Angelina Jolie.

While that may sound a bit weird, it's quite fun and, as you progress through its few levels, gets increasingly challenging.

Other Apps


Next we have the Activity Log application, which shows not only what games you've played, but also how much time you've played them and other information like how many steps you took that any given day.

While this app won't be used all that much, it's nice to study your gaming patterns or your daily commute.

Besides these applications, which you'll find in the regular menu list, there are also a few extra ones, found in a row of icons on the top side of the touchscreen, ranging from game notes, where you can scribble down things about the games you play, to the friends list, where you can check out your other 3DS friends, the notification area and the Internet browser.


Future firmware updates need to bring a variety of key features, from the browser to the 3DS eShop from where you can buy new games or the Virtual Console and 3DSWare service, from where you can also get special applications.

The updates should be available very shortly after i write this this should allow,

-internet browser (usefull on the run)
-nintendo shop (download old nintendo games straight to your 3ds)
-updates for the activity log, pedometer and calories burned throughout the day
-gps through google maps (will be a future update)
-voip (yes the 3ds does have a built in mic)

Pros:
ability to watch movies and listen to mp3z

i believe this is the best thing nintendo has released in a very long time, the price, the system itself looks and works better then the rrp. The concept for on the fly accessibility is great, multiplayer gaming in full 3d without glasses, freindslists. The future titles that will be available metal gear solid, mario, resident evil apocalypse,zelda, donkey kong, super smash bros 3d omgsh multiplayer gaming at its best . Its different from anything else on the market. Online freinds list. compatibility with the ds range of products.

Overall the 3ds has a bright future ahead. Much cheaper and better titles lined up then the 2d psp2 for 850 dollars sony is releasing at the end of the yr, which is said that wifi will cost money to use :S

the future is endless

cons:

Battery life (personally not sure as of yet) people are reporting really average life span will maxing out the 3d settings as little as 3 and a half hours. (although batterry packs are becomming available mid next week in australia for example the nyko pack which makes battery life range from 5-8 hours for $30

www.nyko.com/products/?platform=3DS

The sd card that comes with the 3ds is only 2gb (but hey a 16gb sd card nowadays is like what 30 bucks?)

First day launch games lets face it nintendo havent released anything major yet to completly test out the hardware, there are only a select few titles worth looking at atm and cats and dogs is not one of them.
(better titles incomming)

only 2 colours to choose from at this stage im sure nintendo will release more down the line( pink,yellow,red,orange have been said to be hitting shelfs in japan later this year)

Conclusion

Lets face it this system rocks nintendo are great, the 3d element is crisp, future game titles are great, wifi internet browsing/ multiplayer gaming, mp3 player/ vid player this thing is brilliant well worth the money.
Nintendo's 3DS is going to be popular with players of all skill levels whether they are seasoned players or starting out on the gaming world for the first time.

The Nintendo 3DS really has to be seen to be believed. The only downsides i see at the moment are launch titles, stock battery life and available colours at this time.
this is going to make my train rides alot more enjoyable aswell as playing against my freinds who are pc illeterate but have picked up the 3ds. All you guys looking for something new on the side that has a bright future ahead of it and is different to your current gaming platform id recommend this system 10/10. First day sales also have toped nintendo's day 1 sales records

btw i will add my freind code later on when i make it if anyone wantsto game with me aswell as compete in sf 4 competition that nintendo is holding.

some peripherals id recommend

-Nyko battery pack website link above ^^

- Power A nintendo 3ds starter kit
includes headphones, protective case,2 trifold game cases, 2 retractable stylus's, cleaning cloth, screen protecters.

More facts about the 3ds (answer to showies questions):

Geocaching, web browsing, store, gps all will become available within updates due out late april/may. Possibility of some sort of mobile phone device becomming a addon, aswell as a rumble pack.

the 3ds supports 2 screens

touch screen: 3.02 in (77 mm), 320 × 240
3d screen: Autosteroscopic 3.53 in (90 mm), 800 × 240 px (effectively 400 × 240 WQVGA per eye)

it has backward compatibility with all ds games aswell as purchasable demoes, games of old classics available through shop.

cameras: One 2D front-facing and two 3D rear-facing 0.3 MP (VGA) sensors[55]

wireless internet is flawless playing many street fighter games with people from across the world lag free

FeaturesActivity LogThe Activity Log tracks both game play, noting which games have been played and for how long, as well as physical activity, counting every step taken while carrying a 3DS. The feature encourages walking more every day to earn Play Coins, which can be used with compatible games and applications to acquire special content and a variety of other benefits. Play Coins cannot be used in the Nintendo eShop.[72][73]

Augmented reality
"Target Shooting" augmented reality tech demo at E3 2010.Several augmented reality games are included on the 3DS with 6 paper cards that interact with the games.[41]

Backward compatibilityIn addition to its own software, the Nintendo 3DS is backward compatible with Nintendo DS software, including DSi software. However, like the Nintendo DSi, the Nintendo 3DS is incompatible with DS software that requires the use of the Game Boy Advance port. Nintendo DS and DSi software cannot be played with 3D visions on the 3DS. The original DS resolutions are displayed in a scaled and stretched fashion due to the fact that the resolutions of each 3DS screens are bigger than the DS screens. Unless if the user holds down the START and SELECT buttons upon launching the DS software, the displays will be 1:1 and the black bars will appear around the DS's native resolutions in the 3DS screens.

3DS Messaging ServiceThe Nintendo 3DS also supports a new messaging system, similar to that of the Wii's Message Board. The service allows users to send and receive messages from their friends on their friends list via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The 3DS will alert the user when they have received a new message via the Notification LED. This service replaces the traditional PictoChat that was seen in previous DS models.[74]

Virtual Console serviceIt was announced at the Nintendo of Japan press event on September 29, 2010 that the 3DS will have a Virtual Console Service with Game Boy, Game Boy Color games, as well as "classic" games in 3D. At the 2011 GDC Nintendo announced that TurboGrafx 16, and Game Gear games would be available for Virtual Console.[75] Purchases are made through the "Nintendo eShop", using a cash-based system instead of a points-based system as used for the Wii and DSi.[76]

StreetPass and SpotPass ModeThe system supports multiplayer gameplay via a local wireless connection or over the Internet. Expanding upon the connectivity of the Nintendo DS, the Nintendo 3DS features an "always on" background connectivity system that trademarks suggested was named "CrossPass",[77] which can automatically seek and connect to wireless network nodes such as Wi-Fi hotspots, sending and downloading information in the background while in sleep mode or while playing a game. In Nintendo's September 29th conference, the confirmed Western names of the CrossPass Tag Mode service would be StreetPass and SpotPass, with SpotPass being the ability for the 3DS to seek Wi-Fi signals and automatically download content while in sleep mode and StreetPass being the passive communication between 3DS systems held by users, an example being the sharing of Mii avatars.[78]

During the 2011 Game Developers Conference, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime announced that Nintendo has partnered with AT&T to provide free access to AT&T hotspots via the Nintendo 3DS. Users will be able to connect to these hotspots in late May.[79]

The background connectivity allows users to exchange software content regardless of what software is currently in the console. Sharing content is stored in a "data slot" in the console. Using this data slot, Nintendo 3DS users can readily share and exchange content for multiple games at the same time, whenever they are connected, even when playing unrelated games.[80] Using the console's background connectivity, a Nintendo 3DS in StreetPass Mode can automatically discover other 3DS units within range, establish a connection, and exchange content for mutually-played games, all transparently and without requiring any user input, even when the console is dormant. For example, in Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition, if the user passes someone with the same software, he has a battle to collect trophies from the other player.[81]

It can be customized to fit the user's preferences, including opting out of it altogether for selected software.[82] One application being considered is functionality to "automatically acquire magazine and newspaper articles", similar to networked e-book reader applications.[83] An included cradle allows for faster downloads and uploads, and will act as a charger.[54] Other improvements to online functionality include how Friend Codes are implemented, with only one code necessary for each console, as opposed to the DS and Wii where individual Friend Codes are required for each piece of software.[84]

Video contentThe system also has 3D movie and video playback capability. Nintendo has made deals with Warner Bros, Disney, and DreamWorks to deliver 3D movies.[85] Although no titles have been announced yet, the trailers for DreamWorks' How to Train Your Dragon, Warner Bros' Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, and Disney’s film Tangled were shown on the 3DS during the E3 Expo.[86] On September 29, 2010, Nintendo of Japan announced that it will be partnering with Fuji TV and other Japanese broadcasters to distribute free 3D videos to Japanese Nintendo 3DS owners.[87][88] On January 19, 2011, Nintendo of Europe announced at their press conference that they will be partnering with EuroSport and Sky 3D to bring content to the Nintendo 3DS at a later date in 2011. Richard Goleszowski is also locked to bring exclusive 3D episodes of Shaun the Sheep to European Nintendo 3DS market by the end of the year. During the 2011 Game Developers Conference, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime announced that the Nintendo 3DS will support live streaming from Netflix.[89] Also at the same conference, Nintendo announced a short-form video service for the Nintendo 3DS. This channel will offer a wide variety of video content, from comedy to music, all curated by Nintendo.[90] As part of an initial firmware update for the system, Nintendo 3DS systems in North America include the 3D version of the music video for "White Knuckles" from OK Go.[91]

Internet browserNintendo announced that an Internet browser will be available in a future update. The browser can access WEP and WPA access points.[92] It has been scheduled to be released in late May as part of a system update.

MiiMiis are available on the system. There is a Mii Maker on the 3DS with the ability to import from the Wii, though not vice versa due to additional character parts, and can create a Mii from a photo taken by one of the cameras. Miis can also be loaded by capturing special QR codes with one of the cameras. There is also a StreetPass Mii Plaza to house all the Miis the player has gathered in StreetPass Mode.


copied from wiki



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Edited twice, last edited 1/4/11 - 9:39pm.

great write up

wow 10/10 for your impressive research, 5/10 for DS .

thanks guys definatly worth checking out if your skeptical wait for a 2nd release

btw forgot to add a rumble pack should become available in the future and the 3ds also has motion sensors
pretty neat

Nice review bog, glad to see its got awesome stuff straight outta the box. Was gonna get it on launch too but line up is too shit atm. Waiting for kid icarus & ocarina before purchasing.

yer i was skeptical to preorder with the luach titles but street fighter was a winner for me + the stuff out the box is awsome.

theres plenty of devs jumping on the 3ds bandwagon to so keep an eye out

Nice write up man,

Don't think i would waste my money on it , I still have a old ds, which i never touch.

Tech specs please.

Also does it use geo-caching for your images?
Phone / LDAP syncing?
Screen res / LCD type / Is it good in the sun?
Backwards compatibility with prev. game cartridges?

Wireless info?

Just update the OP for me. ta

EDIT: Nice centre-piece on your table bro. Really digging it.

very good right up!

im still thinking if i should buy it or not??

looks shiny

loving your mums tablecloth.. or is it the worlds largest doily??

Awesome write up. Very helpful. Didn't even know about that battery pack. I really want to get one just don't like any of the launch titles

will update the thread tonight guys with more detail

any chance of a 3ds forum?