3DS impressions straight from Greece: Difference between revisions

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{{Article|
{{Article|
type=opinion |
type=editorial|
picture=http://www.legendarypokemon.net/images/upimages/20110211.jpg |
picture=Arty2 3DS.jpg |
caption="Hey! Listen!" |
caption="Hey! Listen!" |
weekday=Friday |
weekday=Friday |
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discusstype=none |
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discusslink= |
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sourcetype=othersite |
sourcetype=bulbanews |
sourcename=Legendary Pokemon |
sourcename=Arty2 |
sourcelink=http://www.legendarypokemon.net/2011/02/11/Articles/3ds-impressions-straight-from-greece |
sourcelink=User:Arty2 |
tagline=A diehard fan's first impressions. |
tagline=A diehard fan's first impressions |
blurb=They often say that you've got to see in order to believe and that's exactly the case with the Nintendo 3DS. }}
blurb=They often say that you've got to see in order to believe and that's exactly the case with the Nintendo 3DS. }}
{{CategorizeIn||2|11}}
{{CategorizeIn|Editorials|2|11}}


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''Arty2, webmaster of fan site Legendary Pokémon, recently had an exclusive chance to experience the 3DS in person. The Legendary Pokémon team would like to thank [http://www.nintendo.gr Nortec S.A.] for the opportunity to attend this press event.''
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They often say that you've got to see in order to believe and that's exactly the case with the ''Nintendo 3DS''. No matter what you hear or read below, it's just the kind of experience perceived differently by every single person. I should also warn you that I'm a die-hard ''Nintendo'' fan and tech enthusiast, though never really an early adopter. I'll try not to repeat any details which are already known and only stick to my impressions.
They often say that you've got to see in order to believe and that's exactly the case with the ''Nintendo 3DS''. No matter what you hear or read below, it's just the kind of experience perceived differently by every single person. I should also warn you that I'm a die-hard ''Nintendo'' fan and tech enthusiast, though never really an early adopter. I'll try not to repeat any details which are already known and only stick to my impressions.
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Depending on the game, you will want to adjust the 3D slider, it's a must. In ''Zelda:OoT'', ''Nintendogs(+cats)'' and ''Steel Diver'' you can really appreciate the full depth. In ''Pilotwings'' and ''SSF4'' I had to turn the slider midway or I'd get crosseyed. This seems to be quite a matter personal preference though. All the games I tried look great even with the 3D turned completely off; it's a beast.
Depending on the game, you will want to adjust the 3D slider, it's a must. In ''Zelda:OoT'', ''Nintendogs(+cats)'' and ''Steel Diver'' you can really appreciate the full depth. In ''Pilotwings'' and ''SSF4'' I had to turn the slider midway or I'd get crosseyed. This seems to be quite a matter personal preference though. All the games I tried look great even with the 3D turned completely off; it's a beast.


[[File:Arty2 3DS.jpg|thumb|left|220px|The 3DS in action]]
The 3D slider seemed to have an analog effect in ''SSF4'' whilst it functioned as a binary switch in the ''Metal Gear'' demo video. No frame rate drop was apparent while switching from full 3D to none. The gyroscope/accelerometers were, beyond my expectations, amazingly responsive and accurate. Moving the device in a spyglass manner in Zelda:OoT or Steel Diver didn't break the 3D effect noticeably, but there some differentiations in the brightness of the screen were apparent. These could prove to be quite annoying. I'm unsure whether that was due to the lighting (polarized perhaps?) but will have a second look at it tomorrow, in natural lighting.
The 3D slider seemed to have an analog effect in ''SSF4'' whilst it functioned as a binary switch in the ''Metal Gear'' demo video. No frame rate drop was apparent while switching from full 3D to none. The gyroscope/accelerometers were, beyond my expectations, amazingly responsive and accurate. Moving the device in a spyglass manner in Zelda:OoT or Steel Diver didn't break the 3D effect noticeably, but there some differentiations in the brightness of the screen were apparent. These could prove to be quite annoying. I'm unsure whether that was due to the lighting (polarized perhaps?) but will have a second look at it tomorrow, in natural lighting.


'''Many may think that the 3D is just an eyecandy; but no, it isn't.''' I can't really tell if the graphics pop-out (bad translation methinks) as Miyamoto says, but there's some depth alright. The black border of the top screen was also a wise choice. The level of immersion the 3D creates was something I didn't expect. It was like looking into these magic mirror boxes you may have had as a child.
Many may think that the 3D is just an eyecandy; but no, it isn't. I can't really tell if the graphics pop-out (bad translation methinks) as Miyamoto says, but there's some depth alright. The black border of the top screen was also a wise choice. The level of immersion the 3D creates was something I didn't expect. It was like looking into these magic mirror boxes you may have had as a child.


The photo application has a focus and zoom slider combo on the touchscreen. It is quite intuitive though results may vary and it may need some practice getting used to. It is possible to capture cross-eyed photos however. Adding clip-art effects seems to drop the left-eye image and convert the photo to a 2D one, though the clip-art itself was 3D and popped out. There's an inwards-blurred black border around the photo which makes sense from a technical point of view since not all spots in the viewport can be covered by the two frontal cameras. Photos do retain the 3D effect when viewed in another 3D capable device. I'm now reading that they are stored in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_file_formats#MPO .mpo format] which is in turn a JPEG enclosure.
The photo application has a focus and zoom slider combo on the touchscreen. It is quite intuitive though results may vary and it may need some practice getting used to. It is possible to capture cross-eyed photos however. Adding clip-art effects seems to drop the left-eye image and convert the photo to a 2D one, though the clip-art itself was 3D and popped out. There's an inwards-blurred black border around the photo which makes sense from a technical point of view since not all spots in the viewport can be covered by the two frontal cameras. Photos do retain the 3D effect when viewed in another 3D capable device. I'm now reading that they are stored in the {{wp|Image_file_formats#MPO|.mpo format}} which is in turn a JPEG enclosure.


What managed to impress me most were the ''Augmented Reality'' features. I only got to try the dragon game, where you place one of the included AR cards on a flat surface and through the 3DS you can see overlayed 3D models which you have to shoot down. Of course the AR card has to be clearly visible on the screen but you can zoom in a lot by coming closer to it. The orientation of the AR card does matter and moving the device around allows you to change your viewpoint. Similarly to a real life situation, when you aim at something, keeping an eye closed really helps and this only adds to the experience.
What managed to impress me most were the ''Augmented Reality'' features. I only got to try the dragon game, where you place one of the included AR cards on a flat surface and through the 3DS you can see overlayed 3D models which you have to shoot down. Of course the AR card has to be clearly visible on the screen but you can zoom in a lot by coming closer to it. The orientation of the AR card does matter and moving the device around allows you to change your viewpoint. Similarly to a real life situation, when you aim at something, keeping an eye closed really helps and this only adds to the experience.
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What's really interesting is that the device does not only overlay the game's graphics, but captures a larger planar area around the card and transforms it accordingly. When the dragon monster tried to emerge from below the surface, you could clearly see the desk's surface stretching in a very life-like manner while you still manipulated your viewpoint by moving around it. It was all unexpectedly responsive and accurate, unlike any other AR applications I've seen to date.
What's really interesting is that the device does not only overlay the game's graphics, but captures a larger planar area around the card and transforms it accordingly. When the dragon monster tried to emerge from below the surface, you could clearly see the desk's surface stretching in a very life-like manner while you still manipulated your viewpoint by moving around it. It was all unexpectedly responsive and accurate, unlike any other AR applications I've seen to date.


'''The ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' game series and Nintendo's own ''Pok�mon TCG'', beg for this kind of functionality.''' Curse them if they don't take advantage of it.
The ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' game series and Nintendo's own ''Pokémon TCG'' beg for this kind of functionality. Curse them if they don't take advantage of it.


In regards to the hardware now, the console seems sturdy and the plastic casing is of great quality. It gives you the impression that you can drop it without breaking anything off. The beveled edge around top cover makes it very easy to open or shut the lid. Having used the DSi XL for a while now, it seemed to me at the start that it was a little uncomfortable to hold, but got used to it quickly. The circle pad had a great feel to it. It is of a smooth rubbery material which provided additional friction to your thumb and was very comfortable to use. Kid Icarus proves well that the touchscreen doubles as a second analog pad.
In regards to the hardware now, the console seems sturdy and the plastic casing is of great quality. It gives you the impression that you can drop it without breaking anything off. The beveled edge around top cover makes it very easy to open or shut the lid. Having used the DSi XL for a while now, it seemed to me at the start that it was a little uncomfortable to hold, but got used to it quickly. The circle pad had a great feel to it. It is of a smooth rubbery material which provided additional friction to your thumb and was very comfortable to use. Kid Icarus proves well that the touchscreen doubles as a second analog pad.
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It makes me a little sad that the 3DS Shop and [http://www.opera.com browser] won't be available until May but there's already enough content to keep early adopters busy.
It makes me a little sad that the 3DS Shop and [http://www.opera.com browser] won't be available until May but there's already enough content to keep early adopters busy.


In a somewhat unrelated note, the Wii has sold 230.000 units in Greece while all the Nintendo DS versions combined have topped 458.000 units!
In a somewhat unrelated note, the Wii has sold 230,000 units in Greece while all the Nintendo DS versions combined have topped 458,000 units!


Last but not least, although retailers may change their minds sooner or later, it seems like the Nintendo 3DS will be priced at 270� in Greece. Sure the taxes are to blame, but still, I think they could do better... In conclusion however, while it is a tad expensive, it still worths its money.
Last but not least, although retailers may change their minds sooner or later, it seems like the Nintendo 3DS will be priced at 270� in Greece. Sure the taxes are to blame, but still, I think they could do better... In conclusion however, while it is a tad expensive, it's still worth its money.


We'd like to thank [http://www.nintendo.gr Nortec S.A.] for giving us the chance to attend this press event
==Original source==
* [http://www.legendarypokemon.net/2011/02/11/Articles/3ds-impressions-straight-from-greece Legendary Pokémon]