The lights are on
Nintendo's latest model of their DS handheld, the DSi XL, just arrived in the GI offices yesterday and won't be available to the general public in North America until this weekend. That newly launching product hasn't stopped Nintendo from unexpectedly confirming months of rumors by announcing their next-generation handheld device, the Nintendo "3DS."
Nintendo released a brief statement revealing the new system in Japan. The statement had scant details on the 3DS, the most important of which was the source of its name: The handheld will apparently feature the ability for "3D effects without the need for any special glasses." The statement does not elaborate on this technology, but if Nintendo has come up for a solution for true 3D that doesn't involve wearing goofy glasses, we're all ears.
The 3DS will also have full backward compatibility with DS games. The statement makes special note that it will work with DSi games as well, suggesting that the 3DS may also have a camera built in.
Nintendo plans to release the 3DS (probably under a different name) this fiscal year -- that means some time between now and March 2011. In the meantime, it looks like we'll be learning more details about the new device at E3.
Before you scoff at the idea of 3D on a handheld, remember that most people thought the two-screen idea for the DS was stupid when it was first announced as well. With that warning in place, are you excited to hear more about the 3DS? Does it mess with your plans to buy a DSi XL?
[Update]
For a look at how the 3DS might work, check out this video of a Japanese-only DSi game called 3D Hidden Picture. Keep in mind this is NOT actually running on the as yet unknown 3DS hardware, and it's likely that the 3D effects displayed by that unit might be somewhat different. Still, this is an example of how 3D is already being done on a Nintendo DS without the use of glasses. It's a pretty neat effect!
Thanks to Mark for the info
Nintendo is stupid for announcing it this early and not 'til E3. Now they're stopping people from buying the DSi XL haha.
this sounds interesting
Ok lets see here nintendo ds,ds light,dsi,dsi xl, 3ds and their might have been a light xl I dont remember I have the light and have just a few games for it besides a few games nothing all that remarkable comes out and with so many updates ur new ds will be outdatted in 6 - 12 months anyways.
I can see the 3d thing being cool but it aint like its a stellar graphic system and its reletively new so it might be even less clean...
sounds cool and yeah im not even thinkin of buying a DSXL anymore
Heck yeah it does. Who in there right mind to lay down that kind of money just for bigger screens when so much more is now officially on the horizon. Nintendo shoot themselves in the in the foot with this timing.
well this Christmas (Christmas 2010) my original DS is going to be 6 years old, its about time a new handheld altogether is coming out instead of all these DS remakes
3D WITHOUT the dopey glasses? im freaking sold!!! if this works out, that would be amazing. and just to sweeten the deal, its backwards compatible? AND it might have some slight motion control? this sounds amazing, and i cant wait for more details. looks like Nintendo is trying to destroy all handheld competition.
I was thinking of getting the DSi or DSi XL, but when this surfaced, I'm definitely waiting to get the 3DS. And also with the next new Pokemon revolution debuting on the new system, just makes me hope for the best.
btw, some of you need to stop complaining about this being another DS. if you read the top, it says that this is the next generation system. while its true that Nintendo always seems to milk their handhelds, this is a brand new system! this is what you've wanted, so get it straight and stop complaining!
DS, DSlite, DSi, DS XL, now 3DS. xD But this does sound cool. o.O
ill pass..
how many DS is that now? 4?
backwards compatibility with ds games is pretty good. significantly increases the chances of me buying this.
wow Nentendo cant stop releasing handhelds can they
3DS sounds like one of the most brilliant thing to hit games since the Wii itself. Looking forward to picking one up
@slicvicxlii while yes it does say it is a new generation system it seems a little like the ds with the small info hopefully during e3 they will show a completely different looking device with lots of new features like they did when the ds was announced but for now it still sounds like a new ds, especially since they are still using the ds name, they didn't do that when they ended the gameboy.
That's live. DSi XL, good-bye
this is incredible!
Im all for it, mostly because i love that tech demo. But i have 1 major concern....its really close to april 1. Thats all im saying. Ill hold my breath until E3 otherwise.
That might be cool but i hope its not like the virtual boy fail was