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3DS Not Official Name Of New Handheld

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by Annette Gonzalez on May 11, 2010 at 01:25 PM
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Recently Nintendo president Satoru Iwata held a Q&A session in Japan with investors shedding new details on the upcoming 3DS, in which we learned the current name of the handheld is only a placeholder.

"We've said that it will be released during this term, so the announcement of the formal name will not be too far off," said Iwata.

To further address the upcoming handheld, speculation has suggested developing 3D titles will come at a higher production cost, an assumption Iwata dispels.

"If a game is originally made as a true 3D space, you make the 3D image by drawing two lines, one matching the left eye and one matching the right eye, so converting a game that already takes place in a 3D world into 3D is not all that difficult," he said. Iwata goes on to say that it is trial and error in developing an interesting interactive 3D experience that can potentially bump up costs. "However, the trial and error is there for any development where you try to make new entertainment experiences, and not just 3D."

Recently it was revealed that the 3D component of the 3DS can be toggled on and off due to accessibility issues, a topic he also addresses in the meeting.

"This isn't limited to just kids, but we're aware one in some tens of people, including adults, has difficulty with three dimensional visuals," he said. "So, while the 3D image is a special feature of the 3DS, we won't force the player to use the 3D functionality. By making it so that the player can at all times play with [the 3D feature] off, we believe we can comply with those who have difficulty with the 3D view or those who are worried about their child's eyes."

On a few final notes, Iwata said the 3DS and related software will appeal to both casual and hardcore gamers. As far as the early leak of the hardware, it has had something to do with informing developers for early brainstorming, which quickly spread across the web. Finally, for those of you wondering about the future of the Wii and expecting a related E3 announcement, Iwata said the Wii has yet to hit the end of its cycle. Will there be any surprises at E3?

"I can't say if there will or will not be surprises. If, for example, I said, 'there will be a surprise,' there wouldn't be any meaning, as everyone would be disappointed because of anticipation being exceedingly high."

Lots to think about here. First things first, what would you name the 3DS? Secondly, any E3 predictions for Nintendo based on what you now know?

[Via Andriasang]

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Comments
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  • by Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 01:30 PM

    WiiD Portable...

  •
    by Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 01:33 PM

    Little Big Wii.....LOL......I'm Sorry. I Don't Know If I Want This Or Not.

  •
    by Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 01:35 PM

    "Virtual Boy Flat"

  •
    by Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 01:40 PM

    I want them to call it the 3DS. I think that's a cool name. As for the Wii as long as they show off the new Zelda(and I'm talking about a gameplay demo not just some stupid trailer, we already know that link is gonna save the princess just show me gameplay) I'll be happy. I never really have my expectations too high for Nintendo at E3 outside of some game announcements. They always just send out Reggie and Cammie to condescendinly smack us over the head with stats saying old people and newscasters like the Wii.

  •
    by Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 01:41 PM

    Too bad. 3DS sounds interesting.

  •
    by Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 02:01 PM

    the virtual boy 1.5

  • by Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 02:06 PM

    ds3d

  •
    by Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 02:07 PM

    I like the name "3DS" but it really doesn't make sense seeing as how "DS" stands for "dual screen" and the 3DS may only have one screen (that would split the screen in half to display DS games).

    What would I name it?  Nintendo 3DP.  "P" stands for "portable."

  •
    by Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 02:09 PM

    Doesn't toggling the 3D on and off sort of defeat the purpose? Hopefully the shed some light on the new Zelda at E3.

  •
    by Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 02:16 PM

    who cares what it's called i just want some more info on the 3D technology being used to power this new handheld!

  •
    by Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 02:19 PM

    I guess they will announce its name at E3. Thought 3DS was a good enough name for it though.

  •
    by Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 02:31 PM

    i would name it the wesley is awesome3dp lol jk i sold my dsi anmd very rarely play my wii but this has sparked my interest back in nintendo

  •
    by Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 02:34 PM

    I hope when they announce it at E3...that as a gag they have created one 3DS that only plays in Black and Red....it would make people absolutely flip out.  Then of course show the real thing.

    But im not sure I like the 3DP---sounds like DP...if you know what I mean..not so family friendly...

  •
    by Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 02:43 PM

    DS cubed, probably going to show some sort of pokemon game or something @ E3

  •
    by Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 02:45 PM

    3DS made sense, why change a good thing...? Nintendo confuses me, to say the least.

  •
    by Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 02:51 PM

    Um...why not name it the 3DS? It seems perfect to me.

  •
    by Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 02:52 PM

    these guys change systems faster than a teenage gurl changes clothes before going out for the night.if this keeps up and consumers catch on to this they will stop buying and just wait 6months for the newer,bigger screen,camera included,and 3d effects and cooks tv dinners version in 6 months

  • by Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 02:54 PM

    Well.. i wish theyd keep the name 3Ds.. i was hoping to get one.. try it out to see if it was cool or not. and id rather had a handheld thats named Ds.. sounds intresting!!

  •
    by Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 03:04 PM

    WiiBoy Color 3ds ultra

  • by Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 03:12 PM

    whatever they call it i bet it will be game changing... just like the ds was and just like the wii was... nintendo knows something the other developers don't ... how to be one step ahead

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