"absolute disaster"
Uh huh...
It's just like the GBC or the DSi, they've been doing this for years!
Doesn't make it right, but I wouldn't call this a "disaster"....yet
Discuss: The new 3DS and the emergent "split userbase"... is this a good trend?
- Thread starter Amir0x
- Start date
"absolute disaster"
Uh huh...
It's just like the GBC or the DSi, they've been doing this for years!
Doesn't make it right, but I wouldn't call this a "disaster"....yet
For the sake of my wallet I hope this initiative is as much of a fart in the wind as the DSi was
Gotta be alive to bleed
They're just integrating the Circle Pad Pro. It added the right analog pad and ZL/ZR buttons.
Starwolf_UK
Member
That reminds me, they've not shown the NFC portal for 3DS in a while...I hope they don't shoot Amiibo in the foot by deciding you need a New 3DS.
Well the Xenoblade port is New 3DS only but you could always the Wii release...
It is kind of like SMB DX was GBC only (also download only* in Japan) and Face Training (EU) was download only (this is a port of the DS version which came with a camera for the GBa slot in Japan, NOE released it taking advantage of the DSi camers instead hence DSi only). Then again Xenoblade is monolith so can be put into the Zelda Orcacles, Pokemon Crystal bracket.
*-Download to a flash card via a kiosk. Sold terribly as a result.
This is a really nice improvement for the old 3DS that was starting to sell less and less, and not everything is exclusive, so I would say it was a smart move on Nintendo's part.
This is clearly a reaction to dropping sales.
This is clearly a reaction to dropping sales.
One close equivalent I can think of in the industry's past is PC Engine SuperGrafx; by the time it fizzled out, it had only gotten seven exclusive titles, five of which could still be played on the original PC Engine, albeit without the special effects that were dependent on the new hardware features.
Maybe the New 3DS will be the same way? Handful of exclusive games, but not a major trend changer in any way?
EDIT: Oh, and I'm not downplaying the DSi comparisons btw, obviously that's the closest analogy, being another Nintendo handheld. But the fact that this New 3DS will apparently have exclusive retail titles versus using an obscure download service makes it feel more SuperGrafx-- or maybe Gameboy Color?-- to me than the DSi. Like half a new platform.
Maybe the New 3DS will be the same way? Handful of exclusive games, but not a major trend changer in any way?
EDIT: Oh, and I'm not downplaying the DSi comparisons btw, obviously that's the closest analogy, being another Nintendo handheld. But the fact that this New 3DS will apparently have exclusive retail titles versus using an obscure download service makes it feel more SuperGrafx-- or maybe Gameboy Color?-- to me than the DSi. Like half a new platform.
PseudoViper
Member
Too late... Xenoblade 3DS is exclusive to the New 3DS
And they already announced more exclusives are in development and that various 3DS features will be faster.
It's a new console. I think the only thing that splits the userbase is the perception that this is still a 3DS. By branding it may be, but by specs and controls it is absolutely a new system. You'll start to see games that take advantage of the extra "stick" and the extra shoulder buttons. You'll start to see games (other than Xenoblade) that take advantage of the increased CPU spec. You'll also eventually see the "old" 3DS have support phased out in two years, I bet. The push for another format of internal, expandable memory is probably part of an effort to phase out cartridge-based physical media, or at least to be accessible to people who have (extra) MicroSD cards from smartphones, if they have one that supports the format.
It isn't like those.
The GBC *was* a new console and it was introduced nearly ten years after the original Gameboy.
DSi was a very minor upgrade that was ultimately barely used. No games of value required the DSi functions.
I thought this was a good update but now i'm not sure anymore, as often Nintendo seems to not do things as they should be.
If this was a simple 3ds with a circle pad attached then the design could even be acceptable, but since this is a real upgraded version why not changing the button layout making it symmetrical with a full second circle pad instead of that tiny joystick?
If this was a simple 3ds with a circle pad attached then the design could even be acceptable, but since this is a real upgraded version why not changing the button layout making it symmetrical with a full second circle pad instead of that tiny joystick?
I really doubt this will receive enough support to where they can phase out the older devices. This is more than likely a stopgap until they are ready to reveal something completely new.
Eh, it seems like the same stuff that happened when the 3DS XL released. Eventually people will upgrade. Just like how the 3DS faced initial consumer confusion vs the DS (some thought 3DS games would work on the DS).
Of course things turned out differently for the WiiU, but thats another story.
Beelzeboss
Member
I think it's a huge mistake to lock old 3DS owners out of new games.
The 3DS was a handheld that started out with an apology to people who decided to buy it day 1. Capping that off by locking them out of new 3ds games just seems terrible.
The 3DS was a handheld that started out with an apology to people who decided to buy it day 1. Capping that off by locking them out of new 3ds games just seems terrible.
They probably don't want to change the button layout in the middle of the 3DS' life.
That seems more likely now, indeed. And somehow in line with the launch of the common framework for handheld and console for the next Nintendo gen. And if this revision is successful, I think this opens the way for multiple SKUs for those.
ElectricKaibutsu
Member
Gameboy Color, DSi, New 3DS, I'll do the same thing I've always done and wait for the real new system to be released. I already own Xenoblade anyway.
The Lamonster
Member
Now that games are going to be "new" 3DS exclusive, I am not going to buy any more Nintendo systems. I bought my 3DS as an investment and Nintendo is abandoning me now.
LegendofLex
Member
3DS is selling more poorly than expected, so they need to do something to get more hardware sales. They're not ready for a truly new handheld (it would need to be aligned with their new console based on previous promises, which is likely 2-3 more years off), so they're going with a GBC-style iteration instead.
Based on previous comments from Nintendo, they see the existing 3DS install base as a huge asset, so it's not like they're going to drop development on OG 3DS games. This is just a new revenue stream that lets them provide the kinds of experiences that enthusiasts want.
Isn't that the Nintendo that hardcore gamers want? haha
Based on previous comments from Nintendo, they see the existing 3DS install base as a huge asset, so it's not like they're going to drop development on OG 3DS games. This is just a new revenue stream that lets them provide the kinds of experiences that enthusiasts want.
Isn't that the Nintendo that hardcore gamers want? haha
Technically DSi had more exclusive games than GBC did.
I feel like with the unified development thing, this is their best course of action. If they can release games day and date across both devices, at launch, that is huge.
Have you...actually read anything about it? At this point, it doesn't seem like much more of a "new console" than the DSi was. That could change if a lot more New 3DS-exclusive content is announced, but I don't see that happening.
IronicSonic
Member
Theoretically, extra CPU-power will allow 60fps in Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D via update?
Yeah but it also didn't have a single exclusive retail game either. That being said I don't think it will be too much of an issue long term.
Askherserenity
Member
Why are people complaining about this? How is it splitting the user base? It's been almost four years since the 3DS came out. That's like complaining about Google or Apple bringing out a phone every year.
There were only a handful, but it did. That said, they were all third-party (and all lower-profile than Xenoblade).
LegendofLex
Member
To use another historical example, 3DS has been out for longer than GBA was when they released the DS.
Somewhat ironic that after years of confusion about the 3DS and WiiU being new consoles rather than revisions, people somehow jump to the conclusion that this is a new console
Giving more buttons to developers means they will take advantage of it and make stuff that wouldn't work on the old 3DS. It won't phase out the 3DS right away, but I'd not expect to see many titles for the old 3DS in 2 years. You're right if you want to call it a stopgap, in that respect.
A really important feature is the control scheme. While the new 3DS isn't as powerful as a Vita/360/PS3/etc., having parity in the number of buttons means that games that aren't hardware intensive can release on more systems, including the new 3DS without requiring developers to make a specific addition (onto the touch screen, let's say) to make the game work on only 1 control stick and 2 shoulder buttons. Having 4 shoulder buttons, 2 sticks, and 4 face buttons means that it's easier for indie developers to release on the new 3DS.
I am the source. I got a GBC on launch day and played LADX that Christmas. I read EGM, Diehard Gamefan and "surfed" IGN64. This thing was being sold a new Game Boy you could play your games in color on omg.Sources for any of this? Because you're the one being revisionist IMO. I think there's a pretty clear difference between this:
vs. the many "DSi-enhanced" games that didn't even advertise said enhancements on their box.
DSi exclusive games had their own branding, and the only DSi enhanced games that didn't have boxart indicators of some sort were those that used it only for region locking like that Sonic Collection.
Huh. That's news to me, and I owned a DSi. Mind pointing me in their direction?
Askherserenity
Member
Haha seriously? That would be insane..
Sounds like your subjective perception. Conversely, I bought my GBC right around launch day. I read those same magazines and sites, and I remember article after article hyping up the huge changes of the color screen and the possibilities of the added horsepower for GBC-exclusive games.sörine;127624160 said:
Yes, but many (most?) DSi-enhanced games buried those indicators on the back.
LegendofLex
Member
GBA JP release date: March 21, 2001
DS NA release date: November 21, 2004
3DS JP release date: February 26, 2011
New 3DS JP release date: October 10, 2014
Well, not quite longer. The gap will only be about 16 days less, though.
The "old" 3ds has an install base of 40 mio. The new 3ds has 0 for now. Who do you think that will greenlight games that would work just on the new 3ds. They might add some features for the new 3ds but I wouldn't bet on it to happen for too many games, at list for 1-2 years and at that point a new handheld will be around the corner anyhow. It's a matter of profitability in the end.
Sure, it's also worth noting though that GBC launched with no exclusive games and didn't get one until 6 months later (and it was a NES port). DSi meanwhile launched with multiple DSiWare titles.
The buttons can be used as an optional extra. There's no reason not to include alternative control schemes. And the type of games that really use those types of control schemes have been quite rare on 3DS, and handhelds in general so far, and I doubt that will change dramatically with a small revision as this. For indie games even more so. Indie FPSs and third person 3D games are still fairly rare. I guess twin stick shooters are a bit more common, but still hardly the biggest issue for indies. If they're able to utilise the extra CPU power to bring over Unity and webframe work, that could be a gamechanger for indies though, but honestly I'm not expecting anything drastic at this point in it's life.
