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[Toxi]

Not happy. I bought a 3DS late last year. I am not made of money, and when I see Nintendo doing this, I can't help but think of how long before we see a Wii U revision with it's own exclusive games. Meanwhile, an OG PS3 works swimmingly with games released this year.

If this were a larger update, maybe I'd be okay, but it seems small and incredibly sloppy. I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on another handheld with the worst analog stick ever invented just to have access to a few games until two years later when Nintendo releases their next handheld.

Of course, this is just my own opinion, but I really don't see this being successful. The name is awful and Nintendo is imitating the strategies of a corporation with a lot more clout and advertising money.

 

[2+2=5]

They probably don't want to change the button layout in the middle of the 3DS' life.

But this is not a simple vanilla 3ds with some changes, this is a new model with exclusive games it didn't need to keep the 3ds design.
A different button layout would have even be better to help people understand that this is something new, instead with the name "new" and the old layout people will think that's just a simple revision of the 3ds.

 

[M3d10n]

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.

Yeah, this is actually Nintendo's "next-gen" handheld but disguised as a revision.

 

[sörine]

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.

I don't remember many articles along those lines, all I remember were magazines/internet talking about in the late 1990s was this thing being a stopgap and how amazing the 32bit Project Atlantis was going to be in 1999, then 2000, then 2001.

Of course since neither of us have brought any sourcing whatsoever I guess we'll have to rely our subjective perceptions. I'll take mine over yours though.

 

[KingSnake]

Yeah, this is actually Nintendo's "next-gen" handheld but disguised as a revision.

What's the launching line-up for this new handheld?

 

[Toxi]

What's the launching line-up for this new handheld?

Worst droughts ever.

 

[KingSnake]

Worst droughts ever.

Well, they can follow the lead of the best and do remasters. A 3d remaster of the old 3d game.

 

[soultron]

Yeah, this is actually Nintendo's "next-gen" handheld but disguised as a revision.

I'm not implying that it's the home/handheld hybrid console. I'm simply saying the different HW spec (even if it's only incrementally better), additional buttons, HTML5 support, MicroSD support, and more make it a new console that happens to have 1:1 3DS backwards compatibility.

 

[LegendofLex]

Well, they can follow the lead of the best and do remasters. A 3d remaster of the old 3d game.

We're more likely to see more GameCube/Wii games get a "second life" on the handheld.

It's funny. Wasn't the point of Nintendo handhelds to provide a different experience than the consoles that really leveraged their portability?

 

[Lothars]

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.

The reasn I think it's a huge mistake is two fold. 1. The name is terrible even though it's still a 3ds give it a different name even like a 3dsi or something like that. It doesn't really communicate it's actually a better revision.

2. Exclusive retail games means that if you want to play those games you are going to need to communicate they only play on the new 3ds, Nintendo is terrible at doing that at the best of times so I have no faith they will do it reliably look at the wii to the wiiu name change. It's part of the reason they had the confusion in the first place.

The 3ds to the 3ds xl was at least an accurate name for it, a bigger 3ds that could play all the same games.

+

 

[FoneBone]

I don't remember many articles along those lines, all I remember were magazines/internet talking about in the late 1990s was this thing being a stopgap and how amazing the 32bit Project Atlantis was going to be in 1999, then 2000, then 2001.

Of course since neither of us have brought any sourcing whatsoever I guess we'll have to rely our subjective perceptions. I'll take mine over yours though.

Well, the press did deem it a stopgap, but I still remember the difference in horsepower being played up way more than with DSi.

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.

Actually, there were several third-party exclusive games before Mario DX.

 

[KingSnake]

We're more likely to see more GameCube/Wii games get a "second life" on the handheld.

Well, it works also for SD remasters of the SD games, I guess. What worked for HD, works for SD too.

 

[LegendofLex]

Well, it works also for SD remasters of the SD games, I guess. What worked for HD, works for SD too.

I think they went out of their way to call the dual analog nub the "C-stick" for a reason...

 

[DarkLinkage]

Nintendo announced one exclusive game for the New 3DS. I don't think many other exclusive games will be made.

If this was a NEW system nintendo would not have announced it during a Japanese direct, and would have announced more games. The announcement would have been more fitting for an E3.

I just see this being treated as part of the 3DS lineup, kind of like how DSi was to DS.

 

[Sandfox]

But this is not a simple vanilla 3ds with some changes, this is a new model with exclusive games it didn't need to keep the 3ds design.
A different button layout would have even be better to help people understand that this is something new, instead with the name "new" and the old layout people will think that's just a simple revision of the 3ds.

The new 3DS is more than likely only going to have very few exclusive games and everything else on the platfrom will be designed for the 3DS so it wouldn't exactly make sense to change the button layout.

 

[Shig]

They could afford to get away with some incremental upgrade hubris with GBC and DSi because the market was firmly in their pocket.

Now that they've got the smartphone/tablet market eating away at their heels? Really, reallllllllly stupid. The hardware will sell, at best, about as well as the hardware's been selling (which is to say, still lagging far behind its forebears), and then they'll have the added rub of software incompatibilities between identically-branded products.

For a company whose decline can be pretty squarely linked with branding confusion, they're sure in a hurry to keep digging the hole.

 

[FoneBone]

Huh. That's news to me, and I owned a DSi. Mind pointing me in their direction?

There were only 4 of them released. All listed here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_DSi#Software_library

 

[LegendofLex]

If this was a NEW system nintendo would not have announced it during a Japanese direct, and would have announced more games. The announcement would have been more fitting for an E3.

This is how Nintendo operates when they appeal to hardcore gamers. Sorry.

 

[Byron Bluth]

To be clear, this in no way is anything like the DS revisions. Never did the DS add extra buttons, it did add a faster processor but there were no major game releases that required it.

With this "New" Nintendo 3DS and XL, we are seeing more controls and a faster processor that is making it a requirement for some pretty heavy hitting software so far. Xenoblade Chronicles is a pretty big game compared to some eShop download title.

I am really upset. I bought an OG 3DS and got screwed on price (Ambassador program was ok I guess), and then a 3DS XL which is now obsolete for these new titles. My Circle Pad Pro for my XL will not let it run Xenoblade, so people need to stop making that excuse. I am sure the added horsepower has something to do with it.

In the end, it is sad to see Nintendo go this route. They fucked up by not adding these controls that were necessary from the beginning, and the customer is supposed to pay to fix that blunder.

Fuck off Nintendo.

 

[Heysoos]

Hope it bombs. Might as well have renamed it something else. If my 3DSXL is going to be locked out of new games, why even bother having it.

 

[MarkusRJR]

Annoyed. Just bought a new 3DS XL this year, and now there will be a new one next year...

 

[sörine]

Well, the press did deem it a stopgap, but I still remember the difference in horsepower being played up way more than with DSi.

The main things being played up were the larger color screen and wireless/IR multi. The horsepower increase wasn't even mentioned for the most part, I think only number of colors was even on official spec sheets.

It wasn't really that dissimilar to DSi which emphasized the cameras, larger screens and DSiWare rather than it's proportionately identical horsepower/memory boost. Actually NN3DS seems to be the one sticking out with the improved CPU being highlighted as a key feature.

Actually, there were several third-party exclusive games before Mario DX.

There were? What were they?

 

[KingSnake]

and then a 3DS XL which is now obsolete for these new titles. My Circle Pad Pro for my XL will not let it run Xenoblade, so people need to stop making that excuse. I am sure the added horsepower has something to do with it.

With or without the new 3ds, your 3ds XL can't run Xenoblade. And it was never promised to be able to do so. So what are you upset about exactly?

 

[DidntKnowJack]

I think Nintendo has created a problem for themselves with this. If you think people were confused by the Wii U being a new console, this is going to absolutely throw them for a loop. Even we don't have it sorted out and we live and breathe this shit.

 

[Mihos]

It would be cool if they release some gamecube games for it.

 

[Ludovico]

As someone who still has an OG 3DS, I'm ok with this news.

And OMG, now I have to decide whether to finally get around to playing Xenoblade on Wii/PC, or wait for that sweet, pick up and play portable version, hhhnnggg.

 

[npa189]

Nintendo has done this ever since the GBC. The upgrades seem worthwhile and I've been wishing I bought a black 3DS for quite some time. I'll bite, I always do.

 

[FoneBone]

There were? What were they?

Google search says Klax, Logical, and Top Gear Pocket all came out first. I think it was only by a few weeks at most, though.

 

[ironcreed]

I just can't help but wonder if we will see a similar situation with the Wii U. I sure as hell hope not, as I just bought one in May. Then again, I don't guess I would mind all that much as long as it did not have any separate exclusives.

 

[Toxi]

The New 3DS should join the baseball team with Who, What, and I Don't Know.

 

[Callibretto]

Wow just found out about this, I was excited until I found out that the screen resolution stay the same, can't they at least upgrade the resolution

 

[Byron Bluth]

With or without the new 3ds, your 3ds XL can't run Xenoblade. And it was never promised to be able to do so. So what are you upset about exactly?

That Nintendo decided to split the userbase within 3 years? Which they have never done, and this is on top of the sour experience of picking up a 3DS at launch and dealing with the price drop and a shitty library of games for awhile.

3DS is one of their worst handheld lineups ever.

 

[The Silver]

this is what I get for caving a year ago and buying a 3DS, son of a bitch I really wanted to play Xenoblade.

Never buy a Nintendo handheld until a true next generation has been announced.

 

[dark10x]

Technically DSi had more exclusive games than GBC did.

Uhh, what? I find that hard to believe.

Do you have a list? The GBC has a decent sized library (I don't think most of them are GB compatible either).

 

[sörine]

Google search says Klax, Logical, and Top Gear Pocket all came out first. I think it was only by a few weeks at most, though.

It'd have to be by a few weeks at most since all four were April 1999 releases. Only Mario DX has a specific release date I can find though (4/30/99).

So of the potential first four GBC only games, that came 6 months after the system launched, 3 were ports from the 1980s.

Uhh, what? I find that hard to believe.

Do you have a list? The GBC has a decent sized library (I don't think most of them are GB compatible either).

There were only 4 DSi exclusive games but DSiWare is over 550 and still growing.

GBC only counts are hard to find but total GBC releases were around 700 and I'd estimate at least a third were still backwards compatible as that didn't stop until 2001.

 

[FoneBone]

Uhh, what? I find that hard to believe.

Do you have a list? The GBC has a decent sized library (I don't think most of them are GB compatible either).

He's including DSiware games.

 

[Popnbake]

Nintendo announced one exclusive game for the New 3DS. I don't think many other exclusive games will be made.

If this was a NEW system nintendo would not have announced it during a Japanese direct, and would have announced more games. The announcement would have been more fitting for an E3.

I just see this being treated as part of the 3DS lineup, kind of like how DSi was to DS.

Really?

I can see them pushing more exclusive new 3DS titles to entice old 3DS users to jump ship.

I just can't help but wonder if we will see a similar situation with the Wii U. I sure as hell hope not, as I just bought one in May. Then again, I don't guess I would mind all that much as long as it did not have any separate exclusives.

There could be a new Gamepad revision and updated appearance but nothing like this situation where the new Wii U will have games that cannot be used on the old Wii U.

 

[Byron Bluth]

Just to compare what we are seeing from an exclusive game development perspective for the new 3DS and people making the comparison to the DSi, these are the exclusive games that came out for the DSi:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nintendo_DSi_games

5 games total, and none of them are even close to the franchise/type of game Xenoblade is.

Not. Even. Close. It is not the same.

 

[FoneBone]

Really?

I can see them pushing more exclusive new 3DS titles to entice old 3DS users to jump ship.

Xenoblade is more than they ever did for DSi, but it's still a Wii port (and of a relatively niche, cult-ish game, however heavily acclaimed). They're going to have to announce more to convince me that they're actually interested in taking an aggressive approach to New 3DS exclusives.

 

[LegendofLex]

That Nintendo decided to split the userbase within 3 years? Which they have never done

Not only have they actually already done this, this situation is much less dramatic than the last time they did it:

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

The difference, of course, is that GBA was a much healthier platform than 3DS is currently, and... well, the New 3DS won't be anything like the DS. It'll have less software, less success, and a shorter life span. But to say that Nintendo has never fractured their userbase with a new hardware announcement within three or so years is frankly untrue.

 

[SlowRevolution]

Once they decided to split the userbase, I wish they'd gone all out with it. The jump feels kind of half-assed.

There's also the issue of these upgrades feeling like things the 3DS should've launched with in the first place, and it's still got the huge problem of having a screen that's a joke. Realistically they couldn't have done as much as I would've liked, but the jump just doesn't seem big enough.

 

[KingSnake]

Once they decided to split the userbase, I wish they'd gone all out with it. The jump feels kind of half-assed.

Obviously that they aren't ready to go all out, that's why this revision exists. And they still need to sell better than now until they are ready.

 

[Nocturno999]

I don't think it's a good trend when you start splitting the userbase.
Nintendo is pulling an Apple but I don't think they are in a good position for that luxury.

Are old games going to benefit from this?

 

[Azriell]

I don't think it's a big deal in this instance. The new buttons on the N3DS are likely just there to replace CPP. Some games may come out that support all the buttons, but, like CPP-compatible games that have already come out, most will probably offer control schemes for the original 3DS. Monster Hunter is a great example of how you can offer virtual buttons to players with older devices while giving players with the New 3DS the ability to use the new buttons.

I don't think the improved CPU will matter much for gaming, outside of perhaps faster load times or maybe less slowdown or something. I say this because the press release specifically mentioned eShop and Miiverse but not games. If it was a big deal, I would think they would be talking about it.

Also, I don't hear a lot of people complaining when their 3 year old iPhone can't play the new stuff coming out and they know it's time to upgrade. Obviously, there is a very big difference between a handheld and a phone, but the pricing is pretty similar (if you have a plan) and I think it's something a lot more of us are a lot more comfortable with than we would have been 10 years ago. Also, the n3ds offers more than just new buttons. The improved battery alone is a pretty good reason to upgrade (especially if your 3DS has some wear-and-tear on it like mine does). The 3d is improved, and I'm hoping the new gyro somehow is used to track motion and adjust the screen to make maintaining 3d easier. I'd use 3d a lot more if it wasn't so easy to lose the sweet spot.

 

[SatelliteOfLove]

I do have worries about how this is going to work when the 3DS isn't growing like the previous Nintendo handhelds while also being more fundamental. We'll see.

 

[Jarmel]

Not only have they actually already done this, this situation is much less dramatic than the last time they did it:

The difference, of course, is that GBA was a much healthier platform than 3DS is currently, and... well, the New 3DS won't be anything like the DS. It'll have less software, less success, and a shorter life span. But to say that Nintendo has never fractured their userbase with a new hardware announcement within three or so years is frankly untrue.

That example is bullshit. In what world is the DS a revision of the GBA?

 

[FoneBone]

That example is bullshit. In what world is the DS a revision of the GBA?

It's not - I think his point is that it was worse, since they were releasing a full-on successor platform less than 4 years after the prior hardware's launch.

 

[Jarmel]

It's not - I think his point is that it was worse, since they were releasing a full-on successor platform less than 4 years after the prior hardware's launch.

A successor is, and rightfully so, treated differently than a revision. I doubt as many people would be complaining if Nintendo had just announced the 3DS2.

 

[Easy_D]

It's not - I think his point is that it was worse, since they were releasing a full-on successor platform less than 4 years after the prior hardware's launch.

No man, they launched a third pillar! The GBA never went anywhere. Just no one is making games for it is all

 

[seady]

At first I was a bit mad, but then feel it's actually fine if they release new upgrade every once a while (instead of abandoning a generation of systems to go to the next ala GBA to DS to 3DS).

Just like the iPhone, each generation will be a bit more powerful and each older gen hardware will gradually phase out with less and less games to play - you don't have to buy new hardware every year, as you can still play most of the same games, but in several more gen you will want to update to the latest version.