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[Cheesemeister]

With the launch of the 3DS in Japan, it's time for a thread to discuss its launch there! Join us as we share news, photos, and impressions of the new Nintendo handheld system in its first days available on the market.

FAQ

How is the Internet browser?
How can I access the eShop and what will be available?
How can I transfer my DSiWare to the 3DS?

This functionality will be included in the May firmware update.

Will DSiWare be available from the eShop?

Yes.

Will I be able to use my old Wii/Nintendo Points on the eShop?

No, the eShop will use a payment system based on actual currency, and old point cards will not be redeemable.

Does the Circle Pad work with any old DS games?

At least Super Mario 64 DS is reported to work. YMMV.

Does the 3D slider click or anything when switching between 2D and 3D?

No.

What language options does the 3DS have?

Language options depend on the region of the unit. In Japan, it's Japanese-only.

Is the 3DS region-locked?

Unfortunately, 3DS and DSi-specific games are region-locked.

We can confirm that the software is locked by region; inserting one of our Japanese 3DS games into our European machine produces no result at all – it's as if no card has been inserted. This remains a deeply disappointing decision for handheld devices which will be taking a lot of long-haul flights. (However,our European and Japanese 3DS consoles were able to swap data via StreetPass.)

Are old DS games region-locked, too?

No, they're all playable.

How do old DS games look on the 3DS?

By default, they're stretched to fit, though it's possible to reduce the display output to the original resolution. Hold the start and select buttons as you run the DS game.

Do old DS games get logged like 3DS games do in the activity history?

Yes.

How do you set your favorite game?

Scroll to your profile in the friend list and tap the icon at the top of the screen to change your favorite game. The Mii-related options are spread out across the friend list, Mii Studio, and Mii Plaza, so this can get a bit confusing.

Can you name an old DS game as your favorite for your Mii profile?

No.

Does the system come charged out of the box?

It reportedly has about half a charge, long enough to get set up and start playing.

How long does the battery last?

Depending on the settings and usage, between 3 and 5 hours. Standby has yet to be precisely measured, but it lasts longer than one is away from the charging cradle.

What's the point of the charging cradle?

Ease-of-use, really. It's easier to slap the system down in the cradle than to stick the wire into the back of the system and set it so it won't come out. The aim is probably to make the 3DS something that you want with you at all times.

What kind of memory storage does the system have?

The 3DS comes with a 2GB SD card for your data and has 2GB of internal flash memory for system use. SDHC cards of up to 32GB are supported.

How are pictures stored?

3D pictured are saved to the SD card as two files, one JPG and one MPO.

Can I view pictures taken on another 3DS?

Yes. Files are stored as such...
\DCIM\100NIN03\HNI_0001.JPG
\DCIM\100NIN03\HNI_0001.MPO

You can have multiple folders at the "100NIN03" level with different digits, containing pictures that are identically-named in different folders.

Can the 3DS will display MPO images from a non-3DS source?

Yes, FinePix MPO files were successfully loaded here.

How is music stored?

The 3DS Sound Channel will detect MP3s stored anywhere on the SD card.

Is the Sound Channel usable for things like playing/downloading RSS podcasts or Internet radio streams?

For the music app, there doesn't appear to be anything specifically for downloading streams, but you could load MP3s anywhere on an SD card and the system will find it.

How do Friend Codes work? How long are they, and can you rename them?

Friend Codes are shared by all software system-wide. They are 12 digits, with hyphens after the 4th and 8th digits. There doesn't appear to be an option to rename your friends, as you automatically get their name and Mii when registered. Friend names are the same character length as the old DS. It also shows what your friends playing if online, how recently they were online if not, their pick for favorite game, and their greeting. All of 3DS online games use this friend list.

Do both people need to add Friend Codes, or is it a request based system?

If your friend adds you first, you will not see any sort of request on the system. When registering in exchange, though, your friend's profile data comes up right away.

Can we now simply scan a Mii QR code with the 3DS camera, and not have to input the long Friend Codes?

No, scanning QR codes simply adds custom Miis to the Mii Studio, not the Mii Plaza or friend list.

The Wii has a "send Mii to..." option that you use to send Miis to registered friends. Does the 3DS have something like that available instead of scanning each other's QR codes?

No, there currently isn't any private messaging to people on your friend list. Exporting and scanning Mii QR codes is how you would add Miis to the Mii Studio.

Do you get the other person's Mii into the Mii Plaza by exchanging Friend Codes?

No, exchanging Friend Codes adds a person's Mii and profile to the friend list, not the Mii Studio or Mii Plaza.

How is StreetPass Puzzle?

You get puzzle pieces from new people you meet through StreetPass. There are 15 tiles in each 5x3 puzzle to collect to form some image. The images will show scenes of Nintendo characters and such.

Where can you wear the hats you earn in StreetPass Quest?

Anywhere within the Mii Plaza program: StreetPass Puzzle and the Plaza itself. Hats do not appear in your friends list or the Mii Studio. In StreetPass Quest itself, your Mii is wearing a crown as the abducted royalty.

Is turning StreetPass on & off quick and easy? Can it be done while you're playing a game?

StreetPass settings are in the options for each game that uses it, so ease-of-use will vary by title. Wireless communications can be turned on and off by flicking a switch on the right-hand side of the unit.

In Super Mario 64 DS, in the Options, there was an in-game option to turn the backlight on or off. Does this still work?

This is unknown. Please PM me if you have Super Mario 64 DS and a 3DS to test.

For people who are having eye strain/motion sickness, are you just switching the 3d between max and off? I'm pretty sure the slider doesn't make the effect stronger, it adjusts the focus because everyone's eyes are a little different.

I'll be the first to tell you that you have to get the slider adjusted correctly, but a lot of the stress comes from getting out of the sweet spot and seeing cross-talk, getting light from the opposing image in the wrong eye. If you move your head or the system fast, it'll shutter the image like a lenticular card. It makes AR Games or anything using the gyro hard to play with 3D on.

What if I damage/lose some of my AR cards?

You can print out new ones with no problem. There is no data on the cards, only patterns which the AR-enabled software recognizes. You can even print out super-sized cards for some interesting AR photos with bigger characters.

Is there rumble functionality?

No.

Is Pictochat still available?

No.

Can I use the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector with the 3DS?

Yes.

Are there any bugs or strange design choices?

Yes.

1. The indicator light for online friends and StreetPass doesn't always turn on when it should be. The indicator light for 3D doesn't always turn off when it should be.
2. When new Miis appear in the Mii Plaza via StreetPass, exiting the Mii Plaza or going to the entrance to retrieve more new Miis before utilizing them in StreetPass Puzzle or StreetPass Quest forfeits their help. New StreetPass arrivals are limited to 10 people at a time. The Mii Plaza is not explained in the manual itself, but briefly outlined in an additional leaflet.
3. You can see what your friends are doing in the friend list, but you can't message them individually. You can only set one message at a time to be broadcast to everyone who happens to look at the friend list. There are no friend requests, only mutual registrations.
4. StreetPass functionality in the Sound Channel is limited to measuring affinity in musical tastes, and track picks are not shared. While tracks continue playing with the lid closed when headphones are inserted, it's not possible to keep them playing going into another program.

Are there any DS accessories that are incompatible with the 3DS?

Yes.

Face Training [NTR-014]
Slide Adventure Magkid Slide Controller [NTR-012]
Nintendo DS Browser Memory Expansion Cartridges [NTR-011][USG-007]
Nintendo DS Headset [NTR-019]
Nintendo DS Magnetic Stand [NTR-022]
Nintendo DS Rumble Cartridges [NTR-008][USG-006]
Daigassou! Band Brothers (Jam with the Band)

Do normal headphones work?

Yes.

When is Pilotwings scheduled to be released in Japan?

April 14th.

I have an addition/question/correction!

For questions, please post here in the thread. If you're a 3DS owner and want to add additional info or provide corrections, please PM me.

HARDWARE

Screens: 3.53" 400x240x2 3D parallax barrier screen, 3.02" 320x240 resistive touchscreen
Weight: 230g
Dimensions: 5.3" x 2.9" x 0.83" (134mm x 74mm x 21mm)
Colors: Cosmo Black, Aqua Blue
Graphics: PICA200
Input: Circle Pad, touchscreen, microphone, accelerometer, gyroscope, 3D depth slider, buttons: D-pad, A, B, X, Y, L, R, Start, Select, Home
Cameras: 3 640x480, 0.3 megapixel cameras, 1 interior and 2 exterior for 3D photos and possible future video
Media: 3DS cartridge, DS cartridge, SD card
Connectivity: 802.11b/g wireless
Region-locking: All DSi and 3DS software region-locked, DS software remains region-free.

AVAILABILITY

Approx. 400,000 units on Saturday, February 26th @ 25,000 yen ($300).
Most stores open at 10 am Japan Time.
Nationwide pre-orders took place on January 20th.

LAUNCH SOFTWARE


Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D (Ubi Soft) @ 3,945 - 5,040 yen ($48-61)

(6/6/6/5, 23 points)

Nintendogs + Cats: French Bulldog & New Friends (Nintendo) @ 3,800 - 4,800 yen ($46-58)
Nintendogs + Cats: Shiba & New Friends (Nintendo) @ 3,800 - 4,800 yen ($46-58)
Nintendogs + Cats: Toy Poodle & New Friends (Nintendo) @ 3,800 - 4,800 yen ($46-58)

(10/9/9/10, 38 points): "The sheer fuzziness factor on all the pets is too cute. Watching them totter around in 3D is so calming, and the act of petting them has much more of a you-are-there feel to it. Keeping a dog and cat together gives you a huge number of must-see moments, and the ability to interact quickly and easily with other pet owners is great."

Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle (Level 5) @ 4,700 - 5,980 yen ($57-72)

(8/8/8/8, 32 points): "The simple interface and screen setup is similar to the rest of the series and put together very well. The animated parts are in 3D and there are a variety of new features and game gimmicks, but the play style hasn't changed much. It's a natural progression for the series, 3D support included."

Puzzle Bobble 3D (Square-Enix) @ 3,950 - 4,980 yen ($48-60)

(6/6/6/6, 24 points)

Ridge Racer 3D (Bandai-Namco) @ 4,790 - 6,090 yen ($58-73)

(8/10): "Once you penetrate beyond the first few hours of torpid "Basic" races and start earning the praise continually heaped on you regardless by the game's obsequious announcer lady, this is a Ridge Racer experience that could be unlike any other. It has the pace, it has a solid structure and it has a new edge thanks to that magic 3D slider."

(8/8/7/9, 32 points): "The courses are full of floaty jumps and other gimmicks to get you inside the game more. Racing across them is pretty fun, and the drifting (which tends to throw off beginners in other games) is simple to pull off. The rival cars you race in Grand Prix mode and so on are pretty tough, though, and I wonder if the game's still too hard overall. A difficulty selection would have been nice."

Samurai Warriors: Chronicles (Koei-Tecmo) @ 4,800 - 6,090 yen ($58-73)

(9/9/8/8, 34 points): "Nothing has changed much in the DW formula, but switching between characters while shouting out orders to your side gives this game a new sort of real-time strategy feel. Going 3D makes it easier to gauge positioning between yourself and enemies, which makes the game easier overall."

Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition (Capcom) @ 3,800 - 4,800 yen ($46-58)

(9/10): "Capcom has managed an incredible feat; it's taken a deep, complex fighting game designed for arcades and consoles and crammed it onto a less-powerful portable platform without making hardly any sacrifices. If you'd have told us back in 2008 that we'd soon be playing this new, incredible-looking fighter on a handheld smaller than a notebook, frankly we'd tell you to do one."

(9/8/8/9, 34 points): "The way you can use the touch screen to launch even charge moves in an instant is actually kind of revolutionary for the series, a change that I think could lead to some neat new tactics. Despite that, the controls can still be very difficult at times, even with the ability to redefine buttons. Whether you're able to overlook that will define your overall the opinion of the game."

(8.5/10): "Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition is easily one of the best launch titles available for the 3DS. With a great online system, a plethora of characters to choose from, beautiful visuals, and tons of options, there is truly a lot to like with this solid fighter. While the experience has it warts, Capcom has definitely served up a winner and is providing gamers with one of the best handheld fighting experiences on the market today."

Winning Eleven 3DSoccer (Konami) @ 4,599 - 5,800 yen ($55-70)

(8/8/8/8, 32 points)

Prices from Kakaku.

POST-LAUNCH SOFTWARE

03/03
Shanghai 3D Cube (Sunsoft)
Super Monkey Ball 3D (Sega)

03/10
Asphalt 3D: Nitro Racing (Konami)

03/17
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell 3D (Ubi Soft)

03/24
Gundam: The 3D Battle (Bandai-Namco)
Rabbids: Time Travel (Ubi Soft)
The Sims 3 (EA)

03/31
Blazblue: Continuum Shift II (Arc System Works)
Naruto Shippuuden (Takara-Tomy)
Nicoli's Sudoku: 8 Puzzles, 1000 Questions (Hamster)
Pro Baseball Family Stadium 2011 (Bandai-Namco)
Pro Baseball Spirits 2011 (Konami)
Virus Shooter XX (Dorasu)

04/07
Cubic Ninja (AQ Interactive)
One Piece: Unlimited Cruise Special (Bandai-Namco)

04/14
Pilotwings Resort (Nintendo)

04/28
Deca Sporta: 3D Sports (Hudson)

TBA
Dead or Alive: Dimensions (Koei-Tecmo)
Steel Diver (Nintendo)

REVIEWS

CVG: 3DS Hardware
Eurogamer: 3DS Hardware
GameFocus: 3DS Hardware
Telegraph: 3DS Hardware

CVG: Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition
Edge Magazine: 3DS Hands-On
Famitsu: Launch Software, via 1UP
Eurogamer: Pilotwings Resort
Eurogamer: Ridge Racer 3D
Nintendo World Report: Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition

LAUNCH PHOTOS

Andriasang: Late Night Lines Form For 3DS
Cheesemeister's launch photos from rental store Geo
Dengeki Online: Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Akiba
Famitsu: Labi 1 in Ikebukuro (copy-paste link)
Famitsu: Lines Overnight in Akiba (copy-paste link)
Famitsu: Yodobashi Akiba (copy-paste link)
Game Watch: Labi 1 in Ikebukuro
Game Watch: Yodobashi Akiba
Inside Games: Lines at Yodobashi Akiba
Inside Games: Launch at Yodobashi Akiba

LAUNCH VIDEO

Nintendo of Europe in Akiba

PODCASTS

8-4 Play: Nintendo 3DS Launch Special
Red Sun Gamer: Sun of a Podcast: Nintendo 3DS & Catherine

LINKS

Nintendo 3DS Official Site

4Gamer 3DS News
Andriasang Nintendo 3DS Launch Center
Dengeki Online 3DS & DS News
Famitsu 3DS News (copy-paste link)
Famitsu 3DS Release Calendar (copy-paste link)
Game Watch
Inside Games Nintendo News

Amazon JP 3DS Sales Rankings
Famitsu: 371,326 3DS systems sold in 2 days, 117,589 copies of Layton. (copy-paste link)

Nikkei: 3DS Teardown

 

[Relaxed Muscle]

WOW, I can't believe it's already here..., Japan age sales gonna be interesting for the next months..

Also, hotlinking fail.

 

[Kafel]

We need to launch this one week before ? Also, no hotlinking.

 

[AceBandage]

We need to launch this one week before ? Also, no hotlinking.

Why not?
There's like 4 active 3DS topics already. Maybe we can condense them into one.

 

[Square Triangle]

Hotlinking

 

[Chris1964]

400k units for launch is an estimate from a retailer, it's not official.

 

[Negator]

At least the no hotlinking font have the colors from the old 3D glasses.

 

[inner-G]

Wow it came so quickly!

 

[Cheesemeister]

Yes, thank you all for informing me of the image problem. Photobucket hasn't been cooperating for me lately, so I tried using another site.

Try tinypic?

Equally disagreeable. I swear, my ISP hates me.

 

[Square Triangle]

Try tinypic?

 

[Relaxed Muscle]

Yes, thank you all for informing me of the image problem. Photobucket hasn't been cooperating for me lately, so I tried using another site.

People recommended imgur and abload when tinypic failed a lot of Gaffers including me.

Check them.

 

[AceBandage]

I've been using SkyDrive. It seems good.

 

[MidnightScott]

My thread is better than your thread!

Seriously though, one of these days I'm gonna need someone from Japan GAF to do me a huge favor and pick me up a 3DS from Japan when I want to import some games. Paying almost $500 to get one is ridiculous.

 

[ivysaur12]

I can't believe it's almost here...

 

[inner-G]

imgur.com is working great for me lately

 

[Amalthea]

Why are we even still talking about this thing? It doesn't have a 3 Giganerdwankherz Indefinite Number Core Processor, the batteries aren't running for at least 50 hours and it costs more than the average allowance of a ten year old, not to mention that today no one is willing to pay more than 90 cents for console-quality games on a mobile device.

And 3D is a fad!

 

[Smiles and Cries]

I'm posting in a thread of NewSexy 3D

man I've been on GAF too long so many launch threads

this will be fun good luck Nintendo!

 

[inner-G]

Why are we even still talking about this thing? It doesn't have a 3 Giganerdwankherz Indefinite Number Core Processor, the batteries arent running for at least 50 hours and it costs more than the average allowance of a ten year old, not to mention that today no one is willing to pay more than 90 cents for console-quality games on a mobile device.

And 3D is a fad!

Mother 3D


You know it's

Spoiler

never

going to happen.

 

[Luigi87]

I look forward to see impressions of actual people owning it... And knowing I'll have to wait another month...
I will endure!

 

[Cheesemeister]

Image links fixed. Imgur worked great, thanks.

The most incredible thing is the price translation. 45-70$ for a game?

The yen is at 83 to the dollar. It's crazy.

 

[MidnightScott]

Only a little over a month to go until we North Americans & Europeans & Australians get to play!!!

 

[AIRic]

The most incredible thing is the price translation. 45-70$ for a game?

 

[Baki]

Media Create is going to be so awesome again.

Also Black > Aqua Blue.

 

[blu]

It seem it was only yesterday when we, gamers and handheld aficionados from around the world, were hunting down every last bit of rumor or heresay related to this mysterious new handheld overlord Nintendo was to launch upous.. Ah, time flies like an arrow.

Spoiler

Don't ask me what time bees like - I don't know.

 

[thestopsign]

I'm excited. From a Sales-Ager point of view, the beginning of the generation/launch of a new system is always the most interesting time. Everything becomes unpredictable to an extent, how will new series develop on the systems? How will old series evolve and survive in a different market? Comparisons to the predecessor of the system?

I'm expecting a fairly hefty lead for the 3DS going up against NGP. Probably ~3mil or more. It'll be key for both companies to maintain all momentum coming out of their launches. It's when 3rd parties are going to be taking notes and making decisions.

Technology-wise I'm going to wait a bit into this generation. My DS Phat has served me well for nearly eight years, no reason to back out on it right now. There are a few hardware flaws that I have with the 3DS that make me want to wait for a revision. I also prefer entering generations and grabbing all the games on the cheep (just got a 360 this weekend!).

 

[neptunes]

i week before? too soon

 

[Morokh]

Can't come soon enough, time to see how Dsiware transfer is done ! so I can Pre-order

 

[Chris1964]

This looks a better thread for these:

 

[Hex]

If only we had Layton for launch

 

[UncleSporky]

The most incredible thing is the price translation. 45-70$ for a game?

How much do they already pay for Wii/DS/PSP/360/PS3 games?

Does the average Japanese person make an extra $200 per paycheck so it all balances out?

 

[IceMarker]

1 more month for everyone else!

Spoiler

 

[Dartastic]

If only we had Layton for launch

Is there even an estimated date for it here?

 

[Hero of Legend]

Oh dear, did you forget that you can just kill the number in the Amazon box URLs to get the 500px image?

I even added high-res boxes for most, just click the clickable boxes.

 

[Jackano]

So is there someone who can tell me, when the retailers actually receive their stocks from Nintendo? Early this week, 3 days before launch, one day before launch? I'm actually trying to understand when will online retailers like Play-Asia ship their customers.

 

[Cheesemeister]

How much do they already pay for Wii/DS/PSP/360/PS3 games?

Does the average Japanese person make an extra $200 per paycheck so it all balances out?

Speaking in broad terms, on release date, new console games are 5000 to 8000 yen ($60-96) and handheld games are 3500 to 5000 yen ($42-60).

Average income in Japan is ~7.3% higher than in the US.

Oh dear, did you forget that you can just kill the number in the Amazon box URLs to get the 500px image?

I didn't forget. I used the smaller images so as not to kill everyone's screen. Thank you, though. (Would you terribly mind removing the quote?)

Is this gonna be the place for lineup shots?

Yes, this is the place.

 

[frankie_baby]

How much do they already pay for Wii/DS/PSP/360/PS3 games?

Does the average Japanese person make an extra $200 per paycheck so it all balances out?

its just because the value of the yen is very high so yeah the prices look high when converted to dollars but then again so do their wages

 

[Busaiku]

Is this gonna be the place for lineup shots?

 

[friskykillface]

If only this were region free, i would have bought day 1 lol


time really does fly, it's almost here B^)

 

[AceBandage]

Is this gonna be the place for lineup shots?

Probably.
We should be getting lines by Thursday.

 

[MidnightScott]

4800 yen used to be like $51, but now it's like $60 :C

 

[Mailenstein]

Nice OT, OP!

I'm so pumped for this! My launch line-up is SSFIV3D and Layton .
Can't wait!

 

[D-Pad]

Much better than the uglier labrador box.

 

[Boney]

Oh man we already have an OT?

Sweet

 

[- J - D -]

This is exciting. Looking forward to seeing some cool accessories too.

 

[Baki]

It seem it was only yesterday when we, gamers and handheld aficionados from around the world, were hunting down every last bit of rumor or heresay related to this mysterious new handheld overlord Nintendo was to launch upous.. Ah, time flies like an arrow.

Spoiler

Don't ask me what time bees like - I don't know.

Now the next "hunt" will be the NGP. Good times.

 

[Hero of Legend]

I didn't forget. I used the smaller images so as not to kill everyone's screen. Thank you, though. (Would you terribly mind removing the quote?)

Oh, okay. I see.

 

[Kafel]

http://www.true-gaming.net/tgupload/images2/zg1co.jpg[/IMG[/QUOTE]

3D screens ?

 

[Smiles and Cries]

how long has it been since our last real launch thread?

it feels so strange and I feel so much older

 

[Calidor]

Too bad that the launch line-up looks atrocious... I'm waiting for a redesign and a 3DS Mario :/

 

[matmanx1]

See all those cases and launch accessories in that one pic? Where's all that stuff for the US? I still remember when the DSi and DSiXL hit and I had to order a Hori clear case off of Play-Asia for my Dsi. It seems like it takes months before we have good accessory choices in the States.

Go Japan! I'm envious of you guys right now!