Kid Icarus: Uprising (3DS)
As the premiere title for the 3DS in 2012, Kid Icarus: Uprising has some big shoes to fill. Coming off of the release of two astonishing Mario titles, Kid Icarus is a fantastic return to the franchise, taking a whole new direction that pays off in the end.
Kid Icarus: Uprising is the brainchild of mastermind Masahiro Sakurai, head of Project Sora, who created Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Instead of returning to Pit's platforming roots back in his NES days, Sakurai takes the franchise in a new way. The game is split into two formats, so you're basically doing two different sections in each level: a flying portion and a ground portion. Each chapter starts with a brief flying section, and these play out like Sin and Punishment. You can't control Pit directly, but you can control where he aims and his shooting. These are the more superior sections; albeit short, they're full of fast-paced shooting and fun dialogue. When Pit's power of flight runs out, however, Palutena drops him to the ground to embark on a land mission. These play out like a third-person action game. Pit is able to run anywhere and fire at will as he makes his way towards the boss of the chapter. These sections are much longer than the flying ones, and they aren't as fun thanks to some clunky controls. Before each level you have the option to select your difficult, betting hearts (the game's currency), for higher difficulties. Subsequent difficulties unlock hidden areas in each level, allowing you to get better weapons but at the cost of tougher enemies.
The controls in Kid Icarus: Uprising are an odd choice. You hold the 3DS in one hand, use the L-button to shoot, move Pit with the Circle Pad, and aim using your stylus on the touch screen. Obviously, you're doing too much at once, and it can become overwhelming. The real problem is the camera in the ground portions. A flick of the stylus rotates the camera around Pit, and flick it too hard and it'll freak out. The camera's not awful if you strafe the whole time, but if an enemy's behind you, you'll get hit a number of times before you're able to orient yourself properly. For lefties, the Circle Pad Pro is an option, and the additional Circle Pad allows you to hold your 3DS and control Pit with ease. The game comes with a stand, which looks as equally as awkward as it sounds. You place the 3DS on the stand, and it eases the burden on your hand. It's weird, and obviously not optimized for mobile gamers, but it's not a big deal.
In addition to playing the fun chapters in Solo Mode, you've got a bunch of collectibles to collect. The gear in Kid Icarus: Uprising is handled phenomenally. You acquire items throughout Solo Mode and can use them in Solo or Together Mode (more on that in a moment). Each weapon is different, so you've got your bows, your clubs, everything's here. What's cool is that every weapon has different stats than the last one, so maybe one weapon petrifies an opponent, while an other gives Pit a speed boost. This adds a layer of replay value as you try to scout out the best weapon combination, and it's a lot of fun. Also, you can fuse two weapons together to make even stronger ones, so making choices in what weapons to keep is all on you. Pit's powers are handled in a Tetris-like array, and you can place as many powers in your arsenal as you can fit. Menus even look like those found in the Smash Bros. series, so it's easy to see the similarities.
I've mentioned all this without even talking about how stunning the game looks in motion. While flying, the 3D effect is put to full use here, and enemies and lasers are almost too good to be true. The ground segments aren't as visibly striking, but they're still better than the majority of third-party efforts on 3DS. The soundtrack is brilliant, as well, and the Menu tune will be stuck in your heads I guarantee it. The voice acting is purposefully cheesy, with Pit and Palutena delivering banter like a comedy duo in the sky. Their talk is hilarious, and sometimes it even breaks the 4th wall.
After you've finished the Solo Campaign, you can head on over to Together Mode, using the newly named Nintendo Network. You and friends can battle it out together or using download play if they don't have the game. Or you can go online and put your skills to the test here. There are two modes available online: Free for All and Light vs. Dark. Free for All is exactly like it sounds, it's you against five other angels. The more interesting is Light vs. Dark where you are split into two teams and you battle it out, depleting the other team's overall life bar. Once the bar is empty, the last person to die is resurrected as Light or Dark Pit, and it turns into a game of protecting your team's angel while trying to defeat the other team's. It's a lot of fun, and I don't think I've ever seen a multiplayer mode like this ever before. What's cool about online mode is that all the weapons you get in Solo Mode are usable, and vice-versa. StreetPass is also utilized in the form of gems. You can make a weapon set into a gem, and when you pass another player with the game, your weapon goes to their game, adding a collectible aspect.
Kid Icarus: Uprising is another fantastic entry in the 3DS's library. A fantastic solo mode and multiplayer mode make up for the sometimes shoddy controls. The system's got steam now, and it'd be stupid to wait any longer to purchase it.
Pros:
Excellent Mix of Flying and Ground Action
Weapons and Collectibles
Excellent Graphics and Music
Fun Online Mode
Cons:
Weak Controls
Overall: 9.0/10.0
Showing posts with label 3ds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 3ds. Show all posts
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Friday, June 10, 2011
Nintendo 3DS - My Second Thoughts
The Nintendo 3DS has been out for more than two months now, and with the new update and all, I thought I'd give my second thoughts on the system as a whole.
I finally got the chance to try out some of the features that I didn't before, mainly being StreetPass. StreetPass is brilliant, and it allows information to be exchanged while the system is in sleep mode with another 3DS system. It's great, and the StreetPass Mii Plaza is a lot of fun. It comes with the hardware, and when you exchange data via SP, your friend's Mii will appear in the plaza, allowing you to do various activities with him. One of them being a puzzle, and whenever you connect via SP, your friend's Mii will come by and hand you a puzzle piece to complete a giant puzzle. It's sort, and fun, but the real fun comes with the next game. It's sort of an action role-playing game that uses the Miis that you collect in your plaza, as they come and rescue you from a castle, using their sword and magical spells. It's a lot of fun, and most of your time in the plaza is spent here.
The newest 3DS software updated added the Nintendo eShop, a virtual shop similar to the Wii Shop Channel, that lets users purchase various games straight from the store. There are a wide variety of games you can buy, which range from straight up Virtual Console titles from the Gameboy like Super Mario Land, to 3-D versions of old classics like Excitebike. Also, there are new exclusive 3DS games like the Pokedex 3D, and all the old DSiWare titles can be purchased, as well as be transferred over via the transfer device. The eShop also features gameplay videos, as well as information about new and upcoming games. As of now, the eShop is obviously limited in what is offered, but with an update coming every Thursday, the eShop has massive potential.
Also new was the Internet Browser. It's nothing new, and it's still the same old browser we got on the DSi. You can freely browse the web, add bookmarks, search Google, and view images in 3D. It's cool, but I still prefer an iPod or a regular computer. It's convenient, but it's kind of disappointing in the fact that it does not support Flash or any other plug-ins. That means, no YouTube or video viewing of any kind, which is a shame. The coolest thing about the browser, however, is that you can access it right through the menu, and even while other applications/games are running, making it very useful for looking up game guides and the like.
Also, in regards to those saying that the Nintendo 3DS is a flop. Consider this: The 3DS just started, and I'd wish if you'd at least give it a little longer before we can discuss this. As far as the future, I'm no soothsayer, but I see bright lights for the 3DS ahead. Sure, their launch titles may have sucked, but the launch isn't everything, just ask the Wii. If you look at the lineup for future 3DS games, and even the ones at E3, you'll see massive potential for this handheld. Ocarina of Time 3D? Yes, please. Star Fox 64 3D, Super Mario 3D, Kid Icarus: Uprising, MGS: Snake Eater 3D, Mario Kart 3D, Kingdom Hearts 3D, Prof. Layton 3D, Animal Crossing 3D, Paper Mario 3D, just to name a few. I wouldn't write off the system that fast, because the 3DS certainly has a LOT of potential in the handheld market.
P.S. Nintendo also announced this week a flare red version of the 3DS, which is pretty cool.
I finally got the chance to try out some of the features that I didn't before, mainly being StreetPass. StreetPass is brilliant, and it allows information to be exchanged while the system is in sleep mode with another 3DS system. It's great, and the StreetPass Mii Plaza is a lot of fun. It comes with the hardware, and when you exchange data via SP, your friend's Mii will appear in the plaza, allowing you to do various activities with him. One of them being a puzzle, and whenever you connect via SP, your friend's Mii will come by and hand you a puzzle piece to complete a giant puzzle. It's sort, and fun, but the real fun comes with the next game. It's sort of an action role-playing game that uses the Miis that you collect in your plaza, as they come and rescue you from a castle, using their sword and magical spells. It's a lot of fun, and most of your time in the plaza is spent here.
The newest 3DS software updated added the Nintendo eShop, a virtual shop similar to the Wii Shop Channel, that lets users purchase various games straight from the store. There are a wide variety of games you can buy, which range from straight up Virtual Console titles from the Gameboy like Super Mario Land, to 3-D versions of old classics like Excitebike. Also, there are new exclusive 3DS games like the Pokedex 3D, and all the old DSiWare titles can be purchased, as well as be transferred over via the transfer device. The eShop also features gameplay videos, as well as information about new and upcoming games. As of now, the eShop is obviously limited in what is offered, but with an update coming every Thursday, the eShop has massive potential.
Also new was the Internet Browser. It's nothing new, and it's still the same old browser we got on the DSi. You can freely browse the web, add bookmarks, search Google, and view images in 3D. It's cool, but I still prefer an iPod or a regular computer. It's convenient, but it's kind of disappointing in the fact that it does not support Flash or any other plug-ins. That means, no YouTube or video viewing of any kind, which is a shame. The coolest thing about the browser, however, is that you can access it right through the menu, and even while other applications/games are running, making it very useful for looking up game guides and the like.
Also, in regards to those saying that the Nintendo 3DS is a flop. Consider this: The 3DS just started, and I'd wish if you'd at least give it a little longer before we can discuss this. As far as the future, I'm no soothsayer, but I see bright lights for the 3DS ahead. Sure, their launch titles may have sucked, but the launch isn't everything, just ask the Wii. If you look at the lineup for future 3DS games, and even the ones at E3, you'll see massive potential for this handheld. Ocarina of Time 3D? Yes, please. Star Fox 64 3D, Super Mario 3D, Kid Icarus: Uprising, MGS: Snake Eater 3D, Mario Kart 3D, Kingdom Hearts 3D, Prof. Layton 3D, Animal Crossing 3D, Paper Mario 3D, just to name a few. I wouldn't write off the system that fast, because the 3DS certainly has a LOT of potential in the handheld market.
P.S. Nintendo also announced this week a flare red version of the 3DS, which is pretty cool.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
E3 2011: Nintendo - Wii U and End
A trailer is shown displaying all new launch games for the Wii U, and like I said earlier, it looks very hardcore-friendly. These games look far from done, but they all look very hardcore, and showcase a lot of what Wii U can do in terms of graphics.
Electronic Arts now joined Nintendo on stage, and he's joining them for the first time. He seems very interested in the HD graphics and the new Wii U controller. Nintendo and EA sound very very interested in working together.
Reggie came back now, and is talking about all four consoles: DS, Wii, 3DS, and Wii U, and what they mean in terms of innovation. He talked about the Nintendo Network at E3, and wants us to explore the new gameworlds. That's the end of Nintendo's conference.
Electronic Arts now joined Nintendo on stage, and he's joining them for the first time. He seems very interested in the HD graphics and the new Wii U controller. Nintendo and EA sound very very interested in working together.
Reggie came back now, and is talking about all four consoles: DS, Wii, 3DS, and Wii U, and what they mean in terms of innovation. He talked about the Nintendo Network at E3, and wants us to explore the new gameworlds. That's the end of Nintendo's conference.
E3 2011: Nintendo - More Wii U
Iwata's on now, talking about how a big screen TV is not necessary to enjoy the new Wii U. The controller is shown off, and all it's buttons, and abilities including a touch screen, gyroscoping, and cameras. It's not designed to be a handheld. The TV screen can be used, of course, to display thrilling HD visuals. Also, the controller can just be used. Or, both can be in use for endless possibilities. It's very social as well, and videos can be shared.
Smash Bros. is also announced for BOTH the 3DS and the Wii U. They work together in many fashions, as well. Reggie's back, and he showed a strange video featuring a bird flying through a Chinese village. I didn't get it, but oh well. Reggie announced New Super Mario Bros. Mii, letting your Mii jump into the Mario action. The new controller also changes the world around you in interesting ways. It also interacts with the Wiimotes, allowing for cool new play ways. These aren't actual games, but Reggie announced Lego City Stories in collab with TT Games. City Stories is coming to Wii U and 3DS. Third Party developers are very interested, as well, and a video was shown showing them and what they think of the Wii U. Darksiders 2, Tekken, and Batman Arkham City will all be on the new console. Sounds very hardcore-friendly.
Smash Bros. is also announced for BOTH the 3DS and the Wii U. They work together in many fashions, as well. Reggie's back, and he showed a strange video featuring a bird flying through a Chinese village. I didn't get it, but oh well. Reggie announced New Super Mario Bros. Mii, letting your Mii jump into the Mario action. The new controller also changes the world around you in interesting ways. It also interacts with the Wiimotes, allowing for cool new play ways. These aren't actual games, but Reggie announced Lego City Stories in collab with TT Games. City Stories is coming to Wii U and 3DS. Third Party developers are very interested, as well, and a video was shown showing them and what they think of the Wii U. Darksiders 2, Tekken, and Batman Arkham City will all be on the new console. Sounds very hardcore-friendly.
E3 2011: Nintendo - 3DS Explosion!
The orchestra plays Miyamoto out, and next up is Iwata, the global president, with Ben Folds playing in the background. He's hard to understand, but he's talking about how players play.
The new platform, he says, will change this, and it will offer wider appeal to ALL gamers. The details will wait, but he wants to tell us that it will serve every player, and this platform will reach the goal.
On the 3DS, a video is shown displaying many upcoming releases, such as Mario Kart, Star Fox, and Mario 3DS, featuring the Tanooki Suit. Kid Icarus is also shown, along with what looks like Luigi's Mansion for 3DS!!!
Here comes Reggie Fils-Aime. He says we want old stuff, and new stuff. Comfortable, and a surprise. Something for everyone. Five key titles will be shown on the floor.
Mario Kart is all-new, and the karts can now fly and go underwater, in addition to just driving. New customization options are also show, with new ways to trick out your kart. It's set for Holiday 2011.
Star Fox is back, and the 3D is all new. Buttons can be used, as well as the gyroscope on the 3DS for controls. The 3DS camera records your friends' reactions in multiplayer this September.
Next is Super Mario 3DS. He's coming with all new and old features. The game looks beautiful, with crisp simple graphics as Mario runs and jumps through a 3D world. The Tanooki suit is back in full-form, as well. The game should be released before the year ends.
Kid Icarus:Uprising has lots if new details. An awesome trailer reveals online play with your friends, which kooks very very cool. The game looks beautiful, too, and look very realistic. An Augmented Reality segment was shown too, with Pit and Medusa duking it out. Pit sounds like he's got a new voice actor, as well. Coming later this year.
Luigi's Mansion is back, too, with Luigi looking as scared as ever as he vacuums up ghosts in a mansion. I haven't played the original, so I don't know what's new or not, but I can say that it looks amazing!! Reggie says it's all new, and features several new mansions.
The new platform, he says, will change this, and it will offer wider appeal to ALL gamers. The details will wait, but he wants to tell us that it will serve every player, and this platform will reach the goal.
On the 3DS, a video is shown displaying many upcoming releases, such as Mario Kart, Star Fox, and Mario 3DS, featuring the Tanooki Suit. Kid Icarus is also shown, along with what looks like Luigi's Mansion for 3DS!!!
Here comes Reggie Fils-Aime. He says we want old stuff, and new stuff. Comfortable, and a surprise. Something for everyone. Five key titles will be shown on the floor.
Mario Kart is all-new, and the karts can now fly and go underwater, in addition to just driving. New customization options are also show, with new ways to trick out your kart. It's set for Holiday 2011.
Star Fox is back, and the 3D is all new. Buttons can be used, as well as the gyroscope on the 3DS for controls. The 3DS camera records your friends' reactions in multiplayer this September.
Next is Super Mario 3DS. He's coming with all new and old features. The game looks beautiful, with crisp simple graphics as Mario runs and jumps through a 3D world. The Tanooki suit is back in full-form, as well. The game should be released before the year ends.
Kid Icarus:Uprising has lots if new details. An awesome trailer reveals online play with your friends, which kooks very very cool. The game looks beautiful, too, and look very realistic. An Augmented Reality segment was shown too, with Pit and Medusa duking it out. Pit sounds like he's got a new voice actor, as well. Coming later this year.
Luigi's Mansion is back, too, with Luigi looking as scared as ever as he vacuums up ghosts in a mansion. I haven't played the original, so I don't know what's new or not, but I can say that it looks amazing!! Reggie says it's all new, and features several new mansions.
Monday, June 6, 2011
E3 2011
Well, E3 is upon us, folks, and on my blog I'll be covering all your Nintendo news from their live media conference tomorrow morning. You can catch the show at 9:30 Pacific time on G4, or just check my blog for updates if you don't get that channel. We'll be seeing the all-new console, Project Cafe, as well as new games like Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, and all kinds of 3DS news and games. As always, expect a couple of surprises, so be sure to stay tuned to my blog for all the details.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Pilotwings Resort Review
Pilotwings Resort (3DS)
As the only 3DS launch title that I bought, I had decent hopes for Pilotwings Resort. It seemed as an excellent way to showcase the Nintendo 3DS and what it can do, and while it certainly does that, it falls flat with presentation and lasting appeal.
Pilotwings Resort is the third entry in the highly beloved Pilotwings series, with the first two games being on the SNES and N64, respectively. The basic premise of Pilotwings Resort is that it's a flight simulation game in which you fly around Wuhu Island (same one from Wii Sports/Fit) in a variety of vehicles. The game is split into two huge modes: Mission Mode and Free Flight Mode.
Mission Mode is self-explanatory, and has you fly around the island completely missions of various difficulties. These can range from anything to flying through hoops, landing on pads, or even putting out fires. The missions start out easy, but difficulty ramps up from gold on, and there are some brutal missions at the end. The game encourages you to get 3 stars in each mission, so as to unlock collectibles such as more vehicles or a super secret unlockable at the end.
Free Flight Mode is also what you'd expect, but there is enough to keep you satisfied with its many unlockables. You can choose what vehicle to fly: plane, hover pack, or hanglider, and also what time of day. You start out with only 2 minutes in free flight mode, but that number is increased by the amount of unlockables you collect around the island. These range from I Points, which give you information about places around the island, to trophies with your Mii on them.
Speaking of Miis, they are the star of the show here, and show up in a multitude of places around the island. Collecting all these unlocks dioramas (NO WAY!) in the menu, which are fun to look at, especially in 3-D. But, after collecting almost all that's humanly possible, I found myself putting Pilotwings back on the shelf, and putting in Pokemon Black, which is a shame. I'm a bit surprised that multiplayer wasn't considered for Pilotwings, and the game would be a great fit.
The graphics in Pilotwings Resort are breathtaking, and soaring around the island in a hanglider is a sight to behold. The 3-D isn't a dealbreaker, but it adds an extra sense of depth to missions, such as judging the distance between objectives or figuring when to turn, and this adds some strategy to the game. The music is simple elevator tunes, with some notable remixes from the previous two titles.
Pilotwings Resort is an excellent launch title, and shouldn't be missed by anyone who owns a 3DS. It isn't a masterpiece by any means, but it's enough to keep you satisfied until the next batch of 3DS games are released.
Pros:
Excellent Gameplay
Beautiful Graphics
Cons:
Low Replay Value
Not Enough Variety
Overall: 7.5/10.0
As the only 3DS launch title that I bought, I had decent hopes for Pilotwings Resort. It seemed as an excellent way to showcase the Nintendo 3DS and what it can do, and while it certainly does that, it falls flat with presentation and lasting appeal.
Pilotwings Resort is the third entry in the highly beloved Pilotwings series, with the first two games being on the SNES and N64, respectively. The basic premise of Pilotwings Resort is that it's a flight simulation game in which you fly around Wuhu Island (same one from Wii Sports/Fit) in a variety of vehicles. The game is split into two huge modes: Mission Mode and Free Flight Mode.
Mission Mode is self-explanatory, and has you fly around the island completely missions of various difficulties. These can range from anything to flying through hoops, landing on pads, or even putting out fires. The missions start out easy, but difficulty ramps up from gold on, and there are some brutal missions at the end. The game encourages you to get 3 stars in each mission, so as to unlock collectibles such as more vehicles or a super secret unlockable at the end.
Free Flight Mode is also what you'd expect, but there is enough to keep you satisfied with its many unlockables. You can choose what vehicle to fly: plane, hover pack, or hanglider, and also what time of day. You start out with only 2 minutes in free flight mode, but that number is increased by the amount of unlockables you collect around the island. These range from I Points, which give you information about places around the island, to trophies with your Mii on them.
Speaking of Miis, they are the star of the show here, and show up in a multitude of places around the island. Collecting all these unlocks dioramas (NO WAY!) in the menu, which are fun to look at, especially in 3-D. But, after collecting almost all that's humanly possible, I found myself putting Pilotwings back on the shelf, and putting in Pokemon Black, which is a shame. I'm a bit surprised that multiplayer wasn't considered for Pilotwings, and the game would be a great fit.
The graphics in Pilotwings Resort are breathtaking, and soaring around the island in a hanglider is a sight to behold. The 3-D isn't a dealbreaker, but it adds an extra sense of depth to missions, such as judging the distance between objectives or figuring when to turn, and this adds some strategy to the game. The music is simple elevator tunes, with some notable remixes from the previous two titles.
Pilotwings Resort is an excellent launch title, and shouldn't be missed by anyone who owns a 3DS. It isn't a masterpiece by any means, but it's enough to keep you satisfied until the next batch of 3DS games are released.
Pros:
Excellent Gameplay
Beautiful Graphics
Cons:
Low Replay Value
Not Enough Variety
Overall: 7.5/10.0
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Nintendo 3DS - My Thoughts
It's here. My 3DS came in the mail today, and I was so excited to get started! But first, I had to read the phone book. Not literally, the phone book, I mean the manual for the 3DS. It's freakin' huge, and I obviously didn't bother with reading the whole thing, because I pretty much knew how it worked.
The giant box came with the 3DS, charger cord, base thing to charge on, AR cards (which I'll get to later), and a ton of manuals/promotional goodies. My garbage can was filled after opening. So I turned on my 3DS, and had to get briefed on basic information and stuff, and then the 3-D was turned on. Holy Crap...my mind was blown. This device is incredible, to be able to display 3-D without glasses! That's amazing. There is a spot where you get the most of the 3-D, and you sometimes have to position your head so you're right in the sweet spot, which couldn't be helped, but other than that, the 3-D was flawless. It added a whole new layer to an already brilliant handheld.
I also picked up Pilotwings: Resort and the review will be up later, but now I'm going to speak about the basic functions included with the 3DS. As most of you know, the 3DS features two 3-D cameras, something I've never seen or used in my entire life, and me, being the photography enthusiast, that was the first thing I went to. The resolution blows, but it's understandable, given that it's a tiny handheld, but the 3-D pictures look awesome, and although they're not 3-D when you place them in a computer, they're still fun to look at and mess around with. Also included is the 3DS sound studio thing, which is basically a repeat of what came with the DSi. Also new is a Mii Maker, which lets you create your adorable little avatars that we all know from the Wii. You can snap a photo of yourself, and your Mii will be made for you, but making it manually is more fun and rewarding.
There are some fun games included with the 3DS, one of these being Face Raiders, where you use the 3DS's gyroscoping capabilities to shoot down little bug monsters that have your or your friends' faces on them. It's fun, but by no means is it the star of the show here. I said that the package came with AR cards, short for augmented reality cards. These are little cards that you place on a flat surface, and then your 3DS can read them magically and you can play awesome little minigames with them. It's a lot of fun, and all your favorite Nintendo characters join in, and it's cool to see the world around you change with these cards.
I have yet to get to StreetPass and SpotPass abilities, because I haven't even taken a look or found someone with a 3DS yet. Once I do, though, be counting on an in-depth discussion about them. I was pleasantly surprised with the Wi-Fi capabilities this time. The old DS's couldn't read my home's wifi, because we're wired with an Apple network, but my 3DS reads it just fine, just like my Wii would, and now I can finally take full advantage of some old DS games. Speaking of which, the 3DS is fully backwards compatible with previous DS titles, but be noted that there is no GBA slot to be seen, which is kind of a disappointment.
The biggest upset, surprisingly, is the battery life. I could only squeeze 4 hours out of my 3DS with 3-D on to the fullest, until it went red and had to be recharged. This is a huge disappointment, especially for long rides or plane flights, when no charge capabilities are in sight. Of course, you could turn the 3-D down and change the brightness level to increase your time.
Like almost all of Nintendo's handhelds, the 3DS is phenomenal. What it can do is beyond my thoughts, and I'm really excited to see where it can go in the future. Stay tuned on my blog for more 3DS news and reviews.
The giant box came with the 3DS, charger cord, base thing to charge on, AR cards (which I'll get to later), and a ton of manuals/promotional goodies. My garbage can was filled after opening. So I turned on my 3DS, and had to get briefed on basic information and stuff, and then the 3-D was turned on. Holy Crap...my mind was blown. This device is incredible, to be able to display 3-D without glasses! That's amazing. There is a spot where you get the most of the 3-D, and you sometimes have to position your head so you're right in the sweet spot, which couldn't be helped, but other than that, the 3-D was flawless. It added a whole new layer to an already brilliant handheld.
I also picked up Pilotwings: Resort and the review will be up later, but now I'm going to speak about the basic functions included with the 3DS. As most of you know, the 3DS features two 3-D cameras, something I've never seen or used in my entire life, and me, being the photography enthusiast, that was the first thing I went to. The resolution blows, but it's understandable, given that it's a tiny handheld, but the 3-D pictures look awesome, and although they're not 3-D when you place them in a computer, they're still fun to look at and mess around with. Also included is the 3DS sound studio thing, which is basically a repeat of what came with the DSi. Also new is a Mii Maker, which lets you create your adorable little avatars that we all know from the Wii. You can snap a photo of yourself, and your Mii will be made for you, but making it manually is more fun and rewarding.
There are some fun games included with the 3DS, one of these being Face Raiders, where you use the 3DS's gyroscoping capabilities to shoot down little bug monsters that have your or your friends' faces on them. It's fun, but by no means is it the star of the show here. I said that the package came with AR cards, short for augmented reality cards. These are little cards that you place on a flat surface, and then your 3DS can read them magically and you can play awesome little minigames with them. It's a lot of fun, and all your favorite Nintendo characters join in, and it's cool to see the world around you change with these cards.
I have yet to get to StreetPass and SpotPass abilities, because I haven't even taken a look or found someone with a 3DS yet. Once I do, though, be counting on an in-depth discussion about them. I was pleasantly surprised with the Wi-Fi capabilities this time. The old DS's couldn't read my home's wifi, because we're wired with an Apple network, but my 3DS reads it just fine, just like my Wii would, and now I can finally take full advantage of some old DS games. Speaking of which, the 3DS is fully backwards compatible with previous DS titles, but be noted that there is no GBA slot to be seen, which is kind of a disappointment.
The biggest upset, surprisingly, is the battery life. I could only squeeze 4 hours out of my 3DS with 3-D on to the fullest, until it went red and had to be recharged. This is a huge disappointment, especially for long rides or plane flights, when no charge capabilities are in sight. Of course, you could turn the 3-D down and change the brightness level to increase your time.
Like almost all of Nintendo's handhelds, the 3DS is phenomenal. What it can do is beyond my thoughts, and I'm really excited to see where it can go in the future. Stay tuned on my blog for more 3DS news and reviews.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Friday's News 1/28/11
Happy Friday ya'll! Before we get too caught up in the weekend, here's a quick look at the newest Nintendo News
The Wii is Not Done
Although others may say differently, the Wii still has a lot of life. Earlier today, Nintendo's representatives revealed information about all new original Wii titles including a new Kirby game, as well as a 3D Pokemon RPG. Also announced was a new Rhythm Heaven, exclusively for Wii. If this is all true, this year may not be the Wii's demise as foretold. Here's the trailer for the all-new Kirby Wii:
3DS Friend Codes
Yes folks, they're back, everyone's least favorite codes: friend codes! But this time, they're not as sucky. In a recent interview Reggie Fils-Aime stated that while the 3DS will use friend codes, they are exclusive to each 3DS and to play online with friends, you only need to trade that one code for all of your games.
The Wii is Not Done
Although others may say differently, the Wii still has a lot of life. Earlier today, Nintendo's representatives revealed information about all new original Wii titles including a new Kirby game, as well as a 3D Pokemon RPG. Also announced was a new Rhythm Heaven, exclusively for Wii. If this is all true, this year may not be the Wii's demise as foretold. Here's the trailer for the all-new Kirby Wii:
3DS Friend Codes
Yes folks, they're back, everyone's least favorite codes: friend codes! But this time, they're not as sucky. In a recent interview Reggie Fils-Aime stated that while the 3DS will use friend codes, they are exclusive to each 3DS and to play online with friends, you only need to trade that one code for all of your games.
Once you've added your friends, you'll be able to see who's playing, what they're playing and Nintendo's promised that it will be extremely easy to join them.Sounds like a great leap in the right direction if you ask me!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Sunday's News 1/23/11
Sunday's News 1/23/11
Loads of 3DS Information!
I'm sure that by now, we all know what the 3DS is. At Nintendo's press conference last Wednesday, more information was revealed about the 3DS including price and release date. It will retail at $249.99 in NA and be released on March 27th. Pre-orders are being taken now.
Mario Sports Mix!
Nintendo's next big game is Mario Sports Mix, a mashup of four different sports and the Mushroom Kingdom's take on them. Mario and his pals all compete in volleyball, hockey, basketball, and dodgeball. Up to four players can play at once, and Wi-Fi play and leaderboards are available as well. Mario Sports Mix will be released on February 7, and will retail at $50.
Loads of 3DS Information!
I'm sure that by now, we all know what the 3DS is. At Nintendo's press conference last Wednesday, more information was revealed about the 3DS including price and release date. It will retail at $249.99 in NA and be released on March 27th. Pre-orders are being taken now.
Mario Sports Mix!
Nintendo's next big game is Mario Sports Mix, a mashup of four different sports and the Mushroom Kingdom's take on them. Mario and his pals all compete in volleyball, hockey, basketball, and dodgeball. Up to four players can play at once, and Wi-Fi play and leaderboards are available as well. Mario Sports Mix will be released on February 7, and will retail at $50.
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