The Nintendo 3DS is considered one of the most feature-packed, well-rounded approaches to a device that Nintendo has delivered until today which comes with a revolutionary first for gaming, glasses-free 3D.
What creates the 3D effect it Nintendo's handheld device is a system called a parallax barrier, a second LCD screen that sits Nintendo 3DS's top screen and consists of a layer of material with a series of precision slits, allowing each eye to see a different set of pixels, so creating a sense of 3D depth. The depth of the 3D field is impressive, and it really shines with games like Nintendogs + Cats, wherein your animals can practically pop out of the screen to greet you with kisses.
There is also a slider at the side of the device lets users choose the intensity of the 3D display, from an extreme 'in your face' experience to a more subtle effect. In order to experience the 3D effect satisfactorily, make sure you're one to two feet away from the top screen and look directly at it. If you look off too far to the side, the effect won't work properly. The 3D effect can also be turned down completely, and all Nintendo 3DS games and applications can be played in 2D, and look better than any Nintendo handheld before it.
But it's not only the 3D effect that makes the 3DS special. A built-in pedometer gives you “coins” based on how many steps you take. These coins can then be used to unlock new content in games , while SpotPass and StreetPass wireless communications allow 3DS owners to swap data, including their Mii avatars, with their consoles in standby mode. There is also Face Raiders, which turns a photo portrait into a spherical enemy, asking players to shoot themselves in the face using the internal gyroscope to aim, while a set of six Augmented Reality cards provides arguably the most technically dazzling demonstration of the console's capabilities, allowing users to shoot targets, go fishing or take photos of famous Nintendo characters with their lounge as a backdrop.
It's been almost 10 months since the 3DS has launched, and over this time we saw the device being heavily criticized because of its construction quality, screen, bugs, and lack of games. However, a big price drop, two software updates, and a wider game line-up seem to have turned things a bit for the much talked device. Now that the hype surrounding the 3DS has died down a bit we decided to cast an eye over the console to help you decide whether the it is finally worth your money or not.
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