Has the 3DS turned the corner?

[Gabe]

In the hardware race, 3DS still managed to place number one for the week despite Vita's release.

I'm not sure why you find that fact surprising when the Vita was only on sale for 2 days.

[Mootown]

In the hardware race, 3DS still managed to place number one for the week despite Vita's release.

I'm not sure why you find that fact surprising when the Vita was only on sale for 2 days.

It's not my quote mate - copied and pasted from the website.

[Misery]

I'd be interested to see if the 3DS really does get anywhere. It seemed to have... a very rocky start. The fact that they did that huge price drop REALLY quickly suggested desperation on their part. But then, it IS a system ENTIRELY devoted to what is, in the end, a mere gimmick. One which, I should point out, can give people headaches just by looking at it, to the point where they have to play it with the 3D turned all the way off.

And now they have iOS and Android to compete with, too. And I know, some people like to say "Oh but those dont have REAL games, just casual crap", at which point I usually can point out a great number of "hardcore" titles.

Frankly, I've no interest in the 3DS beyond simple curiosity about where it's sales will go from here. I'm NOT a Nintendo fan... in all honesty I really, REALLY hate them... and the one remaining Nintendo device I own that isnt from the NES/SNES era is my DS, which is rather damaged and currently is usually just used as a coaster. I really think a BIG problem with Nintendo in general.... and thus the 3DS.... has constantly been the often-terrible selection of games. The Wii, for instance. I know *alot* of people that have a Wii. But not even ONE of them still uses it, like, ever. The 3DS seems the same... the selection of games is just.... feh. The ONLY game I'd be remotely interested in is Monster Hunter, and that's it. Hoping to see that on the Vita later on though.

One way or another though, it's interesting to watch what happens, and I think it's kinda hard to predict at the moment as to what will occur.

[Freestyler]

The thing about the 3DS is it's actually a DS2. Not that anyone would think that, given the focus on its "weak" 3D effect.
What I mean is the leap in graphical power between them both is remarkable.

Once Devs start pushing out software that doesn't exclusively need the 3D effect as a selling point you'll begin to see that it's a pretty gosh-darned powerful gaming system. And at just over a hundred notes that's a pretty good steal, especially now that Sony has revealed their money-grubbing PS:Vita strategy. Plus it's 100% backwards compatible with the greatest handheld gaming device ever made too. Which can't be too bad, can it?

Still, if I owned a 3DS about now I wouldn't be that worried. It's supported by one of the greatest consistently high quality Developers on the Planet.

[DanWelsh86]

I'd like a 3DS, but to be frank a Vita is just more appealing in everyway.

[Misery]

The thing about the 3DS is it's actually a DS2. Not that anyone would think that, given the focus on its "weak" 3D effect.
What I mean is the leap in graphical power between them both is remarkable.

Once Devs start pushing out software that doesn't exclusively need the 3D effect as a selling point you'll begin to see that it's a pretty gosh-darned powerful gaming system. And at just over a hundred notes that's a pretty good steal, especially now that Sony has revealed their money-grubbing PS:Vita strategy. Plus it's 100% backwards compatible with the greatest handheld gaming device ever made too. Which can't be too bad, can it?

Still, if I owned a 3DS about now I wouldn't be that worried. It's supported by one of the greatest consistently high quality Developers on the Planet.

It's a good point about the software... the trouble is, alot of devs dont seem to learn very well. I remember when the first DS came out. It was pretty exciting, I got one right away..... and then sold it two months later. Why? Because every idiot developer had the same idea all at once: "Well, we dont need to put much into these games, just give them AWESOME TOUCHSCREEN CONTROLS ZOMG and they'll sell instantly!". Alot of awful, awful games using the second screen in really stupid ways.... and it took quite some time before this trend broke. I think I bought my current DS a full year after the things had been initially released.

And unfortunately for Nintendo fans, Nintendo themselves tends to put things out RIDICULOUSLY SLOWLY.

Right now, I agree with DanWelsh, there are some reasons I MIGHT like a 3DS at some point.... but right now, it'll be the Vita for me, when that releases.

[thevulture]

@Freestyler:What are the 3rd party games to look out for, 3DS wise in 2012?.Ask as i bought my Snes, GC, GBA Micro and player and N64 all for 3rd party stuff, more than 1st party games.

Already seen a dissapointing Shinobi game (wah) in 2011 so assuming likes of MGS3:Snake Eater and Res.Evil:Revelations are 2 of the ones to keep an eye on in 2012?.

[pratty]

@Freestyler:What are the 3rd party games to look out for, 3DS wise in 2012?.Ask as i bought my Snes, GC, GBA Micro and player and N64 all for 3rd party stuff, more than 1st party games.

Already seen a dissapointing Shinobi game (wah) in 2011 so assuming likes of MGS3:Snake Eater and Res.Evil:Revelations are 2 of the ones to keep an eye on in 2012?.

Prof Layton
Heroes of Ruin
Bravely Default
Kingdom Hearts
Tekken
Lego City Stories (I think?)

Monster Hunter Tri G and/or Monster Hunter 4 might make it over aswell. Layton vs Ace Attorney perhaps?

I'm pretty sure there's a Conduit game in development also, I'd expect that in 2012.

[Mootown]

@Freestyler:What are the 3rd party games to look out for, 3DS wise in 2012?.Ask as i bought my Snes, GC, GBA Micro and player and N64 all for 3rd party stuff, more than 1st party games.

Already seen a dissapointing Shinobi game (wah) in 2011 so assuming likes of MGS3:Snake Eater and Res.Evil:Revelations are 2 of the ones to keep an eye on in 2012?.

That shinobi game is better than reviews give it credit for - its tough but actually feels like a proper shinobi game. You played it?

[ShadowMan]

@Freestyler:What are the 3rd party games to look out for, 3DS wise in 2012?.Ask as i bought my Snes, GC, GBA Micro and player and N64 all for 3rd party stuff, more than 1st party games.

Already seen a dissapointing Shinobi game (wah) in 2011 so assuming likes of MGS3:Snake Eater and Res.Evil:Revelations are 2 of the ones to keep an eye on in 2012?.

That shinobi game is better than reviews give it credit for - its tough but actually feels like a proper shinobi game. You played it?

Agreed. I loved Shinobi for the 3ds. It's got plenty of nods to the old series but also a decent combat system and it's a good challenge! The whole countering mechanic takes a while to get down but is invaluable once you master it as you can counter anything with it.

[thevulture]

The lack of level check points in PS2 Shinobi was bad enough, but reading up on 3DS Shinobi, all i hear is:

Poorly designed levels (You try and jump up to a platform, there's a machine gunner with mortar chap behind him and chap with bow behind him, so case of more luck than skill you'll get on platform and kill all 3, more likely you get hit, die, repeat etc), levels lasting upto 20 mins and jumping lacking weight etc, combined with NO level check points and does'nt sound like fun.

Tough games:I love, 170+ hrs on Demon's Souls, 150+ so far on Dark Souls, loved Xcom:Terror From The Deep PS1, Ninja Gaiden Xbox etc.

But been dissapointed by PS2 Shinobi, Ninja Gaiden 2 on both PS3 and 360, so bit picky on my Ninja games these days.Not put off by poor review score or fact game is old hat-Loved Shinobi X on Saturn, that got mauled for not being a flashy 3D affair etc.

[Freestyler]

As is usual for a Nintendo device the top 2 games in GAME's DS charts this week were Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario 3D Land.
Yes, they do release games at a snail's pace, but they do hit the quality mark.

I just guess we're all at the point where videogames really are a throwaway entertainment medium. I can't remember the last time I bought a game exclusively to play it and nothing else. Hell, I have a stack of 20 never-played Xbox 360 games sat behind me even as I type this. And I just bought Star Wars: The Old Republic for PC too. Played it twice.

The time's they are a changing.

[ShadowMan]

The lack of level check points in PS2 Shinobi was bad enough, but reading up on 3DS Shinobi, all i hear is:

Poorly designed levels (You try and jump up to a platform, there's a machine gunner with mortar chap behind him and chap with bow behind him, so case of more luck than skill you'll get on platform and kill all 3, more likely you get hit, die, repeat etc), levels lasting upto 20 mins and jumping lacking weight etc, combined with NO level check points and does'nt sound like fun.

Tough games:I love, 170+ hrs on Demon's Souls, 150+ so far on Dark Souls, loved Xcom:Terror From The Deep PS1, Ninja Gaiden Xbox etc.

But been dissapointed by PS2 Shinobi, Ninja Gaiden 2 on both PS3 and 360, so bit picky on my Ninja games these days.Not put off by poor review score or fact game is old hat-Loved Shinobi X on Saturn, that got mauled for not being a flashy 3D affair etc.

There are plenty of level checkpoints so where ever you heard that from was wrong. Most enemies are in plain site, you can't just go running into a fight as your basically committing suicide doing that, you can pick off projectile enemies at distance with shurikens or counter their attacks as you close in. Either one of those tactics will make short work of most situations.
I really welcome the uncompromising difficulty level the game has, is like old school Megaman games where they don't baby you and just through you in the deep end. The only exception being the bosses who are complete pushovers.

[thevulture]

Ahhh.Appears reviewers moaning that once your lives are gone, you have to start a 20 min.level from the very start, no check point as such to continue from...this combined with what they find unresponsive controls, poor level design has led to the low scores.

Mind you, not 1 review i've read that has scored it low has made much of an attempt to explain just what they were expecting/had hoped for, from a 3DS Shinobi, so maybe it's Shinobi X all over again, unfairly mauled just because it's not benchmark in terms of visuals and pushing game into new areas?.

[ShadowMan]

Mind you, not 1 review i've read that has scored it low has made much of an attempt to explain just what they were expecting/had hoped for, from a 3DS Shinobi, so maybe it's Shinobi X all over again, unfairly mauled just because it's not benchmark in terms of visuals and pushing game into new areas?.

Yep, you hit the nail on the head there. It's not a triple a game etc. but I've really enjoyed the game for what it is.