My major qualm about that article is that he complains about the horizontal clamshell design.
That is, IMO, the best possible design for a handheld. I don't want to be worrying about screens all the time - so clamshell is not just a nice feature, it is a huge plus. Given that the think has 2 screens I don't even know how it could be done well in a different manner.
I also love that most (all?) DS games auto-suspend just by closing the lid. That is another great feature for me.
The horizontal "wide" clamshell of the type DS is better than the vertical "narrow" one of the GBA SP because it goes better with the screen and is more comfortable.
Anyone else here care to comment on clamshell versus other designs for handhelds?
Ivo.
This guy has never used a DS (And obviously has a hard-on for Apple). If you watch towards the end of the video he says and I quote: "It also has a stylus which we haven't seen since the Palm Pilot in the early 2000s." Um, hello!?!?!? THE DS HAD A F*C*ING STYLUS!!!! And yes I love the clamshell design solely on the purpose of protecting the screen from scratches just from sitting around and in the pocket.
I posted a comment in that article. In case it doesn't get approved, here's the entirety of it.
"At $249, the 3DS is more expensive than a Nintendo Wii ($199) and a general device like the 8 gigabyte iPod Touch ($229)."
These have already been out for a while, and demand has dropped, resulting in lower prices. The 3DS is new and demand is high, resulting in the higher price tag.
"Given Nintendo's target audience -- casual gamers, people who don't even like to call themselves gamers -- that could become an issue."
Nintendo isn't targeting casual gamers with this system, really. Have you looked at the release lineup of games? Of the top titles, only Pilotwings is geared at "casual" gamers, and even then, I know plenty of longtime gamers (read: since the NES days) that will get it.
"Though some people already love the look, the 3DS struck me as decidedly retro, and not in a good way...I'd have loved for Nintendo to break away from that tired clamshell look and be as daring with the overall design as it was with the 3-D technology."
On the contrary, I prefer the clamshell design to any other one, and really, it's the only thing that will work. I don't think it's plausible to have that huge system fit in your pocket if it isn't going to fold, and as a handheld, it demands portability. What could you have possibly changed with it? It's perfect as it is.
"In an era chock full touchscreens, it's strange that the device includes and sometimes mandates a stylus for menus where you have to type in names and such."
Are you kidding? Unlike iDevices' touch screens, the stylus gives a preciseness to the device it wouldn't otherwise get. Also, why would you want to cover important data on the bottom screen while swiping with your finger? That's one of the reasons I don't buy games on my iPod Touch: my fingers cover up too much of what's happening. A stylus allows you to continue seeing what's going on.
"And the system still requires you to buy game cartridges...which seems odd given the overall rapid shift in tech towards digital distribution."
Wait wait wait...you're expecting these huge games to be entirely downloadable immediately? Tell me when brand new PS3/Wii/360 games are being digitally downloadable. I'm not talking about PSN/VC/XBLA games, I'm talking about the Super Marios, the Call of Dutys, and the Halos. You can't download those; why should the 3DS be expected to?
This along with the fact that some of us like having a physical copy of our games. Prevents DRM and when the servers are taken down in the future, we'll still be able to play our games.
Gaming accomplishments: Nibbler (marathon): 251,169,160 / Nibbler (one life): 5,263,360 (WR) Donkey Kong: 423,100 [L12-1] (150th place as of 2019-01-15) Super Smash Bros. (N64): Ranked top 5 in Wisconsin from Q1 2016 to Q2 2017 Shrek SuperSlam: won largest tournament in game's history (Shrekfest 2018)
In any case, it got accepted. Probably the longest comment CNN Tech will see today.
Gaming accomplishments: Nibbler (marathon): 251,169,160 / Nibbler (one life): 5,263,360 (WR) Donkey Kong: 423,100 [L12-1] (150th place as of 2019-01-15) Super Smash Bros. (N64): Ranked top 5 in Wisconsin from Q1 2016 to Q2 2017 Shrek SuperSlam: won largest tournament in game's history (Shrekfest 2018)
1) Purchase two fat DSes at gamestop 2) trade them in for $100 ea. at Wal-Mart 3) Purchase 3DS for $50 4) ??? 5) LITERAL PROFIT!
That's awesome, but of course it's not happening around here. I'd certainly scrounge up some DSs for a $50 3DS.
Gaming accomplishments: Nibbler (marathon): 251,169,160 / Nibbler (one life): 5,263,360 (WR) Donkey Kong: 423,100 [L12-1] (150th place as of 2019-01-15) Super Smash Bros. (N64): Ranked top 5 in Wisconsin from Q1 2016 to Q2 2017 Shrek SuperSlam: won largest tournament in game's history (Shrekfest 2018)
I played the 3DS at Best Buy (played Pilotwings) and was actually really impressed with it. Pilotwings looked great in 3D and it didn't strain my eyes. I canceled my pre-order from Amazon awhile ago, but I might pre-order a 3DS unit again.
I went to some Gamestops today and they said that they got there 3DS units in already and that they do have a couple left that you can still receive pre-order and receive on Sunday so I may jump on that. Fuck I just don't know what to do.
In any case, it got accepted. Probably the longest comment CNN Tech will see today.
And they removed it?!
Apparently Mr. Mangalindan doesn't like people pointing out when he's wrong.
EDIT: Good thing I'm persistent in posting. Up again.
Gaming accomplishments: Nibbler (marathon): 251,169,160 / Nibbler (one life): 5,263,360 (WR) Donkey Kong: 423,100 [L12-1] (150th place as of 2019-01-15) Super Smash Bros. (N64): Ranked top 5 in Wisconsin from Q1 2016 to Q2 2017 Shrek SuperSlam: won largest tournament in game's history (Shrekfest 2018)
