Nintendo 3DS review

The UK release of the Nintendo 3DS on 25 March 2011 saw Europe welcome the latest offering from arguably the most innovative company in the gaming world.
Nintendo is responsible for iconic household names like Super Mario, SNES and Gameboy all of which have made a massive contribution to how we play today.
But the Japanese company has also been busy redefining the modern medium with its most recognised bit of kit - the Wii, dragging everyone from nine year old girls to 79-year-old grandaddys around the TV to wave a white remote in the air.

Key Features: 3.5in glasses-free 3D display; 3in secondary touch display; Wi-Fi G, 2GB storage; ?3D? camera; Wireless multilayer gaming Manufacturer: Nintendo

Ever since the original DS, Nintendo has been using innovation to sell its consoles. With the DS it was a touch screen, while with the Wii it was motion control. Now the ‘next big thing’ is 3D. It’s in everything from our TVs (like the Samsung D7000) to our laptops (such as the impressive HP Envy 17 3D). However, one of the most frequent complaints about these methods for giving you that extra dimension are the glasses you have to wear to get the effect. So Nintendo has utilized a glasses-free 3D display to give its new portable console’s graphics extra depth without the eye wear, and called it the 3DS.

Nintendo 3DS-Features

It's slightly smaller than the DSi in terms of sheer size, at approximately 135mm x 74mm but is a bit thicker at 20mm deep compared to the DSi (137mm x 75mm x 19mm) and weighs around 8 ounces with battery, stylus and SD card on board.

It looks that bit sleeker though, with curved corners, angled edges and shiny gloss finish. This time the lid houses two cameras rather than one (necessary for the 3D camera we'll come on to), both placed centrally at the top of the panel, and each about half the size of the DSi's camera.
Placed at the back on either hinge, as with the DSi, are the two shoulder buttons which look slightly smaller this time in that they don't protrude quite so much as on the last model. The hinges themselves carry on the gradual lines of the device to complete the look.
Lift the lid on the 3DS and the more sophisticated design ethos is continued with a black, gloss finish border that makes up the front face of the 3DS and surrounds the top screen. It's a neat departure from the single colour-scheme we're used to.
In terms of how the new device is to hold, the 3DS doesn't feel quite so expensive or solid as something like the Sony PSP. The d-pad, face and shoulder buttons are small with that distinctly 'clicky' feel. We'd also say that when fully open, the top panel encroaches on the space your fingers need around the shoulder buttons. A minor quibble that's only noticed every now and then, and who's to say we don't have chubby fingers?

Where the 3DS does trump the PSP in terms of control, however, is with its new analogue nub – officially called the Circle Pad. The point of analogue control has obviously been a tough nut to crack for designers of portable games consoles recently.
Getting onto the technology that drives the 3DS, that lower screen is LCD with the resistive touch capabilities that can be controlled with the included, 4mm, extendible stylus your finger. It measures 3.02 inches and has a 320 x 240 resolution.
The top screen is the important one though. It makes use of lenticular lens technology to create the final 3D image. Simply put, the screen uses a series of long thin lenses called lenticules that have cured fronts.

Pros 
                               Great 3D effect, significant graphics upgrade, comfortable grip, welcomed interface and controls
Cons 
                               Hurt my eyes just a little after a while.. but I turned it off and continued to enjoy the system.
Summary 
                               Disregard the review giving it a 1 1/2 stars out of five. What a joke. How are you going to review a system without having "had any hands on experience" and expect the fact that you've owned other Nintendo systems to suffice. Are you serious?
Anyway, I was surprised by this system. I mean, really surprised. It's one thing to hear about it, but it's another to experience it. I haven't purchased it but I played with it during the demo tours Nintendo is having. All I can say is, a review doesn't really do justice. I've read many reviews, but I wasn't overly excited. I was intrigued, but the whole 3D fanfare didn't translate well into writing.
Before you buy the system, try it out for yourself. Or take the opinion of someone who has tried it in person. Those are the best reviews in my opinion. It's an impressive system and I can't wait to see how developers are going to take advantage of the hardware