Bucking the trend with the 3DS.

**NintendoNut** · 02-01-2011, 06:57 AM

Friends, it is with great sadness that I must inform you that I am writing to acknowledge the passing of one of the greatest long standing habits of my life; buying Nintendo consoles on launch date. After a brief investigation, I must conclude that the 3DS is to be held to account for this crime.

I have only a few reasons for not being excited for the 3DS's launch in any way, shape or form, but those few reasons are strong.

First, the price tag. Maybe if I were younger and didn't have any other financial commitments, I could be sat here enthusing about the arrival of the 3DS. As it stands, I cannot justify putting aside over £220 for a handheld console.

Why over £220, you ask? Well, one must consider buying games with their new console. This brings me onto my second reason; the launch line-up. It's appalling. I've had multiple looks at it since it was revealed and have tried to be interested in what's on offer from Day 1 but I just can't muster up the necessary excitement for Nintendogs or Street Fighter.

Now the final and perhaps most important reason; the undoubted arrival of an improved version of the 3DS within a couple of years. The battery life on the 3DS that we will see soon is a cause for concern for me. I don't want to wait until the summer to buy my 3DS, suffer with a lacklustre battery only for a '3DS Lite' to be announced the following year. I got a GBA shortly after its launch date, only to buy the GBA SP when it was released later on. I happily purchased the original DS, only to then buy a DS Lite and cry when the DSi and DSi XL were announced (neither of which I have).

These reasons combined make it nigh-on impossible for me to justify getting a 3DS on launch date. I have marked the dates of almost every previous Nintendo console launch on my mental calendar and waited with a child-like enthusiasm for each one to be released. This time, I wait with an elderly cynicism for the announcement of a 3DS Lite and the launch of some games that would be worth parting with my money for. I love the idea of the 3DS, I would love to have one and I really want to see it do well, but I'm going to have to do something I never thought I'd do with regards to Nintendo's launched products; wait.

Am I the only one thinking along these lines? Is anyone else holding back and waiting to see what happens?

**Valigarmander** · 02-01-2011, 07:13 AM

I'm probably going to do the same, but I don't think I'll wait for a 3DS Lite, since I sold my DS Lite in December and I need something to play my DS games on. (I miss playing them already.)

***Booyakasha*** · 02-01-2011, 07:22 AM

Well, I'm pretty much done buying handhelds in general, but I'm with you---releasing four iterations of a handheld seems like giving a big middle finger to early adapters. And considering Nintendo's track record in that department (GBA/SP/Micro, DS/DSL/DSi/DSiXL), it's prudent to assume it's going to keep happening.

I am nobody · 02-01-2011, 07:45 AM

$175 is the most I can imagine paying for a handheld. $250 for one with a short battery life and no good launch titles is completely out of the question.

Jere · 02-01-2011, 07:46 AM

i haven't decided yet.

***Ace Mercury*** · 02-01-2011, 07:47 AM

I still have all of these DS games to play. I'm way behind on my gaming itinerary. =/

***Cosmonautical*** · 02-01-2011, 08:11 AM

I don't really dig the portable element, anymore, I'm an adult who is generally in control of where he is and what he's doing. If I don't take a lot of trips or hang out away from the house, it's hard to justify getting something for the portable element. The 3D screen interests me a lot, but there's just about nothing in the launch window that I'm thrilled about. Maybe when Kid Icarus comes around, but I'm more interested in the next 2D Kirby platformers than I am in the 3DS and 3D games in general.

I don't really think Nintendo's trying hard enough with this one. Where's the Super Mario Bros launch product?

Rainbow Dash · 02-01-2011, 09:19 AM

buying it for paper mario

**Cravdraa** · 02-01-2011, 10:00 AM

Heh... I don't have money to spend on the 3DS period, even if I wanted to.
I'm sure I'll get one eventually. Maybe when the price drops a bit.

Glux · 02-01-2011, 10:09 AM

I say we start a "buy-NintendoNut-a-3DS-on-launch-date" fund.

As for the "3DS Lite" I totally agree with you on that point. It's rather ridiculous.

The Missing Link · 02-01-2011, 10:46 AM

NintendoNut, I'm totally with you about all of those reasons that you just listed. +1:

I already have an iPhone. I can buy really good, really legitimate games that are fun and soak up tons of time for $1... and often free. Word on the street is that 3DS titles are going to be in the realm of $40-50. For handheld titles!? I cringed the moment that the general trend of DS games jumped from $30 to $35; it helped blur what used to be a fine difference between handheld and console gaming. Now, it seems like Nintendo is competing with themselves for my money, and I don't know if I can afford that investment.

Especially since I've been playing so much more of my PS3 than my Wii of late. Granted, while we don't have a price point on NGP yet (and honestly, I don't see what the uproar over not having one yet since it's not coming out until late this year; the 3DS didn't have a price point when it was announced 9 months ago at E3 2010), that seems to me to be a rather tempting alternative too.

And really, so far the 3DS seems to me, so far, to be a DS with 3D... much like how the DSi was a DS with a camera. (Speaking of, is it just me, or does anyone else feel legitimately sad for anyone who's ever purchased a DSi? It seems like, within a month or two after the DSi XL launch, they pretty much stomped over that whole product by announcing the 3DS.)

Props to you, NN.

**Deku Trii** · 02-01-2011, 11:28 AM

I'm not getting it anytime soon. I'm just now going to upgrade to the DSi XL after years on my original gray DS.

MeowMan · 02-01-2011, 11:43 AM

I don't (and probably won't) have enough money, but even if I did, I would still wait.

**X-3** · 02-01-2011, 02:29 PM

I'll get one when KI comes out. Maybe earlier, if SSF43DTGIF turns out nicely.

I hope this information makes your lives complete.

Auron · 02-01-2011, 02:54 PM

One of the main issues I see is that other than the 3D, I don't see any real improvements on the DS I already have. It's still dual screened, it's still got a touch screen, the resolution of the screens isn't that much larger, and the graphics don't seem like they're too much of an improvement over it's predecessor either. And sure, they added a joystick on there, but the PSP already did that. It would have been more of an improvement to add the dual joystick feature that all modern controllers have.

Rainbow Dash · 02-01-2011, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Missing Link

And really, so far the 3DS seems to me, so far, to be a DS with 3D... much like how the DSi was a DS with a camera. (Speaking of, is it just me, or does anyone else feel legitimately sad for anyone who's ever purchased a DSi? It seems like, within a month or two after the DSi XL launch, they pretty much stomped over that whole product by announcing the 3DS.)

are you really that far behind the times

it's not just 3d, the graphical jump is to the gamecube era or more

it's like you're...trolling....

e: also enjoy having not-full-length iPhone apps I guess???

e2: YouTube - Fresh look at Resident Evil 3DS just so you can't claim i'm trolling

Redshirt · 02-01-2011, 03:19 PM

*just preordered 3DS*

Vgfian · 02-01-2011, 03:25 PM

^^I thought it was past GC era actually.
?

Redshirt · 02-01-2011, 03:27 PM

It's past, has no one seen the MGS videos?

**Valigarmander** · 02-01-2011, 05:43 PM

How many times has this discussion happened?

02-01-2011, 06:57 AM	#1
NintendoNut PC Games and Tech Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hold on, I know this..... Gender: Posts: 8,655 Thanks: 108 Thanked 85 Times in 56 Posts	Bucking the trend with the 3DS. Friends, it is with great sadness that I must inform you that I am writing to acknowledge the passing of one of the greatest long standing habits of my life; buying Nintendo consoles on launch date. After a brief investigation, I must conclude that the 3DS is to be held to account for this crime. I have only a few reasons for not being excited for the 3DS's launch in any way, shape or form, but those few reasons are strong. First, the price tag. Maybe if I were younger and didn't have any other financial commitments, I could be sat here enthusing about the arrival of the 3DS. As it stands, I cannot justify putting aside over £220 for a handheld console. Why over £220, you ask? Well, one must consider buying games with their new console. This brings me onto my second reason; the launch line-up. It's appalling. I've had multiple looks at it since it was revealed and have tried to be interested in what's on offer from Day 1 but I just can't muster up the necessary excitement for Nintendogs or Street Fighter. Now the final and perhaps most important reason; the undoubted arrival of an improved version of the 3DS within a couple of years. The battery life on the 3DS that we will see soon is a cause for concern for me. I don't want to wait until the summer to buy my 3DS, suffer with a lacklustre battery only for a '3DS Lite' to be announced the following year. I got a GBA shortly after its launch date, only to buy the GBA SP when it was released later on. I happily purchased the original DS, only to then buy a DS Lite and cry when the DSi and DSi XL were announced (neither of which I have). These reasons combined make it nigh-on impossible for me to justify getting a 3DS on launch date. I have marked the dates of almost every previous Nintendo console launch on my mental calendar and waited with a child-like enthusiasm for each one to be released. This time, I wait with an elderly cynicism for the announcement of a 3DS Lite and the launch of some games that would be worth parting with my money for. I love the idea of the 3DS, I would love to have one and I really want to see it do well, but I'm going to have to do something I never thought I'd do with regards to Nintendo's launched products; wait. Am I the only one thinking along these lines? Is anyone else holding back and waiting to see what happens?

02-01-2011, 07:13 AM	#2
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,755 Thanks: 1,649 Thanked 5,700 Times in 2,580 Posts Blog Entries: 20	I'm probably going to do the same, but I don't think I'll wait for a 3DS Lite, since I sold my DS Lite in December and I need something to play my DS games on. (I miss playing them already.)

02-01-2011, 07:22 AM	#3
*Booyakasha* SuperMod of War Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wisconsinland Gender: Posts: 9,945 Thanks: 157 Thanked 1,481 Times in 763 Posts	Well, I'm pretty much done buying handhelds in general, but I'm with you---releasing four iterations of a handheld seems like giving a big middle finger to early adapters. And considering Nintendo's track record in that department (GBA/SP/Micro, DS/DSL/DSi/DSiXL), it's prudent to assume it's going to keep happening.

02-01-2011, 07:45 AM	#4
I am nobody Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Over there. Gender: Posts: 5,515 Thanks: 309 Thanked 365 Times in 242 Posts Blog Entries: 7	$175 is the most I can imagine paying for a handheld. $250 for one with a short battery life and no good launch titles is completely out of the question.

02-01-2011, 07:46 AM	#5
Jere Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sutme Gender: Posts: 3,648 Thanks: 404 Thanked 331 Times in 256 Posts Blog Entries: 3	i haven't decided yet.

02-01-2011, 07:47 AM	#6
*Ace Mercury* Marshmallow Knight ☆ Supermod Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Southern Ontario Gender: Posts: 23,275 Thanks: 568 Thanked 3,297 Times in 1,582 Posts Blog Entries: 1	I still have all of these DS games to play. I'm way behind on my gaming itinerary. =/

02-01-2011, 08:11 AM	#7
*Cosmonautical* Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I rub my tilde all over your asterisk Gender: Posts: 28,100 Thanks: 2,151 Thanked 5,338 Times in 2,433 Posts	I don't really dig the portable element, anymore, I'm an adult who is generally in control of where he is and what he's doing. If I don't take a lot of trips or hang out away from the house, it's hard to justify getting something for the portable element. The 3D screen interests me a lot, but there's just about nothing in the launch window that I'm thrilled about. Maybe when Kid Icarus comes around, but I'm more interested in the next 2D Kirby platformers than I am in the 3DS and 3D games in general. I don't really think Nintendo's trying hard enough with this one. Where's the Super Mario Bros launch product?

02-01-2011, 09:19 AM	#8
Rainbow Dash been dreamin', i've been waitin' Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: a bomb-ass cloud house bachelorette pad Gender: Posts: 24,401 Thanks: 173 Thanked 1,179 Times in 716 Posts	buying it for paper mario

02-01-2011, 10:00 AM	#9
Cravdraa VGF RPG Mod Join Date: May 2001 Location: It's Round on the sides and high in the middle. Gender: Posts: 8,470 Thanks: 171 Thanked 661 Times in 403 Posts	Heh... I don't have money to spend on the 3DS period, even if I wanted to. I'm sure I'll get one eventually. Maybe when the price drops a bit.

02-01-2011, 10:09 AM	#10
Glux Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Home Gender: Posts: 7,121 Thanks: 647 Thanked 360 Times in 236 Posts Blog Entries: 3	I say we start a "buy-NintendoNut-a-3DS-on-launch-date" fund. As for the "3DS Lite" I totally agree with you on that point. It's rather ridiculous.

02-01-2011, 10:46 AM	#11
The Missing Link Professional Lurker Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: New Hyrule, Washington, US Gender: Posts: 17,128 Thanks: 405 Thanked 606 Times in 368 Posts	NintendoNut, I'm totally with you about all of those reasons that you just listed. +1: I already have an iPhone. I can buy really good, really legitimate games that are fun and soak up tons of time for $1... and often free. Word on the street is that 3DS titles are going to be in the realm of $40-50. For handheld titles!? I cringed the moment that the general trend of DS games jumped from $30 to $35; it helped blur what used to be a fine difference between handheld and console gaming. Now, it seems like Nintendo is competing with themselves for my money, and I don't know if I can afford that investment. Especially since I've been playing so much more of my PS3 than my Wii of late. Granted, while we don't have a price point on NGP yet (and honestly, I don't see what the uproar over not having one yet since it's not coming out until late this year; the 3DS didn't have a price point when it was announced 9 months ago at E3 2010), that seems to me to be a rather tempting alternative too. And really, so far the 3DS seems to me, so far, to be a DS with 3D... much like how the DSi was a DS with a camera. (Speaking of, is it just me, or does anyone else feel legitimately sad for anyone who's ever purchased a DSi? It seems like, within a month or two after the DSi XL launch, they pretty much stomped over that whole product by announcing the 3DS.) Props to you, NN.

02-01-2011, 11:28 AM	#12
Deku Trii PP&R Mod Current Events Mod Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Texas Gender: Posts: 9,031 Thanks: 521 Thanked 1,099 Times in 583 Posts	I'm not getting it anytime soon. I'm just now going to upgrade to the DSi XL after years on my original gray DS.

02-01-2011, 11:43 AM	#13
MeowMan Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Las Pegasus Gender: Posts: 6,606 Thanks: 849 Thanked 208 Times in 132 Posts Blog Entries: 46	I don't (and probably won't) have enough money, but even if I did, I would still wait.

02-01-2011, 02:29 PM	#14
X-3 Useful as an Owl Join Date: Jan 2004 Gender: Posts: 15,943 Thanks: 753 Thanked 1,213 Times in 790 Posts Blog Entries: 10	I'll get one when KI comes out. Maybe earlier, if SSF43DTGIF turns out nicely. I hope this information makes your lives complete.

02-01-2011, 02:54 PM	#15
Auron Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Inside Gender: Posts: 6,743 Thanks: 5 Thanked 325 Times in 198 Posts	One of the main issues I see is that other than the 3D, I don't see any real improvements on the DS I already have. It's still dual screened, it's still got a touch screen, the resolution of the screens isn't that much larger, and the graphics don't seem like they're too much of an improvement over it's predecessor either. And sure, they added a joystick on there, but the PSP already did that. It would have been more of an improvement to add the dual joystick feature that all modern controllers have.

02-01-2011, 03:19 PM	#17
Redshirt Wiggidy Wack Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: A place with things Gender: Posts: 16,699 Thanks: 703 Thanked 1,006 Times in 695 Posts Blog Entries: 50	just preordered 3DS

02-01-2011, 03:25 PM	#18
Vgfian Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Listening to Seeking 7 Seven and giving out free hugs. :) Gender: Posts: 6,862 Thanks: 2,433 Thanked 398 Times in 311 Posts	^^I thought it was past GC era actually. ?

02-01-2011, 03:27 PM	#19
Redshirt Wiggidy Wack Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: A place with things Gender: Posts: 16,699 Thanks: 703 Thanked 1,006 Times in 695 Posts Blog Entries: 50	It's past, has no one seen the MGS videos?

02-01-2011, 05:43 PM	#20
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,755 Thanks: 1,649 Thanked 5,700 Times in 2,580 Posts Blog Entries: 20	How many times has this discussion happened?