Todaystyle Show

Although Nintendo was eager to stress that the Nintendo 3DS devices shown are prototypes, feature-wise they appear to be final. When at first glance, the system is very similar to previous models in design and functionality, but there are a few key additions that will change how you approach games. The most obvious is the screen: not only is it in 3D, but it’s in wide-screen format, with the bottom touch screen still retaining the same 4:3 ratio. The difference between the two is actually unnoticeable during play, and while the top screen on previous DS iterations is given a plastic border, here it is completely flush with the system. To the right is a gauge that adjusts the strength of the 3D effect, and although it’s a little rigid and stiff to use on these prototype models, you can easily adjust it for full, slight and no 3D effect.

Control-wise, not only will there be an iPhone-style motion-sensor, but it’ll add an analogue disc above the D-pad. It’s dipped and rounded by a rubber edge so your thumb doesn’t slip, and it’s housed in a more natural position than the PSP’s version. The D-pad and buttons click when pressed and feel solidly built, and there is now a Home button placed at the bottom, which is likely to bring up a universal dashboard not unlike those on home console services. (It’s covered in a tacky plastic film which we suspect will be gone in the final version.) Along with that is Wi-Fi functionality in and out of sleep mode, which can be toggled using a switch on the side, allowing online downloads or sharing at any time.

Perhaps the most interesting additions outside of the screen are the two cameras on the front of the device capable of taking 3D pictures. You can point and click as per usual, and since the technology relies on two pictures taken from slightly different angles, you can merge or part the images before or after taking to get the right focus. In practice it was difficult to get good results, however taking a picture of a line of people showed that the 3D effect does hold up. Representatives for Nintendo weren’t sure whether pictures can be exported to other 3D systems, such as the PlayStation 3, but it could easily be possible. There is also a standard camera on the inside of the device.

Regular features populated the rim of the Nintendo 3D device. SD card support returns, as does the usual array of microphone and charge slots. The cartridge looks the same, although the bottom of the device was obscured by a metal plate. (We weren’t allowed to photograph the base at all, which was interesting.) When the system is closed the system is thicker than previous DS models, and also the upper half budges out at the top, but we’re sure the design will become more flush on release. Even if it isn’t, we would be more than happy with the prototype we were shown.

Whatever, Nintendo 3D system can be recognized as perfect. Let us respect the release of Nintendo 3DS on March 2011 together.