Another non-surprise for E3, Nintendo shows off the 3Ds. But very different that expected.

Via G4.com

It has a wider top screen: a 3.5 inch wide display,

includes a slider control to choose the degree of 3D, from “none” to “all.”

Improved graphics capability from the current generation of DS.

Will feature a “slide pad” controller.

Contains motion and gyro sensors.

Compatible with Nintendo DSi.

Two camera lenses on the outside allows you to take photos and view in 3D!

Capable of displaying 3D Hollywood movies. No titles yet, but Disney, WB and Dreamworks will have trailers on the thing.

WI-fi compatible. No monthly fee for online.

All of that without the need for 3D glasses. Now I’ve never been a fan of the idea of 3D gaming but this thing looks pretty sweet. Also you can control “how 3D” you want your experience. Defiantly a plus for those of us anti-3D players.

Honestly the technology put into this new DS has me eating my words from previous posts. Clearly this is not the same old DS re-done with 3D. Nintendo clearly put everything they had into this new handheld and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.

Another no brainer. Rumors have been swirling for months now about the next handheld product from Nintendo being a 3D version of the DSi. Today Japan gets a few new colors for it’s DSi XL along with a slash in the price.

Via kotaku.com

In conjunction with the new range of consoles, the DSi XL (or DSi LL as it’s known there) will have its price cut in Japan from ¥20,000 (USD$220) to ¥18,000 (USD$195). The DSi will also see a drop, from ¥18,900 (USD$200) to ¥15,000 (USD$165). And the DS Lite? It’s recommended price goes from ¥16,800 to whatever the hell retailers want to charge, so they can clear out their stock.

This is obviously to make way for the new console. Can’t have to old models cluttering up the shelves when the shiny new one comes out.

I am undecided about the 3DSi. I of course hate the idea of 3D gaming. I have always felt 3D is a cheesy lack luster effect that people often mistake for awesomeness.

But I heard a rumor that the 3D effect on the new 3DSi will be able to toggle on and off. But if the 3D effect is the only new addition to this same old handheld then I’m pretty sure I will save my money.

As will all of these rumors, it’s wait and see for E3.

I know I’ve touched on this subject before but it really does touch a nerve with me. There are countless reasons why 3D needs to stay out of video games. The first being that 3D itself is a novelty! It does not enhance game play or movies, it’s just another tagline on your advertisement. Popular movies like Avatar and Clash of the Titans made it to number one at the box office partially because you could see it in 3D. 3D sells. Period. End of story.

Next on my list of “I think 3D should stay out of gaming” is cheesy 3D effects. This goes side by side with “does not enhance gameplay”. If I’m going to spend $60 on a game, I want it to “wow” me. I don’t want lame action scenes created only to have things flying at you in 3D. That’s amusing for about five seconds to a 10 year old. I fear the 3D will only bring about said lame actions scenes and crappy games will be on the rise.

And what about the price of those special shutter 3D glasses . These are not the cheap kind you toss after the movie. These bad boys are well up over $100 depending on the brand. Not the kind of money I have laying around for a pair of uncomfortable glasses that I’ll want to rip of my face after 30 minutes.

So 3D gaming supporters my challenge to you is to convince me. Why should I be looking forward to the day 3D gaming invades my experience?

Running out of ideas are we Nintendo? The DSi XL brings the player a larger screen and supposedly a longer battery life. Anything else? Oh yea, it cost about $20 more than a regular DSi. That’s it. No flashy new hardware or cool new add ons. Just the same DSi with a bigger screen.

For someone who does not already own a DS or a DSi I might say sure go for the DSi XL. But for most of the Nintendo handheld enthusiasts out there, spending almost $190 on something that you really already have is ridiculous. Couldn’t all that time, money, and man power be put into something better? Shouldn’t they be more concerned about the Wii sales dropping rather than the size of the DSi screen?

On the bright side, you will now be able to play Mario Kart with Grandma as she will now be able to see whats on the screen.

Ok call me a huge loser if you want but I bought the new Pokemon Soul Silver yesterday. I spent my Sunday kicking back catching some Pokemon and earning some badges. What a flash back to my childhood it was.

Gone are the days of ye olde Pokemon Red or Blue and having only 150 Pokemon to deal with. As of 2009 there are now almost 500 different Pokemon. So much for the “gotta catch’em all attitude”. More like “gotta catch a fraction of whats out there”.

Anyway this new generation of Pokemon brings us all the same fun as all the others. Travel from town to town catching new Pokemon, battling other trainers, and winning badges at the local Pokemon gyms.

A little something new was the Pokewalker that was bundled with the game. Using infrared signaling between your DS and your pokewalker you may take one Pokemon with you anywhere you walk. It’s basically a pedometer that allows you to gain XP for the Pokemon that you choose to take.  Interesting way to get the children off the couch.

If you have a DS and fond memories of the good old Pokemon series, go pick it up. I promise it will give you the warm fuzzies and make you play until your vision is blurred.

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