23rd March 2010, 2:02 PM
Well, it's a DS with cameras and the whole online section of the device which isn't available on other DS types. It has a new OS and games that are made specifically for it.
I'd call that a new system, or tier. I do believe though that the 3DS will have the same cameras and microphone setup allowing for DSiWare and games as it mentions in the press release that its backwards compatible.
If you look at it, the DSiXL is probably the size of the 3DS, so Nintendo wanted to get that covered so its a bookend of product. You have a choice: Buy the lower end or buy the higher end. Get the iPod Nano or get the iPod Touch. The Touch seems silly to people who just want their MP3 player and dont care about games or web. This 3-D they're talking about is going to make for some interesting setups and it may alienate Nintendo's older crowd, the Sudoku and braintraining crowd. It's too complicated, I dont need that, etc. Especially considering, based on rumors, this handheld will have graphics anywhere between the Wii and a 360 because of that fancy Tegra chip.
So now the handheld will have games that look more like console games, that's a big wall for a lot of Nintendo's new gamers who are just getting in to New Super Mario Bros. inbetween sessions of casual gaming. So they can look at it and say that's not for them, too confusing, i'll just stick with the DSiXL (until Nintendo releases 3-D Brain Training).
So, I think Nintendo is going to support both systems for some time, also considering that the 3DS wont be here for at least a year. Perfect timing to release it along side a console. This E3 is going to not suck and i'm okay with that.
I'd call that a new system, or tier. I do believe though that the 3DS will have the same cameras and microphone setup allowing for DSiWare and games as it mentions in the press release that its backwards compatible.
If you look at it, the DSiXL is probably the size of the 3DS, so Nintendo wanted to get that covered so its a bookend of product. You have a choice: Buy the lower end or buy the higher end. Get the iPod Nano or get the iPod Touch. The Touch seems silly to people who just want their MP3 player and dont care about games or web. This 3-D they're talking about is going to make for some interesting setups and it may alienate Nintendo's older crowd, the Sudoku and braintraining crowd. It's too complicated, I dont need that, etc. Especially considering, based on rumors, this handheld will have graphics anywhere between the Wii and a 360 because of that fancy Tegra chip.
So now the handheld will have games that look more like console games, that's a big wall for a lot of Nintendo's new gamers who are just getting in to New Super Mario Bros. inbetween sessions of casual gaming. So they can look at it and say that's not for them, too confusing, i'll just stick with the DSiXL (until Nintendo releases 3-D Brain Training).
So, I think Nintendo is going to support both systems for some time, also considering that the 3DS wont be here for at least a year. Perfect timing to release it along side a console. This E3 is going to not suck and i'm okay with that.