Seeing that it is almost 3 weeks till the 3ds gets released. Was wondering if anyone here in Japan is getting one on release day.

I missed the preorder window so I have no idea how long before I need to line up on release day to get my hands on one.

Anyone have any idea where the best place to go to get one is on release day? I asked most of the big shops and they say they can't tell me if they are getting any other than the preorder ones.

I think I heard about this. Sounded gimmicky, like the hardware equivalent to anaglyphic glasses.

I tried it out a few days ago at the AEION mall in Dainichi. It was beyond amazing.

Nobody could get me to waste $250 on a gimmicky 3D device.

I'm going to get one when it comes out in the US.

The problem with 3D is you can't watch a Youtube video to decide whether it's worthwhile. ;p (Well, except for umm the 3D Youtube videos, heh.) My only metric at the moment is for films: if it was filmed in 3D with the fusion camera thingy, I'll give it a try, but not if it's fake post-converted 3D. Thankfully Wikipedia has a list for such things.

Well... because the games will be region locked probably not Don't want to dish out another $100 or so just to import it and pay more for the games too. Maybe in a few years when they release a "slim" (or something) version with better battery life and cheaper price I'll reconsider.

Will be picking one up, but when i get back to Japan, so about the 6th-7th ish.. if they still have stock anywhere

Everyone should write their friends code down so we can get some RTK SSF4 on the go.

What is a safe time to line up before it is released? In America they line up days before. Not sure about Japan.

And I feel you on that cold thing tokyostyle.

tokyostyle Wrote:I have to try to because the preorders basically ran out before the stores opened. I think they are being overly cautious because they don't know how much Nintendo will ship.

In Tokyo you best bets are at all of the electronics stores:
Akihabara, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, and Ueno all have several choices.

I wish Nintendo would stop doing launches in February. I hate lining up in the cold.

When the ds launched in tokyo In had zero luck at the major location. The akiba shops staff thought I was crazy for even trying. Personally I recommend smaller shops in less major areas. I believe thats what bash craft did over on Kotaku. Just reserved at a shop near his apt. Didn't have to wait in lines.

Of course your milage may very, that was just my experience.

Oh, and make sure you open it in the shop. My first three DSs had dead pixels and I had to get the shop staff to keep opening them until I got a good one. I'm sure a dead pixel would be even more noticeable on a 3d device.

Maybe as soon as it is region free.
Go, hackers!

Evil_Dragon Wrote:Maybe as soon as it is region free.
Go, hackers!

hAcK th3 pLaNeT!1!~

nest0r Wrote:

Evil_Dragon Wrote:Maybe as soon as it is region free.
Go, hackers!

hAcK th3 pLaNeT!1!~

They're TRASHING our rights, man! They're TRASHING the flow of data! They're TRASHING! TRASHING! TRASHING!

Gimmicky handheld is gimmicky.

Then again the DS' touch functionality is also just a gimmick that so far hasn't enhanced gameplay at all (except for education software) and same for the Wii with a very few exceptions.

Can't say I'm overly excited about the PSP2 either though, since Sony will be over-obsessed with protecting it and it'll probably just mostly be warmed-over ps2 games.

Jarvik7 Wrote:Gimmicky handheld is gimmicky.

Then again the DS' touch functionality is also just a gimmick that so far hasn't enhanced gameplay at all (except for education software) and same for the Wii with a very few exceptions.

Can't say I'm overly excited about the PSP2 either though, since Sony will be over-obsessed with protecting it and it'll probably just mostly be warmed-over ps2 games.

I think Mr grouchy pants needs a hug Wasn't the PSP just full of warmed over ps2 games? (sorry, nintendo fanboy jab, and its not as if I'm lying either)

The DS allowed me to play tonnes of stuff on the go, even if the touch screen wasn't really used to its full potential some times, the extra power it had over the game boy allowed better games, and this will to. Even if the 3D sucks shit, being able to play SSF4 on the train, or whatever, is good enough reason for me to part with the money. Just hope the 3rd party support doesn't dry up this time, as seems to be the bane of nintendo consoles existence.

Jarvik7 Wrote:Gimmicky handheld is gimmicky.

Then again the DS' touch functionality is also just a gimmick that so far hasn't enhanced gameplay at all (except for education software) and same for the Wii with a very few exceptions.

Surely you're trolling here right?!

DS paved the way for many new games that had never been done before (Nintendogs, Pac-Pix, Drawn to Life, *any* drawing type game), and certainly enhanced many games - i can't imagine playing text/picture adventures like Phoenix Wright without touch?

I'm currently playing through Zelda: Spirit Tracks and it's totally drawing based, and so good for it; probably one of my favourite Zelda games of all time (simply cos it has all new touch based items and puzzles).

DS developers don't have to use it, and some don't, that's the cool thing; it's there if you need it. Being a useless "gimmick" doesn't explain the popularity of games on iPhone (all touch based) and the PSP2 having a touch screen.

TheVinster Wrote:Nobody could get me to waste $250 on a gimmicky 3D device.

Now is a 3D display "gimmicky"? Well yes, but then you could argue that about any graphical upgrade; Why bother with 3D polygons, or colour screen - it doesn't add anything to the game-play? If it makes the experience more immersive then surely it's worth it. Plus I'm sure they'll be games that use it, and can't be done on any other system.

For the 3DS I'm more interested in the 3D camera functionality; 3D photos and video, that's futuristic star-trek sh#t! Never thought I'd see this day..

I'll probably wait for the second iteration to get one. The "Nintendo 3DSi Color Advanced Lite" or whatever they call it.

By then, they should have a sizable library.

Jarvik7 Wrote:Then again the DS' touch functionality is also just a gimmick that so far hasn't enhanced gameplay at all (except for education software) and same for the Wii with a very few exceptions.

The Wii I agree on, but not the DS.

I picked up a PSP recently and I can see how the touch screen makes a world of difference in terms of gameplay. The thing with DS touch functionality is that good games make it nearly invisible... I don't even notice that I'm using it.

Some games overused gimmicks to the point where it made it worse... I did not enjoy Spirit Tracks at all, I did not like gimmicky touchscreen gameplay, and I stopped playing because of that stupid instrument stuff that needed the mic. My favorite example is the Harvest Moon game that was all touch screen controls. It was garbage, which is no wonder why they re-released a version that was nearly the same but with pad controls.

On the other hand, I enjoyed the resurgence of puzzle/adventure games, like Hotel Dusk, Layton, Ghost Trick, etc. The rhythm games were great too, EBA and Rhythm Heaven, along with their Japanese counterparts. Wario Ware Touch was a good extension to the series. Even as I'm playing games on the Android I can see how touch is evolving past the "gimmick" stage as it initially debuted (in 2003!) and is now really invisible yet expected.

According to one IGN review, the Nintendo 3DS' 3D is just like Avatar, but without the need for glasses. ;p

nest0r Wrote:According to one IGN review, the Nintendo 3DS' 3D is just like Avatar, but without the need for glasses. ;p

Like Avatar 3D? So... all flash and no substance?

Edit: By the way, sorry I don't mean to be a troll. I just hate this device, but go ahead and buy it. I also think the PSP2 is lame as hell. (It's too expensive with no screen protector to carry around, as a portable device should be.) I did watch gameplay of Ghost Trick and it seems DS games like that have a lot of potential, but the problem is that the number of quality games on the DS is so miniscule compared to the number of them that it's hard to like, for me. Generally I just haven't been a portable gamer anyway. Everytime I use a portable system I'm always right next to a console so I see no point.

I tried one today.
I'm so getting one!!

TheVinster Wrote:I just hate this device, but go ahead and buy it.

Have you actually tried a 3DS then?

It would be a bit stupid to hate a device that you haven't even seen/played?!

I'm not very enthusiastic about the crappy battery power, so I very likely won't get one. Plus I just got a new DSi, which helps. And seriously? 250 for a handheld? Too expensive in my book.

I wont be getting one at the Japanese launch, but I have preordered an american one.
I've been a gamer for over 20 years now, and the Nintendo DS has to be one of my all time favorites (I can't really accurately judge older consoles like the NES, because as a child I hadn't yet developed any standards, and would happily play crappy games for hours on end).
If the 3ds is even half the system that the ds was, then I'll consider it a worthwhile investment. I've probably played more than 100 ds games all the way (or nearly all the way) through. I don't think I could say that about any other system.

And for all the people waiting for a "3ds lite", I'll be laughing my butt off if it doesn't come. Nintendo have already stated that they don't have any plans for a new unit anytime soon, because they have pretty much got the design of the 3ds done right to begin with. The unit is already smaller than the DSi, so there is no need to make it smaller or anything like that. About the only thing that people seem to complain about is the battery, and I'm sure a battery could be replaced without requiring an entirely new system.

nohika Wrote:I'm not very enthusiastic about the crappy battery power, so I very likely won't get one. Plus I just got a new DSi, which helps. And seriously? 250 for a handheld? Too expensive in my book.

Comfort yourself with the fact a Euro 3DS sold in Britain works out at about $100 more.

Zarxrax Wrote:nd for all the people waiting for a "3ds lite", I'll be laughing my butt off if it doesn't come. Nintendo have already stated that they don't have any plans for a new unit anytime soon, because they have pretty much got the design of the 3ds done right to begin with

They say that, but they will do, even if it's just making it larger. I'm gutted Ill be playing something smaller than my XL... I loved the size of the screens, portable not really, awesome.. hell yeah. Probably will pick up a European one second time around, when they do eventually release an upgrade, will happily play my Japanese one until then (Providing they aren't sold out forever... don't even think my local Yamada Denki know's they're even about to be released, not a sodding bit of advertisement, backwater cities i tell you what...)