Nintendo 3DS – E3 Details Blowout! News

Nintendo’s President, Satoru Iwata has unveiled the company’s new 3DS console at its E3 press conference in LA, revealing a number of previously unknown features for the 3D handheld.

Iwata-san showed how the screen on the top of the 3DS is 3.5 inches wider than the bottom, which is because Nintendo wanted a widescreen display.

As with the DS, the bottom screen then acts as a touch pad, although Iwata-san was quick to unveil a few new features that set the 3DS far apart from its predecessor.

Firstly, as has previously been reported, the right-hand side of the handheld contains a “3D Depth Slider”, which allows users to determine how much of a 3D effect that they want on the display screens.

Additionally, the handheld also features a “Slide Pad” above the d-pad, which is presumably a thumbstick of sorts. The Slide Pad houses both a motion sensor and gyro sensor.

The console is apparently “compatible” with the DSi, although Iwata-san didn’t enlarge on this to any great degree. He did say, however, that the 3DS has three cameras so that gamers can take 3D photos of themselves.

As has already been widely reported, users will not need glasses to view the handheld in 3D. This is part of Nintendo’s goal to make the 3DS a mass marketable product and avoid the lofty costs of rival manufacturers.

Judging by the Kid Icarus: Uprising demo during the event, the hardware within the 3DS is far beyond that of the DS. It seemed more towards the visual capabilities of a Wii or PS2, although previous rumours that it can compete graphically with the Xbox 360 and PS3 now appear vastly inflated.

Iwata-san also unveiled some of the 3DS’ online features, which allow the handheld to communicate while in sleep mode. Nintendo’s 3DS searches for Wi-Fi access points and other 3DS consoles even while sleeping, and will automatically communicate with them in this setting.

This will allow the console to download new content automatically (regardless of the software that’s being played), so users can use that content when they next switch the console on. Iwata-san also clarified that this service will be subscription free.

Finally, the 3DS will also playback 3D movies. Iwata-san was able to confirm partnerships with Disney, Warner Bros., and Dreamworks for films such as ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ and ‘Tangled’.