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Ah, the Nintendo 3DS. Why must something so cool have hardly any games to play on it? All the biggest news about the handheld always seems to be geared towards the future… Upcoming game this, software update that. What’s happened to the now, Nintendo? Well, at least we have Zelda! Again! Today’s Industry Chatter will focus on the 3DS, present and future.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is unsurprisingly still the top selling 3DS game out there. It tops all of the lists, including Amazon’s. Underneath Zelda come a number of games that have yet to be released for the system, including Super Mario 3DS, Mario Kart 3DS, and Paper Mario 3DS. For these games to be on the lists of top-selling 3DS games before they are released, it really shows how poor the launch lineup has been for the handheld. We are months into the life of the 3DS, and still our sights are set on what lies ahead! Luckily, Zelda has boosted the sales of 3DS, and the system has finally begun outselling the PSP in Japan thanks to the game’s release. Hopefully some of the other upcoming remake games like Star Fox 64 3D and Cave Story 3D will have a similar effect on the system’s sales; I’d hate to see developers abandon it early on because it’s selling so poorly.
Lets move on to some happier 3DS chatter, shall we? Nintendo is holding a press conference for the system on July 19th in the UK. Speculation suggests that it could be to announce a new television streaming type of software for people in Europe. That’s not the most exciting news ever, but at least we’re moving forwards right? I’m still waiting to hear an update about Netflix coming to the system; I think the ability to stream 3D movies and movie trailers could be a big selling point for Nintendo. We had the OK Go music video and we’re hungry for more! Either way, make sure to tune in on the 19th in case Nintendo decides to surprise us with something new and exciting!
Next, we have some news about Super Mario on 3DS, and it’s about the power-ups! Yoshiaki Koizumi (the game’s director) told Official Nintendo Magazine that while he can’t say how many different power-ups there will be in the game, that there will be enough to keep us happy with variety. He also said that the Tanooki Suit is not the only classic power up that will make an appearance in the game, and that’s great news! Now all we have left to do is wonder and speculate about what may lie in store for us… I’m personally hoping for the frog suit. That one was funny.
Let’s talk third parties! By now you’ve probably already heard about or experienced Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D‘s single save file ridiculousness. Well, Capcom’s vice president has stated, “I think it’s also fair to say in light of the controversy it’s generated I don’t think you’re going to see something like this happening again.” That’s good. I’m glad that it responded to the bad press so quickly. Seriously, though! They should never have done that in the first place! A single, non-deletable save file is just a horrible idea! Even the original Zelda had three save files!
Bob Sabiston, the developer who brought you Inchworm Animation for DSiWare, has stated to Joystiq that he would love to make a 3DS version of the software. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but we could see some new Inchworm content down the road. Until then we’ll have Nintendo’s Flipnote Memo, which was supposed to release last Thursday but kinda just…. didn’t. Rumour has it that we’ll be seeing it in September, which I hope turns out to be true, because I had a lot of fun with the original on the DSi. It was a great time-killer.
Even though most of… well, everything about the 3DS is filed under ‘Coming Soon,’ at least it gives us a lot to think about! All I can say is at least we have Zelda. Time to kick back and play some Master Quest.
wow. I am an american but I think I have a more japanese way of thinking. Especially when it comes to paicense*. I don’t even have a 3ds yet but I keep hearing people pissing and moaning about how they have to wait a few months for nintendo to put the final touches on the online component for the 3ds. I don’t think that most americans understand the japanese mind like I do. Honor and shame are extreamly important to them. Just look up seppuku on wikipedia for an example of this. Ninety knows what an abomanation their online service for wii is compared to the likes of xbox live. I’m sure they wanted online service to be available at the launch of the 3ds but it wasn’t good enough. They most certanly didn’t want to half ass it. Since I don’t have a 3ds yet, I feel not sympathy for the early adopters but jelous unsympathy for them. For those that are complaining about the small library of 3ds games, think about this: when do you think the succesor to the 3ds will come out? Do you really think that you’ll get a dozen triple A titles for it within a few months from launch? Do you know nothing of temporal dynamics? Think about all the games that have been announced for 3ds. Then think about all the games that haven’t been amounced yet. Paintence*. All you need to know is that ninja gaiden and kindom hearts are coming. Netflix too. Good things come to those that wait. Just look at perfect dark (n64) and perfect dark zero (360).
*i have no clue how to spell that word.
That’s kind of our point. Most 3DSers believe Nintendo should have waited to launch the system until everything (eShop, web browser, DSiware, etc.) was ready. And you haven’t tried the browser: they haven’t upgraded it from the DSi at all, and there’s really no excuse for that.
xeacons: The browser’s been upgraded quite a bit from DSi to 3DS. The extra RAM and screen space alone should make it a pretty obvious improvement.
Moreover, it’s webkit-based instead of an Opera port (nothing wrong with Opera, but webkit is extremely well-suited for portable devices), and has a much stronger JavaScript engine. The web developer in me is all over that stuff.
Best of all, you can run the 3DS browser at any time, while you’ve got something else suspended in the background. Not even the PS3 lets you do that.
I guess if you were hoping for flash, you’d be disappointed. But in every other way I can think of, the 3DS browser has been a welcome step-up.
…and LocoBaka: “patience”. :^) And I agree, I’m not sure why everybody feels they need everything right now, and then complain when RE: Mercenaries feels rushed.
I am a bad mushroom and have little patience about the lack of games. I just shout
Are they there YET?!?
Every few minutes. And I have only had my 3DS a short time. But I want something to PLAY on it. I want to play in 3D.
Screem, roll, kick!
And I am glad Capcom got the message about their horrid one unremovable save idea.
Still I think you are right LocoBaka
But are they there YET?