Just my luck – the one day I decide to go to bed at the ripe hour of 9 pm, Nintendo decides to hold a major Nintendo Direct! When I woke up the next morning, all the internet was abuzz with news of the New 3DS. I’m still trying to wrap my head around what it’s all about… and what’s up with that awful name!
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| Coming to Japan on October 11th! |
I know a lot of people were clamoring for an additional thumb stick, so it’s great to see Nintendo finally add one in. Apparently it’s closer to the GameCube’s C-stick than the circle pad that’s been on the left hand side of the 3DS since the original model… Honestly, I can’t say much about that since I never owned a GameCube and don’t have a whole lot of experience with the controller. I’m sure it will function fine for things like the camera in Monster Hunter 4G, but the size and positioning puzzle me a little, as it seems quite close to the command buttons.
Speaking of those buttons, though, I absolutely love the fact that they’re colored like the original SNES buttons. What a neat touch! It looks great on the smaller new 3DS model, but it’s a shame they didn’t go with the same color scheme on the new 3DS LL/XL models.
Since there are plenty of sites going into all the juicy details, I won’t bore you with all of the specifics of the new models, but other improvements I’m particularly intrigued by are the improved 3D capabilities and enhanced CPU. I hardly ever use the 3D when playing now, but the idea that it can be viewed without holding the 3DS the perfect distance and angle from your face is pretty exciting, and makes using the 3D much more appealing.
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| Yet another game I’ve been meaning to play… |
All I really understand about the enhanced CPU is that it will allow for more technically robust games to come out on the system, such as the port of Xenoblade Chronicles that was announced in the same Nintendo Direct. Unfortunately, this also means that games developed for the new 3DS will not work on old 3DS models… Which makes one wonder, will Nintendo and 3rd party developers gradually move over to the new system, or will it be somewhat of a flop, like DSi-exclusive games were in the past?
Though I can’t say I was personally hoping for a new 3DS model anytime soon, all of the new features do sound pretty appealing. Unfortunately, I just don’t have it in my budget to buy a new one in the near future, and a single exclusive game isn’t the push I need to break the bank for it just yet. Most likely, I’ll wait until there’s a limited edition system and game I’m really excited for.
Now, I may seem like a person that likes pretty much any and all cute things from Japan. But, believe it or not, there are some things I just don’t “get.” Case in point: Funassyi (pictured above). The yellow pear character is an unofficial mascot for Funabashi, Chiba, but has still managed to become immensely popular in Japan over the past year or so. I had no idea just how popular it was until I went to Tokyo last month and saw for myself how it’s permeated any and all media in the country. In fact, Funassyi even features quite heavily in the promotional material for the arcade game Gunslinger Stratos 2:
I understand that the idea of a mascot character speaking and moving around in a crazy manner is rather novel, but I actually find Funassyi really irritating! Is this a sign that I’m getting old? Am I no longer hip? I guess I’ll go back to my rocker on the porch and yell at a few kids.
I wasn’t all that interested in either of the “new” 3DS systems until the interchangeable face/cover plates for the OG version were brought up during the Nintendo Direct. Those quite literally sold me on the system, I have to admit–and I fully realize that’s a fairly lame reason to be sold on a system 🙂
Anyway, I also don’t really plan on buying one anytime soon–at least not one of the Japanese ones. I very likely will buy a North American one, though, if the white regular/OG “new” 3DS is brought out here and if it retains the SuFami-colored buttons. If not, I’ll probably pass on the system until a color is released that appeals to me. Or maybe I’ll buy one of the JP white “new” 3DSes. Who knows?
The interchangeable plates made the sale for me as well 🙂
Now thought I’m a bit on the fence though. Don’t think the NEW LL will have interchangeable plates :/ Will have to hold the regular NEW 3DS before I make a decision 🙂
Interesting! I definitely think the interchangeable face plates are neat but it definitely doesn’t sell me on the system.
I do hope they do the white “new” OG 3DS color scheme on the XLs, as I really don’t like the current color schemes on the new XLs! The white + SNES button colors is so much more striking
Yeah it does sound like it’s only the smaller model that will have the interchangeable face plates. I wonder why that is?
Heh heh, the face plates are my favorite aspect too. I like how sleek the New 3DS looks. I’m not too concerned about new features, but the old 3DS is feeling pretty aged next to PSVita. It’s weird, because i don’t feel that way about the old DSiXL. The occasional slow response and the overall design of the 3DS and 3DS XL make them feel less substantial and more clumsy even compared to the DSi and XL. Those Super Famicom colors would push me over the edge too if i wasn’t a sucker for new models of portable systems. Shoot, new colors and designs are difficult enough to ignore. That pink and white Vita is SO tempting.
They had a Street Pass puzzle with Xenoblade a while ago and i was wondering if they were trying to release it for 3DS! I guess this is my answer! I still have my Wii copy, but i’ll be first in line for a portable version. I think i was around 70 hours and only halfway through the game last time i played, and i am much more likely to actually finish a portable version of the game.
That Funassyi thing is awful!
Oh man, I love Funassyi. The dude’s insane. Have you seen the TV spot he did at a golf course where there were explosions going off all over the place and no one bothered to tell him what was going on, so there he was in his costume running like a dude on fire?
I was in tears.
Probably a manufacturing cost :/
Not enough profit if the company producing these would have to add cost to make it 🙁
Ah, interesting point about the Xenoblade puzzle showing up in StreetPass! That was a bit of a tease, wasn’t it 😉 I definitely agree that I would probably prefer to play it on a portable, but since I haven’t touched the Wii version I already own, I’ll probably try that first…
Hah no, I haven’t seen that one. Everything I’ve seen him in so far annoys me to no end, though! I think it’s the voice