3DS Info!!!!!!

What happens when Snake makes sweet love on the 3DS.


Gamers everywhere have been holding their breath since E3 (which is why the casualty rate of gamers has been so high since then), watching and waiting for any word from Nintendo about the 3DS' information. All the while we've heard unofficial rumors via outlets like Gamestop pricing/dating things, and other sources spreading rumors as well. This morning, Nintendo held a press conference where they finally came clean about the 3DS, they released a ton of information, including (finally) the release date and pricing for North America.

Mark it on your calendars friends, and start saving now. The 3DS will be available March 27th for $249.99 (and in Europe on March 25th for the equivalent in their funny-symbol currency [pounds? Or are they still using Euros?]). (EDIT: They use Euros. - Jerv)

They released a lot of other info about the system, such as some of its software features:
Games:
- Pilotwings Resort (from the sound of it, I'm going to be extremely excited for it)
- Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3DS
- Dead or Alive Dimensions (Can you say 3DD? XD)
- Few other games from third party developers

Features:
-Activity log (If you've played a Wii you're familiar with this, it tells you how much of your sad life was spent playing a game for what time that day, except this also tracks your physical activity)
- Pedometer (for logging the steps you take, allows you to earn coins to unlock things in games)
- Mii Maker *
- AR (Alternate Reality) cards
- Friend code for playing games.

Before you start groaning about the friend code (one of the worst ideas Nintendo has ever had), they finally fixed the number 1 top complaint about the Wii friend codes. The friend code is now unique to your system, and doesn't change between games. Why they didn't just implement an ID system like every other game company so far, I couldn't tell you, but at least they fixed one of the biggest issues plaguing online gameplay.

The friend code can be transmitted a lot easier too. When two 3DS peeps are connected via wireless hotspot, code swapping is instant, no typing necessary. There's also a feature called "Street Pass" which allows units in sleep mode to exchange common game data (no word yet on what exactly) instantly. "SpotPass" will allow 3DS users to access the Internet (via Opera I'm guessing?) and recieve info via hotspots regardless of the game in the cart slot.


So what does everyone think about the 3DS info so far? I'm pretty excited. My birthday is the 12th, so I'm hoping I can goad all family members/friends into chipping in on the 3DS for me. Would be AWESOME.


The most common complaint is "$250? That's kinda steep..." Keep in mind that the original PSP was $226, and although the console didn't do nearly as well as the DS, it sold nonetheless. That was about 7 years ago, and factoring in inflation and other world-events, we are lucky Nintendo didn't price at $300, which they COULD HAVE gotten away with, and still had the 3DS be extremely successful.

No word yet on what the games will be priced at, although Gamestop is listing at $40, which makes sense (every generation goes up by about $10, except from GBA->DS)

I'll either be updating this post later, or making another post with some of the videos from the press conference.