# The 3DS is very slick **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [March 28, 2011, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3ds-is-very-slick/576254 "2011-03-28T13:45:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2011, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3ds-is-very-slick/576254/1 "2011-03-28T13:45:58Z")
Just got it for Bricker Jr. I don’t know what the technology is… but that flat screen, without the use of any glasses, does produce an amazingingly real 3D effect. We got him the Star Wars III game, and I watched him play for a bit. Quite impressive. On the downside: the browser and DSWare shop features are not yet available, and won’t be until May (via a system update). Still, he’s happy. And I’m impressed! ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2011, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3ds-is-very-slick/576254/2 "2011-03-28T13:59:00Z")
JP used all of his birthday money to get one. He likes it so far as well. I have to say that the 3DS is something I’d test run before I bought, though. **tygre** has some problems with depth perception, and she cannot see the 3D effects at all. I couldn’t see it either, but that’s probably because I’m suffering from The Flu From Hell right now and my eyes are bugged out anyway. But although the graphics are very nice, I’d think twice about laying down the money for it if you’re not going to be able to see the 3D. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2011, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3ds-is-very-slick/576254/3 "2011-03-28T14:35:17Z")
> [@Duke](#): > > **tygre** has some problems with depth perception, and she cannot see the 3D effects at all. I couldn’t see it either, but that’s probably because I’m suffering from The Flu From Hell right now and my eyes are bugged out anyway. I think I read something about being able to adjust how 3D you want the images to appear - have you checked the settings? It could certainly be something with your eyesight, but if it’s a setting, that even better. ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2011, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3ds-is-very-slick/576254/4 "2011-03-28T14:41:12Z")
There’s a slider which allows you to set the “level” of the 3D effect, although I’m not completely sure of what is being changed when you move the slider. I think it may just be the focal point of the effect, so it properly syncs up with the position of your eyes relative to the screen. You can also just turn the 3D off, which also gives a performance boost in some of the games. I think the 3D effect is cool, but even without it the 3DS is a nice system. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2011, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3ds-is-very-slick/576254/5 "2011-03-28T14:48:01Z")
My girlfriend and I tried one out at Best Buy. It hurt both our eyes. For what its worth, she wears eyeglasses and I don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2011, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3ds-is-very-slick/576254/6 "2011-03-28T16:00:26Z")
I tried one out at Best Buy. Nice novelty effect but after playing the Pilotwings demo for about 5 minutes my eyes felt strained. I don’t think I could play it for any extended amount of time. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2011, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3ds-is-very-slick/576254/7 "2011-03-28T17:19:39Z")
Does he still have [eyes](http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/)? ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2011, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3ds-is-very-slick/576254/8 "2011-03-28T19:06:02Z")
I waited in line to be the first (well, second) at EB Games to get mine on Sunday. Played a lot of Pilotwings and Ridge Racer. By the end of the night, I thought I could see depth on my laptop screen, where there wasn’t any…it was tweaking with my eyes! ---
**Author:** ![CyclopticXander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@CyclopticXander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CyclopticXander)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2011, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3ds-is-very-slick/576254/9 "2011-03-28T20:46:54Z")
> [@antonio107](#): > > I waited in line to be the first (well, second) at EB Games to get mine on Sunday. Played a lot of Pilotwings and Ridge Racer. By the end of the night, I thought I could see depth on my laptop screen, where there wasn’t any…it was tweaking with my eyes! I am experiencing this effect right now! It’s very strange and interesting to hear that from someone else. But it did get me to thinking that that technology could be really neat if they could get it to work on a screen this big. It could really make a desktop and menus pop. I suppose it’s sort of the same thing as when I used to play Tetris a lot and see shapes falling when I closed my eyes. And like that I’m sure it will go away soon enough. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3ds-is-very-slick/576254/10 "2011-03-29T00:46:56Z")
I went by Best Buy today and tried it out. It does work really well that’s for sure. The problem is I don’t see them finding a way to make the 3D necessary for games once people get past the novelty of the 3D itself. With the DS the second screen started off as a novelty and then turned into some that was integral to the games and they could only be played on THAT system. The 3D on the 3DS isn’t going to draw in gamers the same way IMHO as once everyone sees the effect in person the novelty will be gone for many of us. From a technical standpoint though it does work really well. Can’t deny that. ---
**Author:** ![CyclopticXander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@CyclopticXander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CyclopticXander)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3ds-is-very-slick/576254/11 "2011-03-29T00:59:59Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > I went by Best Buy today and tried it out. It does work really well that’s for sure. The problem is I don’t see them finding a way to make the 3D necessary for games once people get past the novelty of the 3D itself. With the DS the second screen started off as a novelty and then turned into some that was integral to the games and they could only be played on THAT system. > > The 3D on the 3DS isn’t going to draw in gamers the same way IMHO as once everyone sees the effect in person the novelty will be gone for many of us. > > From a technical standpoint though it does work really well. Can’t deny that. Considering Nintendo has mandated that all games must be playable in 2D, it is true that the 3D will never be integral to the gameplay.But neither do better graphics in general change the way a game is played, it does add something though. I don’t see the 3D as a frivolous thing. It will allow developers to create new kinds of experiences, and the potential for immersion is much greater. I for one don’t see myself going back to racing games without 3D, I really think it adds that much to the genre. ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3ds-is-very-slick/576254/12 "2011-03-29T01:04:49Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > I went by Best Buy today and tried it out. It does work really well that’s for sure. The problem is I don’t see them finding a way to make the 3D necessary for games once people get past the novelty of the 3D itself. With the DS the second screen started off as a novelty and then turned into some that was integral to the games and they could only be played on THAT system. > > The 3D on the 3DS isn’t going to draw in gamers the same way IMHO as once everyone sees the effect in person the novelty will be gone for many of us. > > From a technical standpoint though it does work really well. Can’t deny that. It’s a beautiful system, though, even sans 3D. Will admit that it’s gimmicky now. But I can see the combination of 3D and those silly cards that came with it creating something exciting. I’ve NEVER played an FPS on a handheld which I liked. The added depth of the 3D screen can go a long way to making the small screen bearable. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3ds-is-very-slick/576254/13 "2011-03-29T01:11:06Z")
> [@CyclopticXander](#): > > I for one don’t see myself going back to racing games without 3D, I really think it adds that much to the genre. Interesting addition - thanks for the insight. I’ve never been good at or enjoy racing games, but certainly recognize how big they are in the industry. I saw NBA 2K (or whatever it is these days) in 3D at Best Buy a few weeks ago, and was generally annoyed at the effects. But I bet FPSs could really benefit from it, and racing certainly makes sense (I never would have come up with that). ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3ds-is-very-slick/576254/14 "2011-03-29T04:15:25Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Interesting addition - thanks for the insight. I’ve never been good at or enjoy racing games, but certainly recognize how big they are in the industry. I saw NBA 2K (or whatever it is these days) in 3D at Best Buy a few weeks ago, and was generally annoyed at the effects. But I bet FPSs could really benefit from it, and racing certainly makes sense (I never would have come up with that). I **hate** racing games with a passion. Save two franchises: Super Mario Kart, and Ridge Racer. It annoys me to no end when my friend who never got a driver’s license can pull off these insane turns in Gran Turismo, and every one of the rest of our friends handles the corners like a one wheeled shopping cart. Ridge Racer, in my humble opinion as someone who typically doesn’t like racing games, is a consistent, amazing franchise. RR for the PSP was the first racing game that I was ever really “drawn into,” and they’ve repeated it with this one. ---
**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3ds-is-very-slick/576254/15 "2011-03-29T14:09:40Z")
I’d like the 3DS just because they finally included an analog joystick. The 3D is just a nice extra. Of course, I wouldn’t be playing it anyway, most of the time, but I bet my daughter will like it. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2011, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3ds-is-very-slick/576254/16 "2011-03-31T20:33:03Z")
I got to look at one, though not try it out. I didn’t have to turn it very far before it “blinked” out of its sweet spot. I’d be worried that would be a problem when playing an intense game. Anyone have that problem (or not)? ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2011, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3ds-is-very-slick/576254/17 "2011-03-31T20:49:43Z")
Tried it out at a Target. I couldn’t use the full 3D unless I took my glasses off. With my glasses on, I could go about halfway on the slider. It’s a nice system, and I agree with **chorpler** that I like the analog stick more than the 3D. ---
**Author:** ![StarsApart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@StarsApart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarsApart)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2011, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3ds-is-very-slick/576254/18 "2011-04-01T00:30:42Z")
I got a 3DS this past Sunday with Nintendogs and Street Fighter. I like it a lot - no issues with the 3D although I wear glasses. I think taking pictures with the 3D camera is my favorite thing so far. I have a picture of me pointing at the camera, and it really looks like I’m going to poke someone in the eye. 😃 The only thing I don’t like so far is not really being able to have someone else watch you play. The 3D only works at a specific angle, so nobody else can see your puppy or your street brawl very well; of course, you can just turn the 3D off in that case. ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2011, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3ds-is-very-slick/576254/19 "2011-04-01T04:51:13Z")
> [@StarsApart](#): > > I got a 3DS this past Sunday with Nintendogs and Street Fighter. I like it a lot - no issues with the 3D although I wear glasses. > > I think taking pictures with the 3D camera is my favorite thing so far. I have a picture of me pointing at the camera, and it really looks like I’m going to poke someone in the eye. 😃 > > The only thing I don’t like so far is not really being able to have someone else watch you play. The 3D only works at a specific angle, so nobody else can see your puppy or your street brawl very well; of course, you can just turn the 3D off in that case. Interested in a wi-fi Street Fighter Brawl? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2011, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3ds-is-very-slick/576254/20 "2011-04-01T17:15:11Z")
Actually just grabbed one of these. Sold my Wii because it was collecting dust and used the money to get one of these. I got street fighter pilot wings and steel diver. Not sure if I should open steel diver as it has gotten abysmal reviews. Anyone have it? Should I open it or take it back for ghost recon. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-3ds-is-very-slick/576254.md?page=2)