Topic: New 3DS Add-On in the Works? Redesign on the Way?

[Chozo Ghost]

Nintendo could VERY easily release a Right Slide Pad kit that includes the tools, minus the soldering iron, to replace the front plate on the 3DS and have users manually install the second pad slide onto the 3DS themselves. Sure, not everyone has the technical know-how to do this correctly without bricking the system but those are extremely minor concerns. Traditional gaming controls on 3DS are just a couple dozen easy steps and firmware update away.

I agree with Insanolord that this just isn't going to happen. But it could be possible Nintendo could have a program where people can send their 3DS units in to Nintendo and they will make the upgrade and then ship it back. Or just have a product recall and then send 3DS owners the new dual slider 3DS model free of charge.

[NWR_insanolord]

I'm more playing devil's advocate at this point, as I think the whole thing is ridiculous, except maybe a redesign of the 3DS next year. This second slide pad thing is nonsense.

[Adrock]

I was joking. Nintendo couldn't trust people to wave the Wii remote lightly without breaking their televisions and children's jaws. Of course, they aren't releasing a do-it-yourself 3DS slide pad install kit. Jesus...... /facepalm

[NWR_insanolord]

Yeah, I got that, I was just making sure no one thought I actually believed it was going to happen at all, as opposed to arguing for the sake of arguing as I am.

[MegaByte]

If this was ever a concern, they should have gone with the reconfigurable snap-in control modules that they used to prototype the 3DS.

[oohhboy]

If it was a recall program I could see this working, but this would cost Nintendo some very serious money. But the implications of them dropping the 3D feature into obscurity is outright insane and ranks this rumour as Grade A bull.

[TJ Spyke]

As I mentioned in the rumor threat, I think this is all BS and there is 0% chance of it being real.

[Flipster]

Honestly aside from the occasionally far too squeaky d-pad on systems such as mine, I don't mind the current design of the 3DS at all and feel Nintendo did a good job with it (though I do think that their branding may confuse some people and I wouldn't mind them coming out with a new and improved model). However, I'm really hoping these new ideas Nintendo has will be applied to the Wii U before its release so that it may get some major overhauling and revisions, but that's me.

[NWR_pap64]

Personally, I don't believe it either. At first, I read this as Nintendo completely dropping the 3DS in favor of a new handheld, turning it into the Virtual Boy 2.0. But as I read more into it, they seem to be suggesting a re-design of the 3DS with a different focus in the marketing department. Nintendo is currently selling the glasses free 3D as being THE selling point of the system. However, not only have they tried to warn about its dangers on children, it is hard to show it off through marketing.

When the 3DS was revealed in 2010, I had a HARD time accepting it. Everyone kept saying how amazing it was, and yet it was hard for me to believe in it, because I heard were WORDS. The screens didn't do it justice. The main reason I got interested was because the game looked GOOD. Sure, I still wanted to see how the 3D worked, but it was the software behind it that sold the system to me.

I think this is what the new marketing strategy might be: the games. It has been proven time and time again that a system might have all the best features in the world, but it is all worthless if it doesn't have the software to back it up. I think Nintendo learned this the hard way with the 3DS. They spent so much time selling the 3D and the non game features they had very little games to show the system off.

Dare I say it, this seems to be the same rehash of the DS incident back in 2004.

Let me detail it...

- The DS was revealed in 2004 at E3. Players were impressed by it. The tech demos looked great and showed a lot of promise

- DS is released in the Fall of the same year. The launch line up is extremely weak, mostly consisting of tech demo based games and ports of older games.

- The DS suffers a terrible first half, which few noteworthy releases here and there. It wasn't until the Fall of 2005 that the system finally started to receive interesting games, games that gamers wanted to play.

- The success of Nintendogs with non-players kind of forced Nintendo to change strategy. Up until its release, the DS was mainly sold as a system for Nintendo fans, which its first selection of games being aimed at the Nintendo loyal.

- A DS Lite is announced in 2006. The system is slimmer, has a better battery life and, most importantly, a much brighter screen. The price is reduced, and it is released with games that interest a lot of fans, such as Brain Age and New Super Mario Bros.

- By the end of 2006, the system received a lot of great third party releases alongside noteworthy Nintendo titles. The presence is expanded, and the DS is finally the success Nintendo hoped it would be.

The 3DS seems to be going through a similar process. The best games will be released either in the Fall or next year and the system has seen a price reduction. I think that before the end of 2012 we will see a new 3DS model. It certainly won't be a brand new handheld ad this report is suggestion, but it will address all of the concerns of the old model, it will be more attractive to the consumer and the price will be reduced even further.

Remember that the DS saw four hardware models before its life cycle ended, so I think the 3DS might also see several revisions during its time in the market.

[KDR_11k]

Nintendo is currently selling the glasses free 3D as being THE selling point of the system. However, not only have they tried to warn about its dangers on children, it is hard to show it off through marketing.

And even when you've fixed those problems it's still just a silly gimmick that people don't care about.


The 3DS needs killer apps and I don't see those on the horizon. Nintendogs clearly didn't work at all.

[NWR_pap64]

Not to mention a gimmick that not everyone can enjoy due to either the 3D not working for them (as it was the case with insanolord) or making them sick. The DS had the touch screen. That was something everyone could easily understand and actually made the system appealing. The 3D, however, is EVERYWHERE, and like I mentioned, not everyone can enjoy it.


Although, I am more optimistic about future games. I am actually very excited for upcoming games, even stuff like  Star Fox 64 3D.

[Crimm]

They have recently started a new ad campaign that almost ignores the 3D elements of the system.


I love this rumor, it's so insane it makes me smile.

[leahsdad]

And even when you've fixed those problems it's still just a silly gimmick that people don't care about.

Well, I guess I ain't people, cuz I love the 3D, love my 3DS.  Stuff that's collecting dust in my home because of my 3DS:  My Wii, my DS lite, my DSi XL, Starcraft II, BLOPS.  Seriously.  You know who's got 2 thumbs,  bought $100 worth of downloadables and 8 retail 3DS games so far?  This guy.

The 3DS needs killer apps and I don't see those on the horizon. Nintendogs clearly didn't work at all.

 

From a purely business standpoint, you know what the 3DS seems to obviously need, no brainer, but Nintendo seems to have no plans of bringing out?  A new Super Mario Bros for the 3DS.  I mean, what's the game that you see every DS owner from age 8 to 18 playing at Chili's or whatever family restaurant you have in your neck of the woods?  Chances are high that it's New Super Mario Bros.   I would say I see this even more often than a kid playing Black, White, Soulsilver, whatever.  My niece has a lite and I swear, every time she busts that thing out, it's got that game, as if she doesn't own a single other game cart. 

Of course, whether you could design a new side scroller Mario that would be good or would take good advantage of 3D or 3DS hardware, that's a different conversation.  But from a purely business standpoint, it would put DS's in the hands of kids.

[marty]

I don't doubt that Nintendo is "working" on an analog stick attachment--I Just don't see releasing it as a viable option.

3d is not selling the system, evidently.

[ejamer]

Hmm... which is more efficient. Creating software that people want to boost demand for a product that has seen limited support, or ditching said product for another revision and burning what install base you do have in the process?

[Ceric]

...
Actually this was already done, quite successfully I might add, with Motion Plus on the Wii. Is there really any reason to doubt this could happen when Nintendo has already done it before with Motion Plus?

We need to sit down and talk about your definition of Success.  Motion Plus is a flop, Period.  I still don't own one and I'm  a regular on these forums.  For goodness sakes I have Wii Speak and I don't have Motion Plus.  I don't even own Animal Crossing.  My Wii has a Keyboard...  It is literally the only accessory I don't have that isn't a glorified plastic shell.

This sound a lot like an F1 Race Car maker deciding its F1 Racers have a problem because they're not Street Legal and don't have a Passenger seat.  Which are unneeded for an F1 Racer. 

I like my 3DS it is bar none my favorite incarnation of DS-Game playing devices.  At this point my little 3DS has probably traveled with my more than my DS in its whole lifetime and I had one since Midnight launch.

I like the Device.  Its Nintendo handling of the device and in particular NoA handling of the device which is killing it.

That all being said such a radical redesign would warrant a free replacement unit for every 3DS owner if they want it to be used.  That would be a way to seed the market to Smartphones and the Vita.  I mean what could they add to the Vita?

[Adrock]

Nintendo made the mistake of marketing 3D as the reason to buy 3DS. Sure, it's a gimmick, but gimmicks aren't inherently bad. The problem with 3D is that it's not even close to the best thing about 3DS. 3D is a bonus and the fact that 3DS is a great system is what Nintendo should be shilling in their marketing campaigns. I'm playing through Ocarina of Time and the touchscreen improves the game so immensely that I don't know how I played this game any other way. The slide pad also shits all over the N64's stick.

A revision with a second slider could work so long as no game requires it. It may not be the best way and Nintendo would probably be better off tossing the idea, but it's the only way this could conceivably work. Every 3DS game would need to work on both versions of the hardware even if one has an additional perk.

[MaryJane]

Yeah, not everyone is sold on 3D so I can see them changing market strategy, and if they're serious about dual analog, a redesign makes sense, what they should do however, is give the new nub free to people who bought early.

[Ceric]

Nintendo made the mistake of marketing 3D as the reason to buy 3DS. Sure, it's a gimmick, but gimmicks aren't inherently bad. The problem with 3D is that it's not even close to the best thing about 3DS. 3D is a bonus and the fact that 3DS is a great system is what Nintendo should be shilling in their marketing campaigns. I'm playing through Ocarina of Time and the touchscreen improves the game so immensely that I don't know how I played this game any other way. The slide pad also shits all over the N64's stick.

A revision with a second slider could work so long as no game requires it. It may not be the best way and Nintendo would probably be better off tossing the idea, but it's the only way this could conceivably work. Every 3DS game would need to work on both versions of the hardware even if one has an additional perk.

I agree.  The 3D is a perk of the 3DS but by no means is it the key feature for me.  I like it don't get me wrong but:

The Pedometer.  I actually use that a lot and it keeps it with me.
eShop.  DK94 alone Justifies its existence to me.
Circle Pad.  Yes,  I would have plopped down $200 if this was just a DSXL revision with a Slide Pad.  I like it that much.
UI.  In General it's improved.
Netflix Support.  Not super important but I do use it.
Streetpass.  I don't get many but I have gotten a 3 Street fighter ones and 16 Miis.  Not having to have a game in to do those is brilliant.
Find Mii.  Even if you don't get Streetpasses you can use coins to play it and it fun for some reason or another.
Actually useable Volume Slider.  Yes that was a pet peeve of mine on the other 2 DSes I've owned.  Not to mention the speakers are better to me and I can hear surround type Audio better.

There is a lot going for the system.  Plus its beefier than the DS.  I've got the Nyko Extended battery the makes it not so slim and fit better on my hands.  They need to market all that and 3D is just implied.  Though I mean where else are you going to take things?

If they do totally toss the farm with a new revision they might as well take it fully to the standard controller of the day for better or worse.  The device could be thicker so you could have your R2 and L2 as well.

[Zeldaguy64]

I think this rumour is a load of walrus excretion. Even if it's true, Nintendo know what they're doing and no amount of arguing is going to stop them.

[NintendoFanboy]

OK. i would quite happily buy a DS4 ( for lack of a better name)
but here is what i want. More beef, faster GPU, Faster CPU, ram, ok,More is always better.
Higher res screen, like 468 x 360   3 inch bottom screen and 520 x 360  top screen.
dual slide pads,bigger battery, and closer to but not equal to the XL size.
i know if there is truth to this rumor, we may get a second slide pad, and more of a
DSlite like case.
  Battery, we dont need no stinkin batteries. lol
OH, and my More beef bigger screens and batteries machine, i'll plunk down $250
for again. thank you.

[Adrock]

I still wouldn't pay more than $170 for all of that. Nintendo would be borderline retarded... actually, I don't want to insult mentally challenged people with this comparison... Nintendo would be a special brand of stupid to ever launch another handheld for $250, even if it somehow also managed to cure cancer and unhook girls' bras by merely being in its presence. An MSRP of $169.99 is a sweet spot. It's still a bit pricey but it's low enough that many people would still bite.

[Bman87301]

If (and that's a big if) they do go the renaming route, we can most likely expect the triumphant return of the still untarnished 'Game Boy' brand. And just as with the DS to the GBA, it'll be presented as their 'third pillar' until it quietly replaces the 3DS altogether.

Though I do think doing that would be a major overraction. Nintendo needs to stay the course with the '3DS' branding. The 3D aspect may not be  selling systems, but I don't think it's hurting sales either, so the removal of '3D' from the name isn't necessary, they just need to start marketing the other features more.

While I certainly can't speak for the entire general public, I do know the reasons why I didn't initially get a 3DS-- the price was too high and it was released right at a time when both gas and food prices were on the rise. That, combined with the fact that there weren't any must-have games and Nintendo's increasingly frequent pattern of releasing hardware revisions, it only made sense to wait.

It certainly wasn't from a lack of interest of the 3D.

What I think this really is is just Nintendo running by some new ideas to developers and coming up with alternative ideas in case of the event that the price drop doesn't work. They were caught off guard by 3DS's low numbers and simply looking at how to react to it.

I don't think the price drop was effort to get rid of current units for a revision. For one thing, why would they now be releasing a new red version of the current model?

From what I can tell, the price drop is working, so while I'm sure these add-ons are under development and name change concepts are currently being looked at, I don't see any of it actually seeing the day of light... Then again, I thought the same thing when rumors about the DSi XL first started.

[TJ Spyke]

The DS brand is too successful to dump, and I would say that the Game Boy Micro hurt the brand at least a little.

[Adrock]

We don't need to go back to a single screened handheld. That's a step backwards.