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3DS

Nintendo May Still Tweak 3DS Design

by Jon Lindemann - June 22, 2010, 5:29 am EDT
Total comments: 28 Source: IndustryGamers

Reggie Fils-Aime states that they are still judging feedback.

In an interview with IndustryGamers, Nintendo of America head Reggie Fils-Aime stated that the current design of their recently-revealed 3DS is not necessarily final.

He emphasized that part of what the company looks for at an event like E3 is feedback. "At an E3, our engineers are looking for feedback. You know, we have an army of Nintendo representatives out on our show floor talking to attendees, getting reactions to everything in the device: the depth slider, the buttons, the sliding pad that is, essentially, an analog-type stick. These are things that we’re looking to get reaction to, including the overall button placement. When we get all that feedback, then we’ll finalize the design."

Fils-Aime also expressed that Nintendo wished to gauge the E3 reaction to the 3DS before announcing launch and pricing details, as well as give themselves time to make "individual market decisions" for Japan, Europe, and the Americas before releasing the system.

He also reiterated that the device would ship in all major markets by March 31, 2011.

Talkback

AVJune 22, 2010

please add internal rumble. I would also want dual/multi input touch screen

CalibanJune 22, 2010

It needs a bigger 3D screen.

ToruresuJune 22, 2010

I would like both screens to be the same size. Wouldn't rumble eat the battery up too quick though?

steveyJune 22, 2010

GBA slot and support please?

Guitar SmasherJune 22, 2010

Quote from: Toruresu

I would like both screens to be the same size. Wouldn't rumble eat the battery up too quick though?

Yeah, it would be a big drain.  Not to mention that they tend to break easily, so it's not as simple as replacing a controller.

SarailJune 22, 2010

I just want the thing to NOT look like a Nintendo DS, which it still does.

That's one thing that I've always looked forward to when it comes to new Nintendo hardware.  It physically looks and feels different from previous hardware.  3DS just physically looks like a DS with two camera lenses on the top.

Quote from: Rachtman

I just want the thing to NOT look like a Nintendo DS, which it still does.

That's one thing that I've always looked forward to when it comes to new Nintendo hardware.  It physically looks and feels different from previous hardware.  3DS just physically looks like a DS with two camera lenses on the top.

What does it matter what it looks like? Why fix what's not broken?

SarailJune 22, 2010

That's the thing, though, man. The DS Lite is kinda uncomfortable in my hands, and I don't even have very large hands.  I would just like an aesthetic change in design, that's all.

broodwarsJune 22, 2010

I know it would up their production costs a bit, but I'd appreciate it if the bottom screen were the same size as the top screen.  It just looks odd to not have that symmetry on 3DS.  Having two of those sliding pads would be nice as well for possible future dual analog-type games (honestly, I'd rather have analog sticks, but since this is a flip-top handheld I guess that's not possible).

LouieturkeyJune 22, 2010

Quote from: stevey

GBA slot and support please?

Ummm...no.
Though a VC-type service is not out of the question.
I also would like both screens to be the same size.  My guess is they are saving money by continuing to use the same screen as the DSi so they can make a bigger profit. Changing to a widecreen touchscreen, while not a big change, would still make less profit for them so I don't see it happening.

DAaaMan64June 22, 2010

Here's my dream revision:

- Big ass Top screen.
- Dual Analog.
- New looks, these ones are meh. To DSish
- Better placement of L & R. Its to hard to use those buttons on the DS.
- Rumble (let me make my own choice about how much battery I waste), just allow me to turn it off.

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorJune 22, 2010

I'm with Rachtman.  I think back to the glory that is the GameCube controller and I miss that kind of form fitting design.  We're stuck in a nightmare of rectangles with Nintendo's designs and I wouldn't mind them taking a shot at making a more ergonomic 3DS.

However, most will call anything but sleek rectangles "ugly and dated" so they can't really win.

BlackNMild2k1June 22, 2010

Hardware
Larger 3D screen on the top OR touch screen the same size as the current 3D screen on top.
Also atleast 8GB of internal Flash memory and a minimum of 256MB of RAM to help out applications other than games too.
Concave the top lid so that it has a lip that closes flush with the bottom when closed like the current DS
3D camera on the inside too.
Bluetooth & USBmini (for managing internal and SD card memory)
Release in those beautiful pearl based colors you showed at E3


Software
Background OS that's games and software run within.
Multi-tasking, like background downloading and idle updates
Account log-in w/ friends list - NO GAME BY GAME FRIEND CODES
Downloads attached to account - not system
system attached to account - gotta log in to use online (prevents theft)

Quote from: Pale

I'm with Rachtman.  I think back to the glory that is the GameCube controller and I miss that kind of form fitting design.  We're stuck in a nightmare of rectangles with Nintendo's designs and I wouldn't mind them taking a shot at making a more ergonomic 3DS.

However, most will call anything but sleek rectangles "ugly and dated" so they can't really win.



It's gotta be appealing and not look like a toy. It's also gotta fit in your pocket or purse.
You want people to want to take this out in public with them and not be embarrassed to pull it out and use it.

I don't think they could make it more ergonomic without sacrificing portability.

Maybe something like the DSi XL, a separate larger model with bigger screens and a more ergonomic design, for people who don't need it to be portable.

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorJune 22, 2010

I dunno, the original GBA was relatively comfortable and just as portable and something like that could be improved on.  It would only take some small tweaks to make it feel a bit better I think.

Kytim89June 22, 2010

Quote from: BlackNMild2k1

Hardware
Larger 3D screen on the top OR touch screen the same size as the current 3D screen on top.
Also atleast 8GB of internal Flash memory and a minimum of 256MB of RAM to help out applications other than games too.
Concave the top lid so that it has a lip that closes flush with the bottom when closed like the current DS
3D camera on the inside too.
Bluetooth & USBmini (for managing internal and SD card memory)
Release in those beautiful pearl based colors you showed at E3


Software
Background OS that's games and software run within.
Multi-tasking, like background downloading and idle updates
Account log-in w/ friends list - NO GAME BY GAME FRIEND CODES
Downloads attached to account - not system
system attached to account - gotta log in to use online (prevents theft)

Quote from: Pale

I'm with Rachtman.  I think back to the glory that is the GameCube controller and I miss that kind of form fitting design.  We're stuck in a nightmare of rectangles with Nintendo's designs and I wouldn't mind them taking a shot at making a more ergonomic 3DS.

However, most will call anything but sleek rectangles "ugly and dated" so they can't really win.



It's gotta be appealing and not look like a toy. It's also gotta fit in your pocket or purse.
You want people to want to take this out in public with them and not be embarrassed to pull it out and use it.



Through in a matte finish like the DSi for the 3DS.

Allow me to take pictures from my SD card and use them as wall paper on the 3DS main(upper) screen. Perhaps they could be able to tickered with in 3D.

Make the 3D slider into something similar to the DSi voulume slider and make place it on the lower right portion of the top screen. I just worry about the slider getting broke if I dropped it or wearing out with use.

How would blue tooth and USB mini manage the internal memory of the 3DS?

I want 3DS apps similar, but better than those that Apple offers on the iphone.

I can not say this enough, Nintendo, gives us a virtual handheld service.

Allow a movie player that plays MPEG-4 and .AVI and is managable as the music player on the DSi.

Switch the position of the slide pad and the d-pad for nostalgic reasons.


BlackNMild2k1June 22, 2010

USBmini so I can hook it up to my computer(without having need for an SD card reader) and back-up files or drag and drop music/movies/videos/pics onto the internal Flash or SD card.

Bluetooth so that it can connect directly with peripherals such a headsets or even the Wii.
You can even use Bluetooth to manage data if you have that kind of equipment on your PC.

& DO NOT switch the position of the slide pad.
Do you really want to bump the slide pad on accident when trying to use the d-pad?
c'mon, think about it. Besides, most games are likely gonna be in 3D and primary control will be analog. Slider pad is where it needs to be.

Kytim89June 22, 2010

Quote from: BlackNMild2k1

USBmini so I can hook it up to my computer(without having need for an SD card reader) and back-up files or drag and drop music/movies/videos/pics onto the internal Flash or SD card.

Bluetooth so that it can connect directly with peripherals such a headsets or even the Wii.
You can even use Bluetooth to manage data if you have that kind of equipment on your PC.

& DO NOT switch the position of the slide pad.
Do you really want to bump the slide pad on accident when trying to use the d-pad?
c'mon, think about it. Besides, most games are likely gonna be in 3D and primary control will be analog. Slider pad is where it needs to be.


I like having plenty of internal flash memory and an SD card to back it up. I do like the idea of using a bluetooth headset for multiplayer gaming(Call of Duty 3DS?) and also Skype enable communication. I hav e aboput 4 GB of music on my DSi and I could just store that data onto my 3DS's internal memory and use the free space to store movies and TV shows.

The potential for the 3DS is just without end. There is much that Nintendo could with this device that it is just too appealing to pass it up when it releases(November 2010?).

SarailJune 22, 2010

Quote from: BlackNMild2k1

It's gotta be appealing and not look like a toy. It's also gotta fit in your pocket or purse.
You want people to want to take this out in public with them and not be embarrassed to pull it out and use it.

Once again, I have NEVER put a handheld console/portable/whatever in my pocket to carry around.  I stays in my hand... or wherever I'm gonna carry it to. That's just it... I think the whole "carrying it in your pocket" thing is just a farce.  Make it ergonomic in design... form fitting like Pale said. I want a comfy to hold portable from Nintendo... and the DS, and from what I can tell of the 3DS, ARE NOT.  Ugh.

I carry my DS around with me in my pocket.

SarailJune 22, 2010

Well then you've gotta be in the minority, man. 'Cause I just don't see that as being a selling point.  Most I ever carried mine was in a sleeve inside my backpack that I carried around campus during my college years.

I could see doing that while living in a city such as Boston or NYC that requires you to walk to get to wherever you wanna go. But designing a system with sharp angles is such a turn off...

I agree with Pale on the design of the original GBA, too.  I loved the way that portable felt... and definitely wouldn't mind seeing the 3DS take on a similar form.

SheckyJune 22, 2010

How was sound controlled on the E3 units?  I hope they get away from sound controlled by a slider.

In fact a set of sound up/down buttons would be great.  Cycle through some logical audio levels.  The same buttons could double for say brightness if you hold down one of the others.  It be nice to be able to adjust brightness on my DS on the fly instead of only being able to do it at the startup screen.

Quote from: Shecky

How was sound controlled on the E3 units?  I hope they get away from sound controlled by a slider.

In fact a set of sound up/down buttons would be great.  Cycle through some logical audio levels.  The same buttons could double for say brightness if you hold down one of the others.  It be nice to be able to adjust brightness on my DS on the fly instead of only being able to do it at the startup screen.

Both of those things are part of the DSi, and given the similarities between the DSi and the 3DS as it was at E3 indicate they're probably still there.

Mop it upJune 23, 2010

Quote from: Rachtman

Well then you've gotta be in the minority, man. 'Cause I just don't see that as being a selling point.

I'd actually be curious to see some data on this. I don't know what most people would be carrying their portables in if not a pocket. Perhaps it's time for a forum poll...?

ArbokJune 24, 2010

Quote from: Rachtman

Well then you've gotta be in the minority, man. 'Cause I just don't see that as being a selling point.  Most I ever carried mine was in a sleeve inside my backpack that I carried around campus during my college years.

Well place me in the minority as well, because I place my DS in my pocket as well.

GoldenPhoenixJune 24, 2010

Quote from: Mop

Quote from: Rachtman

Well then you've gotta be in the minority, man. 'Cause I just don't see that as being a selling point.

I'd actually be curious to see some data on this. I don't know what most people would be carrying their portables in if not a pocket. Perhaps it's time for a forum poll...?

Their purse?

Mop it upJune 24, 2010

In the rare instances I travel with a Game Boy, that's usually where I put it. I don't like having things in pockets, if my clothes happen to have them. But I've always assumed I was an exception.

NemoJune 25, 2010

My DS Phat is too big for a "normal" pocket, but I used to carry it around in my cargo pockets all the time. I think I might have carried the GBA SP around in any pocket...

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