Topic: Chris Kohler trolls the 3DS

[ShyGuy]

The Friend of RFN thinks the 3DS is the next PSP. Oh Chris, go back to your Retronauts.

http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2011/01/nintendo-3ds-analysis/

[MegaByte]

I agree with a lot of his observations, but I'm not yet willing to make that sort of prediction.

[Kytim89]

This is understandable considering that Nintendo designs their consoles to be one step behind the competition but at the same time ahead of it in some sense. It seems that Nintendo is anticipating that Sony will surpass the 3DS in graphics and that is what they want: Repeat the DS versus PSP battle and hope that is goes in Nintendo's favour this time. However, lightning does not strike twice.
 
To be honest, I do not mind the 3DS having PSP level graphics because I have never owned a PSP and I have to admit that I was getting slightly board with the DS and was considering moving over to the PSP. The 3DS helped keep my interest in Nintendo's handheld for a little longer.
 
I do see a potential danger from Nintendo's two main handheld competitors, Apple and Sony, finding a way to beat the 3DS this round. Apple could release a cheaper, more game oriented Iphone with 3D for casuals with cheap DS/3DS-esque games and then Sony could reinforce the PSP 2 with a better 3D because they have a more robust technological base than Nintendo and then put the 3DS in a pincer attack. I am curious to see how Nintendo beats both Apple and Sony this time with the 3DS.

[nickmitch]

I just don't believe that there's as much overlap between the iPhone market and the 3DS market as he does. By that I mean, I don't think there's that many people who will say, "Why would I buy a 3DS when I can play games on my smartphone?"

And then there's what BNM posted, which negates one of his major points.

[BlackNMild2k1]

To be honest, I do not mind the 3DS having PSP level graphics because I have never owned a PSP and I have to admit that I was getting slightly board with the DS and was considering moving over to the PSP. The 3DS helped keep my interest in Nintendo's handheld for a little longer.

It's a good thing the 3DS doesn't have PSP level graphics. It's much closer to Wii level than PSP level. and if you put a PSP game next to a 3DS game, you will see how much better the best looking 3DS "launch window" game looks in comparison to the best looking PSP game period.

[Ian Sane]

By portable standards the 3DS seems pretty cutting edge to me.  If it's a generation behind then the DS was as well.  The DS was a clear step up from the GBA and the 3DS is a clear step up from the DS.  It seems like a logical and reasonable upgrade.

With the Wii it wasn't one lone guy from Wired.com pointing out how last gen it was.  Everyone noticed it from day one.  Day one it was "WTF?!  These look like Gamecube games!"  And then Nintendo was hiding the specs and being all coy and then we squeezed "2 or 3 times as powerful" from them.  It was clear that motion control was the only thing impressive at all about the Wii.  But with the 3DS it isn't just the 3D.  The graphics are impressing almost everyone.  Even if the PSP2 has better specs it's clear the 3DS is a step up and is not relying on a gimmick alone to differentiate it from its predecessor.

As for the iPhone I think it is a threat.  The DS had its share of non-gamers that bought Brain Age and dick all else.  iPhone games may be good enough for them and are way cheaper and that demographic wants an iPhone more than any videogame system.  I think that's a very real threat.  You can say iPhone games are junk but when does this matter with non-gamers?  I think a dedicated videogame handheld is going to be more for the videogame enthusiast who needs more than Angry Birds.

[KisakiProject]

I was actually thinking a lot of this before he posted it.  I agree on every point.

[Chozo Ghost]

Okay, so some quote unquote "analyst" is making doom and gloom predictions about upcoming Nintendo hardware? Why does this seem so familiar?

[Shaymin]

Kohler's not normally the type to go "zomg nintendo's going 3rd party", and with the 3DS store coming in day 1 by way of patch, the argument is weakened. Still, it is something to consider.

Still, Nintendo has enough IP to carry this system on its own for a generation.

[GoldenPhoenix]

So a handheld that has cutting edge 3D technology, something hasn't been seen  before on handhelds, and one of the strongest 3rd party lineups at launch of any of their handhelds is now going to fail? Right, sounds like last generation with DS vs PSP.

[tyrian3]

I read the whole article, and I don't see any reason to call him a troll. Actually I agree with many of the points raised in that piece and share a fair amount of skepticism with the author. After E3 I started saving up for a day-1 purchase, but in the following months my excitement cooled off and now I decided not to buy one for at least several months after its release, or maybe even wait for a "lite" 18-24 months after the launch.

[Sarail]

I think I've decided I'm gonna wait and buy the 3DS once Kid Icarus releases. That's the only major release fueling any fire I have for the system. Oh, and also a new Monster Hunter. I can only imagine how epic that game will be on the 3DS. Super psyched for that.

[Chozo Ghost]

There is no way the 3DS could possibly be a failure when it is building off of the DS (the most popular system of all time). Just the fact that it is reverse compatible with the DS is enough to guarantee it some success. It also carries on the widely recognized "DS" name brand.

[BlackNMild2k1]

It also has the second biggest buzz word of the day in it's name, the only way the name could be more buzz worthy on top of being recognized was if they called it
the Nintendo 3DS HD

[MegaByte]

One of his points can be demonstrated by

There is no way the 3DSPS3 could possibly be a failure when it is building off of the DSPS2 (the most popular system of all time). Just the fact that it is reverse compatible with the DSPS2 is enough to guarantee it some success. It also carries on the widely recognized "DSPlayStation" name brand.

[nickmitch]

One of his points can be demonstrated by

There is no way the 3DSPS3 could possibly be a failure when it is building off of the DSPS2 (the most popular system of all time). Just the fact that it is reverse compatible with the DSPS2 is enough to guarantee it some success. It also carries on the widely recognized "DSPlayStation" name brand.

Which can be countered with "five hundred and ninety-nine US dollars" and "giant enemy crabs" and "Riiiiiiiiiiidge RACER!!" Sony killed the hype of its own machine. I think the 3DS is maintaining its steam going in to the release date.

[GoldenPhoenix]

One of his points can be demonstrated by

There is no way the 3DSPS3 could possibly be a failure when it is building off of the DSPS2 (the most popular system of all time). Just the fact that it is reverse compatible with the DSPS2 is enough to guarantee it some success. It also carries on the widely recognized "DSPlayStation" name brand.

Which can be countered with "five hundred and ninety-nine US dollars" and "giant enemy crabs" and "Riiiiiiiiiiidge RACER!!" Sony killed the hype of its own machine. I think the 3DS is maintaining its steam going in to the release date.

Exactly, E3 was a BOMB for Sony, the seeds were already sewn for it to do poorly out of the gate. 3DS had MAJOR hype at E3 and that hype continues now. Even the price point, while not loved by people is far from the negativity PS3's price of $600 received. The similarities between the two systems is strained at best, not to mention the hype of the Wii also contributed to the PS3's lackluster start along with the 360 being released a year previous. There is no similarity between the situations, right now there is nothing comparable to 3DS.

[MaryJane]

Also, the PS3 is not a failure, it's just in 3rd place, or 2nd place depending on how you look at it.

Another thing to consider is that is unlikely that the PSP2 will be less than $300, and if Apple releases a 3D iPhone it will probably be $250 or more because I imagine they would also release a non-3D $200 model or just figure that having 3D (with a slider or option to turn it off) is as good a reason as any to boost the price and thus their profits. So the 3DS is competitively priced against its competition.

I really think that the only that could hamper 3DS sales is its lack of a phone. If you can do Skype over Wifi, that might save it, but a 4G antenna in the revision, along with a price drop to $150 through wireless carrier subsidies would solve that... Almost makes me wish the 3DS would fail so Nintendo would be forced to add it... almost.

[MegaByte]

Also, the PS3 is not a failure, it's just in 3rd place, or 2nd place depending on how you look at it.

Kohler didn't say the 3DS would fail either; it will certainly do well at least at first.  The PSP comparison he made is more apt.

[Guitar Smasher]

Also, the PS3 is not a failure, it's just in 3rd place, or 2nd place depending on how you look at it.

PS3 blew all the profits generated by the previous gen.  What do you consider failure?

[ThePerm]

i have one of Kohler's books, and all i can just say is he's being a journalist. I think he's wrong though. You can't compare Nintendo to Sony in handhelds because they have a 21 year old track record of successful handheld game systems. If the system has the games, then people will buy it. 3DS will have the games. It will have Nintendo made games which are generally million sellers out of the gate, and it will have some of the best 3rd party franchises. Sony can't claim this, and apple can't claim this. They only get half of that equation.

[Chozo Ghost]

One of his points can be demonstrated by

There is no way the 3DSPS3 could possibly be a failure when it is building off of the DSPS2 (the most popular system of all time). Just the fact that it is reverse compatible with the DSPS2 is enough to guarantee it some success. It also carries on the widely recognized "DSPlayStation" name brand.

That would be a good point, except that I don't think the PS3 could really be considered a failure. It had a VERY slow start (thanks to the $600 price tag mainly), but now that its at a more reasonable price its selling well. Even though its in 3rd place you can't call it a failure because the sales of it are actually on the rise, so its not like its on a downward spiral like the Dreamcast was.

The $249 price tag of the 3DS is a bit steep by handheld standards ($100 more than the original DS), but at least its not $600, so I don't think the reason for the PS3's sluggish growth really applies here. Its going to sell well, maybe not at first because it comes out in March which isn't a strong time of year for sales, but after awhile those after burners will kick in.

[BlackNMild2k1]

PS3 succeeded in being the #1 Bluray player world wide.
But it failed at keeping the Playstation brand as the #1 console in gaming today. It failed pretty bad in that area. Not a total loss, but definitely not up to expectations.

[MaryJane]

The Wii succeeded in being the number one console but largely failed in being a "serious" gaming machine. You gotta take what you can get, and sales for any reason are still sales.

[SixthAngel]

There is already something that is analagous to this situation.  PC and consoles.

A pc is a multitasking device that people already have that plays games with a default control set.  Consoles let you play on a bigger screen with better controls and are simplified to a single version that all the games play on.  Its an extremely similar situation except the i stuff has almost none of the kind of games that acutally sell on the current ds.  If the 3ds has the games people want to play people will buy it.  Its that simple

Complaining that the online store will have to be downloaded (probably on launch day) is bullshit.  It will probably be available on launch or close to it so this will have almost no effect.  With his emphasis on DD he is like a lot of people talk about DD being the future; they forget that the future is not now.  It is in the future because it can't happen now for whatever reason.

I also see big potential problems with a 3d touch screen.  I get the feeling the 3ds has the 3d only on top for a reason.

Its a good troll. He basically says how amazing the 3ds and then says what if, what if, what if, what if.

The Wii succeeded in being the number one console but largely failed in being a "serious" gaming machine. You gotta take what you can get, and sales for any reason are still sales.

I believe it is currently the number one console of all time for this time in their lifecycles.  Don't put some bullshit "serious" moniker after it.