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Release Dates

NEW RELEASES GRiD 2
Release date: 05/28/13

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Release date: 05/28/13

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Release date: 06/04/13

The Last of Us
Release date: 06/14/13

3DS Turns One: A Year In 3D

Posted on Wednesday, March 28 @ 12:48:00 Eastern by Daniel Bischoff

A year ago, Josh_Laddin wrote in his review of the Ninendo 3DS:

I unflinchingly recommend the 3DS to anyone who enjoys handheld gaming, cool gadgets, or even just showing off to friends. The $250 price tag might scare some away, but the great potential of the system is plain as day. With the immersive AR capabilities, backwards compatibility for DS titles, awesome graphics, and of course, glasses-free 3D, this is one monster of a handheld.

Today, moreso than ever before, the Nintendo 3DS has fulfilled the promise its hardware made at launch. We've written countless words about the 3DS, and one year later, let's look back on the system's launch, first holiday season, and some of the best games available for the 3DS now.

The Launch

Keri's ol' outlet Kombo.com posted a video detailing exactly how the 3DS works. The short answer? Magic. The long answer? I don't know, but apparently, as I wrote in a prior manifesto:

The 3DS uses stereoscopic images, directed at the user's eyes for convenience, to achieve its 3D effect. Everyone's seen stereoscopic images online where the 3D end-result comes from crossing your eyes and giving yourself a big headache. I've never been able to accomplish that feat. Besides, my eyes are messed up enough as it is.

If that wasn't enough, Josh answered the rest of our questions in a handy FAQ.

The Nintendo 3DS had a... less than stellar launch lineup. Games like Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition and Pilotwings Resort just couldn't prop up gamer's tents. Where were the Marios and Zeldas?!

Despite the positive reviews and excitement surrounding the newest piece of gaming hardware in years, $250 was pretty steep, so Anthony rounded up the best deals for eager early adopters (like himself!). Still, the best retailers could do was offer credit towards another purchase or bonus cash for trading in an older DS system.

The Cut

Following the launch of the 3DS, Nintendo found themselves with slipping sales figures and diving profits. Apparently, glasses-free 3D still doesn't hide the doom and gloom from the picture. The next move from the fabled Japanese publisher, the summertime-pick-up The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, would have to be a drastic one.

Certainly, the early adopters would agree that slashing the Nintendo 3DS system price from $249.99 to $169.99 would be drastic enough. Having a Zelda on store shelves next to the newly reduced price didn't hurt the 3DS either, but now the most dedicated Nintendo fans were hurting from the cut.

Rightfully guessing that early adopters would need to be rewarded for supporting the company in its new hardware gamble, Nintendo announced that 20 free games would be handed out to 3DS owners who bought the system at the original $249.99 price. Classic Nintendo titles can apparently heal all wounds.

Next page: The 3DS also rises....

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Tags: 3DS, Nintendo

Comments

tinymhg
Joined: Jun 2011

Posted: Mar 28th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
I still need to get one, and Mario, and Zelda, and Starfox

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Guernica
Joined: Mar 2009

Posted: Mar 28th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
I didn't pick mine up until Zelda came out but it's been a great handheld and I've put a lot of hours into it.

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Barth_Vader
Joined: Nov 2005

Posted: Mar 29th, 2012 at 12:41 am
horrible system, i wish 3d would die a brutal, painful death. god damn it i hate 3D

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