Nintendo GOing Forward.

[Shifty Geezer]

Not... again... every handheld Nintendo ever made had competition from similar devices (much) more powerful then Nintendo...

But very lacking in other areas. This is no longer the case where competition comes from mobile devices that offer far better all-round functionality and value than a handheld games console.

Anyway how cares about hardware? The majority of smartphones sold is lower end devices, not high end

Not sure about that. The best selling phones, at least individual models, are the high-end phones. Furthermore, 3DS can't compete with even the low end phones on performance.

3DS might not be the fastest but its cheap and has tons of games available. For a lot of people that is more than enough.

For less and less people. If it was enough, Nintendo wouldn't be rolling out a new SKU. One that needs an upgrade to play the better games of the future, which is what better hardware is needed for. Only instead of producing a truly next-gen handheld, they are producing an iterative upgrade. It remains to be seen how much faster the CPU is.

Anyway I don't expect a lot of games to be new 3DS only.

If they're not, why add a faster CPU? If they are, the install base is split, in which case why not launch a fully new device? I'd say that Nintendo hardware is always developed first and foremost for Nintendo game, so I'm guessing Nintendo themselves want more CPU power. I can't imagine this change coming without it being supported by the software engineers and their creative visions.

 

[ArcticCircle]

Looks like Amiibo figures cost $12.99 each. While Nintendo makes bizarre business moves all the time, I think selling plastic garbage to hardcore fans is genious. Why sell only Smash game when you can sell Smash game and 12* $12.99 = $155.88 worth of figures

 

[tongue_of_colicab]

But very lacking in other areas. This is no longer the case where competition comes from mobile devices that offer far better all-round functionality and value than a handheld games console.

Except for playing games. I've owned high end phones for the past 6 years and the only really fun games I every played on them is Pokemon on a emulator. Why? Because it's a real game and not some mindless screen tapping exercise.

Not sure about that. The best selling phones, at least individual models, are the high-end phones. Furthermore, 3DS can't compete with even the low end phones on performance.

And low end, nor high end smartphones can compete when it comes to quality of games and input methods.

For less and less people. If it was enough, Nintendo wouldn't be rolling out a new SKU. One that needs an upgrade to play the better games of the future, which is what better hardware is needed for. Only instead of producing a truly next-gen handheld, they are producing an iterative upgrade. It remains to be seen how much faster the CPU is.

Well they did the same thing with the DS and DSi on a similar timeframe so maybe this is just a step up to a totally new handheld in 1 or 2 years time.

If they're not, why add a faster CPU? If they are, the install base is split, in which case why not launch a fully new device? I'd say that Nintendo hardware is always developed first and foremost for Nintendo game, so I'm guessing Nintendo themselves want more CPU power. I can't imagine this change coming without it being supported by the software engineers and their creative visions.

I'm not sure but I think there was only a small amount of DSi only retails games.

 

[Exophase]

Tranlsating is betraying.
I would assume the translation isn't quite accurately reflecting his thoughts.

I was wondering this too. Like maybe he meant to say something more like "it's a shame" than pathetic..

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Except for playing games.

For people who like playing proper games, you're right. But a lot of Nintendo's old handheld audience seems to be happily satisfied with the gaming limitations of mobile. These mobile devices offer all the gaming they want along with better specs and performance and functionality.

And low end, nor high end smartphones can compete when it comes to quality of games and input methods.

See above. If Cut-The-Rope and Angry Birds and Flappy Bird is good enough for someone, they don't need discrete controls.

I'm not sure but I think there was only a small amount of DSi only retails games.

You're right. 5 according to Wiki. So why bother? Nintendo are so weird!

 

[orangpelupa]

wait what?
so nintendo have 4DS that have backward compatibility with 3DS.

Then they name it as "New 3DS". Have they not learn from the naming confusion people get from Wii - Wii U?

edit:
just watched the ND video. why iwata-san sitting? does his health still not back to normal?

edit2:
i think iwata-san still unwell. his eye gradually become imbalanced to the end of ND

 

[liolio]

It is official they lost it.. completely.
Nothing really new mostly milking fans while there is still some juice left.
I expect nothing really new of the silicon side of things, mostly an up-clock and new (big) games are likely to require it => force an (/another) upgrade on fans... while growing the delta with potential costumers whether they are core or casual gamers.

 

[orangpelupa]

microtransaction to creeping to real life via theme/case plate.

but i think none of the new money grabbing move will change the gaming experience in bad way. for now those are strictly to optional and cosmetic stuff.

 

[Deleted member 13524]

Did Nintendo just commit business suicide?

As said above, Miyamoto doesn't speak english, so I believe this is just a bad translation.
The sentence itself doesn't fit with Miyamoto himself. At least not with the very humble and down-to-earth stance he usually shows in interviews.
I'm betting something is amiss here.

They've announced a GB style handheld upgrade.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2...new-3ds-and-3ds-xl-designs-with-extra-buttons

3DS with a tiny right thumb nub above the face buttons, better 3D screen, and uprated (unspecified) processor required for some games. The name? "New 3DS". Ummmm, so Joe Consumer having bought an original 3DS a month ago walks into the store to buy the new Xenoblade Chronicles and is warned by the shop assistant it only plays on "New 3DS". "That's okay, mine's only a month old," says Joe Consumer.

What's wrong with a more obvious '3DS plus', or '3DS pro' or somesuch?

Well this is the 3DS I would've bought until 2 years ago when they launched the original XL. Too little too late.
Unless this New 3DS really has a completely new architecture that will enable a generational leap on newer games, I'm out again.
This mobile console generation is about to end (give or take 2 years) so it's really not worth the investment.

If they're not, why add a faster CPU? If they are, the install base is split, in which case why not launch a fully new device? I'd say that Nintendo hardware is always developed first and foremost for Nintendo game, so I'm guessing Nintendo themselves want more CPU power. I can't imagine this change coming without it being supported by the software engineers and their creative visions.

It seems they will be splitting the install base because there's already one title - the Xenoblade Chronicles port from the Wii - which will only work on the new handheld. The game doesn't look stellar at all so it seems they didn't touch the GPU hardware.

Even here Nintendo shows they greediness' prowess in everything related to hardware. They launch a new platform splitting their install base with exclusive games, cover the second analog control issue and apparently keep using the same GPU with fixed-function pixel shaders that was already outdated.. 3 and a half years ago.







I do have an idea as to why they only upgraded the CPU, second analog and extra pair of shoulder buttons. Iwata has been claiming for a while that Nintendo will better explore the interoperability between the 3DS and the Wii U.
The new buttons provide full "operational" compatibility with the Wii U controller (same amount of buttons and analog sticks), and the new CPU should allow them to keep a steadier wireless stream of data between the handheld console and the Wii U.
Nintendo never got to allow more than one Wii U tablet controller to be attached to a single Wii U, but they might allow having these "New 3DS" to be used as such. I could imagine i.e. a Mario Kart game where there's only one Wii U but everyone brings their own (New) 3DS to play with an analog stick and a dedicated screen to choose items and such. Same could be done with Smash Bros Melee, or even a new 2D/3D platformer like Mario Bros.

 

[TomRL]

Really glad they gave in on the analogue thing. That was the one principle that stopped me from getting the 3DS XL. Hope they haven't changed the design too much, the 3DS XL is the best looking handheld ever. Interested in seeing how the faster CPU will effect this cycle. Is it true that some games won't be compatible with older 3DS games? I don't like that.

Also will games like MGS3D get less slowdown now that the cpu is faster? Does this work retroactively.

 

[Wynix]

The new 3DS come out of no where.

I think they postponed the 4DS a year and have used this to try and keep sales from tanking.

At least I hope that's the case, because if they expect to have this 3DS revision to last a few years they are crazy.

20nm too expensive? waiting for 16nm? waiting on new CPU/GPU architectures?

 

[liolio]

I do have an idea as to why they only upgraded the CPU, second analog and extra pair of shoulder buttons. Iwata has been claiming for a while that Nintendo will better explore the interoperability between the 3DS and the Wii U.
The new buttons provide full "operational" compatibility with the Wii U controller (same amount of buttons and analog sticks), and the new CPU should allow them to keep a steadier wireless stream of data between the handheld console and the Wii U.
Nintendo never got to allow more than one Wii U tablet controller to be attached to a single Wii U, but they might allow having these "New 3DS" to be used as such. I could imagine i.e. a Mario Kart game where there's only one Wii U but everyone brings their own (New) 3DS to play with an analog stick and a dedicated screen to choose items and such. Same could be done with Smash Bros Melee, or even a new 2D/3D platformer like Mario Bros.

I would not bet on it, imo it just smells as a money tap on their fans. The 2DS has not been out for long, sales overall for the DS may not meet their internal goals, they lose moneys again this quarter, etc.
They have to do something.
As for the improved CPU, till proven otherwise I will consider that that just an overclock as it would be weird to rework the SoC and to touch only the CPU and not the other parts, and outside the SoC, the memory cones to mind too, etc.

Nintendo fan base in Japan (and to a lesser extend elsewhere) is both a blessing and curse, it allows Nintendo to go away with too much crap... From my pov in the long run it might prove a curse, it may have already.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

wait what?
so nintendo have 4DS that have backward compatibility with 3DS.

It's not really a 4DS. It's like a DSi, or GameBoy Color. A half step (eighth step?) variation.

 

[orangpelupa]

thanks nice explanation on here

now only one thing... i still baffled with their choice of name "New 3DS"...

 

[tuna]

To further expand what I wrote above, by not doing a concurrent world wide release they are effectively killing the 3DS in the west this year. Why would anyone buy a 3DS this year when there is a better version coming next year.

Nintendo seem really incompetent regarding logistics.

 

[idsn6]

now only one thing... i still baffled with their choice of name "New 3DS"...

 

[Wynix]

thanks nice explanation on here

now only one thing... i still baffled with their choice of name "New 3DS"...

You're not alone.
Shifty summed it up nicely on the previous page.

 

[McHuj]

20nm too expensive? waiting for 16nm? waiting on new CPU/GPU architectures?

28nm is probably too expensive for Nintendo.

 

[McHuj]

I thought of that too. It worked for Apple because at the time tablets were super hot and that one really brought tech forward. I don't think the market is clamoring for a "New" 3DS as much as they were for a "New" Ipad.

 

[idsn6]

I thought of that too. It worked for Apple because at the time tablets were super hot and that one really brought tech forward. I don't think the market is clamoring for a "New" 3DS as much as they were for a "New" Ipad.

Even for Apple, it did not really work. The appellation was widely mocked and ignored: the public universally called it the "iPad 3", and Apple just refers to it as the "iPad (3rd generation)" now.