Nintendo 3DS: Hands-On and First Impressions

The launch of the Nintendo 3DS is imminent. Sometime in March, the next-generation portable gaming device will hit store shelves and create a stir, thanks to a 3.5-inch 3D screen that requires no glasses to view the effect.

We first played with the 3DS at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (better known as E3). Back then, we said that using the device felt “like multiple layers of action are happening beneath the surface of the screen.”

We got another chance to play with the device behind closed doors here at CES. This time, we could really explore some of its features, as well as take more pictures of the device. Once again, Nintendo asked us not to take pictures of the screen turned on because of the near-impossibility of accurately depicting moving 3D images with 2D still photography.

Still, we got to play a few games (Pilotwings for one), checked out 3D movie trailers and played an augmented-reality demo in which we battled a 3D dragon that popped out of a playing card.

It’s important to note that these are some of the same demos the company put on display at E3, but the extended time with the device helped us get a better sense of the device. The first thing that stands out to us is this: The 3D technology works remarkably well. It’s not a gimmick, but a real dimension that adds to the game experience.

Fighting the dragon in the augmented-reality demo really was a sensational experience that we hope other companies will build upon. It also isn’t as stressful on the eyes as most 3D glasses and screens.

The controls feel solid, thanks to the addition of the 360-degree joystick. It makes controlling the 3D experience much easier, and in fact the device wouldn’t be usable without it.

All of the other controls are standard, except for the 3D toggle slider, which lets you move between 2D and 3D if you ever do feel your eyes are getting strained.

While we saw these same game demos before, we definitely can see the potential for some innovative gameplay involving 3D graphics and augmented reality, as well as the device’s touch screen.

The device is also enhanced by its StreetPass and SpotPass features. StreetPass lets 3DS devices communicate and share information without the need to even open up your device, while SpotPass helps update your system and send you new stuff while it’s connected to Wi-Fi.

We couldn’t get pricing info or a list of launch titles yet, but a lot of that information will be coming at a press conference in New York on January 19. We’ll be there to cover it all.

To whet your appetite until then, here are our close-up images of the device, plus a few pics of me battling dragons and maneuvering rocket packs.