[octoberasian]

Velhart, on 04 April 2010 - 09:39 AM, said:

I am with Kleiner on this one.

We do need a step up from the DS. Even though it is a good hand held system, I hated the fact that Nintendo was all up and about on saying it is a "128 bit system" when it really looks like dumbed down N64 graphics. Then again they tricked me also saying the GBA was 32-bit. Anyways, the system has been out for nearly 6 years, Nintendo is slightly bit overdue for a new system, but in all fairness, why improve on something that is still making incredible sales?

Well, the 3DS is going to be a very big step up from the DS.


Other than the LCD display I mentioned above, the 3DS is rumored to have the upcoming Tegra 2 from Nvidia.  If you don't know what that is, it's basically a SoC (system on a chip) for mobile devices with an integrated GPU and ARM CPU.  The ARM CPU would technically give the 3DS backwards compatibility to the DS and maybe GBA games.  This is an assumption because the latter two handheld systems-- GBA and DS-- have ARM CPUs as well.  The GPU is the more interesting part.  It allows hardware decode of 720p and 1080p video, and rendering of advance and complex 3D geometry as well.  It'd be more powerful than the first Tegra.

To put it in perspective, if the 3DS does indeed get a Tegra 2, it would be MORE powerful graphics-wise than the Gamecube and nearly as powerful as the Wii.  All in a handheld device.

[Corrderio]

Reading this makes me want a DS XL for the big assed stylus that comes with it...

[Kay]

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To put it in perspective, if the 3DS does indeed get a Tegra 2, it would be MORE powerful graphics-wise than the Gamecube and nearly as powerful as the Wii. All in a handheld device.

I guess I'll have to wait for its release (or more information: pricing, backwards compatibility, etc.) to make a final decision

[Velhart]

octoberasian, on 04 April 2010 - 12:35 PM, said:

Well, the 3DS is going to be a very big step up from the DS.


Other than the LCD display I mentioned above, the 3DS is rumored to have the upcoming Tegra 2 from Nvidia.  If you don't know what that is, it's basically a SoC (system on a chip) for mobile devices with an integrated GPU and ARM CPU.  The ARM CPU would technically give the 3DS backwards compatibility to the DS and maybe GBA games.  This is an assumption because the latter two handheld systems-- GBA and DS-- have ARM CPUs as well.  The GPU is the more interesting part.  It allows hardware decode of 720p and 1080p video, and rendering of advance and complex 3D geometry as well.  It'd be more powerful than the first Tegra.

To put it in perspective, if the 3DS does indeed get a Tegra 2, it would be MORE powerful graphics-wise than the Gamecube and nearly as powerful as the Wii.  All in a handheld device.

We can only hope, the hardware specifications (rumor wise) sounds fantastic. The only thing I am truly worried about is it's 3D aspect. The whole idea of 3D in this industry has already gone overboard and so quick with it. Most of our movies have been shown in 3D, and even newer TV's coming out are using it as a major feature. 3D is just being shoved down our throats.

[Kleiner]

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The whole idea of 3D in this industry has already gone overboard and so quick with it. Most of our movies have been shown in 3D, and even newer TV's coming out are using it as a major feature. 3D is just being shoved down our throats.

Consumers are GOING to resist the change to 3D, but it's going to happen. the powers that be (the execs in charge of these companies) know that the money lies in 3D. The only thing preventing it is the ability to do it without glasses, which can nearly be done now. Fact is, 3D is coming in, and it's coming in to stay. this isn't like the gimmicky 3D movies we used to see where you had hands reaching out at you and "woooooah!! LOOK ITS SO CLOSE TO MEEEEE!" scenes. 3D is taking the step to be serious, and any company that doesn't follow suit will fall behind.

[octoberasian]

Updated news about the 3DS: http://www.joystiq.c...e-nvidia-chips/

Developers reporting to Eurogamer and IGN have stated two things:

• Bad news: NO Nvidia Tegra
• Good news: It's MORE powerful than the Wii itself

[Corrderio]

octoberasian, on 07 June 2010 - 12:01 PM, said:

Updated news about the 3DS: http://www.joystiq.c...e-nvidia-chips/

Developers reporting to Eurogamer and IGN have stated two things:

• Bad news: NO Nvidia Tegra
• Good news: It's MORE powerful than the Wii itself

Now if I see someone bitch about DS graphics I can smack them.

Honestly though, this sounds pretty hot. Wonder what Nintendo will do to make the Wii better if this overpowers it.

[Velhart]

I am having high hopes for this now. It seems like this time Nintendo is not only trying to be innovative, but trying to top everyone in the hardware department. Nintendo I think is finally getting it. Not making that a fact, but E3 is going to be very promising for them.

Since 3D is optional in all the games according to Nintendo, I don't see myself using it much unless the game is actually more fun in 3D.

[Corrderio]

Well this could be all rumors to, I will admit I'm curious what kind of battery they'll have to power this up if it's all true.

Also Nintendo needs to quit sucking with their online DLC.

[Velhart]

Found this in an article, here are the specs for the 3DS thus far if anyone hasn't seen it yet.

DIMENSIONS (when closed)
5.3 inches x 2.9 inches x 0.8 inches

WEIGHT
8 ounces

TOP SCREEN
3.52 inch widescreen display / 800x240 resolution (400 pixels for each eye during 3D gameplay)

BOTTOM SCREEN
3.02 inch touch-screen display / 320x240 resolution

CAMERAS
Three cameras, two on outer casing, one above top screen / 640x480 resolution (0.3 megapixel)

STORAGE MEDIUM
Cartridge slot for both 3DS and DS cards (3DS cards have a 2GB capacity "at launch", suggesting larger sizes to come) / SD memory card slot

WIRELESS
2.4ghz / 802.11 wi-fi / Can communicate with other consoles or internet when in sleep mode / wireless can be switched off to preserve battery life

CONTROLS / INPUT
Touch-screen / D-pad / 360-degree "Slide Pad" (the analog stick) / motion sensor / gyro sensor / 3D "depth slider" can reduce (or even disable) 3D effects in games

STYLUS
4-inch stylus (when full extended)

AUDIO
Stereo speakers (includes stereo headphone out jack)

BATTERY
Lithium ion battery (lifespan details TBA)

PARENTAL CONTROLS
The 3DS will include parental controls


I love that the cartridges are going to be 2gb+, gives games a lot of opportunities to really make something out of themselves. The system does not appear to be as big as a DSiXL, but that is ok, quality is all that counts for me.

[Corrderio]

Sizewize it's similar to the DS Lite, but that doesn't bother me too much since I loved the DS Lite model.

Is there any info on it being able to play GBA/DS/DS Lite games or not?

[Velhart]

Nope, it will only support 3DS and DS games.

[Corrderio]

DS is good enough. I really wish I could get a GBA SP in good condition then work on my GBA/GB/GBC collection again.

[renzuko]

i repeat something consumers almost constantly asked about...

are they ever gonna do a virtual console for the dsi? that'd be awesome!

and it would, cuz then i wouldnt HAVE to use emulators, it would just be the option i pick cuz im fucking cheap lol

[octoberasian]

This is Resident Evil/Biohazard Revelations on the 3DS. And, yes, it's real time. According to participants at E3, they were able to move the camera around and zoom in and out during the cutscenes. (And, they changed Jill's appearance... )

Specs of the GPU in use: DMP Pica 200

• Maximum 30.6 million triangles per second (vertices) @ 400 MHz; 15.3 million @ 200 MHz
• Maximum 1.6 billion pixels per second fillrate (400 million pixels @ 100 MHz clock speed; 800 million pixels @ 200 MHz)
• 200 MHz (400 MHz max)
• OpenGL 1.1
• OpenGL ES 1.1
• Full screen anti-aliasing
• Bilinear texture filtering

"The latest info shows specs using a 200 MHz clock speed, but it is stated that it can be clocked as high as 400 MHz (and that was in 2008). Knowing that it draws up to 1 mW per 1 MHz of clock speed, we can assume that the 3DS will probably have it clocked at a minimum of 400 MHz, since 400 mW isn't very high at all for a 3D chip. For reference the original PSP-1000 uses between 2100 and 2500 mW to play MGS Peace Walker, depending on screen brightness. Sitting in the main menu, it draws 1500 mW. That means that the combination of 3D, sound is adding around 600 mW of power. It isn't unreasonable to assume most of that is going to 3D (certainly at least 400 mW) which puts it right in line with a 400 Mhz Pico 200 chip in the 3DS. We also know how the chip scales from 100 Mhz to 200 Mhz, based on comparing the 2008 release to the 2010 one."

Source: http://www.hardcorew...ecs-comparison/

Spec sheet (current): http://www.dmprof.co..._PICA200_en.pdf

For comparison-sakes and speculation, it's somewhere between a Wii and a PSP depending what is the final clockspeed of the GPU that Nintendo will set it at. It's still unknown if the clockspeed can be adjusted by the games themselves like how some PSP games can use the full 333 MHz of the GPU.

It is also unknown what type of CPU is being used, but speculation points to it being the ARM 9 from the DS for backwards compatibility, and not the faster ARM 11 found in the iPhone 3G or the slower ARM 7 found in Gameboy Advance and DS.

[Vigilous]

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640x480 resolution (0.3 megapixel)

For all of it's awesomeness, why'd they have to install a shit camera?

[Velhart]

If a shitty camera is the only bad thing, then I am not worried. If I really want a nice camera, I will buy a nice camera.

[octoberasian]

Vigilous, on 22 June 2010 - 03:13 PM, said:

For all of it's awesomeness, why'd they have to install a shit camera?

On the upside, the 3DS' camera is capable of 3D pictures though I don't recall that being demonstrated at E3. But, god, I do not want to know the "bad 3D" pictures people will take... I'll leave that to everyone's imagination.

[Velhart]

octoberasian, on 22 June 2010 - 04:53 PM, said:

On the upside, the 3DS' camera is capable of 3D pictures though I don't recall that being demonstrated at E3. But, god, I do not want to know the "bad 3D" pictures people will take... I'll leave that to everyone's imagination.

Ohh now that you say that, the amount of pranks I can pull off.

[renzuko]

im gonna hold off on buying it, or atleast go into microplay where my friend works/i kinda became a regular, and ask them if i could check it out before i buy, cuz there's always the possibility that sara or alex bought one already...if not, ask if they could call me when a used one comes in so i could check it out, then buy a new one lol