The Nintendo 3DS was clearly the most sought-after device at E3 this year. With all of the attention surrounding the 3DS, we here at Touchgen thought it would be a good idea to take a look at how the 3ds will affect those of us that also game on Apple’s devices. The magnitude of the 3DS’s appeal was apparent at E3 this year- with over three hour lines and daily stampedes at the showfloor opening, almost every attendee wanted to get their hands on Nintendo’s new handheld. It is not as if every person waiting just to see the 3DS was a Nintendo fanboy, either; the line was riddled with iPhone and iPod users alike. The majority of those that saw the 3DS were impressed, and I have yet to meet a person that came away from the 3DS demo with a negative vibe. So what does this continued popularity mean for us Apple gamers?
I am not an Apple exclusive gamer by any means. At home I play on my 360, Wii and PC. During my commute I play my iPod, DSi XL and PSP 3000. When I think of an extended portable gaming session, the iPod is usually last on my list- mostly due to its smaller screen and tragic lack of physical controls. I get my iPod gaming in during the ten minute breaks in my day. I don’t carry my DS or PSP everywhere I go, but I always have my iPod. As a result, I end up playing my iPod as much- if not more than- my DS or PSP, just in smaller bursts.
3DS Pros:
The most startling thing about the 3DS is that the 3d technology is both functional and simple to use. Playing and viewing games with 3d poses an immediate advantage. I found myself more invested in the games’ worlds, and the sense of depth was breathtaking. All of this is being done without the need for glasses.
The graphical capabilities of the device far exceed anything I have seen on an iPhone, and the system has yet to even launch.Remember, the 3DS is rendering everything twice, which means it has quite a bit under the hood.
The 3DS also has the advantage of Nintendo’s quality software, even if third parties don’t step up to the plate there will always be quality games on a Nintendo console. Game experiences on Nintendo handhelds also tend to last longer, there are some quality RPGs on the Apple devices, but I find myself returning to the DS for RPG experiences.
Do not underestimate the power of buttons. While Apple’s devices have the advantage of a multitouch capacitive screen and motion sensing, Nintendo’s 3DS will have a d-pad, two shoulder buttons, three cameras, a microphone, an accelerometer/gyroscope, four face buttons, a touchscreen and now an analogue stick. Having multiple ways to interact with a game helps, developers don’t need to waste time thinking about how their game will control, and the top screen will never be taken up with a virtual control pad.
Did I mention that there will be Zelda?
iPhone/ iPod Pros:
Portability, functionality and pricing. My iPod rarely leaves my pocket, and if it does it is to charge or sync with the computer. I use my iPod to check email, listen to music and podcasts, and play some great games. iPhone games are obviously cheaper, and many of them reach or even exceed the quality of current-gen DS games. Developers are free to make new experiences on the iPhone, and distribute them at affordable prices.
iPhone games are often more portable than DS games, and with the coming of the 3DS that couldn’t be more true. I can view my iPod from just about any comfortable angle and be just fine. With the 3DS, one must have their eyes planted firmly within a very small zone to use the 3d effect. Many iPhone games also let you press home to save, listen to your own music, or even take a call during a game.The iPhone is also considerably smaller than the 3DS, which has both its pros and cons, but it means that it is more likely to come along for the ride.
Game Center has yet to arrive, but the power of a unified gaming network is formidable. The DS lacks achievements or social networking, and these features (outside of autonomous wifi syncing) have yet to be announced for the 3DS. iPhone will soon have Game Center, providing a network to play and share gaming experiences.
The App Store has resulted in many wonderful and unique gaming experiences. DSi Ware doesn’t even approach the library of the iPhone- both in sheer volume and in amount of quality games. Of course, Nintendo also releases cartridge games, but Apple clearly wins in the download arena.
I use my iPod more than once every hour of my waking day, and not just for gaming. Nintendo’s music player functionality is traditionally poor, and we have no indication that the planned 3d movie support on the 3ds will be as streamlined as using iTunes.
Competition:
Will Apple take its devices into the 3d realm? Will Nintendo allow for thousands of games to be released on its download service, or for developers to more freely set their pricing?
I say no to both of those questions. Apple won’t have a 3d phone for quite some time, the one caveat I can see is that Apple may just make a 3d capable iPad.
Nintendo won’t allow the 3DS to have a platform as open as the App store. We complain about Apple locking things down, but one stroll to the DSi Store gives a look into how much worse it can be.
Sure, the App store is also flooded with crap, but look at all of the runaway hits and great social experiences we have seen.
The Problem with Handhelds:
Handhelds traditionally try to emulate console games. The 3DS allows that in a much more real way, but it also means that I am that much less likely to play the 3ds anywhere else but my couch. iPhone games that imitate console games often turn out just wrong; poor controls and less powerful graphics mean that you will be getting a far worse experience when an iPhone developer tries to imitate a console release. The iPhone shines when games are made that work with, and not against, the input mechanisms for the device. In many senses, the iPhone provides a far more portable and utilitarian experience than the 3DS looks to be capable of.
Ultimately, that is why I give the portability edge to the iPod touch. As each iteration of the DS becomes less portable, the iPod remains a small, “Swiss Army knife” device that is home to plenty of respectable games. Nintendo’s new handheld demands that you sit still, and in a somewhat rigid position. While it may make for some gorgeous and engaging games, it won’t be the best gaming experience on the bus.
