Been a while since a post, rant time featuring the Nintendo 2DS
Remember 3D movies? That gimmick they attached to film to sell you tickets for an inflated cost? Yeah. Do you feel your life is much improved by adding a third dimension to it? Okay so maybe your life is. But is your art?
Maybe it’s because I live in reality where everyday objects enjoy the wonders of length, height, and depth (at the same time). Maybe it’s because the technology isn’t quite done yet, producing lower resolutions, more motion blur, an artificial depth of field that interferes with actual filming technique, etc., etc. nerd stuff. It’s probably both.
Long story short. I’m old and could give between one and two shits less how many planes my entertainment occupies. If I’m not full on Avataring a Navi, and personally piloting a sweet superhero myself, 3D is just a dumb gimmick and the technology needs to be put back in the oven. The results are a between distraction and headache.
Despite my opinions on the frivolity of 3D, Nintendo released a very good handheld system with a stellar lineup of games that featured the gimmick. Crazy science-maths are used in the display to create an optical illusion responsible for 1.8 inches of illusory depth. No gaming experience was truly enhanced by that; some hindered.
Nintendo, being the benevolent company they are, allowed for you to turn the 3D off. Which you did because you’re a gamer and you wanted to eek out an extra half hour of battery life. Also the blur is annoying and gives you a headache.
Essentially it was there to markup the cost, add a useless buzzword for sales, and make the PSVita feel worse about itself.
Well if you didn’t want to be forced to pay for the 3D glasses just to play Project X Zone in 2D anyway? Good news, Nintendo will be releasing a 2DS (pictured below).
Some gamers are mad. Critics accuse Nintendo of back pedaling and doubling down on releasing something not-so different from the existing thing. Nerd Rage.
The design is ugly – I agree with that subjective statement – but it’s probably ergonomic (buzzword) or something. And of course Nintendo is releasing something low-risk for the Holiday season with a cheaper price tag. That Nintendo is playing it safe shouldn’t be news to anyone. This thing will print money and steal currency from parents contemplating cheap tablets as gaming platforms for kids.
If you aren’t riding the Nintendo handheld fun-train yet, the 2DS will retail for $129 (50 dollars cheaper than the 3DS) and goes on sale October 12th. Which is early enough to sell out once with pre-sale and launch shenanigans but be steadily in stock for Christmas and Black Friday.