I see a bright future for 3DS

I’ve enjoyed the recent discussions of 3DS here, pros and cons…even the criticisms from people who haven’t purchased it or even played the dang thing to any real extent yet. There are a few key points I’d like to make here about Nintendo’s new little wonderbox. Just let me take a second to brush some recently-thrown rotten tomatoes off its poor little shell…there we go!

Seriously, sometimes I wonder if other folks and I are discussing the same device. I hear words like “failure” and “disappointment” and all I can say is that I’ve been having a blast with an amazing little game machine that’s offered truly new experiences and an astonishing amount of fun.

It’s no secret that I LOVE my 3DS. Through its built-in magic (no additional purchase required), dragons pop out of my coffee table and my least favorite celebrities become hilarious aliens I can bop with tennis balls. Excitebikes race to the beat of my music and a canary chats about how cameras were invented. Seriously, that last part really happens if you hang around long enough.

3DS offers unique, wondrous experiences, such as glasses-free 3D that not only works, but works really, really well. AR games that turn your screen into a real-time window into an alternate reality. Don’t be jaded, folks. Take another look. These are groundbreaking, historic innovations we’re witnessing, here.

For me, the built-ins justify the price. People’s tastes vary, however, and if you’re not the type to spend hours creating Miis and then taking 3D photos of your creations running riot around your kitchen table, then you might not get your full money’s worth right out of the gate.

The launch titles? There are at least 7 excellent games available, four of which I’d call superb. Personally, I think it’s a far better group than DS offered in its first two months. Have we all forgotten that, in its first months, DS took a heap of criticism for its small initial crop of decent games?

And, about that rights agreement that’s caused such a ruckus lately…There’s an important factor that a lot of people commenting on the issue have ignored. The 3DS camera is not a normal camera–not even a normal 3D camera. It’s a camera chock full of Nintendo copyrighted material. With the touch of a stylus and the press of a button, AR Marios, Links, Kirbys and Miis frollic around your shots. The camera resolution isn’t good enough for serious photography. It’s not meant to replace your regular camera. It’s a super-cool Nintendo toy, mainly intended as an important tool for AR fun, and Nintendo needs to be able to yank offensive use of their copyrighted characters to the best of their ability.

So, just to be clear. The 3DS is a Nintendo game machine, not a PDA or laptop. If your want to keep things private, or retain all copyrights to your works, keep ’em off 3DS. Okay? Crisis averted?

One final point. Everyone realizes 3DS isn’t going away, right? Nintendo’s not going to suddenly pull another handheld out of their hat. Wii’s in its sunset days and DS is retiring. Until Project Cafe launches, if you want new Nintendo software, it’s pretty much going to be found on 3DS.

And the 3DS, as is, provides an amazing experience. What’s next for the controversial little gizmo? The eshop’s about to launch. E3’s nearly here. Our favorite game company’s armed with the most potential-packed handheld they’ve ever created.

Come on, Nintendo, amaze us; it’s what you do best. That’s why we’re gathered here.