The 3DS just celebrated its first birthday last month, and the numbers don’t lie. Year one, 17.08 million units sold. That’s nothing to sneeze about. Couple that in with the five games that have already reached the million sales mark and it’s plain to see that Nintendo’s fifth generation handheld is a running success. There are plenty of games on the horizon, and I would bet that quite a few more will be announced at E3 this year. If there was any question before, you can be sure that the 3DS is here to stay for the long haul.
Knowing this, and also understanding Nintendo’s recent track record with GBA and DS of re-releasing it’s handelds with incremental updates, it doesn’t take an economics major to speculate that Nintendo will be releasing a 3DS ‘lite’ in the near future. How near? I wouldn’t be surprised something was shown as early as this year’s E3. What new features and upgrades will the Nintendo 3DS lite implement? Here’s what they should be.
Dual Analog
Duh. The whole internet is screaming for it. Even if you are a opponent of the idea of having two circle pads, just don’t use it. Simple as that. The 3DS upgrade needs to have two analog inputs to allow for superior controls than what is currently possible.
As much as I liked Kid Icarus: Uprising, if the 3DS were originally designed with two analog sticks, the game would play drastically better. Yes, using the stylus to control the aim is much more precise than using an analog input would be, but I would wager that lots of people would prefer to use two sticks to play the game.
Larger 3D Viewing Angle
The 3DS is a system perfect for generating word of mouth sales. All it takes is showing Aunt Beatrix that she can shoot her 15 cats in face raiders…all in 3D, she’s going to go nuts! Imagine if you could look over your friends shoulder, and view the 3D as clearly as they could? Imagine if you could play games with gyro controls like Star Fox, and the 3D didn’t go in and out giving you a migraine headache.
Gamers are forced to make a choice when playing games that implement motion controls on the 3DS. Short of hauling around a rotating office chair every day, motion controlled games must either be played with the 3D effect off of subjecting yourself to a nauseating session of “keep my arms as stiff as possible.” If Nintendo could use a glasses-free 3D display that has wider 3D viewing angle by a couple of degrees in both directions, it would be a game changer.
Longer Battery Life
Much longer. I wouldn’t be exaggerating to say that my portable television from 1992 has better battery life. Take what the 3DS can currently do, and add on 3-4 hours of battery life and that’s what the 3DS lite should strive for. Anything short of that would be a letdown.
With games of the length of Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance on the horizon, it is plain to see how the system’s battery could us a kick in the pants. Not only will playtime be longer, but you could keep your system in sleep mode for a greater period of time allowing for more of those all important street passes. There is no reason why the battery life shouldn’t be improve the next go round. Nintendo, make it happen.
Digital Volume Buttons
If you must keep your TV volume on an even number at all times kind of like me, then you will understand my need for digital buttons on my handhelds. When the DSi came, it was a god-send because of those little marvels of modern technology. Can I live without it? Sure! Do I want to? Absolutely not.
I understand that I may be in the minority on this one here, after all, you do have greater control when the volume selector is analog. For me, none of this matters. Without digital, how else will I know exactly how loud I was listening to that level when the mid-boss swooped in so I can replicate it exactly the same way when I play New Game +? Exactly.
No More Muffin Top
This one is purely cosmetic, but what exactly is with the top half of the 3DS being slightly larger than the bottom? Is it for allowing easier one-handed opening of the system? Maybe it is to ensure that when in the dark, you could easily tell whether or not you have the DS or its younger, slightly obese sister. Whatever the reason, 3DS needs lipo, stat!
Include Swapnote Out of the Box
Pictochat was all the rage when DS launched almost a decade ago. There were even news reports about how predators could attract children using the software. Chris Hansen, that’s when you know you’ve hit the big-time.
The thing is, Swapnote is so much better than Pictochat on so many levels. You can send pictures. Notes can be sent over the Internet. It’s in 3D! Everything has been upgraded. Nintendo should be forcing everyone to own this software, it should have been standard for every system from the start. Nintendo should make Swapnote standard for every 3DS unit sold. Easier it is for people to know of the existence of Swapnote, the better.
What did we miss? Did you agree with the list? Do you insist that each 3DS lite unit be equipped with a built in kickstand? Tell us in the comments!
i dont think that would be a good idea for a 3ds lite because what about the people that bought the 3ds if theres 2 sticks how are we gonna play new games?
Misleading title. Yikes.
Again, the point is missed.
You are more worried about the muffin top and digital volume slider than something like, say, the ridiculous REGION LOCK?
Nintendo Portable have had a history of being always region free- the 3DS breaks this tradition and it is an absolute shame.
Considering that Nintendo and other companies are localizing less and LESS content for NA nowadays, a region lock is a harsh slap in the face.
The growing number of 3DS NA gamers will likely not plays includes, but isnt limited to:
Hatsune Mike Project Diva
Senran Kagura
Azito 3D
One Piece Unlimited Cruise SP
Lost Heroes
Monster Hunter 3G(!)
Code of Princess
New Love Plus
Gundam games
AND MORE
If Sony has the balls to have region-free consoles and portables (both PSP and PSVita are regoin free)- why can't Nintendo?
You forgot about region locking.
Toss in a better camera too. Most photos on the 3DS look like garbage.
You hit abut every bit of improvements I would to see there, Eugene.
However, the inclusion of dual analog, albeit would be great, but may alienate early adopters. The question now being: how would you deal with that? More ambassador games?
The camera is the biggest annoyance to me. 3D photos would be so cool if the camera was better. It also is not very ergonomic and my hands cramp easily. Add some nice curves to the edges please.
Dual analogs? No thanks, and besides, since when has Nintendo ever changed control schemes on next iterations?
Battery, yes please! After playing Kid Icarus for longer periods, it really does eat battery, especially when playing Together.
Viewing angle? Would be marvelous, you speak the truth on this subject sir, and it is rather sad. Tolerable, and still fun, but kinda hard to keep the 3d in face raiders and such.
Region-Lock! For crying out loud, it's pathetic! We finally get a Project Diva game for a Nintendo portable, and what? Region locked out. Great, just great. As others have pointed out, especially with the decline of localization! It's downright pathetic. I'm fluent-ish (and studying how to read/write) in Japanese. So this especially kills me. >.<
Better cameras. Those .3Mp sad little things just don't cut it. It's a sweet feature that is just murdered by cheap sensors. Horrid low-light photos.. This is one feature I never use, it's just that bad. Toss in some instant upload to Youtube in 3d options, some better cameras and that's a winner!
You missed the point with just about each and every point you made here and I really don't think you know what you are talking about. Here is a point on point analysis:
Dual Analog?
First you must have meant Circle Pad because Nintendo is not using analog. Second, Circle Pad Pro gives you the Second Circle Pad as well as two additional sets of shoulder buttons so use that if you want dual circle pads. Most people forget that the 3DS is already streamlined to be as thin as possible with the technology it has. You really think that a second circle pad and shoulder buttons could be added to the existing technology and it would come out thinner? I doubt it. What were the major improvements of the DS? It got thinner and brighter. That's about it. The battery life got worse with each iteration of the DS and even the DSi, adding in just internal memory and a camera, had to take away the GBA slot to make room for it. The idea of adding to the 3DS but keeping everything it has now is the same. Either everything stays and it gets thicker (which I prefer because the Circle Pad Pro is how I play my 3DS now) or stuff gets taken away in order to make space for the added features.
Larger 3D viewing area?
Ridiculous. I play by myself and it's right in front of my face. I don't have any need to play the system at a 80 degree angle so that point is stupid. Also, I hardly use the gyroscope and I still have the 3D when I do play it (Face Raiders) so again, this point is entirely unnecessary. Now I will agree that a larger screen may be nice (as seen with the DSiXL) but that was, again, bigger not smaller (as implemented with the Lite title)
Longer Battery Life?
I agree with you on, but what people fail to remember is that the more a device does, the more life it takes up. You know why a GBA lasts longer with 2 AA batteries? Because all it does it play games. The same point about the DS comes into play. The original was entirely a game console but the 3DS plays games, movies, connects to internet, and records video, all of which only drains the battery. If you want a longer battery life, again, something would have to be taken away.
Digital Volume Buttons?
That is your opinion in it, and in part I agree with you. But considering that most of the people I know play with either the volume all the way up or all the way down kinda makes the point moot, no?
Muffin Top?
Yes it was designed to distinguish which end was up on the 3DS. It's actually something that I rarely notice nor do I think anybody really cares about except for you.
SwapNote?
While it may be nice to think otherwise, Swapnote is as useless as PictoChat was. What Nintendo should do instead is update the Friends List to show who is online and allow you to send either a voice message or swapnote. Otherwise you are relying solely on the next time someone just happens to open up their 3DS before they get a message, and in that case it's easier to send a text message to them. Every one of my friends has all but abandoned SwapNotes by now, so I don't really think it's something that will stick around…..just like PictoChat.
It is certain that new applications will be included in any new iteration of the 3DS, but the idea that it will be smaller doesn't seem possible to me. I think, if anything we will be looking more into a 3DSXL model that will more like a 3DS with a Circle Pad Pro attached it. Also, if anything, it will look more like a Wii-U controller, with the circle pads at the top. People really need to think before they post such bogus stuff.
I'm on board with all of these and in particular the muffin top. One of the reasons I still like my DS more than my 3DS is that its more streamlined and just plain looks better. Gotta disagree with the people asking for better cameras though. Its a gimmick feature they could probably cut altogether, adding better cameras will only jack up the price and further hurt battery life.
@Eugene: Dual circle pads is a no due to the split it would cause between first and 2nd version owners. It would be optional and never mandatory, as to not alienate the millio g of V 1.00 owners.
I like most of the ideas on here. The one thing i have to disagree on is swapnote. I think they should just do a complete overhaul on their messaging system. Swapnote works but it still feels odd. Its on my 3ds…
i just don't use it. : (
I agree. I also want a better camera and region free, and the system shouldn't damage the screen when closed.
My vote:
Make a 3DS "XL". broaden the screen like they did for the DSiXL, and with a bigger body comes room for (drum roll) bigger battery which could add more hours to the device. (this would allow some room for another circle pad. I own alot of hand helds (ds lite, dsixl, 3ds, vita). The systems that actually get most of my play time is the dsiXL and the vita. larger screen cramps the pocket, but makes for a much nicer display while gaming in the privy.
Cheers,
Rh0gii