JORDAN BOLT
Arts Writer

Nintendo fanboys and girls around the world can barely wait to get their hands on Nintendo’s new handheld portable system, the Nintendo 3DS. Released in North America on March 25, the 3DS at a glance seems very similar to Nintendo’s current handheld consoles, the DS and DSi, but upon closer inspection the 3DS is more than just an upgrade to the hardware.

Glasses-free 3D is the key feature of the dual-screened system. The 3DS possesses two screens; the lower screen keeps its touch capabilities from the previous generation of DS, while the upper screen has the ability to output its graphical prowess in an autostereoscopy format.

The autostereoscopy method of 3D differs from regular stereoscopy that requires glasses for 3D viewing on televisions and at the theatre. 3D glasses allow two separate images to be viewed at the same time, resulting in the perception of 3D, while the 3DS utilizes glasses-free 3D due to a layer of material that contains precise slits on the screen, producing a parallax barrier. This allows each eye to see a different group of pixels, creating the 3D effect.

People who dislike or are unable to see 3D shouldn’t dismiss the handheld device just yet as the level of 3D being displayed is adjustable by a depth slider located on the system. The depth slider can be adjusted from full 3D, none at all to somewhere in between.

The 3DS will also feature three cameras on the system. An inner camera will let players take pictures of themselves and allow for facial recognition applications. The two outer cameras will take photos in 3D and be able to display the pictures directly onto the 3DS. Augmented reality games will use the system’s cameras to capture the world around them and display in-game graphics over top of the real-world graphics.

Other features of the 3DS include a built-in pedometer, software multitasking and an improved friend code system that allows for easier online play with friends. The 3DS will be able to wirelessly communicate with other 3DSs, Wiis and to the Internet via a Wi-Fi connection.

An online e-shop, similar to a service like Xbox Live, will provide owners with the ability to download DSiWare titles, and potentially allow for downloadable content such as extra stages or levels. Also, Game Boy and Game Boy Color games will be available for download similar to how NES, SNES and N64 games are available on the Wii’s virtual console.

Nintendo claims that more than 30 titles will be available between the launch date and the beginning of June. Titles are rumoured to cost between $40 and $50. Some of the games that are scheduled to ship by the end of June include: Madden NFL Football, Nintendogs & Cats, Super Street Fighter IV, Mario Kart 3D, Animal Crossing 3D, Paper Mario 3D, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, Star Fox 64 3D, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Resident Evil: Mercenaries and Super Monkey Ball.

At launch, the 3DS will be available in the Cosmo Black and Aqua Blue colours and will cost consumers $250, which is the same price that the Wii launched at in 2006. Pre-orders are available at most places where video games are.