Nintendo 3DS first impressions

THE NINTENDO 3DS gaming console is a bundle of fun with a high quality 3D effect, but it has a narrow viewing window and flickering problems.

The CeBIT trade show in Hannover, Germany was the first opportunity for The INQUIRER to get a hands-on go with the world's first glassesless 3D games console. It will be available in the UK on 25 March, currently priced at £196.99

The 3D image that the 3.53-inch top screen produced was impressively clear and sharp. The 3D effect, which works throughout menus and 3D games, can be adjusted in intensity or completely turned off via a slider on the right-hand side of the screen.

The huge downside to this is that the ideal viewing position, the sweet spot, to view the screen to see the 3D perfectly is very small. A small tilt of the console or movement of the head distorts the image. It is usable but keeping inside the 'sweet spot' for viewing 3D whilst travelling, which the DS series is supposedly tailored for, will surely be tricky and frustrating.

Whilst playing the built-in augmented reality games, a constant flickering of black lines appeared on the screen. When questioned about this issue, a Nintendo representative explained that the problem was due to the brightness of both the white table behind the console and the lighting.

You can also take 3D photos using the rear facing dual cameras. Results from the test photos that the INQUIRER took were varied with some looking impressive but some barely looking 3D at all.

The bottom screen is a 3.02-inch touchscreen much like those on previous DS models and again comes with a stylus. An interesting addition to the 3DS that older versions lacked is a dedicated Home button, located below the bottom screen in between the Select and Start buttons.

The Home button is a handy way of quickly getting back to the main menu of the 3DS and pauses whatever game or feature you are using when you press it. A second press of the button instantly takes you back to whatever you were doing.

The INQUIRER is hoping to get its hands on a model of the 3DS in the near future so will be able to put it through its paces fully and come back with a full review. µ