Nintendo 3DS is now on sale but needs an upgrade

CONSOLE MAKER Nintendo's eye boggling, glasses-free 3DS game console is in the shops today priced at around £200.

But don't be in too much of a hurry to play it because Nintendo is strongly advising that you download a system update before doing anything. Nintendo says the update is to "ensure the most comfortable, user-friendly experience possible", by which The INQUIRER thinks it means no headaches. Or maybe it's to solve the flickering screen problems we encountered previously.

Oddly the update also provides a video and The INQUIRER is awaiting further details on this. If it's a 3D video that could be a whoppingly big download.

Once that is done and you've kept away any children six or younger, because Nintendo says they shouldn't play it, you can settle down to some in-depth gaming. See what we did there?

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.

When playing with your pals you can use a feature called Streetpass that allows consoles to interact together, swopping information wirelessly allowing users to share game stats and other data. But of course you don't have to be in the street to use Streetpass.

The console also comes with a browser, which The INQUIRER didn't have the chance to test recently because it wasn't installed on the pre-production models we were allowed to have for a whole 24 hours. You can read The INQUIRER's first impressions here.

Buying a 3DS will also get you 750 stars, loyalty points essentially, that are part of Nintendo's Club Nintendo and can be exchanged for stuff. But you will need to be a member of Club Nintendo though to benefit from these stars. µ