Nintendo 2DS!

[mkiker2089]

They should be then. I'd like the GBA slot returned as well.

[OldSchoolRetroGamer]

They should be then. I'd like the GBA slot returned as well.

From Nintendo history that is very unlikely. especially since they are looking to cut costs there are not going back to add an older platform compatibility.

[catsfolly]

I don't like the design. The screens should be the same size since many games use it as an extended map. Also, if you eliminate the folding why not put the screens close together or even touching? I can see why they didn't go to one screen only, it would have broken the touch games.

Actually it is just one big screen, but parts of it are covered by plastic to make it look like two screens...

[mkiker2089]

Actually it is just one big screen, but parts of it are covered by plastic to make it look like two screens...

 

That just makes it even sadder.

[Osgeld]

that's kind of interesting, bet when these things start showing up on the bay all busted up and gnarly looking it will be a cheap source of decent sized LCD screens (think PSP screens)

[mkiker2089]

I'd like to get one, rip the plastic matting off, and convert it into something more useful. Like a DS with a single portrait view screen. If it's one screen then the entire thing should be touch also meaning PSP, Vita, and DS emulation would all be possible.

 

Nintendo seems to be making bad choices but they aren't new to that. Their weird choices always hurt them in the end though. I hope they can pull something out of their hat to save the Wii U though as it really is nice.

[Rex Dart]

They should be then. I'd like the GBA slot returned as well.

 

Here you go!

[Osgeld]

If it's one screen then the entire thing should be touch also meaning PSP, Vita, and DS emulation would all be possible.

Keep in mind the original was basicly a N64 on a couple chips, the 3ds is a dual 1 ghz arm, most cheap tablets have more horsepower than that, given the state of just basic PSP emulation on PC's I wouldnt hope too much for PSP, and vita is right out (now that I actually look at the differences tween the DS and 3ds)

 

and I don't think nintendo is making a bad decision, given the size its probably cheaper to get 1 high quality screen that just about everyone uses in celphones rather than having two high quality screens that only nintendo uses.

[mkiker2089]

I can agree that one screen is cheaper but I can't agree that masking it off is the right answer or at the very least masking it as much as they have. One large portrait view screen with a small line in the middle would have been better. Masking off so much of the top screen is just wasteful.

[OldSchoolRetroGamer]

I'd like to get one, rip the plastic matting off, and convert it into something more useful. Like a DS with a single portrait view screen. If it's one screen then the entire thing should be touch also meaning PSP, Vita, and DS emulation would all be possible.

 

Nintendo seems to be making bad choices but they aren't new to that. Their weird choices always hurt them in the end though. I hope they can pull something out of their hat to save the Wii U though as it really is nice.

A system cannot emulate a system of equal or greater power, the host system is required to be several times more powerful than the system or platform it is emulating since it is not only emulating the hardware but but the operating system as well. So you will never see VITA emulation on a DS, not a question of programmer capability just limits of the hardware, I would question if even good PSP emulation would be possible.

[Osgeld]

I can agree that one screen is cheaper but I can't agree that masking it off is the right answer or at the very least masking it as much as they have. One large portrait view screen with a small line in the middle would have been better. Masking off so much of the top screen is just wasteful.

oh I totally agree, if you need to mask it do it in software, and if you want a long screen its available

 

but that goes against the whole DS thing, and nintendo is very ridged about change, that is why the 64 is cart based, the GC and Wii cant play DVD's out of the box (and the licensing cost is null at this point)

 

They do have this attitude that only they can inflict change in the universe, and if that were true in one point, its certainly not within the last two decades.. the wii does have some good internet apps, but I always felt they were strong-armed into it by outside influences, mainly xbox and set top boxes

 

TBH 80% of our wii's time on is for video streaming via hulu, netflix and amazon, 10% is the virtual console, the other 10% is me playing tiger woods for an hour on the weekends. To me its always been a set top box, with better game support than the other set top boxes

Edited August 31, 2013 by Osgeld

[goldenegg]

I can agree that one screen is cheaper but I can't agree that masking it off is the right answer or at the very least masking it as much as they have. One large portrait view screen with a small line in the middle would have been better. Masking off so much of the top screen is just wasteful.

 

It's not wasteful. They mask off as much as needed based on resolution. Last thing anyone wants is for the resolution to not match, requiring scaling of the image.

[mkiker2089]

 

It's not wasteful. They mask off as much as needed based on resolution. Last thing anyone wants is for the resolution to not match, requiring scaling of the image.

 

I still disagree. Nintendo deals with scaling on a daily basis. Their DS uses same size screens so one screen scales on the 3ds and 2ds, the XL series scales differently from the standard version also. Scaling can be done quite well if effort is applied.

[goldenegg]

 

I still disagree. Nintendo deals with scaling on a daily basis. Their DS uses same size screens so one screen scales on the 3ds and 2ds, the XL series scales differently from the standard version also. Scaling can be done quite well if effort is applied.

 

 

Are you talking about the scaling when playing DS games on a 3DS? That scaling looks terrible. Nintendo knew the scaling wouldn't be accepted by some people so they even provide a way to start DS software at native resolution without scaling.

[mkiker2089]

No, not Nintendo's past scaling. I'm thinking more of how Sony and other companies do it. I've seen scalling that looked really good. Perhaps the 2d3 doesn't have enough beef. Then again I don't understand why the screens on the 3ds are a different size anyway. I'm beginning to wonder why Nintendo made any of their choices. Maybe I'm just not someone they can reach.

[goldenegg]

No, not Nintendo's past scaling. I'm thinking more of how Sony and other companies do it. I've seen scalling that looked really good. Perhaps the 2d3 doesn't have enough beef. Then again I don't understand why the screens on the 3ds are a different size anyway. I'm beginning to wonder why Nintendo made any of their choices. Maybe I'm just not someone they can reach.

 

What Sony scaling are you referring to? Playing PSP games on the Vita? That only works well because it's integer scaling, as the resolution of the screen is exactly double. Non-integer scaling is rarely as good, without some serious scaler behind the scenes. The ensure the best possible screen quality, Nintendo would need a 1:1 pixel mapping or use integer scaling. 1:1 mapping is a much easier solution given the size of the system and the resolutions found in standard LCD panels. I highly doubt Nintendo's going to invest in creating completely custom panels for the 2DS.

 

The screens are a different size on the 3DS to keep the unit smaller. If they were the same, the unit would have to be larger to accommodate the controls to the sides of the screen. Since the bottom screen doesn't have to be the same size, they decided to keep it the same ratio as the DS for the bottom.

Edited September 1, 2013 by goldenegg

[mkiker2089]

Just the PS3 in general. Be it PS1 games, youtube videos, or even PSP games they all look good on my screen. Granted the PS3 is a relative beast, but it handles it well.

 

I really do think though that I just don't understand the hand held market anymore. I gave up after the DSi. I love my Wii U however. Maybe I'll get a Supaboy and be done with it

[Video]

What the F*boop*

 

The whole point of a 3DS is....well....the 3D. Sure there are games tat are only on it, but that's true of any system.

 

I like that it's one solid piece, but other than that....I might still get one if the price is good enough.

 

That's the thing though. If it was a $100, It would be a no brainer, but at $130....Not so sure. Sure that's half the price I paid for the first 3DS, but still, I paid to be first in line (basically) so that was why I paid what I did. But in this case, I'm paying for something I already got, missing one of the key features that made me buy the original.

Edited September 7, 2013 by Video

[Atariboy]

Just the PS3 in general. Be it PS1 games, youtube videos, or even PSP games they all look good on my screen. Granted the PS3 is a relative beast, but it handles it well.

 

I really do think though that I just don't understand the hand held market anymore. I gave up after the DSi. I love my Wii U however. Maybe I'll get a Supaboy and be done with it

That stuff scales well because the software itself is coded to accomplish it. And it's not entirely favorable. There are lots of complaints about how their PS1 emulator upscales and tons of complaints about how well the early BC PS3's handled PS2 software.

 

3DS software is coded for a fixed resolution. For upscaling to be possible on 3DS software, an internal scaling chip would be necessary since 3DS programs were never designed to handle the task like the PS3's Playstation emulator was and so lack the capability.

 

And what would Nintendo gain by doing that? It raises their cost, introduces input lag that may be noticeable for some, and the picture is guaranteed to not look as nice as the 1:1 pixel mapping that they use now. It simply doesn't make any sense to introduce scaling for 3DS software on a 3DS.

 

Scaling can produce attractive results but it's never desirable if you can avoid it. With fixed pixel displays it's a necessary evil in today's flat screen HD age but you act as if Nintendo is missing the boat by not having their new 3DS have to upscale 3DS software.

Edited September 7, 2013 by Atariboy

[ilovethevectrex]

The reaction to the 2DS seems to be largely negative, but I like it. I might just pick one up since I don't have a 3DS.

i couldn't agree more! and i will definitely pick one up, for the same reason. it solves many issues the other ds's had, such as the hinges breaking which is very common. it solves it by not having one altogether! and you have more space to hold the system, it seemed like my hands would get cramps after playing the ds for a while. over all, great looking system

[yllawwally]

This system is made for small children. Two of my ds's had their hinges broken, by my kids dropping them. This well be more resistant to breakage, and honestly the 3d is mostly a gimmick anyway. This is the 10 and under model of the 3ds. Now they can remove the not for use by those under 6, warning. It doesn't need to be small, because little kids won't keep it in their pockets anyway.

[Unbeliever]

I saw this a little while ago, and thought this might be a good alternative to the 3ds. I even considered it, because of the price point, and I like the layout of the unit. We'll see.