Nintendo 3DS Cosmo Black Handheld System (PAL)

Nintendo's newest console arrives at a time when its maker faces one of its biggest challenges. Having dominated the portable market for so long with a string of successful handhelds, the firm now finds itself in unsettling competition with the rapidly growing force of smartphone gaming, Apple's iDevices in particular. So it is no surprise to see Nintendo courting those gamers who want something a little more substantial on the move.

3DS is a much more powerful console than its predecessor, but its key selling point is, naturally, its ability to display glasses-free 3D. The effect is startling: the wide-eyed stares and even wider grins featured in Nintendo's marketing feel like a genuinely plausible reaction to that initial viewing. It can take time to get used to, though – initial common complaints range from mild eye strain to gentle nausea – so the ability to dial the effect down or turn it off entirely is a welcome one at first.

The device is typically robust, perhaps a little less attractive than its immediate predecessor, but comfortable to hold and well-made, with a new "circle pad" offering analogue control akin to the thumbsticks of traditional game pads. Installed software allows users to take low-resolution 3D photos and listen to music and an SD card is included to boost the limited internal memory. Rumours of short battery life haven't been exaggerated: with 3D and wireless communications turned on, it can be just three hours before the console needs recharging via the provided cradle, though playing older and less graphically intensive games extends that time.

Other features are designed to encourage users to carry their console at all times. A built-in pedometer awards Play Coins, an in-game currency set to be used by a number of first- and third-party titles, while SpotPass and StreetPass wireless communications allow 3DS owners to swap data, including their Mii avatars, with their consoles in standby mode. The latter is a very Japanese feature: with gaming culture firmly ingrained in the east, connections will be frequent. If Nintendo succeeds in persuading western gamers to be as socially active, it could be one of its most significant victories

I bought this product because I wanted the latest Nintendo console and I sure wasnt dissapointed by it by no means. I am very pleased with it personally and I cant wait till more games are released for it as for now there really arent that many to choose from in nowadays market (its early days yet). Its easy to use, relatively lightweight and certainly exceeds the software of that of the DSI.
It offers full 3D features that can be controlled by a slider to take the intensity up and down, which is great to improve the gaming experience but with that comes a problem. After only a short time of use the 3DS affected my vision and will most likely give me a headache before long. Because of this I've ended up only using minimal 3D effects.
Playing on the normal DS games that were very high quality on my DSI and provided vivid colours, I have found that they have become very low quality, dull coloured and pixilated while playing them on the 3DS console. I hope that they solve this problem soon as it removes the backwards compatiablity of the console which I was praying wouldnt happen. Of course that might be just a easy fix through the settings but I have yet to find how to fix that problem. The new analouge stick-esque feature is difficult to use on normal DS games also, especailly those that have definate left, right, up and down directions such as the Pokemon games but on the 3DS games this feature is fantastic to allow more fluid movement and control.
On a happy note, there are some very classic games up for download that are usually free on the DSware store (such as classic donkey kong!) and some cool little 3D applications, (be aware that this requires a system update for this application to appear on the console!) and the games already available for it look really good.
In conclusion I found that the 3DS was definately worth while and had very little problem with it. The 3DS has found its little niche in the market, I honestly cannot compare it to any of the other handheld consoles out there at this moment, other than its predecessors the DSI and the DS which it outclassed rather nicely!

The Nintendo 3DS, a marvellous benchmark of how far technology has come is, I find, an innovative product with many strengths and can compare to nothing else. It is the only product of its kind on the mass market right now.
I bought the 3DS after hearing about the new 3D Zelda game as I am a huge fan of the Zelda franchise and, boy, was I blown away! The graphics are amazing whilst still keeping the old-school feeling and the 3D is astounding - it has been utilised very effectively and works incredibly fluently throughout the game and integrates flawlessly.
The 3DS has a menu system very similar to that of the Wii's and has a variety of different features available to play around with such as the Augmented Reality (AR) games and Face Blasters, why, I could keep myself satisfied with the 3DS for a year without even buying a game! The 3D feature itself is worth upgrading an older model of DS for.
One thing, however, that I must mark the 3DS down for is the choice of games. It seems Nintendo has done a poor job of differentiating the choices available to buyers when buying a game. It seems all the games are aimed at family markets and children whereas games that are suitable to older audiences (like shooters and film based games) have been left out... Its nice to see the old Nintendo legendary tiles like Zelda and Pokemon are still releasing new games though.
The Nintendo 3DS is a one of a kind product and has no immediate competitors on the market but I'm sure more will come along, the question is though, will Nintendo manage to hold out against their new rivals or will they lose out to competition having lost their unique selling point?

I bought a 3DS after I was impressed by the Augmented Reality game in a shop. This game comes already pre-installed on the console. It's a unique and very original game only made possible by the 3D cameras and 3D screen. You also get another fun game called Face Raiders that is also already installed on the system. Both of these games are great fun and really make use of the technology to its fullest. I just wish there were more games like them available.

Sadly most of the games so far released are just old games that have been ported over to the new system. There is a complete lack of anything original and none of the games utilize the full potential that this machine has to offer.

The 3D display I found to be excellent in terms of immersion into the game. Objects appear to pop out of the screen and it's quite amazing to see especially the first time you experience the sensation. However whilst this technology is from the next generation, the graphics themselves look extremely dated. There are too many rough, jagged edges to ignore partly due to the relatively low resolution of the screen but also due to sub-par rendering that still falls far short of the old Sony PSP.

Overall it is a quality piece of hardware with incredible technology for the price but the lack of quality titles is a big turn off. Maybe that will change but they had better hurry before Sony unleash their new hand-held.

WOW! The 3D images are so clear and realistic they'll have you dodging the screen as objects fly towards you. The Augmented Reality cards you receive are also mind blowing, seeing Mario or Link come to life through your camera also allowing you to assemble an array of nintendo stars past an present all together in one place, in 3D. You will spend hours playing around with Face Raiders, a mini game that comes pre-installed onto your 3DS using the faces of friends, family or even faces from crisp packets (i was at work and had nobody to photograph). Altogether this makes the Nintendo 3DS a must own item, coupled with the fact that there will be many new releases, some which you would expect such as Mario, and others you may be surprised at with Ghost Recon and Assassins Creed. As well as reworkings of N64 classics like Lylat Wars (Star Fox 64) and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.