DS/3DS Questions

Mike Danger

I've been meaning to make this for a while, and the news about the 3DS price drop has finally spurred me.

- Are the 3DSes you can demo in stores different from the ones you buy?

I ask this because every time I've tried to use a 3DS in the store, the 3D effect never seems to really work for me. I have poor eyesight, too, that has sort of messed up 3D effects for me in the past (the one movie where I could really see the 3D super-well was Avatar).

So, similarly:

- I know that the 3DS has the control to dial down the 3D effects. Can you turn it off entirely?
- If you can turn the 3D effect off entirely, does that disrupt gameplay in any way?

Dunadan019

yes there is a switch on the right side of the upper screen that goes up and down. up is full 3d, down is 2d, everything in the middle is partial 3d.

no, turning off the 3d effect doesn't effect game play in any games I've seen yet.

also, the 3ds versions you've seen in the store are most likely identical to the actual versions.

TetraNitroCubane

One thing I'll say about the display models I've seen at Best Buy: They're rather too restrictive with the tethers for me to get a good experience with them. In my experience with the 3DS, I really need to be holding it in exactly the right position to get the 3D effect. Otherwise it's just a blurry mess. My vision is crap, too (Can't ever see 3D in the theaters), but I can see the effect in the 3DS pretty well. Your mileage may vary, but I'd say getting your hands on an untethered 3DS will let you feel the effect better.

Also, the 3D on the 3DS is much more subtle than you might first expect. I've found it's much more "Depth behind the screen" than "Stuff jumping off the screen".

Melinoe

there is also the possibility that the one in the store got messed up somehow, little kids are rough on things. the first time I went into a Target and tried out their display 3ds, it had pilotwings resort in it (dunno how the 3d on this game is actually supposed to be), and I messed with it and it looked pretty terrible. this could have also just been me not really knowing how to use it at the time, but my only thought was "why the hell would anyone want one of these?"

then later when Ocarina of Time 3D came out I went back in and messed with it again, this time it had Lego Star Wars in it and I also had my boyfriend to inform me how to do it properly and I was incredibly impressed.

ChopperDave

As has been mentioned earlier in the thread, the demo units tend to be too tightly tethered and make it hard to hold the system "properly." It's not the best demonstration for the 3D effect, especially if you aren't holding the the thing properly.

When I first got the system, the 3D and I didn't get along. Sometimes I couldn't see it, other times I had trouble with depth of focus (i.e. I had trouble retaining the 3D when switching my focus from a "near" item to a "far" item), other times I'd get a headache. Half-strength was as high as I could go, and oftentimes I would play with the 3D barely on or not on at all. After about a week or two, however, something in my brain "clicked" and the 3D just worked. I think it was a combination of muscle memory (knowing the proper way to hold the system) and my eyes/brain adjusting to the effect. Now I keep the 3D on at full blast and it works great!

I've heard similar things from other 3DS owners. I definitely wouldn't pass on the system because the demo units aren't working for you, as your brain might just need some time to adjust to the effect. If you still don't like it, though, there's always the option to just turn it off. (Even without the 3D effect, the 3DS is a big graphical jump up from the DS.)

MushroomStick

I think the relatively low resolution of the screen may make it a little difficult. I've got an Evo3d and the 3d on it is much easier on my eyes than the 3ds demos I've tried.

SightTDW

Its possible you'd be able to see them just fine. The first time I tried to use a 3DS it looked like absolute crap, but after a couple attempts I hit the "sweet spot." and was pretty impressed. Screwing with store models is just pretty tough when they're bolted to a wall.

Kyanilis

The 3D effect definitely has a sweet spot. Certain games seem to take advantage of it better than other ones, but something to remember is that it is there to enhance the experience. The games are definitely not ruined if you have to turn it off for some reason. And yes, it does turn all the way off, it hasn't been a required feature yet, and I doubt it will be.