Everything You Need To Know About The 3DS

Everything you need to know about the Nintendo 3DS

The Games

Only got enough cash for the 3DS itself? Don't worry, you won't be stranded with nothing to do. There's a bunch of stuff for you to play with right out of the box and it's actually worth your attention at that.

The most basic utility that the 3DS provides is in its activity log; in this software you can track every minute you spend on every game you play as well as see how many steps you walk each day. That's right, the 3DS comes with a built-in pedometer which rewards you with currency you can spend in games that support the feature (like Super Street Figher IV 3D Edition).

Another feature that's bound to prove immediately popular is the ability to take (and display) 3D photos - no extra software required. You can use the two external cameras (3D) or the single internal camera (2D) to take photos, which is something that also comes in useful with another of the built-in titles: MiiMaker.

With MiiMaker you, well, make Mii's (little characters that represent you for various purposes). In addition to the normal Mii-creation controls, introduced with the Wii, you can now make Mii's automatically from photographs taken by the 3DS - a feature which is remarkably good at creating an accurate likeness.

Another nifty built-in game that uses the camera is Face Raiders - a game where your friends (or anyone you take photos of) attack you and you must move around to destroy their evil, cackling likenesses in a surprisingly fun augmented reality game. Don't miss, though, or you'll blast holes in your living room wall...

The Launch Games

Once you've played around with the in-built games and utilities, chances are you'll be looking for something else to play with. Fortunately, Nintendo and their third-party partners have you covered, with 15 games coming out on the same day as the console.

Check 'em out...

		Asphalt 3D	RRP: $99.99
		The latest in Gameloft's racing series, Asphalt 3D has 42 cars to tune and race across 17 exotic locations. Pocket Gamer UK suggested that "Asphalt 3D signals great things to come for the racing genre on the 3DS", and that it "could well become an essential 3DS franchise."

Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D	RRP: $99.99
Ever wanted to take control of a dinosaur and then set about laying waste to a bunch of other prehistoric creatures in an action RPG game, all in 3D? Pretty specific fantasy you've got yourself there but Ubisoft can make that happen for you none the less.

		Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars	RRP: $89.99
		The latest in the ultra successful Star Wars / Lego mashup series is about to hit the shelves and we've played it on 3DS. Following the fortunes of the Clone Wars crew, it looks like a fun title that's ideally suited to pocket play.

Nintendogs + Cats (Golden Retriever)	RRP: $99.99
The incredibly successful and ultra popular series returns, bringing with it a host of new friends - some of which are of the feline (cat) variety. Our initial impressions are that it's every bit as cute and addicitive as its predecessor. This version features the wonderful Golden Retriever.

		Nintendogs + Cats (Toy Poodle)	RRP: $99.99
		The second (in our list) of the three Nintendogs titles available at launch is rocking the Toy Poodle, a breed popular with the dog show crowd. Like the other games, it tasks you with training and caring for your doggie via the touch screen and voice control.

Nintendogs + Cats (French Bulldog)	RRP: $99.99
If you like your dogs with their nose pushed back in their heads, or like a puppy that always looks like it's ready to go, the French Bulldog version of Nintendogs + Cats could be just the ticket. Can you keep your dog happy and teach it new tricks? The real question should be: will you remember your real dog once a Nintendog gets its oh-so-cute claws into you?

		Pro Evolution Soccer 3D	RRP: $109.99
		Konami's killer football franchise is always popular with hardout enthusiasts, or just those looking for an alternative to EA's Fifa series. One of the most exciting aspects of the 3DS for us at NZGamer.com is the latent ability it should give gamers to tell where the ball is in 3D space, something that's often a challenge in football games.

Rabbids 3D	RRP: $99.99
If you've ever hopped into your washing machine and found yourself traveling through time, you'll know exactly what to expect here because that's what the Rabbids have done. Set across 60 levels in four different time periods, Rabbids 3D is a platform game and, based on the trailer, we reckon it could be something special.

		Rayman 3D	RRP: $99.99
		Another Ubisoft launch title, Rayman 3D is the ninth game in the classic platforming series. It plays in 3D, much like Mario 64, and tasks the player with completing classic platforming / action tasks with a hero whose limbs don't appear to be connected to anything. Check out the official launch trailer for it here

Ridge Racer 3D	RRP: $89.99
Ridge Racer is no stranger to launching new consoles, with the tradition going all the way back to the PlayStation itself. This new version, in addition to the obvious 3D-ness, is so fast it actually made it to shelves in the US three days before the 3DS console itself. Early reviews suggest this new title lives up to the series reputation for being fast and fun, too.

		Super Monkey Ball 3D	RRP: $99.99
		There's more than 70 new puzzle levels in SMB 3D, letting you take the "monkey in a ball" puzzle platforming action anywhere you go. The classic puzzle mode is not alone, either, with Monkey Race and Monkey Fight completing the package and allowing up to four players to join in on the action!

Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition	RRP: $99.99
This is the one we've spent the most time with so far and, well, it's every bit as good as you'd hope it would be. In addition to the arcade-perfect gameplay (which translates super well onto the console's controls), there's heaps of bonus stuff to do and you can cash in your walking around to buy action figures inside the game. Don't miss it!

		The Sims 3	RRP: $69.99
		EA's bajillion-selling mega franchise that all but props up an ailing (in comparison - settle down you lot, you know who you are) PC gaming industry brings the people simulator to the 3DS. Manipulate your Sims for fun and profit - only now, you can keep it in your pocket and sneak a go while you should be working.

Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars 3D	RRP: $99.99
Described by 1up as a mix of Valkyria Chronicles and syndicate, Ghost Recon goes all strategic with its debut on 3DS. Looking like a generous handful of Advance Wars is in the mix, along with more than a pinch of the outstanding Field Commander, the trailer has us going all sorts of giddy.

		Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell 3D	RRP: $99.99
		Splinter Cell 3D for the 3DS is actually a remake of Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, which was originally published back in 2005. Sam Fisher sees action again when the abduction of a high profile computer programmer is somehow connected to an information war between North Korea, South Korea, China and Japan. An old mission also comes back to haunt Sam...

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