Games Blog en Community

Nu de Nintendo 3DS sinds vrijdag uit is in Europa en de VS is het tijd voor een Nintendo 3DS review roundup. Metacritic heeft een schitterend overzicht gemaakt met alle Nintendo 3DS reviews op een rij. Wat vindt de pers van de 3DS? Is Nintendo’s nieuwste handheld een revolutie, of is 3D toch een gimmick?

Metacritic noemt in totaal 9 reviews die zeer positief (90% of hoger) zijn over de 3DS. Computeractive deelt een perfecte score van 5/5 sterren uit en concludeert:

The ultimate test of any games console is, of course, the games that are made for it, and at the moment it’s just too early to judge these … When it comes to the console itself, though, the 3DS is almost perfect.

Ook Electricpig beoordeelt de 3DS met 5/5 sterren en concludeert:

Although the 3DS is far from perfect – we find the external design a little uneven, and the battery life is disappointing for a portable machine – it’s already changed our perception of what a mobile gaming platform should be.

ComputerAndVideoGames beoordeelt Nintendo’s nieuwste handheld met een 9.6 en concludeert:

In true Nintendo fashion there’s something here for mum, dad, nan and your annoying baby brother. Most importantly for us, though, there’s something for the hardcore market – and it’s more than a little bit magical. … If you want an example of a modern day gaming revolution, look no further.

Ook TechRadar is onder de indruk van de 3DS en deelt 4.5/5 sterren uit. Uit de conclusie van de review:

The 3DS outdoes its predecessors significantly when it comes to power and visual output, which means Ninty players can look forward to demanding names like Resident Evil and Metal Gear Solid in the future. This is a device that’s going to grab everyone all over again but, at the same time, it’s got plenty to offer the gaming hardcore as well and that’s just as big a step forward as the specless 3D visuals.

Metacritic somt daarnaast 29 reviews op die de 3DS “goed” (80% of lagere score) vonden.

USA Today deelt een 8.1 uit en concludeert:

I had a good time with the 3DS and expect your kids will, too. But the 3-D technology at its heart won’t appeal to everybody.

PC Advisor beoordeelt de 3DS met een score van 80% en concludeert:

The system still exhibits signs of a work in progress. … That said, there’s never been a handheld quite like the 3DS – one as brimming with features as well as potential, and offering an experience that’s frankly impossible on other mobile devices like Apple’s iPhone 4 or Sony’s upcoming PSP successor.

Wired beoordeelt de 3DS eveneens met een score van 80% en concludeert:

Eighteen months from now, Nintendo will release the inevitable 3DS Lite and take us for another $250. Until that day arrives, I’m pretty comfortable saying that the Nintendo 3DS is the best gaming platform the company has ever created: The user experience is quite polished in a variety of ways, and its forward-thinking core feature really does make gaming better.

Dan de 3DS review van IGN, waarin de handheld een 7.5 ontvangt. IGN over de 3DS:

The 3DS is truly a remarkable device and a compelling expansion to Nintendo’s handheld gaming platform, but it is far from perfect. … But despite its technical shortcomings, Nintendo’s innovative software is what truly makes the 3DS a compelling device.

Engadget beoordeelt de 3DS met een 7/10 en concludeert:

So, to get the maximum effect you have to hold the 3DS perfectly still, hold it close, and make sure the 3D dial isn’t cranked too high. A pain? Yes, it is, but it quickly becomes second nature and, once you perfect it, it actually is worthwhile. The screen provides a very compelling effect and, while 3D adds absolutely nothing to the gameplay itself (you won’t be peeking around corners or better-judging throws) it genuinely improves the perceived quality of the graphics in the system’s games. Plus, it’s pretty neat.

Metacritic noemt tot slot ook 4 reviews die minder positief zijn over de 3DS. SlashGear vindt dat de 3DS unieke features heeft, maar is niet positief over de hardware-beslissingen die Nintendo heeft genomen:

There’s no denying that the Nintendo 3DS offers a significant step up in features compared to its predecessors. The 3D flits between being a gimmick and adding a true extra layer of depth to the gaming experience, and while it’s not appealing to everybody, it does at least give the Nintendo a unique proposition among handheld consoles. Unfortunately, some of the hardware decisions undermine the overall value, like the mediocre resolution of the camera for 2D or 3D stills, and the disappointing battery life.

The Wall Street Journal is positief over het 3D-element, maar minder te spreken over het design en de overall functionaliteit van de 3DS:

The Nintendo 3DS does a good job of incorporating 3-D with photos and games, as long as the games don’t make you feel dizzy. But its clunky form and limited functionality is up against steep competition from smartphones that cost less and offer more games.

Over de gehele linie genomen zijn de reviews overwegend positief, maar is er ook zeker de nodige kritiek. Zoals ook wel vaker is gebleken, zal ook hier op de langere termijn pas blijken of de 3DS potentie genoeg heeft om een massmarket succes te worden, net zoals de Nintendo DS dat ook was en nog steeds is.