When Nintendo began work on a successor to the DS, the new handheld console didn't feature 3D visuals or the gyroscopic sensors. That's the word from hardware producer Hideki Konno who has been speaking with Famtisu magazine about the making of the Nintendo 3DS.
"I became involved with development starting in 2008, but at that time, it didn't have 3D visuals," admitted Konno. Given that the original 3DS designs didn't look very different from the DS Lite, what convinced Nintendo to switch to 3D?
Yet Nintendo didn't stop with 3D visuals. According to Konno, Shigeru Miyamoto wanted more from the system and pressed for a gyro sensor.
"Those sensors were actually put in pretty late. We officially went with them just before E3 last year. The boat had really left the port by that point - the hardware team had the final specs and just had to work it all out.
"Then, in the midst of that, Miyamoto said 'This isn't enough; we can really change things if there's a gyro sensor in there.' We had a prototype for the sensor already, so we got everyone together to try it out, and the conclusion we came up with was 'Well, if we can do things this fun with it, I guess we've got no choice.'"
The latest issue of Famtsu also features the first Nintendo 3DS game reviews.
[Source: 1Up]
Seeing as the name '3DS' is perfect as not only is it a hybrid of 3D and DS, but it also capitalises on the original DS's success; it would be interesting to hear what they would have called it was it not to feature 3D visuals.
oh. O.k
So was it originally just a even more basic Wii mote and a DS in one? that's pretty rubbish
Interesting?
Ok... So they were planning a rather crap new DS.
Thank god they actaully put alot more effort into putting the 3d and gyro senser into it
so it would be just called "The Nintendo 3ds without 3d"
or "the nintendo ds remote"
So the gyro sensor has been tacked on last minute? Worrying...
So, in other words, it was originaly a PSP with a touch screen?
It would probably have been called the DS advance.
I swear ONM already mentioned this...
I hope it will work well. If it was tacked on at the last minute won't that make it not so good?
Wow, the 3DS without 3D, or the gyroscope features, in my opinion, would have failed. It would still have the incredible games arsenal, but it wouldn't really have built on the DSi.
wow so that would be the Nintendo Wii DS version!
I'm glad they made up their minds!
so basically it was a normal bulky Ds then. with a slider. So a normal Bulky DS/PSP with a touch screen.
Wow. They were actually going to try to sell that? I think a fifth DS model would have been going too far.
what would be the point of releasing a new console without doing something voerwhelming (like 3D visuals)? very interesting though, thanks for the info, my mates will be VERY interested (we always discussing pros and cons of the 3DS)
Although it did still have motion sensor, touch screen, better graphics, and analog stick.... yeh. When did they put 3d cameras in?
love that line of reasoning
Of course.
Thats why we love nintendo.
They always put FUN first, not impressing people with fancy visuals.
I was thinking the same...
Slow news day ONM?
Ooh er misses.
I've only had a chance to play Face Raiders, but if that's anything to go by the gyroscope doesn't feel like a last minute addition, and when used with the console's cameras it seems to work very well.
The All New Nintendo S!
Even if the Nintendo 3DS didnt have 3D it would still be a great handheld. Think about it, the new graphics, the mii maker, vitual console and augmented reality. And much more. So the 3DS would still be good!!!