3DS and future revisions question for the techies

[Neon Genesis]

Hey everyone. This place hasn't changed much since I've been around. Well, enough of the tearful reunion. I had a question about the 3DS's future that I haven't found a discussion for on any other site, so I bow to you, technological wizards of the interwebs, for opinions/thoughts.

First off, when the 3DS specs were revealed on the nintendo e3 webpage, I was.... slightly disappointed. I mean, 3.5 inches widescreen = yay, but 240 horizontal resolution? My heart dropped. In this day and age of nearly every smartphone being capable of 480p resolution, and only days earlier revelation of the iPone 4 resolution of... I dunno... something in the 600s or whatnot? I thought for sure Nintendo would have at least given the 3DS a 480p screen. So my hopes were dashed. I saw the Kid Icarus trailer and screenshots for MarioKart and Zelda:OOT (HELL YEAH!), and it's certain that the 3DS packs a much bigger hardware punch than it's predecessor, but the damn resolution! It's only 50 or some more pixels than the original DS, and since the screen is slightly bigger than the DS, so the pixel density won't change that much to make it look sharp (though I haven't done the math).

So I was bummed. Then I got to thinking. Nintendo always sells at a decent pricepoint, and they always sell at a profit. So I knew they couldn't charge much for this, so I knew hardware couldn't be top of the line. Then I found out the GPU in the 3DS is a 4yr old chip, which I've come to understand doesn't mean it's out of date, but it doesn't really matter since Nintendo customizes their GPU chips anyway for optimum performance on their devices. Then, I finally realized... there are two screens. And one of the screens renders 2 sets of pixels at the same time. So my first techie question is this: When it boils down to it, does this 4yr old GPU have to render a bottom 240 pixel screen, as well as the top screen which can essentially be classified as rendering 480 pixels because of the 3D effect? So does this little GPU chip or hardware in the 3DS all in all render 720 horizontal pixels? I know there's other hardware in the system that does multiple functions, but this made me feel better about the 3DS hardware. I mean, the double screens (one of which needing to render twice the pixels to make 3D) need more juice than a single, 2D iPhone screen, right? Am I not crazy in thinking that?

Secondly, I got to thinking about Nintendo and their love for handheld revisions. I've made peace with Nintendo and the 3DS screen resolution, but I got to thinking, if the 3DS has to last as long as the DS, about 6 or 7 years, then how the hell is Nintendo going to stay "current" with a 240p handheld screen in 2016 when in 2010 people are expecting at least 480p screens? I know this sounds familiar with the whole Wii is not HD in 2006 fiasco, but to me... this is slightly larger than that. I mean, the Wii can still look good at 480p. Not terrific, but not terrible.

So I'm wondering if Nintendo, in the near future, will come out with a 3DS revision with a slightly better GPU/CPU or SOMETHING (didn't the DSi have slightly better hardware to deal with the cameras?) so that the screens in the next few years could be... I dunno. 360p or something?

If you've read this far, you can tell this issue is bugging me. Am I turning into a graphics whore?

[Shpeshal Ed]

$349 - $399AU is going to suck balls. Considering a Wii is now only $299, and I can pick up the new 360 for $399.

So I'm hoping Nintendo surprise me with a nice $249 price point.

Having said tha,t I'm buying this fucking thing regardless. It looks AWESOME.

[PirateThom]

A revision is inevitable, every Nintendo handheld has had a rivision or 3.

I doubt the resolution of the screens or hardware will change that much and, if they do, games would still be made to the lowest common denominator anyway, so there's no real benefit there. Mostly cosmetic differences, size reduction and maybe screen size/screen type change, things like that, since it basically has everything going for it.

[Neon Genesis]

I'm really hoping the price point stays in the lower $200s for this thing. But like you, Ed, I'll be getting it regardless.

Thom, but what about hardware to upconvert and whatnot? Like the PS3 does for PS2 games? I realize that games have to be made to the lowest common denominator until a brand-new system comes out, but they already look pretty damn good in terms of textures and polygons. Just slightly too blocky. I just wonder how feasible it is for Nintendo to have a slightly higher res screen with hardware that can upconvert the games.

I guess I have to take into consideration the 3D as well. I wonder how much I'll notice the jaggies when the screen is popping out (or rather popping away) at me. I say that because there was a website with side-by-side screenshots of some games with obvious jaggies, but by doing the cross-eyed thing, you could make a 3D image in your head, and the jaggies were somewhat less noticeable.

EDIT

Or, for the cosmetic route, updating the cameras when 3D tech becomes cheaper. 0.3 megapixels (480 res pics)? Oy.

Originally Posted by Neon Genesis

240 horizontal resolution? My heart dropped.

Am I turning into a graphics whore?

yep


regarding 3DS revisions, most stores let you trade in the hardware + pay out to get the new one, so that's what i'm doing, in time

it's not like you have to buy it twice [technically]



ALSO.... who cares about the price? you want it, you buy it

you're dirt poor? find a way

don't be a jew

[E6600]

What it is the mystery? buy it when it is out and when it gets a revision buy it again. Life is not that complicated.

[Olorin]

Originally Posted by Neon Genesis

First off, when the 3DS specs were revealed on the nintendo e3 webpage, I was.... slightly disappointed. I mean, 3.5 inches widescreen = yay, but 240 horizontal resolution? My heart dropped.

Maybe you should have another look at the specs:

Top Screen:3.53-inch widescreen LCD display, enabling 3D view without the need for special glasses; with 800x240 pixel resolution (400 pixels are allocated for each eye to enable 3D viewing).
Touch Screen:3.02-inch LCD with 320x240 pixel resolution with a touch screen.

[OPETH]

I really dont see the need in a 3DS, i'm not keen on it like the Wii remote, I think its a innovation that was not needed and encourages more shovelware.

[06nbarnhill]

I decided I will probably wait till its price drops to $199 before I take the 3ds plunge (assuming its more than that at launch). While I am super excited I don't see the rush since I was also a bit late to the DS and I don't think it effected the experience much.

[MasterSword]

Originally Posted by OPETH

I really dont see the need in a 3DS, i'm not keen on it like the Wii remote, I think its a innovation that was not needed and encourages more shovelware.

Switch the 3DS and the Wii Remote and you have my feelings. I still think the best use of motion control was in Wii Sports bowling. Still most of the time I find that most of the time it doesn't add to immersion or gameplay possibilities and just creates more control complications. The pointer was a good idea though, they just need to make the dang thing more reliable at certain distances/angles.

I don't see how 3D could possibly attract more shovelware than motion control.