by Damien McFerran
IGN UK

Even the most stubborn of Nintendo fans will admit that the 3DS hasn't gotten off to the best of starts. The console has gained bad press thanks to tabloid tales of 3D-induced headaches, an over-ambitious launch price and battery stamina that is so disappointing that Game Boy creator Gunpei Yokoi must be spinning in his grave.

A dramatic price cut has done much to annoy hardcore fans and early adopters, and is a fairly sizeable hint that Nintendo is concerned with the console's flagging commercial fortunes – prior to the reduction, the 3DS was being out-sold by the DS in its native Japan.

To compound these irksome issues, there's been an almost embarrassing drought of decent software. Granted, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and Star Fox 64 3D are world-class, but they're rehashes rather than brand-new adventures. To compound Nintendo's embarrassment even further, the response to the recently-revealed cradle peripheral (the 3DS Boat to its friends), which docks onto the bottom of the device and adds a second analogue slider and some new buttons, has been almost unanimously scathing. When you take all of this into account, it's hardly surprising that the 3DS has struggled to emulate the incredible commercial form of the DS range – at least so far.


But it's important to remember that the machine isn't a year old yet, and hasn't weathered its first Christmas. The festive period is traditionally the time when gaming hardware gets a considerable sales boost, and with the PS Vita delayed until next year, the 3DS essentially has the portable console market all to itself. The 3DS hasn't been the instant runaway success that Nintendo may have envisaged, but we think it's a little too early to call time on the console just yet. There are plenty of reasons why Christmas 2011 could be a massive event for Nintendo's auto-stereoscopic wonder.

Firstly, the 3DS represents the thrill of the new. Many smartphone lovers will argue that the playing field has changed dramatically since the launch of the DS way back in 2005, with Apple's iPod Touch supplanting the DS to become the gaming platform of choice for many youngsters. But hardware comes in cycles, and what was last year's must-have device is often relegated to the scrapheap a mere twelve months later. Right now, the 3DS offers a technological leap over the competition thanks to its glasses-free screen.

While we're not suggesting that the wheels are about to fall off the iOS bandwagon just yet, the fickle nature of the average pre-teen gamer and the desire to constantly be at the vanguard of technology means that the 3DS has an excellent chance of finding its way into quite a few stockings this holiday season. Angry Birds and Cut the Rope can only hold a child's attention for so long, and with the iPod Touch concept now into its fourth year, we predict that many youngsters will be hastily scribbling the words '3DS' onto their Christmas wish list.


Of course, price is a factor in the success or failure of any piece of hardware, and despite annoying hordes of day-one buyers and attracting hoots of derision from some quarters of the gaming press, Nintendo has effectively solved that particular issue with the aforementioned reduction. At GBP149.99/US$169.99, the 3DS is now cheaper than the lowest-spec iPod Touch and much closer to that magical price point that captures the attention of casual users and parents alike, making the system a much more attractive proposition to the all-important mass market.

Finally - and this could be considered to be the most vital point - by the time jolly old Saint Nic squeezes his portly frame down your chimney, the 3DS will finally be playing host to some decent games. To complement the aforementioned Zelda and Star Fox there's Mario Kart 7, Super Mario 3D Land and Pokemon Rumble Blast, a trio of high-profile franchise updates that are sure to attract players all over the globe. Moving into 2012, there are Triple-A titles such as Kid Icarus: Uprising, Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater, Monster Hunter 3G and Resident Evil: Revelations to consider.

While it's obvious that if you want to enjoy Nintendo-produced titles like Mario Kart and Pokemon you need to own a Nintendo platform, games such as MGS: Snake Eater 3D, Monster Hunter 3G and Resident Evil: Revelations are third-party smash-hits that could persuade potential PS Vita purchasers to shift their allegiance, and perhaps even motivate those who have been holding off a 3DS purchase for most of 2011. The 3DS' lack of killer games during this year has been an undeniable weakness, but the promise of quality games like the ones outlined above can remedy this situation almost overnight.

The 3DS most certainly has its faults and shortcomings, but it remains a console with tremendous potential. The auto-stereoscopic display has been underused by developers so far, but titles such as Pilotwings Resort, Zelda and Star Fox give a tantalising glimpse of just what is possible when the right developer is involved. It's not just Nintendo's problem – the concept of 3D entertainment has experienced a large degree of scepticism, with the general public appearing to be somewhat undecided on its benefits.


I'd argue that in the case of the 3DS at least, we've yet to see the game that will truly show off that unique display. And even if that game is a long time coming, should the public perception of 3D change over the next year, Nintendo is going to be perfectly poised to capitalise on the renewed interest – just as Apple's iOS range arguably built on the important groundwork laid down by Nintendo's stylus-driven DS console.

And let's not forget that the StreetPass concept also has legs, and when applied to a series like Pokemon, Animal Crossing or Monster Hunter, could kick-start a wireless exchange revolution that effortlessly captures the imagination of the general public and makes the 3DS a must-own device.

Finally, it's worth taking into account Nintendo's vast reserves of experience and knowledge. What company is better placed to harness the 3DS' untapped potential than the undisputed master of the handheld arena? Nintendo may have had its pride knocked by recent share slumps, lagging hardware sales and the unremitting onslaught of smartphone gaming, but it has over three decades of indispensable experience in this field. Betting against a 3DS revival this Christmas may seem tempting, but we have a sneaking suspicion that the House that Mario Built could be sitting pretty at the top of the pile once more this coming December.

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