Iwata: 3D functionality of Nintendo 3DS can be turned off

by Andrew Yoon on May 7th 2010 3:30PM

Afraid that the jump-off-the-screen 3D effects promised by Nintendo's next handheld (code-named the 3DS) will become tiresome and overly gimmicky? Addressing concerns that there may be possible health consequences with 3D gaming, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata assured Forbes that the 3D function can be turned off easily, allowing players to enjoy games in a more traditional 2D manner.

While little else is known about the device, it seems like a smart move to ensure Nintendo's next system is attractive to as wide of an audience as possible. Of course, we may change our minds after its E3 debut -- perhaps the 3D effect will be so captivating that we'll be unable to think of gaming in any other way.

[Via GoNintendo]

Source

Tags: 2d, 3d, 3ds, forbes, nintendo, nintendo-3ds, satoru-iwata

Reader Comments (64)

Interesting. I thought the 3D was going to be implemented for gameplay reasons...now it seems it's just for effect.

I'm a sad panda.

you're one of the people that looked at that 3D Puzzle DSiware game and assumed that was the 3DS's "3D" aren't you? That was just some guy claiming it to be like that and a ton of people believing him just because he showed a regular DSi game in action...if it could be done on the DSi, why would they need to make a new system to do it that way?

I don't see why it can't be both.

Just as touch screen controls sometimes add to the gameplay (Trauma Center) and sometimes.... don't (Castlevania.... though I do love it still)- I'm sure that some games will use the 3d to enhance gameplay, and some games will simply use it for purely superficial purpose.

It's ultimately up to the developers (first party and third alike) to make use of the tools at their disposal.

What he's getting at is that with the head tracking you could look to the side and see the other side of a building, just as an example.

@Nolan_North

Guh? Not sure what video you're talking about but the last two consoles Nintendo released had unique control schemes that allowed new ways to experience games. I thought the 3DS would be an extension of that notion.

Ah, I looked up that Puzzle DSiware game and color me impressed! Pretty neat.

But I was thinking old fashioned "pop-up" 3D, if you know what I mean. I'm not sure how the hell Nintendo would turn that into a game mechanic, but it's freaking Nintendo! You know they'll think of something clever.

Will the screen even allow such a thing though? These aren't holograms where you can tilt the image and see different angles. Now maybe if the screen has multiple parallax barriers creating multiple viewing zones this could be accomplished, otherwise it would take another technology like head tracking or motion sensing to assist. But at that point, as the 3D DSiware game shows, you don't even need a 3D screen to make those types of games.

@Vidikron

this effect is achieved simply with a forward facing camera and head tracking as demonstrated on the DSi, it seems logical to assume that the 3DS will have a forward facing camera and be capable of head tracking as well. Im sure some games will implement both 3D (autostereoscopic) and head tracking to give an ultimate 3d effect useful for both immersion and gameplay.

I would not get "sad" until you see it hands on. So far im very impressed =)

Maybe it's still not. Maybe turning the 3d on and off is part of the gameplay ala super paper mario

I was one of them guys who uploaded the actual puzzle game that ppl believe is 3DS

The 3d is just a visual effect, any gameplay stuff that works in 3d would work in 2d. I can't imagine a gameplay feature that would require a 3d effect to work?

@KaBob799

That's what I was trying to say. There's likely nothing about the 3DS that will actually enable a new type of gameplay.

I like that all these 3-D displays can display 2-D.

It keeps all these old fogeys scared of the "threedee's" from crying foul.

THREEDEEEEEEES!! I hear they steal your soul.

It is nice to see them address the concerns the denizens of earth with respect to health concerns, giving the option to turn it off sounds like they maybe don't fully believe in the direction (self doubting third pillar anyone?) proving to be a massive wii-like success.

There is nothing wrong with a bit of caution. Sometimes in hindsight you could say it saved you much grief.

This comment brought to you by the letter 9.

Don't forget that to get the no-glasses-3D effect, your eyes have to be a certain distance from the screen. So people who like having it closer or further might turn it off too.

what about people without binocular vision, or people with only one eye? If we move completely into the THREEDEEEEEE'S that handicap group will call foul play.

This handheld has so much potential to prove to me that the 3-D craze isn't just a crappy annoying gimmick and can actually add to an experience, cause all the movies I've seen, besides Avatar, have proven otherwise.

All those movies (besides Avatar) weren't actually filmed with 3D cameras, they were converted. The next movie thats actually being filmed with 3D Cameras is Resident Evil Afterlife

Try nVidia 3D Vision. It blows 3D movies out of the water.

Being in 3D didn't help Avatar have a good story.

I think this the first time that I'm actually interested in anything to do with 3D gaming. Hope it turns out well.

I hope that this new system is capable of better graphics (not that I have a problem with the DS graphics,) because it would follow the trend of past handhelds. I'm going to be disappointed if the only added technology is the 3D

Yep, I agree. And the fact that the DS has been out for so long just helps prove the point. Its showing its age

They already confirmed (I believe) that it's a more powerful system and not just a tweak to DS.

There were rumours that it's using Nvidia's Tegra chip, which is also used in several phones. This is an order of magnitude faster than DS and includes Nvidia 3D graphics processor. There really isn't any point making a system with a 3D screen and no GPU, so (whether it's Tegra or not) I'm sure the system will be much power powerful graphically.

Yay for being able to turn it off, anyhow. My eyes are weird so I don't know if I'll be able to see the effect.

My guess for the cool extra gimmick is a 3D (stereoscopic) front-facing camera which can be used for motion tracking a la Natal.

Well, at least someone wants to actually provide an option. Suddenly I'm not so anal about this platform.

Now they just need to get down to business and show us just what makes this thing different from any other DS they've released thus far. How long 'till E3?

I wish they'd just show it to us already - I hate hearing about this and just being left to imagine what it'll be like.. Though I assume some developer out there knows what it'll be like given that they must have some sort of kit already.

Though, they must be under wraps since no one has commented about it yet, not even a vague "It's pretty cool"

virtual boy 2010

Oh that sucks. I didn't know it was going to be only a red screen and a head unit that can't be put on your head, but instead has to sit on a stand. You see, I thought this was a DS-like handheld device with a full color screen that was also 3D.

i actually really like the virtual boy. haha.

I have one I scored eons ago for $20 new at Toys R Us. :P The worst thing about it is how you have to crook your neck to get your head up to it. It f*cking hurts your neck, not your eyes! O _ o

Doesn't this shoot down the lenticular lens idea? You can't turn a physical piece of hardware "off".

This is good news, Mr. Iwata was a good boy and read one of my posts from earlier today. Now - give me N account integration and the ability to play my already N branded VC purchased titles. That means I'm gonna need a stick or two along with some number of buttons.

and cube level graphics at bare minimum.

I think point 2 is the deal breaker.

I don't see why you can't have a 2D image behind the lenticular lens equipped sceen. A lenticular lens projects differen images to the left and right. If the left and right images are different, then a 3D effect will be seen. If the left and right eye see the same image, then the screen will be seen as showing 2D scene.

I guess I have an image in my head of this screen(s) having a window on top of it with noticeable lines etched into it.

xfgjfghngnfgnfgnfgn money

I doubt they would bother touting it as their next big handheld platform if the enhancements were purely aesthetic. But hey, we'll see at E3.

Dammit, Joystiq Reply Monster... that was supposed to be a response to Reuben.

I got you covered. Considering Nintendo's recent history, I wouldn't actually be surprised if the 3D was the big announcement, and that's all. I do, however, hope that I'm wrong.

Dear Nintendo,

Please, please for the love of God, have a feature on the 3DS that will actually catch my interest. Sure, 3-D gaming is cool in theory, but I really don't care. Games are games. Consumers have seen new innovations with the Wii and DS systems (motion controls and touch screen) and, so far, the 3DS sounds like it's going to be as grand as the PSPGo. Give me something exciting! I'm sick of playing as a plumber!

We basically know nothing about the 3DS and it's already looking leagues better than the PSPgo :X

So I can turn my new system with more functionality into something that doesn't have the functionality that got me to buy it in the first place at the flick of a switch?

Nintendo with the innovation!

I think it's moreso for older DS games than anything.

If 3D is the next great thing, then why would Nintendo let you turn it off? Guess they're not confident in their new gimmick. HA! Totally kidding, this just kind of reminds me of people who rip on Nintendo games that let you use a classic controller or gamecube controller if you want, as some sort of proof that all motion control is a farce.

You had me going, you!

This makes it sound like it IS head tracking. If that's the case, I think it would be hard to design games well enough if you don't know if they player will be using it in 3D or not.

Why? It can be entirely in software, just makes left and right images the same. Bam! 3D turned off.

I can't wait for the Super 3DSi XL.

It'll come with special Super Mario "mushrooms" that let you *think* you're 3D gaming.

I dunno man. -1 from me...

I mean, you can't design the game assuming players can see the sides of anything.

I've got a hunch most 3rd parties won't even use the 3D features if you can just turn it off... Really defeats the purpose of the system, should it come to that.

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Iwata: 3D functionality of Nintendo 3DS can be turned off

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Posted: May 7th 2010 3:34PM NaeemTHM said

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