During Nintendo's investors briefing today, president and CEO Satoru Iwata offered the first peek at the 3DS "Shopping Channel," showing off its themed "racks." While it's unclear what specifically these themes will be, according to Andriasang's report, each rack will highlight games appropriate to its theme. In addition to basic descriptions, games on offer (including GameBoy titles!) will feature video clips, demos and player ratings. Basic search functionality will also be incorporated into the channel. (A short video of Nintendo's preview is available after the break, taken from the investors presentation.)
Iwata also announced a public 3DS demo event for January ... in Japan. From January 8–10, Chiba's Makuhari Messe -- home to the Tokyo Game Show -- will open its doors in an effort to "convey the message of 3D visuals to players." Iwata said the event is intended to quell any skepticism about the forthcoming device's glasses-free 3D functionality. More events, though not as large, will be held in other parts of Japan, but no mention has been made of any North American skeptic-squashing soirees yet.
Reader Comments (31)
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 12:30PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
Nintendo needs to get this thing in big box retailers in North America like Best Buy and Gamestop. I want to see the damn thing for myself because I'm still not sure what it's going to look like. The only way to convey the 3D effect is to see it in person. Make it happen Iwata! This is the first Nintendo console I've been genuinely ecstatic about since the N64 especially if the PSP2 turns out to be that stupid playstation phone.
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 12:33PM Uncle Jesse said
It makes me feel pretty good about wanting this with the amount of confidence Nintendo is showing. I like that they actually want everyone to see it and try it out, instead of keeping it behind glass or a total mystery until it's released. Well played, Ninty.
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 12:41PM religiousjedi said
"In addition to basic descriptions, games on offer (including GameBoy titles!) will feature video clips, demos and player ratings."
You just keep putting more delicious frosting on the cake, don't you Nintendo...
(Oh yay!!!! Super Mario Land!!!!)
You just keep putting more delicious frosting on the cake, don't you Nintendo...
(Oh yay!!!! Super Mario Land!!!!)
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 12:44PM commenter7 said
Looks like a much better interface than the Wii/DSi ware one
I liked their idea of trying to join the shop channel and the Nintendo channel into one
I liked their idea of trying to join the shop channel and the Nintendo channel into one
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 12:50PM superdarrin said
Does Nintendo even care if Americans -- heck, anyone NOT IN JAPAN -- buy this? I want the 3DS (desperately) but it's getting a little frustrating regarding the lack of info available about plans for anyone outside of Japan.
Release date: "eh, some time in March...ish."
Price: "uh, yeeaaahhhh... we'll let you know."
Public Demo events: "there's countries OUTSIDE Japan?"
Release date: "eh, some time in March...ish."
Price: "uh, yeeaaahhhh... we'll let you know."
Public Demo events: "there's countries OUTSIDE Japan?"
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 6:06PM BPMOmega XBL PSN Steam said
@superdarrin
Each branch of Nintendo, typically, only announces info for its region. Nintendo Co., Ltd. makes announcements for Japan, Nintendo of America, Inc. makes announcements for North America, etc... Once NCL has made its announcements, NOA and NOE are ususally not far behind with theirs.
Reply
Each branch of Nintendo, typically, only announces info for its region. Nintendo Co., Ltd. makes announcements for Japan, Nintendo of America, Inc. makes announcements for North America, etc... Once NCL has made its announcements, NOA and NOE are ususally not far behind with theirs.
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 12:51PM Marco le Polo said
One day I will attend one of these investor briefings and flip balls as my translator translates.
An investor will say アメリカ犬をシャットダウン!
An investor will say アメリカ犬をシャットダウン!
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 12:59PM FernandoRocker said
They can have the better interface and features in the world... but it won't work if they stick with Friend Codes...
C'mon, Nintendo... just tell us if the 3DS is going to have a proper account based system.
C'mon, Nintendo... just tell us if the 3DS is going to have a proper account based system.
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 1:10PM BearInTheAir75 said
It's going to have racks?
Count me in! :D
Count me in! :D
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 2:22PM Marco le Polo said
@Uncle Jesse
Me too!
Especially custom wine racks!
Check these babies out!
http://www.winecellarinnovations.com/ideas/wine-cellar-photo-gallery/residential-wine-cellars/
Reply
Me too!
Especially custom wine racks!
Check these babies out!
http://www.winecellarinnovations.com/ideas/wine-cellar-photo-gallery/residential-wine-cellars/
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 4:36PM BearInTheAir75 said
@Marco le Polo
So beautiful, a tear came from my eye
Reply
So beautiful, a tear came from my eye
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 1:11PM Nook said
So will I be able to download my previously purchased VC titles for NES, SNES and N64?
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 1:16PM acefondu said
Quell powers activate!
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 1:22PM ch3burashka said
Hopefully the 3DS Shop music is just as addicting as the other two.
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 1:24PM mattfish9 said
I'm not sure why people can't comprehend the 3DS visuals. Everyone has seen a 3D image before. It's not hard to imagine a 3D system or video, and there's no reason for Nintendo to start showing this in U.S. yet because there's already enough hype and the system doesn't come out for at least five months. Nintendo will have enough trouble as it is just getting enough to Japanese consumers, then, when enough are manufactured, it will launch in the U.S. I can't wait, personally, as I already have money on one.
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 1:29PM ToolroomKnight said
@Chazzr I just envisioned that game in 'eye-popping' black and green 3D D: don't ask me how that thought came about
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 1:32PM commenter7 said
@annoyingposter3
Firefox 4 + Adblock plus = Problem solved
Firefox 4 + Adblock plus = Problem solved
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 1:42PM smoothy said
This ad revenue thing is getting out of hand...joystiq.
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 2:52PM Xpike said
Demos in a Nintendo system!? Finally :D
Now if only they'll announce you can transfer VC titles
Now if only they'll announce you can transfer VC titles
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 3:20PM 343 Guilty Fart said
I may love my Haloz but I am about a thousand times more interested in the 3DS than I am in Kinect.
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 3:22PM gatotsu911 said
I think the major news here is that, after almost an entire generation of poking and prodding, Nintendo has finally concluded that, yes, demos ARE a good idea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDajqW561KM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDajqW561KM
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 6:36PM gatotsu911 said
@Mr Khan
Come on, the format for DS demos is terrible. Even if it weren't a needless hassle just to get one running and even if they didn't constantly change the selection so you can't just demo the game you're interested in - the vast majority of demo titles are shovelware. Forget marquee titles like Mario, Phoenix Wright or GTA, more often than not the only games you can try are Brain Age and a bunch of movie-based games. It's a pretty rudimentary service, and it pales in comparison to what's offered on XBLA, PSN or Steam (to name the most prominent examples). Then again, I suppose the same could be said of just about any aspect of Nintendo's online infrastructure this gen.
Not trying to be a hater here, because seriously, I love Nintendo. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to hold them accountable for stupidity and/or laziness.
Reply
Come on, the format for DS demos is terrible. Even if it weren't a needless hassle just to get one running and even if they didn't constantly change the selection so you can't just demo the game you're interested in - the vast majority of demo titles are shovelware. Forget marquee titles like Mario, Phoenix Wright or GTA, more often than not the only games you can try are Brain Age and a bunch of movie-based games. It's a pretty rudimentary service, and it pales in comparison to what's offered on XBLA, PSN or Steam (to name the most prominent examples). Then again, I suppose the same could be said of just about any aspect of Nintendo's online infrastructure this gen.
Not trying to be a hater here, because seriously, I love Nintendo. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to hold them accountable for stupidity and/or laziness.
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 4:18PM sonicspike41 said
@commenter7
Not anymore. This past month or so even with ABP and the easy list filter sub I keep getting ads on the Joystiq videos. I don't see ads anywhere else on the net, only on the first play of a Joystiq video. Subsequent plays don't show ads though.
Not anymore. This past month or so even with ABP and the easy list filter sub I keep getting ads on the Joystiq videos. I don't see ads anywhere else on the net, only on the first play of a Joystiq video. Subsequent plays don't show ads though.
Posted: Oct 29th 2010 10:12PM delicatessen lama said
Cool this hand-held has a Joystiq sort of thing. That placement looks like it would be awkward but knowing Nintendo it probably works well.






