3DS Revision Rumors

[Waluigi]

Lurking NeoGAF again and I was reading a thread(http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=475071&page=2), and read something interesting...

Someone called 'creamsugar' had this to say about a 3DS revision...

The new model:
Higher resolution
Bigger screen
TFT screen
Wider viewing angle
2 analog sticks
As big as DSi LL or Vita

He also tweeted this (May 17), which may contribute to a double the resolution rumor:

800 * 480 ?

*This could mean double the base resolution of 3DS(400*240) or a doubling of the vertical resolution in 3D*
https://twitter.com/#!/creamsugar
He is apparently a respectable source, and he knew about MonHunTriG a year before announcement. Take it with a grain of salt, but this may be a hint towards a 3DS XL...

[FelipeGonc]

Bogus. If DS games already look bad on the 3DS, then older 3DS games would look absolutely terrible on a screen which has two times their resolution.

[Waluigi]

Bogus. If DS games already look bad on the 3DS, then older 3DS games would look absolutely terrible on a screen which has two times their resolution.

3DS games would be uprezzed, I assume. Like PSP games on a Vita - the screen has twice the pixel count as a PSP, so PSP games can adjust perfectly and they look phenomenal on a Vita. Same case here. Original resolution DS games would be bigger as well, I would think.

[FelipeGonc]

Also, if you check the original post from where to quote was taken from, you'll see it belongs to an Expectations/Wishes thread. So no, it is not real.

[FatFace83]

So a redesigned 3DS with better 3D? I actually like the sound of this, if it's true it would be a day one purchase for me, always thought the 3D screen was a tad bit on the small side so a bigger screen would be lovely, as with the double resolution!

[Waluigi]

He has posted in other threads about it, though:

I believe Sony will announce major Vita title soon. And then Nintendo could announce the new 3DS model, I heard it's physically as big as Vita, lol.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=37977733&postcount=6767
Posted this in a thread unrelated to any speculation whatsoever, in a Vita thread.

Plus, they are taking him seriously by a few people in the thread where I found the info, and he states knowing about TriG before its announcement on his twitter.

It is a rumor, but I dont think it should be completely disclosed so soon.

[anime5ever]

The source told me at the end of year 2010, there will be a power up version of MH3 for 3DS. And then we all knew it during this year's TGS.
from creamsugar we know this was.

[FatFace83]

If there is going to be a redesign I hope they do something about those ridges on the lower screen that smudge the 3DS screen, that's quite annoying. Looking back the DSi was built very well, the hinges were nice and tight, the screens were nice too, the 3DS just doesn't seem as well put together like the DSi was.

[Jerome]

1. Higher resolution
2. Bigger screen
3. TFT screen
4. Wider viewing angle
5. 2 analog sticks
6. As big as DSi LL or Vita

1. Not gonna happen. No currently released games could use it, and it would require a significant horsepower boost.
2. Probably true. At least a bit bigger, anyway.
3. Basically all LCD screens are TFT these days anyway. This isn't a new feature.
4. Possibly in 2D mode with an IPS display like DSi XL. For 3D mode, no way. Parallax Barrier technology has a tiny, fixed viewing angle based on the distance between the average person's eyes. The only way around this would be an active head-tracking system, which would require massive changes and added expense.
5. Lots of people will be disappointed if they don't do this, so it should be a given.
6. It really Wouldn't be smart to make the main model of their handheld non-pocketable. Also, Vita and DSi XL aren't the same size.

[LegendofZelda1996]

I bet that Nintendo is planning on announcing a Nintendo 3DS revision next year. They obviously will not focus on it this year since Nintendo is determined to make the Wii U a success.

[Totodile]

If there is going to be a redesign I hope they do something about those ridges on the lower screen that smudge the 3DS screen, that's quite annoying. Looking back the DSi was built very well, the hinges were nice and tight, the screens were nice too, the 3DS just doesn't seem as well put together like the DSi was.

This. God damn do I hate those lines.

[Broken_Cartridge]

I'm thinking that we will receive a remodel this year. Nintendo has stated at their investors meeting that they will start selling 3DS' at a profit come September. That either means they are going to raise the price again come September, or they are going to come out with a remodel. I'm thinking remodel.

[KingBroly]

I'm thinking that we will receive a remodel this year. Nintendo has stated at their investors meeting that they will start selling 3DS' at a profit come September. That either means they are going to raise the price again come September, or they are going to come out with a remodel. I'm thinking remodel.

Uh...you know nothing about economics.

[Mako]

Uh...you know nothing about economics.

Instead of being rude, why not explain what he hasn't realized?

Yes, obviously increasing the price would increase profit margins. As would releasing a new model which makes a profit from the start. However, let's not forget that as time goes on the manufacturing cost to produce anything decreases. The technology (goods) used to make the product gets cheaper, and the manufacturing process becomes more streamlined and efficient.

A lot of times Sony and Microsoft will take huge losses in order to get their product into as many hands as possible. In theory this isn't a problem because they use software sales to make up for it. Nintendo has always sold their products to make a profit, until recently with the 3DS price cut. If the 3DS is set to start making a profit again just imagine how much money they would be making right now if they never cut the price. It will be interesting to see how they price the Wii U.
__________

I'm not sure what to think about all those speculations for the new model. We know there will be one eventually, but I doubt they will double the resolution for it. Also, it would be wise for Nintendo to spread apart the release of the 3DS revision and Wii U, so don't hope for a new 3DS any time soon.

[KingBroly]

Manufacturing Costs go down
Shipping costs go down

These 2 factors allow Nintendo to sell the 3DS below MSRP, and make profit.

[MrWu]

Could this be the 3DS without 3D model rumour the 01.net was talking about nine months ago?

-The 800x480 screen would be the exact same resolution as the Wii U tablet, which means Nintendo will just be buying more of those in bulk and diverting them to the 3DS
- The dual analog rumour is also from the 01net piece and is kind of 'no brainer' from a fan-guess perspective
- The XL/LL size is also well liked by fans.

2/3 of the top design changes are fan requests, so I can see this being totally false, but they had their roots from that French site that leaked the Wii U/project cafe last year so there's some cred there.

As for how they will make existing 400x240 3DS games work on 800x480 the obvious answer seems to be that it's one big 800x480 screen.

The 3DS top screen is 800x240 (400x240 in 2D mode) and bottom screen is 320x240

Add up the height and you have 480. So Native res (2D) mode 3DS games will run at 400x480 and take up half the screen. Leaving the other half perhaps open as a window into the Wii U?

If this is true, this could be a Wii U tablet that is 3DS compliant and fully portable. Likely smaller form factor, but still large enough to be considered DSiXL/LL with a comparison to Vita.

[WarioT]

Right now I think the only changes would be new colored Nintendo 3DS's for now I can't see this happening this year

[Mirr0rR3flection]

I don't believe these rumors...

If there is going to be a redesign I hope they do something about those ridges on the lower screen that smudge the 3DS screen, that's quite annoying. Looking back the DSi was built very well, the hinges were nice and tight, the screens were nice too, the 3DS just doesn't seem as well put together like the DSi was.

Yes, the ridges have got to go. I shouldn't be needing to buy a screen protector but I had to with this handheld unlike with my previous ones.

[delpiero]

No revisions. This will make no sense for Nintendo. The only focus in hardware would be on Wii U. The twin analog is way too soon. It's still pretty much experimental with the limited stock of the CPP.

[MrWu]

No revisions. This will make no sense for Nintendo. The only focus in hardware would be on Wii U. The twin analog is way too soon. It's still pretty much experimental with the limited stock of the CPP.

A straight revision of the 3DS wouldn't make sense.

A 3DS redesign, perhaps as a tablet format (not clamshell) with a larger form factor desgined as a companion to the Wii U with uPad capabilities plus 3DS support might be an interesting play.

It also solves the - will they sell the uPad separately question by essentially placing a premium uPad model out on the market.

[gtt]

No revisions. This will make no sense for Nintendo. The only focus in hardware would be on Wii U. The twin analog is way too soon. It's still pretty much experimental with the limited stock of the CPP.

in what way does it make no sense? redesigns of handhelds is what they do.

[Ry]

If there is going to be a redesign I hope they do something about those ridges on the lower screen that smudge the 3DS screen, that's quite annoying. Looking back the DSi was built very well, the hinges were nice and tight, the screens were nice too, the 3DS just doesn't seem as well put together like the DSi was.

This. God damn do I hate those lines.

...and the circle pad imprint.

[Waluigi]

...and the circle pad imprint.

YES

I put my 360 rubber pads on my 3DS and it protects against the screen perfectly, but I constantly get circle pad imprints. So freaking annoying

Dont know how they'll fix it without huge rubber pads though...

[gtt]

...and the circle pad imprint.

YES

I put my 360 rubber pads on my 3DS and it protects against the screen perfectly, but I constantly get circle pad imprints. So freaking annoying

Dont know how they'll fix it without huge rubber pads though...

easy, increase the gap between the top half and bottom half by like, half a mm. and make the little hard rubber nubs on the edge that much longer. so there is zero contact between the top half and bottom half. and the magnetic sensor should still be tripped by the magnets in the speakers. (that's how it knows when it's shut btw, take a magnet and move it over the bottom half and when you're over that sensor, the system will go into sleep mode like you shut it.)

[Waluigi]

From GAF... the guy who I found the rumor from (creamsugar) had this to say:

The new 3DS is in production, at least you could know in this way.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=38520098&postcount=515
aww yeahh