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Nintendo 3DS Australian Launch

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With the impending launch of the 3DS in Australia, it's time for a thread to discuss its launch there! Join us as we share news, photos, and impressions of the new Nintendo handheld system in its first days available on the market.

FAQ

Where are the North American and European launch threads?

The North American launch thread is here.
The European launch thread is here.

How is the Internet browser?
How can I access the eShop and what will be available?
How can I transfer my DSiWare to the 3DS?


This functionality will be included in the May firmware update.

Will DSiWare be available from the eShop?

Yes.

Will I be able to use my old Wii/Nintendo Points on the eShop?

No, the eShop will use a payment system based on actual currency, and old point cards will not be redeemable.

Does the Circle Pad work with any old DS games?

Yes, it seems that the position on the Circle Pad gets translated to its d-pad equivalent. YMMV.

Does the 3D slider click or anything when switching between 2D and 3D?

No.

What language options does the 3DS have?

Language options depend on the region of the unit. In Europe, German, Dutch, Spanish, French, Italian, and English should be available. In Australia, at least English should be present.

Is the 3DS region-locked?

Unfortunately, 3DS and DSi-specific games are region-locked.
Eurogamer said:
We can confirm that the software is locked by region; inserting one of our Japanese 3DS games into our European machine produces no result at all – it's as if no card has been inserted. This remains a deeply disappointing decision for handheld devices which will be taking a lot of long-haul flights. (However,our European and Japanese 3DS consoles were able to swap data via StreetPass.)

How about European games? Can I play them?

Yes, Australian and European hardware and software are compatible.

Are old DS games region-locked, too?

No, they're all playable.

How do old DS games look on the 3DS?

By default, they're stretched to fit, though it's possible to reduce the display output to the original resolution. Hold the start and select buttons as you run the DS game.

Do old DS games get logged like 3DS games do in the activity history?

Yes.

How do you set your favorite game?

Scroll to your profile in the friend list and tap the icon at the top of the screen to change your favorite game. The Mii-related options are spread out across the friend list, Mii Studio, and Mii Plaza, so this can get a bit confusing.

Can you name an old DS game as your favorite for your Mii profile?

No.

Does the system come charged out of the box?

It reportedly has about half a charge, long enough to get set up and start playing.

How long does the battery last?

Depending on the settings and usage, between 3 and 5 hours. Standby has yet to be precisely measured, but it lasts longer than one is away from the charging cradle.

What's the point of the charging cradle?

Ease-of-use, really. It's easier to slap the system down in the cradle than to stick the wire into the back of the system and set it so it won't come out. The aim is probably to make the 3DS something that you want with you at all times.

Can I plug in the 3DS while I play instead of hooking it to the cradle?

Yes.

Will the 3DS take the same charging adapter as the original DS?

No, but the AC adapter for the 3DS and DSi, model number WAP-002, is included.

What kind of memory storage does the system have?

The 3DS comes with a 2GB SD card for your data and has 2GB of internal flash memory for system use. SDHC cards of up to 32GB are supported.

How are pictures stored?

3D pictured are saved to the SD card as two files, one JPG and one MPO.

Can I view pictures taken on another 3DS?

Yes. Files are stored as such...
\DCIM\100NIN03\HNI_0001.JPG
\DCIM\100NIN03\HNI_0001.MPO

You can have multiple folders at the "100NIN03" level with different digits, containing pictures that are identically-named in different folders.

Can the 3DS will display MPO images from a non-3DS source?

Yes, FinePix MPO files were successfully loaded here.

How is music stored?

The 3DS Sound Channel will detect MP3s stored anywhere on the SD card.

Is the Sound Channel usable for things like playing/downloading RSS podcasts or Internet radio streams?

For the music app, there doesn't appear to be anything specifically for downloading streams, but you could load MP3s anywhere on an SD card and the system will find it.

How do Friend Codes work? How long are they, and can you rename them?

Friend Codes are shared by all software system-wide. They are 12 digits, with hyphens after the 4th and 8th digits. There doesn't appear to be an option to rename your friends, as you automatically get their name and Mii when registered. Friend names are the same character length as the old DS. It also shows what your friends playing if online, how recently they were online if not, their pick for favorite game, and their greeting. All of 3DS online games use this friend list.

Do both people need to add Friend Codes, or is it a request based system?

If your friend adds you first, you will not see any sort of request on the system. When registering in exchange, though, your friend's profile data comes up right away.

Can we now simply scan a Mii QR code with the 3DS camera, and not have to input the long Friend Codes?

No, scanning QR codes simply adds custom Miis to the Mii Studio, not the Mii Plaza or friend list.

The Wii has a "send Mii to..." option that you use to send Miis to registered friends. Does the 3DS have something like that available instead of scanning each other's QR codes?

No, there currently isn't any private messaging to people on your friend list. Exporting and scanning Mii QR codes is how you would add Miis to the Mii Studio.

Do you get the other person's Mii into the Mii Plaza by exchanging Friend Codes?

No, exchanging Friend Codes adds a person's Mii and profile to the friend list, not the Mii Studio or Mii Plaza.

How is StreetPass Puzzle?

You get puzzle pieces from new people you meet through StreetPass. There are 15 tiles in each 5x3 puzzle to collect to form some image. The images will show scenes of Nintendo characters.

Where can you wear the hats you earn in StreetPass Quest?

Anywhere within the Mii Plaza program: StreetPass Puzzle and the Plaza itself. Hats do not appear in your friends list or the Mii Studio. In StreetPass Quest itself, your Mii is wearing a crown as the abducted royalty.

Is turning StreetPass on & off quick and easy? Can it be done while you're playing a game?

StreetPass settings are in the options for each game that uses it, so ease-of-use will vary by title. Wireless communications can be turned on and off by flicking a switch on the right-hand side of the unit.

In Super Mario 64 DS, in the Options, there was an in-game option to turn the backlight on or off. Does this still work?

Michan has helpfully provided the answer...
Michan said:
When you use the Backlight: On/Off option in Super Mario 64 DS, it not only shuts off the lights, but switches both screens completely off. It acts almost like sleep mode, except the system is still active.

I was too afraid to leave this option permanently "off", since neither screen displays any content so there is potential for it to leave you without a playable 3DS (unless you are somehow able to navigate back).

I'd recommend against tweaking this option, due to the above.

For people who are having eye strain/motion sickness, are you just switching the 3d between max and off? I'm pretty sure the slider doesn't make the effect stronger, it adjusts the focus because everyone's eyes are a little different.

I'll be the first to tell you that you have to get the slider adjusted correctly, but a lot of the stress comes from getting out of the sweet spot and seeing cross-talk, getting light from the opposing image in the wrong eye. If you move your head or the system fast, it'll shutter the image like a lenticular card. It makes AR Games or anything using the gyro hard to play with 3D on.

What if I damage/lose some of my AR cards?

You can print out new ones with no problem. There is no data on the cards, only patterns which the AR-enabled software recognizes. You can even print out super-sized cards for some interesting AR photos with bigger characters.

Is there rumble functionality?

No.

Is Pictochat still available?

No.

Can I use the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector with the 3DS?

Yes.

Are there any bugs or strange design choices?

Yes.

1. The indicator light for online friends and StreetPass doesn't always turn on when it should be. The indicator light for 3D doesn't always turn off when it should be.
2. When new Miis appear in the Mii Plaza via StreetPass, exiting the Mii Plaza or going to the entrance to retrieve more new Miis before utilizing them in StreetPass Puzzle or StreetPass Quest forfeits their help. New StreetPass arrivals are limited to 10 people at a time. In Japan, the Mii Plaza was not explained in the manual itself, but briefly outlined in an additional leaflet.
3. You can see what your friends are doing in the friend list, but you can't message them individually. You can only set one message at a time to be broadcast to everyone who happens to look at the friend list. There are no friend requests, only mutual registrations.
4. StreetPass functionality in the Sound Channel is limited to measuring affinity in musical tastes, and track picks are not shared. While tracks continue playing with the lid closed when headphones are inserted, it's not possible to keep them playing going into another program.

Are there any DS accessories that are incompatible with the 3DS?

Yes.

Face Training [NTR-014]
Slide Adventure Magkid Slide Controller [NTR-012]
Nintendo DS Browser Memory Expansion Cartridges [NTR-011][USG-007]
Nintendo DS Headset [NTR-019]
Nintendo DS Magnetic Stand [NTR-022]
Nintendo DS Rumble Cartridges [NTR-008][USG-006]
Arkanoid DS
Daigassou! Band Brothers (Jam with the Band) Request Selection
Guitar Hero: On Tour

Do normal headphones work?

Yes.

I have an addition/question/correction!

For questions, please post here in the thread. If you're a 3DS owner and want to add additional info or provide corrections, please PM me.

HARDWARE

Screens: 3.53" 400x240x2 3D parallax barrier screen, 3.02" 320x240 resistive touchscreen
Weight: 230g
Dimensions: 5.3" x 2.9" x 0.83" (134mm x 74mm x 21mm)
Colors: Cosmo Black, Aqua Blue
Graphics: PICA200
Input: Circle Pad, touchscreen, microphone, accelerometer, gyroscope, 3D depth slider, buttons: D-pad, A, B, X, Y, L, R, Start, Select, Home
Cameras: 3 640x480, 0.3 megapixel cameras, 1 interior and 2 exterior for 3D photos and possible future video
Media: 3DS cartridge, DS cartridge, SD card
Connectivity: 802.11b/g wireless
Region-locking: All DSi and 3DS software region-locked, DS software remains region-free.

AVAILABILITY

Thursday, the 31st of March @ AUS $349.95

LAUNCH SOFTWARE

31.03


Asphalt 3D
(Ubi Soft)


Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D
(Ubi Soft)

Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars (LucasArts)


Nintendogs + Cats: French Bulldog & New Friends
(Nintendo)
Nintendogs + Cats: Golden Retriever & New Friends (Nintendo)
Nintendogs + Cats: Toy Poodle & New Friends (Nintendo)


Pro Evolution Soccer 2011
(Konami)


Rabbids 3D
(Ubi Soft)

Rayman 3D (Ubi Soft)


Ridge Racer 3D
(Namco-Bandai)


Samurai Warriors: Chronicles
(Tecmo-Koei)

The Sims 3 (EA)


Super Monkey Ball 3D
(Sega)


Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition
(Capcom)

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars (Ubi Soft)


Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell 3D
(Ubi Soft)

POST-LAUNCH SOFTWARE

14.04

Pilotwings Resort (Nintendo)

22.04


Puzzle Bobble Universe
(Square-Enix)

TBA

Dead or Alive: Dimensions (Tecmo-Koei)
Madden NFL Football (EA)

Steel Diver
(Nintendo)

REVIEWS

CVG: 3DS Hardware
Eurogamer: 3DS Hardware
GameFocus: 3DS Hardware
MSNBC: Six Things to Love and Hate about the Nintendo 3DS
The Sixth Axis: 3DS Hardware Unboxed
Telegraph: 3DS Hardware

Game Rankings 3DS game reviews
Metacritic 3DS game reviews

Stumpokapow said:
Early Metacritic rankings for 3DS titles:

Super Street Fighter IV: 3d Edition - 84
Ridge Racer 3D - 78
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars - 77
Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D - 74
Pilotwings Resort - 71
Nintendogs + Cats: Toy Poodle & New Friends - 70
Nintendogs + Cats: French Bulldog & New Friends - 70
Nintendogs + Cats: Golden Retriever & New Friends - 70
Rayman 3D - 69
LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars - 68
Samurai Warriors Chronicles - 59
Super Monkey Ball 3D - 58
Steel Diver - 58
Asphalt 3D: Nitro Racing - 54

LAUNCH PHOTOS

Coming soon!

LAUNCH VIDEO

Coming soon!

PODCASTS

Coming soon!

LINKS

Nintendo 3DS Official Site
Amazon UK 3DS Sales Rankings
Nintendo 3DS Japanese Launch |OT|
Nintendo 3DS European Launch |OT|
Nintendo 3DS North American Launch |OT|
Nintendo 3DS™ - Friend Codes - The official thread of sharing numbers... in 3D!
The Sixth Axis: 3DS Hardware Unboxed
Cheesemeister's 3DS photos from Kyoto

Countdown to midnight EST, 31.03
Countdown to midnight EDT, 31.03
Countdown to midnight CST, 31.03
Countdown to midnight CDT, 31.03
Countdown to midnight WST, 31.03
 

Luigiv

Member
Do we really need one of these? Wouldn't a single Western Launch thread have sufficed or do you just enjoy making these Cheesemeister?
 
Luigiv said:
Do we really need on of these? Would a single Western Launch thread have sufficed or do you just enjoy making these Cheesemeister?

As I said in the other threads, the mods are free to merge them if they so choose. I don't mind.
 

Luigiv

Member
Cheesemeister said:
As I said in the other threads, the mods are free to merge them if they so choose. I don't mind.
Fair enough. Well at least this thread will keep all the price whining where I don't have to hear it. Seriously, if it were physically possible, I'd start throwing economic text books at faces of every whiner. Shit just gets ridiculous at times.
 

VOOK

We don't know why he keeps buying PAL, either.
Cheese makes the thread, it's his show :)

Do have some recommend links for the OP though.
 

VOOK

We don't know why he keeps buying PAL, either.
- Bargain / Preorder Roundup

- Extended FAQ (mostly the same as above, but more pics and stuff.

That's all I got, anything else like the lineup guide would just be duplicating even more.

If anyone's keen my reviews will be going up soon. (though it's not anything you haven't already read).
 

Fusebox

Banned
I've got a black 3DS with Rayman 3D preordered from Dick Smith and if I can grab SSIV on the day I'll get that too.
 

trinest

Member
I'm getting Rabbids + Aqua Console. Might pick up Street Fighter.

Launch is late, launch is disappointing, and theres "no games".

:(
 

remz

Member
plufim said:
So, with region locking, we're 90% sure that Australia is still the same region as Europe, right? Right?
I sure hope so. :S This kind of worries me.



Kind of a barren launch. I really want a 3ds, but the region locking stuff, and the fat there's nothing other then street fighter at launch really, has me wary of buying one
 

teiresias

Member
So we're going to be allowed individual country launch threads for the NGP too, right? Because, I mean, there's only so much space on the forum first page for crying out loud.
 

Gravijah

Member
teiresias said:
So we're going to be allowed individual country launch threads for the NGP too, right? Because, I mean, there's only so much space on the forum first page for crying out loud.

HANDHELD MASTER RACE
 
This last week is gonna be such a long wait. >_<

I'm getting:

Aqua Blue 3DS, Pilotwings from UK, was getting (probably still will) Street Fighter but I keep getting less and less excited about it - might take it back to EB if I play it for a bit and get bored (I tend to do that with fighting games unless there's lots of unlocking to be had or they are old retro releases from my arcade youth days).

Decided this week I'm definitely getting Ridge Racer, either from here or UK. I was thinking Rayman as I've never played 2 really despite having it on N64.... still can't get much interested in it though.

Will be getting Okamiden too, hopefully I can find it around here in NZ still.

All that and I bet I'll just be playing Pokemon White the whole time still. XD

Woo very excited!
 

Luigiv

Member
trinest said:
Then theres the 1% chance NAL is screwing us.
Well yeah, I wouldn't go as far as to say there's zero possibility of it happening but it just seems very, very unlikely, given the circumstances.

I mean, making Australia it's own region would royally screw over a lot of smaller publishers who don't have the resources to spare to print Australia only copies. Just look at the DS shelf in your nearest gamestore. You can instantly spot which ones are published in Europe (the ones in the fat clear cases) and which are published here (the ones in the sleek black cases). As you'll notice the split is about 50/50.
 

VOOK

We don't know why he keeps buying PAL, either.
Alrighty I just got my AU unit, and already have learned a couple of things and can confirm a couple others.

- It's region locked, JP games don't work on it and vice versa
- My review copy of SFIV has 'EUR' on it, it's the Euro version and works in it obviously
- When I setup the console it asked which country I lived in and had Australia and New Zealand and all the European countries.

On the box it says though;

'This Nintendo 3DS system is intended to access the Nintendo eShop for Australian and New Zealand.

And to confirm 'The Nintendo 3DS system is for use with European/Australian version Nintendo 3DS software only. Other versions of the Nintendo 3DS software will not function on this Nintendo 3DS system.

I also have already StreetPass'd with my Japanese console and it took about 2 minutes to find each other sitting right next to each other.
 

jambo

Member
Can't wait for mine to arrive next week, sounds like Dick Smith should be getting the pre-orders out for day of release!

teiresias said:
So we're going to be allowed individual country launch threads for the NGP too, right? Because, I mean, there's only so much space on the forum first page for crying out loud.

There's these cool little number buttons you can click, and they show you more threads that are on other pages.

Or you can use Subscriptions like a real Gaffer!
 
I have a feeling none of the stores here in NZ are gonna do midnight openings for it. ;( Why crappy regular games get them yet the next generation Nintendo handheld doesn't is beyond me.

Can't imagine the interest isn't there to make it worth it. :\
 

VOOK

We don't know why he keeps buying PAL, either.
I won a 3DS at the media launch event in Sydney, it's my 'review' unit.

That screenshot is from the StreetPass Plaza, my Japanese and Aussie 3DS units just did it and that's my JP Mii on my AU console. It says where they're from. Since it's a Japanese 3DS I can only select Japan.
 
Not saying big games don't deserve them too, just disappointed they do them for regular games but can't make an effort for a major hardware launch as well.
 

elektrixx

Banned
The JB I worked at today still had some 3DS allocation left, so preordered one.

Is there any positive talk on Splinter Cell 3D? I can't find much about it.

My plan is to not buy any games until Zelda, but if there's something good, I'll go for it.
 

dwu8991

Banned
Well done for the Australian launch thread! Unfortunately there hasn't been much promotion of the 3DS down here in Tassie. But at least for once their connection tour has crossed the ocean.
 

Luigiv

Member
elektrixx said:
The JB I worked at today still had some 3DS allocation left, so preordered one.

Is there any positive talk on Splinter Cell 3D? I can't find much about it.
No, all talk has been fairly negative.

- Ugly
- Way too dark
- Probably a port of the ill received PSP version
- Peace Walker style controls
 
Luigiv said:
No, all talk has been fairly negative.

- Ugly
- Way too dark
- Probably a port of the ill received PSP version
- Peace Walker style controls

This breaks my heart.
I bought Splinter Cell DS
.
 

Yagharek

Member
Got mine all paid off.

Getting: PES 2011, Riiiiiiiidge Racer and GRECON on the back of solid reviews.

Games TM review of Ghost Recon:

http://www.gamestm.co.uk/reviews/ghost-recon-shadow-wars-review/

Hidden among the generally disappointing line-up of 3DS launch titles lies an unexpected gem – the under-the-radar Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars. Read the review to find out why this should be the first title you buy for your new 3DS.

....


Shadow Wars could be criticised for not making any genuinely innovative steps forward in the strategy genre. But what it does do – integrating just about every conceivable feature of turn-based strategy into a single cohesive whole – is enough to make it one of the best handheld titles of its kind in years, and a surprising jewel in the 3DS launch line-up.

8/10
 

hirokazu

Member
I'm the guy who complains about Nintendo's ripoff price and shitty region locking whenever the 3DS gets mentioned and how I'm not buying it till Pokémon 3DS... but next week, I am Nintendo's bitch. :(

Photo%20Mar%2025%2C%2012%2026%2008%20AM.jpg


I don't even know why I'm doing this, my wallet is totally not ready!

And I don't care about any of the games, so I'll just be using it to play Pokémon Black. >_>
 

Router

Hopsiah the Kanga-Jew
Fusebox said:
I've got a black 3DS with Rayman 3D preordered from Dick Smith and if I can grab SSIV on the day I'll get that too.


Same here. I hope they ship stock on Wednesday... I dont want to be waiting until the following Monday to get my 3DS.
 
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