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What's up with New3DS's hardware boost?

Z

ZombiePlatypus

Member
I thought the whole Sega 32x scenario showed that mid-gen hardware upgrades are frankly a no-no since they isolate the userbase and thus developers ignore upgrades to stay inclusive and cast a wider net.

Unless New3DS totally eclipses the sales of the older 3DS's isn't the same thing bound to happen? If so, what's the point if titles aren't gonna utilize it and push the machine to its limits? (Unless of course Nintendo heavily pushes New3DS exclusive games with all their titles but I don't see that happening either.)

Or is this mostly just for faster boot up and load times for all games in general?
 
You just have games that work on both versions with it running better on n3DS. That way you don't isolate anybody. So far the only game that is exclusive to n3DS is Xenoblade probably just as an initial push to get the more hardcore crowd to upgrade.
 
There are already games like Smash and Monster Hunter 4 that use tricks to even run on the normal 3DS. If you play those games you can't run Miiverse or the web browser. So this upgrade isn't just for new games but also making the 3DS actually more functional again for these more demanding games.

Still this absolutely is just a stop gap solution until whatever is coming out next. Guess Nintendo just needs a little longer.
 
The point seems to be to try to offer minor user experience boosts like sleeker load times or the built-in second stick as an incentive to hardcore fans to buy another system. We'll have to see if any more exclusive titles besides Xenoblade's port happen, though.

Or perhaps somebody in a position of power has an overwhelming love of the 3d tech and is convinced that the improvement to it will be a game-changer.

Edit: Also, the most successful half-upgrade ever was probably the GBC, no? A mix of color-enhanced games and some new exclusives. Obviously this incremental power upgrade with no increase in screen rez isn't going to be nearly as big a deal as the jump to color, though, so hopefully they aren't crazy enough to expect it to last for very long.
 
A stop gap to slow the 3DS' s falling sales until they launch their next gen handheld.

Not expecting any other exclusives for it, and so far no other games are using it to enhance graphics.
 
Since the system has an actual OS, the system level features outside of the game can take advantage of the hardware boost, regardless of the game being played.

The startup times thing, though, I haven't seen any comparisons using a game other than Smash Bros, which actually reboots an old 3DS into a 'lite' OS, while starting up normally on an n3DS. Not exactly the typical boot situation.

No idea why download time is so much quicker, though. Is the old 3DS bottlenecked by b wifi? Slow SD card access? Actually processing the bits that are being downloaded? No clue.
 
They did it with the DSi and Game Boy Color as well. I don't think any third party titles will end up using it and only the odd niche Nintendo title will probably require the extra power (see: Xenoblade), but I mostly just wanted the New 3DS for the form factor, better screens, and better operating system performance because the Home screen is a pain to use on my current unit.

Too bad they didn't bring over the regular edition so I'm stuck with my old unit =[
 
They already did that with the GBC and the DSi. Now it's the New 3DS' turn.

They never did it with the GBA because the DS replaced it before it had the chance.
 
zeromcd73 said:
A stop gap to slow the 3DS' s falling sales until they launch their next gen handheld.

Not expecting any other exclusives for it, and so far no other games are using it to enhance graphics.
Click to expand...
Already said theres gonna be more exclusives for it

and like said above, MH4 already taking advantage. A very noticible one at that
 
ReyVGM said:
They already did that with the GBC and the DSi. Now it's the New 3DS' turn.

They never did it with the GBA because the DS replaced it before it had the chance.
Click to expand...

I thought the GBA SP had a slight uptick in processing power. Or was it purely an ergonomics redesign?
 
A lot of games so far seem to have "enhanced" features when used with New 3DS and that will probably continue to be the case.
 
Sayter said:
I thought the GBA SP had a slight uptick in processing power. Or was it purely an ergonomics redesign?
Click to expand...

No hardware boost for that one.

The GBA SP was the equivalent of the Game Boy Pocket for the Gameboy, the DS Lite for the DS, and the 3DSXL for the 3DS.

Basically an improved version of the hardware, but with the same processing power.
 
Morokh said:
MH4 does, texture and shadow quality is improved on new3DS
Click to expand...

It does? Well i a surprised, as i heard it was just the integrated second analog with the extra sholder buttons and extra loading speed (as with SSB). Are there some screens that show the differences? I'm quite interested in the n3DS now :P

EDIT: thanks Elija2
 
Has GAF started speculating wildly on any potential future exclusives yet?

I'm betting they aren't committed enough to the new thing to make any new entries of any major franchises exclusive to it. I'm expecting a few more Xenoblade-style ports for it, things that were previously too difficult to be worth porting, but are more feasible post-upgrade. I'll be stunned if they sell anything on only n3ds that could conceivably exist on both.

I base this on the premise that, to me, their current sales pitch seems to be "This new model is the best way for people who really love the 3ds to experience the latest games," and not, "This is a radical and indispensable upgrade for everyone," though of course that could all change over the next 6 months.

I'll laugh my butt off if they proceed to port both Pandora's Tower and Last Story to the thing and then refuse to localize them internally for a second time.
 
It was mostly to boost OS level design issues, specifically Miiverse and Amiibos. Miiverse specifcally was forced onto a system that wasn't built to support it, the slight power boost was needed in order to better incorporate their overarching ecosystem they're trying to build. The additional game power is just a bonus.
 
Well these were the DSi exclusive titles...

1261974-dsiex_cover_noa_r2.jpg

1186295-flawdsi.jpg

2681035-ftb.jpg

1177682-hairsalondsi.jpg


+unreleased Ghostwire Link To The Paranormal
 
Schreckstoff said:
Well these were the DSi exclusive titles...

http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/4647/1261974-dsiex_cover_noa_r2.jpg[IMG]
[img]http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/9039/1186295-flawdsi.jpg[/mg]
[img]http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/8/82063/2681035-ftb.jpg[/mg]
[img]http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/9039/1177682-hairsalondsi.jpg[img]

+unreleased Ghostwire Link To The Paranormal[/QUOTE]

So the Xenoblade port is already more than we should have realistically expected in terms of quality software.
Click to expand...
 
I think releasing hardware revisions is a great way to grow the userbase to a few people who would otherwise not have bought the hardware but are now getting the old revision for free from the friend/brother/parent who buys a new revision.

Those new people might not buy a lot of games now, but now have a bigger chance to become Nintendo customers in the future.
 
still don't get how they couldn't have added a 2nd circlepad, haven't tried it yet but I expect that long sessions will hurt with the nub
 
Every since the OG 3DS launched I've had friends bitching and moaning about not having two thumbsticks. Well, now they have it (sort of, but enough to get the job done). So they can finally buy a 3DS and shut the hell up. And yes, I tried telling them about the Circle Pad Pro and they hated the idea.

For me, I'm upgrading for the speed boost throughout the entire OS, the exclusive games such as Xenoblade which is going to be a lot of fun to play on-the-go, integrated right thumb nub and better 3D.

The good news is anyone unwilling to upgrade isn't missing out on too much games-wise, at least if things go the way they went on the DSi.

Xenoblade is incredible but you can play that on your Wii or Wii U or Dolphin, so it's hardly a dealbreaker.
 
Shengar said:
Around 25-30fps I reckon?
Click to expand...

Don't know for sure (og 3DS user), but the demo played smooth for me. I would even think it goes higher than 30, maybe around the 45 mark like 3U. IT does get lower when a lot of enemies are jumping around with you sitting on the neck of a boss and cutting the living shit out of him, but i still wouldn't call it choppy.
 
Zulithe said:
Every since the OG 3DS launched I've had friends bitching and moaning about not having two thumbsticks. Well, now they have it (sort of, but enough to get the job done). So they can finally buy a 3DS and shut the hell up. And yes, I tried telling them about the Circle Pad Pro and they hated the idea.

For me, I'm upgrading for the speed boost throughout the entire OS, the exclusive games such as Xenoblade which is going to be a lot of fun to play on-the-go, integrated right thumb nub and better 3D.

The good news is anyone unwilling to upgrade isn't missing out on too much games-wise, at least if things go the way they went on the DSi.

Xenoblade is incredible but you can play that on your Wii or Wii U or Dolphin, so it's hardly a dealbreaker.
Click to expand...

You can emulate Xenoblade, if you have a strong CPU that is.
 
NewGame said:
I've been playing the demo for about 5 hours and I have not seen a fps below 30. N3DS XL here.
Click to expand...

Doczu said:
Don't know for sure (og 3DS user), but the demo played smooth for me. I would even think it goes higher than 30, maybe around the 45 mark like 3U. IT does get lower when a lot of enemies are jumping around with you sitting on the neck of a boss and cutting the living shit out of him, but i still wouldn't call it choppy.
Click to expand...

Alright, thanks for the framerate info. That's what really matter for me if I upgrade my 3DSXL.
 
ReyVGM said:
They already did that with the GBC and the DSi. Now it's the New 3DS' turn.

They never did it with the GBA because the DS replaced it before it had the chance.
Click to expand...

Dsi is the only comparable situation Gameboy was almost ten years old when Color came out. I see color as much more its own system than New 3ds, which I doubt gets to double digits on exclusives.

Unless ur nintendo pushing hardware sales, no reason to release only for New 3DS and cut out 3ds install base.
 
the_batman said:
"it's ok when Nintendo does it.."

lol
Click to expand...

Amazing addition to the conversation and I feel like I learnt a lot from your post. Please do go on.

It is a stopgap OP, plain and simple. I doubt it cost them that much to rejig the hardware inside and they get a few devs to offer some incentive (Xenoblade) and voila, profit.
 
fredrancour said:
I'll laugh my butt off if they proceed to port both Pandora's Tower and Last Story to the thing and then refuse to localize them internally for a second time.
Click to expand...

Pandora's Tower is due to come to PAL territories as a Wii download on Wii U so I think we can assume that one is not on the table. Last Story though....
 
Schreckstoff said:
still don't get how they couldn't have added a 2nd circlepad, haven't tried it yet but I expect that long sessions will hurt with the nub
Click to expand...
There's no room, when Nintendo released the image of the transparent 3DS people started analyzing it and realized there isn't much space to add another fully functional circle pad on the 3DS, they already had to move around a bunch of stuff just to accommodate the extra shoulder buttons and had to move the volume slider onto the less crowded top screen and remove the WiFi switch just to accomdate everything. The nub was the best we were gonna get.
 
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