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[sörine]

It is like it "at all", you ignored my response that explains why.

I ignored it because it's wrong. One game playable on two differing hardware isn't like two games playable on two differing hardware. At all.

If the understanding was that the games would still be playable on every game boy they wouldn't have included that blurb in the back. And why wasn't Game Boy Pocket on the front of every box after it released? Because it was a revision, while the GBC was a new system.

Also, the GBC was not unique. The Neo Geo Pocket/Color and Wonderswan/Color also had cross-compatible games and exclusives. They were both successors as well.

I guess I'll repeat myself since it didn't sink in the first time. The expectation initially was all games playable across all Game Boys. When that changed the branding changed to make sure consumers knew as much (Only on GBC). I'm not sure why you're harping on the back of the box, games had identical insignia for compatibility with Game Boy AND Game Boy Color on the back of every box. It wasn't on the front because the standard was always playable on old hardware, the exception was not and hence why that branding was stuck on the front for Color exclusive titles when they started showing up six months after the system launched.

Most NGPC games were cross-compatible while only some WSC games were. Neither had palettes preprogrammed into their firmware for old games like GBC did. NGP must've had the shortest lifespan in history though with it's "successor" launching 5 months later.

How they lump them together in their financials doesn't mean much at all. That's for investors, not consumers. Didn't sony start lumping PSP and Vita together for awhile?

Nintendo lumps GB and GBC together in all their official documentation. Financials, PR, development. Just as they do DS and DSi. If you consider one set a successor you'd have to consider the other one a successor as well.

Sony started combining product lines to mask Vita's pathetic sales, but that has literally no bearing on this. Sony isn't Nintendo. Nintendo doesn't combine successors but the do combine revisions. Even half step ones like GBC or DSi.

The GBA and SP were to help show you these supposed great lengths Nintendo went to upgrade OG Game Boy games doesn't somehow make the GBC a revision. Clearly there's no pattern.

But really Iet's look at the most obvious thing here, please explain what reason Nintendo had for beefing up the GBC specs so much outside making more graphically demanding games that of course the OG GB wouldn't be able to run. This hardware was proooobably designed before the system was released and had such a smashing success.

Edit: I think I should point out I'm pretty happy with this new announcement, since I think I remember you said you were too awhile ago, correct me if I'm wrong! Most of all I like that they're going back and getting 3D right instead of ditching it. I was worried after the 2DS. It really made a difference in Mar 3D Land even if it felt like I had to keep perfectly still.

Of course there was no pattern, nothing like that degree of forwards compatibility had ever been done for specific legacy software before, or since really. The closest thing might be the customized emulation Microsoft did on a selection of Xbox games for playing on 360. The only pattern I presented anywhere was how Nintendo groups revisions and doesn't group successors. Well I also pointed out how Nintendo released almost no GBC exclusive games for a year until the market had made it a raging success. I guess they released way more than four GBA exclusive games it's first year.

GBC specs were beefed up for color output basically. They needed more horsepower to display more than 4 shades of grey on those new color screens. Just as DSi was beefed up for camera and online functionality (digital game store, web browser, etc). New 3DS seems like the odd one out, there's no real discernible addition here demanding an increase in horsepower or memory. Maybe the eye-tracking for improved 3D but even DSi could manage something like that with games. It really seems like the increase is for improving the general experience of what 3DS already does, not doing something new it can't.

 

[GulAtiCa]

I saw someone make this on my Twitter feed. It seems like a likely scenario, somewhat.

The Gamepad being a much larger resolution would likely make little tricky for games that are touch-screen only, esp if the game has smaller click points/areas for things.

I can see it being used in some sort of extra controller for Wii U games that might support it (patched in most likely) in some fashion though.

 

[Zeyphersan]

The Gamepad being a much larger resolution would likely make little tricky for games that are touch-screen only, esp if the game has smaller click points/areas for things.

I can see it being used in some sort of extra controller for Wii U games that might support it (patched in most likely) in some fashion though.

One thing the Wii U doesn't need is a new control option

 

[GulAtiCa]

One thing the Wii U doesn't need is a new control option

haha, true. Though would be a neat option for side multiplayer stuff.

 

[SixStringPsycho]

So is this confirmed to be a new revision of the 3DS or a completly new Handheld called the "New 3DS"?

 

[MikeHaggar]

I just want the XL to have the coloured buttons.

yep. i want a white xl with the famicom color buttons in the u.s. let's get a petition going! haha

 

[HUELEN10]

So is this confirmed to be a new revision of the 3DS or a completly new Handheld called the "New 3DS"?

It's a successor in my book, but to some it's a revision. I made a thread that might get you clued into handheld history more so you can make your own call.

 

[Log4Girlz]

It's a revision. It's exclusive library will be paltry next to the 3ds and the true successor will probably have a substantially different name, innards, and a different class of software medium and a huge library of exclusive retail games. Finally its sales will not be added together to the 3ds family at the end of it's run.

 

[GulAtiCa]

So is this confirmed to be a new revision of the 3DS or a completly new Handheld called the "New 3DS"?

It's a revision. If it was a brand new system as a successor, it would get much bigger launch from Nintendo then 1 game, esp when it's a month out. Not to mention Nintendo would go all out detailing the new system beyond just a simple Japan-only Nintendo Direct.

 

[SixStringPsycho]

It's a revision. It's exclusive library will be paltry next to the 3ds and the true successor will probably have a substantially different name, innards, and a different class of software medium and a huge library of exclusive retail games.

Well thing is as Ive stated before. Xenoblade being exclusive to the system makes it more confusing. If its a revision the game should be playable on old 3ds systems. With only some stuff taken out. Like the new buttons shortcuts or being able to control the camera with the c stick which in this case we could use the circle pad pro.

 

[NateDrake]

Well thing is as Ive stated before. Xenoblade being exclusive to the system makes it more confusing. If its a revision the game should be playable on old 3ds systems. With only some stuff taken out. Like the new buttons shortcuts or being able to control the camera with the c stick which in this case we could use the circle pad pro.

It is a revision just as the GBC was a revision to the GB line, or the DSi was to the DSLite. All these revisions had exclusive software in some form or another - DSi with the eShop and GBC with titles like Pokemon Yellow. The New 3DS is no different. It may have some exclusives, but the majority of software will be compatible on all 3DS models.

 

[Nostremitus]

It's a successor in my book, but to some it's a revision. I made a thread that might get you clued into handheld history more so you can make your own call.

Nice fan fiction, but it's wrong. The Gameboy had an incredibly long life cycle due to lack of real competition, that doesn't mean it's last revision is it's own handheld console generation... It was exactly the type of revision we're seeing with the N3DS and saw with the DSi... Any claims otherwise are revisionist history.
Were you around when the GBC came out? It was sold as an enhanced GB, not a Super Gameboy, Gameboy Advanced, or Gameboy 2. It selling extremely well is the reason it started getting a lot of exclusives. If the DSi had sold as well and if it's eShop titles had sold well the same thing would've happened to it. Nintendo learned their lesson with the DSi and are approaching the 3DS revision more seriously, that's all.

 

[Eteric Rice]

So will we hear more stuff during TGS? Will Nintendo be doing another direct, or was this stuff it?

 

[nikatapi]

I wonder if games that support the CPP will use the second stick by default.
I'm waiting for impressions on the 3d effect and how faster miiverse is going to be on the new 3ds, as well as battery life, because i'm seriously considering it.

 

[Log4Girlz]

Well thing is as Ive stated before. Xenoblade being exclusive to the system makes it more confusing. If its a revision the game should be playable on old 3ds systems. With only some stuff taken out. Like the new buttons shortcuts or being able to control the camera with the c stick which in this case we could use the circle pad pro.

If there was a tidal wave of exclusive retail game announcements, or at the very least the promise, I'd agree. But that doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[imae]

I sure hope they go with Super Famicom color coded buttons worldwide and not SNES purple.

I'd be quite surprised if NA got purple buttons.

Remember, the EU/PAL SNES looked the same as the JP Super Famicom, only the NA one was different.

 

[Peru]

Well thing is as Ive stated before. Xenoblade being exclusive to the system makes it more confusing. If its a revision the game should be playable on old 3ds systems. With only some stuff taken out. Like the new buttons shortcuts or being able to control the camera with the c stick which in this case we could use the circle pad pro.

It's the n64 expansion back but built in. Dsi could also run software the DS couldn't. It's a revision, an iteration.

 

[Kanyon]

I saw someone make this on my Twitter feed. It seems like a likely scenario, somewhat.

I could see this working with the NEXT iteration of Nintendo hardware, the unified architecture approach could potentially have two distinct pieces of hardware (handheld and console) yet they still interact with each other.

Potentially the next Nintendo home console uses a traditional controller and the handheld can be used to introduce new gameplay elements when connected? I know Miyamoto has stated that the gameplay interface is important to them in differentiating themselves from their competitors.

I'm just spitballing here but there could be some merit to this line of thinking.

 

[ramparter]

Anyone else excited for 3rd party covers? I mean, we could literally have everything.

I have seen people customizing the consoles, arcade sticks, pads for year with stickers but I never bothered with those, din't want to have problems removing them later. But this isn't the case anymore, you put it, you keep it as long as you want then you change it.

 

[perfectchaos007]

Honestly, I'm pretty surprised Nintendo is re-entering the handheld face-plate market, considering it didn't exactly take off with GBA-Micro

 

[ramparter]

Well GBA micro was what didn't take off.

 

[BGBW]

I'm surprised there isn't a Super Famicom cover in the initial batch.

 

[Mistouze]

Do we already know how the new 3DS interact with games that had Circle Pad Controller support?

What I'm wondering is if the the new buttons will be usable from the get go with games supporting the frankenstick.

 

[disap.ed]

I could see this working with the NEXT iteration of Nintendo hardware, the unified architecture approach could potentially have two distinct pieces of hardware (handheld and console) yet they still interact with each other.

Potentially the next Nintendo home console uses a traditional controller and the handheld can be used to introduce new gameplay elements when connected? I know Miyamoto has stated that the gameplay interface is important to them in differentiating themselves from their competitors.

I'm just spitballing here but there could be some merit to this line of thinking.

This. WiiU successor could come with a standard controller and both WiiU Gamepad and 3DS successor (likely to have same resolution as the Gamepad) could work for Off-TV mode. Would appreciate this.

 

[rekameohs]

This. WiiU successor could come with a standard controller and both WiiU Gamepad and 3DS successor (likely to have same resolution as the Gamepad) could work for Off-TV mode. Would appreciate this.

Great! All for the low, low price of $600!!

 

[pinkurocket]

That Wii U + New 3DS bundle looks extremely unappealing. I hope they don't do that.

 

[disap.ed]

Great! All for the low, low price of $600!!

You understand this would be completely optional? As with the PS4/Vita solution?
Also how does this make 600€? WiiU is 300 (with bundled game) and 3DS is below 200, I suspect successors won't be more expensive (that would be a big mistake IMO).
And everyone that already has a WiiU could use it further with the NextGen.

 

[ramparter]

Do we already know how the new 3DS interact with games that had Circle Pad Controller support?

What I'm wondering is if the the new buttons will be usable from the get go with games supporting the frankenstick.

I'm 99% sure it will be treated as the same input.

What games other than KIU and RER made use of the second stick?

 

[L~A]

I'm 99% sure it will be treated as the same input.

What games other than KIU and RER made use of the second stick?

Not many, mainly indies though, like Moon Chronicles.

 

[Toparaman]

It is a revision just as the GBC was a revision to the GB line, or the DSi was to the DSLite. All these revisions had exclusive software in some form or another - DSi with the eShop and GBC with titles like Pokemon Yellow. The New 3DS is no different. It may have some exclusives, but the majority of software will be compatible on all 3DS models.

Nice fan fiction, but it's wrong. The Gameboy had an incredibly long life cycle due to lack of real competition, that doesn't mean it's last revision is it's own handheld console generation... It was exactly the type of revision we're seeing with the N3DS and saw with the DSi... Any claims otherwise are revisionist history.
Were you around when the GBC came out? It was sold as an enhanced GB, not a Super Gameboy, Gameboy Advanced, or Gameboy 2. It selling extremely well is the reason it started getting a lot of exclusives. If the DSi had sold as well and if it's eShop titles had sold well the same thing would've happened to it. Nintendo learned their lesson with the DSi and are approaching the 3DS revision more seriously, that's all.

Funny, I don't remember any kids viewing the GBC as a revision. Color was a big addition, and that combined with the GBC's increased processing power made for much better looking games. Also, maybe my memory is wrong, but I don't remember many GBC games being marketed as "also compatible with GB", nor do I remember many GB-compatible games being released after the GBC came out. It really was sold as the successor to the GB.

GB Pocket, GBA SP, DS Lite, DSi, those were revisions. New 3DS is in a grey area. It doesn't add anything as dramatic as color, imo, but it does have additional functionality. Nintendo's definitely in a trickier position now. There are so many ways they could screw this up. We'll see if they've learned from the consumer confusion between the Wii and the Wii U.

 

[StayDead]

I'm trying to follow an FAQ on this but the wording is weird.

With a 3DS system transfer is it only your game licenses that get transferred and not the data? I have a current SD card which is 32GB and I'm guessing the game software data is stored on it, would I just then transfer that data onto my PC after the transfer, onto a Micro SD card and then into the new 3DS after the system transfer?

 

[casiopao]

I'm 99% sure it will be treated as the same input.

What games other than KIU and RER made use of the second stick?

Monster Hunter? Upcoming FF Explorers i guess and Ex Troppers on JP.

 

[ThePeoplesBureau]

Has anyone spotted preorders anywhere other than PA? The white 3DS is no longer available... ;_;

 

[xJavonta]

This screams Smash machine. So glad I sold my XL earlier this year, now I can justify buying a new 3DS.

Only thing I could think of to make it better is if they switched to micro USB for charging. Then this would be absolutely perfect.

 

[Doczu]

I'm 99% sure it will be treated as the same input.

What games other than KIU and RER made use of the second stick?

REsident Evil, Metal Gear Solid, Kid Icarus, Kingdom Hearts, Ace Combat (jap. only), both Monster Hunter games and a handfull of eshop titles. Not much, but all that use it play a lot better (all but Kid icarus)

 

[KojiKnight]

Funny, I don't remember any kids viewing the GBC as a revision. Color was a big addition, and that combined with the GBC's increased processing power made for much better looking games. Also, maybe my memory is wrong, but I don't remember many GBC games being marketed as "also compatible with GB", nor do I remember many GB-compatible games being released after the GBC came out. It really was sold as the successor to the GB.

GB Pocket, GBA SP, DS Lite, DSi, those were revisions. New 3DS is in a grey area. It doesn't add anything as dramatic as color, imo, but it does have additional functionality. Nintendo's definitely in a trickier position now. There are so many ways they could screw this up. We'll see if they've learned from the consumer confusion between the Wii and the Wii U.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Game_Boy_Color_games

More exclusive than not, but it's by no means a small amount, especially the first year that the GBC was out they didn't want to alienate people with regular GBs which had a massive install base. And yes, they were marketed with "also supported on GB", it was right on the back of the boxes.

There is also no grey area here... The new 3DS is a revision. It's got the name of a revision. It's being marketed as a revision. It's a revision and the only reason I can personally see for not wanting to call it a revision is so that some people (not yourself, but others) is that doing so would get rid of the axe that they want to grind so badly.

 

[Graphics Horse]

I'm most curious about how improved the 3D sweet spot truly is.

If it works as they've shown, there won't be any sweet spots any more, it'll be sweet as long as the camera can detect your head position.
If your head moves near the edge of the traditional sweet spot, it'll reconfigure the parallax barrier so the right parts of the image are still blocked off correctly for each eye.

 

[WillyFive]

I've never considered the Color as a revision, it was a whole new game system with its own library to me. Nothing close to what the DSi was or what the New 3DS is.

 

[Graphics Horse]

I've never considered the Color as a revision, it was a whole new game system with its own library to me. Nothing close to what the DSi was or what the New 3DS is.

DSi had like 200 digital games for it . Never got much of a retail following though, I think new 3ds will be a bit better supported in that regard, I guess Xenoblade already beats it.

 

[Exile20]

DSi had like 200 digital games for it . Never got much of a retail following though, I think new 3ds will be a bit better supported in that regard, I guess Xenoblade already beats it.

The communication with customers is going to be hard since the logo just has a "new" on it. I wonder what the games packaging for the exclusive games will me like.

Will customers get confused between the two?

 

[StayDead]

The communication with customers is going to be hard since the logo just has a "new" on it. I wonder what the games packaging for the exclusive games will me like.

Will customers get confused between the two?

The problem with saying will customers get confused is that the people that get confused by that could have a completely different box layout with an entirely different name and still be confused.

 

[KojiKnight]

The communication with customers is going to be hard since the logo just has a "new" on it. I wonder what the games packaging for the exclusive games will me like.

Will customers get confused between the two?

A real simple solution would be to make exclusive games only available on the N3DS eshop. Save retail for regular and 'enhanced' titles.

 

[mf luder]

When are we going to get some hands on impressions of these?

 

[Graphics Horse]

When are we going to get some hands on impressions of these?

Probably a week before it comes out

 

[lobdale]

The Gamepad being a much larger resolution would likely make little tricky for games that are touch-screen only, esp if the game has smaller click points/areas for things.

I can see it being used in some sort of extra controller for Wii U games that might support it (patched in most likely) in some fashion though.

Might as well just title this graphic "reasons this is insane and will never happen."

Taking the game pad out of the Wii U gives it even less differentiation from the Wii and completely removes its key feature. Asinine.

 

[L~A]

When are we going to get some hands on impressions of these?

Whenever demo booth start to pop up at retailers, methinks.

 

[jon bones]

do these still not have bluetooth?

would be a shame to have to use an unsightly 6 foot 8th inch cabe in this day and age

 

[L~A]

do these still not have bluetooth?

would be a shame to have to use an unsightly 6 foot 8th inch cabe in this day and age

.... what? What cable? What Blutooth?

 

[Nostremitus]

.... what? What cable? What Blutooth?

Probably talking about a headset/headphones

 

[L~A]

Probably talking about a headset/headphones

Ah, yes, I see. But isn't there some adapters for that sort of stuff?