Julie asked the Gadgeteer Kid and me if we would like to do a joint review of the Nintendo 3DS portable gaming system. As many of you may know, the 3DS is Nintendo‘s latest and greatest handheld gaming device. Not being a video game player at all, I agreed with a bit of hesitation hoping the GK would bring a younger person’s perspective to the review. I will be bringing the (boring) older non-gamer, parental point of view.

My commentary will be in normal black text and the Gadgeteer Kid’s will be blue italicized.

For the kids out there, I will do my best to bring the 10 year old gamer (who loves video games) point of view.

The Nintendo 3DS has been available for nearly a year now, released into the US market in late March of 2011. It’s very similar in size and shape to its predecessor, the DSi and DS Lite (which I find to be a positive fact, as the XL is too big). Nintendo engineered some major upgrades into the 3DS (from the DSi): gray ‘joystick’ on the left, better main screen, motion sensor, gyro sensor and integrated glasses-free 3D game experience.

The 3DS measures 0.83″ high x 5.3″ wide x 2.9″ deep and weighs approximately 8 ounces, which is nearly identical to the DS Lite’s physical specifications. The lower screen is approximately the same size as the Lite’s as well, with both being about 3 inches. The 3DS’ top screen is wider than the DS Lite’s. It is a 3.5-inch display with a resolution of 800×240 pixels (400 pixels are allocated to each eye to enable 3D viewing).

Package Contents:

• Nintendo 3DS portable games system
• Charging cradle
• AC adapter
• 3DS stylus
• SD Memory Card (2GB)
• AR Card(s) (view the cards using the outer cameras to play supported AR games)
• Quick-Start Guide
• Operations Manual (including warranty)

Features:

• 3D screen: enabling 3D view without the need for special glasses and the ability to adjust or turn off 3D effect with the 3D Depth Slider
• Stereo cameras: that enable users to take 3D photos that can be viewed instantly on the 3D screen
• New input interfaces including the Circle Pad, motion sensor, gyro sensor
• SpotPass, a feature that lets Nintendo 3DS detect wireless hotspots or wireless LAN access points and obtain information, game data, free software, videos and so on for players even when the system is in sleep mode
• StreetPass, a feature that lets Nintendo 3DS exchange data automatically with other Nintendo 3DS systems within range, even in sleep mode once this feature is activated by the user. Data for multiple games can be exchanged simultaneously
• Convenient features that users can access without stopping game play such as the HOME menu, Internet browser, Notifications, etc
• Built-in/Included software such as the Nintendo 3DS Camera, Nintendo 3DS Sound, Mii Maker, StreetPass, Mii Plaza, AR Games, Activity Log, Face Raiders, etc
• Nintendo eShop where users can view trailers, software rankings and purchase software
• System Transfer which enable users to transfer already purchased software from one Nintendo 3DS system to another. DSiWare purchased for the Nintendo DSi or the Nintendo DSi XL can also be transferred into a Nintendo 3DS system
• Compatibility functions where both new software designed for Nintendo 3DS and most software for the Nintendo DS family of systems can be played
• Parental Controls which enable parents to restrict game content by ratings as well as use of specific wireless connectivity, 3D functionality, etc

Specifications:

• Size (when closed): 2.9 inches high, 5.3 inches long, 0.8 inches deep
• Weight: Approximately 8 ounces (including battery pack, stylus, SD memory card)
• Upper Screen: Wide-screen LCD display, enabling 3D view without the need for special glasses. Capable of displaying approximately 16.77 million colors. 3.53 inches display (3.02 inches wide, 1.81 inches high) with 800 x 240 pixel resolution. 400 pixels are allocated to each eye to enable 3D viewing
• Lower Screen: LCD with a touch screen capable of displaying 16.77 million colors. 3.02 inches (2.42 inches wide, 1.81 inches high) with 320 x 240 pixel resolution
• Cameras: One inner camera and two outer cameras. Resolutions are 640 x 480 for each camera. Lens are single focus and uses the CMOS capture element. The active pixel count is approximately 300,000 pixels
• Wireless Communication: 2.4 GHz. Enabling local wireless communication among multiple Nintendo 3DS systems for game play and StreetPass. Enabling access to the Internet through wireless LAN access points (supports IEEE802.11 b/g with the WPA™/WPA2™ security feature). Recommended distance of wireless communication is within 98.4 feet. This can be shorter depending on the environmental situation. WPA and WPA2 are marks of the Wi-Fi Alliance
• Input Controls:
  1. A/B/X/Y Button, +Control Pad, L/R Button, START/SELECT
  2. Circle Pad (enabling 360-degree analog input)
  3. Touch screen
  4. Embedded microphone
  5. Camera
  6. Motion sensor
  7. Gyro sensor
• Other Input Controls:
  1. 3D Depth Slider (enabling smooth adjustment of the 3D level effect)
  2. HOME (HOME button brings up the HOME menu)
  3. Wireless switch (can disable wireless functionality even during game play)
  4. POWER button
• Connectors:
  1. Game Card slot
  2. SD Card slot
  3. Cradle connector
  4. AC adapter connector
  5. Audio jack (stereo output)
• Sound: Stereo speakers positioned to the left and right of the top screen (supports virtual surround sound)
• Stylus: Telescoping stylus (approximately 3.94 inches when fully extended)
• Electric Power: AC adapter (WAP-002 [USA]). Nintendo 3DS Battery Pack (lithium ion battery) [CTR-003]
• Charge Time: About 3.5 hours
• Battery Duration: When playing Nintendo 3DS software about 3-5 hours. When playing Nintendo DS software about 5-8 hours. Battery duration differs depending on the brightness setting of the screen. The information regarding battery duration is a rough standard. It can be shorter depending on what functions of the Nintendo 3DS system are used.
• Game Card: Nintendo 3DS Game Card. The size is approximately the same as Nintendo DS Game Card

As described above, the Nintendo 3DS has the classic dual screen configuration that many of the recent generation of DS owners know and love. The touch screen input, A/B/X/Y Buttons, + Control Pad, L/R top-Buttons, and START/SELECT buttons are more or less the same as on the DSi/Lite. Regarding game control, Nintendo has added the ability to input movements with motion sensor, gyro sensor, and the ‘Circle Pad’ which enables 360-degree analog input. As a non-gamer, I find the Circle Pad much easier to use than the + Control Pad.

One disadvantage to native DS players is they’ll have to get used to the ‘Circle Pad’ because Nintendo moved the regular +Control Pad down making it more difficult and less comfortable to use. But a positive change is that Nintendo moved the Select and Start buttons. They are easier to get to and they added a Home button so you don’t have turn it off then back on again.

The back of the 3DS is not very notable, other than the serial number sticker.

The top of the 3DS has the game card slot, power plug port, IR transmitter, and stylus slot…plus the left and right forefinger control/trigger buttons.

The base of the device has the power and charging indicator lights and earplug port.

The right side has the volume control and SD card slot which already has an included 2GB SD card within. These side pictures nicely illustrate the blue tri-color scheme.

The left side has the wireless switch, indicator light and 3D slider control. These pictures also show how chunky and thick the 3DS is.

The 3DS comes with a relatively nice charging cradle to keep your gaming device from getting banged around on your kid’s desk, dresser, or playroom.

The front facing dual, 3D cameras located on the lid are adequate for a gaming device but definitely do not take the quality of picture that many of us have become accustomed to on the latest smartphones.

Here are a few pictures I took with the 3DS to show the image quality. The 3D effect is pretty good/cool when looking at them on the actual device.

You can click on the above thumbnails to see the actual picture from the 3DS. The image resolution is 640 x 480, picture quality is fair, and it had issue with low light.

Like previous DS’s, there is a player-facing camera and small, but adequate, pair of stereo speakers built into the lid of the device.

(3D) Game Play:

Operationally, the 3DS can use all the old game cartridges that the DS Lite and DSi can. In addition to those, the 3DS has its own line of cartridges that are engineered/designed to use the new 3D technology built into the device. The 3D depth slider control enables the user to tweak just how extreme they want their 3D experience. So, even though you might be using a 3D game, you can just turn off the 3D effect if you so choose.

The GK and I splurged and picked up Mario Kart 7 to truly see how well we like the 3D experience. I have to admit its pretty cool. Although, I did have to hold the device/screen at just the right distance and angle to really see the holistic depth of the 3D effect. A piece that I found disturbing is Nintendo gives the warning that no one under 7 should use the device in 3D mode specifically or that it should not be used more than an hour.

I usually play in 2D because it really annoys me sometimes when you have to put the 3DS right in front of you horizontally for 3D or else it gets blurry.  Also, it makes your eyes hurt to play too long in 3D. Another con of the 3DS is that you can’t use 3D while multi-player.

Nintendo and other gaming designers are developing more and more 3D games for the 3DS. There is a relatively large selection of 3D games, ranging from Mario Kart 7 to Cooking Mama 4: Kitchen Magic and everything in between.

As stated above, the 3DS can use old games but the reverse is not true. There is a notch on the 3DS cartridges that the new handheld can accommodate but the older ones can not.

Built In Software (add-ons I thought worthy enough to mention):

Mii Maker: Very similar to the Wii’s console Mii interface, the Mii Maker enables you to create avatars (Miis) for use with various software and games. Miis can be made from scratch or with the help of a photograph.

Even I thought this was a great feature Nintendo migrated from the Wii and integrated into the 3DS system.

Mii Plaza: The StreetPass feature allows users to “invite” other Miis residing on other nearby 3DS consoles onto their handheld devices. Miis will automatically transfer over and “live” in the Mii Plaza.

Also in Mii Plaza you’ll find there are ‘play’, ‘accomplishments’, ‘settings’, your Mii’s name and ‘Go to Plaza Gate!’ features.  In ‘play’ there is ‘Puzzle Swap’ & ‘Find Mii’. In ‘Find Mii’ your Mii is king/queen and is captured! You have to use cat creatures, using two Street pass tokens hire them, to save him/her in this Pokemon-like game. In ‘Puzzle Swap’ you use two Street Pass tokens to get puzzle pieces to finish the jigsaw puzzle. In ‘accomplishments,’ you get to see all of your achievements. Settings is where you change how much other people see when they come into your StreetPass. ‘Go to Plaza Gate!’ is where you get to see if anyone has ‘played’ in your Mii Plaza.

Activity Log: The 3DS records various statistics such as how many, which, and long games were played.  This is a great feature for parents. You should have seen the GK’s face when I showed him how long and what he had been previously playing.

Nintendo eShop: Nintendo has created an AppStore-like place to download games and applications.

Also they include some games like Face Raiders or AR Games. In AR games you can do many activities like graffiti, fishing, AR shoot etc. using the card. With the five character cards you can do Star Pics which enables you to take pics of Link, Mario, Kirby, Metroid  &  the yellow, blue and red Pikmin in various positions. But before unlocking those mini games, you have to do the archery game. In AR Games what annoys me is that you have to be perfectly still for it to calibrate to the distance you’re at (unless you’re in the 12”-16” area, then it’s a lot better). Face Raiders lets you take a pic of someone and well, their face gets stolen and gets turned into a boss.

 Build Quality:

While the Nintendo 3DS is made of plastic, its construction is surprisingly good. I say this from not only holding and playing with the device but seeing countless kids use, drop, and manhandle their individual DSs. The GK takes good care of his tech but many of his friends beat the cr@p out of theirs and they keep on working. That said, from a bigger picture point of view….I see fewer and fewer kids the GK’s age playing with their DS’s. What I do see is them playing on their iPod Touch, iPad, iPhone, Android smartphone … devices more and more. If you take gaming out of the equation, the 3DS can do most of what these other devices do but not nearly well or as easily/seamlessly.

The 3DS is available in black, red, blue, and just recently released pink. While originally debuting for $250, the Nintendo 3DS currently costs $169.

Performance:

The 3DS is a responsive and zippy device with good graphics (definitely not iPhone or iPad great though) depending on the game. Some games take a few seconds to load, but we’ve yet to experience any massive delays. Compared to previous DS handhelds, the 3DS battery life is lack-luster. The GK and I found Nintendo’s spec of 3 to 5 hours (depending on screen brightness) to be right on the money. I find this surprising…..as with all tech, the battery life should improve as the device evolves.

It takes the 3DS roughly 3.5 hours to fully charge.

Comparative Size:

Pictured on the right is the GK’s well-taken-care-of, but definitely used, DSi XL. Thankfully there is a screen protector on all four screens you see (believe it or not, that picture was taken AFTER I had cleaned the XL’s screen). I HIGHLY recommend screen protectors, especially on a surface that your child is tapping on with a stylus tip countless times. While the extra screen real estate is nice on the DSi XL, it is a much bigger device and not nearly as pocketable.

The 3DS  screen is smaller than the DSi XL but is better looking. As I was getting used to the 3DS I realized that the bottom is  thicker than the DSi XL base which is a definite downside.

From a dollars and cents, tech-parental standpoint, I have to say Nintendo needs to change its consumer market plan. With an increasing number of kids and young adults carrying sleek, powerful smartphones or tablets with HD display and all-the-time connectivity, the 3DS seems like it will soon go the way of the BlackBerry or dinosaurs. When anyone with an iOS or Android device can download the latest HD game for under $10, or better yet $0.99, I do not see how a device of this size, capabilities, and cost to play will be able to survive. Seems like Nintendo needs to just see the writing on the wall and begin offering their games for other more popular devices.

I agree with Dad because I’ve already seen DS games like ScribbleNauts and Sonic & Sega All-Star Racing in the AppStore for $0.99, so if this keeps happening, the Nintendo 3DS might not survive.

Filed in categories: Gaming Gear, Kid Gadgets, Portable and Console Gaming, Reviews

Tagged: Nintendo, Video Games

Nintendo 3DS Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 9, 2012 at 11:00 am.

Nintendo will be adding a few new features to their 3DS eShop.  This November update will include downloadable add-on updates to existing games, limited-play demos, sleep mode downloads and a web based eShop.  I’m really excited about the web based eShop.  It will be so much easier browsing the increasingly growing number of titles in the eShop versus the endless scrolling and searching on the small 3DS screen.  It seems like Nintendo 3DS will be getting lots of updates this November.

Filed in categories: Gaming Gear, News

Tagged: 3DS, eshop, Nintendo

Nintendo improves the 3DS eShop originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 29, 2011 at 1:30 pm.

Nintendo announced another update for the 3DS.  And it’s a pretty impressive update.

1) The 3DS will be able to capture 3D video.  You can shoot up to 10 minutes of 3D video at a time.
2) You’ll be able to transfer batches of data from one 3DS to another.
3) Nintendo added stop motion photography.
4) StreetPass will get an update with map feature and also a sequel to the Find Mii game.
5) HuluPlus will be added for those that don’t like the selection in Netflix.

This free update will roll out in November.

Filed in categories: Gaming Gear, News

Tagged: 3DS, Nintendo

Nintendo 3DS getting another big update originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 23, 2011 at 9:00 am.

Most gamers would agree that having a left and right circle pad is necessary on a game controller.  The problem is that Nintendo released the 3DS with only one circle pad.  It works fine for most games but now game designers are making more complicated games that require a second circle pad.  And that’s why Nintendo decided to make a circle pad attachment for the 3DS.

As you can see from the magazine photo.  The problem with the circle pad attachment is that it’s hideous.  The attachment makes the slick looking 3DS bloated and seemingly uncomfortable to hold.  Plus it looks like the circle pad is smaller which means extended periods of gaming will be uncomfortable.

I just hope this is a prototype version and that Nintendo will make a better looking attachment.  Any Japanese readers want to help translate and summarize that magazine article?

Filed in categories: Gaming Gear, News

Tagged: 3DS, Gaming, Nintendo

Nintendo’s 3DS Circle Pad Attachment originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 9, 2011 at 10:00 am.

Nintendo releases 59 LCD based handheld electronic games. Created by game designer Gunpei Yokoi, these LCD screened games include a clock and an alarm.
Ancestor to:  Nintendo 3DS

In 1980 Nintendo released a handheld electronic game including a clock and alarm hence the name Game and Watch.  Between 1980 and 1991 Nintendo released 59 different retail  titles. Some models had a hinged double  screen design  where the action either went on simultaneously on both screens  or where gameplay extended from one screen to the other. Interestingly enough this clamshell design continued on with the Nintendo DS and Gameboy Advanced SP model and is still a feature of the current Nintendo 3DS.  The units used LR4x/SR4x button style batteries for power.

Each Game and Watch  was only able to play one game, due to the use of a segmented LCD display being pre-printed with an overlay. The speed and responsiveness of the games was also limited by the time it took the LCD to change state.

Movement was accomplished via either up to 4 buttons ( many games only had two buttons, left and right )  or a cross joystick and generally there was only one action button ( if one at all ) .  Each game came with 2 difficulty settings Game A or Game B, Game B normally being the faster and more difficult version.  While Nintendo characters such as Mario and Donkey Kong were the mainstay of the games , Nintendo also licensed a number of other popular franchises including Mickey Mouse, Popeye and Snoopy. The maximum high score that could be displayed was 999 even if the game was clocked.

Do you remember ? : Somewhere in a box at home I still have my original Game and Watchs. There’s Donkey Kong, Green House, Manhole , Mario Cement Factory and Oil Panic. As a social experiment I should get these out and give it to my kids ( 13, 16 and 17 ) and see how long the “static” game play can hold their attention.

I do remember that because the screen was LCD based you needed to have light to view the screen properly, so sneaking a quick game to try and clock it just that one more time when you were supposed to be sleeping involved trying to hide the light from the flashlight as well.

It’s strange how things come around. I’m always at my kids to turn off their DS or Ipod and try to engage them in normal conversation however my mother still reminds me to this day ( in fact she reminded me again less than a week ago ( sheesh get over it mum, it was  31 years ago  )) of a trip we took away where all  my sister and I  did was play our Game and Watches.  Do as I say, not as I do !  :)

Memories folks, that’s what this series will be about. Please share yours  :)

 This is the first ( and hopefully not the last ) entry in the Do you remember? series, a chance to “show off ” to the younger Gadgeteers the “cutting edge” technology that some of us ….ummm more experienced Gadgeteers had in our day, to show the progression and ancestory of the technology we use today and just a chance to reminisce……. I remember when I were a lad………

Filed in categories: Gaming Gear, Kid Gadgets, News

Tagged: DoYouRemember, Nintendo

Nintendo Releases Game and Watch LCD Handheld – Do you remember? originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 24, 2011 at 1:00 pm.

Nintendo had two successful products, the DS/3DS  and the Wii, with each one of them provides its own benefits. The Nintendo 3D/3DS offers a two screen gaming experience and focuses more on hard core gamers. The Wii, on the other hand, is focused on the broader demographic and has provided more social experience when using its motion controls. As we reported earlier this month, Nintendo introduced its new gaming machine, the Wii-U, at E3. Nintendo presented a peak into the new console capabilities, but left us with many questions regarding the gaming experience we might get.

Nevertheless, if you watch the press release closely, you will see that they seed many clues on their plans and intentions. They started the presentation of the Wii-U by asking how can we bring the 3DS experience to the living room. Later on they showed the 3DS and the Wii-U side by side when discussing the intention of several game developers to develop their future games for the 3DS/Wii-U platform. When looking at the platform side-by-side, the Wii-U looks like a bigger version of the 3DS. Last, EA Sport said that finally Nintendo will have a console in the living room that can fit the hard core gamers needs.

Therefore, it is safe to expect that we may get the 3DS experience in the living room using the Wii-U, but in high-definition. On the other hand, the Wii-U has some advantage over the 3DS console: (1) it can work with the Wii controllers, (2) it can work using the Wii-U screen only (no TV mode) and (3) the two screens are not attached together. It will be interesting to see how the game developers will use those capabilities for their games, while it means that those games won’t be compatible with the 3DS. How the game developers will take advantage of the new platform, your guess is good as mine. What do you think?

Filed in categories: Gaming Gear, News

Tagged: Nintendo

Nintendo wants to bring the 3DS experience to the living room using the Wii-U originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 24, 2011 at 4:47 pm.

Nintendo has just unveiled its new 2012 Wii-U console.  The new console will have a speedy IBM Power-based multi-core microprocessor, internal flash memory, HDMI and many new features.  But the main attraction of the Wii-U console would be the new controller.  The new controller has a built-in 6.2 inch touch screen along with the standard button controls plus two analog circle pads.  But that’s not all, it also includes a built-in accelerometer and gyroscope, rumble feature, camera, a microphone, stereo speakers, a sensor strip and a stylus.

That’s some super duper controller.  But you might ask what would it be used for?  Nintendo demoed a game which plays like hide and seek tagging.  The player with the new controller has a top down view of the map area and runs around and hides from the other 4 players with the regular Wii controllers.  The other 4 Wii controller players will be viewing on the tv screen trying to seek out their hidden friend.

The new controller can also act as a stand-alone gaming unit which makes it feel like a big screen gaming tablet.  Apple better watch out…gaming with buttons still trumps multi-touch screens.

It’s a pretty interesting way of gaming and I can’t wait to see how it is going to change the way we interact within the games.

Filed in categories: Gaming Gear, News

Tagged: Nintendo

Nintendo unveils new Wii-U console originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 9, 2011 at 9:00 am.

Last year, we reported that Nintendo planned to introduce a new game console that will support 3D displays without the need of special glasses. In the Nintendo keynote at the Game Developers Conference 2011, Satoru Iwata president and CEO of Nintendo announced that 3D content that will be available for the Nintendo 3DS. Beside recording 3D movies on the device, the Nintendo 3DS will feature streaming video from Netflix, including 3D video content. Nintendo will offer a special 3D video channel that will include movie trailers, music videos, and comedy shorts. As for gaming, Nintendo announced a Super Mario game for the 3DS, that will be further detailed at the E3 expo this June. Nintendo will introduce an eShop, where you will be able to download games to the device, including 3D-remastered classic games. The Nintendo 3DS device will be available in the US on March 27th and will have a price of $250. Nintendo is working hard to offer interesting 3D content for the device. Do you think 3D games and movies are the next buzz?

The full keynote is available here.

Filed in categories: Gaming Gear, News

Tagged: Nintendo

Nintendo will offer 3D content for the Nintendo 3DS originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 6, 2011 at 5:40 pm.

Seemingly out of nowhere, Nintendo have announced the release of their latest handheld gaming system, the 3DS.  It will be a 3D ‘glasses-free’ version of the DS/DSi, allowing full 3D play without the need to wear any 3D head gear.

The ‘hot off the press’ information direct from Japan has informed us all that the 3DS will be set for a full unveiling at E3 in June 2010.

Although there has been no official word on the hardware to be used (yet!), Nintendo have added that the 3DS will be compatible with all of your old favourites from the DS and the DSi.  So fear not, you won’t have to start building up your collection from scratch!

The official launch of the 3DS is expected to be around March 2011 (Probably in Japan first) so it’ll be a good year before we get to see it properly.

So, who wants one??

[Via Engadget]

Filed in categories: Gaming Gear, News

Tagged: 3DS, Nintendo

Nintendo announces the 3DS originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 23, 2010 at 7:28 am.

Since the release of the first DS back in 2005, Nintendo have sold more than 100 million handheld games consoles worldwide.  And now they’re back with a bigger and better version, the Nintendo DSi XL.

With a choice of three colours, Dark Brown, Wine Red and Natural White, the XL will still incorporate all the features of the DSi, including dual screens, however the screens will be 93% larger than that of the current DS, at 4.2 inches across.  The XL will also feature a wider viewing angle (which Nintendo say will create better social gaming), built-in games and a pen stylus which is easier to hold than previous models.

The battery life is expected to last slightly longer than the DSi, at around 16 hours and, it’s also slightly heavier, weighing in at 314g.

Release dates for the XL are still a little vague, but they’re expected to hit the shelves in the U.K. around March 5th, with the U.S. following suit a few days after.  The cost for an XL will be slightly more than a DSi, at around £150 ($230) but sites such as Amazon are offering a pre-order service allowing you to get your hands on one as soon as they’re released, plus they’re offering a discount if you order now.

Filed in categories: News, Portable and Console Gaming

Tagged: Nintendo, Spotlight Gadgets

Nintendo DSi XL coming soon! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 23, 2010 at 10:00 am.

For someone who hates video games as much as computers, I’ll admit that the Wii Sports Resort game is kind of fun.  To add an even more realistic and fun experience to the Wii Sports Resort game, check out this set of attachments in the CTA Wii Sports 8-in-1 Pack.  They glom onto the Wii remote and/or nun-chucks to add some interesting physics during game play.  While add-ons such as these are produced by several manufacturers and are readily available in brick & mortar stores (I initially purchased the “Nerf” brand for example) I stumbled onto the Wii Sports Pack only when browsing through Amazon and was impressed at just how many accessories it sports (ha) compared to those available in stores.

The Wii Sports Pack contains eight different attachments (compared to about three for the typical brick & mortar sets that are readily available) including a sword and archery bow.  The sword option alone made me hit the “BUY” button.  Think I made a good impulsive purchase?

The Wii Sports Pack contains the following attachments:

• Sword
• Oar (yes an Oar)
• Bow
• Wakeboard Controller
• Golf Club
• Table Tennis Paddle
• Jet Ski Controller
• Flying Disc

It also contains a god-awful upper and lower piece of molded plastic packaging the size of Alaska that displays the items in a gaudy (though, I must admit, effective) manner fit for a carnival.  But it’s still a cool set.

Although no one will tell you (and in fact one of the reps at a popular electronic store whose name rhymes with “Pest Pie” neglected to tell me), the Sports Resort (and other Wii games) require you to occasionally point at the screen with the remote in order to advance or select items on the screen at the beginning and ending of a game.   If the add-on attachments cover up the infra-red portion of the remote, then you cannot easily access these selection options and you have to remove the attachment, point and click at the selection, and then re-attach the attachment.  This is the main problem I had found with the store-bought attachments: they covered the infra-red beam and made the games clunky and annoying.

In contrast, the Wii Sports Pack attachments have a cut out to allow for this point-n-select action that is needed to navigate certain menus during the course of the games.  That is a huge factor to keep in mind when considering these various attachments.  I had to return a few sets of attachments to brick & mortar stores due to this oversight before I found the Wii Sports Pack.

This brand of attachment does not have the infra-red cut out.

In contrast, the Wii Sports Pack accessories do provide an infra-red cut out

Now although the attachments in the WSP have a cut out for the infra-red beam, it can still be a little difficult to get the pointer to the correct spot all of the time (see the video at the end of this review for an example of trying to perform a point-n-click maneuver with the Sword attachment).  But this was not a huge problem as I walked through each of the games with the various extensions.  The fun factor was not adversely affected.

Some of the attachments (for example, the sword attachment) are built such that they will support either a naked remote (i.e. a remote without the rubbery skin or grip that comes with the Wii console) or a remote that is outfitted with a skin.  I found, however, that when using a remote with the rubbery skin that I had to push really hard to get it into the attachment and it was difficult to get a good fit.  Without the rubbery skin, an adapter or spacer is provided to hold the remote within the attachment.  This option, though, was not always a tight fit, and could make some of the sports moves (most notably with the sword) and made sword fighting sloppy.  I ended up using the rubber cover and squashing it into the sword attachment.  I really like the sword fighting games, by the way, and highly recommend them.  I plan on getting a weight vest to wear for extra cardio action (no, not to pretend it is a set of armor).

So what is the final score for the Wii Sports Pack?  Buy it!  Yes, it has a few faults, but this is the best alternative I’ve found to the brick-n-mortar versions which are limited in the number of attachments and don’t have the infra-red beam cut out.

Here are shots of each of the attachments . . .

Sword attachment -- buy the sports pack just for this alone

Archery -- second reason to buy the sports pack (also see video below of the archery attachment in action)

Wakeboard grip - game is so so, attachment makes it more fun

Paddle - game is fun, so is paddle

Oar - game is challenging, remote can slip in the handle, so you might want to use the rubbery skin without the spacer adapter

Golf club - game is fun, club makes it very fun

Let’s see a few of the attachments in action

Video demonstrating the point-n-click menu selection process with the sword attachment, a little clunky, but achievable:

Video demonstrating the use of the archery bow, pretty fun:

Video demonstrating the flying disc, a little hard to get used to:

Filed in categories: Gaming Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Nintendo, Wii

CTA Wii Sports Resort Pack 8-in-1 Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 16, 2010 at 5:08 pm.

Do you have a box of old 8-bit Nindendo cartridges from the 80′s? Wanna relive countless hours of childhood fun? You’re in luck because ThinkGeek is selling a $49.99 color NES handheld system. It runs on 4 AA batteries and is guaranteed to make you the envy of all your geek buddies.

Filed in categories: Portable and Console Gaming

Tagged: Gaming, Nintendo, Spotlight Gadgets

8-Bit NES Handheld Gaming System originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 13, 2009 at 11:41 am.

In case you’ve spent the last few months looking for Osama Bin Laden over in the Khaiber Pass, or don’t keep up with gaming news, then this one’s for you. There are several nice upgrades in this 3rd gen product including an app store, two built in cameras, and some groovy photo editing software. You can check the full story here.

Filed in categories: Portable and Console Gaming

Tagged: DSi, Nintendo

Nintendo DSi Launches Today in the U.S. originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 5, 2009 at 5:42 am.