Hasta La Gadget!

Oh, China. You’re such a great nation, but sometimes we’ve got to call you on your ridiculous reinterpretations of trademarked and copyrighted works from other parts of the world. This handheld gaming console is one such example.

This ridiculously confused PVP Station Light 3000 handheld co-opts imagery from Sony, Nintendo, Rovio and Naughty Dog all in one single package. And having played some of these craptacular systems over the years, I’m going to bet it can’t even play most of the games referenced on its box. Or if it can, it does it very badly.

[via I Use No Way as Way]

Over the years, I’ve seen some pretty impressive custom-built handhelds, and here’s another that’s definitely worth checking out. This Nintendo 64 portable system features a beautiful aluminum case, and even aluminum buttons.

It was built by Travis Breen and looks as good as any DIY handheld I’ve seen. He created this beautiful portable system from two big hunks of aluminum, then used a milling machine and lathe to cut out the pieces. He took some inspiration from the design and construction of the MacBook Pro, but says that the console has a “more inviting” textured finish. The finished handheld measures in a fairly hefty 5.65″ wide x 11″ wide x 1.225″ thick, and weighs 2.73 pounds.

I’m not sure on the screen size, but the LCD looks like it’s about a 7-incher. Those five black dots along the bottom of the screen aren’t just decorative either – they’re the power on/off, reset, start, and volume up/down buttons. Each of the buttons and D-Pad are constructed from aluminum and anodized in black.

Under the hood are components from an original N64, along with an EverDrive 64 so he can load up true Nintendo 64 ROM images from an SD card and play them all on the original N64 hardware – a much better solution than using an emulator. And yes, this thing is truly portable. It runs on a pair of 5000 mAH batteries, so it can play for up to 3 hours on a charge. Not bad for a console which you used to have to plug into a wall outlet.

Be sure to check out Travis’ beautiful N64 handheld in the video below:

While the system isn’t for sale, Travis does admit that he might part with it if someone throws enough money at him.

Nintendo’s announcement of the Nintendo 2DS is one of the most surprising developments in the gaming world this year. As an entry-level variant of the Nintendo 3DS, the 2DS can play all 3DS games and thousands more DS games. But unlike the 3DS and the 3DS XL, the 2DS can’t be folded. It’s upper screen also can’t display stereoscopic 3D, hence the lose-lose situation regarding its name. It’s an honest name, but for some people it will be like being told that a Honda Bivic exists. And it’s a Civic.

According to Kotaku, the 2DS’ screens are the same size as the ones on the 3DS. The lower screen is still a touchscreen and the 2DS will also come with a stylus. But as you can see its Circle Pad and face buttons are on the upper half of the device. I think the buttons were shifted up so that the shoulder buttons – which are at the top of the device – will still be within your index finger’s reach while your thumbs are on the Circle Pad and face buttons.

Aside from the “slate” form and the lack of a stereoscopic 3D display, the 2DS has a few other deficiencies compared to its big brothers. For one, it only has a mono speaker, but you can still get stereo audio via its headphone jack. It also has no physical Wi-Fi switch; you’ll have to toggle that from within the menu. So it’s a lesser device, but that means it also has a lower price. It will only cost $130 (USD), $40 cheaper than the 3DS and $70 cheaper than the 3DS XL.

*Update: Kotaku also shared Nintendo Europe’s nifty comparison chart (pdf) between all three 3DS models.* The Nintendo 2DS will be available on 10/12/2013, which is also the day Pokémon X and Y are released. That timing should help push units right from the get go; it will be enough for many people to see that the 2DS can play the latest Pokémon game. But only time will tell if Nintendo’s questionable naming scheme and hilarious yet also depressing decision to ditch their system’s main feature will pay off.

Will customers think that there are 2DS games? Or that the 2DS can’t play 3DS games? Will developers still care about the quality and functionality of stereoscopic 3D in their 3DS games? Will Nintendo finally realize that they have to come up with a practical naming scheme for their devices? Seriously, why didn’t they just name it the 3DS Jr.?

[via Nintendo & Kotaku]

If you’ve been waiting for a price drop before upgrading to a 3DS XL, Nintendo has the next best thing for you: a refurbished trio of its up-sized 3D handhelds. They typically run $200 new, but you can get a redone unit for $170, or $180 with a 16GB SD memory card, in red, black or blue direct from the manufacturer. If you don’t mind dropping the XL, a reworked aqua blue or midnight purple 3DS has lowered from April’s price of $130 to $120, or $50 off compared to new. In all cases, Nintendo refurbs come with a one-year warranty and — aside from the possibility of some “minor cosmetic blemishes” — the Japanese manufacturer assures us that its quality standards are “VERY high”. (Their caps, not ours.)

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Nintendo

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Via: Joystiq, Nintendo Life

Source: Nintendo Store

Looking for a (slightly) less conspicuous take on the 3DS XL? If you live in the US or Canada, you’ll get it when the all-black version of Nintendo’s giant handheld reaches those countries on August 11th. Don’t expect any bonuses with the subtler color, though. The darker-hued 3DS XL costs the same $200 as before, and it’s virtually identical to the Japanese version that launched last fall. It’s shipping at the same time as Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, however, which makes it a decent consolation prize for gamers who can’t get a Luigi edition 3DS LL to call their own.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Nintendo

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Via: Joystiq

Source: Nintendo