Hasta La Gadget!

We’ve been reading about it for what seems like ages, looking over images of the FCC prototype with a magnifying glass, and now Nintendo is showing it off at its E3 press conference. The company that Mario built is trumping up how superior its glasses-free technology is better than others, “a solution that lets you take 3D gaming along with you wherever you go” according to Reggie. The upper screen is surprisingly only 3.5-inches, not the wider that we’d expected. There is a slider on the side that lets you tweak the 3D effect, seemingly enabling you to adjust its depth based on your distance from the screen — or turn it off entirely. As with the current DS, the bottom is a touchscreen, and is not 3D.

That’s what looks to be an analog stick on the side there, as well, that Nintendo is calling a “Slide Pad.” There is a gyro, motion sensor, it’s compatible with DSi games, and has two cameras enabling 3D photos. Nintendo is also talking up partnerships including Disney, games that are said to be playable today, at the show, with one of the highlights being a new Kid Icarus game which looks quite action-packed to say the least — and has better graphics than most of the Wii titles Nintendo has shown thus far. Nintendo has mentioned the 3DS will have the “biggest launch support ever” from third party devs, and a 3D Nintendogs should be a huge seller — if only because it has cats too. Other games include Madden, Ninja Gaiden, Resident Evil, a Batman title, Splinter Cell, and, finally, a Metal Gear Solid entry.

Nintendo is also talking about how the system will seek out WiFi hotspots or other 3DS systems “without you knowing,” which sounds a bit ominous, to be honest. Systems can communicate regardless of which games are being played. It can even pull in new DLC directly from other consoles, all without a monthly fee.

Still no release date or price, but Nintendo is showing off two colors, red and blue, and they’re said to be playable on the show floor. You can be sure we’ll be running there right now.

Update: Complete press release and full list of launch games after the break, including some biggies, like Metal Gear Solid “The Naked Sample,” Madden, FIFA, and more!

Continue reading Nintendo 3DS gets official, includes 3D camera

Nintendo 3DS gets official, includes 3D camera originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kinectimals didn’t get your juices flowing enough yesterday? That slinky new Xbox 360 not enough to tempt you to the dark side? Maybe you want a glasses-free 3D handheld or a light-up lollypop themed controller? Today’s the day your wishes will come true, with Nintendo and Sony hosting back-to-back press conferences. We’re expecting a 3DS at one, and full details on the PlayStation Move at the other. We’ll be there liveblogging both events and bringing you luscious photos from the inside that you won’t want to miss. Nintendo starts at 9:00 Pacific, noon Eastern. Sony’s starts at noon Pacific, 3:00 pm Eastern.

Engadget is live from the Nintendo and Sony E3 events originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We understand that Wii Fit has dubious health benefits at best (whatever CTA Digital might say top the contrary), but apparently word hasn’t reached the Navy’s top brass. According to the Navy Times, recruits need more work than ever before to get into fighting shape, “given that many young people prefer computers and video games” to sports and physical activity. The solution, says Navy Surgeon General Vice Adm. Adam Robinson, is to use break in would-be sailers slowly, introducing “the equivalents of Nintendo’s Wii Fit or Konami’s Dance Dance Revolution” in basic training. This sounds rather silly to us, but what do we know? We’re lovers, not fighters.

Navy Surgeon General eyes Wii Fit, Dance Dance Revolution for boot camp originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 May 2010 05:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CTA strikes again! The company known for its unorthodox (and rather silly) game controllers is back with a plastic drawbar / foot pedal combo that is supposed to be “very similar to a rowing machine you would find at the gym,” although we highly doubt it. Designed for games like Wii Sports Resort and Jillian Michaels’ Angry Sports Resort, this is something that would probably only enter your home as an ill-considered Christmas gift before gathering dust in the back of a closet, alongside your Bowling Ball and Football controllers. But we must admit, even if the company’s products are dubious, its infomercials are an endless source of entertainment. See for yourself after the break. As for the rowing machine, it’s up for pre-order now at Amazon, as if you care.

Continue reading Wii Rowing Machine aims to sculpt abs, achieves belly laughs (video)

Wii Rowing Machine aims to sculpt abs, achieves belly laughs (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 May 2010 13:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo is teaming up with the American Heart Association to promote its Wii consoles as a means to stay active.

Under the deal, Wii boxes will soon include the AHA brand, Nintendo and AHA will jointly host a health summit, and Nintendo consoles will be on display at future AHA health walks. They have also launched a Web site at activeplaynow.com.

“The two organizations come from different worlds but share the common goal of helping consumers discover how active-play video games contribute to healthy living,” according to the site.

The partnership focuses on the Wii Fit Plus, Wii Sports Resort, and the original Wii console. Boxes for these products will soon include an AHA stamp of approval, and an encouragement to purchase active-play games.