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Nintendo 3DS review: Part 2 - The hardware

Roll on the 3DS Lite

Nintendo 3DS review: Part 2 - The hardware
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3DS

Nintendo clearly didn’t want to deviate too much from the design of the insanely popular DS when it created its successor: in its closed form, you could almost mistake the 3DS for a slight revision of its older sibling.

First impressions are curiously muted, however. The hard, angled lines of the 3DS feel almost uncomfortable when placed alongside the smooth, rounded corners of the DS Lite, DSi and DSi XL.

The way in which the top section of the machine is slightly larger than the bottom section is also slightly jarring, almost giving the impression that the two parts were designed separately and only brought together at the very last moment.

It feels a million miles away from the elegant and almost Apple-like design of the DS Lite, and we dare say that Nintendo will follow its usual strategy of cleaning up the case design when it comes to release the all-too-predictable 3DS Lite in the not-too-distant future.

We also have to take issue with the placement of the stylus dock. Its new home on the top of the machine close to the screen hinge is less than ideal, especially when you’re attempting to make a hasty grab during a game in order to type some text.

Minor cosmetic concerns aside, the 3DS remains a striking machine, especially when it’s open and ready for business. The analogue ‘circle pad’ will be instantly familiar to anyone who has played a Sony PSP, and offers a pleasing degree of control.

The inclusion of a traditional D-pad is welcome, but it’s a little too close to the bottom of the console for our liking – expect bouts of cramp should you opt for digital control over analogue.

Part one: Introduction
Part three: 3D or not 3D? That is the question
Part four: The word on the StreetPass
Part five: The bundled games
Part six: The verdict

Damien  McFerran
Damien McFerran
Damien's mum hoped he would grow out of playing silly video games and gain respectable employment. Perhaps become a teacher or a scientist, that kind of thing. Needless to say she now weeps openly whenever anyone asks how her son's getting on these days.