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Hands-on with the 3DS Augmented Reality mini-games

Tabletop games

Hands-on with the 3DS Augmented Reality mini-games
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3DS

While the 3DS spotlight is mainly focused on whether the release games will be much cop, there's also a handful of Augmented Reality mini-games embedded on the device that act as demos for showing off the handheld's capabilities.

We briefly mentioned the built-in games in our full 3DS review. Now, let's look at what is in store in a little more detail.

The Augmented Reality games revolve around the use of the picture cards that come with the console. A pack of six cards are bundled, each showing a picture of a classic Nintendo character.

Card play

However, one card in particular - the '?' card - is used for the majority of the games. You lie the card flat on a table, desk or other surface, and then point the 3DS camera towards it. Boxes start to appear on-screen, as if lying on top of the card.

Pressing A allows you to shoot at the boxes, with each corresponding to a different mini-game.

Initially, only the simple target practice game is available. Round targets appear on your desk, dotted around the central '?' card. The idea is to aim your reticle at each one and fire at will.

It's a great introduction to what the 3DS is all about. Find just the right surface and the effect is quite wonderful - it genuinely looked like there were targets sitting on my desk.

The best effects, however, are those that mess with the surface itself. Mountains erupt out of our desk, and gaps open up, revealing dangerous lava pools in the woodwork.

The mini-golf game displays this effect the best, with small courses popping up on your tabletop, and balls rolling around bends made in the surface.

It really has to be seen to be believed. This isn't simply stereoscopic 3DS in motion - it's far more than that, with tons of clever ideas taking the 3D effect beyond its gimmick status.

Gone Fishing

Want to turn your desk into a pond? The fishing mini-game creates a round dip, fills it with water, and throws in the fish.

A fishing rod is 'attached' to the top of your 3DS, and flicking the handheld towards the water lays the bait.

The shadows of fish swim over tentatively and tap the hook a few times, before grabbing at the line. You can then wrench your 3DS upwards to pull it out of the water.

Oddly enough, even though there's obviously no resistance, it still feels like you're pulling something out of this make-believe pond. Again, it's an awesome mind-bender.

DIY Smash Bros

The 'Star Pics' mode allows you to place down Mario, Samus et al cards, at which point statues of the corresponding characters spring forth from your desk.

It's then possible to set them into different poses, slide the cards around your desk, and set up some hilarious action-packed shots, such as Link cutting the Pikmin down with his sword, or Kirby, Mario, and Samus battling it out, Smash Bros style.

At any point during play, hitting the shoulder buttons will take 3D photos of the action and store them away to show your friends later.

You can also get your Mii character out and let him join in the fun. One of our favourite photos involves us crushing our little Mii with our big fist just inches from his head, and him looking up in fear.

Want more? Take a hike

There are plenty more mini-games to try out, with fourteen in total, although only six are available from the get-go.

Annoyingly, to unlock the rest you need to buy them with Play Coins. And how do you get Play Coins? Why, go for a stroll.

Steps taken while carrying your 3DS console translates to Play Coins. This is rather irritating given that the last thing you want to do when you've just bought a new games console is go for a walk.

Still, most of these extra games are simply rehashes of the original six, or galleries for looking at how many fish you've caught.

As a built-in tech demo, the Augmented Reality collection really does a great job of showing off what the 3DS is all about.

Few of the 3DS launch titles actually go further than simply adding a dimension. These AR mini-games demonstrate that Nintendo's latest console has more up its sleeve than extra depth perception. Hopefully developers will take note.

Mike Rose
Mike Rose
An expert in the indie games scene, Mike comes to Pocket Gamer as our handheld gaming correspondent. He is the author of 250 Indie Games You Must Play.