I've read the full article from Parkin and Patrick's piece above. I think both are very fair and well written.The one thing I would whole heartedly say about the Parkin piece is that it ain't no review. It's a critique as far as I'm concerned.
I love this type of piece. It comes across as honest, gutsy and fairly sans bullshit. You don't have to play the game to understand his criticism but you can pick up where he's coming from by reading other sites reviews.
The one thing that surprised me, was the cynicism through some of the comments (I know right!). One particular comment from a 3rd year journo student was pretty much claiming that some form of bribery was at play in every single review ever written. Whether it's true or not, I thought that Parkin produce a balanced piece on the face of it. After all 8/10 is still a kick-ass score for any game.
I don't really see the issue - it's an optional add-on. I've had one [3DS] since just after launch and the only game I could say that would use one would be Zelda but the camera isn't really an issue. If only the odd game is going to need on then why the controversy? Again, it's optional.
Yes it's worth it without a doubt. As for games then they'll come. OOT is excellent and a long game, SF is a blast as well.
The download catalogue is growing weekly - although I am super pissed that there aren't more 3D ports of newer games. Excitebike and Xevious look ok but give me more recent titles gussied up instead of these 'classics' please.
I grabbed a 2nd hand 3DS for 120GBP at a local Granger games store. I really do think this price was tempting enough to grab one, even with the meagre launch titles. I also picked up SF and Zelda. I've got to say these titles don't disappoint. Whilst the 3D doesn't add a great deal; if anything; to the gameplay, it really does look very good when you get comfortable with it. Although the titles on offer for download aren't tempting at all either.
The biggest issue, IMHO, with these handheld platforms is buyer fatigue, especially with Nintendo - DS, DS Lite, DSi, XL and now 3DS all produced in a relatively short space of time. I think that the Vita will have to fire the imagination to get a great deal of traction in the market. Although I have to say it looks pretty good at first blush.
Although I must just point out that I missed a similar Apple move with the iPhone price drop a while ago - I genuinely hadn't seen this. I certainly don't remember this being high profile in the UK.
True early adopters don't really care about this type of stuff...do they? I think the biggest crime Nintendo have committed here is the poor showing out of the gate of 1st gen titles. I recently bought Zelda and have gotta say it's pretty good in 3D.
As for the apology; then at least they are placating rather than cutting off users, like Apple do for example. Free games because of an early price cut is a decent gesture. Compare it to, say, Sony when PSN was down. I'd say this was more generous than that.
The price you pay is the price you are happy with. Whilst I do agree that the 3D adds little to the gaming genre per se, the fact that Nintendo have admitted that without the price drop and consumers buying the units then you aint' going to get the titles, is realistic. I would rather have the titles which push this system than nothing at all. They are working on it apparently - but in the meantime here's some recompense until they come.
Is this what has also happened to the 3D TV manufacturers? The business model looks similar with consumers seemingly over the 3D novelty despite it being forced upon them to some degree.
I also think that Nintendo iterate too quickly in the handheld space to keep profit levels up for ever. The games don't seem to have been a hit with reviewers so far either. I like the sound of the price drop enough to consider one but also worry that 2nd Gen hardware will come oh so too soon! D'oh!
I've never seen the first one and only heard about this after listening to the E3 bombcast epic with Jaffe. Man, does he talk a good job. This looks weird, so very weird. I'll keep an open mind and my eyes open for the review I think.
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