The Nintendo 3DS

From what's written on Wikipedia, the only major improvements seems to be a quad-core processor instead of a dual-core, and more memory. But I guess that's also complemented by four or so years to optimize and improve the system and code, so I guess it works. Hopefully, someone with actual computer expertise could expound XP.

After a bit more quality time with Xenoblade, I can say a couple of things:

1. Considering this was originally for consoles, I think I'm having more fun with this game than any other recent console JRPG since perhaps even Final Fantasy X (when that was considered recent).

2. Shulk and friends sure like to talk a lot during battles.

edited 12th Apr '15 6:16:51 AM by CombatC122

Bearably lots or obnoxously lots?

And pokémon XYORAS has major slow downs when 3D is on during battles. Any cutscenes that use it look fine though.

Oh, and triple battles don't even let you have 3D and it still slows down.

Thus far it's actually kind of amusing, now that I'm getting to see the source of Shulk memetic reputation in Smash Bros, and even somewhat useful sometimes since all the Calling Your Attacks gives you an idea of what your non-player controlled allies are doing at any given time. I hope it doesn't get too obnoxious after several hours of gameplay though.

Also, since I upgraded to my N 3 DS from the 2DS, I actually didn't even realize that Pokemon had those kinds of performance issues during battles until fairly recently. I suppose the 2DS was originally released alongside X and Y for good reason.

Gamefreak is not known for being technical wizards. Their games are always poorly optimized. Though to their credit, the Pokemon models are pretty good.

Aside from resolution, apparently Xenoblade 3D is basically a perfect port of the original. Same framerate and similar draw distance. Monster Games did good work.

Pokemon does seem to do quite a bit technically under the hood, given the complexity of its battle system. And it's not like the series has ever been so popular because it's pushing hardware limits. On the contrary, I'd say Red and Blue were so impressive because they took the decade-old technology of the original black and white Game Boy and used it to create something so addictive.

But yeah, considering it was originally for Wii, Xenoblade feels surprisingly well suited for the portable hardware. The cutscene length doesn't feel excessive, and it helps that you can save wherever. Yeah, the resolution isn't great, but it's comparable to other 3DS games, and I get the sense that the Wii version's standard def graphics probably wouldn't look especially great blown up on a big HDTV set anyway. I suppose that's what the Wii U pseudosequel is going to be for.

No, it's because they gave their Pokemon models too many polygons and didn't put a mesh over them so it wouldn't chugg the 3DS. Certain Pokemon like Zubat can cause some frame drops, ESPECIALLY if the 3D is turned on.

I bet it really isn't doing the system any favors when you've got a horde battle with Zubat going on.

They should've brought in Iwata.

He should really share some of that black magic of his with the other programmers within Nintendo.

GAH BOXBOY is so addicting ! And the characters are so cute!

Oh yeah.. Does the game card for Xenoblade look any different?

edited 12th Apr '15 6:02:43 PM by Xopher001

It has the New Nintendo 3DS logo at the top instead of the regular one, but other than that there doesn't seem to be any physical difference from any other 3DS game card. I tested it in my old 2DS, and while it does recognize the card and display the startup logo, trying to play it results in a pop up message saying that the game is only compatible with New 3DS hardware.

Well here's something HUGE. Unity's supporting the N3DS. Unity is pretty huge in Japan, so this is a massive boon to it.

I could've sworn we already knew about it. Wasn't there a Spongebob Unity game on the 3DS? Based Activision getting stuff done. Well, it's official now, so that's good. Maybe the 3DS can get more ports now.

edited 12th Apr '15 7:43:00 PM by Sterok

As someone working on a game in Unity, no, this was not known. I presume the Spongebob devs either got a source code license to port it themselves or worked with Unity behind the scenes. I presume the former, since widespread Unity support is only for the New 3DS while the Spongebob game runs on the older system.

I thought 3DS and Wii U already had Unity support?

BTW, it's a tool/devkit of sorts, right?

edited 14th Apr '15 6:55:32 PM by Kuroxeng

Wii U did. I never really thought about 3DS. I guess it didn't.

I'm given to understand it's an engine? But I might be wrong.

edited 14th Apr '15 6:57:25 PM by BadWolf21

Eh, engine, devkit. It's all stuff developers use to make games and what I wished I understood better.

Unity is an engine that's I do believe is really easy to use, all things considered; can put out great looking models; and can run on damn near anything.

It's a rather dev-friendly engine that makes posting to most platforms as simple as a few clicks. It's easy to use and allows for fast prototyping. The downsides being that, depending on what you're making, you could run into problems fixing the simplest of things due to being closed-source and certain systems being untouchable though code. (Most common thing: rebindable keys. With how the in-engine version is designed, you're likely to just make your own system from scratch to handle that.)

Are there any bundle discounts for the new Streetpass games and VIP features?

There's a bundle for both games if you have all the others. A "Thank You" Bundle. It goes for 6.99. I don't know if there's one if you don't have any of the games.

So remind me what th VIP room is for? Does it keep mii's even if you delete them from your plaza ?

Japan has an NGE theme, Cruel Angel's Thesis and all.

I can not contain my jelly.

Pokemon Rumble World is released.

For a free to play game this game is damn polished, Damn polished indeed.

And those prices are ludicrous. You can get quite a few things for a very very cheap price. depending on the deals.

That game's been out for a while. At least, I've had it on my 3DS for a while.