3DS
Odds are many readers from the UK have seen a really heart-warming ad for the Nintendo 3DS’ remake of The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time this week. It stars Robin Williams and his daughter, Zelda Williams, named after the titular video game character. Robin Williams himself has been a long-time Legend of Zelda fan. In fact, the idea to pass the name on to his daughter came from his oldest son, who loved the games as well. Now Zelda, who also grew up loving the games because of her father, shares the spotlight in this new commercial.
One of the features to showcase the Nintendo 3DS’ 3D power was a set of cards that came with bundled in the pack. These Augmented Reality cards were cards that the 3DS could identify with its camera and project images onto its top screen with. The cards are used for interactive mini games that make objects appear wherever a card is placed.
Since the Augmented Reality cards arrived with the 3DS people have been creating makeshift cards or simply putting the image or design of one everywhere in the hopes that the 3DS will pick up on them in random spots. Since the AR cards’ design is simple enough, it isn’t hard to make a fake that works. An AR design can be placed on a t-shirt or wall and still have a chance to work with the 3DS.
Engadget didn’t just get their hands on an iPad 2 this week. Up for review is the 3DS, straight from Japan. It won’t be released state side for another few months, so some minor changes may or probably may not happen between now and then, but Engadget provided some insight into what we’ll be looking forward to once it’s out.
The 3D effect is controlled by a slider, much like the volume control in the DS Lite. This makes it easier to adjust the effect to your eyesight, as every human eye has its own threshold for 3D to really work. Those who cannot see 3D due to visual impairment or just not liking 3D mixed with their gaming can leave it off entirely. The adjustability is also useful for saving battery life, which players will need to do. With the 3D option tuned all the way down, the maximum battery life for the 3DS will be 4 to 5 hours. Bring a charger with you for long commutes.
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