E3: Nintendo 3DS Not For Young Children?

Source: Kotaku

So when you think of Nintendo users who do you think of first?

Children of course!

Especially when you think of Game Boys and other handhelds kids are definitely the target demographic. But now the Nintendo 3D handheld 3DS, due out by the end of next March, is going through some serious safety tests right now. The conclusion this far is that young children should not look at 3D images.

Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime had this to say on the matter, “We will recommend that very young children not look at 3D images. That's because, [in] young children, the muscles for the eyes are not fully formed... This is the same messaging that the industry is putting out with 3D movies, so it is a standard protocol.”

This seems to be a standard way of covering themselves from any liability issues that may arise, and it should not be a problem for most gamers. Such as the lucky ones that got a chance to try out the 3DS at the Nintendo E3 booth, who only got sick of waiting in the ridiculously long lines and not from playing with the 3DS itself.

I suppose just like all of the finer things in life 3D should be enjoyed in moderation, so try not to go on a 5 hour bender that only stops when your retinas start bleeding … unless you are hardcore!

E3: Nintendo and 3D Movies

Source: LA Times

Nintendo has pulled something of a coup against Sony in the 3D market by announcing this morning at the E3 conference that their new handheld called the "3DS" will not only support 3D gaming but also 3D movies.

Currently Nintendo has partnered up with a few major studios such as Disney, Warner Bros and Dreamworks to get stereoscopic 3D movies. The E3 demo of the Nintendo 3DS showed the trailer for the upcoming Disney movie Tangled to give an idea of how the system would work.

The Nintendo 3DS is due out sometime this year, but no definite date has been set yet. The new handheld has two screens just like the previous DS models, with the bottome screen integrated with a touchpad but the top one is now capable of projecting 3D images without requiring cumbersome, but oh so fashionable, 3D glasses. Another major upgrade from the current DS is the inclusion of three cameras that will allow you to actually take 3D pictures that you will then be able to share with your other 3DS buddies.

This was a pretty big announcement that was off of everyone’s radar. They stole some of Sony's thunder (who has been heavily pushing 3D) since their announcement of 3D gaming and movies wasn't until a few hours later in the day.

It has been a long time since I invested in a handheld gaming system, the last one I owned was a Gameboy Color, but the 3DS is looking pretty awesome ... maybe this is the handheld I have been waiting for ... maybe.