I’ve loved my 3DS from the moment I got my hands on it.  It’s a great portable with a lot of really fun applications, and I had a great time playing through Ocarina of Time again, only this time… in the third dimension! Of course it’s no secret that the initial months of the handheld’s release were pretty lackluster, with not many other must-have games besides Ocarina.  But that all changed over the past few months.

First, Nintendo provided the system with a massive software update, which included, among other things, the ability to record 3D video, along with an impressive amount of new content to the StreetPass games that originally came included with the system. It might not seem like much, but let me tell you, these games are addicting.  There are 7 new Nintendo-themed puzzles in Puzzle Swap, and these are much harder to complete than the original 7.  Then there’s Find Mii II, the sequel to the original Find Mii game, where you have to use Mii’s that you collect from other people to rescue your Mii that has been kidnapped by ghosts.  It may sound like pure lunacy to the uninitiated, but if you’re like me and are obsessed with collecting as many hats as possible for your Mii to wear, this is a huge addition to the system.

But the Big N didn’t stop there – they also released two AAA titles in rapid succession of each other, Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7.  Both of these games are insanely fun, and the fact that they both came out so close to each other means that you can go back and forth between the two games if either one has you stuck on a tough level.  I’d been on a bit of a Mario 3D Land kick lately, and I was finally able to get through the first 8 Worlds, while collecting all of the Star Coins along the way.  Now I just have to tackle the 8 remaining Special worlds. The game has been a total blast to play, as it somehow is able to blend the styles of the New Super Mario Bros. games with that of the Super Mario Galaxy series. The result is straight-forward mechanics, fun power-ups, and levels that are simple to get through, but made more challenging if you want to find every secret as you go. And there was also a brilliantly done psych-out that reminded me of the great ending of SMB3. (Remember when video games had fun screwing with you, before there was an internet full of spoilers?)

There’s never been a bad Mario Kart game, and MK7 continues the tradition of great tracks and fast-paced action.  The game has introduced the ability to drive underwater and to sail through the air with gliders, which are both used to great effect.  There are also plenty of little shortcuts to be found along the way, which harkens back to the old days of the franchise and make things really interesting in close races.  So far I’ve gotten Gold medals in the 50cc and 100cc classes, and am so far struggling with the tougher 150cc races. I’m loving the game so far, but I do wish that there were more characters available from the get go. And why does the Mii character sound like a disfigured Toad-Yoshi hybrid? And this is a more general gripe, but I wish the series would go back to having five tracks in every cup like there were in Super Mario Kart, instead of the now standard four.

But the greatest thing about both of these new games is how well they use the 3D to enhance the gameplay.  Naysayers had cried foul that the 3D effect was just a gimmick that wouldn’t make much of a difference in how the games were played.  And that was true in Ocarina, which was originally a 2D game that had been retrofitted with 3D effects.  The 3D in Ocarina is definitely cool, but it didn’t really “do” anything. That’s less true in Mario Kart 7, where the added depth helps players get a better sense of where things are on the track. But the 3D is used to maximum effect in Super Mario 3D Land, where certain puzzles and levels would be much tougher to get through if you had the 3D turned off.

All in all, I have once again found myself with a Nintendo handheld system that makes my commute infinitely more fun. And while I’m looking forward to the next batch of games for the 3DS, I’m also sure that I’ll be hunting for hats, puzzle pieces, Star Coins, and every last kart unlockable for the foreseeable future. And really, what more could a guy ask for?

But the recent overreactions about the 3DS, the new Facebook layout, and the whole Netflix/Qwikster thing seem to have gone too far.

Let’s start with Nintendo.  Now granted, the 3DS has had some troubles since it’s launch. Initial sales numbers were lower than expected, Nintendo had to implement the “ambassador” program, and then there was news of an add-on second analog stick. Certainly this has been one of the weaker launches in the Big N’s illustrious history. But the company held a big press conference, and announced details on a slew of new games and services that will be coming soon. Which, for my mind, gets me even more excited about the system in the months to come. But investors were less impressed, and the stock dropped 5%. One investor took to the press and claimed that Nintendo’s portable gaming model (you have to buy their system to play their games) is dying because people want to download and play games on their cell phones.

What an overreaction!  Sure, people like to download and play cheap games on their cell phones, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room in the market for a portable game system, too.  No matter what, there will always be issues of compatibility, and there will never be one magical device that does everything every customer wants it too.  So why should Nintendo give up the handheld market it has totally dominated since the Game Boy was released over two decades ago?  Because Angry Birds is popular?  People like watching stupid cat videos on YouTube – does that mean that Hollywood should stop making big-budget movies, too?

Then there’s the new Facebook layout.  The homepage is different; now top stories are updated and designed to show you what is the “most interesting.”  Seems like a novel idea to me.  But of course, countless people are complaining about how awful it is, and how the old homepage was so much better.

What an overreaction!  Come on, Facebook has been evolving since it first began, and every single time there’s a change, people hate it.  Then they grow to like it.  Then they think that layout is perfect.  Then something else changes, and there is a new revolution.  Shrug.  I fail to see what the big deal is with this update.  No matter what, the News Feed will contain some things that are interesting, funny, informative, as well as things that are pointless, dull, and repetitive (like, for example, dozens of complaints about the new Facebook.)  That’s what makes Facebook what it is – a narcissistic, voyeuristic, time waster.

And finally, there’s Netflix’s decision to split into two entities, the streaming only Netflix, and the disc-only Qwikster.  Now, I have to admit right off the bat that I do think there are some serious flaws to this decision, first and foremost making the two websites completely separate and incompatible.  That just makes things unnecessarily complicated for customers who wish to have both services.

But that said, why the overreaction?  Any way you look at it, Netflix was and is a groundbreaking company.  The whole way that people watch previously released movies and TV shows has been forever altered for the better thanks to them.  And once again, the system is going to change.  It may make things slightly more of a hassle at the moment, but it’s still a much better solution then having to run out to a video store.  Some people will prefer to only keep one service – and for them, this split isn’t an inconvenience at all.  And for the people who want both, they will still be able to get the content they want, any way they want, which is still pretty damn cool.  And while these changes (and the price hike from earlier in the year) are not ideal, they are (presumably) necessary for Netlfix to stay in business.  So really, is it THAT big of a deal?

My amazing wife got me exactly what I wanted for Father’s Day this year – a Nintendo 3DS. Now I know I had been hemming and hawing a bit over whether to pick one of these bad boys up right away. And quite frankly, I’m not sure that I missed out on anything major by not picking one up immediately. But now that I have it – and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D to play, I’m in heaven.

The first question everyone usually asks is if the 3D hurts your eyes. Generally speaking, it does not. The reason for the caveat is that the way the 3D works, you need to find the “sweet spot” to hold the system so that your eyes can pick up and combine the left and right eye images. It’s pretty easy to find a position that works and maintain it. Sure, there are times I have been playing and the train has been a little too bumpy, or the person next to me keeps knocking into my elbow, and I lose the 3D effect. If that happens and I don’t want to bother repositioning, I can very easily turn the 3D effect off.

But I much prefer to keep it on. The graphics are certainly impressive in two dimensions, but the effect of 3D is just really cool. The Zelda cut scenes look beautiful, and the gameplay itself is greatly enhanced with the third dimension. Fireflies and butterflies that fly around Link give the game a new sense of depth, and it becomes much easier to gauge how far enemies and objects are from you. Moving the 3DS in the real world to look around in first-person perspective takes some getting used to, but it’s a nice option in addition to the C-pad. And of course, the game itself is a true classic. I only played through it once before, so I don’t remember all of the details, and I’m enjoying exploring this (arguably definitive) version of Hyrule.

Of course, there are other functions built right into the portable that are also pretty addictive. The Mii Maker turns a picture into a Mii automatically (or is that automaticamii?) The StreetPass mode lets you meet Miis from other 3DS’s, who can then come into your system and give you missing puzzle pieces of NIntendo pictures, or help your Mii escape from ghosts in the Find Mii game. Sure, those applications are pretty simple, but I have to admit that I am obsessed with collecting other Miis so I can complete them. In the music player, you can listen to mp3’s and manipulate them as they play. With a simple system update, I have an internet browser and the Nintendo shop, where you can download classic games and movie/game trailers. I got the free 3D Excitebike game, but to be honest I was never a big fan of the original, and seeing it in 3D didn’t make me suck any less, so I quickly moved on. The AR games, which use cards placed on a flat surface, and then have things appear to pop out of them on the screen, makes for a very cool visual. The built in Face Raiders game also uses the outward facing cameras to turn the world around you into a video-game level. Then there’s the photo mode, which uses the dual cameras to take 3D pictures. I’ve already taken a few cool shots of Eli and Sherlock, and the extra depth can make for some really funky looking pictures. The only downside with all of this stuff is there’s no way to show it off except to hand you the 3DS. Which, of course, I will gladly do if you are interested. (And in many cases, even if you are not.)

In short, the 3DS is a pretty nifty device. I’m sure Zelda will keep me busy for a while, and with Super Mario 3D and Mario Kart coming out later this year, I’m confident that I’m going to get a lot of mileage out of my new toy. If anyone out there wants to exchange Friend Codes, let me know!

OMG

OMG

OMG

OK, I’ve calmed down a bit, sorry about that.

But you can understand why I’m so excited – Nintendo just had their E3 press conference, where they announced their next home console, the Wii U.

I instantly want/need/have to have it.

The system will feature HD graphics, but its most newsworthy feature (like the Wii before it) is its controller, which incorporates a 6.2 inch touch screen, that will be used for gaming in some unbelievable ways.  Like what?  Like for continuing a game on the screen when someone else is using the TV.  For aiming and controlling things in new ways.  For storing/accessing your inventory (like in a Zelda game, as in the above picture).  For drawing pictures on the tablet and then using them in the game.

The system will also be backwards compatible with the Wii, the Wii-motes, and other accessories that have sold millions.

So yeah, it’s pretty amazing.

And just look at how cool an HD Zelda will be:

So what of my prediction of an announcement of a new New Super Mario Bros. game at launch on the new system?  Sadly, no such announcement was made.  Though Nintendo did show off some screen shots of a new twist on the game, titled New Super Mario Bros. Mii, where you can have your own Mii avatar play alongside Mario in the game.  He made it clear that he was not announcing it as an in-development game, but I’m going to remain optimistic about it.

Wii U didn’t get a launch date beyond the vague “2012,” nor did it get a price or an official announcement of any first-party games.  Still, I am foaming at the mouth.

Other big news from the conference: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword will come out for Wii this year, and the 3DS is getting a slew of awesome looking new games, including Luigi’s Mansion 2, Super Mario 3DS, and a new Mario Kart, with karts that can drive underwater and even fly!!

YAY!  Nintendo Forever!!!

I’ve already written about how excited I am for Nintendo’s next console.  And it’s a safe bet that I’ll be writing about it again in more detail after the E3 press conference where it will be unveiled. (That will be June 7 at 12pm Eastern, for those of you who are interested.)

But I have a prediction about what Nintendo will reveal at E3, and specifically how it will affect the next Nick’s Marathon. And since I absolutely LOVE being right, it’s worth it to make this proclamation now.

(If I’m wrong, I’ll never bring it up again. Obviously. I HATE being wrong.)

PREDICTION:
The next Nintendo home console will be launched with a new New Super Mario Bros. game.

Therefore, Nick’s Marathon 2012 will be scheduled around the release of not only a new NSMB game (as it was in 2009), but also around a whole new video game system!

Now let’s not get too excited about this prediction, as I could of course be totally wrong. Or worse, this exact announcement could be made in June 2011, only to be derailed by a later postponement. (It’s happened before.)

So is it likely? You never know what surprises Nintendo has in store. But it seems like it would be a smart move for the company to release their next system with a sequel to one of the most successful video games ever made. The next console Zelda game is (as of now) coming to the Wii this year, so it seems unlikely we’ll get a new Zelda for a while on the new system. And Team Mario is hard at work cranking out Super Mario 3DS, also meaning that a 3D console game could be down the road a bit. But a 2D Mario? I say it’s a sure thing! (The 2D Mario games are developed by a different team than the 3D games, which is how NSMBWii and Super Mario Galaxy 2 were able to be released only six months apart.)

The strongest argument against my bold prediction is that all signs seem to point towards the next system courting the “hardcore” gamer, while Super Mario games tend to appeal more to the “family friendly” sector. But Nintendo would be wise to cater to both demographics; while they want to lure new customers in, they don’t want to alienate the people who bought the Wii – and NSMBWii specifically – en masse. So give the hardcore gamers some stunning graphics games where you shoot Nazi alien zombies in shockingly graphic detail. And then give the rest of us a new 2D Super Mario Bros. game!

NSMBWii was the perfect game for Nick’s Marathon – 4 player co-op that you can drop in and drop out of easily. It was not super easy, but it was challenging enough to take the better part of the weekend to beat the game. And having a brand new game helped us get some exposure (and donations from strangers!) online.

I’m also hoping that the system will launch in the spring of 2012 instead of before the holidays, since scheduling NM at the end of the year is extra tricky. But that is not part of my prediction, as I have a gut feeling (not really based on anything) that the system will launch in the late fall like the Wii did.

So yeah, there’s definitely some wishful thinking here on my part, and I can’t deny that. But I stand by my prediction!

For the non-nerds among you: Project Cafe is the codename that has been given to Nintendo’s next video game console. It is important to note that this codename will almost certainly NOT be what the console is ultimately called… The Wii was codenamed Revolution (which was one damn cool codename), and the GameCube was codenamed Dolphin (which was one super lame codename.)

But anyway, the internet has been on fire with all kinds of rumors/speculation/leaked information about Nintendo’s follow-up to the Wii system. Here is what is “known” about it so far:

• The new console will be showed off at this June’s E3 show, though there will be an official announcement made before then.
• This system will deliver high definition gaming.
• The system will be as or more powerful than the PlayStation 3.
• The controller will have an integrated 6 inch touch-screen built in to it, which may also be HD.  It may or may not have motion-sensing capabilities.
• The new system will be backwards compatible with the Wii.
• The system is scheduled to be released in late 2012.

Now, I am clearly a Nintendo fanboy, and so I am sure to be on board with whatever Project Cafe turns out to really be.  I’m already excited for an HD system, and the controller with a screen seems like a cool idea – maybe they’ll revisit the concept of “Four Swords” -esque games.  (I liked that game – the problem was that you really needed exactly four people, all of whom had a GBA, and none of whom had severe ADD.)

I am extremely curious if the system will incorporate “waggle,” i.e. a motion controller.  It seems unlikely given what we know of the controller so far, and I’m not sure how I feel about that.  On the one hand, I have enjoyed swinging the Wiimote in Zelda, but on the other hand, I was never too into Wii Sports and those kinds of games.  Whether you love or hate waggle, it’s tough to argue that the Wii’s control scheme moved a lot of units – quite a lot of them to people who wouldn’t have considered themselves “gamers” before; and it has inspired Sony and Microsoft to hop on the motion-control bandwagon.  So for the company to abandon this huge trend that they pioneered seems somewhat odd.  Of course, there is the possibility that the Wii will continue to live on for the “casual” fans, and Cafe will be a separate path for the hardcore gamers who insist on dual analog sticks and photo-realistic graphics.

For me, I just want cool games.  I mean, I know it’s a clichéd sentiment, but that is really what it all boils down to, and that philosophy has served Nintendo well.  I know, the haters will say that Nintendo has not had great games on Wii, or enough of them.  But I’ve been happy with the games I’ve played through, and if their next system continues that trend, then I’ll be happy.  Whether the game requires me to shake my controller, or use a touchscreen, or whatever, if it’s a fun experience, the details don’t matter…

…as long as it’s not really called Project Cafe.

Still, I have been reading all kinds of glowing reviews about the 3DS online.  They say its awesome.  They say the 3D has to be seen to be believed.  They say the battery life sucks and will probably be improved by a later model, but that model will undoubtedly come out long after the handheld’s “must-have” games are released.  And there is no way I’ll be able to resist a new 3D Super Mario game.

AND there are super cool (depending on your definition) midnight launches going on – a big one at the Union Square Best Buy, and even a smaller one at the BB in Westbury.

So will I cave and get a 3DS right away?  Will I head into the city to join Meh on line to get one just after midnight?  (You still do that sort of thing?  Hey, I held your spot on line last time!)  Will I at least go to the Long Island store and try to snag a freebie or two?

Maybe, but I sincerely doubt it.

Why? Because staying up until midnight is a rarity these days for me.  Plus, I have a busy day this Saturday.

Doing what?  I’d rather not say.

Fine.

We’re getting insulation put in the house.

Who needs revolutionary gaming technology when you can save 4% on your heating bill???

Sigh.

Elsewhere in the world of Nintendo (and completely unrelated), check out this fake trailer for a Mario movie that apparently ran before the films shown at the SXSW festival.  Funny stuff.

Well, should I?

I’m not *always* an early adopter.  I’ve so far managed to resist the temptation of the Verizon iPhone, believing it makes sense to wait until the 4G model.  But when it comes to Nintendo, I tend to like to get my gear early.  Mehler and I (mostly just me) camped out for 30 plus hours to get the Wii when it came out, and I even picked up the original DS back on its launch day.  I had pretty much assumed I would get the 3DS the day it came out, too, but I’m not totally sure anymore.

I mean, don’t get me wrong, I am definitely getting one, no question about it.  But the fact is that, as of right now, there is no must have game that will be available on day one.  And a lot of the cool features, like the eShop, will be coming via download in the weeks and months after launch.  So if I buy it right away, sure I can brag about having the new gadget, and I can play around with all of the software it comes with, but I imagine that could get old fairly fast.  I’m gonna want a GAME.

There’s a new Rabbids game coming, but even that isn’t confirmed for launch.  And naturally when the Ocarina of Time 3D or new Mario games come out, I’m gonna want to get my mitts on those right away.  But should I just wait for those games?  Odds are there won’t be a new version of the hardware that will come out with those games; Nintendo does update their handhelds (DS, DS, Lite, DSi), but they don’t do it as regularly as, say, Apple.  So if the hardware won’t change, maybe it does make sense to just buy it right away so I can have it ready when the good games are released.

What do YOU think?

Star Wars is coming to Blu-Ray – and there’s an official date: September 27!  I still don’t have a Blu-Ray player, but between this and the complete Lost collection, clearly I need one.  The biggest question is how “special” these editions will be.  Will the prequels get new effects?  It sure would be nice if they fixed the Episode I Yoda, who looked worse than the OT Yoda.

And there’s also been some official ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ news – Anne Hathaway will play Selina Kyle, and Tom Hardy will play Bane.  There’s no word if Selina’s alter-ego Catwoman will be in the film, but it stands to reason she will be.  It also seems likely that the version of Bane in this movie will be more than just a hulking muscular goon.  I must admit that at first I was a little disappointed by this news.  I mean, Anne Hathaway is beautiful and everything, but can she make for a compelling Miss Kyle?  But then I had a similar reaction to hearing that Heath Ledger was going to play the Joker, and we all know how that turned out.  So I still have faith that this movie will rock.

And the biggest news of all (coming right as Nick’s Marathon is about to start!) is that the Nintendo 3DS has a release date and price: March 27, 2011 and $249.  It is pricey for a handheld, but come on – it’s 3D!  Without glasses!  All of the early reviews and impressions are amazing, and come on, who wouldn’t want to play Mario games in 3D?!  They still haven’t announced the games that will be available at launch, which is odd, but given the list of games that we know are coming – Mario Kart, Paper Mario, Kid Icarus, Ocarina of Time – it’s bound to be an amazing little gadget.  Yay for the future!

I hate most stores, but I can browse for hours at Nintendo World.

If you’ve never been there, you should definitely check it out. It’;s in Rockefeller Center, next door to Today’s studio. They have some great events over there, like fun launches for new games, usually complete with T-shirt giveaways (I have more shorts from that place than I know what to do with), life-size characters to take pictures with, and other assorted randomness. We’ve already brought Eli there twice – once to meet Charles Martinet (the guy who does Mario’s voice) although we did get there too late to get his autograph, and again this past weekend for their grand re-opening and Mario’s 25th Anniversary celebration. Both Reggie Fils-Aime and Shigeru Miyamoto were there, though of course we missed them as well! Still, we got a picture with Mario, and we got Eli a cool vintage Mario T-shirt that he can wear when he grows a few feet taller.

Then there are other events there, like the Mario Kart tournament Courtney, James and I “competed” in years ago – we all got knocked out int he first round, but good times were had. James and I were there for the midnight launch of Super Mario Galaxy, and Steve stopped by the store last year to bring a copy of New Super Mario Bros. Wii over to Nick’s Marathon a day before it went on sale everywhere else.

But Nintendo World doesn’t need to have a big event to be cool – it just is. They have a great museum of memorabilia – which has been newly expanded – that shows some cool collectibles from the company’s past. The most interesting attraction is an original Game Boy that was severely damaged during Operation Desert Storm – and still works. Never seen a R.O.B. in person? They have one!

They also have the coolest Nintendo merchandise. Want a T-shirt with Mario in the Tanooki suit? They got ‘em. Bowser backpacks, toy Links, board games, party supplies – you name it, they have it. It’s an easy place to waste money on stuff that you don’t really need, but that you also TOTALLY need.

Best. Store. Ever.