Nintendo Okie

This time last year there was only one thing on our minds. Donkey Kong Country Returns. But that’s not what we want to discuss today. The other thing that was brewing this time last year was the 3DS; at the time we only knew what it looked like, that it could produce 3D games and that it would be released by the following March. January 2011 gave us our first full look at the 3DS, and it is safe to say that everyone was impressed. Boasting an impressive roster of games and an impressive selection of in-built software, the 3DS was seen as an instant hit for Nintendo, and not something they needed to worry about. And it seems Nintendo felt that way too.

Quite simply, over the past 8 months the games just haven’t been there. And we’re not just talking about A+ titles from big developers. The problem covers all developers, as there just haven’t been enough games for the 3DS, good or otherwise. The early drought of games certainly took its toll on Nintendo’s profit margins, as 3DS units remained bolted to retail shelves as consumers simply did not want a console that had no games, ultimately leading to a price cut mere months into the system’s lifespan. Since then the 3DS has been in a recovery phase as developers find their feet with the console and consumers find reasons to buy it. And now, 9 months after the system first hit store shelves, the 3DS has recovered, and is looking set to make good on the promise it had one year ago.

The key factor in the recovery of the 3DS is in the software and that area of recovery is largely down to the top tier games that Nintendo themselves have been released for the system over the past two months. Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 are classics in their own right, and the brilliant timing of releasing them so close to Christmas has no doubt helped to boost sales of the 3DS. After all, who doesn’t enjoy a new Mario or Mario Kart game on their new handheld? It is arguable that one of these titles should have been out earlier though and helped stave off the stagnation the release schedule had mid-year, but the fact is that by double-heading the Winter release schedule with these two titans, Nintendo have drummed up more support and more public awareness of the system in 2 weeks than they had done before in 6 months. Quite simply, Mario sells systems, and two Mario games sell a lot of systems.

It’s not all down to Nintendo and Mario though, as the pre-Christmas release schedule has seen numerous third-parties follow-through with their promise of 3DS software after months in development. SEGA’s Sonic Generations and Traveller’s Tales Lego Harry Potter sequel among others have bolstered the roster of games available on the system over a matter of weeks, transforming what was a barren shelf to one that is showing signs of the beginning of a memorable collection forming. One of the key components of the success of the original DS was the fact that it had games for everyone, and we’re now seeing the realisation of that on the 3DS. With existing titles such as Nintendogs + Cats already available, the new third-party titles that are arriving weekly are filling more of that current void of games for everyone, and as a result, we’re seeing increased sales, just as Nintendo hoped.

The introduction of an array of new colours and special editions is also not hurting the 3DS’s cause, and it is ironic that despite new variations of systems arriving all the time, that the 3DS is on the verge of reaching its first sell-out crisis in the UK, with many retailers reporting that they are getting through stock faster than Nintendo can provide it. The new colours however should realistically have been available at launch, with the white variation in particular a notable absentee in March. Nonetheless, it is driving sales forward, and it is something all 3DS owners should be thankful for, if only for the StreetPass hits.

The other big factor in the 3DS’s recovery is that Nintendo have finally got to grips with just what makes the system special. Today’s firmware update is the ultimate expression of this, and really is the icing on the 3DS’s recovery cake. Way back at E3 2010, the potential of the 3DS was practically limitless. As the first glasses-free 3D handheld, we all wondered just what it would have the potential to do – 3D video was naturally one of the things high on that list. The other area of potential for the 3DS was that it could correct all of Nintendo’s online troubles by the fact that it was simply starting again; it had a clean slate. What we got though was only half of the change we wanted.

The latest system update however goes a long way to rectifying that, with the inclusion of 3D video recording perhaps being the final component of the 3DS to fall into place; the system is at last, whole. 3D video recording gives the 3DS that unique hook that it has been struggling to capitalise on for so long – sure it is glasses free 3D gaming, but what else can it do? Photos? I guess that’s fine, but show someone a full 3D video you’ve recorded and heads will turn. It is something that only the rich can afford, and to be able to do it on your cheap and portable handheld is something that Nintendo should be proud of and should be making a big deal out of. It is a huge step forward for the system, and big selling point.

The 3DS update has also brought with it the first example of Nintendo introducing post-release patches, or if you will, DLC, to games it has already released. The updates to StreetPass Plaza came as a direct result of fans requesting it, and the updates are large in number. From the simple addition of puzzles to the more streamlined interface, this is an example of Nintendo at their best – refining what is there based on what gamers want. The inclusion of an achievement system is also something that many, myself included, were surprised to discover. It’s a bold step for Nintendo, but one that would appear to be the genesis of a fully integrated achievements system from Nintendo in the future. Whether that is on Wii U or a future 3DS system update we are yet to see.

The online and networking presence of the 3DS has also been bolstered recently, beginning Nintendo’s transition from poor online to what will hopefully become the finest example of online play outside of a PC. The simple inclusion of a ‘Join Game’ button in the Friends List goes a long way to building a community, and with the release of Mario Kart 7, 3DS owners now have a game around which they can build that. Mario Kart 7 should also be commended for providing perhaps the most robust online service Nintendo have ever created, proving that given time, Nintendo will create what we all want.

As we come to the end of 2011, one thing is clear – it hasn’t been a kind year for the 3DS or for 3DS owners. But the future is bright. 3DS owners can now game comfortably, with the knowledge that the worst is truly behind them and that things will only get better. The rate at which the 3DS is upgraded and bolstered through system updates proves that Nintendo have big plans for this system into 2012, and with big first and third-party titles just around the corner, the future of the system could not be brighter. To prove that the 3DS has recovered, you need only to look at the sales figures – based on current projections, the 3DS is going to beat the first year sales of the DS, and we all know how well the DS ultimately did. At last, 3DS owners can talk about the system in confidence, with a solid software line-up and impressive on-board software ready to wow the general public now in place. The recovery phase is over, and it is time for the 3DS to game on into 2012. It’s going to be great.