E3 2010: Hands-on with Nintendo 3DS

Paper Mario

Another N64 game reborn, this one only had a trailer that ran through various areas from the original. Again the 3D doesn’t come across in screens, so showing you images is basically like traveling back to 2001. Not sure how the 3D tech will really benefit a slow-moving RPG, but I’m willing to wait and see.

Nintendogs + Cats

Oddly enough, there were no cats! The dogs on display were expectedly cute, especially their body language as you pet all over their faces, backs and bellies. Sounds silly, I know, but remember that this was one of Nintendo’s biggest DS games and it’s bound to sell millions more now that the fur looks that much better. (Did I actually write that?)

Most of the touted new features (face and voice recognition, cats) weren’t on display. Just a basic room with a dog. 3D was still nice though, especially when you toss a ball deep into the back and watch the dog slowly get smaller as he trots around. And yes, so cute.

Kid Icarus: Uprising

No new gameplay, sadly, just the trailer from Tuesday in 3D. Still completely floored by this so far, as the Sin & Punishment/Space Harrier/Panzer Dragoon laser-o-rama action seems like a perfect fit for Pit. That scene in the trailer, with all the red lasers darting around the screen? Farking brilliant in 3D. Can’t wait for this one.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (The Naked Sample)

In my opinion the best use of 3D on the platform thus far. Kojima’s return to the Snake Eater story tosses mud in your eyes, rustles grass past the screen and has an alligator park its snout right in your face in a truly “whoa” moment of 3D amazement. Another standout: a soldier reaching through a hole to find his lost smokes. His hand keeps popping out at the screen while Snake quietly avoids the probing appendage. Not sure exactly what the game is all about, but the tech on display was undeniably awesome.

There were tons more demos going on, such as a trailer for Kingdom Hearst, plus Dead or Alive and a new Resident Evil game, but with only so much time in the day I just couldn’t get to them all. Keep on the lookout for more!