I played the 3DS today. Two things:

1) It is the most unnecessary video game console ever made (so far). I say this because the 2DS showed no signs of slowing down, and upon first impression, the 3DS brings little to the table besides updated graphics and a (very) gimmicky 3D effect.

2) The 3DS is the coolest video game console ever made (so far). I realized that a flashy 2DS cannot be a bad thing in any way except that the 2DS is no longer tops. The 3DS has so many cool tricks, and although the launch line-up is weak as hell, the potential for this system is obvious.

I spent over an hour-and-a-half with the mini-gams and Mii maker in the system, Ridge Racer (alright), Rayman (really gay), Rabbis (less gay than Rayman), Pilotwings (not bad), Super Monkey Ball (same as it has always been), and Super Street Fighter IV (cool as shit. Props to Akuma).

After the initial headache wears off, which only happens after you figure out your respective “sweet spot” for which you can focus on the game with the 3D on, it’s a great concept. I had to play without my glasses on for a while in order to get comfortable.

This is some nift tricky shit. It would have been best to have two 3D screens as opposed to only the top, but it works out well enough. Nintendo has a lot at stake right now because of the general population opting to play lesser games on lesser handhelds (read: Angry Birds on iPhones), so they better get the ball rolling to take a firm grip on the casual audience while they can.

That said, fuck the casual audience. Video games, in my critical opinion, are a form of media to be not only enjoyed, but also savored. I understand that people just want to pick up and play a game to pass the time on occasion, but that does not mean that we should have to sacrifice quality in our games and pleasure in our experiences for this to occur.

Best of luck to you, Nintendo 3DS. You’re going to need it. I’ll support you once I return to my home country (since it is region-specific). And I look forward to it, if only for Star Fox and Zelda.