EPTHardware.
About the same size as a DSi tbh, I did play a DS XL prior (and an old style DS prior..) so the slightly smaller screen made me sad a little,but after a few minutes I didn't even notice. Comfortable, the analog is good (ie.. much better than PSP's imo) The middle buttons under the screen aren't as intuitive as they look and can be a bit arsey to click, otherwise all good. Screen resolution.. if you turn off the 3D (my gf can't see 3D so mines turned off when she's sitting next to me for example) the resolution is really..really good. Very sharp and crisp (or at least on WE2011, RR is a little blocky in places but that's more the graphics) Sound is good also, haven't really blasted it through my headphones yet.
3D Yes it works, yes it's good, the angle isn't bad and is very much like you'd be holding it anyway, unless your odd.... SSF4 and WE2011 use it like you'd imagine, just makes things puff out, looks good either way. The SSF4 3d mode.. is pretty gimmicky tbh and you'll switch to standard arcade view almost immediately. Ridge Racer... tracks look gooood.. if a little basic. It is a launch title so I'll give it leeway.. can't wait to see what games look like in a year. The Ridge Racer tracks just scream to me.. This Console needs OUTRUN!!! but maybe that's just me..
Spotpass
Honestly, I can't think of a more pointless... yes brilliant addition. I go out everyday, set it to sleep, throw it in my bag, it acts as a pedometer and if i pass anyone else with their's activated it swaps info, (mii's, game data... ie streetfighter does it's little battle thingy, ridge racer swaps ghost data) Not only this... the more data you swap and the more you walk... the more points and coins you unlock to buy stuff in your games.
In streetfighter the street pass thing is the little figurine game that fights other people while you walk around, you try to build the best team etc etc. You can unlock points playing the game to buy new trophies, or you can trade in game coins for points... the more you walk, the more coins you earn, the quicker you can unlock stuff, and also it allows other people to trade with you. Every person you meet, swaps their mii data with you, you can then use their mii in the little mii minigames.. collecting puzzle pieces.. the little mii adventure game (it sucks don't get me wrong.. but it's a cool feature)
Really can't wait to see what developers come up with to do with this feature. Also going to be used for download content when you enter specific shops, hotspots etc. (So I've heard.. Dead or Alive will feature specific content you can only find from certain shops etc..)
Games
Augmented Reality games
Free, fun, nothing spectacular, unless you like shooting balloon images of your own face as you chase them around your room. The card things are cool, and I can imagine there will be buyable, trade-able packs made available with new stuff (at least in Japan.. they love card based stuff here)
Super Street Fighter 4
It's SSF4... on a handheld! in 3D! so it's exactly as you'd expect. Backgrounds are static, otherwise same as console versions, all costumes are included (as far as I can see) haven't had a chance to test the spot pass feature extensively yet or the online.. (damn my non wireless router) Control method is ok, obviously it's not an arcade stick, but it's playable and solid. You can map up to 4 moves (not combos) onto the touchpad for ease of use., tbh I only use it for landing a snap ultra. As you'd expect. Good port.
Winning Eleven 2011 or Pro evolution soccer if you prefer it by its English name. Plays just like it's console counterpart, looks good, plays good, lacking in editing features, and leagues/teams. Otherwise solid. Nothing much more to say, it's football, its good, if you like these games, you'll like this.
Ridge Racer Pretty basic nothing flashy, 3D is good, if a little basic (guess to keep the frame rate steady.. which it is) shows potential, racing games in a years time will be great looking IMO. Plays like every other Ridge Racer ever released, no surprises.
Conclusion
I love it... but then I'm biased (Nintendo fanboy to the core) The games are just ports but they're good solid ports. The potential is there for the future games to be really spectacular in both graphics and features if the developers want to, and don't just turn it into a shovelware-fest like the DS became. So it's not going to rock anyone's world straight out the gates, but what it does is good and solid, and it has the potential.. and until it fulfills that, I can play current gen games on a handheld to keep me amused.. after all it's easier to carry one on the train than an Xbox.. and mine is 6000 miles away for the next 6 months anyway.
In short.. buy it.. I have.. I love it.. and I'm going to go play some more WE2011 now. Laters.
. Only problem is that I can't wait and I still can't decide which game to buy
